Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Roessler

Thomas H. Roessler 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: 20030124928
    Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article useful for the following purposes without limitation: as a bed pad, a baby changing pad, a bib, a table cloth, or a painter's drop cloth. The absorbent article includes a vapor-permeable liquid-impermeable bottomsheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface, an absorbent structure positioned adjacent the interior surface, and a non-adhesive skid-resistant coating applied to the exterior surface such that the bottomsheet remains vapor-permeable after application of the coating. The non-adhesive skid resistant coating improves the ability of the absorbent article to remain in position without leaving residue on surfaces while leaving the absorbent article breathable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Earle H. Sherrod, Daniel L. Ellingson, Stephen M. Campbell, Thomas H. Roessler
  • Patent number: 6561378
    Abstract: A tissue container having a plurality of walls and a lower surface is capable of dispensing tissues to users. The container may resist unwanted movement when placed upon a flat surface due in part to a non-skid friction enhancement device that is affixed to the lower surface of the container. The tissue container also may be removably affixed to an object or surface by way of adhesive, such that the container resists movement when a tissue is pulled from the container. The container may have an adhesive on its lower surface, such that the adhesive is exposed by removing a protective covering or layer from the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Yung H. Huang, Barbara A. Lyon, Franklin M. C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20030004487
    Abstract: An absorbent garment comprising a longitudinally extending and laterally expandable absorbent composite having opposite ends and opposite side regions. The absorbent composite comprises a backsheet, a topsheet and a retention portion disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. In one preferred embodiment, the backsheet and retention portion each comprise at least one fold formed along at least one of the opposite side regions, with the folds being interfolded. A pair of front body panels are attached to the opposite side regions of the absorbent composite adjacent one of the opposite ends of said absorbent composite and a pair of rear body panels are attached to the opposite side regions adjacent the other of the opposite ends of the absorbent composite. In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear body panels are joined to form a pair of side body panels. A method for using the absorbent garment also is provided, together with a method for assembling the absorbent garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, David A. Fell, Jacqueline A. Gross, Yung H. Huang, Michael T. Morman, Thomas H. Roessler
  • Publication number: 20020010454
    Abstract: An absorbent garment includes an extensible backsheet having opposite side regions, a liquid permeable topsheet having opposite side portions, and a retention portion having opposite side edges and an outer surface defining an area. The retention portion is disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet with the outer surface facing the backsheet and with the opposite side portions of the backsheet and the topsheet extending beyond the side edges of the retention portion. The opposite side portions of the topsheet are attached to the opposite side portions of the backsheet on opposite sides of the retention portion. Less than 30% of the area of the outer surface of the retention portion is attached to the backsheet. In one preferred embodiment, the retention portion is freefloating between the backsheet and topsheet. In one preferred embodiment, the topsheet is extensible. In another preferred embodiment, less than 30% of an inner surface of the retention portion is attached to the topsheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Paul T. Van Gompel, David A. Fell, Jacqueline A. Gross, Yung H. Huang, Michael T. Morman, Thomas H. Roessler
  • Publication number: 20010025433
    Abstract: A shoe or foot covering with slip-resistant properties is disclosed. In particular, the foot covering includes slip-resistant portions made from a polymeric material that are preferably applied to the bottom surface of the foot covering. The polymeric material contains a metallocene catalyzed branch copolymer which has rubber-like properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Lisa M.C. Swango, Timothy W. Reader, Thomas H. Roessler, Franklin M.C. Chen
  • Patent number: 6261278
    Abstract: A film that comprises a mixture of a block copolymer and a polyethylene polymer. One embodiment of such a film is a film comprising a block copolymer selected from the group consisting of poly(styrene)-co-poly(ethylene-butylene)-co-poly(styrene) copolymer and poly(styrene)-co-poly(ethylene-butylene) copolymer, and a polyethylene polymer. The film exhibits improved self-adhesive properties and is suitable for use in a disposable absorbent product intended for the absorption of fluids such as body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin M. C. Chen, Yung Hsiang Huang, Thomas H. Roessler
