With Creping, Wrinkling, Crinkling Patents (Class 156/183)
  • Patent number: 7850899
    Abstract: A web is made by first extruding multicomponent filaments from a spinneret and then passing the extruded filaments through a process air shaft. Cold air is directed against the filaments in the process air shaft to cool and aerodynamically stretch the filaments while excluding the entry of other air into the process air shaft. The cooled and stretched multicomponent filaments are then deposited in a mat on a support, and then the mat of multicomponent filaments to a web is consolidated by subjecting it to water jets at a pressure of 10 bar to 200 bar such that the multicomponent filaments fuse together at crossover points and the filaments have a considerable free length between crossover points where they are fused. Finally the web is heat treated to crinkle the filaments thereof and bulk of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Reifenhauser GmbH & Co. Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Bernd Kunze
  • Patent number: 7828931
    Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers includes a mixture of hardwood fibers and softwood fibers arranged in a reticulum having: (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of relatively high local basis weight interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight-linking regions whose fiber orientation is biased along the machine direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby, wherein the sheet exhibits a % CD stretch which is at least about 2.75 times the dry tensile ratio of the sheet. Tensile ratios of from about 0.4 to about 4 are readily achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Stephen J. McCullough
  • Patent number: 7799167
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an embossed crepe paper which can clearly be formed into fine embossed shapes, and is excellent in the fluffy feel and therefore excellent in such as absorbency for fats. As a means of achieving this object, the method for manufacturing an embossed crepe paper, according to the present invention, is a method for manufacturing an embossed crepe paper comprising a step of embossing a raw crepe paper, wherein: a raw paper having a basis weight of 6 to 28 g/m2 is used as the raw crepe paper; and the embossing step includes the steps of: (a) supplying the raw crepe paper with water in an amount of 0.1 to 100 weight % based on the basis weight to thereby put the raw crepe paper in a wet condition; (b) embossing the wet-conditioned raw crepe paper; and (c) drying the embossed wet-conditioned raw crepe paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Kawano Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Suzuki, Yukio Hayashi, Noriyasu Ike, Hiromu Matsumoto, Eri Tamura, Yasunori Endo, Jun Morisawa, Maya Sasaki, Kenji Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20100215996
    Abstract: An end assembly seals a cylindrical electrochemical cell. The assembly includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a gasket having a protrusion that cooperates with the end assembly isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. In further embodiments of the present invention, the end assembly may be produced by insert molding a seal element about the terminal cover and the gasket itself has an E or F shaped cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Wendling, Mark A. Schubert, James X. Wu
  • Patent number: 7744722
    Abstract: A creping aid system for use on a creping cylinder, for example, a Yankee dryer, comprises a creping adhesive and a creping modifier, the combination comprising polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Clearwater Specialties, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen H. Tucker, Douglas S. Smalley
  • Patent number: 7718035
    Abstract: An improved creping adhesive is prepared by first reacting a dibasic carboxylic acid, or its ester, half-ester, or anhydride derivative, with a polyalkylene polyamine, preferably in aqueous solution, under conditions suitable to produce a water soluble polyamide. The water-soluble polyamide is then reacted with an epihalohydrin until substantially fully cross-linked, and stabilized by acidification with phosphoric acid at the end of the polymerization reaction to form a water-soluble poly(aminoamide)-epihalohydrin creping adhesive that is re-wetable and facilitates water spray removal of buildup so as to lengthen the life of the creping blades, with attendant significant decrease in downtime and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Boettcher, Nancy S. Clungeon, Hung Liang Chou, Clay E. Ringold, Dexter C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7704349
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Dean J. Baumgartner, Richard W. Eggen, David P. Duggan, Jeffrey E. Krueger, David W. Lomax, Colin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7700027
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a creping aid composition comprising a film-forming semi-crystalline polymer and a vehicle system comprising a cationic polymer resin, a water soluble anionic film forming polymer, and water, wherein the net Mutek charge of the vehicle system is less than about ?200 ?eq/g solid and the pH of the creping aid composition is greater than the pH of the vehicle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Charles William Neal, Edward Aprahamian, Jr., James Allen Cain
  • Publication number: 20100065052
