Abstract: An absorbent sheet made by a process that includes the steps of forming a nascent web from an aqueous papermaking furnish, and creping the nascent web on a multilayer belt that includes (i) a first layer made from a polymeric material having a plurality of openings, and (ii) a second layer attached to the first layer, with the nascent web being deposited onto a surface of the first layer. The absorbent sheet includes a plurality of hollow domed regions projecting from a side of the absorbent sheet, with each of the hollow domed regions being shaped such that a distance from at least one first point on an edge of a hollow domed region to a second point on an edge at an opposite side of the hollow domed region is at least about 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A cellulosic sheet includes a single ply providing a first surface of the cellulosic sheet on one side and a second surface of the cellulosic sheet on a second side. The single ply has a caliper of at least about 130 mils/8 sheets, a basis weight of less than about 16 lbs/ream, and a dry machine direction/cross machine direction (MD/CD) tensile ratio of less than about 1.0.

Abstract: Processes of determining features of a paper-making fabric. The processes utilize a representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric, with the representation showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image of the portion of the fabric is generated based on the representation. Using the displayed image, an outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles, and guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines at least one of (i) pass through the center of the outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, and (iii) form a shape that surrounds areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. With the outlined knuckle and guidelines, properties that affect the paper-making functionality of the fabric may be calculated.

Abstract: A process of forming a papermaking fabric includes determining a value of a characteristic of a first papermaking fabric related to one of (i) knuckles in the first papermaking fabric, (ii) pockets in the first papermaking fabric, and (iii) both knuckles and pockets formed in the first papermaking fabric. A first paper product having domes is formed using the first papermaking fabric. A property of the domes is determined in the first paper product and correlated to the determined value of the characteristic of the first papermaking fabric. A second papermaking fabric is formed such that a value of the characteristic in the second papermaking fabric is altered from the determined value of the characteristic in the first papermaking fabric. A second paper product having domes is formed. The property of the domes in the second paper product is different than the determined property of the domes in the first.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet made by a process that includes the steps of forming a nascent web from an aqueous papermaking furnish, and creping the nascent web on a multilayer belt that includes (i) a first layer made from a polymeric material having a plurality of openings, and (ii) a second layer attached to the first layer, with the nascent web being deposited onto a surface of the first layer. The absorbent sheet includes a plurality of hollow domed regions projecting from a side of the absorbent sheet, with each of the hollow domed regions being shaped such that a distance from at least one first point on an edge of a hollow domed region to a second point on an edge at an opposite side of the hollow domed region is at least about 0.5 mm.

Abstract: A method of creping a cellulosic sheet and a creped web made by a creping process. The method includes preparing a nascent web from an aqueous papermaking furnish, depositing and creping the nascent web on a multilayer creping belt that includes (i) a first layer made from a polymeric material having a plurality of openings, and (ii) a second layer attached to a surface of the first layer, with the nascent web being deposited on the first layer, and applying a vacuum to the creping belt such that the nascent web is drawn into the plurality of openings, but not drawn into the second layer.

Abstract: A cellulosic sheet includes a single ply providing a first surface of the cellulosic sheet on one side and a second surface of the cellulosic sheet on a second side. The single ply has a caliper of at least about 130 mils/8 sheets, a basis weight of less than about 16 lbs/ream, and a dry machine direction/cross machine direction (MD/CD) tensile ratio of less than about 1.0.

Abstract: Processes of determining features of a paper-making fabric. The processes utilize a representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric, with the representation showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image of the portion of the fabric is generated based on the representation. Using the displayed image, an outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles, and guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines at least one of (i) pass through the center of the outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, and (iii) form a shape that surrounds areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. With the outlined knuckle and guidelines, properties that affect the paper-making functionality of the fabric may be calculated.

Abstract: A process of determining features of a fabric. A representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric is formed showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the fabric surface. The representation is a print or a photograph of the fabric surface. An image is generated based on the representation. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a computer screen. The sizes and locations of the knuckles or pockets is determined. A unit cell is drawn for the portion of the fabric surface in the image. The unit cell is defined by guidelines that (i) pass through the centers of the knuckles and (ii) form shapes that surround areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. A fabric planar volumetric index is calculated based on properties of the unit cell formed by the guidelines.

