Abstract: Disclosed am multi-ply tissue products, particularly creped and through-air dried facial tissue products, having improved strength and softness. For example, the products have a geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) greater than about 1,2000 g/3?, a geometric mean tensile energy absorption (GM TEA) of about 20 g·cm/cm2 or greater and a TS7 value less than about 16.0. In certain instances, the tissue products also have a low degree of stiffness and a relatively smooth surface, such as a Stiffness Index less than about 8.00 and a TS750 value less than about 15.0. The tissue products may be prepared from webs manufactured by a print-crepe process that deposits a latex polymer on at least one of the outer surfaces of the tissue web.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for determining or identifying the type of product in a dispenser based at least in part on the length of rolled product dispensed and/or the radial measurement.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-ply tissue products, particularly wet pressed facial tissue products that have been recreped. For example, disclosed are tissue products prepared from wet pressed tissue webs that have been recreped using a print-crepe process that deposits a latex polymer on at least one of the outer surfaces of the tissue web. The tissue products have improved strength and softness, such as a geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) greater than about 1,400 g/3?, a geometric mean tensile energy absorption (GM TEA) of about 20 gocm/cm2 or greater and a TS7 value less than about 16.0. In certain instances, the tissue products also have a low degree of stiffness and a relatively smooth surface, such as a Stiffness Index less than about 8.00 and a TS750 value less than about 20.0.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a plurality of fibers from a spinneret; subjecting the fibers to quench air; attenuating the fibers through a closed stretching unit; reducing a velocity of the plurality of fibers in a diffuser that is spaced apart from an exit of the closed stretching unit in a direction of travel of the fibers, the diffuser having opposed diverging sidewalls; and subjecting the fibers to an applied electrostatic charge before the fibers enter the diffuser, wherein the electrostatic charge is applied by one or more electrostatic charging units.

Abstract: A method of making a composite elastic laminate is provided where an elastic layer is stretched in the machine-direction and while in a stretched state is fed into a grooved-roll assembly, together with outer facing layers, for imparting simultaneous cross-direction stretching forces to the superposed layers. The bi-directional stretching forces causes the elastic layer to tear and/or rupture allowing the laminate to be bonded in areas where the elastic layer has been displaced. Upon relaxation, a composite elastic laminate is provided having excellent breathability and elastic properties.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes a bodyside liner, an outer cover, an absorbent body disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, and a surge layer disposed between the bodyside liner and the absorbent body, the surge layer having an X-Y plane, a Z-direction, and a longitudinal direction, and a barrier extending substantially through the surge material in the Z-direction, wherein the barrier is configured to block at least one linear longitudinal fluid flow path. The surge layer can alternatively have a plurality of barriers extending substantially through the surge material in the Z-direction, wherein the plurality of barriers is configured to block a plurality of linear longitudinal fluid flow paths or all linear longitudinal fluid flow paths while allowing non-linear fluid flow paths in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an embossed multi-ply tissue product that is visually pleasing and has improved physical attributes. For example, the inventive multi-ply tissue products have reduced stiffness, such as a GM Flexural Rigidity less than about 600 mg*cm, improved absorbency, such as a Residual Water (WResidual) value less than about 0.15 g, and improved wet resiliency, such as a wet elastic strain ratio greater than about 32 percent.

Abstract: Various implementations include dispensers for a plurality of sheets of sheet material that includes at least two adjacent panels that together define a removable surfboard, wherein the two adjacent panels are joined together via a fold line. Various implementations also include blanks that can be folded into the dispensers and methods of assembling the same. In some implementations, the removable surfboard has a length of about 60% to about 80% of a length of the fold line. In addition, the removable surfboard has a medial portion and lateral portions disposed on opposite sides of the medial portion. The lateral portions defined by the first panel have a width that is greater than a width of the medial portion defined by the first panel. Additionally, in some implementations, the shape of the removable surfboard contributes to a unique look for the dispensers and the blanks.