    Abstract: A heating unit comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A chemical reactant material capable of undergoing an exothermic reaction is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of the substrate. An igniter is in proximity with the chemical reactant material. A layer of adhesive material overlays at least a portion of at least one of the chemical reactant material and the first surface of the substrate. Other embodiments of the heating unit include a first and a second substrate, each having first and second surfaces positioned with the first surfaces opposing each other in a sandwich construction. A chemical reactant material is disposed on at least a portion of the first surface of at least one of the substrates. The first and the second substrates are sealed together to define a cavity containing the chemical reactant material and an igniter is provided in proximity with the chemical reactant material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ALEXZA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
    Inventors: C.V. Krishnamohan Sharma, Mingzu Lei, Karen Wang, Hoi Sze Lau, Ron L. Hale, Reynaldo Quintana, Pravin Soni
  • Publication number: 20100069870
    Abstract: An absorbent pad including: a main body having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, including: a liquid pervious topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet; an absorbent layer disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; a central adhesive element disposed on the backsheet and extending along a longitudinal centerline of the absorbent pad; and an elastic element disposed along each of the first and second longitudinal edges of the main body and attached to at least one of the topsheet and the backsheet; a first wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the main body; and a second wing element extending from the backsheet and laterally beyond the second longitudinal edge of the main body, the first and second wing elements being releasably attachable to an undergarment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Richmond R. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20100006210
    Abstract: A method for providing folded sheet structures comprising selecting an aspect surface, applying a shaping function to said aspect surface to yield a shaped surface, applying a floating point method to obtain a floated surface, and calculating a corresponding fold pattern on a unfolded sheet. The floating point method can be applied reiteratively to calculate the corresponding fold pattern. Machines for folding multifold structures, laminate structures, and micro- and nano-structures are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel H. Kling
  • Patent number: 7604713
    Abstract: The process for the production of crepe paper by adhesive bonding of a paper web with the aid of an adhesive comprising (i) polyethyleneimine having a molar mass Mw of from 50 000 to 2 million, (ii) reaction products of polyethyleneimine having a molar mass Mw of from 500 to 1 million with at least one C14- to C22-alkyldiketene, a monocarboxylic acid, an ester of a monocarboxylic acid or an acid chloride of a monocarboxylic acid and/or (iii) reaction products of polyalkylenepolyamines having a molar mass of from 300 to 1 million with at least one bischlorohydrogen ether or bisglycidyl ether of a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight MN of from 300 to 3000 to a creping cylinder, compression and removal of the crepe paper, as well as the use of the adhesives (i) to (iii) as creping assistants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Friedrich Linhart, Anton Esser, Detlef Kannengiesser
  • Publication number: 20090157036
    Abstract: A process is claimed for making a composite sheet useful for an absorbent article, the composite sheet comprising a wrinkled, patterned elasticized region that comprises a patterned first sheet and an elastic material, the first sheet being patterned with troughs, that are typically compacter, i.e. of higher density, prior to attachment to the elastic material. The troughs are attached to the elastic material. The resulting composite sheet has a uniform wrinkle pattern. Also claimed are specific absorbent articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Mattias Schmidt, Tina Brown, Alexander Eberhard Unger, Alexander Berk, Darrell Ian Brown, Blanca Arizti
  • Publication number: 20090157035
    Abstract: A process is claimed for making a composite sheet useful as topsheet with one or more openings to receive fecal material useful for an absorbent article, said composite sheet comprising a wrinkled, patterned elasticized region that comprises a patterned first sheet and an elastic material said first sheet being patterned with troughs, that are typically compacter, i.e. of higher density, prior to attachment to the elastic material. The troughs are attached to the elastic material. The resulting composite sheet has a uniform wrinkle pattern. Also claimed are specific absorbent articles. Also claimed are composite sheets with a specific residual strain and peel force value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: THE PROTECT & GAMBLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Ekaterina Anatolyevna Ponomarenko, Mattias Schmidt, Tina Brown, Alexander Eberhard Unger, Alexander Berk, Darrell Ian Brown, Blanca Arizti
  • Publication number: 20090136698
