Abstract: The present invention is a laser engravable embossing roll exhibiting improved wear characteristics and life span through the use of an epoxy resin based material. Specifically, the embossing roll according to the present invention can be produced using standard laser engraving techniques that have heretofore been applied to rubbers. Rubber rolls, while produced significantly faster than engraved steel rolls, have the disadvantage of poor life span due to wear. The epoxy based resin rolls of the present invention overcome these disadvantages by being quickly and easily produced using laser engraving but exhibiting significantly improved wear characteristics.

Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable mineral-filled polypropylene food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for maximizing water removal from an absorbent web in a press nip. The present invention uses a pressing unit with a pressure profile that maximizes water removal in the press section or on the Yankee dryer of a paper machine. The pressure profile of the pressing unit according to the present invention has a very steep pressure drop at and/or following the exit of a pressure distribution curve in order to maximize water removal by minimizing rewet of the web. The improved pressure profile according to the present invention results in increased water removal and/or improved line speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to embossing single-ply paper products, for example, paper towels, tissue and napkins, in which an improved embossing arrangement is used which is particularly suitable for paper products which have been processed so as to impart undulations whose axes extend in a principal undulatory direction, typically in the machine direction. The absorbent sheet typically further includes undulations which extend in the cross (transverse direction) of the web such that the absorbent sheet has a biaxially undulatory structure. The undulations may be formed by the use of an undulatory creping blade. Defined parameters accommodate: the distance at which the undulations are spaced, the total surface area of the design (embossing) elements, the width and length of the embossing elements and the aspect ratio of the elements, as well as the angular orientation of the embossing elements with respect to the undulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biaxially undulatory single-ply and multi-ply tissues, single-ply and multi-ply towels, single-ply and multi-ply napkins and other personal care and cleaning products as well as novel creping blades and novel processes for the manufacture of such paper products. The present invention is directed to tissue and towel product having highly desirable bulk, appearance and softness characteristics produced by utilizing a novel undulatory creping blade having a multiplicity of serrulations formed in its rake surface which presents differentiated creping angles and/or rake angles to the web as it is being creped. The invention is also directed to a novel blade having an undulatory rake surface having trough-shaped serrulations in the rake surface of the blade. The undulatory creping blade has a multiplicity of alternating serrulated sections of either uniform depth or a multiplicity of arrays of serrulations having non-uniform depth.

Abstract: Dispensable sheet material includes opposite side edges spaced apart from one another to define the overall width of the sheet material. Zones of weakness are spaced along the sheet material. Adjacent zones of weakness are spaced apart by a distance of from about 50% to about 200% of the overall width of the sheet material to divide the sheet material into a plurality of sheet material segments. Each of the zones of weakness comprises a plurality of perforations and frangible sheet material portions. Each of the frangible sheet material portions has a width of from about 0.3 mm to about 1.8 mm. The total width of the frangible sheet portions in each zone of weakness is from about 10% to about 30% of the overall width of the sheet material. The sheet material has an elasticity in the dispensing direction of from about 4% to about 20%. The sheet material has a dry tensile strength in the dispensing direction of from about 4,000 grams per 3 inches of width to about 12,000 grams per 3 inches of width.

Abstract: A three-compartment, disposable food serving plate includes three ribs in an asymmetric array angularly joined to the bottom and sidewall of the plate. The plate preferably includes a four radius, smooth profile from the bottom to the outer rim and is formed from mineral-filled polyolefin sheet. Mica-filled polypropylene is particularly preferred.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: A creping blade for creping a cellulosic web from a rotatable cylinder in a creping process includes first and second side faces. The first side face is at least substantially opposite to the second side file. The blade also includes an upper surface adjacent to the first and second side faces. A plurality of notches is provided along the upper surface. Each of the notches has a bottom portion and an open end defined by at least a portion of the upper surface. The notches are configured to increase the caliper of the cellulosic web when the creping blade crepes the cellulosic web from an outer surface of the rotatable cylinder. Creped paper and improved methods of manufacturing paper are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making an ultra soft, multi-ply tissue using wet press technology and the product produced thereby.

Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable polypropylene/mica food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention is a through-air-drying process for producing a fibrous web that possesses not only softness and absorbency but also strength. The method of the present invention monitors and controls the overall charge in the headbox.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for maximizing water removal from an absorbent web in a press nip. The present invention uses a pressing unit having a blanket with a void volume and with a pressure profile that maximizes water removal in the press section or on the Yankee dryer of a paper machine. The pressure profile of the pressing unit according to the present invention has a very steep pressure drop at and/or following the exit of a pressure distribution curve in order to maximize water removal by minimizing rewet of the web. The improved pressure profile according to the present invention results in increased water removal and/or improved line speed. The void volume further increases water removal and/or improves line speed.

Abstract: A heat insulating paper cup having an improved seal. The cup can include a body member having an inside surface and an outside surface, and a bottom panel member having a upper surface and a bottom surface. The body member is coated (or in some instances partially coated) on its outside surface with a foamed low density polyethylene, and on its inside surface with an unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The bottom panel member is coated on its upper surface with a foamed or an unfoamed low density polyethylene or foamed or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene. The body member and bottom panel member are oriented and joined to form a heat seal at an interface between a portion of the unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the inside surface of the body member and a portion of unfoamed low density polyethylene or unfoamed modified low density polyethylene coated on the upper surface of the bottom panel member.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method are disclosed for dispensing sheet material from at least one roll of the sheet material. Dispensing is transferred from a stub roll to a reserve roll automatically in response to sensing a predetermined quantity of the stub roll. An isolating element is provided to lift the reserve roll out of contact with dispensing rollers during dispensing of sheet material from the stub roll, and a nipping element is provided to nip sheet material of the reserve roll when dispensing is transferred from the stub roll to the reserve roll. A cam controls movement of both the isolating element and the nipping element. Structure is also provided for sensing the diameter of the reserve roll of sheet material and providing an indication when the reserve roll is a predetermined diameter. The dispenser is quiet and capacity efficient.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing foam formed fibrous web in which the furnish is made up by mixing a thin water slurry of fibers at a consistency in the range of from about 0.5 to about 7 weight percent fibers with sufficient aqueous foam containing a surfactant and having an air content in the range of from about 55 to about 80 percent by volume to form a foamed fiber furnish containing from about 0.1 to about 3 weight percent fibers which is supplied directly to the forming felt or wire of a twin wire papermaking machine, adding makeup surfactant and discarding excess aqueous foam from the process as required to maintain the desired volume of foamed liquid therein.

Abstract: The perceived softness of embossed tissue can be increased greatly while avoiding nesting when a particular pattern is embossed into the tissue. This pattern combines relatively shallow stitchlike bosses with deeper more sharply defined signature bosses. The stitchlike bosses can be rounded and arranged in wavy flowing intersecting lines. The signature bosses can be arranged in regions framed by the intersecting wavy flowing lines.

Abstract: Low-odor microwaveable polypropylene/mica food contact articles are disclosed. The articles are prepared by low temperature processing and typically include odor-suppressing basic organic or inorganic compounds. Preferably, the articles are substantially free from C8 and C9 organic ketones associated with undesirable odors. Further improvements to the articles include crack-resistant embodiments with synergistic amounts of polyethylene and titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A disposable food serving bowl formed of a mineral-filled polyolefin sheet has a substantially planar central portion, a sidewall portion and a characteristic volume V. The bowl is further characterized by way of a flange projecting outwardly from the sidewall which defines an outer arcuate rim portion with a radius of curvature subtending an outermost arc. The radius of curvature of the outermost arc is from about (V/20)⅓×0.15 to about (V/20)⅓×0.35.