Spot Bonds Connect Components Patents (Class 428/198)
  • Patent number: 6726983
    Abstract: An elastic laminate fabric useful for applications including apparel, sanitary products, and the like has an elastic vinylidene isoprene polymer film sandwiched between two outer non-woven layers. The laminate elastic fabric has CD elongation of at least 120%, and has recovery of at least 85% after several cycles of 100% elongation. A method of making the non-woven elastic laminate fabric includes extrusion coating a non-woven web having CD elongation of at least 120% with a vinylidene isoprene polymer film, and then thermocalendaring a second non-woven layer having a CD elongation of at least 120% to the exposed film surface. The mode of thermocalendering includes the use of an engraved calender roll having a discontinuous roll pattern and a land area no greater than 15%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Polymer Group
    Inventors: Valeria Griep Erdos, Ellen Mosley
  • Publication number: 20040074593
    Abstract: Methods for making a single step sterilization wrapping material suitable for use, as an example, in wrapping surgical instruments and supplies for sterilization, transportation and storage, are provided. The material includes separate first and second wraps that provide improved strength attributes to the system. Separate wraps are provided that may be specially engineered to deliver selected properties for each sheet and then joined to one another to permit wrapping and opening in a neat single step process which increases efficiency and saves time and money. The sheets may be joined in a manner that increases the strength and/or tear resistance of the sterilization wrapping material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Lisa A. Schild, Jeffrey L. McManus
  • Patent number: 6720063
    Abstract: An elastically stretchable composite sheet includes an elastically stretchable first web and an inelastically stretchable second web of thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber which is intermittently bonded to the first web in a y-direction. Component fiber of the second web has its cress-section cut in a direction orthogonal to the y-direction defined by a width w and a height h dimensioned to be at a ratio h/w less than 0.5. The composite sheet having such a structure improve its flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Hiroki Goda
  • Patent number: 6720062
    Abstract: A grip structure includes a surface material layer, a substrate material layer, the surface material layer and the substrate material layer laminated with each other, and a plurality of evenly distributed bonding combination points secured between the surface material layer and the substrate material layer, so that the surface material layer can be bonded and combined with the substrate material layer by the bonding combination points. In such a manner, the sweat or water will return to infiltrate into the surface of the grip structure in a slower speed, thereby greatly enhancing the comfortable sensation of holding the grip structure of the racket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hunter Jaw
  • Patent number: 6717028
    Abstract: Bonded composites, and absorbent articles made with such bonded composites. The bonded composites have first and second thin-section elements bonded to each other by bonds defining a bond pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Allen Oberstadt
  • Patent number: 6716514
    Abstract: A single- or multi-ply disposable article comprises at least one foreshortened, wet-extensible ply that has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers comprising creping ridges, wherein the creping ridges are oriented in a first direction; and a coating bonded to the at least one foreshortened ply, the coating defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions in the ply. The minimum caliper is coincident the bonded regions, and the coating comprises a plurality of mutually parallel lines of adhesive extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Nicholas James Nissing
  • Patent number: 6716498
    Abstract: A substance encapsulation system capable of being apertured under a tensioning force comprises a first web and a second web. A powdered, granular, particulate, or gel substance can be disposed between the first and second webs. Upon application of a sufficient force having a vector component parallel to the transverse axis, the bond site fractures to form a corresponding aperture to facilitate exposure of the substance. Alternatively, a central layer may be disposed between at least a portion of the first and second webs. The central layer may carry a substance to be exposed or the central layer may be a dissimilar material from the first and second webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Joseph Curro, Anneke Margaret Kaminiski, Deborah Adamo Koehler
  • Publication number: 20040062916
    Abstract: Method for producing a multi-ply web comprising at least three plies of flexible material, such as paper and nonwoven material and a multi-ply product produced according to the method. A first and second ply are glued together with a first glue pattern and a second and third ply are glued together with a second glue pattern which, as seen in the thickness direction of the multi-ply web, is substantially aligned with the first glue pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventors: Anna Mansson, Eva-Li Saarvali, Anders Andersson
