Patents by Inventor Thomas Sperl

Thomas Sperl 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: 11969322
    Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet layer, a liquid impermeable layer, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet layer and the liquid impermeable layer. The absorbent article can further include an exudate management layer in fluid communication with the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned on a body facing surface of the topsheet layer. In various embodiments, the exudate management layer can be positioned between the topsheet layer and the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a first component which defines an opening for direct passage of body exudates into the absorbent core. The exudate management layer has a second component which at least partially overlaps the first component of the exudate management layer and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article in a direction towards the posterior region of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Suzanne Marie Schmoker, Heidi Bauerlein Hopkins, Andrew Thomas Hammond, Kyle Mark Barriger, Michael Donald Sperl, Russell J. Brumm, Alyssa Kimberly DeYoung, Ellen E. Pelky, Kimberly M. Downs
  • Publication number: 20220384838
    Abstract: A battery module for a traction battery of an electric vehicle is described. The battery module has two side parts arranged on opposite sides of the battery module and aligned substantially parallel to an electrode surface of cells of the battery module. At least one of the side parts has an elastic region offset from a main extension plane of the side part. The elastic region is adapted to exert a pressing force perpendicular to the electrode surface on the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Wagner, Benjamin Bardosch, Michael Flieser, Alexander Hahn, Robert Magunia, Thomas Sperl
  • Publication number: 20220384870
    Abstract: A battery module for a traction battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery module includes at least one heat baffle arranged between two cells of the battery module. A central region of the heat conducting plate is arranged extending in a space between the cells and along a main extension plane of the heat conducting plate. An end region of the heat conducting plate is arranged outside the space and is oriented transversely to the main extension plane and forms a deformable heat transfer surface of the battery module. The end portion is oriented at an acute angle to a reference plane of the heat transfer surface perpendicular to the main extension plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Wagner, Benjamin Bardosch, Michael Flieser, Alexander Hahn, Robert Magunia, Thomas Sperl
  • Publication number: 20220384872
    Abstract: A battery module for a traction battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The battery module includes a heat transfer surface for tempering cells of the battery module and at least one cavity disposed between partial surfaces of the heat transfer surface for receiving excess heat conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Wagner, Benjamin Bardosch, Michael Flieser, Alexander Hahn, Robert Magunia, Thomas Sperl
  • Patent number: 9527458
    Abstract: An interior trim element for a vehicle door trim may comprise an arm rest and a material pad. The arm rest may comprise a plurality of elongated support elements and a plurality of elongated recesses disposed in regions between the elongated support elements. The arm rest may be configured to couple to an inner side of a door trim beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam. The elongated support elements may be oriented substantially parallel to the beam. The pad may cover the support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Sperl, Friedrich Graf
  • Publication number: 20160176366
    Abstract: An interior trim element for a vehicle door trim may comprise an arm rest and a material pad. The arm rest may comprise a plurality of elongated support elements and a plurality of elongated recesses disposed in regions between the elongated support elements. The arm rest may be configured to couple to an inner side of a door trim beam in a direction perpendicular to the beam. The elongated support elements may be oriented substantially parallel to the beam. The pad may cover the support elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Sperl, Friedrich Graf
  • Patent number: 8096604
    Abstract: An energy absorber for use as impact protection in a motor vehicle, in particular in the region of the doors, is provided. The energy absorber can be formed as a plastics material component and comprises a plurality of ribs which together form polygonal hollow chambers. In manufacturing the energy absorber, a tool parting line of the manufacturing tool is defined such that the parting line defines at least two regions of the energy absorber displaying differing energy absorption characteristics. Upon impact, the energy absorber follows a force/distance curve which first rises linearly and then continues constantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Dominik Asenkerschbaumer, Klaus Unterreiner, Thomas Sperl
  • Patent number: 7490851
