Patents Assigned to Fort James Corporation
  • Patent number: 6387217
    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: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Robert J. Marinack, Jeffrey Charles McDowell, Gary L. Worry
  • Patent number: 6379496
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for making a high quality paper product at improved process efficiency through the use of high steam levels in the Yankee dryer. The product according to the present invention is creped from the Yankee dryer while it is still wet and is then drying is completed using conventional methods. Products made according to the present invention exhibit improved absorbency, softness and bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Robert J. Marinack
  • Patent number: 6379497
    Abstract: An improved paperboard has been bulk enhanced by retaining a substantial portion of bulk-enhanced additives including expandable microspheres in a suitable distribution within the paperboard. The cellulosic paperboard web has an overall fiber weight (w) of at least 40 lbs./3000 square feet and at a fiber density of 3, 4.5, 6.5, 7, 8.3, and 9 pounds per 3000 square foot ream at a fiberboard thickness of 0.001 inch respectively, has a GM Taber stiffness of at least about 0.00716 w2.63 grams-centimeter/fiber mat density1.63 pounds per 3000 square foot ream at a fiberboard thickness of 0.001 inch, and a GM tensile stiffness of at least about 1890+24.2 w pounds per inch. The high retention of the bulk enhancing additives is believed to result from the incorporation of suitable retention aids. The resulting paperboard has better GM Taber stiffness values and GM tensile stiffness than prior art paperboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Erland Sandstrom, Kenneth J. Shanton, Dean Swoboda
  • Patent number: 6374769
    Abstract: A fluid material application system is provided with an application deck for applying a fluid material that includes printing ink, adhesive or coating, a source of fluid material, a source of heat transfer liquid, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a tube-in-hose ink heat exchange element having a fluid material carrying seamless tube located within a hose. The hose is adapted to be connected to a heat transfer fluid source so that a heat transfer fluid flows around the fluid material carrying tube to control and maintain the temperature of the fluid material in the tube at a generally constant temperature. The elongated heat exchange element may possess a winding type of configuration (e.g., it may be coiled or helically wound or may be laid out in a serpentine path) to define a winding flow path for the fluid material and the heat transfer fluid, and may be located within an enclosing structure to define an overall compact heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene R. Pesavento, Duane R. Mueller, Michael A. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 6371327
    Abstract: Compartmented food service articles with sharp angular junctions are thermoformed utilizing a plug-assisted thermoforming process. The plug is employed in connection with a thermoforming mold having a plurality of rib portions which project axially from a substantially planar mold surface of the thermoforming mold, and which rib portions define a plurality of angular junctions with the substantially planar mold surface. The plug includes a plurality of rib relief portions positioned and configured to fit about the rib portions of the mold in a forming operation at an axial clearance distance of about 0.125 inches or less from the angular junction of the rib portions of the mold with the substantially planar mold surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony J. Swiontek, Mark B. Littlejohn, Wayne W. Lamson
  • Patent number: 6372087
    Abstract: Single-ply absorbent tissue paper wherein of the fibers incorporated in the web: (a) at least 20% by weight have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20% by weight have a coarseness of less than about 12 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average fiber coarseness to length ratio is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm. The single-ply tissue having: a serpentine configuration; low sidedness; a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream; specific total tensile strength between 40 and 200 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; a cross direction specific wet tensile strength between 2.75 and 20.0 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; an MD tensile to CD tensile ratio between 1.25 and 2.75; a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness between 0.5 and 3.2 g/inch/% strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream; a friction deviation less than 0.250; and a sidedness parameter less than 0.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Frank David Harper, Taiye Philips Oriaran, John Dennis Litvay
  • Publication number: 20020041046
    Abstract: At least one container is disposed in contact with at least one mandrel to cause a thermoplastic polymeric film on the container to foam and become a heat insulative layer. The mandrel is heatable to a predetermined temperature and the container is in direct contact therewith or disposed thereon for a predetermined period of time, to thereby cause the foamable material on the container to foam. A method of making a web of heat insulative nonwoven material includes providing a web of nonwoven material, applying a layer of thermoplastic polymeric material to a first surface of the web to form a web laminate, placing the web laminate in contact with a heated surface, heating the web laminate and thereby expanding the layer of thermoplastic material with moisture that is vaporized from the nonwoven material. The web laminate may then be fabricated to form a container or a portion of a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hartjes, Michael A. Breining, Debra D. Bowers, Daniel J. Geddes, Patrick L. Maynard, Louann S. Mueller, Robert Patterson, Kathleen R. Rigotti, Rebecca E. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 6368454
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue and to a process for the manufacture of such tissue product having a basis weight of at least about 15 lbs./3,000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 75 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 7.5 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.00 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 1.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a ratio of product cross direction stretch to base sheet cross direction stretch of at least about 1.4, a friction deviation of less than 0.225, and a sidedness parameter of less than 0.275.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, T. Philips Oriaran, Frank D. Harper, Galyn A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6365000
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of making an ultra soft, multi-ply tissue from non-premium furnish using wet press technology and the product produced thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Frank D. Harper, Galyn A. Schulz, Brian J. Schuh, Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran
  • Patent number: 6361601
