Patents by Inventor Ronald H. Wideman

Ronald H. Wideman 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: 6969441
    Abstract: In the invention, a method is provided for producing a composite nonwoven fabric. A polymer is extruded into heated continuous filaments, possibly elastic, from the die head to a first chilled roller, wherein the extruder is configured to provide the continuous filaments to the chilled roller in a canted direction that is at a tangent or angle to the surface of the first chilled roller. The filaments are conveyed in a downward direction by way of chilled rollers to a nip. In a next step, the nonwoven web is sprayed with an adhesive and is laminated on the continuous filaments in the nip to form a composite nonwoven fabric. The continuous filaments move vertically downward approximately in line with the lamination process, facilitating automatic re-threading of filaments when they are broken or interrupted in their travel downward onto the chilled rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Charles J. Morell, Michael C. Cook, James R. Fitts, Jr., Donald V. Willitts, Marion C. Morris, Ronald H. Wideman, John A. Brewer, Mark M. Mleziva, Kenneth M. Salter, Raymond J. May, Lavada Boggs, Leslie D. Dobbins
  • Publication number: 20020104608
    Abstract: In the invention, a method is provided for producing a composite nonwoven fabric. A polymer is extruded into heated continuous filaments, possibly elastic, from the die head to a first chilled roller, wherein the extruder is configured to provide the continuous filaments to the chilled roller in a canted direction that is at a tangent or angle to the surface of the first chilled roller. The filaments are conveyed in a downward direction by way of chilled rollers to a nip. In a next step, the nonwoven web is sprayed with an adhesive and is laminated on the continuous filaments in the nip to form a composite nonwoven fabric. The continuous filaments move vertically downward approximately in line with the lamination process, facilitating automatic re-threading of filaments when they are broken or interrupted in their travel downward onto the chilled rolls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Howard M. Welch, Charles J. Morell, Michael C. Cook, James R. Fitts, Donald V. Willitts, Marion C. Morris, Ronald H. Wideman, John A. Brewer, Mark M. Mleziva, Kenneth M. Salter, Raymond J. May, Lavada Boggs, Leslie D. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 5585170
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process using an electric field for contacting a substantially neutrally charged material, that is responsive to an electric field, with a substrate. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product, including the electrically responsive material, that is intended for the absorption of body fluids, prepared by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Marion C. Morris, Robert R. Bomber, Franklin M. C. Chen, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 5552012
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process using an electric field for contacting a substantially neutrally charged material, that is responsive to an electric field, with a substrate. Also disclosed is a disposable absorbent product, including the electrically responsive material, that is intended for the absorption of body fluids, prepared by the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Marion C. Morris, Robert R. Bomber, Franklin M. C. Chen, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4946539
    Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, Jeffrey J. Samida, Donald F. Arthur, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4786346
    Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, Jeffrey J. Samida, Donald F. Arthur, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4726873
    Abstract: This invention is generally accomplished by providing continuous self-adhesive strands of elastic to a substrate having retractable supports extending therefrom. The retractable supports in a convex pattern are contracted with the self-adhering elastic and the substrate bearing the elastic and supports is brought into contact with the web to which the elastic is to be transferred. The series of supports around which the elastic contacts are forced to retract as the self-adhering elastic is pressed against the web causing the elastic to transfer to the substrate thereby creating an elastic band on the substrate. In a preferred form the substrate is fed two strips of self-adhering elastic that are applied on each side of a series of a convex pattern of pins and then pressed together around opposing sides of the convex pattern of pins to seal the elastic to itself and sever the elastic, creating a contoured closed loop around the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, Jeffrey J. Samida, Donald F. Arthur, Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4696779
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for extruding and cooling self-adhering elastomeric materials to obtain substantial uniform consistency. This is accomplished by bisurfacially exposing the material to cooling while supporting the material as a foraminous means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 4606964
    Abstract: A bulked web composite comprises a differentially tensioned reticulated web of elastic material bonded to at least one gatherable web whereby, upon release of the tensioning forces, the gatherable web or webs are gathered by the reticulated web with different degrees of bulking in different areas due to the different tension levels of the reticulated web. Also disclosed is a method of making a bulked web composite by the steps of: forming a reticulated web of elastic material and elongating at least portions of the web by differentially tensioning it, and bonding the differentially tensioned web to at least one gatherable web to form a composite. The composite is then relaxed whereby portions of the gatherable web are gathered by the contracted reticulated web with different degrees of bulking in different areas. Bulked web composites of such type may be employed to form disposable swim wear, towels, wash cloths, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: 3985130
    Abstract: A method of treating burn and decubitus patients in which a generally nonadhering disposable laminated fabric having nonwoven non-migrating fibrous surfaces is interposed between the patient and a surface on which he is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Assignee: Poly-Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. Wideman
  • Patent number: RE29766
    Abstract: A method .Iadd.and means .Iaddend.of treating burn and decubitus patients in which a generally nonadhering disposable laminated fabric having nonwoven non-migrating fibrous surfaces is interposed between the patient and a surface on which he is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Poly-Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. Wideman