Paper Patents (Class 428/153)
  • Patent number: 6716514
    Abstract: A single- or multi-ply disposable article comprises at least one foreshortened, wet-extensible ply that has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers comprising creping ridges, wherein the creping ridges are oriented in a first direction; and a coating bonded to the at least one foreshortened ply, the coating defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions in the ply. The minimum caliper is coincident the bonded regions, and the coating comprises a plurality of mutually parallel lines of adhesive extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Nicholas James Nissing
  • Patent number: 6706410
    Abstract: Disclosed is a soft tissue paper product having two outer surfaces, the soft tissue paper product comprising one or more plies of a tissue paper having a total wet tensile strength of at least about 200 g/in; and a chemical softening composition deposited on at least one outer surface of said tissue, said chemical softening composition comprising a polysilicoxane-polyalkyleneoxide copolymer comprising greater than about 30% by weight of polyethyleneoxide macromonomer; wherein the copolymer has a surface tension of less than about 40 mN/m, has a Ross Miles foam height of less than about 60 mm, and has an HLB of greater than about 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Anthony Horenziak, Ward William Ostendorf, Brian David Douglas
  • Patent number: 6689250
    Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive formulations as creping process aids for producing an absorbent creped cellulosic sheet having a high level of surface-perceived softness that comprises continuously forming a web of cellulosic papermaking fibers, adhering said web to a thermal drying means by means of adhesive compositions comprising polymers having at least one primary or secondary amine group in the backbone such as chitosan, plolyvinylamine, polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl amine and polyaminoamide in combination with crosslinking agents such as zirconium compounds having a valence of plus four including ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium acetate, zirconium carbonate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium phosphate, potassium zirconium carbonate, zirconium sodium phosphate and sodium zirconium tartrate and creping said treated web from said thermal drying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Phuong Van Luu, Cristian M. Neculescu, Dawn M. Mews
  • Patent number: 6663979
    Abstract: A coating for gypsum board includes a binder, a soy protein, and two or more pigments. Two of the pigments include calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate and the magnesium carbonate makes up at least 20% by weight of the coating on a dry basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Subhash Deodhar, Tom Haugeberg, Robert Negri
  • Patent number: 6663942
    Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive formulations as creping process aids for producing an absorbent creped cellulosic sheet having a high level of surface-perceived softness that comprises continuously forming a web of cellulosic papermaking fibers, adhering said web to a thermal drying means by means of adhesive compositions comprising polymers having at least one primary or secondary amine group in the backbone such as chitosan, plolyvinylamine, polyvinyl alcohol-vinyl amine and polyaminoamide in combination with crosslinking agents such as zirconium compounds having a valence of plus four including ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconium acetylacetonate, zirconium acetate, zirconium carbonate, zirconium sulfate, zirconium phosphate, potassium zirconium carbonate, zirconium sodium phosphate and sodium zirconium tartrate and creping said treated web from said thermal drying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Phuong Van Luu, Cristian M. Neculescu, Dawn M. Mews
  • Patent number: 6649025
    Abstract: A laminate wiping product is disclosed. The wiping product includes a first outer ply that has a textured surface. For example, the first outer ply can be an uncreped throughdried paper web having a three-dimensional conformation. The second outer ply, on the other hand, can be a smoother and softer web. The plies are laminated together by any suitable process. In one embodiment, the plies are embossed and nested together to form the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Mills, Rick Behm, Thomas Barta, Laurent Paquot
  • Patent number: 6623834
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicholas James Nissing, David William Cabell
  • Patent number: 6620485
    Abstract: The present invention provides a stable material having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A tensioning force is applied to a neckable material to neck the material. The necked material is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked material. The stabilized extensible necked material is easily extended in a direction parallel to the direction necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Herrin Benson, John Joseph Curro
  • Patent number: 6602387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper tissue, and in particular to facial tissue, and disposable handkerchiefs. Claimed and described is a paper tissue comprising at least two plies, characterized in that the paper tissue has a physiological surface smoothness parameter of less than 700 microns, preferably from 650 microns to 50 microns, more preferably from 650 microns to 300 microns and in combination has a caliper per ply of more than 0.09 mm, preferably from 0.09 mm to 0.5 mm, more preferably from 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm. In one preferred embodiment a three-ply tissue with embossed middle ply is provided. Further is a related process claimed and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Loughran, Hasnaa Agouzoul, Claudia Christiane Bollinger-Krause, Marianne Malmbak, Anja Werth
  • Patent number: 6596352
    Abstract: A method for making decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern which constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. Printed designs or materials and/or embossed materials can also constitute a portion of the decor of the decorative grass. The method includes slitting a material having a three-dimensional pattern on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and then cutting the slit material into segments of a predetermined length to provide the decorative grass having a three-dimensional pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6585855
