Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler; providing a processing plasticizer; adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: A belt for creping a web in a papermaking process. The belt includes a surface onto which the web is transferred during the papermaking process. A plurality of openings extend through the surface, with the openings being arranged in lines that are offset from lines in the machine direction (MD) and cross-machine direction (CD) of the belt. Paper products, such as absorbent sheets, made from the belt have hollow dome regions and connecting regions between the domes, with the domes being arranged in lines that are offset from lines in the MD and CD of the paper products.

Abstract: A water-dispersible nonwoven substrate includes a structured web of fibers. The structured web has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has substantially filled protrusions extending outwardly from the first surface and connecting regions disposed between the protrusions. The average fiber densities of the protrusions and connecting regions are substantially the same, and the fibers are individualized plant-based fibers, reconstituted cellulosic fibers, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Nonwoven textile fabrics in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin having a mean length less than 6 millimeters. The nonwoven fabric can include staple fibers and/or pulp fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven textile fabric is formed into a web while in a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Water dispersible nonwoven substrates in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven substrate can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven substrate is formed into a web in a wet or a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a water dispersible nonwoven substrate. The nonwoven substrate can be a tissue or a wet wipe.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion of the tissue in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion of the tissue in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

Abstract: A water-dispersible nonwoven substrate includes a structured web of fibers. The structured web has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has substantially filled protrusions extending outwardly from the first surface and connecting regions disposed between the protrusions. The average fiber densities of the protrusions and connecting regions are substantially the same, and the fibers are individualized plant-based fibers, reconstituted cellulosic fibers, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of cleaning residue from a surface. A disposable cellulosic wiper is provided that includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and from about 10% to about 75% by weight of fibrillated regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml and having a weight average diameter of less than about 2 microns. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure with the applied wiper.

Abstract: A disposable cellulosic wiper includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and from about 10% to about 75% by weight of fibrillated regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue includes cellulosic microfibers and wood pulp fibers. The bath tissue has sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup cross-machine direction (CD) wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, decaying to less than 65% of the initial value in less than 15 minutes after immersion in water, and a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight. At least one of the plies includes a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions having a relatively high basis weight, a plurality of connecting regions having a relatively lower basis weight forming a network interconnecting the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions of the sheet, and a plurality of transition regions with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the fiber-enriched hollow domed regions.

Abstract: A method of cleaning residue from a surface includes providing a disposable cellulosic wiper including a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a relative wicking ratio of at least 1.5. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure.

Abstract: A method of cleaning residue from a surface includes providing a disposable cellulosic wiper including a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits an average effective pore radius of less than 50 microns. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure.

Abstract: A multi-ply bath tissue having no more than three plies and no fewer than two plies. The multi-ply tissue has a basis weight of from about 20 to about 35 lbs per 3000 sq foot ream and includes from about 3% to about 50% cellulosic microfiber, from about 50% to about 97% wood pulp fibers, has a geometric mean (GM) dry tensile of from about 17 to 80 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, a cross-machine direction (CD) dry tensile of between about 30 to about 60 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight, and sufficient temporary wet strength resin to provide an initial Finch Cup CD wet tensile of from about 2.5 to about 20 g/3 in. per pound of basis weight. The initial Finch Cup CD wet tensile decays to less than 65% of the initial value in less than fifteen minutes after immersion in water. The product has a caliper of at least 5 mils per 8 sheets per pound of basis weight.

Abstract: A method of cleaning residue from a surface using a disposable cellulosic wiper that includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of fibrillated regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml and having a weight average diameter of less than 2 microns. The wiper is applied, with a predetermined amount of pressure, to a residue-bearing surface. The surface is wiped with the applied wiper, while applying the predetermined amount of pressure, to remove residue from the surface, such that the surface has less than 1 g/m2 of residue after being wiped under the predetermined amount of pressure with the applied wiper.

Abstract: A disposable cellulosic wiper includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers and a percentage by weight of fibrillated regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns, and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. A papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a dewatered web. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer surface. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a polymeric creping belt having perforations. The web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web including a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions protruding from an upper surface of the web, the hollow domed regions having sidewalls being formed along at least a leading edge of the web. Connecting regions form a network interconnecting the hollow domed regions. Transition areas include fibers that transition from the connecting regions into the hollow domed regions, by extending upwardly from the connecting regions into the sidewalls of the domed regions. The web is dried to produce the sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a wiper/towel product includes compactively dewatering a nascent web having cellulosic microfibers and an apparently random distribution of fibers. The dewatered web is applied to a transfer surface. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a creping belt. The belt-creping step occurs under pressure in a belt creping nip. The web is dried to form a dried web having a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions protruding from an upper side of the web. The hollow domed regions have a sidewall of a relatively high local basis weight formed along at least a leading edge thereof. The web also has connecting regions of a relatively lower local basis weight forming a network interconnecting the hollow domed regions, and transition areas provided with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions that transition from the connecting regions into the sidewalls of the hollow domed regions.