  • Publication number: 20040062917
    Abstract: A fusible non-woven fibrous web for a quilt batt. The fusible non-woven fibrous web includes a non-woven fibrous web and a heat sealable and releasable adhesive. The adhesive is coated on the outer surface of the web and insinuates between the fibers of the web internally. The adhesive thus binds the fibers of the web and provides a tackiness sufficient to allow the web to be applied to, removed from, and reapplied to a backing material or other fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventor: Robert J. South
  • Patent number: 6713159
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy James Blenke, Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Jeffry Jon Radke
  • Publication number: 20040048542
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a first composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. A preponderance of the fibers at a first outer surface of the first composite layer comprise non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and a preponderance of the fibers at a second outer surface of the first composite layer comprise thermoplastic fibers. The nonwoven fabric further includes a second composite layer that includes from about 50% to about 90% by weight non-thermoplastic absorbent staple fibers and from about 10% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic fibers. The second composite layer is adjacent the second outer surface of the first composite layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Craig F. Thomaschefsky, Lawrence M. Brown
  • Patent number: 6696120
    Abstract: A shrink wrap material for protecting articles includes at least one non-woven fabric and a woven scrim defining apertures. A sufficient portion of the fibers from the non-woven fabric being forced into the apertures of the scrim such that the scrim reinforces and supports the non-woven fabric, thus increasing their strength. A shrinkable, stretchable film is intermittently bonded to at least one non-woven fabric. The material is used by placing the material around the article to be protected and then shrinking the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Transhield Technology AS
    Inventor: Gregory L. Todt
  • Patent number: 6686028
    Abstract: A hydrophilic elastically stretchable composite sheet composed of an elastically stretchable first sheet and an inelastically stretchable second sheet intermittently bonded to at least one surface of the first sheet. At least one of the first sheet and the second sheet contains hydrophilic material. The composite sheet has a high sweat absorbability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Yamaki, Satoshi Mitsuno
  • Patent number: 6673468
    Abstract: The invention concerns a composite material in band or slab form made of two cover plates (1, 2), made of steel, which can be resistance welded together via electrically conductive bodies (4), and an intermediate layer (3) made of a filler material in which the bodies (4) are embedded, with the bodies (4), which are implemented as curved slugs, lying pressed flat between the cover plates (1, 2). This type of composite material is produced in that the filler material (3′) for the intermediate layer (3) is applied as a paste to a band (1′) serving as the first cover plate (1) as it passes by and the curved slugs (4′) are, after being laid on the filler material (3′), pressed into it at least until contact is made via a band (2′) supplied as the second cover plate (2) in a welding gap (8) formed by two roller electrodes (6,7) of a resistance welding device and the slugs are largely pressed flat with the bands (1′, 2′) during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Thyssen Krupp Stahl AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Behr, Hans-Dieter Gall, Cetin Nazikkol
  • Patent number: 6673418
    Abstract: An absorbent article having a body-facing cover layer, a garment facing barrier layer and an absorbent element between the cover layer and the barrier layer. The cover layer is a non-woven fabric formed from an interconnected network thermoplastic polymer fiber elements. At least a portion of the non-woven fabric is three-dimensional having a plurality of raised regions, semi-raised regions and compressed regions, the raised regions having a lower fiber density relative to the semi-raised regions, the semi-raised regions having a lower fiber density relative to the compressed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: McNeil-PPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo DeOlivera, John T. Ulman
  • Patent number: 6656567
    Abstract: An adhesive sheet comprises a film substrate layer, a channel breathing layer and a breathing adhesive layer. The channel breathing layer has a plurality of convex parts and a concave part interposed between the convex parts that forms a channel communicating with the outside. When the adhesive sheet is applied to an adherend, gas generated from the adherend passes through the channel and swelling of the adhesive sheet is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junji Abe, Hidetoshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6652501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo, Timothy James Blenke, Jeffry Jon Radke
