Patents Examined by Jose A. Fortuna
  • Sheet manufacturing apparatus
    Patent number: 11174594
    Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes: a defibration unit that defibrates a raw material containing fibers in a gas atmosphere; and a sheet former that forms a sheet by using at least a part of defibrated substances obtained through a defibrating process performed by the defibration unit. The defibration unit and the sheet former are thermally blocked from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhito Gomi
  • Fibrous product
    Patent number: 11168444
    Abstract: Fibrous products having an improved softness are provided, which have beneficial effects on the skin upon use. The fibrous product includes a fibrous material in which this material has at least one of lactic acid or a salt thereof in an amount of, per ply provided, in the range of from about 0.1 to about 15 g/m2, and in some embodiments, in the range of from about 1.0 to about 1.5 g/m2. A water activity of the fibrous product is from about 0.03 to 0.85. The salt of lactic acid may, for example, be sodium lactate, potassium lactate, and/or calcium lactate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Ulrika Husmark, Lars-Erik Enarsson, Caroline Severinson
  • Paper-specific moisture control in a traveling paper web
    Patent number: 11162226
    Abstract: A network-based system and method for providing desired moisture set point values for individual papers lines based on the physical properties of each liner and the atmospheric conditions associated with a corrugator is disclosed. The desired moisture set point values are based on the hygroexpansivity of each individual paper liner. Once the moisture set point value has been determined, a conditioning apparatus adjusts a moisture value for each liner in order to tune the post-warp characteristics of the final corrugated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: INTPRO, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert B. Kohler
  • Layered fibrous structures
    Patent number: 11149383
    Abstract: Layered fibrous structures, and more particularly layered fibrous structures containing two or more layers of fibrous elements, for example filaments, that exhibit different physical characteristics, such as different Elongation at Rupture values as measured according to the Elongation at Rupture Test Method described herein, and/or pilling, and/or dry lint scores, sanitary tissue products comprising such layered fibrous structures, and methods for making same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Gary McKee, Christopher Scott Kraus, David William Cabell, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Benjamin J. Popham
  • Methods of making paper products using a molding roll
    Patent number: 11136719
    Abstract: A method of making a fibrous sheet. The method includes forming a nascent web from an aqueous solution of papermaking fibers, moving a dewatered web on a transfer surface, and applying a vacuum at a molding zone defined between the transfer surface and a molding roll. The molding roll includes a permeable patterned surface on an exterior of the molding roll. The method also includes transferring the dewatered web from the transfer surface to the permeable patterned surface at the molding zone. The vacuum is applied during the transferring of the dewatered web, and the papermaking fibers of the dewatered web are (i) redistributed on the permeable patterned surface and (ii) drawn into a plurality of recess of the permeable patterned surface, in order to form a molded paper web. The method further includes drying the molded paper web in a drying section to form a fibrous sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David A. Beck
  • Process for producing nonwoven
    Patent number: 11136700
    Abstract: A process for producing nonwoven materials is provided. The process includes: providing a three-phase (gas-liquid-solid) suspension, providing a first moving carrier sieve, applying the three-phase suspension onto the first moving carrier sieve to produce a fibrous web, removing aqueous residue of the three-phase suspension through the first carrier sieve, recycling the aqueous residue, pre-integrating the fibrous web by flushing the web with water and collecting flushed water, transferring the pre-integrated fibrous web from the first moving carrier sieve to a second moving carrier sieve, and hydroentangling the fibrous web. The three-phase suspension contains natural and/or manmade fibres, a surfactant, and air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Arie Venema, Gaatze Wijbenga, Hannu Ahoniemi, Mikael Strandqvist
  • Poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids and uses thereof and processes to make poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids
    Patent number: 11118312
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are poly alpha-1,3-glucan fibrids and methods for making them. The fibrids have a fibrous shape with an average length of between 10 ?m and 10 mm and width of between 200 nm and 200 ?m. Also disclosed are uses for the fibrids, including paper-making and as a viscosity modifier in making formulations for applications such as laundry applications and personal care applications, and as an emulsifier in food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NUTRITION & BIOSCIENCES USA 4, INC.
