The Wiggins Teape Group Limited

Wiggins Teape Limited

Samuel Jones & Co. Limited

Roger A Allen

Kieron P Green

Bruce R Inglis

Roger W Tringham

Peter Sinclair

Robert J Hall

James C Petzold

Geoffrey Youd

Nicholas John Kite

John Mariner

Neil Harvey Clifford

Casting paper of a desired surface texture or finish for use in the manufacture of artificial leather is produced by heating the polymer coating 1 of a polymer-coated paper 2 to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and then cooling the polymer coating from its molten state to a solid state as it passes through a nip between an embossing roll 3 having a surface configuration corresponding to said desired surface texture or finish and a backing roll 4, thereby to impart the surface configuration of the embossing roll to the polymer-coated paper. The polymer is preferably polyolefinic, for example poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) or a polypropylene/polyethylene blend. An anti-curl back-coat, for example of polyvinyl alcohol, can be applied after the embossing operation.

Casting paper

Streaming potential measuring cell

Apparatus and method for cutting partially through the layers of a laminate. The invention uses a roller having a resilient surface of specified hardness over which are stretched a number of wires extending helically about its circumference, so that the wires are supported on the tool surface by the resilient layer. A cooperating hard surfaced roller applies a controlled amount of pressure to the sheet material in a nip formed with the scoring roller. This arrangement provides highly even score lines.

Method and apparatus for forming scored lines on sheet material

Disclosed is a method of testing the propensity of a paper or board to dust. The method is one which includes pressing a reference surface to the surface to be tested at a predetermined pressure. The dust adhering to the reference surface is then measured such that an indicative reading is obtained.

Method and apparatus for determining the propensity of a paper or board

A spark perforation apparatus includes a rotary electrode assembly for effecting spark perforation of sheet material passing between the electrodes of the assembly and a suitably juxtapositioned earthed surface. The electrode assembly comprises a first set of annular electrodes for connection to a suitable power source, a second set of annular electrodes alternating with and of greater external diameter than the electrodes of the first set, and dielectrical material spacing the electrodes so as to form a series of parallel capacitors.

Assembly for use in the spark perforation of sheet material

Means for collating a flow of rod-like elements moving in a lengthwise direction comprising a rotatable drum arranged to receive the elements on its outer surface and move them transversely to their lengthwise direction, said drum having a porous wall and being rotatable through a reception zone where a fluid bed is created on its outer surface to assist reception of the elements thereon, a holding zone where a vacuum is created to hold the elements on the drum, and a discharge zone where fluid pressure is provided to assist discharge of the elements.

Collating means

Apparatus for making a fibrous element includes an elongate foraminous former provided by at least one foraminous belt, with a foraminous forming chamber through which said belt passes and which is formed to a hollow shape thereby. The belt is driven through the forming chamber, and fluid is extracted in a fluid extraction zone which surrounds at least part of the forming chamber and formed by a closed drainage casing. An injection nozzle injects a fibrous dispersion into the former within said forming chamber with the injection nozzle being dimensioned so as to substantially exclude the ingress of air around an interface with the walls of said belt so that the apparatus produces an elongate fibrous element having an outer core of greater density than the inner core which it surrounds.

Fibrous material moulding apparatus

A device for severing a continuous rod-like member into separate elements during axial movement along a predetermined path through a severance zone comprising a ledger for engaging and maintaining said member in said path during its passage though said zone, means for causing a cutting knife to move along an endless course substantially at right angles to said path, and said course intersecting transversely with said path to sever the member and means for causing the knife to move at a greater speed while it is travelling across said path than in other parts of its movement.

Device for severing a continuous axially moving rod-like member into

A process for continuously forming a fibrous element in an elongate closed foraminous former during movement of the former through fluid extraction means, and which includes the steps of forming a fibrous dispersion, injecting the dispersion into said former, generating a pressure gradient across an extraction zone within said fluid extraction means and injecting the fibrous dispersion into the former at an injection velocity relative to the speed of the former (efflux ratio) to cause some of the fibres to build up as a fibrous mat on the inner surface of the former and the remainder to pack together to form a core so as to produce a continuous fibrous element having a fibrous core which is enclosed by a crust of greater density.

A fibrous element comprising an elongated structure having a fibrous core with the fibres arranged in random orientation, said core being stiffened and enclosed by a fibrous crust integral with the core and formed as a surface layer of greater density.

Moulded fibrous material

A smoothing roll for use with apparatus for coating a web of paper or other sheet material, particularly for smoothing coatings at low wet coatweights of silicone compositions applicable in their natural state without the use of a solvent, has a soft elastomeric covering the smoothing surface of which is pitted and is substantially impermeable to liquid coating compositions.

Growing community of inventors

Prestwood, United Kingdom

Roger A Allen