Patents Examined by Jose S. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 6413372
    Abstract: Paper having improved retention properties made by the addition to the papermaking system of a combination of cationic starch and starch phosphate, the starch combination having a select net zeta potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Maliczyszyn, Wolfgang Bindzus, Paul A. Altieri
  • Patent number: 6398914
    Abstract: In the production of de-inked pulp, measuring devices are used to register spectral and/or physical characteristic values of a starting material. These values are then fed to a neural network, by means of which correction variables are obtained for a regulating or controlling device which in provided. According to the invention, the measuring device is used to evaluate at least the starting materials of the production of pulp and/or paper. The evaluation of the characteristics of the raw material used in the production of pulp and paper is thereby possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Herbert Furumoto
  • Patent number: 6193842
    Abstract: A is a process for preparing insulant boards based on mineral and paper fiber by slurrying mineral fiber, binder and customary additives in water, forming the insulant board by applying the slurry to a wire, and drying and consolidating the insulant board, which comprises using surface-active compounds to achieve faster and better drainage of the filter residues to be dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Th Goldschmidt Ag
    Inventor: Manfred Schmuck
  • Patent number: 6190506
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a continuous web on a forming fabric includes providing a pressurized chamber, processing the forming fabric through the pressurized chamber, and distributing a pressurized flow of a slurry having a first composition in the pressurized chamber across the width of the forming fabric to form the continuous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: David A. Beck
  • Patent number: 6165320
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of sizing paper comprising use of a sizing composition comprising: (a) at least one thermoplastic resin selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic rosins having an acid number less than 50, thermoplastic hydrocarbon resins, thermoplastic polyamides and thermoplastic amide waxes; (b) starch; and (c) surfactant. The sizing takes place substantially in the absence of alum or other aluminum based fixing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Bates, Gerard J. Broekhuisen, Edwin R. Hensema, Malcolm J. Welch
  • Patent number: 6153057
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enhance paper and board forming qualities with insert tubes and/or a diffuser block in the paper forming machine headbox component which generates vorticity in the machine direction (MD) which is superimposed on the streamwise flow to generate a swirling or helical flow through the tubes of the diffuser block. Tubes of the diffuser block are designed such that the direction of the swirl or fluid rotation of the paper fiber stock may be controlled and the direction thereof is controlled in such a way to provide effective mixing, coalescence and merging of the jets of fluid emanating from the tubes into the converging section, i.e., nozzle chamber of the headbox. Also disclosed is the effective mixing of the jets generating cross-machine direction (CD) shear between the rows of jets that form at the outlet of the tubes inside the nozzle chamber of the headbox to align paper fibers in the cross-machine direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Institute of Paper Science and Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Cyrus K. Aidun
  • Patent number: 6153053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, absorbent paper in the form of a bathroom tissue, facial tissue, or napkin wherein the cellulosic fibers incorporated in the furnish comprise: (a) at least 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness of less than about 1.2 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average coarseness to length ratio of the fibers in the web is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper having a basis weight of about 15 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Frank David Harper, Taiye Philips Oriaran, John Dennis Litvay
  • Patent number: 6146499
    Abstract: A method and product is disclosed to obtain sheets with increased cross-machine stretch. The method involves the use of a cross-machine stretchable fabric upon which a wet web of paper is placed. The method results in a product having increased cross-machine stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip S. Lin, Michael J. Rekoske
  • Patent number: 6117270
    Abstract: A papermaking belt and paper made thereon. The papermaking belt comprises a patterned framework and a reinforcing element. The papermaking belt may be used as a through air drying belt, a forming wire, a backing wire, a conventional press felt, etc., The papermaking belt has a reinforcing element and a framework extending from the reinforcing element. Intermediate various portions of the framework are deflection conduits. The framework is interrupted and subdivided by synclines. The framework, synclines and deflection conduits respectively impart first, second and third values of intensive properties to regions of the paper made on these portions of the belt. The value of the intensive property of the regions of the paper corresponding to the synclines is intermediate the value of the regions of the paper corresponding to the framework and deflection conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 6106669
    Abstract: A process for thickening a fibrous pulp suspension by guiding the suspension between a rigid first face and a flexible second face that move in relation to each other and form a converging draining gap, where the first face and/or the second face is/are water permeable, and where the process includes providing the suspension to be drained, forming from the suspension a fibrous pulp layer with a solid matter content of at least about 4% on at least one of the first face and the second face, guiding the fibrous pulp layer into the draining gap, applying a pressure differential in the draining gap via the second face to thicken the fibrous pulp layer, the pressure differential being formed by stretching the second face and pressing the first face and the second face toward each other to drain water from the fibrous pulp layer, and transporting the thickened fibrous pulp from the draining gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Gommel, Paul-Wilhelm Sepke
  • Patent number: 6074530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for enhancing the anti-skid or friction properties of a cellulosic fiber, by transporting cellulosic fiber from a machine chest and then to a stuff box and then to a headbox; and contacting a suspension of the cellulosic fiber with an anionic colloidal silica prior to or at the stuff box. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing the anti-skid or friction properties of a cellulosic fiber, by transporting cellulosic fiber from a stuff box to a headbox; and contacting a suspension of the cellulosic fiber with an anionic colloidal silica prior to or at the stuff box. The invention further relates to the products produced by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Vinings Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Tillirson
