Non-uniform, Irregular Or Configured Web Or Sheet Patents (Class 162/109)
  • Patent number: 7442279
    Abstract: A method of making paper comprising over drying the paper web by a dryer; transporting the paper web to a reel; and supplying dry air adjacent at least a portion of the paper web's travel path from the dryer to the reel. A paper machine comprising a dryer and a reel; at least one blow box located between the dryer and the reel; and a blower supplying a source of dry air to the at least one blow box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Kenneth J. Zwick, Peter J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20080251222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper for the production of documents of value which comprises a flat cellulose-containing substrate with a polymeric window included therein, to processes for the production of a security paper of this type and to the use thereof for the production of documents of value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Burkhard Krietsch, Matthias Kuntz, Holger Winkler
  • Patent number: 7435312
    Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web are disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Michael Alan Hermans, Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark John Hassman, Maurizio Tirimacco, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Publication number: 20080249492
    Abstract: A fiber material web of pulp fibers is made by pulp fibers being calendered and spot-connected or linearly connected without a binder in pressurized areas by fusion of the fiber bodies with generation of an embossed patter. The pulp fibers are chemically treated pulp fibers. The fiber material web is suitable for use in sanitary articles and as a filter material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: McAirlaid's Vliesstoffe GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20080236772
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Dean J. Baumgartner, Richard W. Eggen, David P. Duggan, Jeffrey E. Krueger, David W. Lomax, Colin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7426775
    Abstract: Polymer melt compositions, especially polymer melt compositions that can be processed into polymeric structures, especially polymeric structures in the form of fibers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter + Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Arlen Forshey, Gregory Charles Gordon, Larry Neil Mackey, Mark Ryan Richards
  • Publication number: 20080216976
    Abstract: The invention relates to a security paper for manufacturing security or value documents, such as banknotes, identification cards and the like, having at least two through openings (12, 16). According to the present invention, a first (12) of the through openings is produced during paper manufacture and exhibits characteristic irregularities in the edge region (14), while a second (16) of the through openings is produced after paper manufacture, by cutting or punching, having a sharply delimited edge region (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: GIESECKE & DEVERIENT GMBH
    Inventors: Jurgen Ruck, Manfred Heim, Andreas Pretsch
  • Publication number: 20080216975
    Abstract: A roll paper product having a machine direction, cross machine direction, two machine direction edges, and one or more plies of a fibrous structure having a pattern embossed on the surface thereof wherein the embossing pattern has a plurality of embossments having a height, one or more first tracts having a cross machine direction width, and one or more second tracts having a cross machine direction width, wherein the first tract has the lower percent unembossed than the second tract; and wherein the roll paper product has been cut such that at least one machine direction edge is tangential to a first tract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: James Paul Farwig, Nicholas Jerome Wilke
  • Patent number: 7419570
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and a method providing a high bulk tissue which is both strong and soft. Specifically, it has been discovered that certain low pressure printing technologies may be used to deliver a bonding material to the surface of a high bulk paper web such as an uncreped, through-dried web. The bonding material may be applied to the web either before, during or after the web is softened with a mechanical straining process which will decrease the web bulk by no more than 20% of the initial bulk in order to increase the web softness. The web may be softened by any of a variety of mechanical straining processes such as, for instance, microcreping, microstraining, rush transfer, or other low-compressive softening methods. The cured bonding material on the web may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency and the wet strength of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Thomas F. Hunt, Maurizio Tirimacco, John J. Urlaub
  • Patent number: 7416637
    Abstract: A low-compaction method of making an absorbent cellulosic web includes: forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish; dewatering the nascent web to a consistency of from about 10 to about 30 percent on a foraminous forming support traveling at a first speed; rush-transferring the web at a consistency of from 10 to about 30 percent to an open texture fabric traveling at a second speed slower than the first speed of the forming support; further dewatering the web on the impression fabric to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent by way of (i) combining the open texture fabric bearing said web with a fluid distribution membrane and an anti-rewet felt as the three pass through a nip into a pressure chamber defined in part by a plurality of nip rolls, the fluid distribution membrane bearing against the side of the open texture fabric away from the web, with the anti-rewet felt bearing against the web, and (ii) applying a pneumatic pressure gradient from the distributor membrane through the web ther