Abstract: A system for forming a print of a surface of a fabric. The system includes a first plate, a second plate, a pressure measurement film, and a fabric that can be used in a papermaking process. The fabric includes a plurality of knuckles on at least one of its surfaces. A print of the knuckles of the fabric is formed on the pressure measurement film by pressing the fabric against the pressure measurement film between the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A process of forming a papermaking fabric includes determining a value of a characteristic of a first papermaking fabric related to one of (i) knuckles in the first papermaking fabric, (ii) pockets in the first papermaking fabric, and (iii) both knuckles and pockets formed in the first papermaking fabric. A first paper product having domes is formed using the first papermaking fabric. A property of the domes is determined in the first paper product and correlated to the determined value of the characteristic of the first papermaking fabric. A second papermaking fabric is formed such that a value of the characteristic in the second papermaking fabric is altered from the determined value of the characteristic in the first papermaking fabric. A second paper product having domes is formed. The property of the domes in the second paper product is different than the determined property of the domes in the first.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, non-compactively dewatering the cellulosic web on the structuring fabric, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. A portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has an adjusted planar volumetric index of at least about 27.

Abstract: A process of determining features of a fabric. A representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric is formed showing at least one of (i) locations and (ii) sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image is generated of the portion of the surface of the fabric based on the representation. A portion of the image is displayed on a computer screen. An outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles in the image. Guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines (i) pass through the center of the at least one outlined knuckle, (ii) pass through the other knuckles, or (iii) form shapes that surround areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. The outline and the guidelines are drawn using an image analysis program.

Abstract: A process of analyzing wear on a papermaking fabric includes forming a first representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. A first image is generated based on the first representation. At least one characteristic related to the surface of the fabric is determined using the first image. The fabric is worn. A second representation of a portion of the surface of the fabric is formed showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. A second image of the knuckles of the fabric is generated based on the second representation. At least one characteristic related to the surface of the fabric is determined using the second image. The determining steps are performed using an image analysis program stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A process of forming a papermaking fabric. A value of at least one characteristic of a first papermaking fabric is determined. The at least one characteristic is related to one of (i) knuckles in the first papermaking fabric, (ii) pockets in the first papermaking fabric, and (iii) both knuckles and pockets in the first papermaking fabric. A second papermaking fabric is formed. The second papermaking fabric is configured such that a value of the at least one characteristic in the second papermaking fabric is different from the value of the characteristic in the first papermaking fabric.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet made by a method that includes forming an aqueous cellulosic web on a portion of a structuring fabric in a papermaking machine, and drying the cellulosic web to form the absorbent cellulosic sheet. The portion of the structuring fabric on which the cellulosic web is formed has a planar volumetric index of at least about 26. The absorbent cellulosic sheet has a caliper of at least about 160 mils/8 sheets and a dry machine direction (MD) to cross machine direction (CD) tensile ratio of less than about 1.0.

Abstract: A method of creping a cellulosic sheet and a creped web made by a creping process. The method includes preparing a nascent web from an aqueous papermaking furnish, depositing and creping the nascent web on a multilayer creping belt that includes (i) a first layer made from a polymeric material having a plurality of openings, and (ii) a second layer attached to a surface of the first layer, with the nascent web being deposited on the first layer, and applying a vacuum to the creping belt such that the nascent web is drawn into the plurality of openings, but not drawn into the second layer.

Abstract: A process of obtaining a fabric includes obtaining an image of a paper product having a three-dimensional structure, determining a pattern that corresponds to the three-dimensional structure of the paper product by using an image analysis program that is stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to analyze the image of the paper product, and obtaining a fabric with a surface that approximates the pattern by selecting a fabric that has a pattern that is known to approximately correspond to the determined pattern.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers that has an upper side and a lower side. A plurality of hollow domed regions projects from the upper side of the absorbent sheet. Each of the hollow domed regions is shaped such that a distance from at least one first point on an edge of a hollow domed region to a second point on an edge at an opposite side of the hollow domed region is at least about 0.5 mm. Connecting regions form a network interconnecting the hollow domed regions of the absorbent sheet. A singly-ply of the absorbent sheet has a caliper of at least about 140 mils/8 sheets.

Abstract: A process of determining features of a fabric. A representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric is formed showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the fabric surface. The representation is a print or a photograph of the fabric surface. An image is generated based on the representation. At least a portion of the image is displayed on a computer screen. The sizes and locations of the knuckles or pockets is determined. A unit cell is drawn for the portion of the fabric surface in the image. The unit cell is defined by guidelines that (i) pass through the centers of the knuckles and (ii) form shapes that surround areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. A fabric planar volumetric index is calculated based on properties of the unit cell formed by the guidelines.