Patents by Inventor Tom G. Shannon

Tom G. Shannon 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: 7897015
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Publication number: 20080257512
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Patent number: 7396593
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Patent number: 7147751
    Abstract: Base sheets are disclosed having a reduced coefficient of friction in the wet state. In accordance with the present invention, the base sheets can be treated with a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, a derivatized polyethylene oxide or an acrylate copolymer containing polyethylene moieties. The base sheet can be single ply or multi-ply. The base sheet can be a tissue product, such as a facial tissue, a bath tissue, or a paper towel. Alternatively, the base sheet can be a pre-moistened wipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom G. Shannon, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20040256066
    Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jeff Lindsay, Tom G. Shannon, Mike Goulet, Mike Lostocco, Troy Runge, Kelly Branham, Lisa Flugge, Jamie Foster, Fred Lang, Tong Sun, Gil Garnier
  • Patent number: 6824650
    Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Lindsay, Tom G. Shannon, Mike Goulet, Mike Lostocco, Troy Runge, Kelly Branham, Lisa Flugge, Jamie Foster, Fred Lang, Tong Sun, Gil Garnier
  • Publication number: 20040234804
    Abstract: Tissue products are described that have been topically treated with a chemical additive, such as a softener. The softener may be, for instance, a polysiloxane. The polysiloxane is topically applied to a tissue sheet, such as a single ply sheet, so as to form a Z-directional gradient in the sheet. Particular, most of the polysiloxane remains on the surface of the tissue product as opposed to migrating to the center of the sheet. In this manner, tissue sheets are formed with improved softness at lower levels of polysiloxane and without the need for applying any surfactants to the sheet. A system for applying chemical additives to tissue sheets is also described. The system includes a chemical additive applicator, such as a meltblown die that emits the chemical additive through a plurality of orifices. In one embodiment, the system includes a device for periodically cleaning the orifices during application of the chemical additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Tom G. Shannon, Peter J. Allen, Geof Carlow, Mike Goulet, Paul Burden, Greg Aykens, Joe Capizzi, Thomas Hunt, Diane Linskens, Roger Wendler, John Wnek
  • Publication number: 20040121158
    Abstract: Base sheets are disclosed having a reduced coefficient of friction in the wet state. In accordance with the present invention, the base sheets can be treated with a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide, a derivatized polyethylene oxide or an acrylate copolymer containing polyethylene moieties. The base sheet can be single ply or multi-ply. The base sheet can be a tissue product, such as a facial tissue, a bath tissue, or a paper towel. Alternatively, the base sheet can be a pre-moistened wipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom G. Shannon, Dave Soerens
  • Publication number: 20030131962
    Abstract: Textile materials, including paper webs, treated with a polyvinylamine polymer and a second agent that interacts with the polyvinylamine polymer is disclosed. The second agent added with the polyvinylamine polymer can be, for instance, a polymeric anionic reactive compound or a polymeric aldehyde-functional compound. When incorporated into a paper web, the combination of the polyvinylamine polymer and the second agent provide improved strength properties, such as wet strength properties. In an alternative embodiment, the polyvinylamine polymer and the second polymer can be applied to a textile material for increasing the affinity of the textile material for acid dyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Lindsay, Tom G. Shannon, Mike Goulet, Mike Lostocco, Troy Runge, Kelly Branham, Lisa Flugge, Jamie Foster, Fred Lang, Tong Sun, Gil Garnier