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Frank C. Murray, Greg A. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20080196849
    Abstract: Wet wipes are made from a highly-textured basesheet of cellulose papermaking fibers bonded together with a permanent wet strength agent. The resulting wet wipes can have high wet bulk, good wet strength and can be easily dispensed and fully-opened with one hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Peter John Allen, Crystal Espinoza Sherman
  • Patent number: 7413630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-ply sheet including a first ply (12) and a second ply (14) each made of tissue paper and each exhibiting a specific surface weight between 12 and 35 g/m2, the first ply including a first embossing pattern which is imprinted in first zones (16) and which has first protrusions (18) projecting from the inner surface of the first ply and corresponding to alveoles on the outer surface that constitute in particular first arrays, at least part of the protrusions' tops (19) being linked to the opposite inner surface of the second ply (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Pierre Graff, Benoît Hoeft
  • Publication number: 20080179025
    Abstract: An on-line process for manufacturing a multi-ply hygienic paper product is provided which involves the steps of supplying at least two separate webs to a processing station, applying to at least one of the surfaces of a web forming an outer ply a softening composition, adjoining the webs by gluing and/or embossing to manufacture a multi-ply hygienic paper product and directly transporting such paper to a cutting and/ or further processing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Stefano Carrara, Marco Granelli, Dario Cavalli
  • Patent number: 7404875
    Abstract: A modified creping adhesive composition, comprising an adhesive component and at least one terpene modifier, and its use in the production of creped paper products by a process which includes the steps of adhering a paper web to the surface of a drying cylinder and separating the paper web from the drying cylinder with a creping blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Nancy Clungeon, Jeffrey J. Boettcher
  • Patent number: 7396436
    Abstract: A process for making a unitary fibrous structure comprises steps of: providing a fibrous web comprising a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web and a plurality of synthetic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web; and causing co-joining of at least a portion of the synthetic fibers with the cellulosic fibers and the synthetic fibers, wherein the co-joining occurs in areas having a non-random and repeating pattern. A unitary fibrous structure comprises a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous structure, and a plurality of synthetic fibers distributed throughout the fibrous structure in a non-random repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Trokhan, Dean Van Phan, Osman Polat
  • Publication number: 20080149286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent tissue-towel paper products comprising one essentially continuous ply of fibrous structure having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the product has an HFS absorbency greater than 8 g/g and the first surface exhibits an embossment height of at least 650 ?m and the second surface exhibits an embossment height of at least about 650 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Steven Anthony Horenziak, Ellyne Elizabeth Prodoehl, Nicholas Jerome Wilke II
  • Patent number: 7387706
    Abstract: A method of forming a structured web including the steps of providing a fiber slurry through a headbox to a nip formed by a structured fabric and a forming fabric and collecting fibers from the fiber slurry in at least one valley of the structured fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Herman, Thomas Thoroe Scherb
  • Patent number: 7384506
    Abstract: Embossing regularly textured sheets with an appropriate regular, discrete embossing pattern to improve softness can result in a combined texture that creates an interference pattern that camouflages the original texture pattern and the embossing pattern. The resulting pattern is more appealing to the eye and is more random in appearance than the initial textured sheet or the embossing pattern individually. This result is particularly advantageous for paper towels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Louis Underhill, Paul Douglas Beuther, Robert Irving Gusky, Kevin Joseph Vogt
  • Patent number: 7381299
    Abstract: The fluid intake rate of a tissue product having at least one hydrophobic exterior layer can be increased significantly by the addition of apertures through the hydrophobic exterior layer to the tissue product's hydrophilic interior layer. The apertures allow for fluid to be absorbed by the hydrophilic interior layer, while leaving the hydrophobic exterior layer dry to the touch. The size, number and spacing of the apertures can be controlled to manage the absorbent properties of the tissue product. In one embodiment, a three-ply tissue product has two exterior hydrophobic plies each having a plurality of apertures extending from the surface of both exterior plies through the plies to a hydrophilic interior ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, David Andrew Moline, Tammy Jo Balzar, Jeffrey David Mathews, John J. Urlaub
  • Patent number: 7377995
    Abstract: Single-ply throughdried tissue sheets, particularly suitable as bath tissue, are produced with at least three layers. One or both of the outer layers suitably contain predominantly softwood fibers and a chemical bonding agent. One or more of the inner layers suitably contains a chemical debonder. The resulting tissues have a high level of durability and softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Pachih Chen, Michael Alan Hermans, Pau-Lin Pawar, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Publication number: 20080115898
