Abstract: The present invention provides a process for improving smoothness of a web surface by subjecting the web surface to an untreated smooth roll traveling at a different speed than the web and thereby producing heat generated by friction to plasticize the very top fibers in the mat. Surprisingly, the inventors found that no abrasive was needed to generate the amount of heat required to achieve the smoothness gain.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of loaded paper or paperboard products, comprising the steps of separating at least one process stream from the papermaking process, wherein the process stream includes fines and/or filler; combining the process stream with long fibers and thickening to form a residue; treating the residue to form fiber-filler complexes; and using the fiber-filler complexes in the papermaking process to form the paper.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods enabling a purchaser to select for purchase an article of manufacture from a plurality of like articles of manufacture over a computer network. The plurality of like articles of manufacture have properties whose actual values vary due to a manufacturing process. A method includes acquiring actual values for properties of the article of manufacture and storing the actual values as a database. The actual values are transmitted to a processor that is programmed to compare each desired value of a property selected by a purchaser with the actual value for each respective property of the article of manufacture to determine whether there is a match between each desired value and the actual value for each respective property. The purchaser may select and transmit an offer to purchase the article of manufacture.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of loaded paper or paperboard products, comprising the steps of separating at least one process stream from the papermaking process, wherein the process stream includes fines and/or filler; combining the process stream with long fibers and thickening to form a residue; treating the residue to form fiber-filler complexes; and using the fiber-filler complexes in the papermaking process to form the paper.

Abstract: Multilayer paper having an improved combination of stiffness and smoothness, and the processes for producing such paper products are disclosed. The multilayer papers are formed using chemical pulp, with the outer layers comprised of coarser, stronger fibers and the inner layer of finer but weaker fibers that exhibit a higher compressibility than the fibers of the outer layers. Such multilayer papers exhibit improved stiffness and strength from having the stronger fibers located in the outer layer, without losing the preferable surface smoothness of the finer inner-layer fibers, whose smoothness characteristics are reflected in the final surface smoothness.