Abstract: A flexible container defining an interior volume and having one or more geometric deformations on one or more sidewalls is provided. The flexible container exhibits an increased rigidity due to the one or more geometric deformations such that the flexible container maintains a substantial portion of an internal volume and/or a height of the sidewall(s) of the flexible container when some or all of an article contained in the internal volume is dispensed. A method of forming a flexible container is also provided that includes forming a flexible container from a film or laminate, where one or more geometric deformations are formed on a wall of the flexible container.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material from one or more rolls of sheet material is provided. The dispenser includes a housing having an interior volume and a module disposed within the housing including a dispensing mechanism. The dispenser includes a transfer assembly having a rear transfer roller and a front transfer roller disposed on a transfer arm. The transfer arm is disposed in one or more walls of the module via a slot. The transfer arm is configured to be placed in an operating position or a loading position. When in the loading position, the transfer arm extends into a second portion of the slot to provide greater clearance between the front transfer roller and the drive roller to facilitate loading of the sheet material. A transfer assembly is also disclosed having a rear transfer roller disposed in a slot disposed in a second portion of the transfer arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet-laid tissue product comprising regenerated cellulose fibers that can provide 25% or less of the total weight of the wet-laid tissue product. The regenerated cellulose fibers can have a denier of less than 0.9 and a fiber length of less than 6.0 mm. The wet-laid tissue product can provide improvements in softness at a given strength.

Abstract: Elasticated materials and articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. A method may comprise advancing first and second substrate materials and a stretched elastomeric strand in the machine direction. The method may further comprise advancing the first and the second substrate materials with the elastomeric strand positioned therebetween to a bonding apparatus. The bonding apparatus may comprise first and second elements forming a bonding nip. The method may further comprise oscillating the strand in a cross-machine direction and advancing the first and second substrate materials, and the strand, through the bonding nip and bonding the first and second substrate materials together with at least first and second bonds. The first and second bonds may be disposed on opposite sides of the strand and spaced apart a distance less than its un-tensioned diameter, and the first and second bonds may be located along an arcuate portion of the strand.

Abstract: A method for increasing absorbent capacity of a superabsorbent material (SAM) by treating the SAM with a selected multifunctional chemical agent (MCA) or a combination of a plurality of selected MCAs is described herein. The selected MCA(s) may interact with the polymer chain of the SAM through one or a plurality of mechanisms that enhance the absorbent capacity of the SAM. In various preferred embodiments, SAMs include polyelectrolytes that are made from polymerizing mixtures of acrylic acid monomer and acrylic acid sodium salt, and L-arginine or lysine is selected as the MCA.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two layered belt useful in the manufacture of tissue products comprising a first woven layer and a second nonwoven layer joined together in a laminated arrangement. The woven layer typically forms the machine contacting layer of the belt and is woven from a highly abrasion resistant material, while the nonwoven layer contacts the nascent tissue web. The woven layer may be provided with valleys and ridges that the nascent web is molded into, while the nonwoven layer may be provided with elements that impart a visually aesthetic pattern to the web. In this manner the belt may be useful in the production of products having desirable physical properties resulting from molding into the woven fabric while also being visually pleasing to the user.

Abstract: Described herein are super absorbent materials (SAMs) and methods of making SAMs. The super absorbent materials are copolymerized with select redox active inorganic salts in a staged polymerization process. The copolymer-based super absorbent materials have significantly improved absorbance properties. The compositions and methods described herein are useful in a variety of absorbent products.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent assembly positioned between the back sheet and the top sheet. The absorbent article includes a fluid intake layer positioned between the absorbent assembly and the top sheet. The fluid intake layer has a rearward-facing arch located in a back portion of the fluid intake layer. The fluid intake layer has an opening. The absorbent article includes a first lateral stiffener and a second lateral stiffener extending along a majority of the longitudinal side edges of the fluid intake layer. The absorbent article includes a first flexure, a second flexure, and a third flexure in a rear portion of the absorbent article.

Abstract: Described herein are super absorbent materials (SAMs) and methods of making SAMs. The SAMs are copolymerized after formation of monomer complexes to incorporate select inorganic salts into the polymerized SAMS. The SAMs are copolymerized with select stable inorganic salts and/or with select redox active inorganic salts. The SAMS are copolymerized in a single-step polymerization process or in a staged polymerization process. The copolymer-based SAMs have significantly improved absorbance properties. The compositions and methods described herein are useful in a variety of absorbent products.