    Abstract: A method for producing an article made of a web material, comprising at least one ply, wherein a superabsorbent material in powder form is associated with said ply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Mauro Gelli, Mauro Marsili, Fabio Giachetti
  • Patent number: 7374638
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent tissue-towel paper products comprising one essentially continuous ply of fibrous structure having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the product has an HFS absorbency greater than 8 g/g and the first surface exhibits an embossment height of at least 650 ?m and the second surface exhibits an embossment height of at least about 650 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Anthony Horenziak, Ellyne Elizabeth Prodoehl, Nicholas Jerome Wilke, II
  • Publication number: 20080104928
    Abstract: A packaging system and device for paperboard cartons having closure flaps which extend across and seal the carton opening when filled with articles. The flaps, which are prone to distortion, are treated with a minor amount of water which reverses the distortion and allows the articles to be successfully inserted through the opening and into the carton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: John Mckay
  • Publication number: 20080099168
    Abstract: Softening compositions for tissues, particularly facial tissues, include a combination of polysiloxanes and one or both of a polyalkylene oxide and a fatty alkyl derivative. The softening compositions can contain from about 30 to about 75 weight percent polysiloxane, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent polyalkylene oxide and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent fatty alkyl derivative, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide and the fatty alkyl derivative is about 25 weight percent or greater. The resulting tissues have good softness and wettability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20080099169
    Abstract: Wet-pressed creped tissue sheets exhibit continuous undulating valleys separated by continuous mono-planar macro-ridges running in the machine direction of the sheet, the macro-ridges being of a lower fiber density relative to the fiber density of the undulating valleys. The tissue structure can be created by pressing a densified tissue web against the surface of a Yankee dryer while the web is supported by a texturizing (molding) fabric having a web-supporting surface having highly topographic continuous or substantially continuous ridges and valleys and thereafter creping the web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Douglas Beuther, Cristina Asensio Mullally, Jeffrey Dean Holz
  • Patent number: 7354502
    Abstract: A method for making a fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers onto a forming member so as to form one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers; providing a plurality of long cellulosic fibers onto the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers so as to form one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers and one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Osman Polat, Timothy Jude Lorenz, Dean Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Publication number: 20080078517
    Abstract: A tissue product having a softening composition applied to at least one side is generally disclosed. The softening composition includes a polysiloxane micelle having a core polysiloxane and an outer layer polysiloxane. The core polysiloxane is more hydrophobic than the outer layer polysiloxane. In one embodiment, the core polysiloxane is an amino-functional polysiloxane, and the outer layer polysiloxane is a polyether polysiloxane. The softening composition can also contain other optional ingredients, such as surfactants and beneficial agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: John J. Urlaub, David Moline, Julie A. Prescher
  • Patent number: 7326322
    Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing a web having a first embossing roll having embossing elements and a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein at least a portion of the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. The embossing roll may be crowned, may have alignment means, and may be provided with precision gearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Paul J. Ruthven, Dale T. Gracyalny, Galyn A. Schulz, John R. DeMille, Otto Mogged, III, Alan J. Kraszewski, Robert J. Williams, Harlie C. Zahn, Robert R. Daus, Mark D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7326318
    Abstract: A wetlaid or foam formed hydraulically entangled nonwoven material containing at least 30%, by weight, pulp fibres and at least 20%, by weight, man-made fibres or filaments. The material has a basis weight variation in a non-random pattern in that it comprises a plurality of higher basis weight cushions protruding from one major surface of the material. The cushions as a main component comprise pulp fibres and are surrounded by a lower basis weight network which as a main component comprises the man-made fibres or filaments. The invention further refers to a method for making the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventor: Mikael Strandqvist
  • Patent number: 7320821
    Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional products comprising a structure having a first surface and a z-direction perpendicular to the first surface, the structure further comprising a base, a plurality of raised protrusion areas raised at least about 300 ?m above the base of the structure, and a plurality of connecting elements, each connecting element ending at a raised protrusion and each connecting element raised above the base of the structure in the z-direction and at least partially recessed from the raised protrusions in the z-direction, wherein the connecting elements connect two of the raised protrusions areas; the plurality of raised protrusion areas and plurality of connecting elements together forming a pattern comprising at least a first sub-pattern region and second sub-pattern region; wherein the first sub-pattern region comprises a first set of parallel rows of raised protrusion areas and connecting elements and a second set of parallel rows of raised protrusions and connecting elem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Ellyne Elizabeth Prodoehl
