Patents by Inventor Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas 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).

  • Patent number: 7229529
    Abstract: Topically-applied binder materials for imparting wet strength to soft, absorbent paper sheets, such as are useful as household paper towels and the like, include an epoxy-reactive polymer, such as a carboxyl-functional polymer, and an epoxy-functional polymer. These binder materials can be cured at ambient temperature over a period of days and do not impart objectionable odor to final product when wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Thomas Goulet, Tracy Ho Mathews, Stacey Lynn Pomeroy, Maurizio Tirimacco
  • Patent number: 7189307
    Abstract: Topically-applied binder materials for imparting wet strength to soft, absorbent paper sheets, such as are useful as household paper towels and the like, include an epoxy-reactive polymer, such as a carboxyl-functional polymer, and an epoxy-functional polymer. These binder materials can be cured at ambient temperature over a period of days and do not impart objectionable odor to final product when wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Thomas Goulet, Stacey Lynn Pomeroy, Maurizio Tirimacco
  • Patent number: 6991706
    Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web is disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Michael Alan Hermans, Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark John Hassman, Maurizio Tirimacco, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 6984290
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark WOrldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Michael Runge, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Patent number: 6983174
    Abstract: A distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna elements, duplexers and amplifiers, each amplifier and duplexer operatively coupled with one of said antenna elements and mounted closely adjacent to the associated antenna element in such a manner as incidences of insertion loss, noise and system failure are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Hoppenstein, Mike Thomas, Mano D. Judd
  • Patent number: 6965515
    Abstract: A base station for a wireless communications system having a tower-mounted amplifier system with a low-noise amplifier transistor and a thermoelectric cooler that reduces the operating temperature of the low-noise amplifier transistor. The amplifier system has additional heat-generating components, such as filters, and additional electrical components mounted on a substrate to which the low-noise amplifier transistor is mounted. These heat-generating components are thermally isolated from the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. As a result, the cooling capacity and electrical power requirement for the thermoelectric cooler is significantly reduced because only the low-noise amplifier transistor is cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Alford, Mike Thomas
  • Patent number: 6896769
    Abstract: Modified condensation polymers containing azetidinium groups, such as polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, can be combined with amphiphilic hydrocarbons containing polyethers into a single molecule to provide several potential benefits, depending upon the specific combination employed, including: (a) wet strength aids that impart softness; (b) softeners that do not reduce wet strength: (c) wet strength with improved wet/dry strength ratio; (d) surface feel modifiers with reduced linting and sloughing; (e) wet strength aids with controlled absorbency; (f) wet strength aids with controlled decay rate after wetting; and (g) Yankee dryer additives that provide surface protection and adhesion with controlled release properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Mike Thomas Goulet, Daniel Arthur Clarahan, Wen Zyo Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20050041397
    Abstract: A base station for a wireless communications system having a tower-mounted amplifier system with a low-noise amplifier transistor and a thermoelectric cooler that reduces the operating temperature of the low-noise amplifier transistor. The amplifier system has additional heat-generating components, such as filters, and additional electrical components mounted on a substrate to which the low-noise amplifier transistor is mounted. These heat-generating components are thermally isolated from the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. As a result, the cooling capacity and electrical power requirement for the thermoelectric cooler is significantly reduced because only the low-noise amplifier transistor is cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: James Alford, Mike Thomas
  • Patent number: 6812905
    Abstract: A distributed antenna array comprising a plurality of antenna elements, and a plurality of power amplifiers, each power amplifier being operatively coupled with one of said antenna elements and mounted closely adjacent to the associated antenna element, such that no appreciable power loss occurs between the power amplifier and the associated antenna element, each said power amplifier comprising a relatively low power, linear power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Thomas, Mano D. Judd
  • Publication number: 20040192392
    Abstract: A distributed antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna elements, duplexers and amplifiers, each amplifier and duplexer operatively coupled with one of said antenna elements and mounted closely adjacent to the associated antenna element in such a manner as incidences of insertion loss, noise and system failure are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Hoppenstein, Mike Thomas, Mano D. Judd