    Abstract: Multi-layer films particularly suited for packaging applications, including a core layer, a tie layer made from at least 10 wt % of a first polymer and a service layer, wherein the tie layer is a sealable layer and may provide a hermetic seal when sealed to itself. The films of this invention may be suitable for use in preparing hermetically sealed packages. Optionally, the multi-layer film may have a skin layer and/or a second skin layer. Embodiments may have the advantage of improved seal strength, hermeticity, hot tack, reduced-temperature sealability, and improved packaging machine operating speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Alan Rehkugler, Richard John Schoonerman, Jay Kin Ming Keung
  • Publication number: 20090038744
    Abstract: A cellular composite structure includes a grid having groups of angularly intersecting ribs. The ribs of each group are oriented substantially in the same direction to each other and angularly oriented from the other rib groups. An additional rib defines a composite structure outer perimeter wall and can be differently angularly oriented from the other ribs. A contiguous rib wall is created by segments of ribs defined by rib intersections. The contiguous rib wall bounds a cavity. A multilayer sheet cap member with extending walls to engage the contiguous rib wall is positioned within the cavity. The engagement walls extend from individual sheet perimeter portions angularly oriented to the sheet. The ribs and cap member have pre-impregnated resin. Heating the cap member and ribs activates the resin and co-cures the composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Shin S. Lee, Barry P. VanWest
  • Publication number: 20090025862
    Abstract: Decorative elements and decorative grass provided with a substantially flat configuration which, upon activation, can assume a curled or crimped configuration, preferably at the point of sale or point of use, as well as methods for producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 7442278
    Abstract: A method of making a cellulosic web includes: forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish, the nascent web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber; b) transferring the web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed; drying the web to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent including compactively dewatering the web prior to or concurrently with transfer to the transfer surface; fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric with a patterned creping surface, the fabric creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric wherein the fabric is traveling at a second speed slower than the speed of said transfer surface, the fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency being selected such that the web is creped from the transfer surfac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Frank C. Murray, Greg A. Wendt, Steven L. Edwards, Stephen J. McCullough, Guy H. Super
  • Publication number: 20080202671
    Abstract: Curled decorative mosses and methods for producing same are disclosed wherein the curled decorative mosses have improved bulk and simulate Spanish moss in both appearance and texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 7399378
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Dean J. Baumgartner, Richard W. Eggen, David P. Duggan, Jeffrey E. Krueger, David W. Lomax, Colin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7390377
    Abstract: We demonstrate a new method for joining patterned thermoplastic parts into layered structures. The method takes advantage of case-II permeant diffusion to generate dimensionally controlled, activated bonding layers at the surfaces being joined. It is capable of producing bonds characterized by cohesive failure while preserving the fidelity of patterned features in the bonding surfaces. This approach is uniquely suited to production of microfluidic multilayer structures, as it allows the bond-forming interface between plastic parts to be precisely manipulated at micrometer length scales. The bond enhancing procedure is easily integrated in standard process flows and requires no specialized equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas I. Wallow, Marion C. Hunter, Karen Lee Krafcik, Alfredo M. Morales, Blake A. Simmons, Linda A. Domeier
  • Patent number: 7361241
    Abstract: In order to produce a nonwoven fabric having elastomeric properties spun filaments (1), consisting preferably (but not essentially) of cellulose material such as cellulose acetate or solvent spun rayon, not in yarn formats, are corrugated or crimped in an overfeed process, as in stuffer box (6), into stabilized three dimensional batts. A proportion of filaments (3) of a thermal memory material, such as modified polyester, in a stretched format are included. The resulting batt is then subjected to controlled hydroentangling and a controlled heat treatment to yield three dimensional nonwoven fabrics with elastomeric properties due to contraction of the stretched filaments. Elastomeric memory material activated to shrink by ultrasonic treatment may be used in place of thermal memory material. The elastomeric properties can be adjusted to suit end-use requirements and applications are envisaged in the medical and hygiene areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignees: Fleissner GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Martin Barth, Edmund Hugh Carus
  • Patent number: 7347846
