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).
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Patent number: 7897015Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20080257512Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 7396593Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: 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
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Wiping products having a low coefficient of friction in the wet state and process for producing same
Patent number: 7147751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tom G. Shannon, Dave Soerens -
Publication number: 20040256066Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Jeff Lindsay, Tom G. Shannon, Mike Goulet, Mike Lostocco, Troy Runge, Kelly Branham, Lisa Flugge, Jamie Foster, Fred Lang, Tong Sun, Gil Garnier
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Patent number: 6824650Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20040234804Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: 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
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Wiping products having a low coefficient of friction in the wet state and process for producing same
Publication number: 20040121158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Tom G. Shannon, Dave Soerens -
Publication number: 20030131962Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: 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