Abstract: A process for registering lines of termination with indicia in a transported sheet of web material is disclosed. The process provides for the steps of: (a) transporting the sheet of web material in a first direction; (b) applying indicia to the sheet from a print cylinder, the print cylinder having a first angular position; (c) imparting lines of termination to the sheet of web material with a rotatable blade, the rotatable blade having a second angular position; (d) calculating a position error by comparing the first angular position of the print cylinder and the second angular position of the rotatable blade; and, (e) adjusting the second angular position of the rotatable blade according to the position error.

Abstract: A label for adhesive attachment to a stack of articles combined by an exterior substrate. The label includes a label material having a pair of outer label regions, a central label region, a signal surface having indications and an adhesive surface, the adhesive surface being provided with an adhesive. The label also includes a protective release cover, wherein the release cover is releasably attached to the adhesive surface of the label. The release cover also includes at least two separating lines, wherein the separating lines divide the release cover into two outer regions separated by a center region such that the regions of the release cover can be removed from the label material independently from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for splicing web materials. The apparatus comprises a first nip roller, a second nip roller and an adhesive roller. The apparatus further comprises a first wind up roller and a second wind up roller. The apparatus also comprises a pair of infeed web cutting elements, and a pair of outfeed web cutting elements. First and second webs are received from upstream web supplies. One web proceeds downstream and the other is wound on a wind up roller. Adhesive is applied to one web and the two webs together with the adhesive pass between the nip rollers. One web is separated between the upstream supply and the splice and the other is separated between the splice and the wind up roller. The splice may proceed downstream.

Abstract: A web-making fabric for producing a high caliper fibrous web and the fibrous web produced thereby. The web-making fabric comprises a reinforcing structure and a framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The framework defines a plurality of deflection conduits, at least one deflection conduit is a negatively radiused deflection conduit, and at least one deflection conduit is a positively radiused deflection conduit. The positively radiused deflection conduits are sized, shaped, and arranged to maximize fiber deflection along the periphery of the conduits. The web comprises three regions, a first region a second region and a third region. The first region is immediately adjacent to at least one of the second region and the third region. The second region comprises a plurality of negatively radiused domes. The third region comprises a plurality of positively radiused domes.

Abstract: A process for making a fibrous structure including the steps of: providing a deflection member comprising a macroscopically monoplanar, patterned framework having a backside forming an X-Y plane and a web-side opposite to the backside, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of bases extending from the X-Y plane in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and a plurality of suspended portions laterally extending from the plurality of bases in at least one direction substantially parallel to the X-Y plane and elevated in the Z-direction from the X-Y plane to form void spaces between the X-Y plane and the suspended portions; providing a plurality of fibers on the deflection member, thereby forming a partly-formed fibrous structure; and separating the partly-formed fibrous structure from the deflection member, thereby forming the fibrous structure.

Abstract: An applicator (10) for distributing a substance onto a target surface, said applicator including a first side (24) having a first internal surface (32) and a first external surface (31), a second side (26) having a second internal surface (34) and a second external surface (33) and a flexible film dosing reservoir (30) containing a product. The flexible film dosing reservoir (30) is disposed between said first external surface (31) of said first side (24) and said second internal surface (34) of said second side (26), said product adapted to be release via application of pressure to said reservoir (30).

Abstract: A multi-region paper structure having a transition region interconnecting relatively thinner regions is disclosed. The paper structure comprises a first region, a patterned second region, a third region, and transition region. The transition region interconnects the patterned second region with a background matrix. The background matrix comprises the first region and the third region. The first region comprises a plurality of discrete protuberances dispersed throughout the third region. The first and second regions are disposed at different elevations, and each has a thickness less than a thickness of the transition region. An apparatus and process for making the paper structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making sheets having indicia spaced in a machine direction. Between or among the indicia are perforations or chop-off cuts. The spacing, in the machine direction, between the indicia and perforations or chop-off cuts is maintained over long sheet lengths. The product produced using this apparatus and process is typically paper, and particularly can be used for paper towels or placemats.