    Abstract: Absorbent pants with a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction and having an absorption core arranged between a liquid-tight cover sheet and a liquid-permeable cover sheet. The diaper pants have a front portion, a rear portion and an intermediate crotch portion, and a front edge and a rear edge extending substantially in the transverse direction and forming a waist opening, two side edges extending substantially in the longitudinal direction and forming two leg openings. An elastic sheet material is arranged at least along the waist opening of the diaper pants and extends at least from the waist opening to the leg openings, the elastic sheet material being secured to the absorption core in a substantially unstretched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Kent Hermansson, Niclas Norrby, Catarina Linnér
  • Patent number: 7156953
    Abstract: A process for producing wiping products and wiping products made by the process are disclosed. According to the present invention, a paper web is treated on both sides with a bonding material. After the bonding material is applied, the web is then subjected to a dry rush transfer process during which the web is conveyed from a first moving conveyor to a second moving conveyor. The second moving conveyor generally has a speed slower than the first moving conveyor causing a shearing force to be exerted on the web. The shearing force decreases the stiffness of the web. In one embodiment, an uncreped throughdried base web is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurizio Tirimacco, Mark Burazin
  • Patent number: 7118639
    Abstract: A method for producing an apertured structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the apertured structured material. In one embodiment, the apertured structured material is a composite material formed by differential shrinkage of a shrinkable second layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, which is laminated to a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer. During the differential shrinkage process, a plurality of slits which are formed in the second layer open to form uniformly-shaped apertures. In another embodiment, an apertured structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Lucille DeLucia, Sandy Chi-Ching Tan, Eugenio Go Varona, Jessica B. King
  • Patent number: 7101612
    Abstract: The present invention provides ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers. The present invention also provides a method of making ion-sensitive, water-dispersible polymers and their applicability as binder compositions. The present invention further provides fiber-containing fabrics and webs comprising ion-sensitive, water-dispersible binder compositions and their applicability in water-dispersible personal care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Lang, Yihua Chang, Franklin M. C. Chen, Paige A. Dellerman, Eric D. Johnson, Jeffrey D. Lindsay, Pavneet S. Mumick, William S. Pomplun, Ligia A. Rivera, Kim G. Schick, Walter T. Schultz, Varsha K. Shah, Dave A. Soerens, Kenneth Y. Wang, David M. Jackson, Douglas Bryan Cole, Barbra Elaine Copsey, Katherine Denise Stahl
  • Patent number: 7045029
    Abstract: A method for producing a structured material for accommodating passage of fluids, particularly high viscosity fluids, through the structured material. In one embodiment, the structured material is a composite material formed of a first layer, for example a polypropylene polymer, having a first shrinkage extent and a second layer bonded to the first layer, for example an ethylene-propylene copolymer, having a second shrinkage extent different from the first shrinkage extent. In another embodiment, a structured heterogenous material is made of a heterogeneous mixture of at least two homogeneous fiber sets or components having different shrinkage extents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Lucille DeLucia, Sandy Chi-Ching Tan, Eugenio Go Varona, Jessica B. King
  • Patent number: 7022201
    Abstract: A composite fabric comprising a necked and creped spunbond nonwoven web of monocomponent fibers hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component that comprises cellulosic fibers. The nonwoven web contains thermoplastic fibers and the fibrous component comprises greater than about 50% by weight of the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Lee Anderson, Eugenio Go Varona
  • Patent number: 6991706
    Abstract: An improved paper and the process of making an improved paper web is disclosed. The improved paper is characterized as having two regions; one is a network (or open grid) region and the other is a plurality of domes. At least a portion of either region of the paper web contains a bonding material that penetrates at least partially through the paper's thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Michael Alan Hermans, Mike Thomas Goulet, Mark John Hassman, Maurizio Tirimacco, Jeffrey Janne Johnson, Rebecca Catherine Mohr
  • Patent number: 6974520
    Abstract: This invention is directed to formation of a creped nonwoven web. The creped web is formed in a creping process using a polymer emulsion binder formed in an alkylphenol ethoxylate-free surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises a combination of a specific active anionic surfactant (sodium laureth sulfate containing 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide) and a specific active nonionic surfactant (a secondary alcohol ethoxylate containing 7 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide or an ethoxylated branched primary alcohol containing 3 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products Polymers, L.P.
