Janis Wilson Hughes

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:

7585382, Sep 8, 2009

Filed:

Oct 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/590683

Inventors:

Janis Wilson Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Tamara Lee Mace - Marietta GA, US
Christian Sanders - Decatur GA, US
Jose Siqueira - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

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

US Classification:

15624411, 156161, 156164

Abstract:

A nonwoven composite that exhibits latent elastic properties is provided. More specifically, latent elasticity may be imparted by blending a thermoplastic elastomer with a polyolefin that is capable of forming semi-crystalline domains among the amorphous elastomeric chains, and then forming a film from the blend. The film is then stretched in one or more directions to orient the amorphous elastomer chains. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present inventors believe that the oriented state of the amorphous chains may be held in place by the relatively stiff semi-crystalline olefin domains. Subsequently, the stretched film may be activated (e. g. , heated) to shrink the film and provide it with “latent” stretchability. For instance, the stretched film may be heated at or above the softening temperature of the polyolefin to soften the crystalline domains and allow the amorphous chains to return to their unoriented state. As a result of the present invention, the elastic film may be extended and recover from its unoriented state.

US Patent:

7722589, May 25, 2010

Filed:

Aug 31, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/217080

Inventors:

Janis W. Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Bryon P. Day - Canton GA, US
Ann L. McCormack - Cumming GA, US
Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Varunesh Sharma - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15

US Classification:

60438522, 604383, 604387, 60438524, 60438516, 604390, 604391, 60438511

Abstract:

A stretch activated disposable article, such as a wipe or mitt, includes an upper material layer, and a lower material layer joined to the upper material layer such that a space is defined between the material layers. A functional element, for example a fluid composition, is stored in the space between the upper and lower material layers and becomes functional upon being exposed through the upper material layer with use of the article. The upper material layer includes a plurality of materially weakened positions along the surface thereof that are configured to part or separate upon stretching of the upper material layer to expose the functional element through the upper material layer.

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:

8377027, Feb 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/118603

Inventors:

Janis W. Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Varunesh Sharma - Atlanta GA, US
Prasad Shrikrishna Potnis - Duluth GA, US
Gregory Hall - Menasha WI, US
Thomas H. Roessler - Appleton WI, US
Peiguang Zhou - Appleton WI, US
Stephen C. Baumgartner - Neenah WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
A61F 13/20

US Classification:

6043853, 604383, 60438524, 60438501

Abstract:

Absorbent articles having form fitting properties are disclosed. In particular, the absorbent articles include at least one waist elastic member that extends a substantial distance in the longitudinal direction. The waist elastic member, for instance, may be positioned in a front region of the article, in a back region of the article or in both the front and back regions. The waist elastic member includes a breathable elastic film. In order for the film to be breathable, the film includes apertures. The apertures appear on the film according to a particular pattern and having a particular diameter so that the film retains desired stretch properties.

US Patent:

20060246802, Nov 2, 2006

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/118956

Inventors:

Janis Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Bryon Day - Canton GA, US
James Fitts - Gainesville GA, US
Ann McCormack - Cumming GA, US
Wing-Chak Ng - Suwanee GA, US
Varunesh Sharma - Atlanta GA, US

International Classification:

B32B 5/26
D03D 15/08
D04B 21/14
D04H 13/00
D03D 17/00
D04B 1/18

US Classification:

442327000, 442328000, 442381000, 442306000, 442319000, 442182000, 442268000

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are color change laminate materials suitable for a variety of uses. The color change laminate materials include at least two layers of extensible materials having visually distinct coloration, and indicate a stretched or extended state by exposing the previously covered coloration of a lower layer. The color change laminate materials may also indicate the amount of stretching or extension is applied to the laminate. When the laminate includes elastic materials capable of stretch and recovery, the color change laminate materials may further be reversible color change laminate materials that can display color change upon extension and then recover the extension and return to the original coloration. Such color change laminate materials and reversible color change laminate materials are highly useful for use in garments or other textile type applications, in or on personal care products, protective wear products, health care and medical care products, bandages and the like.

US Patent:

20060246803, Nov 2, 2006

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/119486

Inventors:

Charles Smith - Cumming GA, US
Patricia Calhoun - Alpharetta GA, US
James Fitts - Gainesville GA, US
Janis Hughes - Alpharetta GA, US
Tamara Mace - Marietta GA, US
Glynis Walton - Roswell GA, US

International Classification:

B29C 47/88
D04H 13/00
B32B 5/26
D04H 1/56
D04H 1/00

US Classification:

442328000, 442381000, 442415000, 442400000, 264211120

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.