Patents Assigned to Fort James Corporation
  • Patent number: 6558511
    Abstract: The present invention is an ultra soft, multi-ply tissue made from non-premium furnish using wet press technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Frank D. Harper, Galyn A. Schulz, Brian J. Schuh, Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran
  • Publication number: 20030061924
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus usable in conjunction with a thermoforming machine that produces a thermoformed plastic sheet is designed to cut the thermoformed plastic sheet to separate a portion of the plastic sheet from the remainder of the plastic sheet. The cutting apparatus includes a cutting mechanism that moves across the width of the sheet. The cutting mechanism is in the form of a cylinder actuated sheet cutting knife whose operation is controlled in conjunction with the operation of the thermoforming machine to effect cutting of the plastic sheet at desired intervals. The apparatus also includes a hold down mechanism that is operated in synchronism with the operation of the thermoforming machine and the cylinder actuated cutting knife. The hold down mechanism is designed to hold down the thermoformed plastic sheet to thereby facilitate the cutting of the plastic sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Mircea T. Sofronie, Albert D. Johns
  • Patent number: 6540879
    Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Marinack, Anthony O. Awofeso, Frank D. Harper
  • Patent number: 6536624
    Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 6536657
    Abstract: A disposable cup comprises a side wall having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one air pocket formed on the inner surface. The air pockets are formed by shrink film being adhered to the inner surface in at least one pattern and adapted to pull away from the inner surface in accordance with the pattern upon application of heat at a temperature range sufficient to cause the formation of air pockets. The formed air pockets thermally insulate a portion of the outer cup surface located directly behind the air pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald J. Van Handel
  • 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: 6527913
    Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side face. The blade also includes an upper surface that is not orthogonal to at least one of the first and second side faces. Also included are a plurality of notches. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end. The bottom portion is at least substantially parallel to the upper surface and the open end is defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Also provided are systems and methods for creping a cellulosic web and creped paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny
  • Patent number: 6523692
    Abstract: A fold-in-half shipping/display box has tear-away segments in its front side, and severable perforations in the top and rear walls, whereby once the tear-away segments have been removed and the perforations have been severed, the box can be folded in half to display items contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6517673
    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: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6511579
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a near-premium quality paper product having good strength and absorbency characteristics and a product made by that method. The invention is also a method for retaining a high ash content within a paper web formed by conventional wet pressing. The present invention is also a method for retaining a high percentage of softening agent within a paper web that includes such an agent. Further, the present invention is a soft absorbent paper product having a high void volume. Finally, the invention is also a method for producing a soft, absorbent, and near premium paper product having a high void volume using an undulatory crepe blade having a multiplicity of serrulations in its rake surface which presents differentiated creping angles and/or rake angles as to the paper being creped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, David W. White, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Patent number: 6505753
    Abstract: A drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending annular skirt. The lid further includes a tear-back section extending from the annular skirt to a hinge portion located in a medial portion of the lid. The tear-back section includes a raised protrusion extending outwardly from an upper surface of the lid. A recess is further formed in a medial portion of the lid on the opposite side of the hinge portion from the raised protrusion, wherein the tear-back section may be torn away from the lid on its sides and pivoted about the hinge portion until the raised protrusion is received within the recess for holding said pivotal flap open. The raised protrusion and the recess are shaped such that the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Freek, Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 6500302
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing foam formed fibrous web in which the furnish is made up by mixing a thin water slurry of fibers at a consistency in the range of from about 0.5 to about 7 weight percent fibers with sufficient aqueous foam containing a surfactant and having an air content in the range of from about 55 to about 80 percent by volume to form a foamed fiber furnish containing from about 0.1 to about 3 weight percent fibers which is supplied directly to the forming felt or wire of a twin wire papermaking machine, adding makeup surfactant and discarding excess aqueous foam from the process as required to maintain the desired volume of foamed liquid therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John Henry Dwiggins, Dinesh M. Bhat
  • Publication number: 20020189773
    Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Marinack, Anthony O. Awofeso, Frank D. Harper, Thomas N. Kershaw
  • Publication number: 20020187286
    Abstract: A heat insulating paper cup having an improved seal. The cup can include a body member having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a bottom panel member having a upper surface and a bottom surface. The body member is coated (or in some instances partially coated) on its outside surface with a foamed low density polyethylene, and on its inside surface with an unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The bottom panel member is coated on its upper surface with a foamed or an unfoamed low density polyethylene or foamed or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The body member and bottom panel member are oriented and joined to form a heat seal at an interface between a portion of the unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the inside surface of the body member and a portion of unfoamed low density polyethylene or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the upper surface of the bottom panel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Breining, William R. Pucci, David C. Brown, Richard A. Segan, Donald C. McCarthy, Walter Malakhow
  • Patent number: 6482481
    Abstract: A heat insulating paper cup having an improved seal. The cup can include a body member having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a bottom panel member having a upper surface and a bottom surface. The body member is coated (or in some instances partially coated) on its outside surface with a foamed low density polyethylene, and on its inside surface with an unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The bottom panel member is coated on its upper surface with a foamed or an unfoamed low density polyethylene or foamed or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The body member and bottom panel member are oriented and joined to form a heat seal at an interface between a portion of the unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the inside surface of the body member and a portion of unfoamed low density polyethylene or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the upper surface of the bottom panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Fredricks, Michael A. Breining, William R. Pucci, Donald C. McCarthy, David C. Brown, Richard A. Segan, Walter Malakhow
  • Patent number: 6474497
    Abstract: A disposable plate or tray includes a substantially planar bottom portion, a sidewall and a flange. A profile extending from the center to the outer edge of the article is characterized by a plurality of direction changes having a radius of curvature to diameter ratio of at least about 0.02.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Littlejohn, Cristian M. Neculescu
  • Publication number: 20020155246
    Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6464120
    Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody