Abstract: A core plug for supporting a roll of sheet product with respect to a sheet product dispenser is provided. The core plug may include a shell and a support. The shell may be positioned about a longitudinal axis of the core plug and configured to be at least partially inserted into a central opening of the roll of sheet product. The support may be movably attached to the shell and configured to engage a support feature of the sheet product dispenser such that the roll of sheet product is rotatably supported with respect to the sheet product dispenser. The support may be positioned at least partially within the shell, and at least a portion of the support may be configured to translate relative to the shell in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the core plug.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for scouring and increasing the brightness of non-wood fibers. The method comprises forming a mixture of non-wood fibers, exposing the mixture to a scouring liquor and a scouring agent comprising oxygen gas to form a scouring mixture, and scouring the scouring mixture by radially circulating the scouring liquor throughout the scouring mixture to provide scoured fibers.

Abstract: Systems for producing pressware are provided. In one or more embodiments, a system can include an upper moveable platen, a lower moveable platen, a stationary platen, a punch platen, and one or more forming die assemblies. The upper moveable platen and the punch platen can be disposed above the stationary platen and the lower moveable platen can be disposed below the stationary platen. The upper moveable platen, the punch platen, and the lower moveable platen can be configured to move toward and away from the stationary platen. Each forming die assembly can include a set of upper and lower forming dies. The upper and lower forming dies can be coupled to the upper and lower moveable platens, respectively, and configured to press substrates to form pressware products within passageways extending through the stationary platen.

Abstract: A cellulosic sheet includes a single ply providing a first surface of the cellulosic sheet on one side and a second surface of the cellulosic sheet on a second side. The single ply has a caliper of at least about 130 mils/8 sheets, a basis weight of less than about 16 lbs/ream, and a dry machine direction/cross machine direction (MD/CD) tensile ratio of less than about 1.0.

Abstract: Zwitterionic surfactant compounds and their use in connection with absorbent paper manufacture in debonder and softener formulations. An exemplary surfactant is an imidazolinium compound of formula: wherein X is SO3, R1 is a hydrocarbyl spacer group having a chain length of from 2-6 carbon atoms, R2 is a hydrocarbyl group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms; and R3 is an alkenylamidoalkyl moiety having from 8 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article of manufacture, which can be a fiber and or a film. In one aspect, the fiber or the film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and an inorganic filler comprising particles having an average diameter of less than about 20 micrometers. The PVOH has a degree of hydrolysis of greater than about 95% and is present in a range between about 20 wt. % and about 99 wt. % based on the total fiber weight. Methods of making the fibers and films are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a fibrous sheet including bringing a permeable patterned surface of a patterned cylinder into contact with a nascent web and conveying the nascent web between a transfer surface and the permeable patterned surface over an arc length of the permeable patterned surface. The arc length forms at least a portion of a molding zone. The method also includes applying a vacuum over at least a portion of the arc length. The method further includes transferring the nascent web from the transfer surface to the permeable patterned surface of the patterned cylinder in the molding zone. The vacuum is applied during the transferring of the nascent web from the transfer surface to the permeable patterned surface of the patterned cylinder.

Abstract: Processes of determining features of a paper-making fabric. The processes utilize a representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric, with the representation showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image of the portion of the fabric is generated based on the representation. Using the displayed image, an outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles, and guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines at least one of (i) pass through the center of the outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, and (iii) form a shape that surrounds areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. With the outlined knuckle and guidelines, properties that affect the paper-making functionality of the fabric may be calculated.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dispensing device and methods of using a dispensing device having an improved out indicator. The dispensing device includes a housing having a cavity. A tissue stack is disposed within the cavity, the tissue stack including a plurality of tissue sheets folded along a crease. An aperture is formed in a top surface of the housing such that a tissue sheet is removable from the cavity through the aperture. A portion of the tissue sheets includes an out indicator formed along a centerline of each tissue sheet and across the crease.

Abstract: Dispensing towels includes, using a motor assembly configured to cause a leading edge of the toweling to be extended from a housing of the dispenser and to cause the toweling to be subsequently retracted back into the housing, (a) the step of extending the toweling exterior of the housing for grasping by a user; and (b) subsequent thereto, the steps of (1) retracting the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly; (2) sensing a leading edge of the toweling, using a sensor, while retracting the toweling; and (3) ceasing retracting of the toweling into the housing using the motor assembly as a function of sensing the leading edge of the toweling using the sensor. The toweling is advanced by the motor assembly such that a line of perforations in the toweling, along which the user tears the toweling, is located downstream of the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser interface, associated methods and systems, and dispensers employing the dispenser interface and associated systems and methods. An example embodiment provides a product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product. The dispenser comprises a dispenser controller having a first communication interface; and a communication controller having a second communication interface. The second communication interface is operatively connected to the first communication interface. The communication controller is configured to be in communication with one or more devices. The communication controller is configured to receive a command from one of the one or more devices; and provide the command to the dispenser controller. The dispenser controller and communication controller are configured to cause (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, or (c) dispenser data to be communicated in accordance with the command.

Abstract: Products having improved caliper, sheet bulk and absorbency and methods for making those products are described. The method comprises producing a multi-ply product having different emboss patterns on each ply where the emboss patterns are made up of emboss elements having an aspect ratio of from about 1 to about 2.

Abstract: Sheet product dispensers and methods of dispensing sheet products are provided, including feeding a sheet material from a roll via a sheet feeding mechanism, separating one or more discrete sheet products from the roll via a separation mechanism, dispensing the one or more discrete sheet products to an end user at a presentation station via a sheet product conveying mechanism, and detecting a presence of the sheet material via a sensor downstream of the sheet feeding mechanism, wherein the sheet product conveying mechanism is driven in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the sheet material.

Abstract: Absorbent sheet is manufactured utilizing a low charge density debonder composition comprising an imidazolinium surfactant-containing constituent selected from the group consisting of: (i) cationic imidazolinium surfactants with alkylalkenylhydroxy substitution; (ii) zwitterionic imidazolinium surfactants; and (iii) an ion paired surfactant mixture including a zwitterionic imidazolinium surfactant and a cationic surfactant and, in admixture with the imidazolinium surfactant-containing constituent, (iv) a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: Systems for providing on-demand food service material printing for food service are provided herein. A food service material dispenser comprises a roll holder configured to hold a roll of food service material, one or more rollers, and a motor configured to operate to translate the food service material along a path within the dispenser. The dispenser includes a cutting arrangement configured to perform a cut of the food service material to form the sheet of food service material that defines a size associated with a food service order. The dispenser also includes a printer configured to print at least one of order information or personalization information on the food service material that is based on the associated food service order. The dispenser further includes a chute configured to dispense the sheet of food service material, which includes the at least one of order information or personalization information printed thereon.

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 cationic polyether amine dispersant for papermaking fibers comprises the polymeric reaction product of a polyether diamine, a polyether bisepoxide and a quaternary ammonium salt. The polyether diamine, the polyether bisepoxide and the quaternary ammonium salt reactants are reacted in the following molar ratios: the molar ratio of amine functionality of the polyether diamine to epoxide functionality of the polyether bisepoxide is from 0.5:1 to 2:1 and the molar ratio of the amine functionality of the polyether diamine to the epoxide functionality of the quaternary ammonium salt is from 10:1 to 40:1. The dispersant is used in stock preparation used in paper products including absorbent products as well as paperboard.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.

Abstract: Products having improved ply bonding, moldability and drape and methods for making those products are described. The methods comprise producing a multi-ply adhesively bonded product comprising a pattern of uniformly spaced microembossed elements with a bond area of less than about 0.020 inches/sq. inch.