Patents by Inventor Dale T. Gracyalny

Dale T. Gracyalny has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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
  • Patent number: 6455129
    Abstract: The invention relates to embossing single-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: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale T. Gracyalny
  • Patent number: 6447864
    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: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20020113109
    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: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    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: 6412678
    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: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020007749
    Abstract: A system for embossing a substantially continuous web of material including a supply for supplying at least one substantially continuous web of material, feeding the substantially continuous web of material, an embossing device for embossing a predetermined pattern in the web material and a takeup device for taking-up the embossed web material; wherein at least one roll of the system includes an elongated core formed of a substantially rigid material and an elongated sleeve formed of a material less rigid than the elongated core with the elongated sleeve being releasably secured to the core such that the elongated sleeve is axially and circumferentially fixed with respect to the core when in operation and can be selectively axially removed from the core. Preferably, the sleeve includes an embossing pattern laser engraved thereon so as to permit the embossing pattern being run by the system to be readily changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: KAMBIZ B. MAKOUI, DALE T. GRACYALNY, GALYN A. SCHULZ
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20010008179
    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: September 26, 1997
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: T. PHILIPS ORIARIAN, GALYN A. SCHULZ, DALE T. GRACYALNY, MICHAEL E. HENNES, THOMAS N. KERSHAW, ANTHONY O. AWOFESO
  • Patent number: 6228454
    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: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Publication number: 20010000737
    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: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Applicant: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Thomas N. Kershaw, John R. Moody
  • Patent number: 5755654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pinch perforating multi-ply web material to increase the perforation ply bond and/or perforation ply bond retention by pinching the multiple plies of web material together and then perforating the material using an anvil and perforator blade design provided on a perforating apparatus. Specifically, the apparatus comprises a roll mounted contoured perforator blade which cooperates with a beveled anvil to produce perforation ply bonds perpendicular to the length of the multiple plies of web material. The desired anvil/perforator blade interface angle between 0.degree. and 20.degree. is provided by beveling the anvil. A 15.degree. beveled anvil is preferred to provide a 5.degree. anvil/perforator blade interface angle. By pinching and bonding the leading edges and other predetermined points of the multi-ply tissue paper together before cutting, the likelihood of ply separation, missing plies and ply mismatch is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: James River Corporation of Virginia
    Inventors: Galyn Schulz, Dale T. Gracyalny
  • Patent number: D417109
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Johnson, Dale T. Gracyalny, Ronald J. Vish, John R. Moody