Patents by Inventor Rodney E. Pollock

Rodney E. Pollock 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: 6287421
    Abstract: A method of adding materials to a web is disclosed. The method includes mixing a material into an air supply for an air knife, directing the air knife onto a surface of at least one of a pair of embossing rolls, and passing a paper web between the pair of embossing rolls. The embossing rolls coat at least one surface of the paper web with the material on the surface of the at least one embossing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Orlin C. Kuehl, Michael S. Heath, Brian J. Schuh, James C. Hornby, Galyn A. Schulz, Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6283018
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an embossing roll used in an embossing process. The method includes steps of passing a paper web between a pair of embossing rolls and preventing or cleaning deposits from the surface of at least one embossing roll. Pressurized air is forced through an air nozzle having an elongated narrow outlet that directs the pressurized air as an air knife against the patterned surface of the embossing roll after the patterned surface rotates out of contact with the web. The air knife extends an embossing width of the embossing roll. A lubricant or solvent may be mixed with the pressurized air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Orlin C. Kuehl, Michael S. Heath, Brian J. Schuh, James C. Hornby, Galyn A. Schulz, Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6250902
    Abstract: An embossing roll cleaning apparatus is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a nozzle having an air inlet and an elongated narrow outlet that extends an embossing width of the embossing roll. A source of compressed air is connected to the air inlet of the nozzle. The outlet of the nozzle directs the pressured air as an air knife against the surface of the embossing roll to dislodge deposits stuck to the surface of the embossing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Orlin C. Kuehl, Michael S. Heath, Brian J. Schuh, James C. Hornby, Galyn A. Schulz, Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 6093256
    Abstract: A method is provided for cleaning a surface of an embossing roll in which the surface of the embossing roll is cleaned by directing pressurized air through an air nozzle as the embossing roll rotates. The air nozzle directs the pressurized air as an air knife that extends for the width of the embossing roll to clean the surface. A lubricant and solvent solution may be added to the air supply of the air nozzle to prevent deposits from sticking to the surface of the embossing roll and to dissolve any deposits that do stick to the surface of the embossing roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Orlin C. Kuehl, Michael S. Heath, Brian J. Schuh, James C. Hornby, Galyn A. Schulz, Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5577294
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a moving web of sheet material. The apparatus includes a Coanda nozzle having an elongated, curved foil and a slit for directing gas at a high rate of speed along the foil. The gas from the foil impacts a layer of air entrained by the web of sheet material flowing in an opposed direction. Impact occurs within a gap formed between the foil and the web which becomes increasingly restricted in the direction of movement of the web. The entrained layer of air is caused to reverse direction within the gap and is mixed with the gas from the nozzle under turbulent conditions to clean the web and remove particulate material such as dust therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5466298
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a moving web of sheet material. The apparatus includes a Coanda nozzle having an elongated, curved foil and a slit for directing gas at a high rate of speed along the foil. The gas from the foil impacts a layer of air entrained by the web of sheet material flowing in an opposed direction. Impact occurs within a gap formed between the foil and the web which becomes increasingly restricted in the direction of movement of the web. The entrained layer of air is caused to reverse direction within the gap and is mixed with the gas from the nozzle under turbulent conditions to clean the web and remove particulate material such as dust therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: James River Paper Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 4643775
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and conditioning a fabric in which pressurized fluid is directed into a restricted and diminishing passageway formed by the fabric and a member forming an extended nip therewith so that the fluid is forced through the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Crown Zellerbach Corporation
    Inventors: Imants Reba, Rodney E. Pollock
  • Patent number: 4597573
    Abstract: A system for handling discrete sheets including a nozzle for simultaneously lifting the sheet from a surface by suction and propelling the sheet in a direction generally corresponding to the plane of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Assignee: Crown Zellerbach Corporation
    Inventors: Imants Reba, Rodney E. Pollock