Patents by Inventor Ralph L. Anderson

Ralph L. Anderson 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: 7252870
    Abstract: Nonwoven materials having a pattern incorporated into the materials are disclosed. The nonwoven materials may be, for instance, tissue webs, meltspun webs such as meltblown webs or spunbond webs, bonded carded webs, hydroentangled webs, and the like. The pattern may be incorporated into the webs using various techniques. For instance, the pattern may be formed into the web by topically applying a bonding material. In an alternative embodiment, the pattern may be formed according to a thermal bonding process. The pattern contains individual cells that include two spaced apart expanded regions separated by a constricted region. By incorporating the pattern into the web, a material is produced having a relatively low Poisson ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona, Charles J. Garneski, Maurizio Tirimacco, Douglas W. Stage, Mark Burazin, Kenneth J. Zwick
  • Patent number: 6958103
    Abstract: An entangled fabric that contains a nonwoven web hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from staple fibers and is creped. For example, in one embodiment, the nonwoven web is a creped, point bonded, carded web. Excellent liquid handling properties can be achieved in accordance with the present invention without resulting in the poor liquid handling capabilities often associated with point bonded nonwoven webs. In fact, the entangled fabric of the present invention can have improved bulk, softness, and capillary tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 6916480
    Abstract: A wiper having a controlled release anti-microbial agent therein for providing anti-microbial cleansing of surfaces is provided. The wiper is formed from an absorbent base web to which an anti-microbial formulation is adhered. The formulation includes an anti-microbial agent that is capable of being controllably released from the wiper. In some embodiments, a polymer mixture may be employed to control the rate of release of the anti-microbial agent. Various anti-microbial agents, such as metal ions and organic compounds may be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark
  • Patent number: 6802924
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Patent number: 6794318
    Abstract: A use-dependent indicator system for detecting the exhaustion of an active chemical within an absorbent article is provided. The indicator system includes at least one dye component and a polymer mixture. The dye component(s) can be non-reactive and/or reactive dyes. The polymer mixture can contain a polymer, such as a latex adhesive, to facilitate control over the dissolution rate of the dye component(s). By controlling the dissolution rate of the dye component(s), an indicator system of the present invention can impart a change in color to signal the exhaustion of an active chemical incorporated within the absorbent article, such as an anti-microbial agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, James W. Clark, Fred R. Radwanski
  • Publication number: 20040121689
    Abstract: An entangled fabric that contains a nonwoven web hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from staple fibers and is creped. For example, in one embodiment, the nonwoven web is a creped, point bonded, carded web. Excellent liquid handling properties can be achieved in accordance with the present invention without resulting in the poor liquid handling capabilities often associated with point bonded nonwoven webs. In fact, the entangled fabric of the present invention can have improved bulk, softness, and capillary tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 6734157
    Abstract: A wiper that provides a controlled release anti-microbial agent has a substrate layer to which the anti-microbial agent is adhered. In addition, the wiper will have one or more laminate layers, at least one of which will be absorbent. Various anti-microbial agents such as silver containing additives, calcium hypochlorite, and chlorine dioxide generating compounds may be employed. The substrate layer may be a poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) meltblown web and the laminate layer may be a hydroentangled composite absorbent fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark, Ralph L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030178135
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Publication number: 20030118776
    Abstract: A fabric that comprises an entangled, creped and optionally stretched nonwoven web is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from splittable multicomponent thermoplastic fibers having individual segments exposed on an outer perimeter thereof. In one embodiment, the splittable multicomponent fibers are continuous spunbonded thermoplastic fibers. For example, in some embodiments, the creped nonwoven web can be hydraulically entangled with a fibrous material that contains cellulosic fibers and optionally synthetic staple fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 6541099
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Publication number: 20020084048
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20020022050
    Abstract: A wiper having a controlled release anti-microbial agent therein for providing anti-microbial cleansing of surfaces is provided. The wiper is formed from an absorbent base web to which an anti-microbial formulation is adhered. The formulation includes an anti-microbial agent that is capable of being controllably released from the wiper. In some embodiments, a polymer mixture may be employed to control the rate of release of the anti-microbial agent. Various anti-microbial agents, such as metal ions and organic compounds may be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20020006887
