Non-uniform, Irregular Or Configured Web Or Sheet Patents (Class 162/109)
  • Publication number: 20030066616
    Abstract: A nested rolled paper product is shown in which raised and depressed areas are formed in a sheet. The depressed areas may comprise square shapes, rounded shapes or other geometric shapes that are capable of aligning or nesting in registration when the sheet is rolled to form a reduced diameter rolled product. A high loft through air drying fabric is employed to imprint a high caliper pattern into the sheet in such a way as to nest raised portions, resulting in a more compact product having a minimized roll diameter. Grooves or channels in the sheet are capable of aligning as the sheet is rolled. The resulting rolled product may be toilet tissue, paper towels, or other similar paper products. The final rolled product achieves a minimum roll diameter for a fixed roll length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Richard Wolkowicz, Mark Burazin
  • Patent number: 6544386
    Abstract: A process for producing additive composition treated multi-ply tissue products is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, at least one (1) ply of the tissue product is treated with an additive composition, such as a lotion. Once the additive composition is applied to the tissue product, the tissue is then hot embossed by being fed through, for example, a heated bonding nip. It has been discovered that the hot embossing step improves the adhesion between the multiple plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane G. Krzysik, Barbara S. Funk, David G. Biggs, Bernhardt E. Kressner
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6524683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet (1, 2) of absorbent paper, in particular made of cellulose cotton and of a specific surface weight between 10 and 40 g/m2, comprising a first embossed zone such as is provided by embossing between an undeforming cylinder (A12) fitted with protrusions and a cylinder fitted with a resilient cladding (C) in such manner that the sheet (1, 2) comprises on one side in particular frustoconical salients (120, 110) of which the tops are situated substantially in one plane. The salients (110, 120) corresponding to recesses on the opposite side, the sheet being characterized in that the first embossed zone (110) constitutes a background base pattern of which the number of salients of height H1 relative to the plane is greater than 30 per cm2, and in that it comprises at least a second pattern (G) constituted of salient-free zones of which the height H2 relative to the plane is greater than H1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Gilles Roussel, Rémy Ruppel
  • Publication number: 20030029588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly process for the selective oxidation of carbohydrates. The process comprises the addition of a hydroperoxide, including hydrogen peroxide, to a carbohydrate having primary alcohol groups, particularly including polysaccharides, wherein said carbohydrate is contact with a nitroxyl radical mediator and the process is catalyzed by a peroxidase enzyme in the presence of halide ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Cui, A. Levent Cimecioglu, Yong-Cheng Shi
  • Patent number: 6517672
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for maximizing water removal from an absorbent web in a press nip. The present invention uses a pressing unit having a blanket with a void volume and with a pressure profile that maximizes water removal in the press section or on the Yankee dryer of a paper machine. The pressure profile of the pressing unit according to the present invention has a very steep pressure drop at and/or following the exit of a pressure distribution curve in order to maximize water removal by minimizing rewet of the web. The improved pressure profile according to the present invention results in increased water removal and/or improved line speed. The void volume further increases water removal and/or improves line speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Robert J. Marinack, Jeffrey Charles McDowell, Gary L. Worry
  • Publication number: 20030024667
    Abstract: Tissue paper having a bulk between 2 and 8 g/m3 and containing an amount of a wet strength agent, wherein the tissue paper contains a wet strength agent in the form of a nitrogen-containing polymer having hydrophobic side-chains. Said tissue paper before converting has a relative wet strength value (RWS) of at least 45%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hans Wallenius, Sussan Sandberg, Marek Gorzynski, Oliver Struck
  • Patent number: 6514382
    Abstract: A process for producing bulky paper comprising the steps of transferring a fiber web (2) having a water content of 50 to 85% by weight to a patterning zone having a perforated patterning net (31) revolving along a suction unit; patterning the fiber web (2) in conformity to the perforated patterning net (31) by sucking the fiber web (2) which is held on the perforated patterning net (31) while applying 5 kcal/kg or more of heat to the fiber web (2) in a heat application zone simultaneously with or before or after the sucking of the fiber web (2); and then drying the fiber web (2) in a drying zone to obtain patterned bulky paper (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Shusuke Kakiuchi, Kazuhiro Inaba, Hiroyuki Yanagida, Taeko Hayase, Toshiyuki Suga, Hiroyuki Akai, Takao Koyama
  • Patent number: 6514383
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a derivitized amino-functional polysiloxane. The derivitized amino-functional polysiloxane structure has one or more pendant groups containing an amine derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Geoffrey Fenn Carlow, Timothy Dale Ferguson, Amber Marie Fortune, Daniel John VanderHeiden, Heath David Van Wychen, Roger Edward Wendler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030019601
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust air from one or more throughdryers to further heat the web at various places in the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Frank Stephen Hada, Ronald Frederick Gropp, Marek Parszewski
  • Patent number: 6511580
