David W Heyn

US Patent:

6416697, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Dec 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/454921

Inventors:

Michael Barth Venturino - Appleton WI
Randy Keith Burr - Neenah WI
John Wallace de Vos - Appleton WI
Leon Robert Flesburg - Neenah WI
David Willis Heyn - Neenah WI
Richard Francis Keller - Fremont WI
Thomas George Olsen - Neenah WI
Lorry Francis Sallee - Pine River WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B27N 304

US Classification:

264113, 264518

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming an article ( ) includes a moving of a forming surface ( ) through an operative forming chamber ( ) along a forming path length ( ). A first fibrous stratum ( ) of fiber material ( ) can be deposited onto the forming surface ( ), and the first fibrous stratum ( ) can have a first stratum thickness ( ). A first quantity of a first superabsorbent material ( ) can be directed to form a selected combination with the first fibrous material to provide a first superabsorbent-containing stratum. A second fibrous stratum ( ) of fibrous material can be deposited to overlie the first fibrous stratum ( ), and the second fibrous stratum ( ) can have a second stratum thickness ( ). A second superabsorbent material ( ) can be directed to form a selected combination with the second fibrous material to provide a second superabsorbent-containing stratum.

US Patent:

6656311, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Oct 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/975103

Inventors:

Michael Barth Venturino - Appleton WI
David Willis Heyn - Neenah WI
Leon Robert Flesburg - Neenah WI
Mark Charles Jacobs - Appleton WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 3108

US Classification:

156259, 156256, 156264, 156271

Abstract:

A method and apparatus ( ) for making an absorbent article can include a delivering of a first contoured web-strip ( ) from a first production supply ( ) of contoured web-strip material, with the first contoured web-strip ( ) presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. At least a second contoured web-strip ( ) can be delivered from a second production supply ( ) of the contoured web-strip material, with the second contoured web-strip ( ) also presenting the primary production sequence of side edge contours during its delivery. In a particular aspect, the first and second contoured web-strips ( and ) have been produced from a web ( ) of absorbent material which has been divided to provided at least two web-strips ( ) having a substantially nested configuration. In another aspect, the first web-strip ( ) provides a first orientation which presents a first sequence of side edge contours; and the second web-strip ( ) provides a longitudinally-reversed orientation which presents a different, substantially reversed sequence of side edge contours. In an additional aspect, the web-strips ( ) have been separately stored to provide the first and second production supplies ( ) of contoured web-strip material.

US Patent:

6702917, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Aug 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/233331

Inventors:

Michael B. Venturino - Appleton WI
Leon R. Flesburg - Neenah WI
Mark C. Jacobs - Appleton WI
David W. Heyn - Neenah WI
Jennifer L. Dopke - East Troy WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 3118

US Classification:

156252, 428219, 428220, 428192, 428 98, 83284, 834366, 83803, 118109, 118264, 156250

Abstract:

A method is provided for making absorbent pads that may have a longitudinally asymmetric shape. The pads may be used in various consumer absorbent articles. The method includes delivering a supply of an absorbent web material in a machine-direction and cutting the absorbent web material in a cross-direction to form a repeating nested pattern of generally identically shaped and oppositely oriented absorbent pads, the pads being disposed longitudinally in the cross-direction of the absorbent web. The pads are longitudinally asymmetric and nested such that the crotch portion of one pad is oriented towards the back portions of immediately adjacent pads, and adjacent nested pads share defining cut lines such that there is no wastage of absorbent web material between the nested pads.

US Patent:

6982052, Jan 3, 2006

Filed:

Sep 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/255660

Inventors:

Susan J. Daniels - Neenah WI, US
David W. Heyn - Neenah WI, US
Derek Paul Murphy - Menasha WI, US
Michael Barth Venturino - Appleton WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B29C 59/00
B29C 59/02
B29C 69/00

US Classification:

264101, 264113, 264118, 264138, 264145, 264162, 26417219, 2641731, 425 811, 425 831, 425218, 425220, 4254051

Abstract:

Process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed fibrous layers. The layers are formed in substantially discrete forming chambers by depositing fibrous material on a forming surface which moves along an arcuate path through the chambers. A first layer is air-formed on the forming surface as the surface moves through the first forming chamber and a second layer is air-formed over the first layer as the surface moves through the second forming chamber.