    Abstract: A wiper that provides a controlled release anti-microbial agent has a substrate layer to which the anti-microbial agent is adhered. In addition, the wiper will have one or more laminate layers, at least one of which will be absorbent. Various anti-microbial agents such as silver containing additives, calcium hypochlorite, and chlorine dioxide generating compounds may be employed. The substrate layer may be a poly(ethylene vinyl acetate) meltblown web and the laminate layer may be a hydroentangled composite absorbent fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark, Ralph L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6315864
    Abstract: An improved cloth-like base web is disclosed. In particular, the base web of the present invention has a cloth-like look and feel and has improved absorbency. The base web is made by first hydroneedling a web containing pulp and/or staple fibers. A bonding material is then applied to at least one side of the web and the web is creped on at least one side. By combining a hydroneedling operation with a creping operation, a base web is produced that is strong, stretchable, very soft and absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fritz Radwanski, Henry Skoog, Donald E. Waldroup
  • Publication number: 20010031595
    Abstract: A use-dependent indicator system for detecting the exhaustion of an active chemical within an absorbent article is provided. The indicator system includes at least one dye component and a polymer mixture. The dye component(s) can be non-reactive and/or reactive dyes. The polymer mixture can contain a polymer, such as a latex adhesive, to facilitate control over the dissolution rate of the dye component(s). By controlling the dissolution rate of the dye component(s), an indicator system of the present invention can impart a change in color to signal the exhaustion of an active chemical incorporated within the absorbent article, such as an anti-microbial agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, James W. Clark, Fred R. Radwanski
  • Patent number: 6277241
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20010008180
    Abstract: An improved cloth-like base web is disclosed. In particular, the base web of the present invention has a cloth-like look and feel and has improved absorbency. The base web is made by first hydroneedling a web containing pulp and/or staple fibers. A bonding material is then applied to at least one side of the web and the web is creped on at least one side. By combining a hydroneedling operation with a creping operation, a base web is produced that is strong, stretchable, very soft and absorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: RALPH L ANDERSON, FRITZ RADWANSKI, HENRY SKOOG, DONALD E WALDROUP
  • Patent number: 6248212
    Abstract: A web structure is formed by a process including first through-air drying the fibrous web comprising at least about 20% non-premium fiber, next applying a bonding material to the fibrous web, and next creping the fibrous web to form the web structure having a BLK/BW and CCDWT at least 85% of a wet-pressed web structure comprising 100% premium fiber. The web structure may alternatively or in addition to have a TWA and/or BLK/BW greater than the TWA and/or BLK/BW of a through-air-dried, bonded, and creped web structure comprising 100% premium fiber. The process may be repeated on the second side. The web structure may comprise a combination of hardwood, softwood, CTMP, and/or recycled fibers. The web structure may include at least about 40% recycled fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Tom C. Saffel
  • Patent number: 6103061
    Abstract: A method of making a nonwoven composite material. The method includes the steps of: providing a hydraulically entangled web containing a fibrous component and a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; applying a bonding material to at least one side of said web; and creping said at least one side of the hydraulically entangled web. The bonder material may be an aqueous mixture including a curable latex polymer, a pigment, and a cure promoter. Also disclosed is a nonwoven composite material made of a hydraulically entangled web including a fibrous component; a nonwoven layer of substantially continuous filaments; and regions containing bonder material covering at least a portion of at least one side of the composite material, wherein at least one side of the web has been creped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Joseph F. Merker, Fred Robert Radwanski, Henry Skoog
  • Patent number: 6096152
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to facial tissues having great softness and strength. The facial tissues are made from a multi-layered paper web containing a middle layer of eucalyptus fibers either alone or in combination with polyester fibers. The paper web is made with a debonding agent for producing a web having reduced levels of fiber bonding. Once formed, the paper web is treated on each side with a bonding agent in a preselected pattern. Both sides of the paper web are also creped. In order to create a smooth low friction surface, the paper web is fed through a calendering machine and treated with a friction reducing composition and subsequently dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Richard R. Hepford