Patents Examined by M. Halpern
  • Patent number: 6344111
    Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Delson Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6342125
    Abstract: A multi-ply web forming method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a top ply onto a base ply. A fiber suspension jet is by means of a secondary headbox (21; 21′, 26) delivered into a twin-wire roll nip created by two tensioned wires (16, 22; 16′, 22′; 22, 27) one of which (16; 16′, 22) carries the moist base ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Bengt Nordström
  • Patent number: 6338773
    Abstract: A device for dewatering solid/liquid suspensions, especially pulp suspensions, where the suspension is dewatered between two belts, with one dewatering zone being a wedge zone. A pair of rolls downstream of the wedge zone impart both area pressure and line pressure on the pulp web formed by the pulp suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Andritz-Patentverwaltungs-Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Johann Sbaschnigg, Franz Petschauer, Georg Reck
  • Patent number: 6334467
    Abstract: A flat woven papermaker's forming fabric having a paper side layer and a machine side layer interconnected by pairs of weft binder yarns. Each of the binder yarn pair members in sequence interweaves with a portion of the paper side layer warp yarns in segments of the weft yarn path so as to complete an unbroken weft path in the paper side layer weave pattern, and to provide an internal paper side layer float. Each of the binder yarn pair floats interlaces with a machine side layer warp yarn so as to bind the paper and machine side layers together. To recess the binder yarns from the plane of fabric wear the interlacing point is located at or near the midpoint of an internal float in the machine side layer warp yarn. The number of paper side layer weft yarns located between each of the pairs of intrinsic weft yarns is irregular within one repeat of the overall fabric weave pattern. The location of the paper side layer internal floats also determines the interlacing locations with the machine side layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: AstenJohnson, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Barrett, Dale B. Johnson, Rick Stone
  • Patent number: 6331229
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of increasing retention and drainage in a papermaking furnish comprising adding to the furnish an effective flocculating amount of a high molecular weight water-soluble anionic or nonionic dispersion polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Jane B. Wong Shing, Chidambaram Maltesh, John R. Hurlock
  • Patent number: 6325860
    Abstract: A method for making highly potent flavorful and aromatic substances for use in a smoking article is disclosed. The method includes providing a mixture containing hydroxyketone, a Strecker aldehyde, and ammonium hydroxide, and subjecting the mixture to heat treatment for a time and under conditions sufficient to provide a flavorful and aromatic composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: William Monroe Coleman, III
  • Patent number: 6314964
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for improving the ash characteristics of a paper wrapper for a smoking article and for improving the ash characteristics of the smoking article itself. Specifically, it has been unexpectedly discovered that the ash cohesiveness of a paper wrapper is noticeably improved when carbon fibers having an average length less than about 0.75 inches are incorporated into the paper in an amount up to about 60% by weight. Paper wrappers made with carbon fibers in accordance with the present invention have superior ash characteristics in comparison to paper wrappers incorporating only flax or other cellulosic fibers. Further, the ash cohesiveness of the paper is improved without resulting in the decline in the quality of other ash characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Hampl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6309509
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, paper, thermoplastic sheets, and medical paper containing cellulose ester, alkylpolyglycoside (APG) or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol, and, optionally, cellulose. The process of incorporating APG or a mixture of APG and polyether glycol in paper composed of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers and to calendaring of such paper is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Charles Michael Buchanan, Eric Eugene Ellery, Matthew Davie Wood
  • Patent number: 6306259
    Abstract: Device for the washing and dewatering a fibrous suspension, which device incorporates two hollow, circular cylindrical filter drums (1), which filter drums incorporate evacuation chambers inside the-filter drums for evacuation of fluid. The filter drums rotate in opposite directions to create a pinch (2) where at least one of the said filter drums (1) is installed in a trough (7,8) which partly encloses the outer surface (3) of the filter drum and which, in the direction of rotation of the filter drum, converges towards the outer surface of the filter drum. At least one pulp inflow chamber (4) is installed at the highest point (1) of one or both of the filter drums each equipped with a trough for the introduction of pulp between the outer surfaces (3) of the filter drum and its trough (7,8) for the formation of a fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Axel Lamas, Stefan Hansson, Bo Clarstrom, Jesper Karrhammar, Goran Brottgardh
  • Patent number: 6290816
    Abstract: A paper machine for making a fiber web includes an approach flow system with a plurality of control modules. Each control module controls one of a plurality of adjustable input parameters. A wet end receives a fiber suspension from the approach flow system, and includes a headbox which discharges a fiber suspension with a known cross sectional profile onto a wire. A press section, forming section and drying section are used to press form and dry the fiber web, respectively. A plurality of sensors are respectively positioned in association with the approach flow system, wet end, press section, forming section and/or drying section. Each sensor is configured to sense a physical characteristic of the fiber suspension or fiber web and provide an output signal indicative thereof. A chemistry process controller is coupled with each sensor and each control module within the approach flow system to define a closed loop control system. The chemistry process controller controls operation of each control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 6273095
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a filter for use with tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes, which selectively absorbs toxic compounds and carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic compounds passing through it, but which permits most low molecular weight species, and in particular nicotine, to pass through. The filter is made from a middle-density polyurethane foam which is pre-treated to increase the number of binding sites for polynuclear aromatic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Jong-Pyng Hsu