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6534151
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Merker
  • Patent number: 6517673
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Publication number: 20030021953
    Abstract: The invention provides an embossed sheet (10) consisting of at least one ply of crêped cellulose wadding with a grammage of between 12 and 30 g/m2 of the type with an embossed pattern (16, 18) comprising at least a first series of protuberances (16) formed so as to project from one face of the ply (14) and the density of which is greater than 20e protuberances per cm2, characterized in that each protuberance (16) of the first series comprises a truncated polyhedron-shaped base (28) and a flattened free-end portion (30) with rounded edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Pierre Graff
  • Publication number: 20020166646
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a creped base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces and compressive forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The compressive forces are localized at the areas where the fabric knuckles contact the base web, imparting a unique fabric-imprinted pattern to the web with limited caliper reduction. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Frank G. Druecke, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen
  • Publication number: 20020148579
    Abstract: The invention concerns a cotton-wool-like cellulose having a basis weight of about 20 to about 80 g/m2 comprising, an embossed ply of 10 to 40 g/m2, including raised designs consisting at least partly of discrete protuberances oriented towards the inside of the structure, and a non-embossed ply. The invention is characterised in that the embossed ply has over at least a surface portion at least 30 protuberances per cm2 whereof the surface is less than 1 mm2, preferably less than 0.7 mm2, and the basis weight of the embossed ply is less than that of the non-embossed ply. Preferably, it is less by 5 to 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Gilles Roussel, Michel Basler
  • Patent number: 6455129
    Abstract: The invention relates to embossing single-ply paper products, for example, paper towels, tissue and napkins, in which an improved embossing arrangement is used which is particularly suitable for paper products which have been processed so as to impart undulations whose axes extend in a principal undulatory direction, typically in the machine direction. The absorbent sheet typically further includes undulations which extend in the cross (transverse direction) of the web such that the absorbent sheet has a biaxially undulatory structure. The undulations may be formed by the use of an undulatory creping blade. Defined parameters accommodate: the distance at which the undulations are spaced, the total surface area of the design (embossing) elements, the width and length of the embossing elements and the aspect ratio of the elements, as well as the angular orientation of the embossing elements with respect to the undulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas N. Kershaw, Dale T. Gracyalny
  • Patent number: 6436234
    Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Fung-jou Chen, Mark Alan Burazin, Michael Alan Hermans, David Henry Hollenberg, Richard Joseph Kamps, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6436511
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine includes a plurality of laterally spaced apart upstream assemblies which advance the sheet stock material with a transversely reciprocating twisting motion and at least one downstream assembly that retards the advance of the stock material. Additionally, the upstream assemblies feed the sheet stock material at a feed rate greater than the feed rate at which the downstream assembly passes the sheet stock material. The downstream assembly thereby cooperates with the upstream assemblies to crumple the stock material and impart loft thereto, and as a further result, the crumpled stock material includes a regular arrangement of folds preferably forming a herringbone pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Richard O. Ratzel
  • Patent number: 6423397
    Abstract: The invention concerns a web of absorbent paper, in particular of cellulose cotton, including on one side protrusions of which the top surfaces are less than 1 mm2 each and which correspond to cavities on the other side, the web being characterized in that the protrusions are distributed at a rate of more than 30/cm2 along mutually parallel lines in a manner such as to bound cells of which the total surface takes up at least 30% of the web surface, the cells per se being unembossed or embossed only slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Gilles Roussel
  • Patent number: 6413614
    Abstract: The perceived softness of embossed tissue can be increased greatly while avoiding nesting when a particular pattern is embossed into the tissue. This pattern combines relatively shallow stitchlike bosses with deeper more sharply defined signature bosses. The stitchlike bosses can be rounded and arranged in wavy flowing intersecting lines. The signature bosses can be arranged in regions framed by the intersecting wavy flowing lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Giesler, Sr., Galyn A. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6372087
    Abstract: Single-ply absorbent tissue paper wherein of the fibers incorporated in the web: (a) at least 20% by weight have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20% by weight have a coarseness of less than about 12 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average fiber coarseness to length ratio is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm. The single-ply tissue having: a serpentine configuration; low sidedness; a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream; specific total tensile strength between 40 and 200 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; a cross direction specific wet tensile strength between 2.75 and 20.0 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; an MD tensile to CD tensile ratio between 1.25 and 2.75; a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness between 0.5 and 3.2 g/inch/% strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream; a friction deviation less than 0.250; and a sidedness parameter less than 0.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Frank David Harper, Taiye Philips Oriaran, John Dennis Litvay
