Patents Examined by Karen M. Hastings
  • Patent number: 5853546
    Abstract: A headbox for a paper-making machine includes an inlet for receiving a fiber suspension and an outlet for discharging the fiber suspension. The headbox has a plurality of walls including an apron and a pair of side plates. The side plates are disposed at opposite ends of the headbox. The apron is comprised of steel. A beam extends between the side plates and includes opposite ends. Each end is disposed a predetermined distance from a respective side plate when at an ambient temperature (approximately 70.degree. F.). The beam is comprised of steel. A slice lip is carried by the beam. The slice lip is positioned at the outlet and includes a working edge defining an outlet gap with the apron. The slice lip has a pair of longitudinal ends, with each longitudinal end being disposed a predetermined distance from a respective side plate when at the ambient temperature. Each longitudinal end includes a slot extending from and substantially orthogonal to the edge. The slice lip consists essentially of titanium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5851356
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for laterally sealing a drainage gap of a twin-wire paper machine. This lateral sealing has contact only with the lower wire. Between the upper wire and the lateral sealing, sealing is preferably effected by sealing water. Since this lateral sealing is elastic, it can adapt itself to the movements of the lower wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Jurgen Banning, Christian Schiel
  • Patent number: 5851359
    Abstract: A set of ribs in a dewatering device in a paper machine for supporting and/or loading at least one wire in the paper machine and/or doctoring water from the inner face(s) of the at least one wire. The set of ribs includes at least two cross-direction ribs placed at a distance from one another in the machine direction and whose height positions are adjustable. The ribs of the set of ribs are interconnected in pairs by intermediate parts, and by crank mechanisms placed at a distance from one another in the cross direction of the at least one wire so that the ribs are loadable independently from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventors: Samppa Salminen, Aimo Narvainen
  • Patent number: 5849157
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus to produce a layer of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard. A number of cylinders and rollers carry the continuous layer of material along a meandering path. A stationary cleaning tool acts upon the surface of at least one of the rollers and/or cylinders. The cylinder or roller whose surface the cleaning tool is affecting is mounted so that it is allowed to move in an oscillating fashion relative to the stationary cleaning tool in the direction of the axis of rotation of the cylinder or roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Mayer
  • Patent number: 5849159
    Abstract: A multi-layer headbox for the production of a multi-layer web of paper has, for instance, three flow planes (I, II, III), each having a pulp feed device (1.1, 1.2, 1.3). In each flow plane a turbulence generator (3) is provided which opens into a nozzle (4). In it there are two plates (5.1, 5.2) which keep two neighboring streams of slurry separate from each other up to the region of the exit slot (8). Each plate is developed as a flexurally soft plate of plastic, the downstream end of which is metal and has a thickness S of at most 0.3 mm. The plastic and metal have a different in coefficients of thermal expansion of <10.sup.-7 1/K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heinzmann, Wolfgang Ruf, Ulrich Begemann, Thomas Dietz, Frank Fey
  • Patent number: 5849156
    Abstract: A press section of a paper machine through which a paper web has a substantially closed and supported draw including an extended-nip zone and an equalizing-nip zone following the extended-nip zone in the running direction of the web. In the equalizing-nip zone, the asymmetry of roughness is equalized that was formed in the web to be pressed in the preceding press nip or nips, while not dewatering the web to a substantial extent. The extended-nip zone and the equalizing-nip zone are formed between three press components which are interconnected in a compact way so that the extended nip is formed by a press component provided with a flexible mantle together with a press roll provided with a rigid mantle. The press roll with the rigid mantle also forms the equalizing-nip zone together with a smooth-faced equalizing-press roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Oiva Vallius
  • Patent number: 5843282
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus to produce layers of material, such as paper, carton or cardboard, under use of at least one roll that can be heated in a controlled manner, in particular a dryer cylinder, with tubing attached to the end of the roll that supplies the energy necessary to heat up the roll. Bearings at both ends of the roll are mounted to a seating structure. One of the bearings is a freely carrying bearing and the steam supply is rigidly attached to the seating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Schmitt, Thomas Mack
  • Patent number: 5843283
