Patents by Inventor Timothy James Blenke
Timothy James Blenke 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: 8158689Abstract: A hybrid absorbent foam includes an integrated hybrid foam layer having an open surface, a closed surface, and a foam body extending between the open and closed surfaces. The integrated hybrid foam layer has an open-cell content of at least 50%, while the closed surface provides a barrier to aqueous liquids. The integrated hybrid foam layer is formed as a single layer, and has a substantially uniform polymer composition throughout its thickness. The integrated hybrid foam layer combines the functions of liquid absorbency, retention, and barrier into a single layer, and is useful in a wide variety of absorbent articles.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Andrew T. Baker, Timothy James Blenke, Charles W. Colman, Edward A. Colombo, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kaiyuan Yang, Michael Joseph Garvey, Jeffrey Jennings Krueger, Mary Frances Mallory, Joseph E. Pierce, Fred Robert Radwanski, Sridhar Ranganathan, Donald E. Waldroup
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Patent number: 7786032Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) is used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, Timothy James Blenke
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Publication number: 20100189540Abstract: A package for consumable products is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of subpackages connected together by a connecting member. For instance, the package may contain two subpackages or alternatively four subpackages all connected at one end to a connecting member. The package is particularly well suited to holding relatively large quantities of the consumable product. Because the subpackages are connected at one end, the package may be draped over an adjacent structure, such as a shopping cart. In this way, the package can be placed in a shopping cart without taking up an excessive amount of space.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2010Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Jane L. Clough, Timothy James Blenke, Patrick Sean McNichols, Meewha Lee, Pam Thompson, Jennifer L. Marvin, Thomas Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Sheng Hsin Hu
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Patent number: 7721887Abstract: A package for consumable products is disclosed. The package includes a plurality of subpackages connected together by a connecting member. For instance, the package may contain two subpackages or alternatively four subpackages all connected at one end to a connecting member. The package is particularly well suited to holding relatively large quantities of the consumable product. Because the subpackages are connected at one end, the package may be draped over an adjacent structure, such as a shopping cart. In this way, the package can be placed in a shopping cart without taking up an excessive amount of space.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Catherine Marguerite Hancock-Cooke, Jane L. Clough, Timothy James Blenke, Patrick Sean McNichols, Meewha Lee, Pam Thompson, Jennifer L. Marvin, Thomas Tanakon Ungpiyakul, Sheng-Hsin Hu
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Patent number: 7632764Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) is used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, Timothy James Blenke
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Publication number: 20090075540Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to adhesive compositions comprising selected ratios of crystalline and amorphous polymers. In some versions of the invention, polymers capable of existing in different configurations (e.g., a polymer such as polypropylene which can exist in an atactic, syndiotactic. or isotactic configuration) is used to prepare adhesives of the present invention. As an example, a selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of a conventional hot-melt adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Peiguang Zhou, Timothy James Blenke
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Patent number: 7497990Abstract: A process for the destruction of microorganisms on a product using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a product with an ultrasonic horn assembly and generating ultrasonic energy sufficient to result in a microorganism destruction rate of at least a 1-log kill.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Tom Ehlert, James Jay Tanner, David W. Koenig, Bernard Cohen
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Publication number: 20090035178Abstract: A process for the destruction of microorganisms on a product using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a product with an ultrasonic horn assembly and generating ultrasonic energy sufficient to result in a microorganism destruction rate of at least a 1-log kill.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2004Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Tom Ehlert, James Jay Tanner, David W. Koenig, Bernard Cohen
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Patent number: 6972012Abstract: A pant-like, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, a pair of opposed side panels, a pair of releasable joints and a pair of proportional fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of laterally opposed side edges and a pair of longitudinally opposed waist edges. The side panels extend between and connect the side edges of the absorbent chassis to define a waist opening and a pair of leg openings in the pant-like disposable absorbent article. Each of the opposed side panels defines a first side margin which is permanently attached to the side edge of the absorbent chassis in one waist region of the absorbent article to provide a permanent joint. Each of the opposed side panels further defines a second side margin opposite the first side margin which is releasably attached to the side edges of the absorbent chassis in the other waist region of the absorbent article to provide the releasable joints.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Timothy James Blenke, Cassandra Elizabeth Morris, Thomas Harold Roessler, Jody Dorothy Suprise, Robert Eugene Vogt
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Patent number: 6837961Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material. The bond patterns are arranged and configured to preferentially direct stresses imposed on the bond pattern, inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern for distribution, dissipation, and termination.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
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Patent number: 6713159Abstract: This invention pertains to bonded composites, and absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites. The bonded composites comprise first and second layers of thin-section sheet material bonded by bond elements defining a bond pattern. The bond pattern has a length, and width. The bond pattern includes a first sub-array of longitudinally-oriented separate and distinct stress receptor elements proximate the side edges, and spaced at first distances from each other, and a second sub-array of longitudinally-oriented separate and distinct transfer and dissipation elements preferably disposed inwardly of the side edges and inwardly of the stress receptor elements, and at second distances from the stress receptor elements less than spacing of the stress receptor elements from each other. Bonds can be activated by application of thermal or ultrasonic energy, or pressure e.g. against adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Jeffry Jon Radke