  • Patent number: 6344111
    Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Delson Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 6331228
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Patent number: 6299729
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Patent number: 6287422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, absorbent paper in the form of a bathroom tissue, facial tissue, or napkin wherein the cellulosic fibers incorporated in the furnish comprise: (a) at least 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness of less than about 1.2 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average coarseness to length ratio of the fibers in the web is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper having a basis weight of about 15 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Frank David Harper, Taiye Philips Oriaran, John Dennis Litvay
  • Patent number: 6277466
    Abstract: An embossed multiple ply paper product having a nested latticework embossment pattern providing a cloth-like, quilted appearance and a process for embossing and bonding such multiple ply paper product. The multiple ply paper product comprises a latticework of cells composed of n rows of embossment elements nested within an interfacing latticework of cells composed of n+1 rows of embossment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Michael Sean Pratt
  • Patent number: 6270875
    Abstract: A disposable wiping article is disclosed having at least a first layer and a second plastic film layer. The first layer has a wet extensibility greater than that of the second, layer. The first layer can be a dry creped web of cellulosic fibers, and the second layer can be an apertured, three dimensional plastic film. Selected portions of the first layer are bonded to the second layer to inhibit wet extension of the first layer in the plane of the first layer. In one embodiment, the wiping article comprises a third layer which can be a dry creped, apertured web of cellulosic fibers having a wet extensibility greater than that of the second layer. The second plastic film layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer and inhibits wet extension of both the first and third layer when wetted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Nicholas James Nissing
  • Patent number: 6261580
    Abstract: Tissue paper webs useful in the manufacture of soft, tissue products such as wipes and facial tissues, and processes for making the webs are described. The tissue paper webs include papermaking fibers, an antimigration material and an emollient lotion. Preferred antimigration materials include quaternary ammonium compounds. Preferred emollient lotions include a hydrocarbon emollient. The preferred process for making the preferred invention includes providing the antimigration material to the papermaking furnish and depositing the emollient lotion onto at least one surface of the dried tissue web that includes an antimigration material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mary Ruth Lehrter, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Kenneth Douglas Vinson
  • Patent number: 6210528
    Abstract: A low density, wet-creped paper web having improved levels of tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The web has a distribution of densified regions corresponding to the distribution of knuckles on a drying fabric. Generally speaking, these densified regions should be distributed so that the distance between at least a portion of the densified regions is less than or equal to the length of the longest fiber in the furnish (e.g., pulp fibers and/or other fibers) used to make the paper web. The wet-creped paper web is removed from a Yankee dryer at a dryness of between 45 and 65% and then passed to the after dryer section of a paper machine. An after dryer fabric is pressed into the wet base web to transfer the topography of the after dryer fabric to the web and to generate improved tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The wet base web is pressed into the drying fabric utilizing a nip before the web is 70% dry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ignatius Wolkowicz
  • Patent number: 6207249
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, method and product characterized by a connecting assembly that provides a mechanical interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material to prevent “unzippering” of a low density cushioning product produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The connecting assembly comprises a pair of rotatable stitching members, a first one having a plurality of radially outwardly extending projections, or teeth, around the circumference thereof, with the projections having at least two axially spaced apart segments defining a recess therebetween. The second stitching member includes at least one axial punch segment which includes a peripheral edge portion dimensioned to be received in the recess in the first stitching member during rotation of the stitching members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Ranpak Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Lencoski, Edwin P. Belerlorzer, Edward W. Lintala
  • Patent number: 6165319
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting:a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Michael S. Heath, T. Philips Oriaran, Mark S. Siegel, Frank D. Harper, John H. Dwiggins
  • Patent number: 6162327
    Abstract: A multifunctional tissue paper product having a combination of good wet strength, flexibility and preferably absorbency. This combination allows the tissue paper to be strong enough for use as a paper towel, yet soft enough for use as a facial tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Anjana Batra, David Louis DeAngelo, Arman Ebrahimpour
  • Patent number: 6153053
