Abstract: A method of increasing the density and reducing the bulk of multi-ply paper products allowing one to reduce the roll size or increase the roll content, while minimizing the destruction of favorable product attributes.

Abstract: A multi-ply absorbent sheet includes a first absorbent ply of cellulosic sheet; a second absorbent ply of cellulosic sheet; and a ply bonding adhesive interposed between the first absorbent ply and the second absorbent ply, the ply-bonding adhesive thereby adhering said absorbent plies together. The ply-bonding adhesive comprises polyvinyl alcohol and nanofibrillated cellulose. In a particularly preferred embodiment the adhesive is applied as a dilute aqueous composition to tissue plies and the nanofibrillated cellulose has a Characteristic Breaking Length of 6.5 km or above.

Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.

Abstract: A process of determining features of a fabric. A representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric is formed showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the fabric surface. The representation is a print or a photograph of the fabric surface. An image is generated based on the representation. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a computer screen. The sizes and locations of the knuckles or pockets is determined. A unit cell is drawn for the portion of the fabric surface in the image. The unit cell is defined by guidelines that (i) pass through the centers of the knuckles and (ii) form shapes that surround areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. A fabric planar volumetric index is calculated based on properties of the unit cell formed by the guidelines.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a paper towel product that will capably separate from the paper towel roll as a full sheet, a half sheet or a quarter sheet. A method of making a paper towel with machine direction perforations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Products having improved handfeel and methods for making those products are described. The disclosed napkin product includes an emboss pattern that creates a pillow effect resulting in improved handfeel.

Abstract: A hand hygiene compliance monitoring system includes a method and computer program product for performing sanitation compliance monitoring including receiving sanitation compliance data. The sanitation compliance data includes a zone identifier corresponding to a first device in a zone and an entity identifier corresponding to a second device attached to a mobile entity in the zone. The zone is defined by an area over which the first device and the second device communicate via one-way or two-way communication. It is determined whether the entity is compliant with a sanitation protocol associated with the zone, and a database is updated with results of the determining.

Abstract: Sheet product dispensers and methods are provided. A sheet product dispenser includes a loading station for sheet material, a sheet feeding mechanism configured to feed the sheet material, a presentation station for presenting one or more discrete sheet products to an end user, a sensor downstream of the feeding mechanism and upstream of the presentation station configured to detect a presence of the discrete sheet products, and a controller configured to facilitate dispensing of the one or more discrete sheet products in response to a signal, and to determine and store data associated with the dispensing of the sheet products.

Abstract: Soft absorbent sheets, structuring fabrics for producing soft absorbent sheets, and methods of making soft absorbent sheets. The soft absorbent sheets have a plurality of domed regions or projected regions extending from a surface of the sheets, and connecting regions form a network between domed regions. The domed and projected regions include indented bars that extend across the domed and projected regions in a substantially cross machine direction of the absorbent sheets. The absorbent sheets can be formed by structuring fabrics that have long warp yarn knuckles.

Abstract: A system for forming a print of a surface of a fabric. The system includes a first plate, a second plate, a pressure measurement film, and a fabric that can be used in a papermaking process. The fabric includes a plurality of knuckles on at least one of its surfaces. A print of the knuckles of the fabric is formed on the pressure measurement film by pressing the fabric against the pressure measurement film between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A converting line for producing a paper product. The converting line includes a paper web being unwound from a parent roll. The paper web has a plurality of sections with at least one mark, associated with an action score, assigned to each of the plurality of sections. The converting line also includes a mark reading unit, which reads one of the plurality of marks on the paper web. The converting line further includes a controller configured to obtain the action score associated with a second one of the plurality of marks; to calculate a distance between the one mark read by the reading unit and the second one of the plurality of marks; and to change at least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the action score of the second one of the plurality of marks when the calculated distance is less than a threshold.

Abstract: A pinch roller assembly for a sheet product dispenser includes a roller body and a plurality of clips. The roller body includes a plurality of grooves. The roller body is rotatably associated with the plurality of clips, each clip being disposed in one of the plurality of grooves.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, non-compactively dewatering the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27.

Abstract: A converting line for producing a paper product. The converting line includes a paper web being unwound from a parent roll. The paper web has a plurality of sections with at least one mark having a paper rating assigned to each of the plurality of sections. The converting line also includes a mark reading unit that reads at least one of the plurality of marks on the paper web and produces a corresponding output. The converting line includes a controller that receives the output from the mark reading unit, and is configured: (i) to obtain the paper rating associated with the at least one mark read by the reading unit, and (ii) to change at least one operational parameter of the converting line based upon the paper rating. The converting line also includes a finisher. The paper web is fed to the finisher and converted into a paper product.

Abstract: Water dispersible nonwoven substrates in accordance with the present invention are formed primarily of individualized bast fibers substantially free of pectin. The nonwoven substrate can include staple fibers to a lesser extent than the individualized bast fibers. Individualized bast fibers include fibers derived from the flax and hemp plants. The nonwoven substrate is formed into a web in a wet or a dry state and subsequently bonded to produce a water dispersible nonwoven substrate. The nonwoven substrate can be a tissue or a wet wipe.

Abstract: A process of determining features of a fabric. A representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric is formed showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image is generated of the portion of the surface of the fabric based on the representation. A portion of the image is displayed on a computer screen. An outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles in the image. Guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines (i) pass through the center of the at least one outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, or (iii) form shapes that surround areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. The outline and the guidelines are drawn using an image analysis program.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cutlery dispenser for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The cutlery dispenser may include a case configured to expand from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The cutlery dispenser also may include a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case and configured to be dispensed therefrom. The present disclosure also provides a method for dispensing wrapped cutlery. The method may include the step of providing a cutlery dispenser including a case and a wrapped cutlery band disposed within the case. The method also may include the step of expanding the case from a compact configuration into an expanded configuration. The method further may include the step of dispensing at least a portion of the wrapped cutlery band from the case.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are described that provide an improved way to monitor the state of a dispensing system and apparatus. The method begins when an activation sensor generates a signal indicating a desired dispense cycle operation in response to detecting user input, such as user hand motion in front of the sensor. The dispenser motor is energized in response to the generated signal, and a battery sensor monitors a status of the battery during a startup phase of the dispenser motor. The monitored status of the battery during the startup phase is indicative of a state (e.g., power state or operational state) of the dispensing system, and a dispenser controller determines if the system can complete the desired dispense cycle operation based upon the monitored status and reacts to control the system accordingly, e.g., aborting a dispense cycle or allowing the dispense cycle to initiate.