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a derivitized amino-functional polysiloxane. The derivitized amino-functional polysiloxane structure has one or more pendant groups containing an amine derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6503370
    Abstract: Method of producing paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions which is given the paper in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet paper web is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising a rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the paper web when passing through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern either by means of a pattern wire (11) and/or by the fact that the heated roll (13) is provided with a three-dimensional pattern, and where the wet paper web (10) before entering said press nip (12) is given a basis weight variation in a non-random pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Holger Hollmark, Lennart Reiner, Thomas Billgren, Kaveh Tondkar, Mats Söderberg, Bengt Järrehult
  • Publication number: 20030000668
    Abstract: A method of applying treatment chemicals to a fiber-based planar product, particularly tissue, includes the steps of: a) applying a treatment composition containing the treatment chemicals to a revolving belt (1) and b) bringing the revolving belt (1) into contact with the moving fiber-based planar product (3), thereby transferring the treatment composition from the revolving belt (1) via the contact surface to the moving fiber-based planar product (3). An apparatus suitable for performing this method, includes: at least one application element (4, 5) for applying treatment compositions to a revolving belt (1), and the revolving belt (1) that is in contact with moving fiber-based planar product (3) via a contact surface and transfers the applied treatment composition via this contact surface to the moving fiber-based planar product (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Stephan Eichhorn
  • Publication number: 20030000664
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6500307
    Abstract: An apparatus for increasing bulk of a foreshortened fibrous web comprises a working surface designed to receive a foreshortened web thereon, a means for adding moisture to at least selected portions of the web thereby relaxing the crepe in the selected portions, and a means for retaining the crepe in the rest of the web. A preferred apparatus comprises a pair of opposite surfaces, at least one of which having expansion conduits therethrough, the web being impressed between the surfaces. A temperature differential is created between the two opposite surfaces, sufficient to drive the moisture added to the selected portions therethrough, thus relaxing the crepe in the selected portions which expand into the expansion conduits, while the crepe is retained in the rest of the web impressed between the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Mark R. Richards
  • Publication number: 20020179264
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dean Van Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Peter Graves Ayers
  • Publication number: 20020179269
    Abstract: A drying section for drying a web in a papermaking machine has a pre-drying section and a final drying section, wherein the pre-drying section includes a hot press formed by a first press member and a rotatable counter roll in engagement with each other so as to form a nip therebetween through which the web passes. The hot press further includes a heating device disposed in heat-transfer relation to the counter roll and operable to heat a surface region of the counter roll which then passes through the nip so as to heat the web therein, and an imprinting fabric arranged in an endless loop, the imprinting fabric defining an imprinting surface for imprinting the web and being arranged to pass through the nip of the hot press with the web against the imprinting surface such that the web is imprinted. The imprinting fabric continues to support the imprinted web downstream of the hot press at least up to the final drying section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Ingvar Klerelid
  • Patent number: 6488810
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for influencing web characteristic in a machine for producing a fibrous web. The process includes guiding the fibrous material web in a still-wet state and stretching the still-wet state fibrous material web in a crosswise direction. The apparatus includes a stretching device arranged to stretch the fibrous material web in a still-wet state in a direction crosswise to a travel direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Halmschlager
  • Publication number: 20020170690
    Abstract: Described is a micro-structured paper or paper-like material having a self-cleaning and/or non-adhesive effect whereby the paper or paper-like material is hydrophobic across the entire cross-section of the material and which is micro-structured in such a way that the surface is provided with elevations and depressions whereby the distance between the elevations ranges from 0.04 to 100 microns and the height of the elevations ranges from 0.04 to 100 microns, and whereby the paper or paper-like material is characterized in that it contains particles having the size of 0.04 to 50 microns that are bound to the paper or paper-like material by means of a binder, and whereby the paper or paper-like material is hydrophobic across the entire cross section of the material, as well as a method for the production thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Martin Buchsel, Manfred Kaussen, Sabine Schroft
  • Publication number: 20020166646
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6478927
    Abstract: A method for forming a paper web with two surfaces having elevated regions is provided. The elevated regions can be imparted onto the surfaces of the tissue utilizing various papermaking techniques and devices, such as using patterned fabrics, wire-mesh, and/or pressure rolls. A tissue formed according to the present invention can have a substantial fiber density gradient in the −z direction and a relatively low fiber density gradient in the x-y plane. Moreover, the tissue can also have a substantial pore size distribution gradient in the −z direction and a relatively low pore size distribution gradient in the x-y plane for improved absorption properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick P. Chen, Daniel R. Sprangers, Mark A. Burazin