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Patent number: 6652501Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material. The bond patterns are arranged and configured to preferentially direct stresses imposed on the bond pattern, inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern for distribution, dissipation, and termination.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
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Patent number: 6620270Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. Additionally, a rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106) between the anvil member (86) and the horn member (28). A transfer device (110) can be configured to selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be operatively connected to the transfer device (110) to selectively modify the horn-anvil gap (106). A force sensor (126) can be configured to detect a gap force at the horn-anvil gap (106), and an electronic processor (128) can be configured to employ an output from the force sensor (126) to monitor the gap force, and provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Barton Andrew Laughlin, Harold Norbert Heller, Timothy James Blenke, Tauhid Husain, Paul Gordon Klemp, John Ford Condron
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Patent number: 6613171Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) having a first axial side (30) and a second axial side (32). The first axial side (30) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a first rotatable axle member (34), and the first axle member (34) can be operatively joined to a first isolation member (42). The second axial side (32) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a second rotatable axle member (36), and the second axle member (36) can be operatively joined to a second isolation member (44). The isolation members (42, 44) are capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102) of each isolation member (42, 44), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of each isolation member.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Timothy James Blenke, Thomas David Ehlert, Tauhid Husain, Daniel Edward Wallander, Norman Rudolf Stegelmann
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Publication number: 20030111157Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. Additionally, a rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106) between the anvil member (86) and the horn member (28). A transfer device (110) can be configured to selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be operatively connected to the transfer device (110) to selectively modify the horn-anvil gap (106). A force sensor (126) can be configured to detect a gap force at the horn-anvil gap (106), and an electronic processor (128) can be configured to employ an output from the force sensor (126) to monitor the gap force, and provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Thomas David Ehlert, Patrick Sean McNichols, Barton Andrew Laughlin, Harold Norbert Heller, Timothy James Blenke, Tauhid Husain, Paul Gordon Klemp, John Ford Condron
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Publication number: 20030111156Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for ultrasonic bonding or other processing can include a rotatable ultrasonic horn member (28) having a first axial side (30) and a second axial side (32). The first axial side (30) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a first rotatable axle member (34), and the first axle member (34) can be operatively joined to a first isolation member (42). The second axial side (32) of the horn member (28) can be operatively joined to a second rotatable axle member (36), and the second axle member (36) can be operatively joined to a second isolation member (44). The isolation members (42, 44) are capable of bending under a horn-life range of sonic frequencies to provide an operative component of motion along a radial direction (102) of each isolation member (42, 44), and an operative component of motion along an axial direction (100) of each isolation member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Timothy James Blenke, Thomas David Ehlert, Tauhid Husain, Daniel Edward Wallander, Norman Rudolf Stegelmann
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Patent number: 6547903Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be connected to an actuator (110), or other transfer device, to automatically adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). An electronic processor (128) can be configured to monitor an intermittent gap force detected from an output provided by a force sensor (126), and can provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106) to operatively maintain a target, gap force value.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Patrick Sean McNichols, Thomas David Ehlert, Timothy James Blenke, Tauhid Husain, Barton Andrew Laughlin, Paul Gordon Klemp, John Ford Condron, Harold Norbert Heller
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Publication number: 20030069554Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
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Publication number: 20030065295Abstract: Bonded composites, absorbent articles comprising such bonded composites, and processes for bonding thin-section elements. The bonded composite has first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other, at least in part by bond elements and at least in part by adherent material. The adherent material is disposed between the first and second thin-section elements proximate and about the bond elements. The adherent material, at least in part, bonds the thin-section elements to each other at loci of the adherent material. The bond patterns are arranged and configured to preferentially direct stresses imposed on the bond pattern, inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern for distribution, dissipation, and termination.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
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Patent number: 6537403Abstract: A ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20), can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) operatively joined to a first isolation member (42) and a second isolation member (44). In a particular aspect, the first and second isolation members (42, 44) can exhibit high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and the anvil member (86) can be located in a horizontally offset and vertically overlapping arrangement relative to the horn member (28). An actuator (110) or other transfer device can selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). Additionally, an ultrasonic exciter (82) can connect to the horn member (28), and can provide an operative amount of ultrasonic energy to the horn member (28).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Patrick Sean McNichols, Thomas David Ehlert, Tauhid Husain