Patents by Inventor Thomas N. Kershaw

Thomas N. Kershaw 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: 8158047
    Abstract: A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Galyn A. Schulz, Gary L. Worry, Kang Chang Yeh, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Publication number: 20110024947
    Abstract: A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Georgia Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Galyn A. Schulz, Gary L. Worry, Kang Chang Yeh, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 7682488
    Abstract: A method of forming a cellulosic web is discussed, the product of which may, for example, possess at least one of increased softness, strength, and absorbency. The method measures the total anionic charge and controls the net charge of an aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Kang Chang Yeh, Gary L. Worry, Thomas N. Kershaw, Henry S. Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 7546973
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser includes a housing with an inner chamber configured to support a paper supply and a dispensing aperture for dispensing paper from the paper supply. The paper supply includes a side that is formed by superimposed edge portions of paper from the paper supply. An indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the inner chamber and is disposed adjacent the paper supply. The indicator mechanism includes an indicator operably connected to a release mechanism. The indicator is movable between a retracted position and an indicating position. The release mechanism is pivotally biased away from the housing and is releasable in response to the paper supply being reduced below a predetermined amount. Upon release of the release mechanism, the release mechanism causes the indicator to move to the indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 7531062
    Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale Gracyalny, Paul Ruthven, Galyn Schulz
  • Publication number: 20090001212
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser includes a housing with an inner chamber configured to support a paper supply and a dispensing aperture for dispensing paper from the paper supply. The paper supply includes a side that is formed by superimposed edge portions of paper from the paper supply. An indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the inner chamber and is disposed adjacent the paper supply. The indicator mechanism includes an indicator operably connected to a release mechanism. The indicator is movable between a retracted position and an indicating position. The release mechanism is pivotally biased away from the housing and is releasable in response to the paper supply being reduced below a predetermined amount. Upon release of the release mechanism, the release mechanism causes the indicator to move to the indicating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 7434760
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser includes a housing with an inner chamber configured to support a paper supply and a dispensing aperture for dispensing paper from the paper supply. The paper supply includes a side that is formed by superimposed edge portions of paper from the paper supply. An indicator mechanism is affixed to the housing within the inner chamber and is disposed adjacent the paper supply. The indicator mechanism includes an indicator operably connected to a release mechanism. The indicator is movable between a retracted position and an indicating position. The release mechanism is pivotally biased away from the housing and is releasable in response to the paper supply being reduced below a predetermined amount. Upon release of the release mechanism, the release mechanism causes the indicator to move to the indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 7294231
    Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale Gracyalny, Paul Ruthven, Galyu Schulz
  • Patent number: 7252741
    Abstract: A method of forming a cellulosic web is discussed, the product of which may, for example, possess at least one of increased softness, strength, and absorbency. The method measures the total anionic charge and controls the net charge of an aqueous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Kang Chang Yeh, Gary L. Worry, Thomas N. Kershaw, Henry S. Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 7118796
    Abstract: A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Gayln A. Schulz, Gary L. Worry, Kang C. Yeh, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 7037406
    Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale Gracyalny, Paul Ruthven, Galyn Schulz
  • Patent number: 6998016
    Abstract: The present invention is a through-air-drying process for producing a fibrous web that possesses not only softness and absorbency but also strength. The method of the present invention monitors and controls the overall charge in the headbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Kang Chang Yeh, Gary L. Worry, Thomas N. Kershaw, Henry S. Ostrowski
  • Patent number: 6908059
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20040055694
    Abstract: A method of embossing an absorbent web with a machine direction undulatory structure is described. The web has a plurality of ridges extending in its machine direction occurring at a frequency, F, across the web and the method includes providing the web to an embossing station where the web is embossed between a first and second embossing roll, each of which rolls may be provided with a plurality of embossing elements configured to define a plurality of embossing nips. At least a portion of the embossing nips are substantially oriented in a cross-machine direction with respect to the web and have a cross direction length, L. The product F×L is from about 0.1 to about 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale Gracyalny, Paul Ruthven, Galyn Schulz
  • Patent number: 6709548
    Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Marinack, Anthony O. Awofeso, Frank D. Harper, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 6649024
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a chemical treating agent to a cellulose web. The invention is further a means of increasing the bulk, absorbency and pattern definition in an embossed cellulose web without losing softness in the web. Finally, the invention includes products produced by the foregoing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: T. Philips Oriarian, Galyn A. Schulz, Dale T. Gracyalny, Michael E. Hennes, Thomas N. Kershaw, Anthony O. Awofeso
  • Publication number: 20030164377
    Abstract: A paper towel dispenser dispenses towels from a paper supply and includes a dispenser housing a low-reserve indicator mechanism for indicating when a reserve quantity of the paper supply is low. The dispenser housing has a housing wall structure on which the low-reserve indicator mechanism is affixed. The paper supply has vertically super imposed edge portions which form an outwardly facing vertical side of the paper supply. The low-reserve indicator mechanism includes an indicator mounted for movement between a retracted position and an indicating position for establishing a low-reserve indication detectable from outside of the dispenser house. The indicator mechanism also includes a release mechanism adapted to be spring-biased into contact with the vertical side of the paper supply. The release mechanism is released for movement in response to becoming unsupported by a diminishing height of the vertical side of the paper supply to cause the indicator to move to its indicating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory D. Budz, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20030131959
    Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Marinack, Anthony O. Awofeso, Frank D. Harper, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Patent number: 6536624
    Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20030041989
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a chemical treating agent to a cellulose web. The invention is further a means of increasing the bulk, absorbency and pattern definition in an embossed cellulose web without losing softness in the web. Finally, the invention includes products produced by the foregoing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: T. Philips Oriarian, Galyn A. Schulz, Dale T. Gracyalny, Michael E. Hennes, Thomas N. Kershaw, Anthony O. Awofeso