The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 05, 2001
Frank S. Hada, Appleton, WI (US);
Keith D. Glass, Appleton, WI (US);
Ronald F. Gropp, St. Catharines, CA;
Patricia Riedl, Borgomanero, IT;
Douglas C. Thomas, Appleton, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely affecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In general, the process includes the steps of placing a base web in 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 inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. In other applications, the shear inducing roll can also be a nip roll for decreasing the caliper of the base web. The shear inducing roll may be stationary, as in the form of a stationary shoe with a convex edge, or may rotate. In one embodiment, the shear inducing roll can rotate on an air bearing.