Abstract: Absorbent laminated materials that include two spunbond nonwoven layers with a cellulose layer arranged in between the spunbond nonwoven layers are disclosed. The different layers of the absorbent laminated material are bonded through an ultrasonic treatment, and can further undergo an embossing step. In addition, the absorbent laminated materials may be used as disposable wiping products, among other applications.

Abstract: Absorbent laminated materials that include two spunbond nonwoven layers with a cellulose layer arranged in between the spunbond nonwoven layers are disclosed. The different layers of the absorbent laminated material are bonded through an ultrasonic treatment, and can further undergo an embossing step. In addition, the absorbent laminated materials may be used as disposable wiping products, among other applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing towels. In one embodiment, the system includes a container configured to receive towels, and a bracket configured to mount to a support surface. The container includes a handle configured to be grasped by a user. The bracket engages the handle of the container to suspend the container from the support surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing towels. In one embodiment, the system includes a container configured to receive a roll of towels, and a bracket configured to mount to a support surface. The bracket engages the container to alternately suspend the container from the support surface in a first orientation and in a second orientation that is different than the first orientation.

Abstract: A dispersible article and methods of making the same. The article has a web of fibers and a dried binder in contact with the fibers. The web of fibers has a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 150 gsm. The dried binder has a polyfunctional aldehyde and a primary polymer. The primary polymer has at least one functional group that is reactive with the fibers or the polyfunctional aldehyde. The fibers have at least one functional group that is reactive with the polyfunctional aldehyde or the primary polymer. The article has a cross direction wet tensile strength after 15 minutes of aqueous saturation that is at least about 30% of an initial cross direction wet tensile strength. The article is flushable.

Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 85% or more recycled fibers and, in one construction, 100% recycled fibers. The recycled fibers are from post-consumer waste and/or post-industrial waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of cellulose fibers. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder.

Abstract: A dispersible article and methods of making the same. The article has a web of fibers and a dried binder in contact with the fibers. The web of fibers has a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 150 gsm. The dried binder has a polyfunctional aldehyde and a primary polymer. The primary polymer has at least one functional group that is reactive with the fibers or the polyfunctional aldehyde. The fibers have at least one functional group that is reactive with the polyfunctional aldehyde or the primary polymer. The article has a cross direction wet tensile strength after 15 minutes of aqueous saturation that is at least about 30% of an initial cross direction wet tensile strength. The article is flushable.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 85% or more recycled fibers and, in one construction, 100% recycled fibers. The recycled fibers are from post-consumer waste and/or post-industrial waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of cellulose fibers. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder.

Abstract: A non-woven industrial absorbent with at least one dual-layer outer scrim. The absorbent includes a core made of cellulose material and bicomponent fibers and has first and second surfaces. A scrim is bonded to at least one of the surfaces. The scrim includes a first layer, the function of which is to adhere to the core, and a second layer, whose function is to provide enhanced grip. The product may be made by processing cellulose to a suitable size, optionally applying a liquid fire-retardant to the cellulose, drying and mixing the cellulose with a thermoplastic bonding agent, and depositing the material onto a belt to produce a web. Subsequent processing of the web softens or melts the bonding agent, thereby adhering it to other web material and giving the web strength and integrity. The one or more scrims or an optional netting provide additional strength or particular surface characteristics.

Abstract: A product and method of manufacturing a non-woven, industrial hydrophobic absorbent. The absorbent includes a core of cotton ginning byproducts (such as cotton regin) and bicomponent fibers. The cotton regin is processed to create a low-density and, thus, a high-absorbency web. The method includes processing cotton regin to a suitable range of fiber length and particle sizes, mixing the cotton regin with a thermoplastic bonding agent, and depositing the material onto a steadily advancing belt to produce a relatively low density, loosely formed web core. Subsequent processing of the web core in an oven softens or melts the bonding agent, thereby adheres it to other web material to give the web core desired strength and integrity. At least one, dual-layer, continuous, air-permeable scrim is secured or bonded the core to provide additional strength and an exterior surface having enhanced grip and non-slip characteristics.

Abstract: A towel roll product having an absorbent towel roll engaged on its outer surfaces by a flexible, protective wrapping. The upper portion of the wrapping at the towel roll top surface has a tear-away perforated portion that provides a tamperproof closure for the product presale, while allowing the product to be in a substantially ready-to-use state following its purchase. In addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of the opening to be created in the wrapping so as to limit potential of compromising the intended functioning of the towel roll product.

Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.

Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: A product including a web and a method of manufacturing such a product. The product may be for use as an industrial absorbent or a thermal or acoustic insulator and includes a web including scrap and/or recycled cellulose, the cellulose being selected from a source of post-industrial cellulose and/or a source of post-consumer cellulose, the cellulose being treated with a fire-retardant, the cellulose being dry before web formation, and opened, individuated bicomponent fibers mixed with the cellulose, at least some of the bicomponent fibers being thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose. The method may include shredding the cellulose, declumping and sizing the cellulose, metering the cellulose into a spray booth, applying a fire retardant to the cellulose in the spray booth, if the fire retardant is a liquid, drying the cellulose, adding bicomponent fibers to the cellulose, forming a web, and heating the web in an oven.

Abstract: A water resistant absorbent towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a container having top, bottom and side walls housing a supply of absorbent towels, and an exterior handle for facilitating transport of the dispenser. The top wall includes a finger-accessible opening through which absorbent towels may be withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the top wall is convex upwardly, but is flexible to enable it to be depressed when dispensers are stacked vertically so as to come into load bearing contact with the towel supply. In some embodiments, the top and bottom walls have interlocking configurations to add lateral stability to vertically stacked dispensers.

Abstract: A laminate non-woven sheet including a first layer, a second layer, and a middle layer. In one embodiment, the first layer consists of melt-blown fibers (and no other type of fibers), the melt-blown fibers have a strength of at least about 5 gpd or more and the first layer has a thickness. The second layer consists of melt-blown fibers (and no other type of fibers), the melt-blown fibers have a strength of about 5 gpd or more and the second layer has a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the first layer. The middle layer is positioned between the first and second layers. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of cellulose fibers. The middle layer is secured to the first and second layers by at least one of a group of bonds created by fusing fibers in the first, second, and middle layers or hydroentangling the first, second, and middle layers.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: A method and device for depositing fibers on a forming wire. In one embodiment, a device includes a fiber reservoir having an inlet, a first outlet configured to pass air or gas, and a second outlet configured to pass fiber. The device also includes a fiber meter configured to move fiber out of the reservoir to a forming head via mechanical action and along substantially the entire width of the forming head. The forming head includes one or more air inlets and one or more agitators to blend and open the fiber received from the fiber meter. The forming head interfaces with a vacuum source that draws air into the forming head through the air inlets, which can be adjusted to affect volume and velocity of air drawn into the forming head.