Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Saffel

Thomas C. Saffel 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: 6802924
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Publication number: 20030178135
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Patent number: 6541099
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Publication number: 20020084048
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6277241
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, Stephen A. Hurst, Charles J. Garneski, Gary L. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6187140
    Abstract: A method of increasing the wet strength of a creped sheet, which method involves providing a sheet which includes cellulosic fibers, which sheet has a first side and a second side; applying a low temperature-curing latex adhesive binder composition to the first side of the sheet in a fine, spaced-apart pattern occupying from about 20 to about 50 percent of the surface area of the sheet; adhering the first side of the sheet to a creping surface; and creping the sheet from the creping surface. The binder composition is adapted to adhere the sheet to the creping surface and includes a functional group-containing latex, a functional group-reactive crosslinking agent, and a volatile base. In addition, the creping surface is heated at a temperature no greater than about 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Anderson, Christopher Lee Davidson, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Thomas C. Saffel, Robert Emil Weber, Duane K. Zacharias
  • Patent number: D429074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Allen Hurst, Mari-Pat Yvonne Von Feldt, Thomas C. Saffel