Abstract: A method of controlling tension in a material handling process. An error signal of the process is determined. The velocity analog value of the material is determined and an instantaneous integral gain is then determined according to the velocity analog value. A proportional gain is determined. A first material parameter threshold value is determined. A first material parameter analog value is measured. The output of a controller is then adjusted according to the error signal, the instantaneous integral gain, and the proportional gain. The adjustment of a process output according to the instantaneous integral gain is controlled according to the relative values of the first material parameter threshold value and the first material parameter analog value.

Abstract: A method for joining weldable metal structures and compound structure formed using the method are disclosed herein. The method includes steps of abutting a first structure to a second structure along an edge to form a seam. The two structures are then welded together along the seam on one side of the structures through at least 75% of the thickness of the structures. The structures are then welded along a portion of the seam from the opposite side of the structures. The method may be used to join porous weldable metal structures. The method may be used to create a compound structure having very narrow weld seam widths.

Abstract: A microvalve for controlling fluid flow, including a body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a shutter located adjacent to and substantially parallel with the body portion having a plurality of spaced openings formed therein, a drive mechanism for causing the shutter to move laterally with respect to the body portion so that the spaced openings of the shutter are brought into and out of alignment with the spaced openings of the body portion, wherein the microvalve is in an open position and a closed position, respectively, and, a latching mechanism for preventing the shutter from moving laterally with respect to the body portion.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a process output in a material handling process. The velocity analog value of the material is determined and an instantaneous integral gain is then determined according to the velocity analog value. The output of a controller is then adjusted according to the instantaneous integral gain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unwinding a vertically oriented roll of web material is disclosed. The roll comprises a lower surface, an upper surface and a circumferential surface. The apparatus comprises: at least one drive element adapted to rotate the vertically oriented roll, a sensor adapted to measure a tension of the web, and a controller adapted to adjust a speed of the web according to the tension of the web. The method comprises steps of rotating the roll, determining a desired web tension, and adjusting the speed of the roll according to the desired web tension.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling the winding of a sheet of material such as paper and film finished consumer products into a log using an adjustable reference profile. The apparatus and method may provide improved process control, product quality, manufacturing production rate and/or process repeatability. The apparatus and method provide more consistent finished log properties by measuring at least one process parameter during the manufacturing process. The process parameter is then correlated with the desired finished product characteristics and an appropriate correction is made to the reference profile.

Abstract: A method of dynamically determining a modulus of elasticity of a moving web material using web tensions and web velocities. The tension and velocity of a moving web are determined in a first span. The tension and velocity of the moving web are also determined for the moving web in a second span. A value analogous to the modulus of elasticity of the moving web may then be determined according to the tension and velocity values for the moving web in the two spans.

Abstract: A method of dynamically controlling the tension of a moving web material. A web material is transported with an apparatus. A modulus-of-elasticity-analog value is determined for the web material. The modulus-of-elasticity-analog value is used to adjust an instantaneous gain of the web control system. The instantaneous gain is used in the control calculation of the control system. The control calculation is used to control the speed of a web handling drive. Controlling the speed of at least one appropriate web handling drive controls the tension of the web.

Abstract: A dual intensive property tissue. The tissue has a first set of intensive properties including density, surface area, thickness and void volume as presented to the consumer. The consumer plastically activates the tissue by pulling it in tension. A series of slits 44 or other lines of weakness elongate in a direction parallel to the line of tension, allowing the tissue to achieve a second state of intensive properties. The value of the second state of intensive properties is different after activation. The change in value of the intensive properties allows for economies in shipping, where a higher density product is shipped to the consumer. At the point of use, the consumer activates the product to achieve the increase surface area and lower density. The increase in surface area and concomitant decrease in density provides for increased efficacy in cleaning. The plastically activatable state may be provided by a series of slits 44 or other lines of weakness in the tissue.

Abstract: A multi-layer article comprised of a first and second layers bonded together. The first layer is comprised of two plies and a third material between the two plies. The two plies are bonded together at a plurality of discrete bond sites. The bonding of the plies form an interior region between the plies. The third material of the first layer is disposed between and substantially fills the interior region between the plies. The third material differs from the first and second plies by at least one material property selected from thermal properties, elongation properties, elastic properties, or conductive properties. The third material is apertured in regions coincident with the bond sites of the first layer and the first and second plies are joined to each other through the apertures. The second layer of the article comprises a cellulosic web.