Heating, Cooling, Gas Or Vapor Contact Patents (Class 162/207)
  • Patent number: 7691228
    Abstract: An improved process for making sheet from a fibrous furnish includes: depositing the furnish on a foraminous support; compactively dewatering the furnish to form a nascent web; drying the web on a heated cylinder; creping the web therefrom and throughdrying the web to a finished product. The microstructure of the web is controlled so as to facilitate throughdrying. The product exhibits a characteristic throughdrying coefficient of from 4 to 10 when the airflow through the sheet is characterized by a Reynolds Number of less than about 1. The novel products of the invention are characterized by wet springback ratio, hydraulic diameter and an internal bond strength parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Greg A. Wendt, Robert J. Marinack, Michael J. Vander Wielen, Stephen J. McCullough, Jeffrey C. McDowell, Guy H. Super, Gary L. Worry
  • Publication number: 20100043994
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an end part (1) of an air dryer, the air dryer being applicable for drying a pulp web, such as a cellulose web or the like. The end part comprises a fan tower (11), and a roll tower in which a number of turn roll (27, 37) are arranged mainly on top of each other in order to turn the travelling direction of the pulp web in the air dryer, the longitudinal axis of the roll. towers being parallel, and a fan tower arranged at a distance from the roll tower, adjacent to it, comprising a number of fans arranged on top of each other, a single fan being arranged to blow heated air as drying air to a dryer group. The end part further comprises one or more centrifugal fans (14) arranged in the direct vicinity or the roll tower, and a number of end drying means (13) arranged between the roll tower and the dryer group of—the fan of the fan tower, to which end drying means drying air is supplied with said centrifugal fan or fans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Metso Paper, Inc
    Inventors: Pertti Hikkilä, Johan Lindholm, Markku Laitonen, Richard Solin
  • Patent number: 7666276
    Abstract: A paper machine includes a dryer and a reel; at least one blow box located between the dryer and the reel; and a blower supplying a source of dry air to the at least one blow box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Kenneth J. Zwick, Peter J. Allen
  • Patent number: 7662260
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a structured fiber web including the steps of pressing a fiber web onto an imprinting fabric by way of a first pressure field, thereby pre-imprinting the fiber web, the fiber web having a dry content of less than approximately 35%, and subsequently pressing the fiber web onto the imprinting fabric by way of a further pressure field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Thoroe-Scherb, Harald Schmidt-Hebbel, Jeffrey Herman
  • Publication number: 20090283234
    Abstract: A method for drying a fibrous web, particularly a paper, cardboard or tissue web whereby the moving fibrous web is treated with got air in the area of a pre-definable drying zone the fibrous web is treated, at leas in some areas inside the drying zone with steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Luiz C. Da Silva, Thomas Scherb, Peter Kahl, Frank Wegehaupt, Dieter Muller
  • Patent number: 7611605
    Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. This provides the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Edward Joseph VanRengen, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Jerome Steven Veith, Ralph Lee Anderson, Michael William Veith
  • Publication number: 20090260772
    Abstract: An air stabilization system employing two parallel, opposite facing Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at opposite directions, subjects the moving web to opposing forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is parallel to the path of the moving web. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the flow, pressure and other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Tamer Mark Alev, Glen John Visser, Salvatore Chirico, Ron Beselt, Michael Kon Yew Hughes
  • Publication number: 20090260771
    Abstract: An air stabilization system employing two substantially parallel, codirectional Coanda nozzles, that are positioned adjacent a flexible moving web, with each nozzle exhausting gas at the same downstream machine direction, subjects the moving web to shear forces effective to stabilize the web. Each nozzle includes an elongated slot that is substantially perpendicular to the path of the moving web and a backstep located downstream of the direction of airflow extending from the Coanda slot. The two Coanda nozzles serve as separate points along the machine direction for controlling the height of the moving web. By modulating the velocities or other parameters of gases exiting the Coanda nozzles, the shape of the moving web between the nozzles can be manipulated to present a planar contour for measurements. The air stabilization system can be incorporated into a scanner head to measure the caliper of paper, plastic, and other flexible web products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Tamer Mark Alev, Salvatore Chirico
  • Publication number: 20090194245
