Patents by Inventor Robert A. Drew

Robert A. Drew 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).

  • Publication number: 20090173353
    Abstract: Self-fitting device for location in ear canal and related method, including a bladder joined with a pump assembly via a valve assembly. The pump assembly transfers air to the bladder and achieves a predetermined pressure with the chamber regardless of ear canal size. The predetermined pressure may be achieved by reducing excess air pressure through the valve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Debra N. Welchel, Robert A. Drew, Shawn E. Jenkins, Jeffrey Jennings Krueger
  • Patent number: 6939440
    Abstract: Paper products, such as wiping products, are disclosed that have a fabric-imprinted pattern in combination with a crepe pattern. In producing paper products according to the invention, a base web containing pulp fibers is formed. Once the base web is substantially dry, the web is creped to form a first pattern. The creped web is then placed between two moving conveyors and guided around one or more compression inducing elements. As the web is guided around the compression inducing element in between the two conveyors, shear forces and compressive forces are imparted to the web that form a fabric-imprinted pattern superimposed on the crepe pattern. In one embodiment, the fabric-imprinted pattern comprises high density troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20030201081
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6607638
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6585855
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6547926
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20030000664
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Publication number: 20020166646
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20020088592
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: D298586
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Raju B. Peddada
  • Patent number: D298589
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Raju B. Peddada
  • Patent number: D298590
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Raju B. Peddada
  • Patent number: D298701
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Drew
  • Patent number: D298702
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Robert A. Drew
  • Patent number: D305182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Raju B. Peddada, Robert A. Drew