Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Franger

Stephen D. Franger 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: 10159611
    Abstract: A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes an insert topsheet, an insert backsheet, and an insert absorbent core sandwiched between the insert topsheet and the insert backsheet. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Patent number: 10159609
    Abstract: A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes a removal device configured to assist a user in separating the removable portion of the absorbent insert from the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Patent number: 10117786
    Abstract: Manufacturing a multiple use absorbent article includes producing an absorbent article having a liquid permeable chassis topsheet, a liquid impermeable chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The method also includes producing an absorbent insert having an insert topsheet, an insert backsheet, and an insert absorbent core. The method also includes producing a separable line of weakness within or adjacent to the peripheral sealing region, and bonding the insert backsheet to the chassis topsheet, wherein the line of weakness provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Publication number: 20170239099
    Abstract: Manufacturing a multiple use absorbent article includes producing an absorbent article having a liquid permeable chassis topsheet, a liquid impermeable chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The method also includes producing an absorbent insert having an insert topsheet, an insert backsheet, and an insert absorbent core. The method also includes producing a separable line of weakness within or adjacent to the peripheral sealing region, and bonding the insert backsheet to the chassis topsheet, wherein the line of weakness provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Sarah Austin KLEUSKENS, Marcille F. RUMAN, Stephen D. FRANGER
  • Publication number: 20170216106
    Abstract: A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes a removal device configured to assist a user in separating the removable portion of the absorbent insert from the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Publication number: 20170216111
    Abstract: A multiple use absorbent article includes a chassis absorbent unit having a chassis topsheet, a chassis backsheet, and a chassis absorbent core sandwiched between the chassis topsheet and the chassis backsheet. The article also includes an absorbent insert bonded to the chassis absorbent unit, a removable portion of the absorbent insert configured to be selectively removable from the chassis absorbent unit, wherein the absorbent insert includes an insert top-sheet, an insert backsheet, and an insert absorbent core sandwiched between the insert topsheet and the insert backsheet. The absorbent insert further includes a line of weakness that provides for separation of the absorbent insert into a removable portion configured to be removed from the chassis absorbent unit, and a resident portion that remains bonded to the chassis absorbent unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Sarah Austin Kleuskens, Marcille F. Ruman, Stephen D. Franger
  • Publication number: 20160167860
    Abstract: A resealable and tamper resistant bag includes a front wall having a first resealable feature, and a back wall having a second resealable feature adapted to form a seal with the first resealable feature. The front and back walls are sealingly connected along at least a pair of sides to define at least part of a holding portion of the bag. A sealed tamper resistant strip portion is formed integrally with the holding portion and is disposed adjacent the first and second resealable features. At least one seam is disposed between the holding portion and the strip portion for allowing the strip portion to be selectively removed, at least in part, from the holding portion by a user. At least one tab is defined by the seam to facilitate the user moving the first and second resealable features from a sealed position to an unsealed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Charles R. Tomsovic, Stephen D. Franger, Martin Gottvald, Sarah Austin O'Brien, Alexander Manfred Schmidt-Forst