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 forced 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: An apparatus and method for separating a tail from a roll of material. The apparatus includes a rotator for rotating a roll of material about its longitudinal axis and a tail loosener for loosening a tail from the roll. Air flowing from a duct passes over a tail supporting surface to extend the tail along the surface. The apparatus may be used to arrange a tail before the tail is sealed to the roll.

Abstract: A creping system includes a Yankee dryer rotatable about its axis, a blade support mechanism which includes (a) a pair of guide rails, (b) a fixed attitude linear bearing engaging and translatable along each of the guide rails, each fixed attitude linear bearing being mounted on a block and (c) a combination linear-rotary bearing being carried by each block, the axis of each combination linear-rotary bearing being parallel to the generators of the surface of the Yankee dryer and collinear with the axis of the other combination linear-rotary bearing. A stub shaft engages each combination linear-rotary bearing, each stub shaft being translatable along, and rotatable about, the axis of its respective combination linear-rotary bearing. A blade holder is mounted between the stub shafts, and a blade mounted on the blade holder for engagement with the surface of the Yankee dryer.

Abstract: A support spindle adapts a toilet tissue dispenser cabinet designed for use with conventional toilet tissue rolls having cores for use with coreless toilet tissue rolls. The support spindle includes a roll stop which is used to position a coreless roll at different locations on a rotatable sleeve incorporated on the support spindle. An insert positioned in the cabinet is employed to prevent premature actuation of a roll drop-down mechanism employed in the cabinet.

Abstract: A paper drying apparatus and method therefor including an infrared drying unit and a vacuum unit, wherein the infrared drying unit emits infrared radiation in a direction toward the vacuum unit. A fabric sheet for carrying a paper web is provided, wherein the fabric sheet passes between the infrared drying unit and the vacuum unit. The infrared drying unit is positioned on the side of the fabric sheet adjacent to the paper web and the vacuum unit is juxtaposed on the opposite side of the fabric sheet from the infrared drying unit, wherein the vacuum unit draws air through the paper web in a direction from the infrared drying unit toward the vacuum unit. The combination of the infrared drying unit with the vacuum units provides a compact arrangement which efficiently removes moisture from the paper web.

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: Dispenser apparatus for dispensing paper sheet material from one or more paper rolls includes a housing having a bottom opening communicating with the interior of the housing. A paper roll support is located at the bottom opening partially closing the bottom opening. The paper roll support forms a dispensing opening into which the paper roll projects to provide ready access to the paper roll. The paper roll support includes a downwardly curved roll engagement surface which forms a nip with the paper roll during dispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus for plug-assisted thermoforming of a cup or other hollow article has a concave well or cone region machined into its top with a series of small holes drilled near the deepest part of the well and connected to a port inside the plug which is connected to a specifically sized manifold system. The manifold has a source for positive (pneumatic) and negative (vacuum) pressure air. During the machine cycle, a vacuum is introduced into the plug, which draws the hot plastic sheet into the plug well to stretch it. The vacuum is replaced by compressed air to transfer the pre-stretched sheet into a mold. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the plug is shaped to provide stretching in both the central well and in peripheral regions concentric with the well. Controlled air pressure in the mold may be used to provide the concentric prestretching.

Abstract: A paper drying apparatus including a first rotatable drum, wherein the first rotatable drum has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter and a second rotatable drum having an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. A fabric sheet for carrying a paper web is provided, wherein the fabric sheet passes around the outer perimeter of the first rotatable drum and proceeds to next pass around the outer perimeter of the second rotatable drum. As the fabric sheet conveys the paper web around the first rotatable drum, a drying air is applied to the paper web in a direction from the inner perimeter of the first rotatable drum toward the outer perimeter of the first rotatable drum, further passing through the paper web. As the fabric sheet and paper web proceed around the second rotatable drum, a drying air is applied to the paper web in a direction from the outer perimeter of the second rotatable drum toward the inner perimeter of the second rotatable drum, further passing through the paper web in a similar direction.

Abstract: A system for dispensing individual sheet material segments from a roll of sheet material in which the sheet material is separated into individual segments by perforated tear lines. The sheet material roll is continually positioned on support rollers with the lead end of the sheet material passing through a nip defined by the rollers and a member which is biased against the rollers to resist rotation thereof. After passing through the nip the end of the toweling proceeds through a restricted opening. Pulling of the end-most segment by a consumer causes the end-most segment to be separated along the perforated tear line separating it from the adjoining, following segment.

Abstract: A disposable drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, an annular trough provided about an inner periphery of the annular mounting portion as well as an annular side wall extending upwardly from the trough to a top land in the form of an annular ridge adjacent an uppermost extremity of the annular side wall is disclosed. The top portion of the lid includes a crown region having a periphery adjacent the annular ridge wherein the annular ridge is asymmetrical having a widened region accommodating a drink-thru opening and a narrowed region diametrically opposed to the widened region of the annular ridge. Further, the periphery of the crown region lies in a first substantially horizonal plane while the annular ridge includes a substantially planar surface with this surface lying in a plane above the planed defined by the periphery of the crown region thereby forming a retaining wall for retaining a container placed thereon.

Abstract: An embossed tissue having improved bulk and puffiness while being non-nesting by having a lattice pattern and at least two signature bosses. More particularly, one of the signature bosses is defined by embossments having a lower portion which is continuous and an upper portion which is defined by crenels and merlons.