Abstract: Granular absorbent products with low amounts of paper fiber are described. The absorbent products are made from recycled paper and include less than about 10% of paper fibers having a length sufficient to be retained on a 100 mesh screen. A process for making such granular absorbent products is also provided. The granular absorbents are useful for absorbing liquids spilled on the floor, and are crushable when walked on to provide greater resistance to slipping, and yet have a high resistance to attrition.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which utilizes the "non-papermaking" portion of waste paper to produce a highly absorbent, essentially fiber-free granule which can be used, for example, as an agricultural chemical carrier. The process maximizes the amount of long (papermaking) fiber sent to the paper machine.The waste paper is broken up in a hydropulper, and the pulp stock is screened so that papermaking fibers are retained and sent forward to the papermaking process, and the solid material in the reject stream, such as kaolin clay and inorganic materials pass through a flotation clarifier to separate the solids. The slurry is then dewatered by means of a belt press to form a filter cake. The filter cake then enters a pin mixer where it is broken up into individual granules. The granules are then dried to a solids content of greater than 95%.

Abstract: Granular absorbent products with low amounts of paper fiber are described. The absorbent products are made from recycled paper and include less than about 10% of paper fibers having a length sufficient to be retained on a 100 mesh screen. A process for making such granular absorbent products is also provided. The granular absorbents are highly absorbent for water and oil even though they include only low amounts of paper fiber.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which utilizes the "non-papermaking" portion of waste paper to produce a highly absorbent, essentially fiber-free granule which can be used, for example, as an agricultural chemical carrier. The process maximizes the amount of long (papermaking) fiber sent to the paper machine. The waste paper is broken up in a hydropulper, and the pulp stock is screened so that papermaking fibers are retained and sent forward to the papermaking process, and the solid material in the reject stream, such as kaolin clay and inorganic materials pass through a flotation clarifier to separate the solids. The slurry is then dewatered by means of a belt press to form a filter cake. The filter cake then enters a pin mixer where it is broken up into individual granules. The granules are then dried to a solids content of greater than 95%.

Abstract: A process is disclosed which utilizes the "non-papermaking" portion of waste paper to produce a highly absorbent, essentially fiber-free granule which can be used, for example, as an agricultural chemical carrier. The process maximizes the amount of long (papermaking) fiber sent to the paper machine. The waste paper is broken up in a hydropulper, and the pulp stock is screened so that papermaking fibers are retained and sent forward to the papermaking process, and the solid material in the reject stream, such as kaolin clay and inorganic materials pass through a flotation clarifier to separate the solids. The slurry is then dewatered by means of a belt press to form a filter cake. The filter cake then enters a pin mixer where it is broken up into individual granules. The granules are then dried to a solids content of greater than 95%.

Abstract: In a process for making a granular material from a reject stream from a coated grade waste paper pulp stock recycling process, the pulp stock is screened so that the reject stream passes through a screen and long fibers are retained for use in making paper. Solid material in the reject stream is separated by flotation. Water is removed from the reject stream to increase its consistency to that of modelling clay. The reject stream is supplied to an agglomerator which forms uniform granules of irregular but approximately spherical shape. The granules are then dried so that the granules have a solids content greater than 95%. Apparatus for performing the process and characteristics of granular material formed by the process and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: In a process for making a particulate or granular material from a reject stream from a coated grade waste paper pulp stock recycling process, fibers for use in making paper are removed, the remaining solid material in the reject stream is dyed and then separated. Water is removed from the reject stream to increase its consistency and form dyed particles or granules. The process and characteristics of particulate and granular material formed by the process are described.

Abstract: A method for recovering fiber useful for papermaking from an effluent stream includes a primary process for treating an effluent stream to separate usable fiber from contrary matter, and secondary operations, supplementing the primary process, to treat the contrary matter rejected by the primary process to recover usable fibers contained in the reject matter. In addition, the secondary processing steps separate the reject material into organic and inorganic fractions, which may be usable in other processes. The method of the invention does not require the addition of water as do conventional processes, simplifies handling, disposal, and reduces the costs of disposal.

Abstract: A repeating arrangement of embossments for roll material includes a first array of projections generally regularly spaced from one another and a second array of projections superimposed on the first array of projections with each projection of the second array extending longitudinally between two projections of the first array so as to minimize nesting of adjacent layers of material.

Abstract: A cutting device for a roll of material wherein a cutter bar with a cutting blade fixed thereto is arranged between two upright posts. To cut the material from the roll a length of material is withdrawn from beneath the cutter bar and lifted against the cutter bar. The cutter bar is allowed to pivot about a longitudinal axis until an upstanding rib and a notch in the cutter bar clamp the upright posts between them and lock the cutter bar against further pivoting motion. The material is then torn across the cutting blade since the cutter bar cannot be further pivoted.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing sheet material by a cutter device that is mounted upon a rail assembly for reciprocating movement. The rail assembly includes a channel member with an outwardly extending guide rail. A separate cutter bar is supported on the guide rail and extends longitudinally above the guide rail. A carriage is mounted on the guide rail for reciprocating movement and includes dual rollers which engage opposite sides of the cutter bar. The carriage is held against the guide rail by a pressure roller which engages the inner side of the guide rail. The pressure roller includes an adjustable mounting arrangement for adjusting the force that clamps the carriage against the guide rail. One of the dual rollers has a dull edge which engages the cutter bar while the other dual roller has a sharp edge to sever the paper or other sheet material as the carriage moves longitudinally of the cutter bar.

Abstract: First and second bundles of interfolded webs are formed. The uppermost web half of the first bundle is interfolded with the lowermost web half of the second bundle at a merging station. These web halves travel along parallel and inclined fold surfaces and become interfolded upon being discharged therefrom. To unfold the uppermost web half for travel along its associated fold surface a freely rotatable roller is positioned upstream of such fold surface. The roller is arranged to be contacted and frictionally driven by the uppermost web half. The roller is oriented toward the fold line of the uppermost web half so that upon driving the roller, the uppermost web half becomes unfolded. To promote unfolding of the lowermost web half of the second bundle a stationary elongate band is disposed between the lowermost web half and the remaining web halves of the second bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counting paper straws and the like is disclosed, wherein the straws are arranged within channels of an endless conveyor so that the straws may be counted by an optical scanning device. As the straws are manufactured, they are conveyed to a hopper by means of a first endless conveyor. The hopper terminates in a pair of feed compartments above a second endless conveyor having a plurality of transverse channels. Rotating brushes are provided at the sides of the feed compartments, adjacent to the second conveyor to oscillate the straws in the compartments and to urge the straws into the transverse channels. The rotating brushes prevent more than one straw from occupying any one of the transverse channels. An optical scanning device accurately counts the straws while they are on the second conveyor, before they are deposited into a boxing apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine for sanitary paper products such as rolls of toilet tissue, packs of paper napkins, towels, etc. The machine comprises an article feeding section, a bag-supporting magazine section, and a package sealing section. The feeding section includes a reciprocal device having a support surface for underlying a plurality of articles and pushing means for moving the articles or packs. The feeding device is shifted in one direction from beneath a selected quantity of articles or packs to displace the articles downwardly, and in a reverse direction to push the displaced articles or packs into a wrapper to form a package. Continued movement of the feeding device causes the package to be transferred to the sealing mechanism.A magazine section is provided for supporting an irregularly shaped stack of bags. The magazine includes hinged table sections which are automatically pivoted as the stack is raised.