Abstract: A fabric dewatering apparatus for use after a fabric cleansing apparatus in a paper machine including: an endless wicking substrate disposed for rotation about a dryer roll; the endless wicking substrate and the fabric brought into surface contact as the fabric traverses at least a portion of the dryer roll's circumference; and a wicking substrate dewatering apparatus disposed along the wicking substrate's travel path after the dryer roll.

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 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: By designing a belt-driven unwind to have two distinct belt tension areas, the belt pressure against the unwinding roll can be decreased. The belt-driven unwind can have a higher belt tension section for proper belt tracking and to prevent slippage at the drive roller, and the belt driven unwind can have a lower belt tension section for the portion of the belt in contact with the unwinding roll. In this manner, the belt-driven unwind can be used with soft, bulky tissue rolls without damaging the rolls like a conventional belt-driven unwind.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for intermittently cutting a moving target web (26) includes rotating a knife roll (32) having at least one knife member (44) to provide an operative knife-member speed, and rotating an anvil roll (34) having at least one anvil member (46) to provide an operative anvil-member speed. The knife roll and anvil roll have been positioned to provide an operative nip region (30) therebetween, and a substantially continuous target web (26) has been moved at a selected web speed through the nip region. A rotational positioning of the knife member has been coordinated with a rotational positioning of its cooperating anvil member to provide an operative, cutting engagement between the knife member and its cooperating anvil member, thereby cutting the moving web at cut locations which are intermittently spaced along a machine-direction (22) of the target web.

Abstract: A tissue product having a combination of substantially equal tensile energy absorbed (TEA) in the machine direction and the cross-machine direction of the tissue sheet and a significant level of stretch in both directions provides improved perception of strength and resistance to “poke through” in use.

Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust gas from one or more throughdryers prior to throughdrying to profile the consistency of the web.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressed tissue machine employing an integrally sealed air press. The apparatus includes: a forming roll; a drying cylinder positioned downstream of the forming roll; an air press positioned between the forming roll and the drying cylinder; a molding fabric adjacent a first fabric such that both fabrics travel through the air press, and wherein the air press is installed to direct a pressurized fluid through the molding fabric first and then through the first fabric; and a pressure roll adjacent the drying cylinder for pressing the molding fabric against the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web may be conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web may be dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like-texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: A method of compressively modifying, such as by calendering, an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The dried tissue sheet, initially supported by the throughdrying fabric, is removed from the throughdrying fabric and compressively modified. Thereafter, the compressively modified sheet is recombined with a papermaking fabric and carried to a reel section while supported by the fabric. The sheet is always, or substantially always, supported by a fabric or a roll surface to minimize opportunities for sheet breaks or otherwise adversely affecting sheet properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for turning-up a web is disclosed that results in greater efficiency. The method has been found to work especially well when the web is a bulky tissue web, but is also suitable for other web materials. The apparatus includes a reel spool having a cylindrical surface, the cylindrical surface includes at least one axial line of adhesive and a plurality of apertures operatively connected to a source of vacuum.

Abstract: Pressurized web treatment systems include a moving web that passes through a pressurized treatment chamber having a sealing assembly with a leakage control system. Leakage control is achieved by the cooperative effect of localized leak detectors and leak reduction means that applies a local sealing force on the seal assembly responsive to a signal from the leak detectors such that increased sealing occurs in the vicinity of the leak. In particular, an air press for paper web dewatering has improved efficiency by virtue of the leakage control system, which features local leak detectors and local force generation means associated with a flexible seal assembly to reduce leakage at the edges of the stationary plenum of the air press. Local leak detection can be based on sonic measurement with microphones, detection of escaping tracer gas, optical signals, and other means.

Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust air from one or more throughdryers to further heat the web at various places in the process.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web may be conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web may be dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing machine in a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: The energy efficiency of a throughdrying papermaking process is improved by recycling exhaust air from one or more throughdryers to further heat the web at various places in the process.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing machine in a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web may be conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web may be dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: A method of compressively modifying, such as by calendering, an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The dried tissue sheet, initially supported by the throughdrying fabric, is removed from the throughdrying fabric and compressively modified. Thereafter, the compressively modified sheet is recombined with a papermaking fabric and carried to a reel section while supported by the fabric. The sheet is always, or substantially always, supported by a fabric or a roll surface to minimize opportunities for sheet breaks or otherwise adversely affecting sheet properties.