    Abstract: A press roller having a stationary carrier and a roll jacket which rotates past the support surface of the stationary carrier. A support element on the carrier, like a shoe, is pressed against the inside circumferential surface of the roll jacket by a pressure space that is beneath and acts upon the support element to press it toward the roller jacket. The support surface is at least partially hydrodynamically lubricated at the support surface of the support element. The support surface has at least one row and perhaps a plurality of rows that extend in the direction of the press roller axis comprised of a plurality of oil feed points which are separated from one another along the roller axis. The oil feed points are supplied at least partially independently of the pressure space. Each oil feed point comprises a throttling bore. One or more distribution channels in the support element deliver oil to the bores or to groups of the bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen
    Inventors: Joachim Henssler, Josef Muellner, Christian Steiger, Karl Steiner, Wolfgang Schuwerk, Ulrich Wieland
  • Patent number: 5843280
    Abstract: Press device and method for treating a material web. The press device may include a shoe press roll that includes a flexible, tubular press jacket, face plates, face plate bearings associated with the face plates, a carrier axially extending through the press jacket, the face plates coupled with axial ends of the press jacket, and a press shoe device. The press device may also include an opposing element such that the shoe press roll and the opposing element may be adapted to form a nip. The carrier may support the press shoe device and may carry the face plate bearings, and the face plates, during an unloaded state of the shoe press roll, may be arranged inclined in opposite directions to form a press jacket mount that widens in a direction of the nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Schiel
  • Patent number: 5837102
    Abstract: A paper-making machine for forming a paper web from a fiber suspension includes rotatable rolls, an endless forming fabric, and a headbox configured to receive and discharge the fiber suspension. The endless forming fabric is carried by the rolls and is configured to directly carry the fiber suspension discharged by the headbox. The forming fabric includes a monolithic plastic sheet with water drainage holes therein. The sheet has an embossed outer surface with generally rounded projections and generally rounded depressions. Each of the projections has a height of at least 125 microns. The embossed outer surface is configured for contacting the fiber suspension. The embossed outer surface of the sheet is formed using a calender having at least one embossing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Edwin X. Graf
  • Patent number: 5833810
    Abstract: A press section of a paper making machine for dewatering a paper web (W) formed in a preceding forming section in which dewatering felts (11, 28) are applied to both surfaces of the paper web (W) as the paper web (W) travels in a closed draw from the forming section through a first extended nip press (NP.sub.1), thereby drawing a substantial amount of water simultaneously and symmetrically from both surfaces of the paper web (W). The upper felt (11) transports the paper web (W) from the first extended nip (NP.sub.1) to a smooth surfaced center roll (30) where the paper web (W) passes through at least one roll nip (N.sub.1, N.sub.2). The center roll (30) is positioned at an elevation higher than the first extended nip (NP.sub.1) thereby reducing the length of the press section. In a second roll nip (N.sub.2), which may alternatively be an extended nip (NP.sub.3), a press fabric (33) is substituted for the upper felt (11) to efficiently remove additional water. Additional extended or roll nips (NP.sub.2, N.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jorma Laapotti
  • Patent number: 5833809
    Abstract: A twin-wire former of a paper machine, for high speed paper machines whose web running speed is of an order of from about 1600 m/min to about 2500 m/min. The former includes a carrying wire guided in a loop and a covering wire guided in a loop to define a twin-wire zone and an inlet or forming gap between the wires. A pulp suspension layer or a pulp suspension jet is fed into the inlet or forming gap through a discharge duct of a headbox. The former also includes, as a combination, a first forming-suction roll arranged proximate the forming gap in a loop of one of the wires and a second forming-suction roll arranged inside the loop of the wire opposite to the wire inside whose loop the first forming roll is arranged. The forming-suction rolls have suction zones over which the twin-wire zone is curved on certain sectors. In the suction zones, the vacuum levels are arranged adjustable independently from one another, and possibly relative to one another, so as to minimize the unequalsidedness of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Odell
  • Patent number: 5830322
    Abstract: A drainage device and method which provides for drainage from paper or pulp stock on a fabric in a sheet or mat making machine which includes a primary blade and trail blade with a gap therebetween for drainage wherein the size of the gap controls drainage and the primary blade is so configured so as to force a portion of the drained liquid through the fabric to create paper stock activity and disbursement while minimizing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow in the machine direction along with providing reinforcement of CD shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignees: Thermo Fibertek Inc., Smurfit Carton Y Papel de Mexico
    Inventors: Luis Fernando Cabrera y Lopez Caram, Jeffrey P. Bachand
  • Patent number: 5830323
