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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a web from a forming fabric in a forming section of a paper making machine to a transfer felt or fabric is disclosed including directing the web carrying forming fabric in a substantially longitudinal direction adjacent an underside of a transfer shoe in a transfer zone the said web being positioned between the forming fabric and the transfer shoe and the transfer shoe having a substantially planer lead-in surface and an arcuate exiting surface of a predetermined radius, the lead-in surface including an arcuate trailing edge having a predetermined radius less than that of the arcuate exiting surface with the trailing edge and the exiting surface being separated by a suction opening, directing the transfer felt in a substantially longitudinal direction adjacent the underside of the transfer shoe with the transfer felt being positioned between the web and the transfer shoe, the transfer felt entering the transfer zone at an angle with respect to the forming wire, creating

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

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: The felt disclosed is a base fabric which is covered with a low level of batting and which is treated with a polymer. A papermaking machine and method of using the machine which employs a felt that simultaneously imprints and dewaters a wet paper web as the web is deposited on a cylindrical drying surface.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material containing fibers bearing foraminous hydrophobic water-vapor-permeable pellicles, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. Additionally, the absorbent layer will include highly absorbent material formed by in-situ crosslinking of a partially pre-neutralized polyacrylic acid. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning a moving web of sheet material. The apparatus includes a Coanda nozzle having an elongated, curved foil and a slit for directing gas at a high rate of speed along the foil. The gas from the foil impacts a layer of air entrained by the web of sheet material flowing in an opposed direction. Impact occurs within a gap formed between the foil and the web which becomes increasingly restricted in the direction of movement of the web. The entrained layer of air is caused to reverse direction within the gap and is mixed with the gas from the nozzle under turbulent conditions to clean the web and remove particulate material such as dust therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a paper roll product having a core on a coreless paper roll spindle having an enlargement. The apparatus includes an adapter spindle for sliding over the coreless paper roll spindle and a lock within the interior of the adapter spindle for locking the coreless paper roll spindle and the adapter spindle against substantial relative axial movement.