Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet material includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted fiber web with an embossing roll provided with a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the embossing roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, and bonding the fiber web to produce the embossed air-laid absorbent sheet material. The emboss pattern is operative to preferentially convey sorbed liquid along the plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions of the fiber web.

Abstract: A method of embossing an air-laid or double recrepe absorbent fabric including: providing a web of fabric; moving the web material along a web material path; providing a rotary embossing roller and a cooperating backing roller, the rotary embossing roller having a hard rubber embossing surface having a laser engraved embossing pattern with a depth of from about 0.010 inches to about 0.040 inches; providing a nip between the rotary embossing roller and backing roller; moving the web material through the nip between the rotary embossing roller and backing roller whereby a predetermined pattern is embossed on the web material. The embossing roller surface is biased toward the surface of the smooth backing roller. The surface of the backing roller being composed of a soft rubber compound having a durometer hardness of between 20 to 60.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet product includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted web with a laser-engraved roll with a hard rubber embossing surface, the hard rubber embossing surface having a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the laser-engraved roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, the laser-engraved roll being heated to or maintained at a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 300° F.; and bonding the fiber web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A moist wipe having a web of fibers stabilized as with a suitable binder, and the stabilized, dry web having an anionic surface charge not greater than about 1.2 meq/Kg. A cationic functional agent in an aqueous imbuement is added to the web which is partially adsorbed by the web and a portion of the agent remaining free. Because the anionic surface charge on the substrate is relatively low, there remains in the free aqueous medium a sufficient quantity of the functional agent deliverable to the surface to achieve the desired efficacy. The resulting web will adsorb a limited amount of the cationic functional agent in the aqueous imbuement, and thereby an adequate amount of the agent remains in the solution free of the web for deliverance to the surface, thereby obviating high loadings of the imbuement and the active functional agent.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a multi-layer web product. A long fiber stream is directed around a rotating carding cylinder. Two combing cylinders are disposed adjacent the carding cylinder to comb a first web of long fiber and a second web of long fiber, respectively, from the carding cylinder. A first conveyor receives the first web from the first combing cylinder and transports the first web toward a layering point. Similarly, a second conveyor receives the second web from the second combing cylinder and transports the second web toward the layering point. A short fiber deposition unit is disposed adjacent the second conveyor and deposits short fibers onto the second web. At the layering point, the first conveyor deposits the first web onto the second web, with the short fibers sandwiched therebetween, to form a layered web product.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet includes: depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; embossing the compacted web with a laser engraved roll provided with a hard rubber embossing surface having an embossing pattern with a depth of from about 5 mils to about 100 mils. The hard rubber embossing surface is biased toward a second embossing surface selected from the group consisting of the surface of a nip roll and a foraminous web support engaging a support embossing roll. The process further includes bonding the web.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet made from an air-laid fiber web includes a functional emboss pattern of a continuous (wave-like) shape extending in the machine direction of the sheet. The emboss pattern defines a plurality of compressed regions operative to preferentially convey sorbed liquid away from the point of insult to prevent product failure. The sheet is particularly useful as absorbent core material within a multi-layer absorbent pad. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of making absorbent sheet utilizing an emboss roll provided with radially projecting circumferential sinuate bosses.

Abstract: An auto-start dispensing container for sheet products includes a sealing member secured to a first sheet to be dispensed from the container. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an auto-start dispenser for dispensing moistened inter-folded wipes which includes: (a) a container provided with a dispensing aperture for receiving a plurality of moist wipes; (b) a removable sealing member affixed to said container to seal the aperture wherein the sealing member and the container form an enclosure adapted to retain moisture; and (c) a lead sheet engaged with the plurality of moist wipes and secured to said removable sealing member, the removable sealing member and the lead sheet being adapted to draw a moist wipe partially through the aperture upon removal of the sealing member from the container. Preferably, the lead sheet is affixed to the removable sealing member by way of a hot-melt adhesive.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet includes: depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; embossing the compacted web with a laser engraved roll provided with a hard rubber embossing surface having an embossing pattern with a depth of from about 5 mils to about 100 mils. The hard rubber embossing surface is biased toward a second embossing surface selected from the group consisting of the surface of a nip roll and a foraminous web support engaging a support embossing roll. The process further includes bonding the web.

Abstract: A moist wipe having a web of fibers stabilized as with a suitable binder, and the stabilized, dry web having an anionic surface charge not greater than about 1.2 meq/Kg. A cationic functional agent in an aqueous imbuement is added to the web which is partially adsorbed by the web and a portion of the agent remaining free. Because the anionic surface charge on the substrate is relatively low, there remains in the free aqueous medium a sufficient quantity of the functional agent deliverable to the surface to achieve the desired efficacy. The resulting web will adsorb a limited amount of the cationic functional agent in the aqueous imbuement, and thereby an adequate amount of the agent remains in the solution free of the web for deliverance to the surface, thereby obviating high loadings of the imbuement and the active functional agent.

Abstract: An auto-start dispensing container for sheet products includes a sealing member secured to a first sheet to be dispensed from the container. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an auto-start dispenser for dispensing moistened inter-folded wipes which includes: (a) a container provided with a dispensing aperture for receiving a plurality of moist wipes; (b) a removable sealing member affixed to said container to seal the aperture wherein the sealing member and the container form an enclosure adapted to retain moisture; and (c) a lead sheet engaged with the plurality of moist wipes and secured to said removable sealing member, the removable sealing member and the lead sheet being adapted to draw a moist wipe partially through the aperture upon removal of the sealing member from the container. Preferably, the lead sheet is affixed to the removable sealing member by way of a hot-melt adhesive.