US Patent:

6989118, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Nov 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/306269

Inventors:

Michael B. Venturino - Appleton WI, US
Susan J. Daniels - Neenah WI, US
David W. Heyn - Neenah WI, US
James M. Kaun - Neenah WI, US
Derek P. Murphy - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B29B 11/14
B29B 11/16
B29C 67/00

US Classification:

264113, 264112, 264118, 264119, 264138, 264162, 264163

Abstract:

In a process and apparatus for making a reinforced fibrous absorbent member, fibrous material is collected on a forming surface to at least partially form the absorbent member. Fibrous material is entangled with a reinforcing web which is overlaid on at least a portion of the partially formed absorbent member. Additional fibrous material is collected on the forming surface to further form the absorbent member whereby at least a portion of the fibrous material forming the absorbent member becomes entangled with at least one of the reinforcing web and the fibrous material entangled with the reinforcing web to secure the reinforcing web within the absorbent member.

US Patent:

7094373, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Nov 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/305755

Inventors:

David W. Heyn - Neenah WI, US
Susan J. Daniels - Neenah WI, US
Derek Paul Murphy - Menasha WI, US
Michael Barth Venturino - Appleton WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B29C 59/00
B29C 59/02
B29C 69/00

US Classification:

264101, 264113, 2641729, 264263, 2642711, 425 811, 425 831, 4254051

Abstract:

A process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed reinforced fibrous layers. The layers are formed in substantially discrete forming chambers by depositing fibrous materials on a forming surface which moves along a forming path through the chambers. A first layer is air-formed on the forming surface as the surface moves through the first forming chamber and a second layer is air-formed over the first layer as the surface moves through the second forming chamber. A reinforcing web is embedded in the article during the air-forming process.

US Patent:

7204682, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

Aug 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917115

Inventors:

Michael B. Venturino - Appleton WI, US
Susan J. Daniels - Neenah WI, US
David W. Heyn - Neenah WI, US
James M. Kaun - Neenah WI, US
Derek P. Murphy - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B28B 5/00

US Classification:

425 821, 425 931, 425145, 425169, 425173, 4254051

Abstract:

Apparatus for making a reinforced fibrous absorbent member includes a forming chamber adapted to receive a fluent fibrous material and a forming surface moveable within the forming chamber and adapted to collect fibrous material to form the absorbent member. A source of reinforcing web is disposed exteriorly of the forming chamber. A delivery tube has an inlet end open to the forming chamber exterior, a discharge end open to the forming chamber interior, and a central passage extending between the inlet end and the discharge end. At least a portion of the delivery tube adjacent the discharge end extends within the forming chamber interior. The delivery tube is arranged for receiving the reinforcing web from the source of reinforcing web into the central passage of the tube at the inlet end and for guiding the web to the discharge end for conveyance within the forming chamber toward the forming surface.

US Patent:

7568900, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/677857

Inventors:

Michael B. Venturino - Appleton WI, US
Susan J. Daniels - Neenah WI, US
David W. Heyn - Neenah WI, US
James M. Kaun - Neenah WI, US
Derek P. Murphy - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B27N 3/04

US Classification:

425 811, 425 831

Abstract:

Apparatus for making a reinforced absorbent member includes a forming chamber adapted to contain a fluent fibrous material. A forming surface is moveable within the forming chamber along an arcuate path generally from an entrance of the forming chamber to an exit thereof. The forming surface is adapted to collect fibrous material thereon to form the absorbent member. A source of reinforcing web is disposed generally exterior of the forming chamber. The forming chamber has an opening through which the reinforcing web is received into the forming chamber for subsequent conveyance within the forming chamber toward the forming surface. The opening is disposed downstream of the forming chamber entrance generally in the direction of movement of the forming surface along the path.