Patents by Inventor Steven Craig Gehling

Steven Craig Gehling 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: 20140090218
    Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a material includes a plurality of levers and a plurality of jaws, wherein each jaw is attached to a lever, and wherein each jaw has a compression surface having an area. The apparatus also includes a compressing mechanism configured to move each lever in a non-linear motion such that the area of a compression surface exposed to the material decreases with the inward movement of that compression surface. Each jaw can be attached to a lever such that a gap is defined between adjacent jaws, the gap having a gap centerline. The compressing mechanism can be configured to move each jaw in a non-linear motion such that the gap centerline of the gap between adjacent jaws is predominantly tangential to an apparatus central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Kimberty-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Charles Robert Tomsovic
  • Publication number: 20140000076
    Abstract: A pledget for a tampon having improved leakage prevention of bodily fluid after the tampon is inserted in the vagina. The pledget can have an absorbent structure having two layers. At least one of the layers of the absorbent structure can have one contact element at least partially separated from a second contact element. A method of manufacturing the tampon can include a step of incorporating a contact element into at least one of the two layers of the absorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Mary Lou McDaniel, John David Amundson, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Publication number: 20130160259
    Abstract: A pledget for a tampon having improved leakage prevention of bodily fluid after the tampon is inserted in the vagina. A method of manufacturing the pledget can include a step of bringing a contact member into communication with a fibrous material. The method can include a step of compressing the fibrous material into a pledget for a tampon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Mary Lou McDaniel, John David Amundson, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Publication number: 20130165891
    Abstract: A pledget for a tampon having improved leakage prevention of bodily fluid after the tampon is inserted in the vagina. The pledget has a contact member in communication with the absorbent core of the pledget. The contact member can have a contact element which can expand outward from the pledget upon contact with bodily fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Mary Lou McDaniel, John David Amundson, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Patent number: 8113207
    Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug for location in an ear canal. The earplug includes a stem. At least one support is joined with the stem and located between the stem ear end and the stem user end, and extends radially outward from the stem. A shell is made of a deformable-resilient shell material and has a tapered exterior that increases in circumference when moving from the stem ear end to the stem user end. The shell engages at least a portion of the support and engages at least a portion of the stem located between the stem ear end and the stem user end. At least a portion of the support is free from contact with the shell and the support material is a different type of material than the shell material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong
  • Patent number: 7984716
    Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug, including: a stem, at least one support joined with the stem and extending radially outward from the stem, and a shell engaging the support and encircling the stem to form a space between the shell and the stem. At least one of the support material and the shell material is a deformable-resilient material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong, Anne Clare Moser, Sean S. Corbin, Scott Madison Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7841446
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method of use intended for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The plug member may be part of a replacement assembly. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Patent number: 7708110
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling, Scott M. Belliveau, Sean S. Corbin, Keith Grider, Anne Clare Moser, Aleksey Pirkhalo, Abby Elizabeth Sturges, James Wolford
  • Publication number: 20100043806
    Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug for location in an ear canal. The earplug includes a stem. At least one support is joined with the stem and located between the stem ear end and the stem user end, and extends radially outward from the stem. A shell is made of a deformable-resilient shell material and has a tapered exterior that increases in circumference when moving from the stem ear end to the stem user end. The shell engages at least a portion of the support and engages at least a portion of the stem located between the stem ear end and the stem user end. At least a portion of the support is free from contact with the shell and the support material is a different type of material than the shell material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong
  • Patent number: 7666160
    Abstract: An applicator for introducing a therapeutic substance into a body cavity of a subject in need of the therapeutic substance is provided. The applicator has the look and feel of a conventional tampon applicator but delivers a therapeutic substance. Generally, the applicator has a first outer member having a shape suitable for insertion into a body cavity of a mammal and has a dispensing end and a second end distal to the dispensing end. A second inner member is coaxially and slidably housed within the first member such that one end of the second inner member is within the first member. The applicator of the present invention also has at least one aperture located in a side wall of the outer member. The aperture is located on the side wall of the outer member between the dispensing end and the second end of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel James Heuer, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Publication number: 20090095566
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method of use intended for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The plug member may be part of a replacement assembly. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Publication number: 20080314393
