Kimberly-clark Corporation

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Robert J Schleinz

Joseph S Kucherovsky

Daniel J Conrad

Christopher Peter Olson

Frank Steven Glaug

Michael Scott Brunner

Debra Hartley Durrance

Richard Harry Thiessen

Faith Eileen Cochrane

Paul Theodore Van Gompel

Jody Dorothy Suprise

Steven Wayne Fitting

A printing process prints a continuously moving substrate with elongate, semi-tone graphics. The printed substrate is incorporated into a composite elastic material, in which the substrate is contracted, thereby forming a desired full-tone graphic from the semi-tone graphic.

Elongate, semi-tone printing process

A toilet training aid is in the form of a pad that creates a noticeable, distinct feeling during urination. In particular embodiments, the pad may provide the wearer with a temperature change sensation, a wet sensation, a dimensional change sensation, or some combination thereof to signal that urination is occurring. The toilet training aids are desirably attached to a garment by a consumer, thus enabling the consumer to select the type of accompanying garment and the particular time that is best suited to toilet training.

Toilet training aid providing a dimensional change

Toilet training aid providing a temperature and dimensional change

Toilet training aid

Elongate, semi-tone printing process and substrates printed thereby

A dual substrate, single-pass printing process prints a high basis weight substrate and a low basis weight substrate. Ink striking through the low basis weight substrate is collected and absorbed by the high basis weight substrate. The printed substrates are then separated and rewound for subsequent transport and handling.

Dual substrate, single-pass printing process and substrates printed

A low basis weight, continuously moving substrate is printed by a single substrate, repeat-pass printing process. The continuously moving substrate is passed a first time through the printing station without receiving any pattern directly printed thereon, and is then repeat-passed through the printing station and over a single-passing portion of the substrate. The repeat-pass portion then has an ink pattern directly printed thereon. Ink striking through the directly printed repeat-pass portion of the substrate is collected or absorbed by the underlying single-pass portion of the substrate, thereby preventing ink buildup on the printing apparatus.

Substrate printed by a single substrate, repeat-pass printing process

Single substrate, repeat-pass printing process

A low basis weight substrate is printed by a folded substrate, dual-sided printing process. The substrate is folded to present two printing surfaces. The folded substrate is then passed through a printing station to have an ink pattern printed on one surface, and then is reversed to have a second pattern printed on the second printing surface. Any ink striking through one of the surfaces is collected by the other surface of the printed substrate.

Folded substrate, dual-sided printing process and substrates printed

Dual substrate, single-pass printing process

Low basis weight nonwoven fibrous web, which can be incorporated into personal care articles, has an ink printed thereon and has an average wet crockfastness value of at least about 4 or greater. A method is provided for making the ink-printed web.

Ink-printed, low basis weight nonwoven fibrous webs and method

A disposable pant-like garment for absorbing human discharge is provided, and comprises an absorbent assembly comprising a liquid-impervious outer cover, a liquid-pervious liner, and an absorbent medium therebetween. The absorbent assembly also has generally opposite side edges and generally opposite end edges. A pair of stretchable side panels are joined to each one of the side edges to form with the absorbent assembly a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. A gathering means is joined along at least a portion of each leg opening for gathering that portion. The stretchable side panels provide generally inwardly directed force vectors against a wearer to maintain the garment snugly against the wearer's body and the absorbent assembly snugly in place against the crotch area both before and after a discharge.

Disposable incontinence garment or training pant

A seam construction for an absorbent article comprises a layered composite portion of the absorbent article including a liquid pervious liner, a liquid impervious outer cover, and an absorbent medium therebetween. A pair of stretchable members are joined to the layered composite portion between respective side portions of the outer cover and the liner. The stretchable side members also extend outwardly beyond the opposite side portions of the outer cover and liner. The layered composite portion and each stretchable member form a seam construction that is resistant to liquid leakage and that provides a gentle transition between the layered composite portion and the stretchable members.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Robert J Schleinz