Abstract: A method of forming a fibrous web including the steps of providing a fiber slurry, depositing the fiber slurry between an inner forming wire and an outer forming wire, wherein the outer forming wire comprises a structured fabric and the inner forming wire contacts a segment of a forming roll, and rotating the forming roll so that the fiber slurry moves into contact with the structured fabric.

Abstract: A papermaking process including the steps of forming a wet paper web on a papermaking machine, pulling vacuum through the web to remove water from the web and thereby generate discharge air, and diverting at least a portion of the discharge air through a control loop to a hot air drying system within the papermaking process to aid in drying the web, wherein the vacuum is generated by centrifugal blowers.

Abstract: A papermaking belt including zones of material laid down successively using a 3D printing process. The zones include at least a pocket zone configured to form three dimensional structures in a paper web by applying vacuum to pull the paper web against the pocket zone. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the zone also include at least one vacuum breaking zone configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through the pocket zone by the applied vacuum.

Abstract: A method of making an absorbent structure including forming a stock mixture of fibers, a cationic wet strength resin, an anionic polyacrylamide and a cellulase enzyme, and at least partially drying the stock mixture to form a web.

Abstract: A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing endless 3-D printed belts using in papermaking and an apparatus for producing endless 3-D printed belts laminated to a substrate for additional strength and dimensional stability during use.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrous web on a papermaking machine including the steps of depositing a dilute fiber slurry out of a headbox to a forming area comprising a forming surface made up of a structured fabric, wherein the structured fabric is supported by a breast roll and a forming roll, and the forming area is devoid of any additional fabrics or belts other than the structured fabric, draining the dilute fiber slurry through the structured fabric, and drying the fiber slurry.

Abstract: A machine or apparatus for producing structured tissue or towel using a press section.

Abstract: A tissue product including a laminate of at least two plies of a multi-layer tissue web, the tissue product having a softness value (HF) of 92.0 or greater, a lint value of 4.5 or less, and an Sdr of greater than 3.0.

Abstract: A papermaking process including the steps of forming a wet paper web on a papermaking machine, pulling vacuum through the web to remove water from the web and thereby generate discharge air, and diverting at least a portion of the discharge air through a control loop to a hot air drying system within the papermaking process to aid in drying the web, wherein the vacuum is generated by centrifugal blowers.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrous web including the steps of providing a fiber slurry, depositing the fiber slurry between an inner forming wire and an outer forming wire, wherein the outer forming wire comprises a structured fabric and the inner forming wire contacts a segment of a forming roll, and rotating the forming roll so that the fiber slurry moves into contact with the structured fabric.

Abstract: A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

Abstract: An absorbent structure with high wet strength, absorbency and softness made by a process including forming a stock mixture of fibers, a cationic wet strength resin, an anionic polyacrylamide and a cellulase enzyme, and at least partially drying the stock mixture to form a web.

Abstract: A method of making a tissue or paper towel product including forming two or more multi-layered webs of cellulosic fibers by a papermaking process using a structured fabric, the papermaking process comprising a step of adding a cross-linker to a pulp slurry comprising the cellulosic fibers so that at least some of the cellulosic fibers are cross-linked within the pulp slurry, and laminating the two or more multi-layered webs together so as to form a multi-ply product, each ply of the multi-ply product comprising cross-linked fibers as a percentage of the total fiber mix of the ply.

Abstract: A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

Abstract: A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

Abstract: A papermaking belt including zones of material laid down successively using a 3D printing process. The zones include at least a pocket zone configured to form three dimensional structures in a paper web by applying vacuum to pull the paper web against the pocket zone. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the zone also include at least one vacuum breaking zone configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through the pocket zone by the applied vacuum.

Abstract: A tissue product including a laminate of at least two plies of a multi-layer tissue web, the tissue product having a softness value (HF) of 92.0 or greater, a lint value of 4.5 or less, and an Sdr of greater than 3.0.

Abstract: A disposable tissue or paper towel product including at least two plies, an exposed outer surface of at least one of the two plies comprising a plurality of pockets, the plurality of pockets having an average volume greater than 0.4 mm3 and an average surface area of 2.5 mm2, wherein the product is formed using a structured fabric with both a left handed and right handed twill pattern that reverses itself periodically.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrous web including the steps of providing a fiber slurry, depositing the fiber slurry between an inner forming wire and an outer forming wire, wherein the outer forming wire comprises a structured fabric and the inner forming wire contacts a segment of a forming roll, and rotating the forming roll so that the fiber slurry moves into contact with the structured fabric.