Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with adsorbable chemicals with a minimal amount of unadsorbed chemical additives present later in the papermaking process water. A method for adding an adsorbable chemical to pulp includes mixing pulp fibers that have never been dried with water to form a fiber slurry. An adsorbable chemical additive is added to the fiber slurry. The fiber slurry having the adsorbable chemical additive is transported to a web-forming apparatus where a wet fibrous web is formed. The wet fibrous web may be dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web having from between about 10 to about 100 percent retention of the adsorbable chemical additive. The dried fibrous web is transported to a paper machine where the dried fibrous web is mixed with water to form a wet slurry. In other embodiments, the fiber slurry can be processed to provide crumb fibers or wet lap fibers.

Abstract: Absorbent articles of the present invention are specifically adapted for the adult male anatomy. The articles include a moisture barrier, a liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The moisture barrier is gathered along each of its side edges between forward and rearward terminal points. The moisture barrier is gathered along its back end by an elasticized back pouch member. The back pouch member includes a flange section and a pouch section. The pouch section includes a substantially fixed edge portion, an elasticized gathered movable edge portion, a substantially liquid impermeable pouch barrier layer, a pouch fabric layer, and a plurality of separate laterally extending pouch elastic members sandwiched between the pouch barrier layer and the pouch fabric layer. In particular embodiments, a retaining member is bonded to the liner and defines therebetween a compartment having a volume, and a cover formed of a liquid impermeable material is bonded to the liner.

Abstract: A method of filling an upright facial tissue carton with a plurality of tissue and a support member is disclosed. The carton has a top wall, four sidewalls and a bottom wall. The top wall has an aperture formed therein through which the tissue can be withdrawn. The method includes assembling a plurality of tissues into a clip of tissue having a first surface and a second surface. A support member is placed adjacent to the second surface of the clip of tissue. The clip of tissue and the support member are both folded into an inverted U-shaped configuration. The carton is then opened and the inverted U-shaped configuration is inserted such that the first surface of the clip of tissue is positioned adjacent to the aperture. The carton is then closed and sealed to form a filled upright facial tissue carton.

Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.

Abstract: An uncreped tissue sheet having improved softness results from supplementally dewatering a wet web to a consistency of greater than about 30 percent using noncompressive dewatering techniques prior to a differential speed transfer and subsequent throughdrying. An air press particularly well suited for providing the supplemental noncompressive dewatering incorporates side and/or end seals to minimize escape of pressurized fluid. A creped tissue sheet can be produced with a variety of manufacturing benefits using the air press.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining a fluid seal with a moving substrate. The apparatus includes an enclosure and a cap. The enclosure has a first surface and a second surface with the first surface being in sealing contact with the moving substrate. The cap seals off the second surface of the enclosure. The cap is secured to the enclosure at at least two spaced apart locations and has a non-secured portion that is capable of deflecting independently of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes means for introducing a pressurized fluid into the enclosure. The pressurized fluid creates a net force on the enclosure of zero and a force on the cap which causes a portion of the cap to deflect. The deflection of the cap allows the first surface of the enclosure to remain in sealing contact with the moving substrate.

Abstract: An absorbent pad having elasticized side flaps is adapted to provide improved leakage performance and comfort. In one embodiment, the elastic member of each side flap is at least partly out of the plane of the absorbent assembly when the absorbent pad is in a generally flat position, and the absorbent pad has a Gurley stiffness of greater than 2000 milligrams. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad has an anti-roll back feature and an Effective Elastic Value of at least 30 millimeters.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a thin fibrous mat, such as a tissue sheet, with improved edge strength is disclosed. The apparatus includes a headbox having a top, a bottom, a pair of lateral sides, a back with an inlet formed therein and a front with an outlet formed therein. A first conduit is connected to the inlet of the headbox and flow therethrough is regulated to convey a first aqueous slurry at a desired flow rate into the headbox. The first aqueous slurry has a predetermined fiber consistency. A second conduit is connected to one of the lateral sides of the headbox and a second aqueous slurry is directed therethrough into the headbox at a different flow rate than through the first conduit. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for drying or draining water from the aqueous slurry exiting the outlet to form a thin fibrous mat. The thin fibrous mat has increased strength adjacent to an edge located downstream from the second conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship.

Abstract: A superior skin barrier enhancing body facing material, such as a body side liner on an absorbent article, can be made by applying, on the outer surface of the body facing material, a lipid-enriched hydrophobic composition comprising a natural fat or oil, a sterol or sterol derivative, an emulsifying surfactant, a humectant, an emollient, a wax, and a viscosity enhancer, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution of solid composition on the outer surface of the body facing material.

Abstract: Pressurized web treatment systems include a moving web that passes through a pressurized treatment chamber having a sealing assembly with a leakage control system. Leakage control is achieved by the cooperative effect of localized leak detectors and leak reduction means that applies a local sealing force on the seal assembly responsive to a signal from the leak detectors such that increased sealing occurs in the vicinity of the leak. In particular, an air press for paper web dewatering has improved efficiency by virtue of the leakage control system, which features local leak detectors and local force generation means associated with a flexible seal assembly to reduce leakage at the edges of the stationary plenum of the air press. Local leak detection can be based on sonic measurement with microphones, detection of escaping tracer gas, optical signals, and other means.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a substantially uniform distribution of particulate material within the cross direction of a fibrous web includes a conveying mechanism for providing a gas entrained supply of the particulate material. A transferring mechanism directs the particulate into a delivery gas stream to provide a flow volume of the particulate material a delivery conduit and a delivery nozzle into a web forming chamber. A fiberizing mechanism provides a flow of a selected fibrous material into the web forming chamber, and a directing mechanism controls the flow of particulate material from the delivery conduit and the delivery nozzle into the web forming chamber. A foraminous forming layer is disposed within the web forming chamber for receiving the fibrous material and the particulate material to produce a fibrous web which includes a substantially uniform distribution in the cross direction of the particulate material therein.

Abstract: A method for making a throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The method includes the steps of depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a wet web. The wet web is then transferred to a throughdrying fabric such that the wet web has a fabric side in contact with the throughdrying fabric and an opposite air side facing away from the throughdrying fabric. The wet web is routed over a throughdryer to dry the web. The web is then transferred to a Yankee dryer for further drying and is creped from the Yankee dryer to obtain a creped web having a basis weight of about 15.2 pounds per 2880 square feet. The creped web in then calendered in a calendering unit that includes a smooth calender roll and a resilient calender roll. The resilient calender roll has an exterior covering formed of ethylene propylene diene polymer and the creped web is oriented such that the fabric side is disposed toward the resilient calender roll.

Abstract: A soft uncreped throughdried tissue product includes a distribution of surface deposits of an additive composition adapted to reduce skin irritation and redness or otherwise deliver a benefit to the user. An array of primary delivery zones with a relatively high additive add-on amount in combination with supplementary delivery zones with a relatively lower add-on amount effectively maximize consumer benefit while minimizing the total amount of additive on the tissue.