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, absorbent paper in the form of a bathroom tissue, facial tissue, or napkin wherein the cellulosic fibers incorporated in the furnish comprise: (a) at least 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness of less than about 1.2 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average coarseness to length ratio of the fibers in the web is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper having a basis weight of about 15 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting:a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Frank David Harper, Taiye Philips Oriaran, John Dennis Litvay
  • Patent number: 6149768
    Abstract: A method of making a bonded and creped type absorbent paper web that has improved bulk to peel strength characteristics includes steps of (a) printing a low density pattern of a bonding material onto a first and a second side of a paper web; and (b) in no particular sequence with respect to step (a), printing a high density pattern of a bonding material onto the first side of the paper web. Steps (a) and (b) are performed so that the high density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the paper web by a distance that is about 166 to about 470 percent of the distance by which the low density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the web. This results in a web that has superior bulk and peel strength characteristics. Another characteristic of the product is that it has a visible depression pattern in one surface, but not the other surface, which creates an attractive aesthetic effect and has functional benefits as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Hepford
  • Patent number: 6143131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue and to a process for the manufacture of such tissue product having a basis weight of at least about 15 lbs./3,000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting:a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 75 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 7.5 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 1.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.225, and a sidedness parameter of less than 0.275.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Dwiggins, Ranga Ramesh, Frank D. Harper, Anthony O. Awofeso, T. Philips Oriaran, Galyn A. Schulz, Dinesh M. Bhat
  • Patent number: 6136146
    Abstract: A non-through air dried paper web and method of making such a paper web are disclosed. The paper web includes at least two regions of different density and at least two regions of different basis weight. In one embodiment, the paper web includes a relatively high basis weight continuous network region, a plurality of discrete, relatively low basis weight regions dispersed throughout the relatively high basis weight continuous network region, and a plurality of discrete, intermediate basis weight regions circumscribed by the relatively low basis weight regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dean Van Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 6132842
    Abstract: A cushioning product having plural layers of a sheet-like stock material folded upon themselves to form a pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layer of the stock material are overlapped and connected together to maintain the geometry of the pillow-like portion. The lateral edges of the outer layers are connected together (for example, they are mechanically interlocked) separate from the central portion of the outer layer. The overlapped edges of the outer layer may form a tab portion projecting from the pillow-like portion. Alternatively, the overlapped lateral edges of the outer layer may be generally coplanar with adjacent unoverlapped portions of the outer layer. Preferably, the stock material comprises layers of paper, more preferably biodegradable, recyclable and reusable paper, and even more preferably Kraft paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventors: James A. Simmons, Jr., Edwin P. Beierlorzer
  • Patent number: 6117270
    Abstract: A papermaking belt and paper made thereon. The papermaking belt comprises a patterned framework and a reinforcing element. The papermaking belt may be used as a through air drying belt, a forming wire, a backing wire, a conventional press felt, etc., The papermaking belt has a reinforcing element and a framework extending from the reinforcing element. Intermediate various portions of the framework are deflection conduits. The framework is interrupted and subdivided by synclines. The framework, synclines and deflection conduits respectively impart first, second and third values of intensive properties to regions of the paper made on these portions of the belt. The value of the intensive property of the regions of the paper corresponding to the synclines is intermediate the value of the regions of the paper corresponding to the framework and deflection conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 6106928
    Abstract: A sheet of paper, in particular for a sanitary paper, consists of at least one ply of absorbent, creped paper of a specific surface weight between 12-35 g/m.sup.2 evincing first and second protrusions respectively (10, 2) respectively arrayed in a first and second pattern. The first pattern is composed of pattern elements each constituted by at least one of the first protrusions (10) and is comparatively well spaced apart mutually, while the second so-called background pattern comprises the second protrusions (2) arranged in more compact manner between the pattern elements. The sheet of paper is characterized in that the pattern elements form a graphic pattern while being arrayed at a rate of at most 0.5 element/cm.sup.2 and the first protrusions (10) constituting them evince at their top a line-shaped surface with a width between 0.1-2 mm, the second protrusions (2) being arrayed at the rate of at least 30, and preferably 40, protrusions/cm.sup.2 and ensuring the essential functional features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James France
    Inventors: Pierre Laurent, Carol Lefebvre Du Grosriez, Gilles Roussel, Remy Ruppel
  • Patent number: 6106929
    Abstract: A paper toweling which provides a combination of strength, bulk and absorbency while presenting an attractive appearance. Included are a single ply paper towel having areas of light and heavy embossing perforations which form diamond shaped islands of heavy embossing perforations surrounded by intersecting bands of light bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bredenick, Edward J. Giesler, Sr., Chester W. Gooding, Jr., Kambiz B. Makoui
