Sandy C Tan

US Patent:

6777056, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Oct 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/689048

Inventors:

Lavada Campbell Boggs - Marietta GA
Kevin George Hetzler - Sparta NJ
Glen Thomas Mildenhall - Marietta GA
Michael Tod Morman - Alpharetta GA
Dan Kenneth Schiffer - Marietta GA
Susan Elaine Shawver - Roswell GA
Sandy Chi-Ching Tan - Roswell GA

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 326

US Classification:

428 58, 442389, 442381, 442387, 442415, 442329, 442333, 442334, 442335, 442392

Abstract:

Composite nonwoven webs are provided having two distinct regions extending adjacent one another in the machine direction of the web; the first region is formed from first continuous filaments and the second region is formed from second continuous filaments. The interface of the first and second region is formed from a mixture the first and second continuous filaments in a confluent relationship with one another and such that the two distinct regions form a unitary nonwoven web. The respective first and second regions can have distinct physical attributes as a result of utilizing first and second filaments which are different from one another. The first and second continuous filaments can vary with respect to average fiber denier, cross-sectional shape, cross-sectional configuration, polymer composition, crimp level, and additive composition.

US Patent:

6869670, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871031

Inventors:

Mary Lucille DeLucia - Roswell GA, US
Sandy Chi-Ching Tan - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B027/04

US Classification:

4282974, 428198, 428367, 428373, 428397, 604358, 604367

Abstract:

A liner system suitable for use in personal care absorbent products having a composite material including a substructure applied to a first layer. The first layer and the substructure define a plurality of voids for accommodating passage of fluids through the composite material. In one embodiment, high viscosity fluids including the particles contained therein pass through a plurality of apertures in the first layer. The voids defined by the first layer and the substructure entrap the particles to accommodate passage of fluids through the composite material.

US Patent:

7045029, May 16, 2006

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871118

Inventors:

Mary Lucille DeLucia - Roswell GA, US
Sandy Chi-Ching Tan - Roswell GA, US
Eugenio Go Varona - Marietta GA, US
Jessica B. King - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 31/14

US Classification:

156 85, 156183

Abstract:

A method for producing a structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the structured material. In one embodiment, the structured material is a composite material formed of a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer, having a first shrinkage extent and a second layer bonded to the first layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, having a second shrinkage extent different from the first shrinkage extent. In another embodiment, a structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

US Patent:

7118639, Oct 10, 2006

Filed:

May 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871171

Inventors:

Mary Lucille DeLucia - Roswell GA, US
Sandy Chi-Ching Tan - Roswell GA, US
Eugenio Go Varona - Marietta GA, US
Jessica B. King - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B32B 31/26

US Classification:

156 85, 156183, 15624411, 156253

Abstract:

A method for producing an apertured structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the apertured structured material. In one embodiment, the apertured structured material is a composite material formed by differential shrinkage of a shrinkable second layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, which is laminated to a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer. During the differential shrinkage process, a plurality of slits which are formed in the second layer open to form uniformly-shaped apertures. In another embodiment, an apertured structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.

US Patent:

20030045192, Mar 6, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/944435

Inventors:

David Midkiff - Alpharetta GA, US
Michael Gross - Atlanta GA, US
Billy Arnold - Alpharetta GA, US
Sandy Tan - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide

International Classification:

B32B003/06
B32B005/02
B32B009/00
D06N007/04

US Classification:

442/103000, 442/340000, 442/417000, 442/381000, 442/149000, 428/152000

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a composite structure which is capable of use as a filter medium and a method for producing the same. The composite structure contains at least a first nonwoven layer, said first layer having a first surface and a second surface, as well as a rigidifying or stiffening component. The rigidifying component is applied in semi-molten state to the one surface of the nonwoven layer and provides sufficient stiffness and/or resilience to the composite such that the composite is self-pleatable yet retains flexibility. The rigidifying or stiffening component may be filaments of a polymer or polymer blend or alternatively the rigidifying or stiffening component may also be a wax or wax blend.