  • Patent number: 6652951
    Abstract: A scrim is provided including a pair of sheets of non-woven warp threads separated by a sheet of non-woven crossed weft threads in which the warp threads and the crossed weft threads include cross point where they cross each other, and a binder binding the warp and weft threads together at the cross points creating adhesive points therebetween, the scrim having a performance ratio, TP, of greater than 30, the performance ratio represented by the formula TP = S T × E × C × 100 in which S is the surface area of the adhesive points in mm2, T is the fineness of the warp and weft threads in g/km, E is the mean thickness of the scrim in mm, and C is the fraction of the adhesive binder in the scrim from 0 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Chavanoz Industrie
    Inventor: Thierry Gautreau
  • Patent number: 6649251
    Abstract: An inexpensive breathable protective outer garment is produced from a breathable laminated fabric having a breathable film adhesively bonded to a nonwoven fabric. The film constitutes the outer layer of the garment and the nonwoven layer is on the inside. The seams of the garment are ultrasonically bonded such that the film sides of the laminate are in contact with each other during seaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly- Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gerald Druecke, James Jay Tanner, Richard Howard Bell
  • Patent number: 6649025
    Abstract: A laminate wiping product is disclosed. The wiping product includes a first outer ply that has a textured surface. For example, the first outer ply can be an uncreped throughdried paper web having a three-dimensional conformation. The second outer ply, on the other hand, can be a smoother and softer web. The plies are laminated together by any suitable process. In one embodiment, the plies are embossed and nested together to form the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Mills, Rick Behm, Thomas Barta, Laurent Paquot
  • Patent number: 6645598
    Abstract: Heat insulation blanket (10) includes a layer of inner cells (16) containing a phase change material, and opposed outer cells (18 and 19) containing dead air or other undisturbed gas. When placed in an attic or other insulated area, the phase change material changes phase when the outside atmospheric temperature passes the phase change temperature, resulting in a delay in the transfer of heat between the interior space and the atmosphere because of the heat required for or given up by the PCM during its change of phase. The outer plies of sheet material that form the superposed cells of the cell blanket are formed with a coating of heat reflective material that faces the interior of the cell blanket, whereby the reflective surfaces are protected against deterioration and retain their capacity to reflect radiant heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Alderman
  • Patent number: 6645605
    Abstract: Novel materials for making low ignition propensity products are disclosed. Specifically, a treated cigarette paper for making low ignition propensity cigarettes are disclosed. The cigarette base paper containing a thermoplastic polymer aqueous suspension coated regions on a surface of the base paper so as to obtain coresta porosities of less than 15 is provided. This cigarette paper is further treated with a conditioning medium which is either water alone or water with a burning chemical such as an alkali metal containing organic salt either on the same surface bearing the thermoplastic polymer or on the opposite surface. The self-extinction characteristics of the cigarettes with the treated paper are improved. A method for making a cigarette paper for low ignition propensity cigarettes comprising a plurality of regions of a thermoplastic polymer aqueous suspension printed on to a surface of a base paper is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: James Rodney Hammersmith, Vaughn Allen Bryson
  • Patent number: 6645887
    Abstract: A durable, water-resistant, breathable, multi-layer laminate adapted to transmit moisture and composed of (1) an outer woven, non-woven or knitted layer of fabric, (2) a discontinuous non-breathable hydrophobic adhesive, (3) a first hydrophilic barrier film adhesively secured to the outer fabric layer, by the hydrophilic adhesive, (4) a continuous film or discontinuous breathable hydrophilic adhesive, and (5) a second hydrophilic barrier film adhered to the hydrophilic adhesive. The first hydrophilic barrier film and second hydrophilic barrier film are adhesively secured to each other with the breathable hydrophilic adhesive and define a void area between the two films and together the films enhance moisture migration and transfer. The laminates may include two additional layers of (6) a second hydrophilic adhesive, and (7) a fabric backing layer secured by the second hydrophilic adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Kocinec, Richard C Jefferson
  • Patent number: 6641902
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is formed with, in addition to crests of high fibers surface density and troughs of low fibers surface density extending in parallel one to another in one direction, bridge-like regions each extending transversely of this one direction between pair of the crest and the trough adjoining each other, and thereby enables a direction dependency of tensile strength and stretchability to be effectively alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Kobayashi, Hideyuki Ishikawa, Satoshi Mitsuno
