Patents by Inventor Robert L. Clarke

Robert L. Clarke 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: 7807024
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring a continuously advancing paper web from a dryer to a reel section is provided. The system includes a first fabric defining a first moving conveyor. The first fabric may be a permeable fabric, which is positioned downstream from the dryer. A second fabric, which may also be permeable and defines a second moving conveyor, is also included. The first moving conveyor overlaps the second moving conveyor for a predetermined distance, and the first and second moving conveyors are configured to receive the paper web between the conveyors. A vacuum device is rotatably disposed against the first moving conveyor, and the dryer and the vacuum device are disposed relative to each other to form an open draw. The vacuum device is configured to produce a vacuum to attract the web to the first fabric for transferring the advancing web into the predetermined distance where the first and second conveyors overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Thomas G. Neal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7311805
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring a continuously advancing paper web from a dryer to a reel section is provided. The system includes a first fabric defining a first moving conveyor. The first fabric may be a permeable fabric, which is positioned downstream from the dryer. A second fabric, which may also be permeable and defines a second moving conveyor, is also included. The first moving conveyor overlaps the second moving conveyor for a predetermined distance, and the first and second moving conveyors are configured to receive the paper web between the conveyors. A vacuum device is rotatably disposed against the first moving conveyor, and the dryer and the vacuum device are disposed relative to each other to form an open draw. The vacuum device is configured to produce a vacuum to attract the web to the first fabric for transferring the advancing web into the predetermined distance where the first and second conveyors overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Thomas G. Neal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7001487
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring a continuously advancing paper web from a dryer to a reel section is provided. The system includes a first fabric defining a first moving conveyor. The first fabric may be a permeable fabric, which is positioned downstream from the dryer. A second fabric, which may also be permeable and defines a second moving conveyor, is also included. The first moving conveyor overlaps the second moving conveyor for a predetermined distance, and the first and second moving conveyors are configured to receive the paper web between the conveyors. A vacuum device is rotatably disposed against the first moving conveyor, and the dryer and the vacuum device are disposed relative to each other to form an open draw. The vacuum device is configured to produce a vacuum to attract the web to the first fabric for transferring the advancing web into the predetermined distance where the first and second conveyors overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Thomas G. Neal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6740200
    Abstract: A method for directly forming and finishing a web product is provided. The method includes forming a web on a forming apparatus, continuously transferring the formed web to a conveyor, performing a converting step on the web as the web is continuously supported and advanced on the conveyor, and finishing the web into a product substantially ready for packaging. A system for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Seymour, John R. Hanson, E. Kent Isom, James L. Baggot, Steven J. Wojcik, Kenneth A. Pigsley, Robert L. Clarke, Randall J. LeValley, Charles H. Goerg
  • Patent number: 6729572
    Abstract: A rewinder for winding a web to produce a rolled product. The rewinder includes a web transfer device that is used for conveying the web. The web transfer device communicates with a core in order to wind the web via surface winding. At least one pair of rotationally driven end chucks are located proximate to the web transfer device. The end chucks engage the core and the web is wound onto the core via center winding by the rotating end chucks. Also, the web is wound onto the core to form a rolled product by a combination of the center winding and the surface winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6698877
    Abstract: An offset print apparatus for applying a substance to a web is provided. The offset print apparatus has a transfer roll that is capable of being rotated. An ink jet printer is present and has a print head that is located proximate to the transfer roll. The print head has a plurality of orifices from which the substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll. The distance between the surface of the print head and the transfer roll is defined as a throw distance. A web is present and contacts the transfer roll. The substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll and is transferred to the web through contact of the transfer roll and the web. The web has an amount of dust laden boundary air that is formed proximate to the web when the web is moving. The print head of the ink jet printer is not in contact with the boundary air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Urlaub, Robert L. Clarke, Andrew J. Feyen, Paul D. Beuther
  • Publication number: 20040001917
