Abstract: An apparatus and process for making sheets having indicia spaced in a machine direction. Between or among the indicia are perforations or chop-off cuts. The spacing, in the machine direction, between the indicia and perforations or chop-off cuts is maintained over long sheet lengths. The product produced using this apparatus and process is typically paper, and particularly can be used for paper towels or placemats.

Abstract: An electrostatic spraying device being configured and disposed to electrostatically charge and dispense a liquid composition from a supply to a point of dispersal, wherein the device comprises: a reservoir configured to contain the supply of liquid composition; a nozzle to disperse the liquid composition, the nozzle being disposed at the point of dispersal; a channel disposed between the reservoir and the nozzle, wherein the channel permits the electrostatic charging of the liquid composition upon the liquid composition moving within the channel; a high voltage power supply electrically connected to the power source; and a high voltage electrode electrically connected to the high voltage power supply, wherein a portion of the high voltage electrode is disposed between the reservoir and the nozzle, and wherein the high voltage electrode electrostatically charges the liquid composition within the channel at a charging location, wherein the nozzle pathway comprises an outlet path disposed adjacent to the nozzle

Abstract: A tissue product comprising cellulosic fibers and having at least 10% of fugitive wet strength and at least about 3% of a fiber-flexibilizing composition. The fugitive wet strength can be generated by adding a binder that promotes acid-catalyzed formation of hemiacetal functional inter-fiber cross-links. The fiber-flexibilizing composition can comprise either a humectant or a plasticizer. The humectant can be selected from the group consisting of calcium chloride; lactic acid and its salts, high fructose corn syrup, glycerol, triacetin, sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, propylene glycol, and any combination thereof. The plasticizer can be selected from the group consisting of urea, alkyloxylated glycols, dextrose, sucrose, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for making non-thermoplastic starch fibers comprises the steps of: (a) providing a non-thermoplastic starch composition comprising from about 50% to about 75% by weight of modified starch and from about 25% to about 50% of water and having a shear viscosity within the at least one nozzle from about 1 to about 80 Pascals-second at the processing temperature and at a shear rate of 3,000 sec−1; (b) extruding the non-thermoplastic starch composition through at least one extrusion nozzle terminating with a nozzle tip, thereby forming at least one embryonic starch fiber; (c) attenuating the at least one embryonic starch fiber with an attenuating air having an average velocity at the nozzle tip greater than about 30 meters per second, to cause the fiber to form an average equivalent diameter of less than about 20 microns; (d) dewatering the at least one embryonic starch fiber to a consistency of from about 70% to about 99% by weight, thereby producing at least one non-thermoplastic starch fiber, wher

Abstract: Non-thermoplastic starch fibers having no melting point and having apparent peak wet tensile stress greater than about 0.2 MegaPascals (MPa). The fibers can be manufactured from a composition comprising a modified starch and a cross-linking agent. The composition can have a shear viscosity from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 80 Pascal·Seconds and an apparent extensional viscosity in the range of from about 150 Pascal·Seconds to about 13,000 Pascal·Seconds. The composition can comprise from about 50% to about 75% by weight of a modified starch; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an aldehyde cross-linking agent; and from about 25% to about 50% by weight of water. Prior to cross-linking, the modified starch can have a weight average molecular weight greater than about 100,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A mask for use in a process for curing a photosensitive material. The mask comprises a structure having a top side and a bottom side opposite to the top side, and a pattern of transparent regions and opaque regions, wherein the opaque regions comprise at least first opaque regions having a first opacity and second opaque regions having a second opacity different from the first opacity. The opaque regions can comprise a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a pattern formed by a plurality of discrete areas, or any combination thereof. The opaque regions can comprise a gradient opacity that gradually changes in at least one direction. The mask can have a three-dimensional topography comprising, for example, a pattern of protrusions extending from the bottom side of the mask and/or the top side of the mask. The protrusions can form a substantially continuous pattern, a substantially semi-continuous pattern, a discrete pattern, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing element and a resinous framework joined together. The resinous framework is formed by a plurality of resinous beads which mutually contact or cross-over. Super-knuckles extending outwardly from the reinforcing element are formed at points of contact. A preferred continuous process for making the belt comprises extruding, in a pre-selected pattern, a plurality of beads of a resinous material onto the forming surface thereby forming the resinous framework thereon, joining the resinous framework and the reinforcing element together, and then solidifying the resinous framework. The resinous material may comprise at least two chemically-active materials capable of cross-linking upon contact.

Abstract: A dispenser for wipes. The present dispenser comprises a unitary living hinge and a pop-up cover. The unitary hinge allows for simplicity of construction, processing, and use. It also eliminates the need for a secondary mechanical hinge. The pop-up cover permits easy one-handed wipe dispensing without requiring that the lid be manually held in an open position.

Abstract: Non-thermoplastic starch fibers having no melting point and having apparent peak wet tensile stress greater than about 0.2 MegaPascals (MPa). The fibers can be manufactured from a composition comprising a modified starch and a cross-linking agent. The composition can have a shear viscosity from about 1 Pascal·Seconds to about 80 Pascal·Seconds and an apparent extensional viscosity in the range of from about 150 Pascal·Seconds to about 13,000 Pascal·Seconds. The composition can comprise from about 50% to about 75% by weight of a modified starch; from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of an aldehyde cross-linking agent; and from about 25% to about 50% by weight of water. Prior to cross-linking, the modified starch can have a weight average molecular weight greater than about 100,000 g/mol.

Abstract: A single- or multi-ply disposable article comprises at least one foreshortened, wet-extensible ply that has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers comprising creping ridges, wherein the creping ridges are oriented in a first direction; and a coating bonded to the at least one foreshortened ply, the coating defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions in the ply. The minimum caliper is coincident the bonded regions, and the coating comprises a plurality of mutually parallel lines of adhesive extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a starch composition comprising starch, a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000 such that the polymer forms effective entanglements or associations with neighboring starch molecules, and preferably at least one additive to improve melt flow and melt processability. The additive may be a hydroxyl plasticizer, a hydroxyl-free plasticizer, a diluent, or mixtures thereof. The composition is melt processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment. The composition is especially suitable for uniaxial and biaxial extensional processes to make fibers, films, foams and like products.