Patents by Inventor Paul Martin Niemi

Paul Martin Niemi 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: 6899780
    Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Paul Martin Niemi, Daniel James Oshefsky
  • Publication number: 20020036051
    Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Paul Martin Niemi, Daniel James Oshefsky
  • Patent number: 6319347
    Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Paul Martin Niemi, Daniel James Oshefsky
  • Patent number: 6267575
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a substantially uniform distribution of particulate material within the cross direction of a fibrous web includes a conveying mechanism for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material. A transferring mechanism directs the particulate into a delivery gas stream to provide a flow volume of the particulate material a delivery conduit and a delivery nozzle into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing mechanism provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing mechanism controls the flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit and the delivery nozzle into the web forming chamber. A foraminous forming layer is disposed within the web forming chamber for receiving the fibrous material and the particulate material to produce a fibrous web which includes a substantially uniform distribution in the cross direction of the particulate material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Anthony Rooyakkers, David Arthur Fell, Thomas Joel Halloran, Paul Martin Niemi, Martin Karl Olsen, Kenneth Raymond Schueler, Jr., Darold Dean Tippey
  • Patent number: 6207099
    Abstract: A method for forming a substantially uniform distribution of particulate material within a fibrous web includes a conveying step for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material. A transferring step directs the particulate material into a delivery gas stream through a delivery conduit and delivery nozzle into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing step provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber. A foraminous forming layer is disposed within the forming chamber for receiving the fibrous material and the particulate material to produce a fibrous web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Anthony Rooyakkers, David Arthur Fell, Thomas Joel Halloran, Paul Martin Niemi, Martin Karl Olsen, Kenneth Raymond Schueler, Jr., Darold Dean Tippey
  • Patent number: 5906306
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling a continuous web in a continuous processing operation wherein the web incorporates therein one or more stretched elastic-type elements having retractive forces active in the cross-machine direction, and limiting shrinkage of the web in the cross-machine direction to no more than about 5%. Shrinkage in the width dimension is controlled using methods including transporting the web on a sequence of rolls having on their outer working surfaces protuberances which interact with edges of openings in the web, inhibiting lateral movement of elements defining the edges of the openings, and thereby stabilizing the web in the width dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory John Rajala, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Paul Martin Niemi, Donald Joseph Holewinski
  • Patent number: 5704933
    Abstract: An absorbent article includes a fastening system having first and second buttons bonded to an elastic strap member in respective first and second end regions. The straps are adapted to attach to a garment and maintain the garment in place during use. Reinforcement members are provided within reinforcement zones surrounding the attachment locations of each of the buttons. The reinforcement members locally stabilize the strap member near the attachment locations to minimize or eliminate rolling and twisting of the sides of the strap members during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Fell, Jeffrey Mark LaFortune, Marianne Keevill Leick, Lynn Kirkpatrick LeMahieu, Paul Martin Niemi