Abstract: A plurality of stacked, interconnected wipes that collectively define a stack. Each wipe is connected to at least one other wipe on only one of the right side and the left side of the stack via a connection. In particular embodiments, immediately successive connections in a stacked direction are on alternating right and left sides of the stack. In other embodiments, immediately successive connections in a stacked direction are on the same side of the stack.

Abstract: A method of dispensing wipes includes providing a stack of wipes. Each wipe is generally rectangular in shape and defines four corners. A dispenser has a dispensing orifice. The method includes grasping a presented corner of a leading wipe, and pulling the presented corner of the leading wipe to withdraw the leading wipe out of the dispenser, whereby the leading wipe releases from a succeeding wipe such that a presented corner of the succeeding wipe, and no other corner of the succeeding wipe, protrudes from the dispensing orifice. In particular embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe originate from opposite sides of the stack. In other embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe each originate from the same side of the stack.

Abstract: A method of dispensing wipes includes providing a stack of wipes. Each wipe is generally rectangular in shape and defines four corners. A dispenser has a dispensing orifice. The method includes grasping a presented corner of a leading wipe, and pulling the presented corner of the leading wipe to withdraw the leading wipe out of the dispenser, whereby the leading wipe releases from a succeeding wipe such that a presented corner of the succeeding wipe, and no other corner of the succeeding wipe, protrudes from the dispensing orifice. In particular embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe originate from opposite sides of the stack. In other embodiments, the presented corner of the leading wipe and the presented corner of the succeeding wipe each originate from the same side of the stack.

Abstract: A plurality of stacked, interconnected wipes that collectively define a stack. Each wipe is connected to at least one other wipe on only one of the right side and the left side of the stack via a connection. In particular embodiments, immediately successive connections in a stacked direction are on alternating right and left sides of the stack. In other embodiments immediately successive connections in a stacked direction are on the same side of the stack.

Abstract: A vacuum roll includes an inner rotor, an intermediate stator, and an outer shell roll. The inner rotor has open and closed portions and is adapted to rotate within the intermediate stator which is rotationally fixed and also has open and closed portions. The outer shell roll has open and closed portions and is adapted to move around the intermediate stator. Together the inner rotor and the intermediate stator define an internal rotary valve interface adapted to control fluid communication between the interior chamber and the outer shell.

Abstract: A vacuum roll includes an inner rotor, an intermediate stator, and an outer shell roll. The inner rotor has open and closed portions and is adapted to rotate within the intermediate stator which is rotationally fixed and also has open and closed portions. The outer shell roll has open and closed portions and is adapted to move around the intermediate stator. Together the inner rotor and the intermediate stator define an internal rotary valve interface adapted to control fluid communication between the interior chamber and the outer shell.

Abstract: A product including a plurality of sheets formed from a basesheet material comprising at least 1.0 percent natural fibers. The plurality of sheets impregnated with a liquid, and having a moisture content between about 150 weight percent to about 600 weight percent. Each of the plurality of sheets folded to form at least one folded edge and the plurality of folded sheets placed one on top of another to form a wet wipes stack. The wet wipes stack having a Calculated per Layer Stack Thickness of greater than about 0.52 mm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding an article includes supplying an article to a folder; engaging a first surface of a leading portion of the article with a first conveyor; moving the first conveyor at a first conveyor velocity; engaging a second surface of a trailing portion of the article with a second conveyor; moving the second conveyor at a second conveyor velocity greater than the first conveyor velocity; contacting the first surface of the article with at least one folding guide; moving the folding guide in the machine direction at the second conveyor velocity; and folding the article about the folding guide such that the first surface of the leading portion is in facing relation with the first surface of the trailing portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being interfolded with or adhesively joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and process for loading containers with formed product. The system includes a container transport assembly, a product transport assembly and a combined transport assembly. The container transport assembly advances and positions the containers along a first path towards a loading zone. The product transport assembly advances and positions the formed product along a second path towards the loading zone. The combined transport assembly defines a third path away from the loading zone. The first path and the second path share at least one common direction of travel and each path is in part independent of the other and each path is in part merged with the other. The formed product is loaded into the containers as the paths merge. Thereafter, the containers with formed product loaded therein are advanced away from the loading zone along the third path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a group of wipes. The group of wipes includes at least three wipes separably joined together, each wipe separable joined to each adjacent wipe by a weakened line. Each weakened line includes a plurality of first-type weakened zones and at least one second-type weakened zone. The second-type weakened zone has a length that is at least 1.5 times a length of the first-type weakened zone and the second-type weakened zone is randomly positioned along the weakened line such that no two consecutive weakened lines have the second-type weakened zone in the same position relative to opposite ends of consecutive weakened lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible orifice for pop-up style dispensing with a wet wipes dispenser. The orifice includes a flexible, rubber-like sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface. A continuous slit extends across the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet and enables a wet wipe to pass from the bottom surface to the top surface or from the top surface to the bottom surface. The continuous slit has at least one curved portion connected with at least one non-curved portion. Alternately, the continuous slit has at least one zigzag portion connected with a pair of end leg portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and process for loading containers with formed product. The system includes a container transport assembly, a product transport assembly and a combined transport assembly. The container transport assembly advances and positions the containers along a first path towards a loading zone. The product transport assembly advances and positions the formed product along a second path towards the loading zone. The combined transport assembly defines a third path away from the loading zone. The first path and the second path share at least one common direction of travel and each path is in part independent of the other and each path is in part merged with the other. The formed product is loaded into the containers as the paths merge. Thereafter, the containers with formed product loaded therein are advanced away from the loading zone along the third path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of fan folded material and related systems and processes. The stack includes at least two clips of fan folded material. Each clip includes a plurality of fan folded sheets, with each sheet joined to at least one adjacent sheet by a weakened line. Each clip is joined to an adjacent clip by a last sheet of one clip being separably joined to a first sheet of a succeeding clip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible orifice for pop-up style dispensing with a wet wipes dispenser. The orifice includes a flexible, rubber-like sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface. A continuous slit extends across the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet and enables a wet wipe to pass from the bottom surface to the top surface or from the top surface to the bottom surface. The continuous slit has at least one curved portion connected with at least one non-curved portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible orifice for pop-up style dispensing with a wet wipes dispenser. The orifice includes a flexible, rubber-like sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface. A continuous slit extends across the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet and enables a wet wipe to pass from the bottom surface to the top surface or from the top surface to the bottom surface. A first portion of the sheet has a first thickness and a second portion of the sheet located between the continuous slit and the first portion has a second thickness which is greater than or less than the first thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plurality of wipes, separable joined together. Each wipe of the plurality of wipes is moistened with a liquid in an amount of about 25 percent to about 600 percent of a dry weight of the wipe. An adhesive joins together at least two wipes of the plurality of wipes. The adhesive joins the at least two wipes together with an adhesion strength per unit adhesive length greater than 0 g/cm and less than about 200 g/cm. Alternately or additionally, the adhesive joins the at least two wipes together with an adhesion strength per unit adhesive area greater than 0 g/cm2 and less than about 1000 g/cm2.