Patents by Inventor Steve Wojcik

Steve Wojcik has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7988607
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is provided for perforating a web such as a paper tissue or paper toweling into distinct and perforated sheets. The invention provides a laser array capable of providing an incident beam of light upon the surface of the web. The web travels at relatively high speed on a web support mechanism. The web is contacted by the laser light source, which is directed at predetermined locations upon the web to provide a perforation or severing of the web. The employment of a laser in the practice of the invention provides the ability to precisely measure and vary the length of the perforations along the web in a more efficient manner, for a precise cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ron F. Gropp, Steve Wojcik
  • Patent number: 7204154
    Abstract: An online roll firmness measurement system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact element is placed in a fixed position. A roll of material is placed in between the contact element and a support surface. Based upon the amount of force exerted on the contact element, the firmness of the roll of material may be measured. In an alternative embodiment, the contact element applies a predetermined amount of force on the roll of material but is displaced when a roll of material is placed in between the contact element and the support surface. In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the contact element is measured which allows for the calculation of roll firmness. In one embodiment, a roll firmness device made in accordance with the present invention may be placed in a system for winding rolls and used to maintain rolls of material being formed within preset roll firmness ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sartain, Nathan Harris, Steve Wojcik, Rick Urquhart, Mike Daniels, James Baggot
  • Publication number: 20070012119
    Abstract: An online roll firmness measurement system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact element is placed in a fixed position. A roll of material is placed in between the contact element and a support surface. Based upon the amount of force exerted on the contact element, the firmness of the roll of material may be measured. In an alternative embodiment, the contact element applies a predetermined amount of force on the roll of material but is displaced when a roll of material is placed in between the contact element and the support surface. In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the contact element is measured which allows for the calculation of roll firmness. In one embodiment, a roll firmness device made in accordance with the present invention may be placed in a system for winding rolls and used to maintain rolls of material being formed within preset roll firmness ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Kevin Sartain, Nathan Harris, Steve Wojcik, Rick Urquhart, Mike Daniels, James Baggot
  • Patent number: 7127951
    Abstract: An online roll firmness measurement system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact element is placed in a fixed position. A roll of material is placed in between the contact element and a support surface. Based upon the amount of force exerted on the contact element, the firmness of the roll of material may be measured. In an alternative embodiment, the contact element applies a predetermined amount of force on the roll of material but is displaced when a roll of material is placed in between the contact element and the support surface. In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the contact element is measured which allows for the calculation of roll firmness. In one embodiment, a roll firmness device made in accordance with the present invention may be placed in a system for winding rolls and used to maintain rolls of material being formed within preset roll firmness ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sartain, Nathan Harris, Steve Wojcik, Rick Urquhart, Mike Daniels, James Baggot
  • Publication number: 20060014616
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is provided for perforating a web such as a paper tissue or paper toweling into distinct and perforated sheets. The invention provides a laser array capable of providing an incident beam of light upon the surface of the web. The web travels at relatively high speed on a web support mechanism. The web is contacted by the laser light source, which is directed at predetermined locations upon the web to provide a perforation or severing of the web. The employment of a laser in the practice of the invention provides the ability to precisely measure and vary the length of the perforations along the web in a more efficient manner, for a precise cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Publication date: January 19, 2006
    Inventors: James Baggot, Ron Gropp, Steve Wojcik
  • Patent number: 6945922
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is provided for perforating a web such as a paper tissue or paper toweling into distinct and perforated sheets. The invention provides a laser array capable of providing an incident beam of light upon the surface of the web. The web travels at relatively high speed on a web support mechanism. The web is contacted by the laser light source, which is directed at predetermined locations upon the web to provide a perforation or severing of the web. The employment of a laser in the practice of the invention provides the ability to precisely measure and vary the length of the perforations along the web in a more efficient manner, for a precise cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ron F. Gropp, Steve Wojcik
  • Publication number: 20050097966
    Abstract: An online roll firmness measurement system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact element is placed in a fixed position. A roll of material is placed in between the contact element and a support surface. Based upon the amount of force exerted on the contact element, the firmness of the roll of material may be measured. In an alternative embodiment, the contact element applies a predetermined amount of force on the roll of material but is displaced when a roll of material is placed in between the contact element and the support surface. In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the contact element is measured which allows for the calculation of roll firmness. In one embodiment, a roll firmness device made in accordance with the present invention may be placed in a system for winding rolls and used to maintain rolls of material being formed within preset roll firmness ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Sartain, Nathan Harris, Steve Wojcik, Rick Urquhart, Mike Daniels, James Baggot
  • Publication number: 20030104912
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is provided for perforating a web such as a paper tissue or paper toweling into distinct and perforated sheets. The invention provides a laser array capable of providing an incident beam of light upon the surface of the web. The web travels at relatively high speed on a web support mechanism. The web is contacted by the laser light source, which is directed at predetermined locations upon the web to provide a perforation or severing of the web. The employment of a laser in the practice of the invention provides the ability to precisely measure and vary the length of the perforations along the web in a more efficient manner, for a precise cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Ron F. Gropp, Steve Wojcik