    Inventors: Joel Erwin Goldstein, Ronald Joseph Pangrazi
  • Patent number: 6958103
    Abstract: An entangled fabric that contains a nonwoven web hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from staple fibers and is creped. For example, in one embodiment, the nonwoven web is a creped, point bonded, carded web. Excellent liquid handling properties can be achieved in accordance with the present invention without resulting in the poor liquid handling capabilities often associated with point bonded nonwoven webs. In fact, the entangled fabric of the present invention can have improved bulk, softness, and capillary tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 6955668
    Abstract: Absorbent article such as a diaper and an incontinence guard provided with a pair of belt members (10a, 10b) intended to be fastened together around the waist of the wearer by fastening means (11,12) and where said front portion (5), is provided with fasteners (8,9) intended to be fastened to the belt members (10a, 10b), in such a way that the article will assume a pantlike shape, where the belt members (10a, 10b) form a part of the waist portions of the pant. The belt members (10a, 10b) include a flexible laminate of at least three layers of fibrous material bonded together in a bonding pattern having a bonding area of no more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products, AB
    Inventors: Christian Almberg, Liljana Kusibojoska
  • Patent number: 6908524
    Abstract: This invention is directed to formation of a creped nonwoven web. The creped web is formed in a creping process using a polymer emulsion binder formed in an alkylphenol ethoxylate-free surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises a combination of a specific active anionic surfactant (sodium laureth sulfate containing 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide) and a specific active nonionic surfactant (a secondary alcohol ethoxylate containing 7 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide or an ethoxylated branched primary alcohol containing 3 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products Polymers, L.P.
    Inventors: Joel Erwin Goldstein, Ronald Joseph Pangrazi
  • Patent number: 6890470
    Abstract: A fiber composite structural component such as a fitting, bracket, mounting or the like is produced by applying fiber material such as fiber threads or fiber yarns in an automatic circular weaving operation to a core that has at least two sections, to form a fiber material body (6). One core section is removed from the fiber material body when the weaving is completed. The body is then deformed in a mold that has the contour of the finished structural component with at least one mold core section still in the fiber material body. The deformed configuration of the structural component is then impregnated in an RTM device with a resin and hardener followed by curing. Reinforcements may be inserted or secured to the fiber material body prior to the impregnated and curing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Staub, Tim Leeraar, Juergen Filsinger, Andreas Gessler
  • Patent number: 6863764
    Abstract: Scented decorative grasses having an appearance and/or texture simulating the appearance and/or texture of cloth are disclosed, as are methods for making such scented decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to simulate the appearance and/or texture of cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6863762
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fiber aggregate formed by fiber having reforming surface comprises the steps of providing a fiber surface having thermoplastic resin at least on the surface layer thereof with a hydrophilic processing liquid containing polymer having a first portion with more hydrophilic group than the surface, and a second portion having interfacial energy different from that of the hydrophilic group, and interfacial energy substantially equal to the surface energy of the fiber; orientating the second portion toward the fiber surface, while orientating polymer to the side different from the surface of the first group; and forming a fiber absorber by heating the fiber having the reformed surface in the step of orientating polymer to thermally bond the contact points of fibers themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Sanada, Sadayuki Sugama, Shozo Hattori, Hajime Yamamoto, Eiichiro Shimizu, Hiroshi Koshikawa, Hiroki Hayashi, Kenji Kitabatake
  • Patent number: 6846383
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to paper products having great softness and strength. The paper products are formed from a paper web that can be made according to various methods. In one embodiment, the paper web is an uncreped through-air dried web. The web can contain softwood fibers in combination with high-yield fibers. For example, the high-yield fibers can be contained in the middle layer of a stratified fiber furnish. In accordance with the present invention, a first bonding material is applied to a first side of the web and a second bonding material is applied to a second side of the paper web. The bonding materials are applied according to preselected patterns. At least one side of the paper web is creped after one of the bonding materials is applied. The bonding material applied to the creped side of the web can be an adhesive selected that allows the web to be creped at relatively low temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Maurizio Tirimacco
