Bruce W Achter

US Patent:

6723892, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/653389

Inventors:

Michael Allen Daley - Alpharetta GA
Bruce Wilfuhr Achter - Alpharetta GA
Charles Wilson Colman - Marietta GA
Joseph DiPalma - Neenah WI
David Martin Jackson - Roswell GA
Nancy Donaldson Kollin - Roswell GA
Margaret Gwyn Latimer - Alpharetta GA
Gregory Marc Lefkowitz - Atlanta GA
Sylvia Bandy Little - Marietta GA
David Michael Matela - Alpharetta GA
David Charles Potts - Dunwoody GA
Lawrence Howell Sawyer - Neenah WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 1315

US Classification:

604378

Abstract:

There is provided an absorbent system that not only takes in fluid, but then transfers that fluid further beneath the first composite. This is achieved in this invention through paired permeability, capillarity, and void volume of the first and second composites. The invention is an absorbent system composed of at least two absorbent composites that have complementary structural/surface energy characteristics. Such an absorbent system has a first absorbent Composite A which has a first permeability, a first capillarity, and a first void volume and at least one second absorbent Composite B which has a second capillarity and a second porosity multiplied by second thickness. The first absorbent Composite A is in liquid communication or contact with at least one second absorbent Composite B, such that the first absorbent Composite A, and the second absorbent Composite B have a fluid partitioning amount in Composite A, a third triple intake time (IT3) and a rewet value.

US Patent:

7335273, Feb 26, 2008

Filed:

Dec 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/330042

Inventors:

Cristian M. Neculescu - Neenah WI, US
Peiguang Zhou - Appleton WI, US
Daniel J. Wideman - Menasha WI, US
Bruce Achter - Neenah WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156229, 156161, 156163, 156164, 15624411

Abstract:

A method of making mutually-reinforced elastic strand/film composites and laminates in which film breakage, strand breakage, and strand alignment problems are minimized or avoided. The method includes casting an elastomeric adhesive film onto a chill roll, extruding elastic strands onto the film while the film is on a chill roll, and stretching the film and strand composite. The stretched composite may be laminated between two facing sheets. Additionally, tension in the composite may be controlled through film composition, strand composition, add-on rate, stretching the composite, and combinations of any of these approaches.

US Patent:

6627789, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Sep 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/654442

Inventors:

Thomas William VanDenBogart - Slinger WI
Amy Michele Achter - Alpharetta GA
Bruce Wilfuhr Achter - Alpharetta GA
Barbara Jean Burns - Appleton WI
Michael Allen Daley - Alpharetta GA
Peter Robert Elliker - Appleton WI
David Martin Jackson - Roswell GA
Nancy Donaldson Kollin - Roswell GA
Gregory Marc Lefkowitz - Atlanta GA
Sylvia Bandy Little - Marietta GA
Tamara Lee Mace - Doraville GA
David Michael Matela - Alpharetta GA
Cynthia Marie Phillips - Neenah WI
David Charles Potts - Dunwoody GA
Lawrence Howell Sawyer - Neenah WI
Michael William Veith - Oshkosh WI
Kevin Wilson Wood - Neenah WI
Dmitry Yavich - Appleton WI

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 1315

US Classification:

604378

Abstract:

There is provided an intake/retention/transfer material for personal care products like feminine hygiene products, which is a heterogeneous composite containing between 5 and 25 weight percent of a superabsorbent or gelling material and having a density less than 0. 17 g/cc. A more particular embodiment contains less than 20 weight percent and a still more particular embodiment contains 15 weight percent or less of a superabsorbent or gelling material. Also provided are absorbent articles which contain the class of intake/transfer materials mentioned above along with additional absorbent layers such that the absorption of a menses simulant provides fluid partitioning of less than 72% of fluid in the intake/transfer/retention composite. Additionally said composite should have retention capacity values greater than 2. 7 g/g.