Abstract: The invention relates to tissue products having improved softness properties and methods of making them. Specifically, improved softness is achieved by incorporating one or more softeners/debonders into the fiber furnish at the wet end of the tissue machine prior to formation, followed by a topical treatment with one or more softeners/debonders after the tissue web is dried. The result is a tissue product with added bulk and a smooth surface feel, both properties contributing to improved softness characteristics.

Abstract: A method of making a bonded and creped type absorbent paper web that has improved bulk to peel strength characteristics includes steps of (a) printing a low density pattern of a bonding material onto a first and a second side of a paper web; and (b) in no particular sequence with respect to step (a), printing a high density pattern of a bonding material onto the first side of the paper web. Steps (a) and (b) are performed so that the high density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the paper web by a distance that is about 166 to about 470 percent of the distance by which the low density pattern of bonding material penetrates into the web. This results in a web that has superior bulk and peel strength characteristics. Another characteristic of the product is that it has a visible depression pattern in one surface, but not the other surface, which creates an attractive aesthetic effect and has functional benefits as well.

Abstract: Debonders, particularly including polysiloxanes, are applied to tissue webs by atomizing the debonder and applying the debonder to the tissue with a steam jet as a debonder/steam mixture. The debonder is applied after the creping blade and prior to the reel. Other suitable debonders include quaternary ammonium surfactants.

Abstract: The invention relates to tissue products having improved softness properties and methods of making them. Specifically, improved softness is achieved by incorporating a cationic amidoamine into the fiber furnish at the wet end of the tissue machine prior to formation and/or by topical addition to the tissue web. One or more softeners/debonders can be added to the furnish and/or topically applied to the tissue web after the tissue web is dried. The result is a tissue product with added bulk and a smooth surface feel, both properties contributing to improved softness characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a papermaking fabric and method of producing a soft, bulky tissue web in which an embryonic fiber web is wet-molded onto a three-dimensional substrate wherein the web-contacting surface of said substrate is a three-dimensional porous nonwoven material. The method can provide higher levels of bulk and surface depth in tissues than is practical with woven papermaking fabrics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a papermaking fabric and method of producing a soft, bulky tissue web in which an embryonic fiber web is wet-molded onto a three-dimensional substrate wherein the web-contacting surface of said substrate is a three-dimensional porous nonwoven material. The method can provide higher levels of bulk and surface depth in tissues than is practical with woven papermaking fabrics.

Abstract: Webs can be embossed using matched embossing elements with shoulders located off-centered. Such a configuration increases the bulk of the web and maintains the web's strength. The shoulder of one roll is located above or below the embossing surface mid-plane. The shoulder of the second roll substantially matches the off-centered elements of the first roll.

Abstract: Certain alkylamides and alkylimides, such as hydroxy alkylamides, which ordinarily act as softening agents and substantially reduce the tensile strength of the tissue sheet in accordance with the strength/softness curve, have been found to have a significantly lesser effect on the strength of tissue sheets which have been noncompressively dewatered and dried. As a result, soft uncreped throughdried tissue sheets can be made to have a higher strength:softness ratio by incorporating these chemicals into the furnish.

Abstract: Rolled creped paper products, such as kitchen towels, can be provided with high roll bulk and a high degree of roll firmness by steaming the dry, creped paper sheet immediately prior to embossing the sheet between matched steel embossing rolls. The steaming preconditions the sheet such that the resulting sheet embossments maintain their shape and structural strength, thereby imparting greater bulk and firmness to the wound roll of product. In addition, the sheet experiences less cross-machine strength reduction as a consequence of the embossing.