Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a coating, preferably a high viscosity coating to a supported web, preferably tissue. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a sealed coating chamber that can be supplied with coating material under pressure. The chamber further comprises a metering device at its trailing edge, which applies a thin layer of coating material to an applicator roll. In general, the coater is designed to have a small footprint, allowing it to fit into tight locations and be readily adapted for use in existing tissue manufacturing and converting processes. The coater also has the advantage of having a sealed coating chamber, which permits coating material to be supplied under pressure and preventing contamination of the coating material by debris common to the coating process.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, includes an impermeable transfer belt that passes through the press nip along with the paper web, and a permeable structuring fabric for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device is disposed. A web-contacting surface of the belt has a non-uniform distribution of microscopic-scale depressions, and a suction zone of the transfer device includes a transfer point spaced a distance D from the press nip. The belt is arranged to bring the web into contact with the structuring fabric in the suction zone for a length L, such that suction is exerted on the paper web to transfer the paper web from the belt onto the structuring fabric at the transfer point.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder (52) of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, comprises an impermeable transfer belt (35) having a web-contacting surface, the wet paper web passing through the press nip enclosed between a press felt (33) and the transfer belt, and a permeable structuring fabric (37) for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric having a structured surface and being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device (38) is disposed, said suction transfer device having a suction zone (41).

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a throughdrying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the throughdrying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the throughdrying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: Coreless rolls of tissue, such as rolls of bath tissue or paper towels, are produced by winding tissue logs on a mandrel having retractable pins. During winding, the pins extend and penetrate the first several windings of the log as it is initially wound, which prevents slippage. After the winding is complete, the pins retract to allow the tissue log to slide off of the mandrel for subsequent slitting into individual product rolls and packaging. The penetration of the pins into the first several windings of the log tends to mechanically entangle and structurally unify those windings to create a “soft core”. At the same time, the properties of the tissue sheets within the soft core are the same as the other sheets within the roll and are therefore usable by the consumer.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a throughdrying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the throughdrying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the throughdrying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a through drying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the through drying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the through drying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: Curvilinear or other complex perforation patterns for paper products, such as paper towels and bath tissue, can be produced using a differential speed perforation nip formed between a rotating pattern roll and a moving anvil surface. The relative speed between the perforation elements on the surface of the pattern roll and the anvil surface shears the web at the perforation points.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder (52) of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, comprises an impermeable transfer belt (35) having a web-contacting surface, the wet paper web passing through the press nip enclosed between a press felt (33) and the transfer belt, and a permeable structuring fabric (37) for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric having a structured surface and being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device (38) is disposed, said suction transfer device having a suction zone (41).

Abstract: A method of dewatering a fabric includes contacting the fabric with an endless wicking substrate.

Abstract: A reel for winding a paper roll including: a frame supporting a reel drum and a pair of rails; a reel spool supported for translation by the rails and upon which a paper roll is wound; an endless flexible belt wrapping a portion of the periphery of the reel drum and a portion of the periphery of the paper roll; and a loading member for loading the paper roll against the reel drum and the endless flexible belt.

Abstract: A paper towel sheet is disclosed which contains a low strength adhesive material strategically applied to selected areas of the sheet. The adhesive areas enable the user to optionally fold and form the sheets into three-dimensional shapes suitable for a variety of new uses, such as making “bowls” for holding popcorn or other food, for example.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a fabric includes contacting the fabric with an endless wicking substrate.