  • Patent number: 6261415
    Abstract: A paper machine and web control system for the same to be activated on web rupture, which paper machine has a double-felted press nip and a treatment unit for increasing the dry solids content of the web downstream of the press nip, the web being transferred from the press nip to the treatment unit in an open draw. The web control system has a water-application device arranged at the open draw to discharge jets of water against the upper press felt on rupture of the web so as to prevent an upstream end of the web continuing with the upper press felt, a felt-deflection device situated downstream of the press nip to bring the press felts into contact with each other downstream of the press nip on rupture of the web so as to sandwich the web between the felts, and a suction device in the loop of the lower press felt at a position between the press nip and the felt-deflection device to temporarily attach the web to the lower press felt by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Per Anders Johansson, Mikael Nyman
  • Patent number: 6182955
    Abstract: This invention is a modular vacuum clamping and part manipulation system designed to automate the loading, unloading and vacuum clamping (or holding by means of negative vacuum pressure) of a workpiece during the machining process. The system is designed in such a manner as to allow an end user with limited technical experience to assemble it to meet his/her specific manufacturing requirements and to, at a later date, modify or expand it into a system which has fully automated loading and unloading capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Alvin Jay Kimble
  • Patent number: 6173486
    Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Read-Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Yun-Lin Hsiao, Lien-Chang Wang, Durga I. Ravipati, Hugh C. Hiner, William D. Jensen
  • Patent number: 6155536
    Abstract: A hydraulic staging jack has a circumferentially grooved cylinder which fits into a base in which two shoes are seated and each shoe has two axially spaced flanges which engage in two axially spaced grooves of the cylinder. Radially outer surfaces of the shoes are axially angled so that moving the shoes axially out of the base causes the shoes to separate radially, thereby disengaging the flanges from the grooves and permitting adjustable axial fixing of the position of the cylinder relative to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Power Inc.
    Inventor: Micah L. Digman
  • Patent number: 6152434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a support for articles such as ceiling slabs, roof battens, machine parts or the like. The support comprises at least two telescopic tubes or one telescopic eod in at least one tube. A first tube or the rod can be displaced by a first distance in relation to the second tube, and devices are provided to convey the first tube or the rod a further distance in relation to the second tube. Stopping devices for the tube(s) and the rod are also provided in relation to each other and end stops are provided on the tubes, or the rod, the devices for further conveyance of the first tube or the rod comprising a ratchet, rack, clamping bracket or the like which are provided with manual advance devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: Rainer Gluck
  • Patent number: 6142860
    Abstract: A grinding tool of the present invention is configured by having grinding surface that comes into direct contact with the surface of the object to be ground. Multiple small protuberances which include diamonds and other abrasive materials are formed on the grinding surface. Surface area of the small protuberances and the distance between the small protuberances are set such that the grinding resistance was maintained at an approximate constant value after a substantially constant grinding resistance value was reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Hiroshi Hashimoto, Tokyo Diamond Tools Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6126157
    Abstract: A compact portable vise of the type designed to hold a fishing hook while a fly-like lure is formed, using methods known as "fly-tying," on the hook for use in the sport of fly fishing. The vise is particularly small to be shirt-pocket portable and alternatively may be supported by a clamp directly engaging a support or by a vise clamp that is mounted with screws on a railing, a gunwale, a board, or a tree, either fallen or erect. The vise head is connected to such support by an articulated arm that engages the support. The arm includes at least one pivot link that permits it to be bent about a first axis and a second pivot link connecting the vise head that permits the head to pivot on an axis perpendicular to said first axis and close to and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head. These two pivot links permit easy and flexible manipulation of the vise head for viewing the work piece from a myriad of angles. The articulated arm bends to wrap around the clamp for compact storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Inventor: Max Rutzer
  • Patent number: 6112352
    Abstract: A tool including a first member, a second member, and a connector pivotally connecting the members together. The first and second members are pivotal relative to each other to convert the tool between a closed condition whereat the members overlie each other and an extended condition whereat the members extend from each other. The first member and/or the second member includes a tooling component which may be used when the tool is in the extended condition. The tool having an exterior surface defined by the first member, the second member, and the pivotal connector when the tool is in the closed condition. The tool may be carried on a keyring along with a set of keys whereby it may be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: LKL Innovations, Ltd.
    Inventor: Larry K. Legg
  • Patent number: 6095508
    Abstract: A vice device consisting of a frame containing a fixed jaw and a rack, the rack being placed in a plane perpendicular to the fixed jaw; and a mobile jaw, containing a body and a jaw mobile in movement compared to the body. The jaw is mobile in movement parallel to the rack with the possibility of locking onto the rack by means of a rack mobile in the body equipped with notches at its end opposite the rack and biased in the direction of rack by at least one spring and maneuverable by a lever connected to the body. The end of the body connected to the lever being linked to a cam which leans on the posterior part of the mobile jaw in order to allow the spreading of the mobile jaw compared to the body in the direction of the fixed jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Virax S.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Baraldi, Jean Mazingue