Darryl W Clark

US Patent:

6454989, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/436669

Inventors:

James Richard Neely - Alpharetta GA
Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA
Ty Jackson Stokes - Suwanee GA
Chad Michael Freese - Neenah WI
Rebecca Willey Griffin - Woodstock GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D01D 514

US Classification:

264555, 264103, 264168, 26417128, 26417212, 26417214, 26417215, 26417218, 2642108, 264566

Abstract:

The present invention provides continuously crimped propylene polymer nonwoven fabrics as well as processes for forming crimped multicomponent propylene polymer fibers by melt-attenuating extruded multicomponent fibers with heated or unheated air wherein the fibers spontaneously crimp without the need for additional heating and/or stretching steps.

US Patent:

6461133, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/573865

Inventors:

Matthew Lake - Cumming GA
Darryl Clark - Alpharetta GA
Bryan D. Haynes - Cumming GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D01D 530

US Classification:

425 7, 425 722, 4251315, 425192 S, 425198, 425199, 425463

Abstract:

A die head assembly for producing bicomponent meltblown fibers includes a die tip detachably mountable to a support member. The support member conveys first and second polymers separately to the die tip. The die tip has a row of channels defined therethrough that terminate at exit orifices or nozzles along the bottom edge of the die tip. These channels receive and combine the separate first and second polymers conveyed from the support member. An elongated recess is defined in the top surface of the die tip. The recess defines an upper chamber for each of the die tip channels. Stacked breaker plates are removably supported in the recess. The breaker plates have vertically aligned pairs of adjacent holes defined therethrough such that a pair of the aligned holes is disposed in each upper chamber of each channel. A filter screen is in the recess to separately filter the polymers.

US Patent:

6474967, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/573712

Inventors:

Bryan D. Haynes - Cumming GA
Darryl Clark - Alpharetta GA
Matthew Lake - Cumming GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D01D 530

US Classification:

425 7, 425 722, 4251315, 425192 S, 425198, 425199, 425463

Abstract:

A die head assembly for producing meltblown bicomponent fibers in a meltblown apparatus includes a die tip detachably mounted to an underside of a support member. The die tip has a row of channels defined therethrough terminating at exit orifices along a bottom edge of the tip. The channels receive and combine first and second polymers conveyed from the support member. A recess is defined along the top surface of the die tip and defines an upper chamber for each of the die tip channels. A plurality of breaker plates is removably supported in the recess in a stacked configuration. An upper one of the breaker plates has receiving holes defined therein to separately receive polymers from supply passages in the support member. The remaining breaker plates have holes defined therethrough configured to divide the polymers into separately polymer streams and to direct the polymer streams into the die tip channels, the number of polymer streams corresponding to the number of holes in the lowermost breaker plate. The polymer streams combine in the channels prior to being extruded from the orifices as bicomponent polymer fibers.

US Patent:

6589892, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Nov 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/203903

Inventors:

Kevin Edward Smith - Roswell GA
Bryan David Haynes - Cumming GA
Justin Max Duellman - Little Rock AK
Ann Louise McCormack - Cumming GA
Jeffrey Lawrence McManus - Canton GA
Charles Allen Smith - Snellville GA
Debra Jean McDowall - Roswell GA
Samuel Edward Marmon - Alpharetta GA
Christopher Cosgrove Creagan - Marietta GA
Xin Ning - Alpharetta GA
David Lewis Myers - Cumming GA
Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H 100

US Classification:

442414, 442361, 442362, 442400, 442401, 442417

Abstract:

An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining bicomponent thermoplastic filaments having adhesive properties with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers across a cross-section of individual filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the adhesive properties of the bicomponent filaments result in a web or matrix of filaments having improved ability to entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require stability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

US Patent:

6613268, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/746857

Inventors:

Bryan David Haynes - Cumming GA
Jeffrey Lawrence McManus - Canton GA
Justin Max Duellman - Little Rock AR
Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D01D 5084

US Classification:

264555, 264103, 2642106, 2642108, 26421117

Abstract:

A method for producing super fine meltblown fibers increases the length of the meltblown jet thermal core to increase the dwell time of the extruded thermoplastic polymer within the jet thermal core. Through use of the method it is practical to use low viscosity resins and further to provide meltblown nonwovens with superior barrier properties to the passage of fluids and particularly gases. The method further provides a useful means for blooming internal additives to the surface of the fibers.

US Patent:

6686303, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/192110

Inventors:

Bryan David Haynes - Cumming GA
Billy Dean Arnold - Alpharetta GA
Justin Max Duellman - Little Rock AR
Ryan Clinton Frank - Atlanta GA
Jeffrey Lawrence McManus - Canton GA
Charles Allen Smith - Snellvile GA
Ty Jackson Stokes - Suwanee GA
Kevin Edward Smith - Roswell GA
Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA
Debra Jean McDowall - Roswell GA
Samuel Edward Marmon - Alpharetta GA
Christopher Cosgrove Creagan - Marietta GA
Xin Ning - Alpharetta GA
David Lewis Myers - Cumming GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H 100

US Classification:

442327, 442334, 442352, 442353, 442356, 442361, 442362, 442400, 442401, 442413, 442414, 442417

Abstract:

An improved nonwoven web composite is formed by combining splittable bicomponent thermoplastic filaments with a component selected from other fibers and particles. The bicomponent filaments include distinct regions of first and second incompatible polymers extending the length of the filaments. After the bicomponent filaments are combined with the other fibers and/or particles, the bicomponent filaments are caused to split lengthwise along boundaries between the regions of different polymers, resulting in a web or matrix of finer filaments which entrap, ensnare and contain the other fibers and/or particles within the web or matrix. The nonwoven web composite is particularly useful for making absorbent articles, which require durability and optimum levels of absorbent fibers and/or particles.

US Patent:

6723669, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/465298

Inventors:

Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA
Justin Max Duellman - Little Rock AR
Bryan David Haynes - Cumming GA
Matthew Boyd Lake - Cumming GA
Jeffrey Lawrence McManus - Canton GA
Kevin Edward Smith - Knoxville TN

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 526

US Classification:

442347, 442329, 442340, 442345, 442350, 442351, 442361, 442382, 442389, 442401, 442409, 442411

Abstract:

The present invention provides multicomponent fine fiber webs and multilayer laminates thereof having an average fiber diameter less than about 7 micrometers and comprising a first olefin polymer component and a second distinct polymer component such as an amorphous polyolefin or polyamide. Multilayer laminates incorporating the fine multicomponent fiber webs are also provided such as, for example, spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminates or spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond laminates. The fine multicomponent fiber webs and laminates thereof provide laminates having excellent softness, peel strength and/or controlled permeability.

US Patent:

6878650, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742830

Inventors:

Darryl Franklin Clark - Alpharetta GA, US
Justin Max Duellman - Little Rock AR, US
Bryan David Haynes - Cumming GA, US
Jeffrey Lawrence McManus - Canton GA, US
Kevin Edward Smith - Highlands Ranch CO, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H001/00
D04H013/00
D04H003/16

US Classification:

442340, 442361, 442364, 442401

Abstract:

A method is provided for producing fine denier multicomponent thermoplastic polymer filaments incorporating high melt-flow rate polymers. Multicomponent filaments are extruded such that the high melt-flow rate polymer component is substantially surrounded by one or more low melt-flow rate polymer components. The extruded multicomponent filament is then melt-attenuated with a significant drawing force to reduce the filament diameter and form continuous, fine denier filaments.