Patricia B Calhoun

US Patent:

6785937, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/132713

Inventors:

Michael Tod Morman - Alpharetta GA
Gregory Todd Sudduth - Cumming GA
Robert James Gerndt - Roswell GA
Mark G. Kupelian - Atlanta GA
Angela Dobson - Atlanta GA
Patricia Hwang Calhoun - Alpharetta GA
Courtney E. Shea - Atlanta GA
Rasha W. Guirguis - Alpharetta GA
Robert Wright - Peachtree City GA
John Joseph Sayovitz - Marietta GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D06C 306

US Classification:

26 71, 26 99, 28170, 2642893

Abstract:

A process for making a plurality of necked nonwoven strips having similar or identical cross-directional profiles includes the steps of slitting a neckable nonwoven web into a plurality of neckable nonwoven strips, passing the neckable nonwoven web between a first pair of nip rollers having a first surface velocity and a second pair of nip rollers having a second surface velocity greater than the first surface velocity, and necking the nonwoven web between the first pair of nip rollers and the second pair of nip rollers.

US Patent:

7238423, Jul 3, 2007

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017984

Inventors:

Patricia Hwang Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
Chad Isaac Medlock - LaGrange GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D02G 3/00

US Classification:

428373, 428364, 428365, 428398, 442328, 442329, 442364, 442381, 442394

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are multicomponent fibers, and particularly sheath-and-core type multicomponent fibers including elastic polymers. The multicomponent fibers have at least three cross sectional elements, wherein a first cross sectional element is an outer sheath element, the second cross sectional element is an inner sheath element, and the third cross sectional element may be either a hollow element or a filled core element.

US Patent:

7294593, Nov 13, 2007

Filed:

Nov 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/301880

Inventors:

Michael T. Morman - Alpharetta GA, US
Patricia H. Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
James M. Carr - Kaukauna WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
D04H 1/74
D04H 3/16
B32B 5/26
B32B 23/02

US Classification:

442366, 442381, 442401, 428193, 604358

Abstract:

A material is provided that is particularly suited for use in absorbent articles. The material has a base layer of a generally non-elastic material and at least two strips or regions of elastomeric material attached to the base layer material with a space therebetween such that a center region of the base layer material is bordered on at least two sides by composite regions of the elastomeric materials and the base layer material. The center region of base layer material remains generally non-extensible and the composite regions are stretchable in at least a first direction as a result of tensioning and necking-in the base layer material prior to attaching the elastomeric materials. The invention includes methods for making the material, as well as absorbent articles incorporating the materials.

US Patent:

7491666, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/119486

Inventors:

Charles Allen Smith - Cumming GA, US
Patricia Hwang Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
Janis Wilson Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Tamara Lee Mace - Marietta GA, US
Glynis Allicia Walton - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H 1/74
B32B 5/18
A61F 13/15

US Classification:

442366, 442373, 604358

Abstract:

A composite nonwoven fabric having latent elasticity is provided having a latently elastic core comprising a first component that includes a thermoplastic elastomer and a second component that includes a single site catalyzed polyolefin, and at least one gatherable facing material laminated to the elastic core. The first and second components may be, for example, in the form of alternating filaments of styrenic block copolymer and single site catalyzed polyolefin or in the form of conjugate filaments having a first section of styrenic block copolymer and a second section of single site catalyzed polyolefin. Also disclosed are methods of making the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates and personal care articles containing the latently elastic stretch bonded laminates.

US Patent:

7582178, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Nov 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/603953

Inventors:

Janis W. Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Patricia H. Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
Glynis A. Walton - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
B65H 81/00
B29C 65/00
B32B 37/00
B29C 47/00

US Classification:

156229, 156161, 156164, 15624411

Abstract:

A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. The composite is formed from an elastic film laminated to a nonwoven web facing. Latent elasticity may be imparted to the elastic film through the combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin capable of forming semi-crystalline domains among the amorphous elastomeric chains. More specifically, the elastic film may be stretched in one or more directions to orient the elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline domains of the polyolefin. The stretched elastic film may subsequently be relaxed and bonded to a nonwoven web facing to form the composite. The composite may be later activated (e. g. , heated) to shrink the elastic film and provide it with “latent” stretchability.

US Patent:

7938921, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Nov 22, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/603954

Inventors:

Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Janis Wilson Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Patricia H. Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
Glynis Allicia Walton - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B29C 65/66

US Classification:

156 84, 156 85, 156178, 156229

Abstract:

A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. The composite is formed from an elastic strand layer laminated to a nonwoven web facing. Latent elasticity may be imparted to the elastic strand layer through the combination of a thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin capable of forming semi-crystalline domains among the elastomeric chains. More specifically, the elastic strand layer may be stretched in one or more directions to orient the elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline domains of the polyolefin. The stretched elastic strand layer may subsequently be relaxed and bonded to a nonwoven web facing to form the composite. The composite may be later activated (e. g. , heated) to shrink the elastic strand layer and provide it with “latent” stretchability.

US Patent:

8003553, Aug 23, 2011

Filed:

Oct 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/589669

Inventors:

Janis Wilson Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Patricia Hwang Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Glynis Allicia Walton - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 5/26
B32B 27/12
A61F 13/15
A61F 13/72

US Classification:

442394, 442329, 442366, 442381, 604358, 604396

Abstract:

An elastic-powered shrink laminate includes a shrinkable layer and an elastic layer bonded together while the elastic layer is in a dimensionally unstable, stretched state. The elastic layer remains substantially in the stretched state prior to shrinkage of the shrinkable layer. When the shrinkable layer is activated, the laminate retracts, and the retraction is aided (i. e. powered) by the elastic layer. The elastic-powered shrink laminate is useful in personal care absorbent articles where latent, post-assembly retraction of a waistband region is desired.

US Patent:

8328780, Dec 11, 2012

Filed:

Nov 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/301664

Inventors:

Michael T. Morman - Alpharetta GA, US
Patricia H. Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
James M. Carr - Kaukauna WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
A61F 13/20

US Classification:

60438501, 60438524

Abstract:

An absorbent article incorporates a material having a base layer of a generally fluid permeable material and at least two strips or regions of elastomeric material attached to the base layer material with a space therebetween such that a center region of the base layer material is bordered on at least two sides by composite regions of the elastomeric materials and the base layer material. The center region of base layer material remains generally non-elastic and the composite regions are stretchable in at least a first direction as a result of tensioning and necking-in the base layer material prior to attaching the elastomeric materials. The material may be incorporated as a bodyside liner in the absorbent article.