Patents by Inventor Michael William Protheroe

Michael William Protheroe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for securing engagement between fastening components of pre-fastened garments
    Patent number: 7156939
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Bradley M. Marohl, David Albert Maxton, Robert L. Popp, Michael William Protheroe
  • Method for positioning garment side panels
    Patent number: 6821370
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Kurt Garrett Krupka, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Michael William Protheroe, Timothy Alan Thorson, Brian Robert Vogt, Michael John Wanner, Thomas Earl Williamson
  • Apparatus and method for securing engagement between fastening components of pre-fastened garments
    Publication number: 20030221767
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Robert Vogt, Kurt Garrett Krupka, Bradley M. Marohl, David Albert Maxton, Robert L. Popp, Michael William Protheroe
  • Fluid flow device and method for positioning garment side panels
    Publication number: 20030089453
    Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Robert Tomsovic, Kurt Garrett Krupka, David Albert Maxton, Robert Lee Popp, Michael William Protheroe, Timothy Alan Thorson, Brian Robert Vogt, Michael John Wanner, Thomas Earl Williamson