Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Ray

Thomas A. Ray 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: 20240173175
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert throughout a first attachment region, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert throughout a second attachment region, the second panel being coupled to the first panel proximate a first side edge of the article and the second side edge of the article and further comprising a weakened region. The second attachment may comprise a low-strength attachment zone and a high-strength attachment zone, the high-strength attachment zone disposed proximate the attachment region bottom edge. The low-strength attachment zone may further have a first peel strength and the high-strength attachment zone may have a second peel strength, the second peel strength greater than the first.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R. Niedt, Kyle M. Barriger, Marc A. Morin, JR., Thomas A. Ray, Timothy A. Thorson, Victor Stevens
  • Patent number: 11752045
    Abstract: Absorbent articles with front and rear opening features are disclosed. An article may comprise an absorbent insert comprising an outer cover, a liner, and a core between the outer cover and liner, a first waist panel coupled to the insert and having a first waist panel bottom edge, a first waist panel top edge, a first waist panel outer surface, and a first waist panel inner surface, and a second waist panel coupled to the insert. The first waist panel may be coupled to the second waist panel along side edges of the article, and the first waist panel may further comprise a weakened region comprising weakened portions extending at least partially between the first waist panel bottom edge and the first waist panel top edge. The weakened region may have a weakened region percentage of between about 45% and about 90%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Beth Johnson, Sarah Kleuskens, James R Niedt, Kyle M Barriger, Thomas A. Ray
  • Patent number: 9764051
    Abstract: The multi-panel sterilization assembly includes a barrier panel formed of permeable material having barrier properties, side wings that can include grip portions for folding or unfolding the barrier panel; and a fold protection panel. The assembly has at least one pull tab attached to an end of the barrier panel to aid in unfolding the assembly after sterilization. At least one wing and/or pull tab is held in place against the barrier panel during manufacturing with a transient adhesive that loses strength such that the wing or pull tab is easily pulled off the barrier panel after sterilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Avent, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Kalmon, Thomas A. Ray, Terry N. Tankersley, Joyce V. Lee
  • Publication number: 20150367011
    Abstract: The multi-panel sterilization assembly includes a barrier panel formed of permeable material having barrier properties, side wings that can include grip portions for folding or unfolding the barrier panel; and a fold protection panel. The assembly has at least one pull tab attached to an end of the barrier panel to aid in unfolding the assembly after sterilization. At least one wing and/or pull tab is held in place against the barrier panel during manufacturing with a transient adhesive that loses strength such that the wing or pull tab is easily pulled off the barrier panel after sterilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael F. Kalmon, Thomas A. Ray, Terry N. Tankersley, Joyce V. Lee