    Abstract: Apparatus for dewatering a fiber web between the wire section and the drying section of the paper machine and for supporting the web between those sections. A first and a second spaced apart long-nip press with a transfer belt conducting the web between the presses. A first dewatering belt carries the web through the first press. A second dewatering belt carries the web through the second press. Both the first dewatering belt and the transfer belt contact one of the top and bottom sides of the web. Both the second dewatering belt and an additional transfer belt for transferring the web to the following drying section from the second press contact the other of the top and bottom sides of the web. The first and second long-nip presses are inverted with reference to each other. There may be an additional transfer belt from the wire section or into the drying section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Grimm
  • Patent number: 5820731
    Abstract: An apparatus in a paper or board machine for dewatering a web carried along a first wire section and prior to introduction of the web to a press section of the paper or board machine. The apparatus comprises a first pair of water removing rolls for receiving the web and the first wire section which include a non-suction water receiving roll which is mounted on a first side of the web and has an open surface for receiving and temporarily holding water removed from the web, and a non-suction smooth surfaced roll mounted on the second side of the web. A second permeable wire section is brought in contact with a side of the web opposite that of the first wire section while passing through the pair of rolls. The first and second wire sections produce a press nip when they pass through the pair of water removing rolls with the web to remove water from the web, the water being removed to openings in the open surface of the non-suction water receiving roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Nils Soderholm
  • Patent number: 5814187
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a pulp slurry of waste paper including long fibers, short fibers and large and fine impurities includes the step of spraying the slurry through a gaseous medium upon a screen to separate long fibers and large impurities from small fibers and fine impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Celleco AB
    Inventor: Roland Fjallstrom
  • Patent number: 5810974
    Abstract: A press section in a paper machine including a compact combination of rolls which form a number of press nips with one another in which water is removed from a paper web. The paper web has a closed draw supported by a press fabric or by a roll face at least between the nips. The press section includes a center roll in connection with which at least two press nips are formed. The last press nip placed in connection with the center roll is an extended nip. The center roll is a roll provided with a circulation system for a heating medium and a heatable outer mantle. An outer face of the mantle of the center roll is heated by means of the circulation of the heating medium to such a temperature level that the dewatering of the paper web in the press nips arranged in connection with the center roll, in particular in the extended nip, is intensified substantially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Valmet Corporation
    Inventor: Jorma Laapotti
  • Patent number: 5804037
    Abstract: A nozzle of a multilayer headbox wherein the headbox includes a nozzle for distributing the stock suspension on a wire. The nozzle is subdivided by at least one machine-wide fin, the fin forming with the nozzle at least two machine-wide nozzle ducts. At least the mean value of the clearance of at least one nozzle duct diminishes steadily in the flow direction, the percentage decrease of the clearance in the fluidically essential area of the nozzle being at least twice as large as in the starting area of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: J. M. Voith GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Meinecke, Helmut Heinzmann, Wolfgang Ruf, Dieter Egelhof, Volker Schmidt-Rohr
  • Patent number: 5798025
    Abstract: Separation and discharge of contaminants and defibration of undefibered waste paper can be effected in a single apparatus which has a generally cylindrical casing, a rotor concentrically arranged in the casing and a cylindrical main screen plate concentrically surrounding the rotor. Stock is separated by the main screen plate into that passing from inside through the main screen plate to outside and that not passing through it. The stock passing through the main screen plate is sent as accept stock to a next process. The stock not passing through the main screen plate is passed through a gap of a defibering section provided by defibration stator and rotor for defibration of undefibered waste paper and is further separated into the stock passing through an auxiliary screen plate and that not passing through it. The stock passing through the auxiliary screen plate is sent back through a circulation pathway in the rotor to inside of the main screen plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ishikawajima Sangyo Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyuki Iwashige
  • Patent number: 5798026
    Abstract: A steam applicator to apply steam to a web passing by the applicator. The applicator is a main supply header and a plurality of profiling steam chambers to receive steam from the main supply header. The pre-heat chambers adjacent the profiling steam chambers. The flow of steam is controlled from the main supply header to each profiling steam chamber. At least one outlet in each profiling steam chamber allows a supply of steam from the applicator. The supply of steam from each outlet can be controlled. The apparatus is compact and has the virtue avoiding condensate dripper onto the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Measurex Devron Inc.
    Inventors: Witold Wacinski, Eugene Kolesniak