    Inventors: Natnael Behabtu, Jayme L. Paullin, Mikhail R. Levit
  • Paper-specific moisture control in a traveling paper web
    Patent number: 11118314
    Abstract: A network-based system and method for providing desired moisture set point values for individual papers lines based on the physical properties of each liner and the atmospheric conditions associated with a corrugator is disclosed. The desired moisture set point values are based on the hygroexpansivity of each individual paper liner. Once the moisture set point value has been determined, a conditioning apparatus adjusts a moisture value for each liner in order to tune the post-warp characteristics of the final corrugated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTPRO, LLC
    Inventor: Herbert B. Kohler
  • Process for making absorbent towel and soft sanitary tissue paper webs having nanofilaments
    Patent number: 11111344
    Abstract: Processes for making absorbent towel paper and soft sanitary tissue paper webs are provided. The processes provide the steps of: (a) providing a papermaking furnish, (b) forming a wet fibrous web having a differential density from the paper making furnish; and, (c) drying the differential density wet fibrous web to not more than about 10% by weight moisture. Step a) provides: i) from about 20.1% to about 99.9% by weight of a softwood pulp fiber mixture; and, ii) from greater than 0% to about 79.9% by weight of a hardwood pulp fiber mixture. Step i) provides u) from about 20.0% to about 99.8% by weight of softwood pulp fiber; and, v) from about 0.05% to about 5.0% by weight of strengthening additive. Step ii) provides w) from about 0.05% to about 79.4% by weight of hardwood pulp fibers; and, x) from about 0.05% to about 20.0% by weight of cellulose nano-filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Mercer International Inc.
    Inventor: Tobias Ziegenbein
  • Method for the production of a film comprising microfibrillated cellulose, a film and a paper or paperboard product
    Patent number: 11105045
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a film comprising microfibrillated cellulose, wherein the method comprises the steps of; providing a suspension comprising between 70 weight-% to 100 weight-% of microfibrillated cellulose based on total dry weight, forming a fibrous web of said suspension, drying the web in a drying equipment wherein the web is at least partly dried at a drying rate above 75 kg(H2O)/m2/h by use of hot air whereby a film is formed. The invention also relates to a film produce according to the method and a paper or paperboard substrate comprising said film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Riku Pihko, Vesa Kunnari
  • Method for manufacturing a packaging material and a packaging material made by the method
    Patent number: 11098452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat-sealable packaging material, the method comprising the steps of: providing a paperboard substrate comprising a top ply, applying a first dispersion barrier layer on the top ply, wherein the first dispersion barrier layer comprises a latex having a first glass transition temperature, and applying a second dispersion barrier layer on the first barrier layer, wherein the second dispersion barrier layer comprises a latex having a second glass transition temperature, wherein the second glass transition temperature is higher than the first glass transition temperature, wherein the grammage of the second dispersion barrier layer is lower than the grammage of the first dispersion barrier layer, and wherein the second dispersion barrier layer comprises pigments. The invention further relates to a respective heat-sealable packaging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Kaj Backfolk, Chris Bonnerup
  • Absorbent structures with high absorbency and low basis weight
    Patent number: 11098453
    Abstract: Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Valley Volume parameter greater than 11 microns and a Pit Density of greater than 25 pockets per sq. cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: First Quality Tissue, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Sealey, II, Justin S. Pence, Marc Paul Begin, Zachary Korkowski, Byrd Tyler Miller, IV
  • Method of producing a fibrous web
    Patent number: 11085151
    Abstract: A method of producing a fibrous web, according to which method a fibrous web is formed of foamed fibre dispersion, by using foam forming. According to the present invention, the foamed fibre dispersion comprises recycled textile fibres and possibly natural fibres or synthetic fibres, or a mixture thereof, in which case, of the fibres in the fibre layer, at least 30% % by weight, in particular at least 50% by weight, is sourced from recycled textile fibres. The present invention generates a product with which it is possible to replace, for example, plastic in bag and package applications. The present product is also suitable, for example, for various textile and furniture applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Paptic Oy