  • Patent number: 6479414
    Abstract: A textile machine felt, which can be used, for example, as a compacting felt on machines for rendering textiles shrinkproof, consists of a ground textile (1) and a felt layer (2) which is stitched thereon and comprises at least in its surface region an elastic knit fabric (3), for example, a continuous warp knitted sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Huyck Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hauer
  • Patent number: 6475346
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus clamping at least one paper or non-woven sheet and including two cylinders which run substantially tangent to one another. At least one of the cylinders has on its surface and in a zone that makes contact with the sheet a clamping band having first salient elements. The interaction of the two cylinders in the presence or absence of the sheet subtends an active surface during the rotation of the cylinders. In the invention, at least one of the cylinders has on its surface and in a zone (nip) that makes contact with the other cylinder by means or not of the sheet a load compensating band having second salient elements. This band is selected so that the variation of the consecutive instantaneous active surfaces of the clamping band and of the load compensating band is less than the variation of the consecutive instantaneous active surfaces of the clamping band alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Carol Lefebvre Du Grosriez
  • Publication number: 20020153109
    Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, as well as high smoothness and high density. The tissue is calendered from a multidensity, through air dried web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: PAUL T. WEISMAN, SCOTT THOMAS LOUGHRAN, DEAN VAN PHAN, PAUL DENNIS TROKHAN, ROBERT STANLEY AMPULSKI
  • Patent number: 6468392
    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: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    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: 20020148578
    Abstract: A device for applying an embossing to a web of tissue paper (12) comprises a full width anvil roller (14) and a plurality of small widths embossing rollers (16) which are rotationally movable around rotational axes which run parallel to the rotational axis of the anvil roller. The embossing rollers (16) have a width which is substantially smaller than the width of the anvil roller (14) and can be individually positioned against the anvil roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Ian Reilly, Keith Littlewood
  • Patent number: 6464831
    Abstract: A paper web and method of making the paper web are disclosed. The paper web has a background portion and a non-embossed decorative pattern. The decorative pattern has at least one high basis weight region having a basis weight greater than the average basis weight of the surrounding background portion. The decorative pattern can include a number of discrete, decorative indicia. Each decorative indicia can be separated from adjacent decorative indicia by the background portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Trokhan, Dean Van Phan, Howard Thomas Deason, Jörg Kleinwächter
  • Patent number: 6464829
    Abstract: A tissue with two surfaces having elevated regions is provided. The elevated regions can be imparted onto the surfaces of the tissue utilizing various papermaking techniques and devices, such as using patterned fabrics, wire-mesh, and/or pressure rolls. A tissue of the present invention can have a substantial fiber density gradient in the -z direction and a relatively low fiber density gradient in the x-y plane. Moreover, the tissue can also have a substantial pore size distribution gradient in the -z direction and a relatively low pore size distribution gradient in the x-y plane for improved absorption properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick P. Chen, Wen Schroeder, Mark A. Burazin
  • Patent number: 6461476
    Abstract: The ratio of the wet tensile strength to the dry tensile strength of uncreped throughdried tissues and towels can be increased by treating the papermaking pulp with a debonder, a wet strength agent and a dry strength agent. The properties of the resulting product can be manipulated to either provide a product with normal degree of softness (as measured by the machine direction sheet stiffness) and a high wet strength, or a normal degree of wet strength and a higher degree of softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Thomas Goulet, Heath David Van Wychen
  • Patent number: 6461720
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet of paper which includes at least one decorative pattern (14, 16) which contrasts visually against the sheet's background (12) and which has a first series of generally truncated protrusions (22) projecting from one side (13) of the sheet and aligned in a design. In the invention, the sheet (10) includes a second series of protrusions associated with the first series (22) and of which each protrusion assumes the approximate form of a low wall projecting from a side (13) of the sheet and having a height which is less than the height of the protrusions (22) of the first series and of which each (24) bridges the two adjacent protrusions (22) of the first series to enhance the visual perception of the decorative unit (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Pierre Graff
  • Patent number: 6461474
    Abstract: The invention relates to a papermaking fabric and method of producing a soft, bulky tissue web in which an embryonic fiber web is wet-molded onto a three-dimensional substrate wherein the web-contacting surface of said substrate is a three-dimensional porous nonwoven material. The method can provide higher levels of bulk and surface depth in tissues than is practical with woven papermaking fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Mark Alan Burazin
  • Patent number: 6458243
    Abstract: New and improved methods and products are disclosed relating to increasing the softness of paper sheets, without effecting their wetability. Increased softness, without loss of wetability is obtained by adding deactivated ketene dimer sizing agents to the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Jones, Nancy C. Clungeon
  • Patent number: 6458447
    Abstract: A paper web of the present invention has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, and comprises a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The first regions form boundaries separating the second regions, the first regions being substantially in a plane of the paper web. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised out-of-said-plane rib-like elements, the rib-like elements of each second region being disposed parallel to a major rib axis and perpendicular to a minor rib axis. All or most of each first regions have both major rib axis and minor rib axis components. The first and second regions undergo geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David William Cabell, Mark Ryan Richards
  • Publication number: 20020124978
    Abstract: Method of producing paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions which is given the paper in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet paper web is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising a rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the paper web when passing through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern either by means of a pattern wire (11) and/or by the fact that the heated roll (13) is provided with a three-dimensional pattern, and where the wet paper web (10) before entering said press nip (12) is given a basis weight variation in a non-random pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Holger Hollmark, Lennart Reiner, Thomas Billgren, Kaveh Tondkar, Mats Soderberg, Bengt Jarrehult
  • Patent number: 6447641
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a machine direction extensible noncalendered fibrous web produced by a transfer system of at least eight percent negative draw including a matrix of fibrous web material having a wet mullen burst at least about 10 percent greater than a convex transfer system produced web. In addition, the matrix of fibrous material has a wet mullen burst of at least about 74500 pascals. Moreover, the matrix of fibrous web material has a GMBL ranging from about 2047 to about 2704. Furthermore, the matrix of fibrous web material includes fibers, which may be selected from the group consisting of a bonded carded web, spunbonded web, meltblown fiber web, and multi-ply fibrous web. Moreover, the matrix of fibrous web material may have an elmendorf tear greater than about 66.5 centinewton. Also, the matrix of fibrous web material may have a tensile modulus of at least about 1544 gram per centimeter squared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ignatius Wolkowicz, Kenneth Kaufman
  • Patent number: 6447643
    Abstract: Method of producing an impulse dried wetlaid fibrous web-shaped material, such as paper or non-woven, having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions, which have been provided in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet fibrous web is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the fibrous web during the passage through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions either by means of a patterned wire (11) and/or by a pattern on the heated roll (13) To the fibrous web there has been added a material that softens or melts in the temperature interval 100-400° C. and that at least the parts of the fibrous web that is located closest to the raised portions of the heated roll (13) are heated to such a high temperature that said material softens or melts and by that provides an increased amount of bonding points in the fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Lars Fingal, Bernt Johansson, Lennart Reiner
  • Patent number: 6447640
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent sheet includes: (a) depositing an aqueous furnish of cellulosic fiber on a forming fabric; (b) dewatering the wet web to a consistency of from about 15 to about 40 percent; (c) transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to another fabric traveling at a speed of from about 10 to about 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; (d) wet-shaping the web on an impression fabric whereby the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the impression fabric; and (e) impingement air drying the web. The process is particularly suitable for making high bulk products form difficult to process furnishes such as recycle furnishes and for making high basis weight products without compressive dewatering with a papermaking felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Watson, Steven L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6447642
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing water from a cellulosic web. The papermaking apparatus comprises imprinting member having an absolute void volume that enables a hydraulic connection to be formed between a cellulosic web and a capillary dewatering member when compressed in a nip. The absolute void volume is predetermined based on an estimate of the volume of water expressed from the cellulosic web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dean Van Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Peter Graves Ayers
  • Patent number: 6444089
    Abstract: Method of producing a paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions which is given the paper in connection with impulse drying. The paper web has a varying material composition as seen in its thickness direction, so that it at least in an outer layer contains an amount of a material that softens, melts or hardens in the temperature interval 100-400° C. or in some other way contributes in stabilizing the pattern structure that has been given the paper. It is further referred to an impulse dried paper produced according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Holger Hollmark, Lennart Reiner, Thomas Billgren, Kaveh Tondkar, Mats Söderberg, Bengt Järrehult
  • Patent number: 6440268