    Abstract: Adhesive is applied to a web by way of a printing plate and reverse enclosed doctor blade so as to apply the adhesive in selected locations thereby minimizing the amount of adhesive applied in order to decrease the stiffness of the resultant multi-ply web. The amount of adhesive build up on the embossing rolls due to the adhesive bleeding through the web material is minimized and the embossing rolls are permitted to clean themselves in that the adhesive application is carried out so that adhesive is not applied to the web material adjacent portions of the embossing roll on successive rotations of the roll. By doing so, portions of the backup roll which support the web where adhesive was previously applied are permitted to selfclean by allowing the adhesive which has bled through the web and collected on the backup roll to dry and flake off prior to adhesive again being applied to the web adjacent such region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: Galyn Schulz
  • Patent number: 6355142
    Abstract: Controlling the velocity of a jet of foamed furnish leaving the slice of a pressurized headbox of a paper or a tissue making machine by measuring the density and pressure of a flow of foamed furnish provided by a pump to estimate an atmospheric pressure air content, measuring the pressure of the foamed furnish in the headbox, using the estimated atmospheric pressure air content and the measured pressure in the headbox to estimate the current velocity of said jet of foamed furnish, comparing the estimated current velocity with a target velocity and controlling the pump to move the estimated and target velocities closer to each other. An alternate embodiment controls jet velocity on the basis of comparing estimated and target headbox pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation of Virginia
    Inventor: Frederick W. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 6352700
    Abstract: A substrate treated with a lotion including a skin pH balancing compound and a base lotion. The pH balancing compound is preferably an organic acid, such as an alpha-hydroxy acid, an alpha-dihydroxy acid, or a beta-hydroxyacid, a combination of an organic acid and a salt of an organic acid, or a buffer combination, such as combinations of citric acid and disodium phosphate, or disodium citrate and sodium hydroxide. The preferred lotion has the effect of maintaining the skin acid mantle while making the treated substrate, preferably tissue, towel or napkin, optionally wet-strengthened, wipe or nonwoven material, feel smooth, lubricious and nongreasy. The skin care benefits of the lotionized substrate are expressed whether the product is used dry or prewetted with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Phuong V. Luu, T. Philips Oriaran, David W. White, Anthony O. Awofeso, Gary L. Schroeder, Richard E. Fredricks
  • Patent number: 6348131
    Abstract: The invention relates to embossing multi-ply paper products, for example, paper towels, tissue and napkins, in which an improved embossing arrangement is used which is particularly suitable for paper products which have been processed so as to impart undulations whose axes extend in a principal undulatory direction, typically in the machine direction. The absorbent sheet typically further includes undulations which extend in the cross (transverse direction) of the web such that the absorbent sheet has a biaxially undulatory structure. The undulations may be formed by the use of an undulatory creping blade. Defined parameters accommodate: the distance at which the undulations are spaced, the total surface area of the design (embossing) elements, the width and length of the embossing elements and the aspect ratio of the elements, as well as the angular orientation of the embossing elements with respect to the undulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale T. Gracyalny
  • Patent number: 6338421
    Abstract: A container lid that is adapted to be placed on a container includes an upstanding side wall and a top wall. The top wall is provided with an opening or through hole for allowing the contents within the container to be mixed while the lid remains on the container. The top wall of the container lid is configured to strengthen and increase the rigidity of the portion of the top wall surrounding the opening. The container lid can also be provided with characteristics allowing the portion of the lid surrounding the opening to flex when a force is applied to the periphery of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Philip D. Scalvini, Jr., Thomas R. Toczek
  • Patent number: 6334544
    Abstract: A napkin dispenser includes a housing having upright walls and a floor together forming a vertical compartment for the reception of a vertical stack of horizontal paper napkins. A horizontal slot is formed between the floor and a lower end of a front wall of the housing. That slot communicates with a lower portion of the compartment for facilitating the simultaneous removal of a bunch of napkins from the compartment. The positioning of a user's fingers above and beneath a selected number of napkins to be removed is facilitated by providing a vertical slot extending upwardly from the midpoint of the horizontal slot, and a finger notch formed about midway in a front edge of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Christensen, Craig D. Yardley
  • Patent number: 6331228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Patent number: 6328557
    Abstract: Containers are conveyed through an oven on a conveyor to cause a foamable material on each container to foam and become a heat insulative layer. The containers are supported on respective holders of the conveyor, which prevent the containers from contacting one another. Preferably, the holders support the containers loosely, to enable the containers to wobble relative to the holders under the influence of oven air currents and conveyor vibration. The holders thus do not make contact with any given point on their respective containers for a time period that is sufficient to enable the holders to draw enough heat away from the container to adversely affect the foaming operation. The containers are conveyed in single file, along a serpentine path through the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Grigory Grishchenko, Walter Malakhow, Arthur H. Livingston, Leo W. Gontkosky, David C. Brown, Michael A. Breining
  • Patent number: 6328255
    Abstract: A toilet tissue dispensing mechanism includes a unit formed by a pair of parallel vertical walls. Each wall includes vertically spaced openings arranged such that the openings of each wall are in vertically staggered relationship with the openings of the other wall when the movable wall is closed. Each opening has a roll-mounting structure associated therewith, whereby each wall is capable of concurrently dispensing a pair of tissue rolls. Each roll-mounting structure includes a shield mounted for swinging movement between open and closed positions for securing the rolls in their respective openings. To convert such a mechanism to a dispenser which dispenses rolls sequentially rather than concurrently, the shields are swung to their open positions, and adapter plates are positioned against inside surfaces of respective ones of the walls to cover the openings therein. The plates are pressed against the respective walls by edges of the shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Moody, Victor M. Hodges
  • Publication number: 20010045441
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Dale T. Gracyalny, David Carpenter, Kamala Grasso, Douglas W. Johnson, Peter D. Johnson, John E. Longan, John R. Moody, Hugh L. Smith, Ronald J. Vish
  • Patent number: 6321963
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Dale T. Gracyalny, David Carpenter, Kamala Grasso, Douglas W. Johnson, Peter D. Johnson, John E. Longan, John R. Moody, Hugh L. Smith, Ronald J. Vish