    Abstract: A clothing for supporting a wet paper web for dewatering is provided, comprising a dewatering fabric extending in a machine direction and formed only from a woven material to have a single, substantially consistent, permeability. A pair of laterally-spaced strip portions extend along the dewatering fabric in the machine direction, with each being substantially and consistently impermeable to air and forming a substantially and consistently smooth non-water-retaining surface. The strip portions define a permeable web-carrying portion of the dewatering fabric therebetween, wherein the paper web carried thereby extends over the entire width thereof. The permeable web-carrying portion allows air to flow therethrough, exclusively of the impermeable strip portions, such that the wet paper web carried only by the permeable web-carrying portion is dewatered. The width of the permeable web-carrying portion thereby defines the width of the wet paper web dried thereon. Associated systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph R. Pilsbury, Stacie R. Dede
  • Publication number: 20090173466
    Abstract: A steam distributor for applying steam to a continuously moving paper sheet employs one or more drop-out steam profiling cartridges. Each cartridge is connected to a steam distribution apparatus and includes a number of profiling zones that are covered by a contoured, smooth profiling screen from which steam is applied. The profiling screens are welded to baffles which enhances the structural integrity of the cartridge. No external clamps or other devices are employed that would otherwise disrupt the smooth, curved exterior surface of the profiling screens. The spaced-apart baffles also eliminate the spilling over of steam from one profiling zone to the next which has the effect of minimizing the response width for steam profiling control. The use of the drop-out cartridges permits quick and easy removal of the profiling screens for change-out or cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Glen John Visser
  • Patent number: 7531063
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating a roller used in the production and/or finishing of a web of material, particularly a paper web or paperboard web, are provided. According to the method, a roller is heated from the outside by a heated gas. The apparatus is configured to heat a roller used in the production and/or finishing of a web of material according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Fabian Döling
  • Patent number: 7503998
    Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet is provided which includes dewatering a papermaking furnish and partially drying the web without wet-pressing before applying it to a translating transfer surface moving at a first speed. The process further includes fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric, the creping step occurring under pressure in a 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 surface and redistributed on the creping fabric. After creping, the web is dried, preferably with a plurality of can dryers to a consistency of at least about 90 percent while it is held in the creping fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Frank C. Murray, Greg A. Wendt
  • Patent number: 7476294
    Abstract: A permeable belt, a belt press including a roll having an exterior surface and the permeable belt, and a method of drying or pressing a web with the permeable belt. The permeable belt can be tensioned to at least 30 KN/m. A side of the permeable belt has an open area of at least approximately 25% and a contact area of at least approximately 25%. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Herman, Thomas Thoroee Scherb, Luiz Carlos Silva, Hubert Walkenhaus
  • Patent number: 7476293
    Abstract: System for drying a tissue or hygiene web. The system includes a permeable structured fabric carrying the web over a drying apparatus. A permeable dewatering fabric contacts the web and is guided over the drying apparatus. A mechanism is used to apply pressure to the permeable structured fabric, the web, and the permeable dewatering fabric at the drying apparatus. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Jeffrey Herman, Thomas Thoroee Scherb, Luiz Carlos Silva, Hubert Walkenhaus
  • Patent number: 7468117
    Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. In particular, the process is directed to transferring a wet web from a transfer surface to a separate conveyor, such as a fabric. The process, in one embodiment, may include the steps of partially dewatering a tissue web, subjecting the web to at least one deflection against a fabric, such as a coarse fabric, and then creping the web. During the process, after being dewatered, the tissue web is transferred from a transfer surface to the fabric while subjecting the wet tissue web to temperatures and pressures sufficient to cause gases to evolve from liquids associated with the web. The gases form in between the tissue web and the transfer surface facilitating transfer of the web onto the fabric. In one particular embodiment, for example, gases are evolved by heating the wet web and then subjecting the web to a suction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: Craig A. Blodgett, Paul D. Beuther
  • Patent number: 7459062
    Abstract: Dryer section for drying a fibrous web supported by at least one drying fabric. The dryer section includes a plurality of heated drying cylinders, a plurality of guide rolls, and a plurality of dampening devices arranged at different locations relative to the fibrous web. Each dampening device applies a quantity of liquid to the fibrous web. In at least in one of the plurality of dampening devices, the quantity of the liquid is adjustable separately in zones transversely with respect to a web running direction. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Mayer, Markus Oechsle, Antje Stein, Frank Wegehaupt
  • Patent number: 7442279
    Abstract: A method of making paper comprising over drying the paper web by a dryer; transporting the paper web to a reel; and supplying dry air adjacent at least a portion of the paper web's travel path from the dryer to the reel. A paper machine comprising a dryer and a reel; at least one blow box located between the dryer and the reel; and a blower supplying a source of dry air to the at least one blow box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hermans, Kenneth J. Zwick, Peter J. Allen
  • Patent number: 7429311
    Abstract: A method and assembly is disclosed for moistening a web of paper or paperboard, the assembly comprising a steam blow cavity open toward a moving web (1). The steam blow cavity houses spray nozzles (5, 6, 7) at least for injecting steam into the cavity so as to form a steam atmosphere therein. Additionally, the steam blow cavity houses spray nozzles (5, 6, 7) for spraying a mist of a heated liquid onto the web (1) within the thus formed steam atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Reijo Pietikäinen, Henri Vaittinen, Heikki Kettunen, Markku Kojo
  • Patent number: 7419569
    Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a throughdrying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the throughdrying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the throughdrying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Cristina Asensio Mullally, Stephanie Lee Berube, Frank Stephen Hada, Lacey Leigh Hansen, Jeffrey David Mathews
  • Patent number: 7419571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the temperature of a web, which is formed from cellulosic pulp and is to be passed to a dryer, by way of applying temperature-controlled liquid to the web. According to the invention, the thus formed web is passed into a closed space defined by two wires and side deckles, wherein temperature-controlled liquid is applied at controlled pressure and flow rate through the wire to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Vesa Sakari
  • Patent number: 7416637
    Abstract: A low-compaction method of making an absorbent cellulosic web includes: forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish; dewatering the nascent web to a consistency of from about 10 to about 30 percent on a foraminous forming support traveling at a first speed; rush-transferring the web at a consistency of from 10 to about 30 percent to an open texture fabric traveling at a second speed slower than the first speed of the forming support; further dewatering the web on the impression fabric to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent by way of (i) combining the open texture fabric bearing said web with a fluid distribution membrane and an anti-rewet felt as the three pass through a nip into a pressure chamber defined in part by a plurality of nip rolls, the fluid distribution membrane bearing against the side of the open texture fabric away from the web, with the anti-rewet felt bearing against the web, and (ii) applying a pneumatic pressure gradient from the distributor membrane through the web ther
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Frank C. Murray, Greg A. Wendt
  • Patent number: 7413629
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for producing a deep-nested embossed paper products. The invention relates to a process for producing a deep-nested embossed paper products comprising one or more plies of paper where the resulting embossed ply or plies of paper comprise a plurality of embossments having an average embossment height of at least about 650 ?m and have a high finished product wet burst strength relative to the unembossed wet strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Fisher, Donn Nathan Boatman, David Mark Rasch, Nicholas Jerome Wilke, II
  • Patent number: 7407562
    Abstract: The moisture profile and/or moisture gradient of a paper web of at least SC quality paper is controlled in a paper machine comprising a calender (1) which has at least two roll stacks (21, 22; 31, 32), one stack has at least three rolls and another has at least five rolls. The web is moisturized to a desired pre-moisture content M1 by a pre-moisturizer (7) before the calender. At least one intermediate moisturizer (3) is arranged between two roll stacks moisturizes the web to a desired intermediate moisture content M2 before the last roll stack (31, 32), in which the web is dried to a desired final moisture value M3. For continuously controlling and optimizing the moisture profile and/or moisture gradient of the web, the pre-moisturizing W1 of the web is controlled by a pre-moisturizer (7) control parameter which corresponds to the final moisture value M3 of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Antti Heikkinen, Harri Kuosa, Pekka Linnonmaa, Hannu Lätti, Markku Kyytsönen, Markko Jaakkola
  • Patent number: 7399379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet structure for electrical insulation or flame resistance comprising a barrier ply having a mica-rich face and a mica-poor face and a reinforcing ply containing a saturable backing layer attached to the mica-poor face of the barrier ply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Mikhail R. Levit, Laurence N. Bascom
  • Patent number: 7387064