  • Patent number: 6638605
    Abstract: Disposable surgical drapes and gowns exhibiting desirable softness, foldability, absorbency and breathability characteristics incorporate cluster bonded nonwoven laminates. Film layers and nonwoven web layers are secured together by spaced apart unbounded adhesive clusters. Each adhesive cluster includes a perimeterless grouping of discrete spaced apart adhesive droplets. A method and modified apparatus for making the cluster bonded laminates is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Allegiance Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Ankuda, Jr., Eric S. Thompson, Joe Miller, Daniel L. Swanberg
  • Patent number: 6632504
    Abstract: A nonwoven web is provided which can be readily converted to an apertured web by stretching. In its initial non-apertured state, the web comprises a plurality of multicomponent fibers comprising at least two thermoplastic polymer components arranged in at least first and second separate continuous structured domains. The polymer component of the first domain comprises polyethylene. Prior to stretch aperturing, the web has a peak elongation of at least 100 percent and is characterized by having a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, frangible bond sites of polymer bonding the fibers to form a coherent extensible nonwoven web. The frangible bond sites are structured and arranged to readily rupture when subjected to tensile stress to form discrete, spaced-apart apertures in the nonwoven fabric. The web has a total energy absorption in at least one of the machine direction or the cross-machine direction of at least 50 gcm/cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: BBA Nonwovens Simpsonville, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Darrell Gillespie, David D. Newkirk, Michael M. Thomason, Gregory W. Farell, Harold E. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6627564
    Abstract: A laminate is provided that is highly conformable to the contours of a wearer's body when used in a personal care absorbent article or a medical article. The laminate is extendible in its cross direction to a width at least 25% greater than an original, unstretched width upon application of a stretching force and exhibits little or no retractive force in the cross direction once they have been stretched. Elastic elements are placed to provide stretch and recovery in the machine direction of the laminate without affecting the inelasticity of the cross direction. When the garment is worn, the laminate is extendible only in one axis where needed to provide a substantially perfect fit on the wearer while the retractive force provided in a second axis of the laminate helps ensure snug fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Michael Scott Brunner, Paul J. Datta, Jacqueline A. Gross
  • Patent number: 6627291
    Abstract: The present invention provides new patterned porous substrates and a new method for forming the new patterned porous substrates containing one or more selected patterns which is applicable to all porous structures regardless of their polymeric content, their method of manufacture or their UV absorbing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Millipore Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Clark, Wilson Moya
  • Patent number: 6623837
    Abstract: A biaxially extendible, breathable laminate having liquid barrier properties and low retractive force. The laminate includes a nonwoven web neck-stretched in a first direction to impart extendibility of the web in a second direction mutually perpendicular with the first direction, and a film that is extendible in the second direction. The film can be a breathable, microporous film, and can either be an inelastic film stretched to form rugosities in the second direction, or can be made of an extendible polymer that is extendible in the second direction. Using an appropriate elastomeric lamination and/or creping adhesive, the laminate is creped to produce extendibility in the first direction with some retractive force. The biaxial extendible laminate is particularly useful as an outer cover for diapers and other personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Lon M. Edelman, Reginald Smith
  • Patent number: 6623834
    Abstract: A single- or multi-ply disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article comprises at least one web layer and has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers. A continuous polymer network defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions is bonded to the web layer. The continuous polymer network is preferably a thermoplastic adhesive. After curing, the thermoplastic adhesive can contract upon heating, thereby creating puckered regions of maximum caliper coincident unbonded regions. The minimum caliper of the web layer is coincident the bonded regions. Methods of making the web of the present invention are disclosed. One method includes providing a first web layer; providing a thermoplastic adhesive; applying the thermoplastic adhesive to the first web layer in a continuous network; curing the thermoplastic adhesive; and heating the thermoplastic adhesive to effect contraction of the thermoplastic adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicholas James Nissing, David William Cabell
