Stephen D Bruce

US Patent:

6720279, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/322013

Inventors:

James W. Cree - Chesterfield VA
Jeffrey A. Middlesworth - Wauconda IL
Stephen D. Bruce - Crystal Lake IL

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corporation - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B32B 2712

US Classification:

442394

Abstract:

A three-dimensional highly elastic film/non-woven composite having a fluid and air impervious core layer and a first and second consolidated layer. The consolidated layers have unidirectional and non-unidirectional fibers. The composite is formed by laminating the air and fluid impermeable elastic core layer between the two layers of consolidated non-wovens. The resulting composite stretches only in the cross-machine direction due to the unidirectional properties of the consolidated non-woven material. The layers are then point bonded or welded together. Preferably the layers are welded by passing the composite between an ultrasonic horn and an ultrasonic bond roll having raised areas for effecting the weld points. A thin inelastic membrane is formed at each of the weld points. The welded composite may then be pre-stretched to rupture the membranes, thereby creating apertures, which makes the composite permeable.

US Patent:

6942748, Sep 13, 2005

Filed:

Aug 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/234081

Inventors:

James W. Cree - Mundeelein IL, US
Jeffrey A. Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Stephen D. Bruce - Crystal Lake IL, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corporation - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B32B005/26
B32B027/12
B32B003/10

US Classification:

156229, 156 731, 156160, 156163, 156182, 156290, 428141, 442407, 442394

Abstract:

An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.

US Patent:

7351297, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Sep 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/945104

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Tze Wan Pansy Chung - Fox River Grove IL, US
Stephen D. Bruce - Crystal Lake IL, US
Andrew James Peacock - Terre Haute IN, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corp. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B32B 37/00

US Classification:

156 731, 156161, 156164, 156229

Abstract:

A method for producing a composite web includes supplying two or more webs to an activation mechanism, where the webs are in an unbonded state relative to each other. The method further entails simultaneously activating the webs while they are in a face to face relationship and in an unbonded state, and then bonding the webs to form a composite web.

US Patent:

7507680, Mar 24, 2009

Filed:

Nov 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/705248

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Tze Wan Pansy Chung - Fox River Grove IL, US
Stephen D. Bruce - Crystal Lake IL, US
James D. Tribble - Brazil IN, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corporation - Richmond VA

International Classification:

D04H 13/00
B32B 27/12

US Classification:

442328, 442329, 442394, 428131, 428137, 428138

Abstract:

A method for manufacturing composite webs and composite webs made thereby in which the web includes a perforated thermoplastic film and one or more nonwoven webs. The method provides a perforated thermoplastic film, a creped nonwoven web, the webs are fed in a face to face relationship to be bonded. The perforated thermoplastic film and the creped nonwoven web are bonded in a face to face relationship at a plurality of points of contact such that the creped structure of the nonwoven web is maintained and the composite web has a nonwoven face and a film face. The composite webs are extensible at least in the direction of the creping.

US Patent:

7625829, Dec 1, 2009

Filed:

Jan 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/491721

Inventors:

James W. Cree - Mundeelein IL, US
Jeffrey A. Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Stephen D. Bruce - Crystal Lake IL, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corporation - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B32B 27/12
B32B 27/32

US Classification:

442398, 442328, 442381, 442382, 442394, 442395

Abstract:

An elastomeric film is bonded between two or more layers of nonwoven webs formed of nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers. The laminate has, in a predefined transverse direction, an elastic elongation value greater than the predefined elastic elongation value of the nonwoven webs, and an ultimate force to break in the predefined transverse direction of at least 3000 g/in. The laminate advantageously provides a tear resistant, multiple ply, fabric that is soft to the touch as a result of the outwardly disposed nonwoven webs, and has a high elastic modulus. The laminate is particularly useful in applications where closure portions of a product must be stretched to keep the product in place when worn.

US Patent:

7834236, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

Apr 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/789485

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Stephen Donald Bruce - Montpelier VA, US
Matthew John O'Sickey - Powhatan VA, US
Andrew James Peacock - Richmond VA, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corp. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A61F 13/15
B29C 65/00

US Classification:

604378, 604380, 604385101, 604379, 60438526, 60438531, 604365, 60438501, 156164, 156163, 156161, 156160

Abstract:

A multi-layered web is provided that includes an elastic web bonded to an inelastic web. The inelastic web has extensible and inextensible regions arranged along the machine direction. In the extensible regions, the inelastic web is bonded to the elastic web in a creped structure that is extensible by virtue of the creping. A continuous process is provided to manufacture a multi-layer web having extensible regions that are conjoined with regions that are inextensible by varying the tension that is applied during manufacture of the multi-layer web. The apparatus comprises an elastic web that is fed into a bonding nip, into which one or more inelastic webs are also provided. The elastic web is fed into the bonding nip under a tension that is alternated between a low value that is sufficient to ensure processing stability, and a higher value that provides an elongation to the elastic web. During the low tension phase of the bonding process the inextensible region is formed in the multi-layer web due to the inextensibility of the web.

US Patent:

7870651, Jan 18, 2011

Filed:

Mar 28, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/729146

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Andrew J. Peacock - Richmond VA, US
Matthew J. O'Sickey - Powhatan VA, US
Stephen D. Bruce - Montpelier VA, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corp. - Richmond VA

International Classification:

A44B 18/00

US Classification:

24442

Abstract:

The disclosure provides embodiments for elasticized members used as closures for garments, such as diapers, jacket cuffs, and similar articles, the elasticized member having an elastic body having an attachment region adapted for attachment of the elastic body to a garment and a fastener positioned on a distal portion of the elastic body, wherein the elastic body is structured to reduce curl along longitudinal edges and corners of the elastic body upon application of tension to the fastener.

US Patent:

8057879, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Nov 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/982144

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth - Wauconda IL, US
Stephen Donald Bruce - Montpelier VA, US
Tze Wan Pansy Chung - Fox River Grove IL, US
James D. Tribble - Brazil IN, US

Assignee:

Tredegar Film Products Corporation - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B32B 3/24

US Classification:

428137, 428134, 428135, 428136

Abstract:

The present invention relates to stretchable webs having a plurality of elongated cells, and a retractive force mechanism to provide increased retractive force of the web when stretched in a given direction. The stretchable webs are useful in disposable garments such as diapers, bandages and other hygiene material so that the material fits closely without slipping off.