Patents by Inventor Patrick Sean McNichols

Patrick Sean McNichols 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: 11691347
    Abstract: An elastic nonwoven material includes a first non-woven fabric including a plurality of rows. Each row has a plurality of adjacent bonds formed therein. The elastic nonwoven material also includes a first elastic strand entrapped between a first pair of adjacent bonds within a first row of the plurality of rows, and a second elastic strand entrapped between a second pair of adjacent bonds within the first row. A third pair of adjacent bonds within the first row is free of elastic material therebetween and is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: DUKANE IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Patent number: 11654637
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and anvil. The anvil is positioned close to the horn. The horn or anvil has a face that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height thereof has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn/anvil. A tapered bonding profile, a traction pattern, and a cut-and-seal feature are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Publication number: 20230053660
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and anvil. The anvil is positioned close to the horn. The horn or anvil has a face that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height thereof has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn/anvil. A tapered bonding profile, a traction pattern, and a cut-and-seal feature are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Publication number: 20220355551
    Abstract: An elastic nonwoven material includes a first non-woven fabric including a plurality of rows. Each row has a plurality of adjacent bonds formed therein. The elastic nonwoven material also includes a first elastic strand entrapped between a first pair of adjacent bonds within a first row of the plurality of rows, and a second elastic strand entrapped between a second pair of adjacent bonds within the first row. A third pair of adjacent bonds within the first row is free of elastic material therebetween and is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A. Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Patent number: 11433620
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an article using a first bonding module having a first bonding module face and a second bonding module having a second bonding module face include supplying a first non-woven fabric to at least one of the first bonding module face and the second bonding module face, and supplying a plurality of elastic strands to a surface of the first non-woven fabric. The method and system further include entrapping a first elastic strand between a first pair of adjacent bonds in a first row in the first non-woven fabric, entrapping a second elastic strand between a second pair of adjacent bonds in the first row, and creating a third pair of adjacent bonds in the first row free of elastic bands therebetween. The third pair of adjacent bonds is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DUKANE IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Patent number: 11407182
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining a first film portion and a second film portion together along a seal line. The apparatus includes a horn and an anvil. The anvil is positionable in close proximity to the horn. Either the horn or the anvil has a face with a width dimension and a circumference and is rotatable about a rotation axis. The face has a raised profile, and a height of the raised profile has a dimension corresponding to 50% to 150% of a thickness of the first film portion or the second film portion. The face is positioned such that the raised profile extends along the circumference such that continuous running contact is provided between the raised profile and the other of the one of the horn or the anvil when rotated about the rotation axis, to form the seal line without any external structure to control a distance between the horn and the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Germaine, Patrick Sean McNichols, Petr Vasko, Robert Edward Aldaz
  • Patent number: 11254062
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: DUKANE IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Publication number: 20210298378
    Abstract: A face covering includes layers of nonwoven material and at least one elastic element. The layers of nonwoven material cooperatively define a first opening, a second opening, and a filtration area of the face covering. The filtration area is arranged to allow airflow through the face covering and remove particulates from the airflow. The first opening and the second opening are sized to receive a head of a wearer. The at least one elastic element is secured to the layers of nonwoven material. The face covering is sized such that, when the face covering is positioned on the head of the wearer, the at least one elastic element provides a seal against the wearer and the layers of nonwoven material provide a loose fit on the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Dan Wallander, Melissa Offenstein, Terry Kaminski, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Thomas David Ehlert, Gregory Robert Benrud
  • Publication number: 20210252796
    Abstract: A method and system for fabricating an article using a first bonding module having a first bonding module face and a second bonding module having a second bonding module face include supplying a first non-woven fabric to at least one of the first bonding module face and the second bonding module face, and supplying a plurality of elastic strands to a surface of the first non-woven fabric. The method and system further include entrapping a first elastic strand between a first pair of adjacent bonds in a first row in the first non-woven fabric, entrapping a second elastic strand between a second pair of adjacent bonds in the first row, and creating a third pair of adjacent bonds in the first row free of elastic bands therebetween. The third pair of adjacent bonds is located between the first pair of adjacent bonds and the second pair of adjacent bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A. Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Publication number: 20200039152