  • Patent number: 6209227
    Abstract: A shoe or foot covering with slip-resistant properties is disclosed. In particulars the foot covering includes slip-resistant portions made from a polymeric material that are preferably applied to the bottom surface of the foot covering. The polymeric material contains a metallocene catalyzed branch copolymer which has rubber-like properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa M.C. Swango, Timothy W. Reader, Thomas H. Roessler, Franklin M.C. Chen
  • Patent number: 5613959
    Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Annamaria Cesco-Cancian, Dan D. Endres, Paula M. Hanson, Kenneth A. Leick, Marianne K. Leick, Edward E. Werner
  • Patent number: 5605735
    Abstract: A distinctive fastening tab includes a fastener substrate having a construction-bond portion, a user-bond portion, a user-bond end section, a construction-bond end section, a pair of opposed side edge sections, a fastening surface and a user surface. A securing means connects to the fastening surface of the fastener substrate at least along the user-bond portion thereof, and a gripping member connects to the user surface at the user-bond portion of the fastener substrate. The gripping member has a distal end portion which is substantially free, and a base portion which is operably connected to the user surface of the fastener substrate. The gripping member is configured to intersect the fastener substrate at a location which is spaced from the construction-bond portion and is positioned between the construction-bond portion and the user-bond end section of the fastener substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Georgia L. Zehner, Paul T. VanGompel, Thomas H. Roessler, Yung H. Huang
  • Patent number: 5540672
    Abstract: An absorbent article has a lateral width, a longitudinal length, longitudinally extending side margins, a front waistband portion, a back waistband portion, and an intermediate portion which interconnects the front and back waistband portions. The article comprises a backsheet layer and an absorbent retention portion superposed on the backsheet layer. A liquid permeable topsheet layer is superposed on the retention portion to sandwich the retention portion between the topsheet layer and the backsheet layer. An elasticizing means form elasticized gathers at leg opening portions of the article. The elasticizing means include a front set of laterally opposed, longitudinally extending leg elastic members located in the article side margins in at least the intermediate portion of the article. The front elastic members are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the article length and have a selected offset toward the front waistband portion of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Paul T. Van Gompel, Georgia L. Zehner, Daniel R. Schlinz, Apiromraj Srisopark
  • Patent number: 5516567
    Abstract: A distinctive article has first and second waistband sections, and an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The article comprises a backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers. At least one adhesive tape member connects to the first waistband section. The tape member has a factory-bond section for connecting the tape member to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section for securing the article on a wearer. The user-bond section connects to a finger tab which includes a non-securing grasping section thereof. In particular embodiments, the grasping section can comprise a layer of absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Mary P. Jordan, Carmen C. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5476457
    Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Annamaria Cesco-Cancian, Dan D. Endres, Paula M. Hanson, Kenneth A. Leick, Marianne K. Leick, Edward E. Werner
  • Patent number: 5458591
    Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Annamaria Cesco-Cancian, Dan D. Endres, Paula M. Hanson, Kenneth A. Leick, Marianne K. Leick, Edward E. Werner
  • Patent number: 5405342
    Abstract: A disposable article, such as a diaper, for absorbing and containing urine and other body exudates has an absorbent insert pad that may be flushed in a toilet. The article preferably includes a backing sheet and a bodyside liner that are substantially coterminous. In one embodiment of the invention, a secondary absorbent body, which is disposed between the backing sheet and the bodyside liner, has a pocket formed therein. The absorbent insert pad is positioned against the bodyside liner and located generally within the pocket. A cover is releasably attached to the bodyside liner to maintain the insert pad within the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Annamaria Cesco-Cancian, Dan D. Endres, Paula M. Hanson, Kenneth A. Leick, Marianne K. Leick, Edward E. Werner
  • Patent number: 5403302
    Abstract: There is disclosed a disposable diaper in which the waistband is closed by a mechanical fastener. A second fastener means is included and positioned on the article to enable rolling or folding the garment after use and thereby secure it in a neat bundle for disposal. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical fastener is comprised of hook tabs at the rear waistband which engage a patch of loop material adhesively bonded on the front waistband. The second fastener means of the disclosed embodiments utilizes the tabs which engage a compatible component on the garment placed in the same half portion with the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Bruce M. Siebers, Robert L. Popp, Charles R. Fallen