    Abstract: An offset print apparatus for applying a substance to a web is provided. The offset print apparatus has a transfer roll that is capable of being rotated. An ink jet printer is present and has a print head that is located proximate to the transfer roll. The print head has a plurality of orifices from which the substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll. The distance between the surface of the print head and the transfer roll is defined as a throw distance. A web is present and contacts the transfer roll. The substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll and is transferred to the web through contact of the transfer roll and the web. The web has an amount of dust laden boundary air that is formed proximate to the web when the web is moving. The print head of the ink jet printer is not in contact with the boundary air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: John J. Urlaub, Robert L. Clarke, Andrew J. Feyen, Paul D. Beuther
  • Publication number: 20030111199
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring a continuously advancing paper web from a dryer to a reel section is provided. The system includes a first fabric defining a first moving conveyor. The first fabric may be a permeable fabric, which is positioned downstream from the dryer. A second fabric, which may also be permeable and defines a second moving conveyor, is also included. The first moving conveyor overlaps the second moving conveyor for a predetermined distance, and the first and second moving conveyors are configured to receive the paper web between the conveyors. A vacuum device is rotatably disposed against the first moving conveyor, and the dryer and the vacuum device are disposed relative to each other to form an open draw. The vacuum device is configured to produce a vacuum to attract the web to the first fabric for transferring the advancing web into the predetermined distance where the first and second conveyors overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Thomas G. Neal
  • Publication number: 20030113457
    Abstract: A method for directly forming and finishing a web product is provided. The method includes forming a web on a forming apparatus, continuously transferring the formed web to a conveyor, performing a converting step on the web as the web is continuously supported and advanced on the conveyor, and finishing the web into a product substantially ready for packaging. A system for performing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Seymour, John R. Hanson, E. Kent Isom, James L. Baggot, Steven J. Wojcik, Kenneth A. Pigsley, Robert L. Clarke, Randall J. LeValley, Charles H. Goerg
  • Publication number: 20030080234
    Abstract: A rewinder for winding a web to produce a rolled product is provided. The rewinder includes a web transfer device that is used for conveying the web. The web transfer device communicates with a core in order to wind the web via surface winding. At least one pair of rotationally driven end chucks are located proximate to the web transfer device. The end chucks engage the core and the web is wound onto the core via center winding by the rotating end chucks. Also, the web is wound onto the core to form a rolled product by a combination of the center winding and the surface winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Baggot, Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6372091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for beginning the formation of a paper web on a traveling forming wire, or between a pair of converging forming wires, includes a headbox on a papermaking machine for projecting a stock stream onto the forming wire, or between the forming wires over the porous face surface of a forming shoe. The forming wire or wires are looped to travel in a continuous path, and within at least one of the looped forming wires is the forming shoe, which is porous by way of grooves or openings over at least a portion of its face surface. The grooves are in the surface of the forming shoe which engages the inner surface of the looped forming wire to define a portion of the path of travel of the forming wire adjacent the headbox from which the stock stream is projected onto, or between, the forming wire(s). The grooves extend in the surface facing the forming wire from a point downstream of the leading edge in the nose portion of the face surface of forming shoe in the direction of forming wire travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Metso Paper, Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Vaughn J. Wildfong, Jeffrey C. Irwin, Jay A. Shands, Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6306258
    Abstract: A pressurized box is positioned opposite a vacuum box. The pressurized box has a leading cross machine direction baffle with a ceramic shoe which engages a forming fabric, and a trailing cross machine direction baffle of similar construction. Two end deckles complete the pressurized box. The leading cross machine direction baffle presses against a resilient seal which causes a web contained between upper and lower forming fabrics to wrap about the baffle shoe a few degrees forming an effective end seal which does not allow air to bypass the baffle. The trailing cross machine direction baffle is positioned over a vacuum box which prevents air from leaking around the trailing baffle. A vacuum box draws air through the forming fabrics and the web, from the pressurized box increasing the total pressure gradient across the web to 20 to 30 psi or more. The pressure box and opposed vacuum box form an air press. The pressure box is positioned and held against the forming fabrics by opposing air tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignees: Metso Paper, Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: David V. Lange, Roger A. Kanitz, Richard D. Hauser, Patrick W. Murry, Doug A. Rounds, Robert L. Clarke, Frank S. Hada, Michael A. Hermans, Charles R. Tomsovic