    Abstract: A self-conforming sound attenuation earplug, including: a stem, at least one support joined with the stem and extending radially outward from the stem, and a shell engaging the support and encircling the stem to form a space between the shell and the stem. At least one of the support material and the shell material is a deformable-resilient material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Ricky Wayne Purcell, Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong, Anne Clare Moser, Sean S. Corbin, Scott Madison Belliveau
  • Publication number: 20080264715
    Abstract: A hearing protection device and method for a human ear. A plug member caps or enters ear canal, and may be shaped to conform to the external auditory meatus. The device is biased at least in part by a pressure pad to provide some force against the plug member. An optional handle may be provided to assist with temporarily pulling the plug member away from the ear canal or providing adjustment. An optional bow member clips about the pinna. The device may be adapted for use as an ear phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Waihong Leong, Steven Craig Gehling, Scott M. Belliveau, Sean S. Corbin, Keith Grider, Anne Clare Moser, Aleksey Pirkhalo, Abby Elizabeth Sturges, James Wolford
  • Publication number: 20080161752
    Abstract: An applicator for introducing a therapeutic substance into a body cavity of a subject in need of the therapeutic substance is provided. The applicator has the look and feel of a conventional tampon applicator but delivers a therapeutic substance. Generally, the applicator has a first outer member having a shape suitable for insertion into a body cavity of a mammal and has a dispensing end and a second end distal to the dispensing end. A second inner member is coaxially and slidably housed within the first member such that one end of the second inner member is within the first member. The applicator of the present invention also has at least one aperture located in a side wall of the outer member. The aperture is located on the side wall of the outer member between the dispensing end and the second end of the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory J. Rajala, Daniel James Heuer, Steven Craig Gehling
  • Patent number: 7344732
    Abstract: A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the tampon including a tampon body that is manufactured at a first manufacturing facility; and a dosage form coupled to the body, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent, and wherein the dosage form is manufactured at a second manufacturing facility. Also, a method for producing a medicated tampon including manufacturing a tampon body at a first manufacturing facility; manufacturing a dosage form at a second manufacturing facility, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent; and coupling the dosage form to the tampon body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Craig Gehling
  • Patent number: 7341737
    Abstract: A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the tampon including a tampon body having a distal end; and a dosage form affixed to the distal end of the tampon body, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent, and wherein the dosage form comprises a plurality of layers. Also, a method for manufacturing a medicated tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent, the method including manufacturing a tampon body having a distal end; producing a dosage form having a plurality of layers, wherein the dosage form includes a formulation including a therapeutic agent; and affixing the dosage form to the distal end of the tampon body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Donald C. Harrison, James H. Liu, Wolfgang A. Ritschel, Chris Clendening, Giovanni M. Pauletti
  • Patent number: 7000260
    Abstract: A disposable garment, subassemblies of the garment, and apparatus and methods for making the garment and subassemblies. The garment has elasticized leg and waist openings. The apparatus and methods of the invention facilitate assembling leg elastics and crotch elastics into the garment subassemblies, with the leg elastics extending across the width of the garment, and the crotch elastics extending along the length of the garment, while assembling a series of the garment subassemblies in a continuous web structure at a constant, or relatively constant, continuous and efficient speed. The leg elastics are installed across the crotch. The resulting garment is free from resilient tension across the crotch when the crotch portion is extended across the width of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Steven Craig Gehling, Paul Daniel Suke
  • Patent number: 6899700
    Abstract: A tampon adapted to deliver a therapeutic agent includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The body includes an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, wherein the absorbency zone includes absorbent material; an application zone adjacent the proximal end and spaced apart from the distal end; and a therapeutic agent positioned substantially within the application zone. A method produces a device for delivering a therapeutic agent. The method includes manufacturing a tampon having a body with a distal end, a proximal end, an absorbency zone adjacent the distal end, and an application zone adjacent the proximal end; and locating a therapeutic agent substantially within the application zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Charles Christopher Keely, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Kimberly Marie Geiser, David William Koenig, Bernard Joseph Minerath, Barbara Jo Dvoracek, David John Tyrrell, Duane Gerard Krzysik
  • Publication number: 20030196253
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable garment, subassemblies of the garment, and apparatus and methods for making the garment and subassemblies. The garment is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The garment may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. The garment provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The garment includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable garment, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the garment, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Steven Craig Gehling, Paul Daniel Suke
  • Patent number: D654582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Craig Gehling, Waihong Leong