  • Patent number: 5399219
    Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of adhesive fastener assemblies includes the step of providing a substantially continuous web of substrate material along a selected, longitudinal machine-direction (132). The substrate web has a laterally extending cross direction (134) which is substantially perpendicular to the machine direction, and has laterally opposed, longitudinally extending side edge regions (142 and 144) thereof. A selected fastening means, such as a layer of primary adhesive (54), is positioned and applied onto a major facing surface (186) of the substrate web (140). A first longitudinally extending web of stiffening material (154) is attached to the major surface of the substrate web (140) at a location which is proximate a first side edge region (142) of the substrate web. A second longitudinally extending web of stiffening material (156) is attached to the major surface of the substrate web (140) at a location which is proximate the second side edge region (144) of the substrate web (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Paul T. Van Gompel, Kathleen A. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 5383872
    Abstract: An article, such as a disposable diaper, which includes a refastenable mechanical fastener system for closing and opening the waistband. The fastener comprises a hook and loop system, such as a Velcro.RTM. fastener system, developed for superior performance in fastening the waistband. The hook material of the fastener is molded of a copolymer of polypropylene which has flexural modulus of 70,00-120,00 psi; shore hardness D-40 to D-80 and the hooks are tapered base to tip, alternating hook design, of 0.04-0.05 inch caliper. The hook density in the material is about 740 hooks per inch on 40 rows to the inch on base film of 0.008-0.010 inch thickness. The loop material is a raised loop fabric of polyester fiber, two bar warp knit construction, with napped surface. The fabric is polyethylene terephthalate of basis weight in the range 1.0-3.0 ounce per square yard. The hook material is preferably mounted on the ears of the garment at the rear waistband which attaches to loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Bruce M. Siebers
  • Patent number: 5288546
    Abstract: A distinctive article has first and second waistband sections, and an intermediate section which interconnects the waistband sections. The article comprises a backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer superposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body interposed between the backsheet and topsheet layers. At least one adhesive tape member connects to the first waistband section. The tape member has a factory-bond section for connecting the tape member to the first waistband section, and a user-bond section for securing the article on a wearer. The user-bond section connects to a finger tab which includes a non-securing grasping section thereof. In particular embodiments, the grasping section can comprise a layer of absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Mary P. Jordan, Carmen C. Donovan
  • Patent number: 5176670
    Abstract: An article, such as a disposable diaper, which includes a refastenable mechanical fastener system for closing and opening the waistband. The fastener comprises a hook and loop system, such as a Velcro.RTM. fastener system, developed for superior performance in fastening the waistband. The hook material of the fastener is molded of a copolymer of polypropylene which has flexural modulus of 70,00-120,00 psi; shore hardness D-40 to D-80 and the hooks are tapered base to tip, alternating hook design, of 0.04-0.05 inch caliper. The hook density in the material is about 740 hooks per inch on 40 rows to the inch on base film of 0.008-0.010 inch thickness. The loop material is a raised loop fabric of polyester fiber, two bar warp knit construction, with napped surface. The fabric is polyethylene terephthalate of basis weight in the range 1.0-3.0 ounce per square yard. The hook material is preferably mounted on the ears of the garment at the rear waistband which attaches to loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Bruce M. Siebers
  • Patent number: 5176671
    Abstract: There is disclosed a disposable diaper in which the waistband is closed by a mechanical fastener. A second fastener means is included and positioned on the article to enable rolling or folding the garment after use and thereby secure it in a neat bundle for disposal. In the disclosed embodiments, the mechanical fastener is comprised of hook tabs at the rear waistband which engage a patch of loop material adhesively bonded on the front waistband. The second fastener means of the disclosed embodiments utilizes the tabs which engage a compatible component on the garment placed in the same half portion with the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Roessler, Bruce M. Siebers, Robert L. Popp, Charles R. Fallen