    Abstract: A partially unwound roll is moved for splicing with a subsequent parent roll, and the united web is rewound. The torque transmitting means include side clamping mechanisms engaging only the end surfaces of the parent rolls. In one aspect, an automated off-line apparatus and method splice tissue webs from different parent rolls in a finishing unit, and substantially continuous impacts on each web during unwinding splice the webs together. In one aspect, an apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of a soft, high bulk uncreped throughdried tissue web by depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a web and through drying the web to final dryness without any significant differential compression to form a dried web having a bulk value of about 15 to 25 cubic centimeters per gram or greater, an MD Stiffness Factor of 50 to 100 kilograms, a machine direction stretch of 15 to 25 percent, and a substantially uniform density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leo Baggot, Michael Earl Daniels, David Robert Gruber, Paul Kerner Pauling, James D. Ba Dour, Jr., Larry E. Birnbaum, Rudolph S. Fortuna
  • Publication number: 20020112829
    Abstract: A tissue paper making machine, a tissue paper product, and a method for producing such a tissue paper product. According to the invention, a dewatering and sheet-forming wire (13;14) is deposited in the pulp flow area by a texturing wire (16;17) that is provided with a texture comprised of closed wire zones. This results in the production of a tissue paper product having improved optical and haptic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Peter Von Paleske, Walter F. Hill
  • Patent number: 6436234
    Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Mark Alan Burazin, Michael Alan Hermans, David Henry Hollenberg, Richard Joseph Kamps, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6432268
    Abstract: A tissue product applied with a softening treatment is provided. The softening treatment contains a softening compound, such as a amino-functional polysiloxane, and a polymerization inhibitor. The polymerization inhibitor inhibits cross-linking of the softening compound when subjected to non-ideal conditions, e.g., stored for 8 weeks at 100° F. and 80% relative humidity. In some embodiments, for example, the polymerization inhibitor can be an alkyl siloxane, such as hexamethyl disiloxane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Burghardt
  • Publication number: 20020100153
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a non-woven fabric, in which a predetermined pattern of a forming body is transferred to a non-woven fabric immediately after or simultaneously with its formation by urging the non-woven fabric onto the forming body with water jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Takai, Kazuya Okada, Takayoshi Konishi
  • Patent number: 6425981
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for drying a wet web of paper comprising a drying section for increasing the dry solids content of a wet web of paper, a cleaning section disposed at least not above the drying section, and a continuous drying fabric forming a loop at least about the drying section and the cleaning section. The fabric receives the web along an upper portion of the loop before the drying section, wherein the web is supported on an upper surface of the fabric. The fabric then transports the web through the drying section in a non-inverting web run to increase the dry solids content of the web before the web is separated from the fabric. Once web is separated from the fabric, the fabric travels through the cleaning section to be cleaned before returning to receive more of the wet paper web thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad Aktiebolg (AB)
    Inventor: Dennis E. Jewitt
  • Patent number: 6423397
    Abstract: The invention concerns a web of absorbent paper, in particular of cellulose cotton, including on one side protrusions of which the top surfaces are less than 1 mm2 each and which correspond to cavities on the other side, the web being characterized in that the protrusions are distributed at a rate of more than 30/cm2 along mutually parallel lines in a manner such as to bound cells of which the total surface takes up at least 30% of the web surface, the cells per se being unembossed or embossed only slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Gilles Roussel
  • Patent number: 6419789
    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: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Kang Chang Yeh, Gary L. Worry, Thomas N. Kershaw, Henry S. Ostrowski
  • Publication number: 20020088577
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent sheet includes: (a) depositing an aqueous furnish of cellulosic fiber on a forming fabric; (b) dewatering the wet web to a consistency of from about 15 to about 40 percent; (c) transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to another fabric traveling at a speed of from about 10 to about 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; (d) wet-shaping the web on an impression fabric whereby the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the impression fabric; and (e) impingement air drying the web. The process is particularly suitable for making high bulk products form difficult to process furnishes such as recycle furnishes and for making high basis weight products without compressive dewatering with a papermaking felt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Gary M. Watson, Steven L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6416623
    Abstract: Method of producing a paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions, which has been provided in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet paper web (10) is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising a rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the paper web during the passage through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions either by means of a patterned wire, band or belt and/or by a pattern on the heated roll (13) and where said pattern is pressed into the paper web against a counter means (11, 14). The wet paper web before said press nip is exerted to a creping- or other compacting procedure which foreshortens the length of the paper web. The invention also refers to a paper produced by the method, said paper having a high extensibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Holger Hollmark, Lennart Reiner, Hans Wallenius, Thomas Billgren, Ingvar Klerelid
  • Publication number: 20020079073
    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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Lee Delson Wilhelm