Patents by Inventor Lowell E. Thoms

Lowell E. Thoms 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).

  • Method and apparatus for slitting a sheet material web
    Patent number: 6561064
    Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a sheet material web as it is wound onto a roll including at least one winding drum supporting the web, a moveably reel spool positioned in a parallel and spaced apart relationship with the winding drum, a slitting device and a control system. The slitting device includes a track member and a slitting member moveably mounted on the track member. The slitting member continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as it is wound onto the roll. The control system controls the position of the slitting member on the track so as to maintain a predetermined penetration of the slitting member within the roll as the roll increases in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Randall J. LeValley, James M. Perkins, Lowell E. Thoms
  • Method for penetrating a sheet material web
    Patent number: 6244145
    Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a sheet material web being carried on a fabric. The apparatus including a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the sheet material web from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring the web into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the sheet material web into contact with a slitting member such that it continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as the fabric carries the sheet material web beneath it. In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized air stream is directed to a bottom portion of the sheet material web so as to separate the web from the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Lowell E. Thoms
  • Assembly for modifying a sheet material web
    Patent number: 6227089
    Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a sheet material web being carried on a fabric. The apparatus including a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the sheet material web from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring the web into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the sheet material web into contact with a slitting member such that it continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as the fabric carries the sheet material web beneath it. In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized air stream is directed to a bottom portion of the sheet material web so as to separate the web from the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Lowell E. Thoms
  • Method and apparatus for slitting a sheet material web
    Patent number: 6098510
    Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a sheet material web as it is wound onto a roll including at least one winding drum supporting the web, a moveably reel spool positioned in a parallel and spaced apart relationship with the winding drum, a slitting device and a control system. The slitting device includes a track member and a slitting member moveably mounted on the track member. The slitting member continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as it is wound onto the roll. The control system controls the position of the slitting member on the track so as to maintain a predetermined penetration of the slitting member within the roll as the roll increases in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Randall J. Le Valley, James M. Perkins, Lowell E. Thoms
  • Apparatus for penetrating a sheet material web carried on a fabric
    Patent number: 5988030
    Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating a sheet material web being carried on a fabric. The apparatus including a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the sheet material web from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring the web into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the sheet material web into contact with a slitting member such that it continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as the fabric carries the sheet material web beneath it. In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized air stream is directed to a bottom portion of the sheet material web so as to separate the web from the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Lowell E. Thoms