  • Patent number: 6143135
    Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. The air press has an air plenum and a vacuum collection device, each on opposite sides of two support fabrics that sandwich the paper web. There are cross machine sealing blade(s) that impinge upon the support fabrics and is opposed on the other side of the support fabrics by a sealing member formed of deformable material. The air plenum and vacuum collection device are movable relative to one another so that the sealing blade and deformable sealing member form a seal in the operating position of the air press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Stephen Hada, Michael Alan Hermans, Charles Robert Tomsovic, David V. Lange, Roger A. Kanitz, Richard D. Hauser, Patrick W. Murry, Doug A. Rounds, Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 6099691
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the forming fabric used on a papermaking machine includes a chamber surrounding a span of the forming fabric on either side thereof. A source of sub-atmospheric air pressure is connected to the chamber for removing water mist surrounding the fabric. Mounted within the chamber is a pair of high pressure-low volume water impingement showers in substantially opposed array for directing jets of relatively high pressure water against the forming fabric as the forming fabric passes through the chamber via slots on either end thereof. In a preferred embodiment, downstream of the pair of high pressure needle showers is a second shower apparatus comprising a relatively low pressure-high volume flooding water shower to direct a water spray against the inner side of the looped forming fabric to flood the interstices of the forming fabric with water to wash out pulp fibers therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Beloit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Jeffrey H. Pulkowski
  • Patent number: 5861090
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for electrochemically remediating soil, clay or other media contaminated with organic pollutants using Fenton's Reagent. In the methods, anodes and cathodes are provided in wells formed in the contaminated medium. Anolyte and catholyte solutions are circulated to deliver iron ions to anodes and to deliver peroxide ions to cathodes in the medium. A potential difference is applied across the medium to cause the peroxide ions and iron ions to migrate toward each other and through the medium. The organic contaminants are destroyed in the medium in reactions with the peroxide ions and iron ions. The physicochemical condition of the electrolyte(s) is monitored and adjusted as necessary to control pH and to permit recycling of the electrolyte to the electrodes. Alternatively, peroxide ion can be generated in situ using an air depolarized cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Electrochemical Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Stuart L. Smedley, Stan Kimmel
  • Patent number: 5846393
    Abstract: An integrated electrochemical soil remediation method and apparatus for treating contaminated soils, especially those contaminated with mixtures of nonvolatile organic contaminants, ionic contaminants and volatile organic compounds are disclosed. Remediation may be achieved by electrochemically enhancing biodigestion of organic contaminants (using microorganisms present in or added to soil), electrochemically removing ionic contaminants and electrochemically removing volatilized organic contaminants by applying a vacuum over the soil being treated, as dictated by the nature of contamination. Physicochemical conditions of the electrolyte and the soil are managed by monitoring and adjusting the electrolyte. Nutritional needs of microorganisms for biodigestion are adjusted as necessary through the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Geo-Kinetics International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Clarke, Reinout Lageman, Wieberen Pool, Stephen R. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5681445
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode useful in bipolar cell stack electrochemical cells where one of the electrode surfaces is patterned with active and relatively inactive areas where the surface area ratio of the active areas of the electrode surface to the total electrode surface is between 1:2 and 1:50. The use of a grid-like pattern of electrocatalytic material over a conductive substrate is preferred. The electrodes can be used for certain redox reactions to favor particular reaction products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Stephen Harrison, Robert L. Clarke, Robert Scannell, Bernd Busse
  • Patent number: 5281496
    Abstract: A particulate composition having improved stability in typical electrolytes consisting essentially of Magneli phase substoichiometric titanium oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Atraverda Limited
    Inventor: Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5173215
    Abstract: A particulate composition having improved stability in typical electrolytes consisting essentially of Magneli phase substoichiometric titanium oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Atraverda Limited
    Inventor: Robert L. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5126218
    Abstract: An improved substrate for battery sustems is disclosed. The substrate is a conductive ceramic formed from a sub-stiochemetric titanium dioxide material. The material preferrably is TiOx, where x is in the region of 1.55 to 1.95. Methods of manufacture are disclosed as well as configurations for battery elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Robert L. Clarke