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).
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Patent number: 7252870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona, Charles J. Garneski, Maurizio Tirimacco, Douglas W. Stage, Mark Burazin, Kenneth J. Zwick
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Patent number: 6958103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
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Patent number: 6916480Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark
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Patent number: 6802924Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Patent number: 6794318Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, James W. Clark, Fred R. Radwanski
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Publication number: 20040121689Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
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Patent number: 6734157Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark, Ralph L. Anderson
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Publication number: 20030178135Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Publication number: 20030118776Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2001Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
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Patent number: 6541099Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
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Publication number: 20020084048Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20020022050Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark
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Publication number: 20020006887Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: January 17, 2002Inventors: Fred R. Radwanski, James W. Clark, Ralph L. Anderson
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Patent number: 6315864Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Fritz Radwanski, Henry Skoog, Donald E. Waldroup
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Publication number: 20010031595Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2000Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, James W. Clark, Fred R. Radwanski
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Patent number: 6277241Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 21, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20010008180Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 1997Publication date: July 19, 2001Inventors: RALPH L ANDERSON, FRITZ RADWANSKI, HENRY SKOOG, DONALD E WALDROUP
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Patent number: 6248212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Tom C. Saffel
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Patent number: 6103061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Joseph F. Merker, Fred Robert Radwanski, Henry Skoog
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Patent number: 6096152Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Richard R. Hepford