  • Patent number: 6749721
    Abstract: Synthetic co-polymers having moieties capable of forming hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, or covalent bonds with cellulose fibers and paper modifying moieties capable of modifying a paper sheet are disclosed. These synthetic co-polymers are derived from the reaction of an aldehyde functional polymer and an aldehyde reactive paper modifying agent containing a non-hydroxyl aldehyde reactive functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Mike Thomas Goulet, Dana Stephanie Kass
  • Patent number: 6727004
    Abstract: Multi-ply paper towels are disclosed which have a combination of high absorbent capacity and a high rate of absorbency. These properties are the result of a combination of the intra-ply fiber structure and a network of inter-ply wet-collapse resistant channels that distribute and retain absorbed liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark Alan Burazin, Yu Cui
  • Publication number: 20040050514
    Abstract: Synthetic co-polymers having moieties capable of forming hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, or covalent bonds with cellulose fibers and paper modifying moieties capable of modifying a paper sheet are disclosed. These synthetic co-polymers are derived from the reaction of an aldehyde functional polymer and an aldehyde reactive paper modifying agent containing a non-hydroxyl aldehyde reactive functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Mike Thomas Goulet, Dana Stephanie Kass
  • Publication number: 20040045687
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after exposing the treated pulp fibers to process water, liquids, or solutions used in products. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu, David Andrew Moline, Alberto Ricardo Negri, Michael Payne, Troy Michael Runge, Alan Edward Wright
  • Publication number: 20040018369
    Abstract: Multi-ply paper towels are disclosed which have a combination of high absorbent capacity and a high rate of absorbency. These properties are the result of a combination of the intra-ply fiber structure and a network of inter-ply wet-collapse resistant channels that distribute and retain absorbed liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark Alan Burazin, Yu Cui
  • Patent number: 6632904
    Abstract: Synthetic polymers having hydrogen bonding capability and one or more polysiloxane moieties are capable of providing two distinct properties to paper products, such as tissues, which properties heretofore have been imparted through the use of at least two different molecules. The backbone of these synthetic polymers is based on modified vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamides and polyacrylic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen Zyo Schroeder, Daniel Arthur Clarahan, Mike Thomas Goulet, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Patent number: 6620295
    Abstract: Modified polysaccharides (such as starches, gums, chitosans, celluloses, alginates, sugars, etc.), which are commonly used in the paper industry as strengthening agents, surface sizes, coating binders, emulsifiers and adhesives, can be combined into a single molecule with amphiphilic hydrocarbons (e.g. surface active agents) which are commonly utilized in the paper industry to control absorbency, improve softness, enhance surface feel and function as dispersants. The resulting molecule is a modified polysaccharide having surface active moieties which can provide several potential benefits, depending on the specific combination employed, including: (a) strength aids that do not impart stiffness; (b) softeners that do not reduce strength; (c) wet strength with improved wet/dry strength ratio; (d) debonders with reduced linting and sloughing; (e) strength aids with controlled absorbency; and (f) surface sizing agents with improved tactile properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Daniel Arthur Clarahan, Mike Thomas Goulet, Wen Zyo Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20030159786
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Troy Michael Runge, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Patent number: 6596126
    Abstract: Modified polysaccharides (such as starches, gums, chitosans, celluloses, alginates, sugars, etc.), which are commonly used in the paper industry as strengthening agents, surface sizes, coating binders, emulsifiers and adhesives, can be combined into a single molecule with modified aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are commonly utilized, in conjunction with cationic moieties, as softeners, debonders, lubricants and sizing agents. The resulting molecule is a modified polysaccharide having an aliphatic moiety which can provide several potential benefits, depending on the specific combination employed, including: (a) strength aids that do not impart stiffness; (b) softeners that do not reduce strength; (c) wet strength with improved wet/dry strength ratio; (d) debonders with reduced linting and sloughing; (e) strength aids with controlled absorbency; and (f) surface sizing agents with improved tactile properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Daniel Arthur Clarahan, Mike Thomas Goulet, Wen Zyo Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6582560
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Michael Runge, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu