Patents by Inventor Tammy Jo Balzar
Tammy Jo Balzar 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: 7566491Abstract: The present invention is a poufable product that is capable of being converted into a pouf product. The poufable product is comprised of at least one flat ply of flexible sheet material having at least one side edge and at least one cord. The cord engages at least one ply of the flexible sheet material such that the flexible sheet material is capable of bunching on or about the cord.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Rebecca Lyn Dilnik, Dawn Lynn Ilnicki Houghton, Tammy Jo Balzar, Pamela Mary Thompson, Mary Rece Holt
-
Patent number: 7381299Abstract: The fluid intake rate of a tissue product having at least one hydrophobic exterior layer can be increased significantly by the addition of apertures through the hydrophobic exterior layer to the tissue product's hydrophilic interior layer. The apertures allow for fluid to be absorbed by the hydrophilic interior layer, while leaving the hydrophobic exterior layer dry to the touch. The size, number and spacing of the apertures can be controlled to manage the absorbent properties of the tissue product. In one embodiment, a three-ply tissue product has two exterior hydrophobic plies each having a plurality of apertures extending from the surface of both exterior plies through the plies to a hydrophilic interior ply.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, David Andrew Moline, Tammy Jo Balzar, Jeffrey David Mathews, John J. Urlaub
-
Patent number: 7325699Abstract: An electrostatically charged polymeric material, such as a polyolefin non-woven web, can be used in conjunction with a container, such as a tissue carton, for example, to attract lint and reduce the amount of lint that is deposited on the surface area surrounding the carton when the tissues are dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Sara Marie Etheridge, David Lewis Myers, Daphne Lynn VanBuren, Kathy Geralyn Richardson, Tammy Jo Balzar
-
Patent number: 7293738Abstract: A freestanding dispenser for dual dispensing of a wet substrate and a dry substrate includes: a base for supporting the freestanding dispenser on a substantially horizontal surface; a support member connected to the base, the support member holding a roll of a dry substrate in a substantially vertical position; and a source of a wet substrate supported by the freestanding dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Loïc Grébonval, Kenneth Graham Russell, Danny Fraser Masting, Tammy Jo Balzar, William John Maskell, Jason Morenikeji, Gerard Michael O'Brien, David Eugene Salmon
-
Patent number: 7273156Abstract: A dispenser for sheet materials includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and a restraining member preventing the top and bottom portion from separating. The top portion and the bottom portion can telescope to vary the dispenser's overall height. In one embodiment, by designing a dispenser having bottom sidewalls and top sidewalls of approximately the same length, problems with access to the exposed sheet or excessive manipulation to change the dispenser's height can be avoided. In another embodiment, by designing the dispenser such that the height of the dispenser can automatically reduce as the sheet material is depleted or where the height can be adjusted by simply pushing down on the dispenser's top makes the dispenser convenient to use.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Hongxia Gao, Gary Douglas Williams, Patricia Ann Samolinski, Scott Allen Baum, Sara Marie Vermillion, Daphne Lynn VanBuren, Tammy Jo Balzar, Cynthia Watts Henderson
-
Publication number: 20060151516Abstract: An electrostatically charged polymeric material, such as a polyolefin non-woven web, can be used in conjunction with a container, such as a tissue carton, for example, to attract lint and reduce the amount of lint that is deposited on the surface area surrounding the carton when the tissues are dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2004Publication date: July 13, 2006Inventors: Sara Marie Etheridge, David Myers, Daphne VanBuren, Kathy Richardson, Tammy Jo Balzar
-
Patent number: 6689036Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86. In one embodiment, a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
-
Publication number: 20020183182Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86. In one embodiment, a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
-
Patent number: 6458064Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, multiple layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
-
Patent number: 6419777Abstract: A method of forming a catamenial tampon is disclosed wherein the tampon is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina and in providing better utilization of the absorbent during use. The method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an absorbent to form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X—X. The resilient member can be either aligned with or offset from the central longitudinal axis X—X. The absorbent and the resilient member are rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which has a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. A withdrawal string is secured to the pledget to form a tampon. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from the woman's vagina.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Amy Michele Achter, Tammy Jo Balzar, Donald George Fox
-
Patent number: 6401968Abstract: A wet wipe container having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection, a flattened grip area and an assistive region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Tammy Jo Balzar, Stephen Bernard Studee
-
Patent number: 6383161Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance to be inserted into the body cavity. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric blend material of polylactide and a water-soluble polyethylene oxide, a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of polyethylene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. In one embodiment, three layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Steven James Nielsen, Yihua Chang
-
Publication number: 20020020709Abstract: A container including a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. The container base includes a bottom and a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposed side walls that extend upwardly from the bottom to provide an interior for containing the wet wipes. At least one of the walls has a plurality of generally linear ribs formed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Tammy Jo Balzar, Stephen Bernard Studee
-
Patent number: 6293932Abstract: An individually wrapped absorbent article, such as a catamenial device, is disclosed. The absorbent article has first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces. The second major surface has a garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. The absorbent article is enclosed by a wrapper having first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides and first and second major surfaces. The first major surface of the wrapper is releasably affixed to the garment attachment adhesive such that the first end of the absorbent article at a minimum is flush with the first end of the wrapper. When so attached, the second end of the wrapper will extend beyond the second end of the absorbent article and the first and second sides of the wrapper will extend laterally outward from the first and second sides of the absorbent article, respectively. An attachment device is secured to the second major surface of the wrapper approximate the first end.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Janet Jessie Larsen, James Dell Milner, Valerie Victoria Finch, Pamela Jean DeShaney
-
Patent number: 6269969Abstract: A wet wipe container having improved opening and improved tear resistance between the lid and the base among other features. The container includes a container base and a container lid that is connected to the container base. In one embodiment, the container lid has a guide ridge that extends downward into the interior of the container. The guide ridge permits the container lid to be in a partially open position and provides better alignment between the container lid and the container base during closing of the container. In another embodiment, the container includes a closure that has an upwardly extending tongue projection, a flattened grip area and an assistive region to increase the ease with which the container can be opened. The invention also relates to a container having a more tear resistant container lid. The container lid has a hinge channel of a primary thickness. The hinge channel has two end regions that are of a secondary thickness that is greater than the primary thickness.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Yung Hsiang Huang, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Tammy Jo Balzar, Stephen Bernard Studee
-
Patent number: 6039828Abstract: A method of forming a catamenial tampon is disclosed wherein the tampon is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina and in providing better utilization of the absorbent during use. The method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an absorbent to form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X--X. The resilient member can be either aligned with or offset from the central longitudinal axis X--X. The absorbent and the resilient member are rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which has a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. A withdrawal string is secured to the pledget to form a tampon. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from the woman's vagina.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Amy Michele Achter, Tammy Jo Balzar, Donald George Fox
-
Patent number: 6036679Abstract: This invention relates to an individually wrapped absorbent article. The absorbent article has first and second ends, first and second sides, and first and second major surfaces. The second major surface of the absorbent article has a garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. A release strip is removably secured to the garment attachment adhesive to prevent premature contamination of the garment attachment adhesive before the absorbent article is secured to an undergarment. The absorbent article is wrapped in a wrapper having first and second ends, first and second sides, and first and second major surfaces. A first major surface of the wrapper is positioned adjacent to the release strip with the first and second ends of the wrapper extending beyond the first and second ends, respectively, of the absorbent article. In addition, the first and second sides of the wrapper extend beyond the first and second sides, respectively, of the absorbent article.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Janet Jessie Larsen, James Dell Milner, Valerie Victoria Finch, Pamela Jean DeShaney
-
Patent number: 5984888Abstract: An applicator article and method are disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator article and method are especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator article includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. An exterior surface coating of the tubular member includes a compostable coating composed of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer. In one embodiment, a plurality of layers form the exterior surface coating. In one embodiment, the exterior surface coating has a thickness varying in dimension from the insertion end to the opposite external base end.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Steven James Nielsen, Tammy Jo Balzar, Yihua Chang
-
Patent number: 5954201Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article, such as a catamenial device, is disclosed. The absorbent article has an outer periphery with first and second ends and first and second longitudinal sides. The absorbent article further has first and second major surfaces, with the second major surface having an garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. The absorbent article is enclosed by a wrapper having first and second ends, first and second longitudinal sides, and first and second major surfaces. The first major surface of the wrapper is releasably affixed to the garment attachment adhesive such that the first and second ends of the wrapper and the first and second longitudinal sides of the wrapper extend beyond the outer periphery of the absorbent article. An attachment device, such as a line of an adhesive or one or more dots of adhesive, is secured to the second major surface of the wrapper and is located closer to the first end than to the second end.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1998Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.Inventors: Valerie Victoria Finch, Pamela Jean DeShaney, Tammy Jo Balzar, Janet Jessie Larsen, James Dell Milner
-
Patent number: D437686Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tammy Jo Balzar, Rodney Carlton Christianson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Yung Hsiang Huang, Stephen Bernard Studee