  • Patent number: 7320743
    Abstract: A method of imparting bulk and/or visual aesthetics to a tissue basesheet involves pressing the basesheet with a felt having a raised pattern on it so that the pattern becomes inherent in the sheet. A pattern is stitched into a carrier layer which is joined to a substrate to form the felt. As the basesheet is pressed into the felt, the raised pattern displaces fibers in the sheet, effectively inducing the pattern in the basesheet. The novel felt with a raised patterned layer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Freidbauer, Michael A. Hermans, John C. Bolt, Michael C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080003913
    Abstract: Fibrous structures including a fiber and/or a multifilament fiber, sanitary tissue products employing such fibrous structures and methods for making such fibrous structures are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Vinson, Arnold William Trueman
  • Patent number: 7314664
    Abstract: Multi-ply fibrous structure products, more specifically embossed multi-ply fibrous structure products and methods for making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Christopher Scott Kraus, George Vincent Wegele, Kevin Benson McNeil
  • Patent number: 7314663
    Abstract: Multi-ply fibrous structure products, more specifically embossed multi-ply fibrous structure products and methods for making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter + Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Christopher Scott Kraus, George Vincent Wegele, Kevin Benson McNeil
  • Patent number: 7314665
    Abstract: Multi-ply fibrous structure products, more specifically embossed multi-ply fibrous structure products and methods for making same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Christopher Scott Kraus, George Vincent Wegele, Kevin Benson McNeil
  • Patent number: 7311800
    Abstract: The present invention relates to embossed tissue-towel paper products comprising one or more plies of tissue paper wherein at least one of the plies of tissue paper comprises a plurality of embossments wherein the at least one embossed plies have a total embossed area less than or equal to about 15% and an average embossment height of at least about 650 ?m and E factor of between about 0.0150 to about 1.0000 inches4 per number of embossments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Russell, Kevin Mitchell Wiwi, Mark Edwin Forry, Ward William Ostendorf, Michael Gomer Stelljes, Jr., Robert Stanley Ampulski
  • Patent number: 7306699
    Abstract: A method for application of compositions onto non-woven webs, such as paper webs, and to products made from the process. In general, the method includes applying a composition to a non-woven web using a non-impact printer, such as an ink jet printer. The composition is applied, in one embodiment, as droplets that remain as discrete shapes on the substrate. In this manner, treated areas and untreated areas are formed on the web. Through this process, the water absorption and control properties of the web can be adjusted as desired while simultaneously treating the web with a composition that improves the physical properties of the web, improves the chemical properties of the web and/or can provide a benefit to a user if transferred from the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Urlaub, Thomas G. Shannon
  • Patent number: 7300543
    Abstract: A tissue sheet having a deep discontinuous pocket structure provides improved durability as measured by the ratio of the cross-machine direction tensile energy absorbed to the cross-machine direction tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristina Asensio Mullally, Michael Alan Hermans
  • Patent number: 7294229
    Abstract: A tissue product having a combination of substantially equal tensile energy absorbed (TEA) in the machine direction and the cross-machine direction of the tissue sheet and a significant level of stretch in both directions provides improved perception of strength and resistance to “poke through” in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stephen Hada, Andrew Peter Bakken, Michael Alan Hermans, Jeffrey David Mathews
  • Patent number: 7294230
    Abstract: Lightweight multi-ply tissue products, such as facial tissue and bath tissue, are produced by printing flexible polymeric binder material, such as certain latex binders, onto one or more inner surfaces of the multi-ply tissue product. The resulting products have low stiffness and high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Flugge-Berendes, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Patent number: 7294239
    Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering a fiber web in a paper machine includes a heated drying surface, a permeable fabric carrying the fiber web, and a condensing region adjacent a portion of the permeable fabric on a side opposite the fiber web. The fiber web is interposed between and contacts each of the heated drying surface and the permeable fabric. The condensation region has: a) a temperature which is less than a temperature of the permeable fabric; and/or b) a pressure which is greater than an ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Lomic, Jeffrey Herman, Thomas Thoröe Scherb
  • Patent number: 7291379
    Abstract: For the production of a sheet product including at least two layers (V1, V2) it is suggested, among other things, an embossing device including a first pressure roller (5; 105) interacting with a first and a second embossing cylinder (1, 3; 101, 103) provided with respective points (1P, 3P; 101P, 103P) on their cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Fabio Perinin S.p.A.
