Patents by Inventor Richard R. Hepford

Richard R. Hepford 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: 6966971
    Abstract: An absorbent printed paper web and methods for making the printed web, the web having a visually discernible larger pattern, which can be a logo, on at least one surface formed essentially only of a paper web and a strengthening, colored bonding material. The printed web having the larger pattern can be made using the same bonding material and process used to print the background pattern. A double recrepe process using an improved Gravure roll may be used to print both logo and background. One method includes using a Gravure roll having deep depressions for printing a geometric background pattern, which can be a cross hatch pattern defining unprinting surface areas between the repeating deep depressions. The Gravure roll can also have shallow depressions in the reverse image of a logo to be printed, where the shallow depressions can have contiguous logo areas much larger than the size of the repeating deep depressions or unprinting surface areas in the background pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Sellars Absorbent Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Sellars, William R. Sellars, Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 6149768
    Abstract: A method of making a bonded and creped type absorbent paper web that has improved bulk to peel strength characteristics includes steps of (a) printing a low density pattern of a bonding material onto a first and a second side of a paper web; and (b) in no particular sequence with respect to step (a), printing a high density pattern of a bonding material onto the first side of the paper web. Steps (a) and (b) are performed so that the high density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the paper web by a distance that is about 166 to about 470 percent of the distance by which the low density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the web. This results in a web that has superior bulk and peel strength characteristics. Another characteristic of the product is that it has a visible depression pattern in one surface, but not the other surface, which creates an attractive aesthetic effect and has functional benefits as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 6129815
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered wiping product that maintains desired characteristics of softness, strength, stretchability, absorbency, and the like. The wiping product is formed from a process using a multi-layered paper web, printing a bonding agent on both of its outer surfaces, pressing the web so it adheres tightly to a creping surface and lightly to a presser roll, and then creping one of its surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Larson, Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 6096152
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to facial tissues having great softness and strength. The facial tissues are made from a multi-layered paper web containing a middle layer of eucalyptus fibers either alone or in combination with polyester fibers. The paper web is made with a debonding agent for producing a web having reduced levels of fiber bonding. Once formed, the paper web is treated on each side with a bonding agent in a preselected pattern. Both sides of the paper web are also creped. In order to create a smooth low friction surface, the paper web is fed through a calendering machine and treated with a friction reducing composition and subsequently dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 5776306
    Abstract: A method of making a bonded and creped type absorbent paper web that has improved bulk to peel strength characteristics includes steps of (a) printing a low density pattern of a bonding material onto a first and a second side of a paper web; and (b) in no particular sequence with respect to step (a), printing a high density pattern of a bonding material onto the first side of the paper web. Steps (a) and (b) are performed so that the high density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the paper web by a distance that is about 166 to about 470 percent of the distance by which the low density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the web. This results in a web that has superior bulk and peel strength characteristics. Another characteristic of the product is that it has a visible depression pattern in one surface, but not the other surface, which creates an attractive aesthetic effect and has functional benefits as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 3940529
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-nested, two-ply, absorbent fibrous sheet material consisting of two webs which each have a plurality of crests and depressions on its surface facing the other web. The crests on each web are positioned between the crests of the other web and are spaced from the depressions of the other web to leave spaces in the sheet material for increased absorbency and bulk. The two webs are joined together at locations intermediate the crests and depressions of at least one of the webs, preferably by mechanical welding in a manner which produces perforations in the sheet material. Also disclosed is the method and apparatus for making the two-ply sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: Scott Paper Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Hepford, Clifford J. Roberts, Jr.
  • Patent number: D383003
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Tissue Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Hepford