  • Publication number: 20030173024
    Abstract: A method of securing an elastic strand to a sheet of material includes moving the elastic strand and the sheet in a converging manner from a position in which the elastic strand is spaced from the sheet to another position in which the elastic strand contacts one surface of the sheet. Discrete dots of adhesive are intermittently applied to the strand. The dots of adhesive secure the strand to the sheet. Various articles of manufacture may be formed using the method, including hygienic articles such as diapers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Raza Hayder, David Zgonc
  • Patent number: 6620488
    Abstract: A skin material which can be precisely and easily bonded to a cushion main body while preventing the working atmosphere from becoming worse due to solvent volatilization; a skinned cushion excellent in air permeability and cushioning properties in the seating area; and a process for producing the skinned cushion are described. The skin material comprises an air-permeable sheet and an adhesive layer formed on the back side of the sheet by applying a melt of a hot-melt adhesive in such a manner as to form scattering dots of the melt or to leave scattering uncoated dot areas and hardening the melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Inoac Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunenori Oguri, Hiroshi Fujii, Tsutomu Yano
  • Patent number: 6620490
    Abstract: The bonded composite in accordance with the invention has first and second thin-section sheet materials bonded together by bond elements defining a bond pattern. The bond elements can consist of stress receptor elements, stress transfer and dissipation elements, and stress termination elements. In general, the stress receptor elements, and the transfer and dissipation elements, receive stresses into the bond pattern, and distribute stresses internally, generally inwardly into the interior of the bond pattern. The termination elements function to accumulate and coordinate termination of stresses transferred from the receptor elements and the transfer and dissipation elements. In general, bond elements in the interior of the bond pattern are closer together than bond elements proximate the side edges of the bond pattern. Bonds corresponding to the bond elements can be formed via a wide variety of bond forming processes, including thermal energy and ultrasonic-frequency energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Lynn Malchow, Daniel Hoo
  • Patent number: 6617004
    Abstract: A multi-purpose sheet material comprising an absorbent material and a bonding material in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material and the absorbent material are thermally bonded so that the bonding material and the absorbent material form an amalgamated layer therebetween. A fluid impermeable material is in contact with the absorbent material. The bonding material has a basis weight in the range of 4 g/m2 to about 100 g/m2 and, the sheet material exhibits a lamination efficiency of at least 10 g/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kirk Wallace Lake, Peter Worthington Hamilton, Nicole Alisa Renee Lockett, James Edward Poland, Charles John Gilfert, Mario Alonso
  • Publication number: 20030165667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to film-fibril plexifilamentary sheet products which demonstrate improved balance of toughness and softness combined with improved balance of air permeability and liquid barrier resistance, which are prepared by point bonding a nonwoven sheet on both sides by passing said sheet between embossing rolls at a combination of bonding temperature, pressure and residence time such that the majority of bond points are not bonded to the point of translucency. The present invention relates to the use of these products in rooflining materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Didier Decker, Joseph R. Guckert, Brian P. Little, Robert Anthony Marin, Larry R. Marshall, Subhra K. Nath, Nico Schmit, Charles Stephen Schwartz, Faye N. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6610383
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a necked laminate and a process for making the laminate. The necked laminate is formed from sheet layers of at least one non-elastic neckable material laminated to at least one non-elastic film defining a longitudinal and transverse dimension wherein the laminate is extensible and retractable in at least one dimension without significantly reducing the breathability and/or liquid barrier properties of the film layer. This laminate extensibility and retractability is the result of striated rugosities in, for instance, the longitudinal dimension of the film layer which enables the necked laminate to have an amount of extensibility and retractability in the transverse dimension. The laminate is made by first partially stretching the non-elastic film layer, attaching a non-elastic neckable layer to form a laminate and then stretching the laminate to neck the laminate and stretch the film to its desired fully stretched configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tod Morman, Robert John Schwartz, Howard Martin Welch, Patricia Hsiaoyin Hwang
  • Patent number: 6610390