  • Patent number: 6039842
    Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a low-strength sheet having a width and a top surface and moving in a first direction at a rate sufficient to entrain air. The apparatus includes an airfoil adapted to extend along the top surface of the sheet. The airfoil, in turn, includes:a bottom surface adapted to extend along a portion of the top surface of the sheet;a first surface extending a first distance from the bottom surface at a first juncture;a second surface extending a second distance from the bottom surface at a second juncture; anda top surface extending from the first surface at a third juncture to the second surface at a fourth juncture. The first distance in general is less than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Inventors: Jark C. Lau, Philip Sim Lin
  • Patent number: 6017418
    Abstract: Hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant, single-ply or multiply absorbent papers in the form of napkin, towel, bathroom tissue or facial tissue are disclosed. These humectant paper products are formed by supplying a furnish to headbox comprising: Cellulosic papermaking fiber consisting essentially of recycle fiber, hardwood fiber, softwood fiber, and mixtures thereof; and optionally up to 50% synthetic fibers and ad a softener which has a melting range of about 0.degree.-40.degree. C. wherein the softener comprises an imidazoline moiety formulated in organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated aliphatic polyols, alkoxylated aliphatic diols, aliphatic polyols, aliphatic diols and a mixture of these compounds, wherein the process of adding the softener is controlled to retain a ratio of the average particle size of dispersed softener to the average fiber diameter in the range of about 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: T. Philips Oriaran, Byron E. Burrier, Henry S. Ostrowski, Elroy W. Post, Jacob H. Propp
  • Patent number: 5958190
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a forming wire of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a shower which is disposed adjacent to the forming wire for applying a shower of cleaning fluid to the wire. A blow box is disposed closely adjacent to the forming wire and downstream relative to the shower. The box is connected to a source of pressurized air for blowing a jet of air through the wire for removing the cleaning fluid therefrom. A plate is disposed between the box and the wire. The plate defines a plurality of slots which are disposed obliquely to a direction of movement of the wire in order to supply a multiplicity of pressure pulses to the wire for removing contaminants therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Gregersen, Paul P. Newton, David E. Oldenburg, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski, Jay Shands
  • Patent number: 5914004
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of producing paper pulp from a fibrous raw material. According to the invention, such pulpwood is used in which the content of phenol compounds or phenolic derivatives is clearly, advantageously at least 20% lower than the average content of such compounds in the native grade of the raw material. Advantageously, the content of parahydroxy-benzoic acid (PHBA) is determined from the pulpwood and pulpwood containing low PHBA levels is used as pulping raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Metsa-Serla Oy
    Inventors: Jyrki Kettunen, Jukka Ranua
  • Patent number: 5908535
    Abstract: A method of determining the filler content of paper, wherein the paper stock is examined prior to delivering the stock to the de-watering section of the paper machine, and wherein the volume concentration of particles in the stock that have a size which is greater than the characteristic size of the filler is determined at varying mechanical working of the pulp, and the amount of filler retained in the paper is predicted from the result of at least two such determinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: STFI
    Inventors: Per-Ivar Fransson, Lars Granlof, Mats Hagberg, Matts Jegeback
  • Patent number: 5900117
    Abstract: A papermachine clothing cleaning apparatus has a fluid injection nozzle with an apertured plate (14). The injection nozzle directs fluid onto the papermachine clothing (11) in order to clean the clothing. The areas of papermachine clothing that are adjacent the areas of clothing being impacted by the fluid are located in a press formed by the apertured plate (14) and a body (15) provided at the opposite surface of the fabric (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Scapa Group PLC
    Inventor: Per-Ola Lidar
  • Patent number: 5897746
    Abstract: In a method for providing papers of value with authenticity features, a homogeneous mixture is produced in a defined concentration from a feature substance present in powder form and a gas. This mixture is ejected at high speed from at least one nozzle disposed at a given distance from the paper web and transferred onto the running paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient, GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Attenberger, Dieter Stein, Gerhard Stenzel, Wilhelm Ilgmann
  • Patent number: 5895557
    Abstract: A saturated paper suitable for use in a clean room environment, which paper includes a fibrous web in which at least about 50 percent of the fibers comprising the web, on a dry weight basis, are cellulosic fibers. The paper also includes a saturant which is present in the saturated paper at a level of from about 10 to about 100 percent, based on the dry weight of the fibrous web. The saturant, in turn, includes from about 98 to about 70 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a latex reinforcing polymer having a glass transition temperature of from about -40.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.; and from about 2 to about 30 percent, on a dry weight basis, of a cationic polymer. The saturant is adapted to render the saturated paper durable, low linting, and ink jet printable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Kronzer
  • Patent number: 5888351
    Abstract: A paper making machine for producing a continuous traveling fiber material web includes a roll having a longitudinal axis and two longitudinal ends. Each end has a concentric first circular gear with a plurality of radially outwardly facing teeth. A felt is carried by the roll. The paper making machine also includes a pair of parallel lower elongated racks extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll. Each lower elongated rack includes a plurality of teeth carrying and meshing with the teeth of a respective first circular gear. The roll is rotatably movable with respect to the lower racks in two opposite directions along and parallel to the lower racks and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the roll. A first of the two opposite directions is toward the felt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin X. Graf, William Witte