  • Patent number: 6835264
    Abstract: The present invention provides a one or two step method for bonding and creping or double creping a nonwoven web. In the method of the present invention, a nonwoven web is adhered to a creping roll and bonded while on the creping roll. The bonding of the nonwoven adheres the nonwoven to the creping roll in a pattern of the bonding roll. Once creped from the creping roll, the resulting nonwoven web is creped in the pattern of the bonding roll. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped fastener materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Sayovitz, Gregory Todd Sudduth, Charles Edward Edmundson, Howard Martin Welch, Stephen Michael Campbell, Wendy Marie Takken
  • Publication number: 20040238135
    Abstract: A process for making absorbent cellulosic paper products such as sheet for towel, tissue and the like, includes compactively dewatering a nascent web followed by wet belt creping the web at an intermediate consistency of anywhere from about 30 to about 60 percent under conditions operative to redistribute the fiber on the belt, which is preferably a fabric. In preferred embodiments, the web is thereafter adhesively applied to a Yankee dryer using a creping adhesive operative to enable high speed transfer of the web of intermediate consistency such as a poly(vinyl alcohol)/polyamide adhesive. An absorbent sheet so prepared from a papermaking furnish exhibits an absorbency of at least about 5 g/g, a CD stretch of at least about 4 percent, and an MD/CD tensile ratio of less than about 1.1, and also exhibits a maximum CD modulus at a CD strain of less than 1 percent and sustains a CD modulus of at least 50 percent of its maximum CD modulus to a CD strain of at least about 4 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Guy H. Super, Stephen J. McCullough, Dean J. Baumgartner, Richard W. Eggen, David P. Duggan, Jeffrey E. Krueger, David W. Lomax, Colin A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6824635
    Abstract: This invention is directed to APE-free polymer binders formed by emulsion polymerization and having specific peel and cure properties. The APE-free polymeric binders have a peel value, when adhered to a heated metal surface, of 35% to 200% of the peel value shown by a standard APE-based polymer binder control (i.e., AIRFLEX® 105 vinyl acetate-ethylene polymer emulsion) and exhibit a cure profile such that at least 55% cure is achieved within 30 seconds at a temperature required for cure. Wet tensile strength is used as a measure of cure. The peel value is determined by a modified release and adhesion test. Binders having the peel and cure properties described herein can be considered for use in crepe processes, especially DRC processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Air Products Polymers, L.P.
    Inventors: Joel Erwin Goldstein, Ronald Joseph Pangrazi
  • Patent number: 6808597
    Abstract: Methods for making creping adhesives and using them in the creping of cellulosic fiber webs. The creping adhesives are a combination of polyamine-epihalohydrin and poly(vinyl alcohol). The method comprises the preparation and application of the creping adhesives to attain strong adhesion of fiber webs onto a drying surface, and the creping of the fiber webs to obtain a soft, bulky tissue paper web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony J. Allen
  • Patent number: 6802924
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Merker, Ralph L. Anderson, Thomas C. Saffel, James W. Clark, Reginald Smith
  • Patent number: 6797226
    Abstract: A method for forming a wiping product. In particular, the wiping product contains a fabric formed from a nonwoven web that is bonded by microcreping at least one side of the web. The nonwoven web can contain melt-spinnable fibers, such as polyolefins, as well as various other fibers, such as pulp fibers, staple fibers, etc. For example, the nonwoven web can contain at least about 20% by weight of polyolefin fibers. By bonding the web using microcreping, the resulting bulk, absorption capacity, and softness of the fabric can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Patricia A. Annable
  • Publication number: 20040121124