    Inventors: Tuomas Mustonen, Esa Torniainen, Karita Kinnunen-Raudaskoski, Marja Juvonen
  • Material comprising ultrafine cellulose fibers
    Patent number: 11084886
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a material comprising ultrafine cellulose fibers, having good dispersibility of fine particles in an aqueous medium containing ultrafine cellulose fibers. According to the invention, there is provided a material comprising ultrafine cellulose fibers, wherein the content of the ultrafine cellulose fibers is 80% by mass or more, and the haze value of a sample, which has been prepared by adding the material comprising ultrafine cellulose fibers to pure water to a solid concentration of 0.4% by mass, and stirring the mixture with a disperser under conditions of 1500 rpm and 5 minutes, is 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: OJI HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ikue Homma, Takayuki Shimaoka
  • Thick-caliper laminated paperboard and methods for making the same
    Patent number: 11078629
    Abstract: Methods of making laminated paper sheets include winding paper around a flat-sided mandrel to form a flat-sided convolute tube and cutting from the flat-sided convolute tube one or more laminated paper sheets. The laminated paper sheets are alternatives to plastic, wood, and wood-like materials, such as plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and oriented strand board (OSB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Caraustar Industrial and Consumer Products Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Wolfenbarger, Don Ervin
  • Method of making a thermoplastic fiber composite material and web
    Patent number: 11078626
    Abstract: A method for forming a thermoplastic composite material in a papermaking machine, wherein the method comprises the steps of: forming an aqueous fiber material suspension; bringing said fiber suspension in contact with at least one additive, said additive being introduced into said fiber suspension, whereby said additive reacts to form a precipitation product onto or into the fibers, thereby forming an intermediate suspension, introducing, after the formation of the intermediate suspension, a plastic material into said intermediate suspension, thereby forming a plastic fiber composite suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventor: Kaj Backfolk
  • Board with improved compression strength
    Patent number: 11077648
    Abstract: A corrugated fiberboard comprising cellulosic fibers, wherein said corrugated fiberboard has at least one of a geometrical tensile index in the range of from 32 to 65 Nm/g, a fracture toughness index in the range of from 4 to 24 Jm/kg, and a ring crush index in the range of from 5 to 10 Nm/g5 measured at relative humidity of 85% RH; wherein the cellulosic fibers comprises a mixture of less refined fibers having a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value in the range of 15 to 28 and microfibrillated cellulose fibers, wherein mixture comprises said microfibrillated cellulose in a range of from 1% to 5% by weight of the dry content of the cellulosic fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Heiskanen, Seppo Lampainen, Jukka Kankkunen
  • Multi-ply resilient tissue products
    Patent number: 11076726
    Abstract: The present invention provides tissue webs and products having improved z-directional properties. The improved z-directional properties may be achieved by providing the structure with a unique three-dimensional surface topography, which increases the structure's Exponential Compression Modulus (K) and Caliper Under Load (C0). By improving both K and C0, the present inventors have also been able to provide tissue structures with relatively high Compression Energy (E), which enables the structures to be calendered at high loads without significant loss of sheet bulk or degradation of strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Joseph Vogt, Mark Alan Burazin, Jeffrey Dean Holz, Mark William Sachs, Priya Pari Bhagat
  • Molded pomace pulp products and methods
    Patent number: 11078630
    Abstract: Composite molded pulp products prepared from fruit or vegetable-based pomace, fibrous paper-based materials, and cellulose nanofiber and methods for preparing the same are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventors: Yanyun Zhao, Jooyeoun Jung, John Simonsen
  • Method for improving fabric release in structured sheet making applications
    Patent number: 11066785
    Abstract: A method is provided for the improvement of fabric release in applications such as tissue and towel making processes. The method comprises applying a micro-emulsion of hydrophobic agents and surfactants to the surface of a structured fabric used in sheet making applications of a tissue machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventors: Davit E. Sharoyan, Doeung David Choi