Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Hermans

Michael Alan Hermans 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: 7303650
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to paper products having great softness and strength. The paper products are formed from one or more paper webs that can be made according to various methods. In one embodiment, the paper web is an uncreped through-air dried web. According to the present invention, at least one side of the paper web is treated with a bonding material according to a preselected pattern and creped from a creping surface. Through the process, a two-sided tissue web is formed having a smooth side and a textured side. In one embodiment, tissue webs made according to the present invention may also be splittable, allowing the web to be pulled apart in two substantially continuous webs with distinctly different properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Mike T. Goulet, Mark Hassman, Rebecca C. Mohr, Jeffrey J. Johnson, Maurizio Tirimacco, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7300543
    Abstract: A tissue sheet having a deep discontinuous pocket structure provides improved durability as measured by the ratio of the cross-machine direction tensile energy absorbed to the cross-machine direction tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Cristina Asensio Mullally, Michael Alan Hermans
  • Patent number: 7294229
    Abstract: A tissue product having a combination of substantially equal tensile energy absorbed (TEA) in the machine direction and the cross-machine direction of the tissue sheet and a significant level of stretch in both directions provides improved perception of strength and resistance to “poke through” in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stephen Hada, Andrew Peter Bakken, Michael Alan Hermans, Jeffrey David Mathews
  • Patent number: 7156954
    Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Edwin Farrington, Jr., Julia Smith Bahlman, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Kristin Ann Goerg, Michael Alan Hermans, Robert John Makolin, Michael John Rekoske
  • Patent number: 6998017
    Abstract: An improved method for imprinting a paper web during a wet pressing event is disclosed which results in asymmetrical protrusions corresponding to the deflection conduits of a deflection member. In one embodiment, differential velocity transfer during a pressing event serves to improve the molding and imprinting of a web with a deflection member. Improved deflection members are also disclosed. Improved tissue webs produced are also disclosed having useful sets of physical and geometrical properties, such as a pattern densified network and a repeating pattern of protrusions having asymmetrical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Michael Alan Hermans, Philip Sim Lin, Kenneth Curtis Larson
  • Patent number: 6991706
    Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web is disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Michael Alan Hermans, Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark John Hassman, Maurizio Tirimacco, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 6953516
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust gas from one or more throughdryers prior to throughdrying to profile the consistency of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Patent number: 6921460
    Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressed tissue machine employing an integrally sealed air press. The apparatus includes: a forming roll; a drying cylinder positioned downstream of the forming roll; an air press positioned between the forming roll and the drying cylinder; a molding fabric adjacent a first fabric such that both fabrics travel through the air press, and wherein the air press is installed to direct a pressurized fluid through the molding fabric first and then through the first fabric; and a pressure roll adjacent the drying cylinder for pressing the molding fabric against the drying cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Patent number: 6904700
    Abstract: A through-air drying apparatus is disclosed. The through-air drying apparatus includes a rotating drying cylinder over which a tissue web is carried and dried. A hood surrounds the drying cylinder leaving an open free end. In accordance with the present invention, an external baffle is positioned adjacent to the open free end of the drying cylinder to prevent external air from leaking in or infiltrating the drying cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank S. Hada, Michael Alan Hermans, Ronald F. Gropp
  • Patent number: 6893535
    Abstract: Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll firmness characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the tissue web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the fuzz-on-edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Clayton C. Troxell, Tammy L. Baum, Sharon S. Chang, James Leo Baggot
  • Patent number: 6887348
    Abstract: Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll firmness characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the tissue web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the fuzz-on-edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Clayton C. Troxell, Tammy L. Baum, Sharon S. Chang, James Leo Baggot
  • Patent number: 6849157
    Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Edwin Farrington, Jr., Julia Smith Bahlman, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Kristin Ann Goerg, Michael Alan Hermans, Robert John Makolin, Michael John Rekoske
  • Patent number: 6827818
    Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Edwin Farrington, Jr., Julia Smith Bahlman, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Kristin Ann Goerg, Michael Alan Hermans, Robert John Makolin, Michael John Rekoske
  • Patent number: 6808790
    Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Mark Alan Burazin, Michael Alan Hermans, David Henry Hollenberg, Richard Joseph Kamps, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20040206465
    Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Theodore Edwin Farrington, Julia Smith Bahlman, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Kristin Ann Goerg, Michael Alan Hermans, Robert John Makolin, Michael John Rekoske
  • Publication number: 20040173333
    Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web may be conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web may be dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like-texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Publication number: 20040140076
    Abstract: Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll firmness characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single ply tissue web formed according to various processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Clayton C. Troxell, Tammy L. Baum, Sharon S. Chang, James Leo Baggot
  • Publication number: 20040101704
    Abstract: Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll firmness characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the tissue web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the fuzz-on-edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide,Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Clayton C. Troxell, Tammy L. Baum, Sharon S. Chang, James Leo Baggot
  • Patent number: 6736935
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a primary drying papermaking process is improved by the use of auxiliary dryers to dry the wet tissue webs to a final moisture of about 5% or less and adjust the CD moisture profiles of the wet and partially-dried tissue webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Patent number: 6701637
    Abstract: A web treatment device is disclosed capable of heating and creping a fibrous web with control systems for uniform operation. The web is pressed between two belts in a compression zone, where is it also subject to a temperature gradient that can assist in water removal. Durable coatings on the press belts can assist in maintaining good performance. The system can be used to apply texture to a fibrous web or drive chemical reactions or other physical changes in the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Charles Herbert Goerg, Timothy Maurice McFarland, Michael Alan Hermans, Paul Douglas Beuther, Thomas Gerard Shannon