    Abstract: A vehicle door trim for a motor vehicle with a head impact protection device for a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the door trim includes a curb carrier, a head impact protection device, a foam layer over the curb carrier and a decorative layer on the side of the foam layer facing away from the curb carrier. The curb carrier may include at least one fixing attachment for fixing the head impact protection device in an area in the assembled position of the vehicle door trim that is close to the side window of the vehicle door as well as a cover area that covers the head impact protection device. The head impact protection device may include as a module, an airbag carrier, an airbag and a gas generator. The foam layer may be sufficiently elastic to deform on actuation of the head impact protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmeier GmbH
    Inventors: Christo Riester, Michael Dax, Friedrich Graf, Lutz Lehman, Georg Sigl, Marc Sieber, Thomas Sperl
  • Publication number: 20090026800
    Abstract: An energy absorber for use as impact protection in a motor vehicle, in particular in the region of the doors, is provided. The energy absorber can be formed as a plastics material component and comprises a plurality of ribs which together form polygonal hollow chambers. In manufacturing the energy absorber, a tool parting line of the manufacturing tool is defined such that the parting line defines at least two regions of the energy absorber displaying differing energy absorption characteristics. Upon impact, the energy absorber follows a force/distance curve which first rises linearly and then continues constantly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: Lisa Draxlmaier GMBH
    Inventors: Dominik Asenkerschbaumer, Klaus Unterreiner, Thomas Sperl
  • Patent number: 7384063
    Abstract: A vehicle door trim for a motor vehicle with a head impact protection device for a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the door trim includes a curb carrier of the vehicle door trim in which is located a cutout for fixing the head impact protection device in the assembled position of the vehicle door trim in an area close to the side window of the vehicle door, a head impact protection device, which comprises an airbag carrier joined to the curb carrier so as to be airtight, an airbag, which on the rim side is fixed to the airbag carrier so as to be airtight, and a gas generator, which may be permanently joined to the airbag carrier. The vehicle door trim covers a foam layer over the curb carrier and, in the area of the cutout, over the airbag carrier. A decorative layer on the side of the foam layer facing away from the curb carrier is provided. The foam layer is designed so that on actuation of the head impact protection device, it may lift easily from the airbag carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Riester, Michael Dax, Friedrich Graf, Lutz Lehman, Georg Sigl, Marc Sieber, Thomas Sperl
  • Publication number: 20060208468
    Abstract: A vehicle door trim for a motor vehicle with a head impact protection device for a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the door trim includes a curb carrier of the vehicle door trim in which is located a cutout for fixing the head impact protection device in the assembled position of the vehicle door trim in an area close to the side window of the vehicle door, a head impact protection device, which comprises an airbag carrier joined to the curb carrier so as to be airtight, an airbag, which on the rim side is fixed to the airbag carrier so as to be airtight, and a gas generator, which may be permanently joined to the airbag carrier. The vehicle door trim covers a foam layer over the curb carrier and, in the area of the cutout, over the airbag carrier. A decorative layer on the side of the foam layer facing away from the curb carrier is provided. The foam layer is designed so that on actuation of the head impact protection device, it may lift easily from the airbag carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: Lisa Draxlmaier GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Riester, Michael Dax, Friedrich Graf, Lutz Lehman, Georg Sigl, Marc Sieber, Thomas Sperl
  • Publication number: 20060197322
    Abstract: A vehicle door trim for a motor vehicle with a head impact protection device for a vehicle occupant is provided. In one embodiment, the door trim includes a curb carrier, a head impact protection device, a foam layer over the curb carrier and a decorative layer on the side of the foam layer facing away from the curb carrier. The curb carrier may include at least one fixing attachment for fixing the head impact protection device in an area in the assembled position of the vehicle door trim that is close to the side window of the vehicle door as well as a cover area that covers the head impact protection device. The head impact protection device may include as a module, an airbag carrier, an airbag and a gas generator. The foam layer may be sufficiently elastic to deform on actuation of the head impact protection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Applicant: Lisa Draxlmaier GMBH
    Inventors: Christo Riester, Michael Dax, Friedrich Graf, Lutz Lehman, Georg Sigl, Marc Sieber, Thomas Sperl