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a sheet of paper comprising at least two crimped cotton-wool-like cellulose plies (20, 40). It consists in: unwinding a first ply (20) in the form of a strip from a reel, embossing it on an embossing unit (10, 12) and forming protuberances at its surface, unwinding a second ply (40) in the form of a strip from a reel, guiding it downstream of the embossing unit (10, 12), superposing the two strips, with their protuberances facing inwards, and in applying a linking means (14, 16) so as to make the two strips integral with each other. Said method is characterised in that immediately upstream of said linking means (14, 16), a tension regulating means (18) is applied in the machine direction on one of the strips, such that the two strips have the same clastic deformation in the machine direction when the linking means is applied. The invention also concerns a product obtained by said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Basler, Pierre Laurent, Gilles Roussel, Remy Ruppel
  • Publication number: 20040121689
    Abstract: An entangled fabric that contains a nonwoven web hydraulically entangled with a fibrous component is provided. The nonwoven web is formed from staple fibers and is creped. For example, in one embodiment, the nonwoven web is a creped, point bonded, carded web. Excellent liquid handling properties can be achieved in accordance with the present invention without resulting in the poor liquid handling capabilities often associated with point bonded nonwoven webs. In fact, the entangled fabric of the present invention can have improved bulk, softness, and capillary tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph L. Anderson, Eugenio G. Varona
  • Patent number: 6751831
    Abstract: A base textile with a camouflage pattern is subjected to hot fluid streams to create flat regions and puckered or wrinkled regions, enhancing the three dimensional characteristics of the resulting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Howard C. Willauer, J. David Strength, William L. McLeod
  • Publication number: 20040112509
    Abstract: A one-step method of making a necked-bonded laminate, wherein the layers of the laminate are formed and laminated within the same process. The method includes forming a nonwoven web, necking the nonwoven web, and immediately feeding the nonwoven web into a laminator where an elastomeric film is laminated to the nonwoven web. The elastomeric film may also be formed during the process prior to being fed into the laminator. Additionally, more than one nonwoven web may be formed and laminated to the elastomeric film during the process. The invention further includes apparatus for carrying out the one-step method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Tod Morman
  • Publication number: 20040001937
    Abstract: A single or multi-ply disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article comprises at least one web layer and has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers. A continuous polymer network defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions is bonded to the web layer. The continuous polymer network is preferably a thermoplastic adhesive. After curing, the thermoplastic adhesive can contract upon heating, thereby creating puckered regions of maximum caliper coincident unbonded regions. The minimum caliper of the web layer is coincident the bonded regions. Methods of making the web of the present invention are disclosed. One method includes providing a first web layer; providing a thermoplastic adhesive; applying the thermoplastic adhesive to the first web layer in a continuous network; curing the thermoplastic adhesive; and heating the thermoplastic adhesive to effect contraction of the thermoplastic adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicholas James Nissing, David William Cabell
  • Patent number: 6620277
    Abstract: Method for the production of binder-bound mineral wool products, in which mineral fibers are deposited on a production surface (13) to form a mineral wool web (12) and are compacted, and their relative positions are reoriented by mechanical action, for which purpose the web is guided on its large faces and at the same time forces, in particular upsetting forces, are introduced into the web in parallel with the large faces, the forces being introduced in introduction regions which are located next to one another transversely to the running direction in zones and in each case at a distance from one another and one behind the other in the running direction in longitudinal zones, and the introduction regions of adjacent longitudinal zones being arranged so as to be offset relative to one another, after which the binder is cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Isover
    Inventor: Johannes Horres
  • Patent number: 6592697
    Abstract: A stabilized creped nonwoven web and a method for producing the same, wherein a creped nonwoven web is thermally stabilized, for example by through-air-bonding or embossing, to produce the stabilized creped nonwoven web. The stabilized creped nonwoven web having increased tensile strength in the machine direction and an enhanced appearance. The stabilized creped nonwoven web of this invention id capable of withstanding a tensile force or load in a machine direction of at least about 2.0 lbs. at 20% strain and a tensile force or load in the machine direction of at least about 5.0 lbs. at 50% strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Daniel Pike, Frank Paul Abuto, James Randall Morgan, Gregory Todd Sudduth, John Joseph Sayovitz