Patents by Inventor Ralf G. Oertel

Ralf G. Oertel 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: 9700466
    Abstract: A hygiene article closure tab, for use with a hygiene article such as a diaper, adult incontinence articles or feminine hygiene articles, is disclosed. The closure tab comprises a backing layer having a region adapted to carry at least one mechanical fastening means and a region adapted to form a fingerlift portion, the fingerlift portion being free from any fastening means. A first mechanical fastening means is carried on the backing layer adjacent the fingerlift portion, and has a width w1. A second mechanical fastening means is carried on the backing layer, and has a width w2 and is separated from the first mechanical fastening means by a separation distance d1. The width w1 of the first mechanical fastening means is greater than the separation distance d1, and the width w2 of the second mechanical fastening means is greater than the width w1 of the first mechanical fastening means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Comany
    Inventors: Volker Hauschildt, Ralf G. Oertel, Peter Kitzer
  • Patent number: 9155669
    Abstract: An assembly having a substrate bearing an adhesive layer having an extension in a machine direction and an extension in a cross-direction and a number of discrete portions of a backing, each discrete portion having a first major surface bearing a plurality of male fastening elements and a second major surface opposite to said first major surface. Each discrete portion is attached to the adhesive layer through the second major surface. A sum of a maximum density of the discrete portions of the backing along the extension of the adhesive layer in the cross-direction and a maximum density of the discrete portions of the backing along the extension of the adhesive layer in the machine direction is at least 0.8 cm?1. The assembly can releasably adhere to a fibrous material having a plurality of female fastening elements through a combination of a mechanical and an adhesive bonding mechanism. Methods of making the assembly and disposable absorbent articles containing the assembly are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johann F. Petersen, Ralf G. Oertel
  • Publication number: 20130095279
    Abstract: A hygiene article closure tab, for use with a hygiene article such as a diaper, adult incontinence articles or feminine hygiene articles, is disclosed. The closure tab comprises a backing layer having a region adapted to carry at least one mechanical fastening means and a region adapted to form a fingerlift portion, the fingerlift portion being free from any fastening means. A first mechanical fastening means is carried on the backing layer adjacent the fingerlift portion, and has a width w1. A second mechanical fastening means is carried on the backing layer, and has a width w2 and is separated from the first mechanical fastening means by a separation distance d1. The width w1 of the first mechanical fastening means is greater than the separation distance d1, and the width w2 of the second mechanical fastening means is greater than the width w1 of the first mechanical fastening means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Volker Hauschildt, Ralf G. Oertel, Peter Kitzer
  • Patent number: 8020262
    Abstract: The invention provides a patch of a male fastening means, in particular, a hook patch with decreased bending resistance. The patch according to the invention comprises a backing bearing a plurality of male fastening elements, in particular hook elements. The patch is integral and comprises a plurality of incisions. Said incisions do not extend across the whole width of the patch but preferably leave at least one intact bridge across the cross-direction of the patch. Furthermore, a fastening tape tab having a manufacturer's and user's end is provided, the fastening tape tab comprising a support layer bearing on its major surface of the user's end at least one fastening patch according to the invention. Furthermore, a strip is provided from which a patch according to the invention is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Ralf G. Oertel
  • Publication number: 20110144609
    Abstract: A stretched mechanical fastening web laminate having a thermoplastic web layer with two major surfaces is disclosed. One of the major surfaces bears a multitude of male fastening elements suitable for engagement with a corresponding female fastening material, and on its other major surface is a fibrous nonwoven web layer. The stretched mechanical fastening web laminate is stretched to provide a basis weight of less than 100 g/m2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Johann F. Petersen, Ralf G. Oertel, Ronald W. Ausen, Janet A. Venne
  • Patent number: 7897078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a stretched mechanical fastening web laminate (1) comprising a thermoplastic web layer (13) having two major surfaces, one of the major surfaces bearing a multitude of male fastening elements (14) suitable for engagement with a corresponding female fastening material, and on its other major surface a fibrous web layer (11), said method comprising the steps of (i) providing the fibrous web layer (11) having an initial basis weight, (ii) passing the fibrous web layer (11) through a nip formed by two rolls (101), (103), one of them having cavities (120) that are the negatives of a plurality of male fastening elements (14), introducing a molten thermoplastic resin into the cavities (120) in excess of an amount that would fill the cavities (120) which excess forms the thermoplastic web layer (13), allowing the resin to at least partially solidify and stripping of a precursor web laminate (10) thus formed comprising the fibrous web layer (11) and the the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johann F. Petersen, Ralf G. Oertel, Ronald W. Ausen, Janet A. Venne
  • Publication number: 20100217225
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved fastening tabs for disposable products such as diapers, to disposable products comprising said fastening tabs, and to methods of manufacturing said disposable products. According to one embodiment, the fastening tab comprises a backing having a manufacturer s end and an opposite user s end. The fastening tab is adapted to be secured to the disposable product at its manufacturer s end, and the user's end comprises a fingerlift. The tab further comprises a mechanical fastening element attached to the user s end of the backing. The user s end is folded in a Z-shape such that the mechanical fastening element is at least partially covered by a portion of the user's end. The fastening tab is adapted so that, upon application of a pulling force onto the user s end of the fastening tab, the Z-shape is released and the covering of the mechanical fastening element is removed so that the mechanical fastening element is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Johann F. Petersen, Ralf G. Oertel
  • Publication number: 20080249496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved absorbent article for positioning in an undergarment to absorb body exudates (e.g. a sanitary napkin). The article avoids damages to the undergarment upon repeated removal of such absorbent articles from the undergarment and during wearing of the undergarment. The absorbent article according to the invention comprises a main portion having a liquid-permeable body side sheet, a liquid-impermeable garment side sheet opposite to the body side sheet, and a liquid-absorbent core therebetween. The article has an outer edge defining the shape of the article and a center area. The liquid-impermeable garment side sheet comprises at least two regions of mechanical fastening elements with different engageability, wherein a first region with higher engageability is located at the center area of the article and at least one further region with lower engageability is located between the center area and the outer edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Johann F. Petersen, Ralf G. Oertel