Non-uniform, Irregular Or Configured Web Or Sheet Patents (Class 162/109)
  • Publication number: 20040062907
    Abstract: The present invention is a tissue web comprising cellulosic fibers and a semi-synthetic cationic polymer having a molecular weight less than about 5 million. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer can be heterogeneously distributed in the tissue web. The semi-synthetic cationic polymer has a degree of cationic substitution of at least 0.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Publication number: 20040055721
    Abstract: A paper tissue such as a facial tissue or a disposable handkerchief and a method of making the tissue. The method includes passing the tissue paper web through an embossing nip formed between a first and a second embossing roll, wherein at least one of the embossing rolls comprises at least 30 embossing elements per square centimeter and applying a transferable lotion to at least portions of the tissue paper web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Hilbig, Marcel Karel Nelis Liplijn, Birgit Zint-Schuessler
  • Patent number: 6702923
    Abstract: A method for preparing a wet strength agent comprising a first step of reacting a nitrogen-containing polymer with a hydrophobic compound to form hydrophobic side-chain substituents on the polymer, a second step of reacting the hydrophobised nitrogen-containing polymer obtained with a crosslinker to form a cationic nitrogen-containing resin, and a third step comprising forming of particles by emulsion polymerisation of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of the wet strength resin formed. The invention further relates to a wet strength agent and resin. It further relates to the use of said agent and resin in cellulosic suspensions, the production of paper, preferably tissue paper, and paper, preferably tissue paper comprising a wet strength resin or agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel NV
    Inventors: Marek Gorzynski, Christian Biermann, Heribert J. Macherey, Arne Andersson
  • Publication number: 20040026052
    Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Cristina Asensio Muilally, Andrew Peter Bakken, Christopher Scott Kowalski, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Michael Stephen Vance, Kevin Joseph Vogt
  • Publication number: 20040020614
    Abstract: An improved method for imprinting a paper web during a wet pressing event is disclosed which results in asymmetrical protrusions corresponding to the deflection conduits of a deflection member. In one embodiment, differential velocity transfer during a pressing event serves to improve the molding and imprinting of a web with a deflection member. Improved deflection members are also disclosed. Improved tissue webs produced are also disclosed having useful sets of physical and geometrical properties, such as a pattern densified network and a repeating pattern of protrusions having asymmetrical structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Michael Alan Hermans, Philip Sim Lin, Kenneth Curtis Larson
  • Patent number: 6680102
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet of paper which includes at least one decorative pattern (14, 16) which contrasts visually against the sheet's background (12) and which has a first series of generally truncated protrusions (22) projecting from one side (13) of the sheet and aligned in a design. In the invention, the sheet (10) includes a second series of protrusions associated with the first series (22) and of which each protrusion assumes the approximate form of a low wall projecting from a side (13) of the sheet and having a height which is less than the height of the protrusions (22) of the first series and of which each (24) bridges the two adjacent protrusions (22) of the first series to enhance the visual perception of the decorative unit (14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventor: Pierre Graff
  • Publication number: 20040003906
    Abstract: The energy efficiency of a primary drying papermaking process is improved by the use of auxiliary dryers to dry the wet tissue webs to a final moisture of about 5% or less and adjust the CD moisture profiles of the wet and partially-dried tissue webs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Wordwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Michael Joseph Garvey
  • Publication number: 20040003905
    Abstract: Paper tissues and paper tissue products such as disposable handkerchiefs, kitchen paper towels, toilet paper and facial tissues exhibiting a soft and smooth surface, and a high bulkiness together with a high strength, in order to provide to the user an enhanced functionality and a high degree of comfort during usage. The present invention also relates to the process of making paper tissue and paper tissue products presenting such characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Klaus Hilbig, Bruno Johannes Ehrnsperger
  • Patent number: 6673202
    Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Cristina Asensio Mullalhy, Andrew Peter Bakken, Christopher Scott Kowalski, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Michael Stephen Vance, Kevin Joseph Vogt
  • Patent number: 6673204
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a non-woven fabric, in which a predetermined pattern of a forming body is transferred to a non-woven fabric immediately after or simultaneously with its formation by urging the non-woven fabric onto the forming body with water jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Takai, Kazuya Okada, Takayoshi Konishi
  • Publication number: 20030226279
    Abstract: A dry end section for a paper-making machine for producing a high-bulk tissue is provided. Such a machine comprises a through-air dryer adapted to finally dry a paper web and a through-air drying fabric configured to transport the web through the through-air dryer. A separating device is included for facilitating separation of the web from the through-air drying fabric. A reel is also provided and is configured to receive the web thereon. The web is received directly on the separating device or on a fabric wrapped about the separating device. In some instances, the web may be compressed between the separating device and an adjacent roll or by a web-compressing device disposed along the fabric transporting the web. The web is then transported to the reel directly from the fabric or other support mechanism extending between the separating device and the reel, without free draw of the web. Associated methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Ingvar Berndt Erik Klerelid, Lars-Erik Roland Onnerlov, Leif Soren Videgren
  • Patent number: 6660129
    Abstract: A fibrous structure having at least a first region defining a first plane and having a first elevation, and a second region outwardly extending from the first plane to define a second elevation, wherein the second region comprises a plurality of fibrous pillows. At least some of the fibrous pillows comprise fibrous domes and fibrous cantilever portions laterally extending therefrom at the second elevation. The cantilever portions are elevated from the first plane to form pocket therebetween. In a cross-section perpendicular to the first plane the fibrous pillow has a cross-sectional base measured at the first elevation and a cross-sectional perimeter, wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional perimeter to the cross-sectional base is greater than 4/1. A laminated fibrous structure is also disclosed, comprising at least one fibrous sheet having a plurality of fibrous cantilever portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David William Cabell, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 6649024
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a chemical treating agent to a cellulose web. The invention is further a means of increasing the bulk, absorbency and pattern definition in an embossed cellulose web without losing softness in the web. Finally, the invention includes products produced by the foregoing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: T. Philips Oriarian, Galyn A. Schulz, Dale T. Gracyalny, Michael E. Hennes, Thomas N. Kershaw, Anthony O. Awofeso
  • Patent number: 6649025
    Abstract: A laminate wiping product is disclosed. The wiping product includes a first outer ply that has a textured surface. For example, the first outer ply can be an uncreped throughdried paper web having a three-dimensional conformation. The second outer ply, on the other hand, can be a smoother and softer web. The plies are laminated together by any suitable process. In one embodiment, the plies are embossed and nested together to form the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell P. Mills, Rick Behm, Thomas Barta, Laurent Paquot
  • Patent number: 6638395
    Abstract: Machine and process for at least one of producing and finishing a fibrous material web. The machine includes a press section, for dewatering the fibrous web, with a press nip, a former, located before, relative to a web travel direction, the press section for sheet formation, and a dryer section, located after the press section for drying the fibrous material web including a first dryer section having no more than three dryer cylinders. Two press rolls are arranged to form the press nip, and at least one press felt is located on each surface of the material web, such that the material web and the at least one press felt on each side of the material web are guided through the press nip. The fibrous material web is dewatered in the former to a dry content of at least approximately 18%, partially loops around the no more than three dryer cylinders, and is constantly supported from the former to an end of the first dryer group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Elenz
  • Publication number: 20030168194
    Abstract: An industrial process fabric is embossed in a device, such as a continuously operating two-roll calender having a preselected embossing pattern. The roll(s) of the calender may alternatively themselves be engraved or etched to provide the embossing. Embossing takes place with controlled temperature, pressure, speed and gap (between the rolls) settings. The fabric may be a forming, press, dryer or TAD fabric used in paper and pulp production, pulp forming fabric or an engineered fabric used to produce nonwoven textile products by meltblowing, spunbonding, hydroentangling or air laid needle punching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph P. Botelho, Jeffrey Scott Denton, James G. Donovan, John M. Hawes, Joseph Gerald O'Connor, David S. Rougvie
  • Patent number: 6613193
    Abstract: A nested rolled paper product is shown in which raised and depressed areas are formed in a sheet. The depressed areas may comprise square shapes, rounded shapes or other geometric shapes that are capable of aligning or nesting in registration when the sheet is rolled to form a reduced diameter rolled product. A high loft through air drying fabric is employed to imprint a high caliper pattern into the sheet in such a way as to nest raised portions, resulting in a more compact product having a minimized roll diameter. Grooves or channels in the sheet are capable of aligning as the sheet is rolled. The resulting rolled product may be toilet tissue, paper towels, or other similar paper products. The final rolled product achieves a minimum roll diameter for a fixed roll length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wolkowicz, Mark Burazin
  • Publication number: 20030159786
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Troy Michael Runge, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Patent number: 6610173
    Abstract: An improved method for imprinting a paper web during a wet pressing event is disclosed which results in asymmetrical protrusions corresponding to the deflection conduits of a deflection member. In one embodiment, differential velocity transfer during a pressing event serves to improve the molding and imprinting of a web with a deflection member. Improved deflection members are also disclosed. Improved tissue webs produced are also disclosed having useful sets of physical and geometrical properties, such as a pattern densified network- and a repeating pattern of protrusions having asymmetrical structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dean Lindsay, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Michael Alan Hermans, Philip Sim Lin, Kenneth Curtis Larson
  • Patent number: 6610619
    Abstract: A method of imparting bulk and/or visual aesthetics to a tissue basesheet involves pressing the basesheet with a felt having a raised pattern on it so that the pattern becomes inherent in the sheet. A pattern is stitched into a carrier layer which is joined to a substrate to form the felt. As the basesheet is pressed into the felt, the raised pattern displaces fibers in the sheet, effectively inducing the pattern in the basesheet. The novel felt with a raised patterned layer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Friedbauer, Michael A. Hermans, John C. Bolt, Michael C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030157300
    Abstract: Highly textured tissue sheets, particularly suitable for use as bath tissue, are produced by throughdrying and have a low number and/or low amount of pinholes. The low number or amount of pinholes is provided by using a throughdrying fabric having parallel wide ridges with a height suited to the particular tissue sheet being produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Cristina Asensio Mullally, Andrew Peter Bakken, Christopher Scott Kowalski, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Michael Stephen Vance, Kevin Joseph Vogt
  • Patent number: 6607637
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for softening an absorbent tissue and tissue structures softened using the composition. The composition includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle; and a bilayer disrupter. The electrolyte and the bilayer disrupter cooperate to cause the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone. Preferably, the softening active ingredient is a quaternary ammonium compound with the formula: (R1)4−m—N+—[(CH2)n—Y—R3]mX− the vehicle is water, the electrolyte is calcium chloride, and the bilayer disrupter is a nonionic surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Kenneth Douglas Vinson, Amy Jo Karl, Errol Hoffman Wahl, Gayle Marie Frankenbach
  • Patent number: 6599393
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane. The hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane structure has one or more pendant groups containing ethylene oxide moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6599394
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane. The hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane structure has one or more pendant groups containing an ethylene oxide moiety and/or propylene oxide moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kou-Chang Liu, Amber Marie Fortune, Geoffrey Fenn Carlow, Timothy Dale Ferguson, Roger Edward Wendler, Jr., Heath David Van Wychen, Daniel John VanderHeiden
  • Patent number: 6599614
    Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent paper product with basic weight of about 36 to about 105 g/m2 comprising at least three pleats, a first and second outer embossed pleats each comprising raised patterns consisting at least partially of discrete protuberances oriented towards the inside of the structure and a non-embossed central pleat, the pleats being associated by linking the distal surfaces of at least part of the protuberances of each of the outer pleats to the central pleat. The invention is characterised in that each of the embossed outer pleats is linked by means of an adhesive to said central pleat, and at least one of the pleats has a pattern density more than 30 protuberances per cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Gilles Roussel, Benoît Hoeft
  • Publication number: 20030136530
    Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, as well as high smoothness and high density. The tissue is calendered from a multidensity, through air dried web. The tissue comprises micropeaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Weisman, Scott Thomas Loughran, Dean Van Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Robert Stanley Ampulski
  • Publication number: 20030136529
    Abstract: A highly absorbent tissue product is provided having a uniform density and a three-dimensional structure including at least first and second background regions separated by a visually distinctive transition region. The first and second background regions include a series of parallel ridges and depressions extending in the machine direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Kai F. Chiu, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6596127
    Abstract: Method of producing a paper having a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions which has been provided in connection with impulse drying, at which the wet paper web (10) is passed through at least one press nip (12) comprising a rotatable roll (13) which is heated and that the paper web during the passage through the press nip is given a three-dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions either by means of a pattern wire, band or belt and/or by a pattern on the heated roll (13) and where the paper web (10) after said press nip (12) is led around an essential part of the periphery of the heated roll (13) in order to provide an additional drying of the paper web while this is still in contact with said three-dimensional pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Holger Hollmark, Lennart Reiner, Thomas Billgren, Kaveh Tondkar, Mats Söderberg, Bengt Järrehult
  • Patent number: 6592636
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a press fabric having an anti-rewet scrim or “barrier” within the internal structure of a press fabric, and a method for making same. External materials are not necessary in creating the barrier. In other words, the existing material is modified to create a natural barrier to prevent water migration back to the press fabric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. Joyce
  • Patent number: 6585856
    Abstract: A method of controlling the degree of molding of a paper web during formation of a tissue product is provided. Initially, a liquid furnish of papermaking fibers is deposited onto a foraminous surface. The web is transferred to a through-drying fabric having a three-dimensional surface contour. In one embodiment, during transfer, the wet web is deflected onto the through-drying fabric so that it is molded to the surface contours of the fabric. The degree of molding is controlled by increasing or decreasing the solids consistency of the web without changing the deflection pressure or force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Zwick, Chris Lawler, Nathan J. Haiduk
  • Patent number: 6585855
    Abstract: A process for increasing the tactile properties of a base web without adversely effecting the strength of the web is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of placing a base web between a first moving conveyor and a second moving conveyor. The conveyors are then wrapped around a shear-inducing roll which creates shear forces that act upon the base web. The shear forces disrupt the web, increasing the softness and decreasing the stiffness of the web. The shear-inducing roll typically has a relatively small diameter. In some applications, more than one shear-inducing roll may be incorporated into the system. Base webs made according to the present invention have been found to have improved void-volume and fuzz-on-edge properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Drew, Patricia Riedl, Peter J. Allen, Brian Klaubert, Paul Arnold, Susan E. Smith, Michael A. Hermans, Phil S. Lin
  • Patent number: 6582560
    Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Michael Runge, Louise Cynthia Ellis Coe, Mike Thomas Goulet, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Patent number: 6582558
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polysiloxane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 6576087
    Abstract: A tissue product having improved hand feel and good wettability is produced by printing onto one or both sides of the tissue an aqueous emulsion containing a hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane. The hydrophilically-modified amino-functional polydimethylsiloxane structure has one or more pendant groups containing ethylene oxide moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kou-Chang Liu
  • Publication number: 20030102098
    Abstract: A process for producing paper webs having a pattern formed into the web is disclosed. The pattern is formed during formation of the web and is made by varying the basis weight of the web. The paper web is produced by depositing an aqueous suspension of fibers between two forming surfaces. One or both of the forming surfaces include lower permeability areas that create lower basis weight areas in the web. The lower permeability areas are contained in the forming surface according to a particular pattern. For instance, the lower permeability areas can be formed into a drainage roll sleeve contained on a drainage roll which contacts a forming surface. The drainage roll can be a forming roll or a breast roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Allen, Joseph G. Capizzi, Mark Alan Burazin, Chuan-Ling Tsai
  • Patent number: 6572735
    Abstract: A wet-formed composite defining latent voids and macro-cavities, the wet-formed composite having a basis weight greater than about 100 grams per square meter and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter or more. The wet-formed composite comprises fibers and superabsorbent material, with the superabsorbent material present in an amount of about 10 dry weight percent or less, specifically about 5 dry weight percent or less, and particularly about 2 dry weight percent or less, but more than 0, based on the total dry weight of fibers and superabsorbent material present in the wet-formed composite. By virtue of the superabsorbent material having been allowed to swell and then shrink during the making of the wet-formed composite, macro-cavities are created. Densification compresses the macro-cavities. The resulting composite expands upon wetting and exhibits good absorbency properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Ronald Lee Edens, Cheryl Ann Mocadlo, Sheng-Hsin Hu, Dmitry Yavich, David Michael Kale
  • Publication number: 20030089475
    Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Theodore Edwin Farrington, Julia Smith Bahlman, Mark Alan Burazin, Fung-jou Chen, Kristin Ann Goerg, Michael Alan Hermans, Robert John Makolin, Michael John Rekoske
  • Publication number: 20030089474
    Abstract: A method of controlling the degree of molding of a paper web during formation of a tissue product is provided. Initially, a liquid furnish of papermaking fibers is deposited onto a foraminous surface. The web is transferred to a through-drying fabric having a three-dimensional surface contour. In one embodiment, during transfer, the wet web is deflected onto the through-drying fabric so that it is molded to the surface contours of the fabric. The degree of molding is controlled by increasing or decreasing the solids consistency of the web without changing the deflection pressure or force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Zwick, Chris Lawler, Nathan J. Haiduk
  • Publication number: 20030084952
    Abstract: The present invention is a woven sculpted fabric for the manufacture of a tissue web having a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface of the woven sculpted fabric includes at least a first group of strands and a second group of strands wherein the first group of strands extend in the cross-machine direction of the woven sculpted fabric and the second group of strands extend in the machine direction of the woven sculpted fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20030085011
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a tissue product. An aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric thereby forming a wet tissue web. The wet tissue web is transferred to a woven sculpted fabric having a tissue contacting surface. The tissue contacting surface includes at least a first group of strands and a second group of strands wherein the first group of strands extend in a first direction and the second group of strands extend in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Kai F. Chiu, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Publication number: 20030085009
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for uniformly applying a foam to a wet tissue web is provided. Specifically, a foam is first formed from a liquid-based composition and a gas, such as air. Once formed, the foam is applied by a foam applicator to the wet tissue web. In one embodiment, for example, the foam applicator applies the foam with a flexible scraper contacting the wet tissue web during the application of the foam. When applied with the foam, the wet tissue web typically has a solids consistency less than about 95% by dry weight of the tissue web. In some embodiments, one or more vacuum slots may be utilized in conjunction with the foam applicator to facilitate uniform application of the foam to the wet tissue web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph George Capizzi, Strong C. Chuang
  • Publication number: 20030085010
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a tissue product. An aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric thereby forming a wet tissue web. The wet tissue web is transferred to a sculpted fabric having a tissue machine contacting side and a tissue contacting side. The tissue contacting side includes an upper porous member comprising a base with nonwoven elevated regions thereon. The nonwoven elevated regions comprise a first group of nonwoven raised elements and a second group of nonwoven raised elements, both raised relative to the base. The first group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a first direction and the second group of nonwoven raised elements extends in at least a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Alan Burazin, Jeffrey D. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6554959
    Abstract: A tissue paper making machine, a tissue paper product, and a method for producing such a tissue paper product. According to the invention, a dewatering and sheet-forming wire (13;14) is deposited in the pulp flow area by a texturing wire (16;17) that is provided with a texture comprised of closed wire zones. This results in the production of a tissue paper product having improved optical and haptic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Von Paleske, Walter F. Hill
  • Patent number: 6554963
    Abstract: An industrial process fabric is embossed in a device, such as a continuously operating two-roll calender having a preselected embossing pattern. The roll(s) of the calender may alternatively themselves be engraved or etched to provide the embossing. Embossing takes place with controlled temperature, pressure, speed and gap (between the rolls) settings. The fabric may be a forming, press, dryer or TAD fabric used in paper and pulp production, pulp forming fabric or an engineered fabric used to produce nonwoven textile products by meltblowing, spunbonding, hydroentangling or air laid needle punching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Botelho, Jeffrey Scott Denton, James G. Donovan, John M. Hawes, Joseph Gerald O'Connor, David S. Rougvie
  • Patent number: 6551461
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Hermans, Charlcie Christie Kay Leitner, Frank Stephen Hada, Ronald Frederick Gropp, Marek Parszewski
  • Patent number: 6551691
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is an absorbent paper product including at least three plies, and a method of manufacture therefore. The absorbent paper product is of an approximate specific surface weight between 36 and 105 g/m2, and includes at least three plies, namely a central ply and two embossed upper and lower outer plies each including salient patterns composed of at least in part discrete protrusions. The plies are joined by joining at least part of the protrusions of each of the outer plies to the central ply. At least one of the outer plies has a pattern density larger than 30 protrusions/cm2. The embossed lower outer ply (2) includes combined high and low patterns (5 and 7) of respective heights (H) and (h). The central ply (4) and the embossed upper outer ply (3) are joined in the nested mode to the embossed lower outer ply (2) at the level of at least part of the tops of the high pattern (5) of height (H) of the embossed lower outer ply (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Gerogia-Pacific France
    Inventors: Benoît Hoeft, Pierre Graff
  • Patent number: 6551453
    Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, as well as high smoothness and high density. The tissue is calendered from a multidensity, through air dried web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Weisman, Scott Thomas Loughran, Dean Van Phan, Paul Dennis Trokhan, Robert Stanley Ampulski
  • Publication number: 20030070780
    Abstract: Paper sheets useful for tissues, paper towels, napkins, disposable absorbent products and the like can be made to exhibit a high degree of wet resiliency. This property is achieved by using a combination of high yield pulp fibers (such as bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers) and a wet strength agent in an uncreped throughdrying process. The resulting product, when wetted, can spring back after being crumpled in one's hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Fung-Jou Chen, Mark Alan Burazin, Michael Alan Hermans, David Henry Hollenberg, Richard Joseph Kamps, Bernhardt Edward Kressner, Jeffrey Dean Lindsay
  • Patent number: 6547928
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composition for softening an absorbent tissue and tissue structures softened using the composition. The composition includes an effective amount of a softening active ingredient; a vehicle in which the softening active ingredient is dispersed; an electrolyte dissolved in the vehicle; a bilayer disrupter and a high polymer. The electrolyte and the bilayer disrupter cooperate to cause the viscosity of the composition to be less than the viscosity of a dispersion of the softening active ingredient in the vehicle alone. The high polymer adds “stringiness” to the composition opening the air pressure operating window for spray application of the softening composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Barnholtz, Kenneth Douglas Vinson, Paul Joseph Coffaro, Larry Neil Mackey, Amy Jo Hamilton, Errol Hoffman Wahl, Gayle Marie Frankenbach, Yenchun Wu
  • Patent number: 6547924
    Abstract: A paper machine for manufacturing textured soft paper comprises a press section with a press nip, through which an impermeable belt and a felt run with the fibrous web between them, a drying cylinder and a transfer roll forming a nip for transfer of the web to the drying cylinder. According to the invention the belt is a texturing belt having a back layer and a web-contacting layer having depressions with surface portions situated between them to form a relief pattern in the web upon passage through the press nip, the texturing belt running from the press to the drying cylinder in order to carry the textured web to the transfer nip. The felt runs away from the texturing belt before a water film formed in the press nip on the texturing belt breaks up. A device is provided before the transfer nip to apply adhesive on the drying cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Metso Paper Karlstad AB
    Inventors: Ingvar B.E. Klerelid, Anders T. Lindén, Robert S. Ampulski, Ward W. Ostendorf, Osman Polat