    Abstract: A paper web moistened in a paper machine and reeled on a machine reel is calendered in a multinip calender arranged apart from the paper machine, whose roll assembly is formed of a first set of rolls and a second set of rolls in the travel direction of the paper web. At least one surface of the paper web is moistened with at least one pre-moisturizer, whereafter the paper web is guided to the first calender nip of the first set of rolls and one surface of the paper web is moistened with at least one intermediate moisturizer, whereafter the paper web is guided to the first calender nip of the second set of rolls, wherein a paper web having a roughness of 1.0-1.1 ?m and/or gloss of 54-57% or 56-60% is produced as a result of calendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka Linnonmaa, Hannu Lätti, Markku Kyytsönen
  • Patent number: 7357847
    Abstract: A device for drying a paper web includes a structured fabric for carrying the paper web rests during the drying process. A single roll unit includes a suction roll for dewatering the paper web and a press roll for securing the paper web to the structured fabric. The paper web is dried by hot air while on a drying drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Andritz AG
    Inventor: Harald Weigant
  • Patent number: 7351309
    Abstract: A roll in a paper or board machine has a roll frame or center shaft (15) with bearings mounted at its ends and a groove-like surface structure (10). There is a contact between the surface structure and the center shaft so that an essentially closed structure is formed. The roll produces a vacuum that keeps the web attached to the outer surface of a fabric in the fabric wrap area of the roll circle by utilizing the boundary layer airflows of the surface structure flow and/or of the web. A dryer group has at least one contact dryer cylinder and at least one turning roll with a single fabric run arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Matti Kurki, Pekka Martikainen
  • Publication number: 20080035291
    Abstract: A ticket stock and manufacturing process wherein a pulp is formulated from a blend of recycled printed papers, with added starch for enhancing sheet stiffness and reducing linting and dusting on cut edges of the stock. A preferred pulp comprises a blend of printed solid bleached sulfate plate stock, printed white groundwood-free paper, and printed groundwood paper such as printed newsprint or the like. In one embodiment, the blend comprises about 25-50 wt. % printed solid bleached sulfate plate stock, about 15-40 wt. % printed white groundwood-free paper, and about 15-40 wt. % printed groundwood paper. The printed papers are repulped with minimal mechanical refining, treated with steam injection for hydrating and softening the fibers and breaking up inks into fine particles, and formed into a web that is pressed, dried, and soft calendered. The caliper of the resulting stock is about 7 to 9 points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Harris J. Bacon, Matthew Meister
  • Patent number: 7326319
    Abstract: A method for pre-calendering a board web is provided and comprises passing the board web in a pre-calendering process through at least one hard nip, formed by a metal roll and a counter roll, and through at least one long nip, formed by a thermo roll and a long-nip roll or a long-nip belt assembly. The surface of the board web is moistened with water prior to the board web passing through the at least one hard nip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Matti Lares, Mikko Tani
  • Publication number: 20080023166
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for the production and/or treatment of strip or sheet material (20), particularly paper or cardboard, which is connected to at least one associated fuel cell (26) such that the thermal energy produced by the fuel cell unit (26) can be supplied to the machine as operating energy. Thermal energy produced by the fuel cell (26) can be supplied to at least one heating section (10) of the machine, said section being embodied in such a way that it can heat or be heated during an operating state of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Roland Mayer, Ulrich Begemann
  • Patent number: 7320744
    Abstract: A multiple-nip calender has a set of rolls (2) with roll nips (N) between the rolls. A moistening arrangement has a roll means (3) for moistening the fibre web comprising a damping unit (33) and rolls (32) guiding the fibre web (W). The roll means is located in a pocket (7) adjacent to the line (L) of the aligned set of rolls, the pocket being formed by a space defined by the fibre web (W), one idle roll (5) in the set of rolls and said roll means (3), the fibre web contacting said roll at two locations, in roll nips located on opposite sides of the roll mantle when viewed from the longitudinal axis of the roll, and circulating around the roll means (3). The fibre web (W) contacts said roll in the set of rolls preferably in the roll nip immediately preceding a reversing nip (N;N3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Hannu Pullinen, Jorma Haag
  • Patent number: 7294239
    Abstract: An apparatus for dewatering a fiber web in a paper machine includes a heated drying surface, a permeable fabric carrying the fiber web, and a condensing region adjacent a portion of the permeable fabric on a side opposite the fiber web. The fiber web is interposed between and contacts each of the heated drying surface and the permeable fabric. The condensation region has: a) a temperature which is less than a temperature of the permeable fabric; and/or b) a pressure which is greater than an ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Lomic, Jeffrey Herman, Thomas Thoröe Scherb
  • Patent number: 7294235
    Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for applying steam from a steam source to a moving web to thereby improve the smoothness and gloss of the web. A housing has at least one cooling chamber upstream and at least one steam chamber downstream. The cooling air in the cooling chamber is used to cool the web before steam is applied to the web from the steam chamber. This allows a sufficient volume of steam to be delivered to the web to thereby raise its moisture content to a desired level to thus achieve optimized calendering of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert G. Hamel
  • Patent number: 7282232
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of producing a porous bonded fibrous sheet material comprising: (i) treating a porous fibrous substrate which is comprised of cellulosic fibers and which has a moisture content of less than 10% by weight with a gum and a cross-linkable wet strength resin both dissolved in water; (ii) removing excess water; and (iii) effecting cross-linking of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventors: John Edward Rose, Glynn Arthur Wardle
  • Patent number: 7229528
    Abstract: Papermaking processes and more particularly to papermaking processes for foreshortening fibrous structures are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Vinson, John Allen Manifold, Michael Scott Prodoehl, Jonathan Andrew Ficke, James Edwin Cartledge, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7192507
    Abstract: Machine for producing a fibrous material web and process for guiding the web through the machine. The machine includes a wire section, a drying section, arranged downstream of the wire section with regard to a web travel direction, having at least one free web draw, a first and second shoe press separated in the web travel direction, and an upper felt and a lower transfer belt arranged to guide the fibrous material web through the second shoe press. The lower transfer belt is structured and arranged to transfer the fibrous material web to the drying section, and the material web is guided in a closed draw from the wire section to a first free web draw, with regard to the web travel direction, in the drying section. At least one high-performance drying device is positioned before the first free web draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Begemann
  • Patent number: 7192506
    Abstract: A dry end of a tissue machine is made shorter by close-coupling a reel-up to the drying section and supporting the web from the drying section to the reel-up by a foil or a belt such that web stability is maintained, thus allowing high-speed operation. The foil's downstream edge can form a nip with the paper roll and nip load can be controlled by controlling pivotal movement of the foil. The reel-up can include a calendering belt for calendering the web as it passes through a nip between the belt and a reel drum supported on the belt, and a rotatable reel spool on which a paper roll is wound in nipping engagement with the reel drum. Alternatively, the reel drum can be eliminated and the paper roll can be supported on the belt. A composite shaftless core for winding is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Anders Tommy Lindén
  • Patent number: 7186317
    Abstract: A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process includes the step of partially dewatering a tissue web and then subjecting the web to multiple deflections against fabrics prior to drying the tissue web. For instance, in one embodiment, the tissue web is deflected multiple times in between two opposing fabrics. The tissue web can be deflected against the fabrics under sufficient pressure to cause the tissue web to mold against the fabrics. By deflecting the tissue web multiple times, rearrangement of the papermaking fibers contained in the tissue web occurs increasing the bulk of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Beuther, Frank Druecke, Jeffrey Holz
  • Patent number: 7169259
    Abstract: A dry end of a tissue machine is made shorter by close-coupling a reel-up to the drying section and supporting the web from the drying section to the reel-up by a foil or a belt such that web stability is maintained, thus allowing high-speed operation. The foil's downstream edge can form a nip with the paper roll and nip load can be controlled by controlling pivotal movement of the foil. The reel-up can include a calendering belt for calendering the web as it passes through a nip between the belt and a reel drum supported on the belt, and a rotatable reel spool on which a paper roll is wound in nipping engagement with the reel drum. Alternatively, the reel drum can be eliminated and the paper roll can be supported on the belt. A composite shaftless core for winding is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventor: Anders Tommy Lindén
  • Patent number: 7166189
    Abstract: The roll properties of tissue sheets are improved either by imparting cross-machine direction dominant bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue by using specially woven transfer fabrics and/or by offsetting recurring surface features of the sheet relative to the surface features of adjacent sheets within the roll, such as by providing a throughdryer fabric with an offset seam. Both techniques provide the resulting tissue sheets with improved capabilities for providing an improved combination of roll bulk and roll firmness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Edward Joseph VanRengen, Kenneth Curtis Larson, Jerome Steven Veith, Ralph Lee Anderson, Michael William Veith
  • Patent number: 7160418
    Abstract: An improved process for making sheet from a fibrous furnish includes: depositing the furnish on a foraminous support; compactively dewatering the furnish to form a nascent web; drying the web on a heated cylinder; creping the web therefrom and throughdrying the web to a finished product. The microstructure of the web is controlled so as to facilitate throughdrying. The product exhibits a characteristic throughdrying coefficient of from 4 to 10 when the airflow through the sheet is characterized by a Reynolds Number of less than about 1. The novel products of the invention are characterized by wet springback ratio, hydraulic diameter and an internal bond strength parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Edwards, Greg A. Wendt, Robert J. Marinack, Michael J. Vander Wielen, Stephen J. McCullough, Jeffrey C. McDowell, Guy H. Super, Gary L. Worry
  • Patent number: 7153390
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a cellulosic paper product is provided. The process comprises forming an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers; introducing sodium bicarbonate into the aqueous suspension; depositing the aqueous suspension onto a sheet-forming fabric to form a wet web; and dewatering and drying the wet web. The process of the present invention provides cellulosic paper products exhibiting a reduced malodor upon re-wetting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Tameka Spence, Ralph Anderson
  • Patent number: 7141142
    Abstract: Papermaking fabrics, particularly those fabrics useful for making tissue and towel products, can be modified to alter their structure, such as surface texture, and re-used to make a different product. The fabrics can be modified after removal from the paper machine or while on the paper machine, including while the machine is running, so that down time between making different products can be eliminated or greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Andrew Peter Bakken, Irene Beatrice Strohbeen
  • Patent number: 7125470
    Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisitions and Commercialization
    Inventors: Peter A. Graef, Colin Elston, Daniel T. Bunker, Fred B. Howard, Jeffrey D. Mathews, Shahrokh A. Naieni, Charles E. Miller
  • Patent number: 7037407
    Abstract: A paper web is calendered by passing the paper web through a nip formed by a heatable thermo roll and a backing roll. The surface temperature of the thermo roll is above the glass transition range of the paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Pekka Koivukunnas, Kaj Fabritius
  • Patent number: 6977028
    Abstract: A method of drying a paper web is provided. The method utilizes a dryer, such as a through-dryer, having a first dryer section and a second dryer section. Within the first dryer section, a relatively wet paper web is dried at an elevated temperature, such as between about 400° F. to about 500° F. After being dried by the first dryer section, the web is relatively dry and is further dried by the second dryer section at a reduced temperature, such as between about 300° F. to about 400° F. A variety of control techniques can also be utilized to control the temperature of each dryer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell F. Ross, Jark C. Lau
  • Patent number: 6972073
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveying and guiding a lead-in strip in a paper machine, in which method a lead-in strip is directed over a run of a conveyor in the paper machine and a longitudinal vacuum effect is produced across the run of the conveyor in the direction of moment of the run of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Jukka Autio
  • Patent number: 6962296
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to use steam to atomize water to produce a mixture of moisture and heat for application to the web of a paper machine for both production improvement and paper quality control. The method allows independent droplet size and heat control in the mixture, resulting in flexibility that can not be offered by conventional steam showers or water spray systems individually. In one embodiment the apparatus consists of a plurality of actuator nozzle modules which control the water volume flow feeding the nozzle through a pneumatic pressure signal. Pressurized steam feeding the nozzle is used to break the water into fine droplets. The resulting nozzle spray is a mixture of moisture in fine water droplets and steam vapor, and heat stored in the steam. Alternatively, a plurality of steam valves can be used to regulate the steam volume flow feeding each atomizing nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. Hamel, Geoffrey Arthur Jones, Shizhong Duan
  • Patent number: 6953516
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust gas from one or more throughdryers prior to throughdrying to profile the consistency of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Frank Stephen Hada
  • Patent number: 6916405
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for drying a material web. The process includes guiding the material web to at least one heated area having a jacket surface of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 4-10 meters, setting the material web, having a dry content of between about 45-55%, onto the at least one heated area, maintaining the material web in uninterrupted contact with the at least one heated area at least until the material web achieves a firmness sufficient for detaching the material web from the heated area, and detaching the material web from the at least one heated area with a dry content of between about 55%-65%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Wolf, Markus Oechsle, Wolfgang Mayer, Thomas Mack, Roland Mayer