Patents by Inventor Shirlee A. Weber
Shirlee A. Weber 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: 8697933Abstract: Presented is a method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method including providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity. Also presented is a method for toilet training a subject, the method including providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator; indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen, Jason C. Cohen
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Patent number: 8604268Abstract: Presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a first wetness sensor; a first signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a first feedback mode of a wetness state of the disposable absorbent article; and a second signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a second feedback mode of the wetness state of the disposable absorbent article, wherein the second feedback mode is different from the first feedback mode. Also presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensor; and a signaling device adapted to communicate with the wetness sensor, wherein the signaling device includes a dynamic feedback mode system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Cohen, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen
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Patent number: 8440877Abstract: Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Meghan E. Collins, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long
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Patent number: 8378167Abstract: A wetness sensing system includes a first wetness sensing article; a first signaling device producing a first signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the first signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article; and a second signaling device producing a second signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the second signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article. Also, a method for enhancing a wetness sensing system includes producing a wetness sensing absorbent article compatible with at least one component of the wetness sensing system, wherein the wetness sensing system includes as components a wetness sensing article and a first signaling device compatible with the wetness sensing article.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ansley C. Allen, Andrew M. Long, Shirlee A. Weber, Thomas M. Ales, III
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Patent number: 8129582Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member. The temperature change member includes a matrix of fibers and temperature change material intermixed within the matrix of fibers.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: David M. Jackson, Gabriel H. Adam, Andrew M. Long, Shirlee A. Weber, Davis Dang H. Nhan, Christopher P. Olson
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Patent number: 8053625Abstract: Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Davis Dang H. Nhan, Andrew M. Long, Shirlee A. Weber, Darold D. Tippey, Meghan E. Collins
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Patent number: 7767875Abstract: A toilet training wetness indicator for alerting a wearer to urination and a garment incorporating such an element. The toilet training wetness indicator, which may be an insertable wetness indicator or integrated directly into a garment, such as training pants, comprises a liquid permeable enclosure having a liquid absorbent body enclosed therein. The liquid absorbent body absorbs liquid within the pants and applies hydraulic pressure to the enclosure upon absorption of a preselected amount of liquid. The enclosure limits expansion of the absorbent body so that the wetness indicator stiffens as liquid is absorbed. The wetness indicator has a first stiffness and is relatively pliable when dry and a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness upon absorption of the preselected amount of liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Olson, Larry H. Sawyer, Shirlee A. Weber
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Patent number: 7736350Abstract: A pant-like absorbent article includes laterally extending front and back ear portions defined at opposed lateral sides of the front and back waist regions. A laterally inwardly directed leg contour is defined in each of the lateral sides between the respective front and back ear portions. An absorbent body structure extends between the front and back waist regions and includes laterally extending wing portions along the front and back ear portions. Leak guards are provided having a free laterally inward side and a laterally outward side with a contour corresponding generally to that of the article lateral sides and leg contours. The laterally outward sides of the guards are attached to the lateral sides of the front and back ear portions and along the leg contours laterally outward of the absorbent body structure so as to define a containment pocket along the leg contours and front and back ear portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Shirlee A. Weber
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Patent number: 7632978Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member for providing a cooling effect. The temperature change member includes a matrix of fibers and temperature change material intermixed within the matrix of fibers. The temperature change material includes erythritol.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Olson, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Davis Dang H. Nhan, Kent W. Abel
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Patent number: 7477156Abstract: Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensor for indicating the presence of a body fluid are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least two conductive elements that form an open circuit within the article. Each conductive element is connected to a conductive pad member that has sufficient surface area in order to facilitate connection to a signaling device. In accordance with the present disclosure, various attachment mechanisms are disclosed for attaching the pad members to a signaling device. In particular, although the absorbent articles are disposable, the signaling device is intended to be used with multiple absorbent articles. Therefore, a simple and efficient method of connecting the signaling device to the pad members provides various advantages. In one particular embodiment, for instance, the pad members comprise a conductive loop-type material that is attached to a corresponding conductive hook-type material on the signaling device.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Mark Long, Christopher Peter Olson, Shirlee A. Weber, Tom M. Ales, Robert Samuel Schlaupitz, Robert D. Wright, George I. Nukuto, Shawn J. Sullivan
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Publication number: 20080147030Abstract: Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Davis Dang H. Nhan, Andrew M. Long, Shirlee A. Weber, Darold D. Tippey, Meghan E. Collins
