Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Neider

Thomas M. Neider 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: 6203307
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 6007921
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calendar apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calendar roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calendar roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calendar nip is defined between the heated calendar roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calendar roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 5750259
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert L. Rudt
  • Patent number: 5694837
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 5547509
    Abstract: A coating installation is provided for a paper mill to apply a coating to at least one surface of a continuous web of paper. To reduce catastrophic damage to the web of paper passing through the coating installation, a continuous support belt is provided for supporting the web entirely through and beyond the location at which the coating is applied to the web. The continuous support belt is formed from a smooth dimensionally stable material exhibiting appropriate stiffness and compressibility for a particular coating application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 5546856
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 5400707
    Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Neider, Robert J. Rudt
  • Patent number: 4624742
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring the present and ongoing performance of paper pulp brown stock washers. Black liquor carryover within a washer mat past wash liquor application showers is quantified by determination of and correlation with the mat liquor specific conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Edward P. Klein, Thomas M. Neider
  • Patent number: 4560440
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for measuring the present and ongoing performance of paper pulp brown stock washers. Black liquor carryover within a washer mat past wash liquor application showers is quantified by determination of and correlation with the mat liquor specific conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventors: Edward P. Klein, Thomas M. Neider