    Abstract: A nonwoven has low tensile and high elongation in the first direction (typically the CD) and high tensile and low elongation in the second direction (typically the MD). The nonwoven has a plurality of bonding points defining a total bonding area along the second direction greater than along the first direction. Accordingly, the nonwoven has unbonded fiber portions and bonded fiber portions, with a bonded portion/unbonded portion ratio greater along the second direction than along the first direction. The bonding points are preferably either circular or oval in plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: First Quality Nonwovens, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kauschke, Mordechai Turi
  • Patent number: 6607810
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-layer composite material which consists of at least two thermoplastic layers. At least one first layer is a of thermoplastic fiber fleece. The layers are bonded to one another at bonding zones by thermal bonding and the materials of the layer are at least partially fused together in the area of the bonding zones. Said bonding zones impart a three-dimensional structure to the composite material. The inventive composite material is characterized in that the three-dimensional structure of at least one bonding zone has the shape of a curvate edgeless trough in the cross-section and the longitudinal section. Said trough is configured by a bottom area forming a bonding center and by lateral areas which are attached thereto without transition. The layers are thermobonded to one other only in the bottom area of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Coronor Composites GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Horst Boich
  • Patent number: 6605346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wrap for a napkin, ice cream cone or similar item made up of at least two plies, including a top sheet and a base sheet, in which the two plies are laminated together releasably. Preferably, the lamination of the two plies is accomplished with a dry residue adhesive such that the adhered together surfaces of the two plies are non-tacky after the top ply is removed from the base ply. Printing may be provided on all four surfaces presented by a wrap of the invention to add value to the wrap, for example to present a game to the user or to present the user with coupons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventors: Patricia M. Mulvey, Ronald G. Hagen
  • Publication number: 20030148076
    Abstract: A composite fabric for a shoe includes an air permeable substrate made of a thermoplastic fibrous material, an air permeable face layer made of a thermoplastic material, a plurality of spaced apart connecting lines provided on the face layer for bonding the face layer to the substrate, and a plurality of connection-free areas defined among the connecting lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Hsi-Ming Huang
  • Publication number: 20030143376
    Abstract: A topsheet for absorbent articles having absorbing performance for smoothly transferring liquid body waste, e.g., menstrual blood or urine, to an underlying absorbent member and surface characteristics such that the surface thereof in contact with wearer's skin is soft enough not to cause skin irritation. The topsheet 1 comprises a first layer 11 disposed on the side of a wearer and a second layer 12 disposed on the side of an absorbent member, the first layer and the second layer being partly joined together, and having protrusions and depressions on the side of a wearer, wherein the first and second layers each comprise a fiber aggregate, the first layer has fusion-bonded fiber intersections, the first layer has an apparent thickness (t1) of 0.1 to 5 mm, the second layer has an apparent thickness (t2) of 0.2 to 3 mm, the apparent thickness ratio of the first layer to the second layer (t1/t2) is 0.5 to 8, the first layer has a fiber density (d1) of 0.001 to 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Yasuo Toyoshima, Hiroko Sugiura, Noriko Sakamoto, Taiki Uchiyama, Koji Asano
  • Patent number: 6596359
    Abstract: A laminate includes duplex labels laminated together by patches of adhesive alternating oppositely therebetween. The labels may be removed from each other, with each label having adhesive on the back side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Roth, Wayne D. Finster
  • Patent number: 6596109
    Abstract: A high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter made from a layer of electrostatically-charged thermoplastic fiber scrim that is point-bonded to a layer of glass fiber batting to form a composite layer defining an area, wherein the point-bonding is distributed over substantially all of the area of the composite layer and the bond points constitute approximately 1% to approximately 6% of the total surface area of the welded filter material, and wherein the composite layer is substantially uncompressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Lydall, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Posa, Michael P. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20030134094
