Patents by Inventor Thomas Alexander Horn

Thomas Alexander Horn 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: 10123919
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a fastening system with male and female components is disclosed. The female component may include a fibrous material having an overall thickness and an overall fiber cross-sectional dimension. The male component may include a plurality of hooks configured to engage the female component, the hooks having features with dimensions relating to the overall thickness and/or the overall fiber cross-sectional dimension of the fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nayda Liz Ramos-Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Patent number: 9717309
    Abstract: A hook fastener including a base strip and a field of hooks, each hook having a stem and a cap, the cap including at least one lateral overhang, and each hook being further delimited by two opposing substantially planar surfaces, wherein the overhang includes a swelling located at a distance from the stem so that the thickness of the overhang increases in the swelling, the bottom surface of the overhang forming a cavity for receiving filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: APLIX, S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Marche, Olivier Blanc, Nayda Liz Ramos Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Patent number: 9468265
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline, Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9414975
    Abstract: A process for forming an absorbent article comprising a substrate having a composite image printed thereon. The composite image includes artwork portions printed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed article substrate, which are vertically aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clarissa Maldonado, John Carroll Molander, Alrick Vincent Warner, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Patent number: 9259059
    Abstract: A loop member for a mechanical fastener comprises a nonwoven web, the nonwoven web having a pattern of intersecting bond lines. The pattern is characterized in that at least a portion comprises a first plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines and a second plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines, each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the first plurality intersecting each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the second plurality. The intersecting bond lines define unbonded pattern elements, each of the pattern elements being at least partially bounded by non-linear segments of the bond lines. The bond pattern for a nonwoven web is suitable for use as a loop member of a mechanical fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, John Norman Simmons
  • Publication number: 20150238373
    Abstract: A hook for use on a male fastening material in a fastening system, wherein the hook is configured for use with a fibrous material as a female fastening material in the fastening system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Nayda Liz Ramos-Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Patent number: 9091005
    Abstract: A nonwoven web is provided. The nonwoven web contains a side-by-side composite fiber having crimps. The composite fiber contains first and second propylene polymers. The nonwoven web contains a bonded portion that contains a bonding pattern containing zigzag unit patterns. The zigzag unit patterns are continuous and substantially parallel with a first direction and are disposed in a second direction at predetermined intervals. A triangle formed by adjacent three contact points of a first diagonal line and a second diagonal line of the unit pattern contains a part of the unit pattern that is adjacent to the triangle in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto, Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline
  • Patent number: 9084701
    Abstract: A disposable wearable absorbent article having a hook and loop fastening system that comprises a nonwoven female fastening material and a male fastening material with a plurality of bidirectional micro-sized hooks, each having a cap and at least one arm. The height of each hook and cap may be defined relative to the overall thickness of the female fastening material. Caps may have a vertical engagement effective area that has: (a) at least two sides that are substantially parallel; (b) a width-to-thickness aspect ratio from 1 to 2; and (c) an area from 40,000 to 120,000 ?2. Caps may have an overall recessed width and a deepest recessed depth that is defined relative to the overall fiber cross-sectional dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nayda Liz RamosMedina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Publication number: 20150074956
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hook fastener including a base strip and a field of hooks, each hook comprising a stem and a cap, said cap including at least one lateral overhang, and each hook being further delimited by two opposing substantially planar surfaces, wherein the overhang comprises a swelling located at a distance from the stem so that the thickness of the overhang increases in said swelling, the bottom surface of the overhang forming a cavity for receiving filaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: APLIX
    Inventors: Thierry Marche, Olivier Blanc, Nayda Liz Ramos Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Publication number: 20150033513
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander HORN, Mark James KLINE, Kazuhiko MASUDA, Hisashi MORIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8898868
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline, Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8748691
    Abstract: A three dimensional printed article having a composite image printed thereon is disclosed. The composite image includes top and bottom artwork portions printed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed article substrate. Both artwork portions are visible through a translucent or transparent substrate, thereby forming a visible composite image. The substrate can be a non-woven web. By printing on both surfaces of the substrate, the three dimensional printed article provides a good quality, aesthetically pleasing three-dimensional image that limits the loss of color and appearance of fuzz during normal use of the article. The three-dimensional printed article allows a more versatile creation of build colors and reduces the number of process colors required to print the composite image. The three-dimensional printed article can be integrated into an absorbent article, such as a diaper. A method of printing the three-dimensional printed article and forming the absorbent article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clarissa Maldonado, John Molander, Alrick Vincent Warner, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Publication number: 20140107603
    Abstract: A process for forming an absorbent article comprising a substrate having a composite image printed thereon. The composite image includes artwork portions printed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed article substrate, which are vertically aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clarissa Maldonado, John Carroll MOLANDER, Alrick Vincent WARNER, Thomas Alexander HORN
  • Publication number: 20140047678
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander HORN, Mark James KLINE, Kazuhiko MASUDA, Hisashi MORIMOTO
  • Patent number: 8637727
    Abstract: A three dimensional printed article having a composite image printed thereon is disclosed. The composite image includes top and bottom artwork portions printed on the top and bottom surfaces of the printed article substrate. Both artwork portions are visible through a translucent or transparent substrate, thereby forming a visible composite image. The substrate can be a non-woven web. By printing on both surfaces of the substrate, the three dimensional printed article provides a good quality, aesthetically pleasing three-dimensional image that limits the loss of color and appearance of fuzz during normal use of the article. The three-dimensional printed article allows a more versatile creation of process colors and reduces the number of spot colors required to print the composite image. The three-dimensional printed article can be integrated into an absorbent article, such as a diaper. A method of printing the three-dimensional printed article and forming the absorbent article are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Clarissa Maldonado, John Molander, Alrick Vincent Warner, Thomas Alexander Horn
  • Patent number: 8590119
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline, Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20130123738
    Abstract: A hook for use on a male fastening material in a fastening system, wherein the hook is configured for use with a fibrous material as a female fastening material in the fastening system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Nayda Liz RamosMedina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Patent number: 8388596
    Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline, Kazuhiko Masuda, Hisashi Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20120089112
    Abstract: Absorbent article comprising a loop member for a hook and loop fastener. The loop member comprises a knitted fabric which is adhesively attached to a carrier. The adhesive pattern for attaching the knitted fabric onto a carrier has a first plurality of adhesive stripes extending substantially in the warp thread direction of the knitted fabric and a second plurality of adhesive stripes extending substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of adhesive stripes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Dieter Homoelle, Georg Baldauf
  • Publication number: 20110257620
    Abstract: A bond pattern comprising bond lines that define tessellating pattern elements
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander Horn, Mark James Kline, Georg Baldauf