Patents by Inventor Tom Russell Belau

Tom Russell Belau 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: 7919668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the barrier film layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a continuous detector material. A representative continuous detector material may be an optical brightener. The discrete components also include a masking block. The masking block may decrease or eliminate the detectable presence of an optical brightener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Patent number: 7851666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Paula Cardinahl Winkel, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Publication number: 20030233081
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a material having a Surface Topographic Variance value of 30 micrometers or greater. The material includes a printed block having a Printed Block Sensor Value that is about three times greater than a Sensor Value for the area of the material outside of the printed block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Paula Cardinahl Winkel, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Publication number: 20030229325
    Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles including one or more discrete components. Representative discrete components include the nonwoven layer of the outer cover, the barrier film layer of the outer cover, the absorbent core, the bodyside liner, fasteners, ears and attachment panels. The discrete components include a continuous detector material. A representative continuous detector material may be an optical brightener. The discrete components also include a masking block. The masking block may decrease or eliminate the detectable presence of an optical brightener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Robert David Forrester, Michael John Flattum, Bernhardt Edward Kressner
  • Patent number: 5716470
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a loop material suitable for use on a disposable garment. The process includes the following steps. Forming a woven loop material having a lubricating material thereon. The lubricating material is present on the woven loop material in an amount effective to assist in the formation of the woven loop material. The woven loop material is rinsed with a liquid to form a rinsed loop material. The rinsing process causes the amount of lubricating material on said woven loop material to be reduced. Finally, the rinsed loop material is attached to the disposable garment. A disposable absorbent garment including the rinsed loop material is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Russell Belau, Mark Michael Mleziva, John Frederick Steffen