    Abstract: A multi-layer composite sheet comprising a shrinkable layer intermittently bonded a to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and wherein the shrinkable layer can shrink and at the same time gather the gatherable layer between the bonds. A process for preparing multi-layer composite sheets by intermittently bonding a shrinkable layer to a gatherable layer with the bonds separated by a specified distance and causing the shrinkable layer to shrink while at the same time gathering the gatherable layer between the bonds. Preferably, the shrinkable layer comprises an array of fibers or nonwoven web comprising fibers having latent spiral crimp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Dimitri P. Zafiroglu, Jeffrey Allen Chambers, Geoffrey David Hietpas
  • Patent number: 6592972
    Abstract: A security imprint (4) is interposed between a protective film (2) of synthetic material and a surface (8) of an object (9) to be protected, onto which surface the film is glued by means of an adhesive (3). The security imprint (4) includes an ink composition having at least one pigment, a bonding agent, and a soluble agent. The soluble agent dissolves in a solvent that is intended to release the adhesive (3) and produces a visible stain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: François Trantoul
  • Patent number: 6589638
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite material adapted for mechanical fastener use as the loop component complementary to a hook component. The composite material is made by laminating a film with an amorphous polymer layer to a prebonded nonwoven web, using a bond pattern different from the pattern on the nonwoven so as to provide loose filaments or fibers between the laminate bond points. Desirably, the composite also has a WVTR of at least about 100 g/m2/24 hours and a hydrohead of at least about 50 mbar. In use as a component of a disposable personal care product such as a disposable diaper, the loop fastener component may be substantially the entire backing to provide comfort, protection and highly variable fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ann Louise McCormack, William Bela Haffner
  • Publication number: 20030124324
    Abstract: The nonwoven composite fabric of the invention provides a barrier to blood and viral challenges, and also provides breathability for comfort. The fabric is particularly suited for use as a disposable surgical gown. The fabric comprises a first microporous ply comprising a microporous formable resin that has been extrusion coated onto a nonwoven fabric substrate and subsequently stretched to impart microporosity, and at least one additional ply positioned adjacent the first microporous ply. The nonwoven composite fabric has barrier properties passing the ASTM F1671 viral barrier test, and the MVTR of the composite fabric is at least 300 g/m2/24 hr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Kappler Safety Group
    Inventors: John D. Langley, Barry S. Hinkle, Todd R. Carroll, Charles T. Vencil
  • Patent number: 6586080
    Abstract: A sealing sheet (10) assembly bondable to a construction surface comprising (a) an upper layer (14) of a first substance, the upper layer being selected fluid impermeable; and (b) a lower flexible layer (16) of a second substance, the lower flexible layer being bondable to the construction surface. The upper layer and the lower flexible layer are at least partially attached to one another, wherein a combination of the upper layer, the lower layer and the attachment or the partial attachment of the layers to one another are selected such that tensile forces resulting from constructional movements acting upon the sealing sheet result in a local detachment or relative displacement of the upper layer and the lower flexible layer, thereby the ability of the lower flexible layer of transmitting the forces onto the upper layer is remarkably reduced, resulting in improved service of the sealing cover as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: Raphael Heifetz
  • Patent number: 6586075
    Abstract: An insulating paperboard container is disclosed including a container body having a side wall and a bottom wall with the one side wall including a base layer and an insulating layer on at least a portion of the base layer, preferably on an inside surface of the side wall. The insulating layer being selectively adhered to at least a portion of the base layer such that the selective adhering of the insulating layer to the base layer creates air pockets between the insulating layer and the base layer with the air pockets being expandable in response to contact with a heated liquid. Such a container is formed from an insulating stock material comprising a paperboard base layer and an insulating layer overlying at least a portion of at least of one surface of the base layer with the insulating layer being selectively adhered to the surface of the base layer forming enclosed regions between the base layer and the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Richard P. Mitchell, Gerald John Van Handel, Galyn A. Schulz
  • Publication number: 20030116292
    Abstract: A method of making a multilayer paper web, wherein at least two paper sheets are formed and dried separately to a dry content of no more than 80% by weight, imparting a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions in the paper sheets during drying, combining the paper sheets into a multilayer web, in which void volumes are created between the raised and recessed portions of the combined sheets and drying the multilayer web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Holger Hollmark