    Inventor: Guglielmo Biagiotti
  • 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: 7241364
    Abstract: A web of tissue is formed in a twin wire former, followed by an air press for water removal in the pressing section, passing onto a Yankee dryer. A headbox injects stock between upper and lower dryer fabrics brought together on a breast roll. The fabrics moves over vacuum boxes, and the web is heated with steam and passed between an upper pressure box and a lower vacuum box forming an air press which dewaters the web. A sheet transfer pickup vacuum box holds the sheet to the upper fabric as the lower fabric diverges from the upper fabric. A pressure roller transfers the web onto a Yankee dryer. The fabrics are cleaned on vertical runs before returning to the breast roll. A final forming fabric is arranged to operated at a lower speed than the penultimate forming fabric so that a rush transfer and creping like action takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignees: Metso Paper, Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger A. Kanitz, Thomas D. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7235156
    Abstract: A multi-layered paper product that has bridging regions for inhibiting nesting is provided. For example, the paper product can contain a first and second layer that define ridges and valleys. Bridging regions are formed into at least one of the outer surfaces of the layers. In particular, the bridging regions are positioned at an angle of between about 0° to about 180° relative to the ridges and also have a length sufficient to extend between the peaks of at least two of the ridges. The bridging regions can be formed in a variety of ways, such as with an embossing roll that contains embossing elements. Moreover, the bridging regions can also have a variety of shapes, sizes, orientations, and/or patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: James L. Baggot
  • Patent number: 7214293
    Abstract: A unitary fibrous structure comprises a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous structure, and a plurality of synthetic fibers distributed throughout the fibrous structure in a non-random repeating pattern. A process for making the unitary fibrous structure comprises the steps of providing an embryonic fibrous web comprising a plurality of cellulosic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web and a plurality of synthetic fibers randomly distributed throughout the fibrous web and causing redistribution of at least a portion of the synthetic fibers in the embryonic web to form the unitary fibrous structure in which a substantial portion of the plurality of synthetic fibers is distributed throughout the fibrous structure in a non-random repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Trokhan, Dean Van Phan, Osman Polat
  • Patent number: 7195810
    Abstract: An absorbent sheet made from an air-laid fiber web includes a functional emboss pattern of a continuous (wave-like) shape extending in the machine direction of the sheet. The emboss pattern defines a plurality of compressed regions operative to preferentially convey sorbed liquid away from the point of insult to prevent product failure. The sheet is particularly useful as absorbent core material within a multi-layer absorbent pad. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making absorbent sheet utilizing an emboss roll provided with radially projecting circumferential sinuate bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley G. Schmidt, Jennifer N. Wergin, Barbara V. Buman, Michael P. Bouchette
  • Patent number: 7186317
    Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process includes the step of partially dewatering a tissue web and then subjecting the web to multiple deflections against fabrics prior to drying the tissue web. For instance, in one embodiment, the tissue web is deflected multiple times in between two opposing fabrics. The tissue web can be deflected against the fabrics under sufficient pressure to cause the tissue web to mold against the fabrics. By deflecting the tissue web multiple times, rearrangement of the papermaking fibers contained in the tissue web occurs increasing the bulk of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Beuther, Frank Druecke, Jeffrey Holz
  • Patent number: 7182837
    Abstract: A process and method which ‘locks in’ three-dimensional texturing added to a paper web by virtue of an adhesive material which is printed onto the surface of the web is generally disclosed. The adhesive may be applied to the web either before, during, or after the web is molded to increase the surface texture. The adhesive may be applied at relatively low pressure so as to preserve surface texture without significant deformation of the web. The cured adhesive material inhibits the web from reassuming a two-dimensional state or may contribute additional texture by rising above the surface of the web. This process may not only increase the bulk of the web when dry and wet, but also increase the wet resiliency, the wet strength, and the tactile properties of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-Jou Chen, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Thomas F. Hunt, Maurizio Tirimacco, John J. Urlaub
  • Patent number: 7169458
    Abstract: Embossing regularly textured sheets with an appropriate regular, discrete embossing pattern to improve softness can result in a combined texture that creates an interference pattern that camouflages the original texture pattern and the embossing pattern. The resulting pattern is more appealing to the eye and is more random in appearance than the initial textured sheet or the embossing pattern individually. This result is particularly advantageous for paper towels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Louis Underhill, Paul Douglas Beuther, Robert Irving Gusky, Kevin Joseph Vogt