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A. Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Patent number: 10479025
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AURIZON ULTRASONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Publication number: 20190217547
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a first bonding module, a second bonding module positioned in close proximity to the first bonding module, and a pinching device. The first bonding module and the second bonding module are adapted to bond at least one elastic strand of the elastic nonwoven material. The pinching device is adapted to limit a snap-back potential of the at least one elastic strand if the at least one elastic strand becomes severed during bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorenson, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Patent number: 10259165
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AURIZON ULTRASONICS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Casey John Morin, Brandon Leo Begrow, Michael A Snyder, Thomas Arthur Bett
  • Publication number: 20160288407
    Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating an elastic nonwoven material generally includes a rotary ultrasonic horn and a rotary anvil positionable in close proximity to the ultrasonic horn. The anvil has a face with a width and a circumferential axis. The face has a plurality of ridges each of which defines a plurality of interspaced lands and notches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Daniel James Sorensen, Michael John Haessler, Casey John Morin, Gregory Robert Benrud, Carl John Gillman
  • Publication number: 20160244232
    Abstract: A package having a tearable seal is disclosed, along with a method of opening the package. The package is capable of housing a product and includes a front wall, a back wall, a first side, a second side, a bottom and a top, and has a void area formed between the front and back walls which can house the product. The package is completely sealed after the product has been inserted into the void area. The package has a tearable seal formed in both the front and back walls. The tearable seal has an end conterminuous with the first side. The package also has a second seal formed in both the front and back walls which is positioned inward of the first and second sides and which is located between the tearable seal and the top. The second seal has a patterned field of bonds. The tearable seal requires less force to break than does the second seal. A method of opening the package is also taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Terrence Jerome Kaminski
  • Patent number: 9283188
    Abstract: Delivery systems for incorporating functional compounds into substrates for use in various consumer products are disclosed. Specifically, the delivery system includes a carrier component comprising an ultrasonically energized adsorbent and one or more functional compounds. The ultrasonically energized adsorbent can adsorb the desired functional compounds and bind the functional compounds to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, Earl C. McCraw, Jr., Kimberlee Fay Thompson, John Gavin MacDonald, Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Patent number: 9239036
    Abstract: In a system and process for ultrasonically treating a liquid and delivering the liquid as a spray of liquid droplets, liquid is directed to flow along a flow path over a first ultrasonic waveguide, with the first ultrasonic waveguide having at least one agitating member extending outward therefrom and into the flow path. The first ultrasonic waveguide and agitating member(s) are excited to agitate the liquid as the liquid flows along the flow path. The liquid is further directed to flow along the flow path over a second waveguide, with the second waveguide having a terminal end adjacent an exit of the flow path. The second ultrasonic waveguide is ultrasonically excited at least at its terminal end to ultrasonically energize the liquid just prior to the liquid exiting the flow path such that the liquid exits the flow path as a spray of liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Patent number: 8858892
    Abstract: A liquid treatment system has a housing defining an interior space. The housing has an inlet port for receiving liquid into the interior space of the housing and an outlet port for allowing liquid to exit the interior space of the housing. The outlet port is spaced from the inlet port so that liquid flows through the interior space of the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. An ultrasonic waveguide assembly is disposed within the interior space of the housing and includes an ultrasonic horn disposed at least in part intermediate the inlet port and the outlet port of the housing. The ultrasonic horn is operable at an ultrasonic frequency to ultrasonically energize liquid flowing within the housing. An ultraviolet light source emits ultraviolet light into the interior space of the housing to treat liquid flowing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Allen Janssen, John G. Ahles, Robert A. Cool, Thomas David Ehlert, John Gavin MacDonald, Earl C. McCraw, Jr., Patrick Sean McNichols, Paul W. Rasmussen, Steve J. Roffers
  • Patent number: 8783941
    Abstract: In a method of ultrasonically treating a substance disposed within a container an ultrasonic horn is positioned within the container with at least a portion of the horn submerged in the substance. The horn is ultrasonically excited to thereby ultrasonically energize the substance. An agitating member is rotated within the substance while the ultrasonic horn is excited to agitate the substance as the substance is ultrasonically energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Cool, Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols
  • Publication number: 20140078853
    Abstract: In a method of ultrasonically treating a substance disposed within a container an ultrasonic horn is positioned within the container with at least a portion of the horn submerged in the substance. The horn is ultrasonically excited to thereby ultrasonically energize the substance. An agitating member is rotated within the substance while the ultrasonic horn is excited to agitate the substance as the substance is ultrasonically energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Alan Cool, Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols