Abstract: Green tea extracts having improved clarity and color. These extracts are obtained by treating the green tea extract with an amount of a food grade cation exchange resin effective to remove metal cations present in the extract. The treated extract is then contacted nanofiltration membrane while the treated extract is at a temperature of from about 100.degree. to about 140.degree. F. (from about 37.8.degree. to about 60.degree. C.) to provide a filtered green tea extract as the permeate. These green tea extracts can be included in a variety of beverages and are especially useful in suppressing the characteristic aftertaste of aspartame in diet beverages.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having an expandable component is disclosed. The expandable component can be inflatable, and includes a gas evolving material and an activating material separated from the gas evolving material by a breakable barrier. The barrier is broken to combine the materials and inflate the component at the point of use of the disposable absorbent article. The inflatable component can include a spacer for maintaining a fecal void space in a disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for use in making a web of papermaking fibers. The apparatus comprising: a dewatering felt layer having a first web facing felt surface at a first elevation and a second oppositely facing felt surface, and a web patterning layer comprising a photosensitive resin. The patterning layer penetrates the first felt surface, and extends from the first felt surface to form a web contacting top surface at a second elevation different from the first elevation. The invention also comprises a method of forming a web support apparatus having a felt layer and a web patterning layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for use in making a web of papermaking fibers. The apparatus comprising: a dewatering felt layer having a first web facing felt surface at a first elevation and a second oppositely facing felt surface, and a web patterning layer comprising a photosensitive resin. The patterning layer penetrates the first felt surface, and extends from the first felt surface to form a web contacting top surface at a second elevation different from the first elevation. The invention also comprises an method of forming a web support apparatus having a felt layer and a web patterning layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed in a compression nip with first, second, and third dewatering felt layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having a generally planar neck opening which is longitudinally symmetric and laterally asymmetric. The generally planar neck opening can be teardrop shaped. In one embodiment the neck opening is formed by shoulder extensions extending from a bib body. The shoulder extensions can be overlapped, and a mechanical fastener associated with the distal ends of the shoulder extensions provides releasable fastening of the overlapping shoulder extensions.

Abstract: A paper web is disclosed. The paper web includes at least three regions disposed in a nonrandom, repeating pattern. The three regions are distinguishable from each other by at least one property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, density, and fiber composition. The paper web has a relatively high basis weight background portion and decorative indicia. The decorative indicia comprise one or more relatively low basis weight regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having a generally longitudinally symmetric and laterally asymmetric neck opening, and concave side edges. The generally planar neck opening can be teardrop shaped. The concave side edges accommodate movement of the wearer's arms. The bib can also include waist fastening members.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin, such as a photosensitive resin, to a substrate such as a papermaker's dewatering felt. The method comprises the steps of providing a substrate; providing a curable liquid resin; providing a second material different from the curable liquid resin; applying the second material to the substrate to occupy at least some of the voids in the substrate intermediate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; applying the curable resin to the substrate; curing at least some of the resin to provide a resin layer on the substrate; and removing at least some of the second material from the substrate, wherein at least some of the second material is removed from the substrate after applying the curable resin to the substrate.

Abstract: A paper web and method of making the paper web are disclosed. In one embodiment the paper web includes a continuation relatively thinner region and a plurality of discrete relatively thicker regions. The relatively thicker regions are disposed in the plane of the relatively thinner region. The paper web can have a relatively patterned face and a relatively smooth face. The paper structures can be dried relatively quickly and efficiently, and can provide enchanced absorbency and bulk density while having a relatively smooth face.

Abstract: A web winding apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus include a turret assembly, a core loading apparatus, and a core stripping apparatus. The turret assembly supports rotatably driven mandrels for engaging hollow cores upon which a paper web is wound. Each mandrel is driven in a closed mandrel path, which can be non-circular. The core loading apparatus conveys cores onto the mandrels during movement of the mandrels along the core loading segment of the closed mandrel path, and the core stripping apparatus removes each web wound core from its respective mandrel during movement of the mandrel along the core stripping segment of the closed mandrel path. The turret assembly can be rotated continuously, and the sheet count per wound log can be changed as the turret assembly is rotating. The apparatus can also include a mandrel having a deformable core engaging member.

Abstract: A method of making the paper web is disclosed. The paper web includes at least three regions disposed in a nonrandom, repeating pattern. The three regions are distinguishable from each other by at least one property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, density, and fiber composition. The paper web has a relatively high basis weight background portion and decorative indicia. The decorative indicia comprise one or more relatively low basis weight regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web. The compression nip has an extended length, and can comprise convex and concave opposed compression surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to color and shelf stable beverage compositions comprising:a) from about 0.4% to about 1.5% tea extract wherein the level of caffeine is from about 0.85% to about 3.2%; and the tea solids content is from about 12% to about 60%;b) from about 10 ppm to about 40 ppm colorant;c) from about 300 ppm to about 1500 ppm erythorbic acid or ascorbic acid;d) from about 0.5% to about 8.0% citric acid;e) an effective amount of sweetener; andf) water; andwherein the tea extract contains unoxidized flavanols.