James Michael Austin

US Patent:

7910795, Mar 22, 2011

Filed:

Mar 9, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/716406

Inventors:

Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
C. Allen Smith - Cumming GA, US
James Austin - Johns Creek GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

C08F 2/46
C08J 3/28
A61L 15/00

US Classification:

604358, 60438523, 60438527, 60438524, 522150, 522153, 522155, 522157, 522159, 522161, 522111, 522112, 428221, 428323, 428409, 428500, 264405, 264424, 264425, 264464, 264470, 264477

Abstract:

A technique for imparting latent elasticity to components of an absorbent article is provided. More specifically, a latent elastic film that contains a crosslinkable semi-crystalline polyolefin is initially incorporated into an absorbent article. The film is not highly elastic prior to crosslinking and is thus dimensionally stable. Consequently, the film need not be maintained in a mechanically stretched condition during attachment to other components of the absorbent article, which provides for greater freedom in the location and manner in which the components are attached together. Once incorporated into the absorbent article, the semi-crystalline polyolefin is crosslinked to form a three-dimensional network having elastic memory. The film may also be heat activated, either through crosslinking or an additional step, to cause the film to shrink and further improve its stretch characteristics.

US Patent:

8399368, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Oct 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/872909

Inventors:

Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
James Austin - Johns Creek GA, US
Howard M. Welch - Woodstock GA, US
Jose Siqueira - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H 1/00
B32B 5/26

US Classification:

442328, 442381, 442394, 156167, 4283193, 252 861

Abstract:

A nonwoven web material that contains an elastic component is provided. The elastic component contains a crosslinked network formed from a linear block copolymer having a monoalkenyl aromatic midblock positioned between conjugated diene endblocks (e. g. , butadiene-styrene-butadiene (“B-S-B”) triblock copolymer). Prior to crosslinking, such linear block copolymers have a relatively low viscosity and thus may be readily formed into a precursor elastic component that is subsequently crosslinked to achieve the desired elastic and mechanical properties. Crosslinking is typically achieved through the formation of free radicals (unpaired electrons) that link together to form a plurality of carbon-carbon covalent bonds at the conjugated diene endblocks.

US Patent:

8603281, Dec 10, 2013

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/165010

Inventors:

Howard M. Welch - Woodstock GA, US
James Austin - Johns Creek GA, US
Lisa Sanabria - Alpharetta GA, US
Jose A. Siqueira - Roswell GA, US
Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Bryan D. Haynes - Cumming GA, US
Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
Iris V. Schumacher - Atlanta GA, US
Christopher Laslie - Cumming GA, US
Stephen C. Meyer - Woodstock GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

D04H 1/56
D04H 3/16

US Classification:

15624411, 15624419, 442394, 442400, 442401

Abstract:

An elastic composite formed from a lightweight nonwoven facing that has a low degree of strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Through selective control over certain parameters of the materials employed in the composite and the formation process, the present inventors have discovered that such low strength and lightweight facings may be readily laminated to an elastic film without significantly damaging their integrity. For example, in one embodiment, the elastic film may possess a multi-layered construction that includes an elastomeric elastic layer positioned adjacent to a strength-enhancing thermoplastic layer. The polymer content and thickness of the thermoplastic layer are generally selected to impart additional strength and integrity to the film. Likewise, the polymer content of the elastic layer may also be selected so that the film possesses a sufficient tack for adhering to the facing. In certain cases, it may be desirable to position the layer between two elastic layers so that the strength-enhancing layer does not substantially contact the nonwoven facing.

US Patent:

20090325440, Dec 31, 2009

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/215870

Inventors:

Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
James L. Austin - Alpharetta GA, US
Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

C08L 53/00
B32B 27/06

US Classification:

442 62, 525 88, 525 93, 442 59

Abstract:

Films and film laminates include a blend of polymers, the blend including an elastomeric block copolymer in an amount from about 51% to about 95% by weight of the blend; and a polystyrenic polymer in an amount from about 1% to about 25% of the weight of the blend, wherein the polystyrenic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polystyrenic homopolymers and polystyrenic random interpolymers. The films and laminates are elastic in the cross-direction and have a relatively high modulus, or stiffness, in the machine-direction.

US Patent:

20090325447, Dec 31, 2009

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/164990

Inventors:

James Austin - Johns Creek GA, US
Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
Stephen C. Meyer - Woodstock GA, US
Howard M. Welch - Woodstock GA, US
Jose S. Siqueira - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

D04H 13/00
B29C 47/04
B32B 37/10

US Classification:

442328, 15624411, 15624427, 156229

Abstract:

An elastic composite formed from a laminate that contains an elastic film and a lightweight nonwoven facing having a low strength in the cross-machine direction (“CD”) is provided. Due to the low strength of the facing, it is desirable that the elastic film have a sufficient thickness and weight to enhance the strength of the resulting composite. Unfortunately, the ability to join an elastic film to such a lightweight nonwoven facing becomes increasingly difficult as the thickness of the film increases. In this regard, the present inventors have discovered that a second laminate may be employed in the elastic composite that is formed from a thermoplastic film and nonwoven facing to impart increased strength to the composite. The film and facing of the second laminate may be formed from the same or different materials than the film and facing of the first laminate. Regardless, the laminates are positioned so that the elastic and thermoplastic films are in a face-to-face relationship. Through selective control over the polymer content and thickness, the present inventors have discovered that the elastic and thermoplastic films may be readily joined together under light pressure, even at ambient temperature conditions. This avoids the application of a substantial amount of heat used in conventional calender bonding processes, which can otherwise damage the film, and also minimize the need for costly adhesives.

US Patent:

20130260632, Oct 3, 2013

Filed:

Sep 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/603809

Inventors:

Oomman P. Thomas - Alpharetta GA, US
James L. Austin - Alpharetta GA, US
Jose Augusto Vidal de Siqueira - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

C08L 25/06
C08L 53/02

US Classification:

442398, 525 95

Abstract:

Films and film laminates include a blend of polymers, the blend including an elastomeric block copolymer in an amount from about 51% to about 95% by weight of the blend; and a polystyrenic polymer in an amount from about 1% to about 25% of the weight of the blend, wherein the polystyrenic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polystyrenic homopolymers and polystyrenic random interpolymers. The films and laminates are elastic in the cross machine direction and have a relatively high modulus, or stiffness, in the machine-direction.