Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Ales, III
Thomas M. Ales, III 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).
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Patent number: 9265856Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-component material including a substrate and a printed layer on the substrate. The printed layer includes a color-changing composition to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing composition includes a matrix-forming component, a colorant, a surfactant and a pH adjuster. The pH adjuster includes a low molecular weight organic acid and a high molecular weight organic acid.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Xuedong Song, Thomas M. Ales, III
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Patent number: 8697933Abstract: Presented is a method for effectively toilet training a subject, the method including providing a disposable absorbent article to a caregiver, wherein the absorbent article includes a wetness sensor having a signaling device, and wherein the signaling device provides to the caregiver a feedback mode of an insult contemporaneous with the insult; and teaching the caregiver an appropriate response to the feedback mode as a training opportunity. Also presented is a method for toilet training a subject, the method including providing a wetness sensing system to a caregiver, the wetness sensing system including an insult indicator; indicating to the caregiver the occurrence of the insult contemporaneous with the insult; and instructing the caregiver to immediately intervene to teach the subject about the physical sensations experienced by the subject prior to and during the insult.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen, Jason C. Cohen
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Patent number: 8698641Abstract: The present subject matter relates to absorbent articles and signaling devices for use therewith. The signaling device can be configured to detect the presence of an insult in the absorbent article and/or in an undergarment. The signaling device can be further configured to determine whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult. The signaling device can provide a notification to a user that an insult has occurred and can inform the user whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jose K Abraham, Davis-Dang Nhan, Thomas M. Ales, III, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Patent number: 8628506Abstract: Monitoring the status of an absorbent article can be desirable to various users in various situations. A monitoring device for use with an absorbent article is provided. The monitoring device includes a sensing device and a signaling device. The sensing device is configured to sense a physiological indication related to the absorbent article wearer. The functionality of the monitoring device may be updateable, for instance, by utilizing firmware updates, hardware or user interface changes, software installations, etc. Thus, the monitoring device of the present invention may be utilized over an entire lifespan from infants to elderly without the need for costly replacement or installation of an entirely new monitoring system.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Andrew M. Long
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Patent number: 8604268Abstract: Presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a first wetness sensor; a first signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a first feedback mode of a wetness state of the disposable absorbent article; and a second signaling device adapted to communicate with the first wetness sensor and providing a second feedback mode of the wetness state of the disposable absorbent article, wherein the second feedback mode is different from the first feedback mode. Also presented is a toilet training system including a disposable absorbent article including a wetness sensor; and a signaling device adapted to communicate with the wetness sensor, wherein the signaling device includes a dynamic feedback mode system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jason C. Cohen, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long, Christopher P. Olson, Ansley Allen
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Patent number: 8440877Abstract: Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Meghan E. Collins, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long
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Patent number: 8378167Abstract: A wetness sensing system includes a first wetness sensing article; a first signaling device producing a first signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the first signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article; and a second signaling device producing a second signal upon sensing wetness in the first wetness sensing article, wherein the second signaling device is compatible with the first wetness sensing article. Also, a method for enhancing a wetness sensing system includes producing a wetness sensing absorbent article compatible with at least one component of the wetness sensing system, wherein the wetness sensing system includes as components a wetness sensing article and a first signaling device compatible with the wetness sensing article.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ansley C. Allen, Andrew M. Long, Shirlee A. Weber, Thomas M. Ales, III
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Publication number: 20120109087Abstract: The present subject matter relates to absorbent articles and signaling devices for use therewith. The signaling device can be configured to detect the presence of an insult in the absorbent article and/or in an undergarment. The signaling device can be further configured to determine whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult. The signaling device can provide a notification to a user that an insult has occurred and can inform the user whether the insult is a urine insult or a feces insult.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Jose K. Abraham, Davis-Dang Nhan, Thomas M. Ales, III, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Publication number: 20110015599Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-component material including a substrate and a printed layer on the substrate. The printed layer includes a color-changing composition to indicate a change in condition, such as a change in pH. The color-changing composition includes a matrix-forming component, a colorant, a surfactant and a pH adjuster. The pH adjuster includes a low molecular weight organic acid and a high molecular weight organic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Xuedong Song, Thomas M. Ales, III
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System for interactively training a child and a caregiver to assist the child to overcome bedwetting
Patent number: 7834235Abstract: A system for interactively training a child and a caregiver to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The system includes an absorbent article, a urine insult detector, a urine insult event communicator and a urine insult event alarm. The urine insult event alarm includes a local alarm proximate the child and a remote alarm proximate the caregiver. The urine insult event alarm can inform both the child and the caregiver upon occurrence of a urine insult event and thereby provide a first interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting. The local alarm includes a sensor which senses a condition of the child's environment in conjunction with the occurrence of the urine insult event and wherein the remote alarm can be selectively deactivated based on the condition and thereby provide a second interactive training opportunity to assist the child to overcome bedwetting.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Inventors: Andrew M. Long, Thomas M. Ales, III, Meghan E. Collins -
Patent number: 7774894Abstract: A floor-cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning head having a cleaning device, a control handle connected to the cleaning head for controlling the cleaning head and a micro power source in communication with the cleaning device. The micro power source is lightweight, compact, and rechargeable or replaceable for generating energy to power the cleaning device.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Carl G. Rippl, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Eric F. Wagner, Fung-Jou Chen, Frank G. Druecke, David J. Tyrrell, Kim Ellefson, Mary Jo Meyer, Timothy M. McFarland, Thomas M. Ales, III
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Patent number: 7649125Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of an insult in an absorbent article. An electrical property of the article is measured and either a proportional difference or a rate of change of the electrical property is determined. The proportional difference or the rate of change is compared to a difference indicator value and a rate indicator value, respectively, to determine the presence of an insult in the article.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Andrew Long, Meghan E. Collins, Shawn J. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7642396Abstract: A method of detecting the presence of an insult in an absorbent article. An electrical property of the article is measured and digitized. To detect an insult, the digital values are used by a microprocessor to determine at least one of the following: (a) a slope in the electrical property compared to a threshold value; (b) a comparison of the electrical property over a period of time to a threshold value; and/or (c) a comparison of the electrical property to a determined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Cullen Patrick Rotroff
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Publication number: 20090326417Abstract: Monitoring the status of an absorbent article can be desirable to various users in various situations. A monitoring device for use with an absorbent article is provided. The monitoring device includes a sensing device and a signaling device. The sensing device is configured to sense a physiological indication related to the absorbent article wearer. The functionality of the monitoring device may be updateable, for instance, by utilizing firmware updates, hardware or user interface changes, software installations, etc. Thus, the monitoring device of the present invention may be utilized over an entire lifespan from infants to elderly without the need for costly replacement or installation of an entirely new monitoring system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Andrew M. Long
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Patent number: 7449614Abstract: Electrical monitoring devices may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition shortly after the diaper has been soiled. The devices may produce a visual, an audible, or an electronic signal. These electrical monitoring devices have been powered by batteries, specifically small coin cell batteries. The power that is supplied by batteries dissipates over time requiring that the batteries be periodically replaced.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2006Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Thomas M. Ales, III
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Patent number: 7355090Abstract: A method of determining the presence of an insult in an absorbent article is disclosed. The amount of time that elapses between the activation of an alarm and the determination of the presence of a subsequent insult is determined. This elapsed time is compared to a time threshold value and either an insult alarm or a saturation alarm is activated as a function of the comparison. After activation of the alarm for an alarm period, the electrical property of the article is determined at a second time occurring at least a preset period after the end of the alarm period to allow the electrical property to stabilize before determining the electrical property.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Ales, III, Andrew Long, Meghan E. Collins