Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Kraft

Nicholas A. Kraft 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: 8562774
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a nonwoven fabric includes a first web that is at least partially formed of extruded strands which include an auto-adhesive material. The nonwoven fabric is adapted to be bonded to another item that includes a similar auto-adhesive material. In other embodiments, a method of forming a nonwoven fabric includes extruding a plurality of strands that are formed of an auto-adhesive material. The method further includes routing the plurality of strands toward a moving support, depositing the plurality of strands onto the moving support, and then stabilizing the plurality of strands to form a web. In other embodiments, a fastening system includes a nonwoven fabric that has a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands that include an auto-adhesive material. The fastening system further includes a foam layer that has a surface with a plurality of free-standing struts that include a similar auto-adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadezhda V. Efremova, Bruce M. Siebers, Lisha Yu, Christian L. Sanders, Gary D. Williams, Nicholas A. Kraft, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Fung-jou Chen
  • Patent number: 8414738
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a multiple ply tissue product that includes a first ply and a second ply. The first ply includes a first outwardly facing layer having hardwood fibers, a second layer having softwood fibers, and a third layer having at least about 10 percent by weight post-consumer recycled fiber, wherein the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael John Rekoske, Thomas G. Neal, Jr., Nicholas A. Kraft, Benjamin Joseph Kruchoski
  • Publication number: 20110315309
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a nonwoven fabric includes a first web that is at least partially formed of extruded strands which include an auto-adhesive material. The nonwoven fabric is adapted to be bonded to another item that includes a similar auto-adhesive material. In other embodiments, a method of forming a nonwoven fabric includes extruding a plurality of strands that are formed of an auto-adhesive material. The method further includes routing the plurality of strands toward a moving support, depositing the plurality of strands onto the moving support, and then stabilizing the plurality of strands to form a web. In other embodiments, a fastening system includes a nonwoven fabric that has a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands that include an auto-adhesive material. The fastening system further includes a foam layer that has a surface with a plurality of free-standing struts that include a similar auto-adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Nadezhda V. Efremova, Bruce M. Siebers, Lisha Yu, Christian L. Sanders, Gary D. Williams, Nicholas A. Kraft, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Fung-jou Chen
  • Patent number: 8034430
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a nonwoven fabric includes a first web that is at least partially formed of extruded strands which include an auto-adhesive material. The nonwoven fabric is adapted to be bonded to another item that includes a similar auto-adhesive material. In other embodiments, a method of forming a nonwoven fabric includes extruding a plurality of strands that are formed of an auto-adhesive material. The method further includes routing the plurality of strands toward a moving support, depositing the plurality of strands onto the moving support, and then stabilizing the plurality of strands to form a web. In other embodiments, a fastening system includes a nonwoven fabric that has a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands that include an auto-adhesive material. The fastening system further includes a foam layer that has a surface with a plurality of free-standing struts that include a similar auto-adhesive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadezhda V. Efremova, Bruce M. Siebers, Lisha Yu, Christian L. Sanders, Gary D. Williams, Nicholas A. Kraft, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Fung-jou Chen
  • Patent number: 7725992
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener is disclosed. The mechanical fastener generally comprises the male component of a hook and loop fastening system. The male component contains a plurality of protrusions that have been surface modified. In particular, the protrusions have been surfaced modified in a manner that prevents damage to a female component during engagement and disengagement but yet still forms a firm attachment with the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadezhda V. Efremova, Garry Roland Woltman, Mary L. McDaniel, Roger Bradshaw Quincy, III, Nicholas Kraft, Thomas A. Eby
  • Publication number: 20090056892
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a multiple ply tissue product that includes a first ply and a second ply. The first ply includes a first outwardly facing layer having hardwood fibers, a second layer having softwood fibers, and a third layer having at least about 10 percent by weight post-consumer recycled fiber, wherein the second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael John Rekoske, Thomas G. Neal, JR., Nicholas A. Kraft, Benjamin Joseph Kruchoski
  • Publication number: 20080155798
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener is disclosed. The mechanical fastener generally comprises the male component of a hook and loop fastening system. The male component contains a plurality of protrusions that have been surface modified. In particular, the protrusions have been surfaced modified in a manner that prevents damage to a female component during engagement and disengagement but yet still forms a firm attachment with the female component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Nadezhda V. Efremova, Garry Roland Woltman, Mary L. McDaniel, Roger Bradshaw Quincy, Nicholas Kraft, Thomas A. Eby
  • Publication number: 20070099531
    Abstract: A fastening system having a nonwoven fabric that includes a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands and a foam layer that includes a surface having a plurality of free-standing struts which are adapted to engage at least a portion of the plurality of strands, at least some of the free-standing struts including a surface modifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Nadezhda Efremova, Yung Huang, Nicholas Kraft, Sara Stabelfeldt, Eric Steindorf, Lisha Yu
  • Publication number: 20070099530
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a nonwoven fabric includes a first web that is at least partially formed of extruded strands which include an auto-adhesive material. The nonwoven fabric is adapted to be bonded to another item that includes a similar auto-adhesive material. In other embodiments, a method of forming a nonwoven fabric includes extruding a plurality of strands that are formed of an auto-adhesive material. The method further includes routing the plurality of strands toward a moving support, depositing the plurality of strands onto the moving support, and then stabilizing the plurality of strands to form a web. In other embodiments, a fastening system includes a nonwoven fabric that has a web which is formed of a plurality of extruded strands that include an auto-adhesive material. The fastening system further includes a foam layer that has a surface with a plurality of free-standing struts that include a similar auto-adhesive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Nadezhda Efremova, Bruce Siebers, Lisha Yu, Christian Sanders, Gary Williams, Nicholas Kraft, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Publication number: 20070098953
    Abstract: A mechanical fastener having a flexible layer and a plurality of first discrete fastener islands having a mechanical fastening material and a backing material having a first surface attached to the mechanical fastening material and a second surface attached to the flexible layer. The mechanical fastener also has a plurality of second discrete fastener islands comprising a foam fastening layer that is attached to the flexible layer and includes a surface having a plurality of free-standing struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventors: Sara Stabelfeldt, Nadezhda Efremova, Yung Huang, Nicholas Kraft, Eric Steindorf, Lisha Yu