  • Patent number: 6080466
    Abstract: The present invention overcomes drawbacks of prior composite sheets consisting of a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric and pulp fibers and provides an inexpensive composite sheet with excellent draping qualities, a nearly fabric-like touch and good usability. According to the present invention, a composite sheet made by entangling a web of thermoplastic filaments with pulp fibers under water stream is creped to increase the elongation in machine direction as high as in cross direction enough to obtain a usability equal to those of fabric wipers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Paper Industries, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Yoshimura, Akira Sakamoto, Hirotoshi Aikawa, Yoichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6077390
    Abstract: High bulk tissue webs are processed sequentially through separate calendering and embossing units to optimize the balance between sheet caliper for winding tension and embossing element height for pattern definition, resulting in embossed, high-bulk tissue products with improved embossing pattern clarity. The multiple step converting process enables the use of male embossing elements having a height of about 0.04 inch or greater. The tissue webs have a Residual Waviness value of 12 micrometers or greater, which is attributable to average surface waviness values for the spot embossments being about 30 micrometers or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeinab Salman, Richard Douglas Jennings
  • Patent number: 6077590
    Abstract: Rolled creped paper products, such as kitchen towels, can be provided with high roll bulk and a high degree of roll firmness by steaming the dry, creped paper sheet immediately prior to embossing the sheet between matched steel embossing rolls. The steaming preconditions the sheet such that the resulting sheet embossments maintain their shape and structural strength, thereby imparting greater bulk and firmness to the wound roll of product. In addition, the sheet experiences less cross-machine strength reduction as a consequence of the embossing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Sammy Lee Archer, Eric John Draheim, Thomas Garrett Neal, Jr., Jerome Steven Veith, Mary Martha Zielinski
  • Patent number: 6077393
    Abstract: Certain alkylamides and alkylimides, such as hydroxy alkylamides, which ordinarily act as softening agents and substantially reduce the tensile strength of the tissue sheet in accordance with the strength/softness curve, have been found to have a significantly lesser effect on the strength of tissue sheets which have been noncompressively dewatered and dried. As a result, soft uncreped throughdried tissue sheets can be made to have a higher strength:softness ratio by incorporating these chemicals into the furnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon, Nancy Sarsfield Clungeon, Sheng Hsin Hu
  • Patent number: 6074527
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a sanitary paper product including a wet-laid, surfactant treated nonwoven fibrous structure including coarse pulp fibers at least a portion contain oil and having a lower cup crush load and energy than an identical fibrous structure lacking the surfactant treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Chiehlung Hsu, Nauman Noorali Lakhani
  • Patent number: 6060149
    Abstract: A disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article has at least two layers. The first layer has a wet extensibility greater than that of the second layer. The first layer can be an apertured, dry creped web of cellulosic fibers, and the second layer can be a nonwoven web comprising synthetic fibers. Selected portions of the first layer are bonded to the second layer to inhibit wet extension of the first layer in the plane of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicholas James Nissing, David Michael McAtee, David William Cabell
  • Patent number: 6053324
    Abstract: A packaging material comprising a plurality of cushioning members for cushioning an article in a container is provided. The cushioning members being formed by crumpling a flexible sheet of material into a globular configuration having a plurality of random folds, a plurality of random engaged portions, and a plurality of voids. The sheet of material has an upper surface and a lower surface with at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface having a bonding material disposed thereon such that at least a portion of the engaged portions are bondably connected thereby increasing the resiliency of the folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald E. Weder
  • Patent number: 6037036
    Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine, converting method and dunnage product characterized by a novel connecting assembly which provides a unique interlock between overlapped portions of sheet-like stock material forming a dunnage product to prevent "unzippering" of the product. The connecting assembly includes a pair of loosely meshed stitching wheels, a first one of the stitching wheels having a plurality of radial projections protruding from a radially outer circumferential surface thereof, and a second one of the stitching wheels including a plurality of recesses for receiving the radial projections in meshed relationship upon rotation of the stitching wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: Gary K. Febel
  • Patent number: 6030690
    Abstract: A process for high pressure embossing a single ply of paper and the paper produced thereby. The embossing process requires two rolls, a pattern roll 30 and an anvil roll 32. The rolls are loaded together at a pressure of at least 1000 psi at the nip. A single ply of paper is embossed in the nip. The embossments of the paper do not extend outwardly beyond the thickness of the paper to have any out-of-plane deformation. The embossments are typically glassined. The resulting paper has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, without undue loss of tensile strength from the embossing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, Linda Rae Scherzinger, Thomas Anthony Hensler, Rebecca Ann Miller, Barbara Ann Ludwig