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Publication number: 20080082062Abstract: Presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a first wetness sensor; a first signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a first feedback mode of a wetness state of the disposable absorbent article; and a second signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a second feedback mode of the wetness state of the disposable absorbent article, wherein the second feedback mode is different from the first feedback mode. Also presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensor; and a signaling device adapted to communicate with the wetness sensor, wherein the signaling device includes a dynamic feedback mode system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Jason C. Cohen, Thomas M. Ales, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen
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Publication number: 20080082063Abstract: Presented is a method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method including providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity. Also presented is a method for toilet training a subject, the method including providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator; indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen, Jason C. Cohen
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Publication number: 20070282286Abstract: Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Meghan E. Collins, Thomas M. Ales, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long
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Publication number: 20070252712Abstract: A wetness sensing system includes a first wetness sensing article; a first signaling device producing a first signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the first signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article; and a second signaling device producing a second signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the second signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article. Also, a method for enhancing a wetness sensing system includes producing a wetness sensing absorbent article compatible with at least one component of the wetness sensing system, wherein the wetness sensing system includes as components a wetness sensing article and a first signaling device compatible with the wetness sensing article.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Ansley Allen, Andrew Long, Shirlee Weber, Thomas Ales
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Publication number: 20070252710Abstract: A monitor, for use with an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, includes a microprocessor and a current source, the microprocessor forms part of a wetness monitoring circuit and part of a continuity monitoring circuit. A method of providing a system for monitoring an absorbent article with a wetness sensor includes programming a microprocessor to (1) provide notification when the monitor is not electrically connected with the wetness sensor, (2) provide notification when the monitor is electrically connected with the wetness sensor, and (3) provide notification when the absorbent article is wet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Andrew Long, Christopher Olson, Thomas Ales, Shirlee Weber
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Publication number: 20070252711Abstract: A monitor, for use with an absorbent article having a wetness sensor, includes a power management system. The monitor may include a hinge, a housing, and a power management system. The power management system may include an integrally activated and deactivated power circuit. The power circuit includes a first contact associated with the hinge and a second contact associated with the housing. The first contact is electrically connected with the second contact when the monitor is in a closed condition. The first contact is electrically disconnected with the second contact when the monitor is in an open condition. A monitor having a power management system may further include an attachment circuit and/or a continuity circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Andrew Long, Christopher Olson, Thomas Ales, Shirlee Weber, Jens Hauvn
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Publication number: 20070255241Abstract: An absorbent product having a wetness sensing system includes a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensing component and an article theme and a signaling device adapted to be coupled to the absorbent article, the signaling device having a signaling device theme, wherein the signaling device theme coordinates with the article theme. Also, an absorbent product having a wetness sensing system includes a package having a packaging theme and a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensing component and an article theme, wherein the absorbent article is disposed within the package, and wherein the packaging theme coordinates with the article theme.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Inventors: Shirlee Weber, Andrew Long, Ansley Allen
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Patent number: 7250548Abstract: An absorbent article may define a front region, a rear region, and a crotch region intermediate the front and rear regions. The article may include an outercover, a liner and an absorbent assembly front portion disposed intermediate the outercover and the liner in the front region. The article may also include an absorbent assembly rear portion disposed intermediate the outercover and the liner in the rear region and at least partially spaced from the absorbent assembly front portion to provide a first gap. The article further includes a temperature change member disposed in the first gap.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2004Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Shirlee A. Weber, Christopher P. Olson, Andrew M. Long
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Publication number: 20070149936Abstract: An absorbent article has a liquid impermeable outercover, a liquid permeable bodyside liner, and an absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly has a front portion, a rear portion, and a central portion extending longitudinally between and interconnecting the front portion and rear portion. The central portion has an opening therein to define a gap between the front portion and the rear portion. The absorbent assembly front portion is disposed intermediate the outercover and the liner in a front region of the article. The absorbent assembly rear portion is disposed intermediate the outercover and the liner in a rear region of the article. A temperature change member containing a temperature change substance is disposed in the opening of the central portion of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2007Publication date: June 28, 2007Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Shirlee Weber, Christopher Olson, Andrew Long