Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent composition comprising a hydrogel-forming polymeric material and fiber bundles, wherein the absorbent composition exhibits desired absorbent properties. The absorbent composition is suitable for use in absorbent structures and disposable absorbent products. The absorbent composition comprises a hydrogel-forming polymeric material in an amount of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent, and fiber bundles in an amount of from about 5 to about 95 weight percent; wherein all weight percents are based upon the total weight of the hydrogel-forming polymeric material and the fiber bundles in the absorbent composition; and wherein the absorbent composition exhibits an Absorbency Under Load value that is at least about 10 percent greater than the Absorbency Under Load value exhibited by an otherwise substantially identical absorbent composition that does not comprise the fiber bundles.

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: Paper sheets, such as creped tissue sheets used for converting into tissue products such as facial tissue and bath tissue, can be softened with by passing the sheets through one or more fixed-gap noncompactive straining nips formed between two engraved rolls having partially-engaged small straining elements of a shape which strains the sheet in all directions. The straining treatment substantially reduces the rigidity of the tissue sheet by increasing the internal bulk without substantially reducing the tensile strength. The method provides a means for making a throughdried-like tissue sheet from a wet-pressed tissue sheet.

Abstract: Tissue sheets, such as are useful for facial or bath tissue, can be embossed with a fine scale embossing pattern to increase bulk with a minimal loss in strength. The fine scale embossing pattern contains at least about 15 discrete intermeshing embossing elements per square centimeter (100 per square inch) and can enable the tissue manufacturer to produce premium quality tissues having adequate softness, bulk and strength from conventional tissue basesheets without layering or throughdrying equipment. Depending on the starting basesheet material, tissues having a unique balance of properties can be produced, especially for conventional wet-pressed basesheets.

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: Tissue sheets, such as are useful for facial or bath tissue, can be embossed with a fine scale embossing pattern to increase bulk with a minimal loss in strength. The fine scale embossing pattern contains at least about 15 discrete intermeshing embossing elements per square centimeter (100 per square inch) and can enable the tissue manufacturer to produce premium quality tissues having adequate softness, bulk and strength from conventional tissue basesheets without layering or throughdrying equipment. Depending on the starting basesheet material, tissues having a unique balance of properties can be produced, especially for conventional wet-pressed basesheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive article which includes at least one absorbent, fibrous web layer which is substantially non-hydroentangled. The fibrous web layer can have a basis weight of at least about 60 gsm, and a density of not more than about 0.25 gm/cc. The fibrous web layer can further have a peak geometric mean tensile strength of at least about 250 grams-force per centimeter of width, and can have a fiber content in which at least about 90 wt % of the fibers are composed of fibers having a fiber length of not more than about 0.4 inch (about 1 cm). In particular configurations, the article includes a backsheet layer, and a liquid permeable topsheet layer which is disposed in facing relation with the backsheet layer. An absorbent structure is interposed between the backsheet layer and the topsheet layer, and the absorbent structure has an overall absorbent capacity of at least about 300 grams of saline.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The throughdryability of dewatered, but wet, sheets made from papermaking fibers can be significantly increased by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the fibers at high consistency to elevated temperatures with sufficient working of the fibers. Such a treatment is particularly effective for improving the efficiency of throughdrying processes used in the manufacture of certain products, such as tissues and paper towels, made from furnishes having a significant amount of secondary or recycled fibers.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of throughdried tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The throughdryability of dewatered, but wet, sheets made from papermaking fibers can be significantly increased by subjecting an aqueous suspension of the fibers at high consistency to elevated temperatures with sufficient working of the fibers. Such a treatment is particularly effective for improving the efficiency of throughdrying processes used in the manufacture of certain products, such as tissues and paper towels, made from furnishes having a significant amount of secondary or recycled fibers.

Abstract: The bulk of creped tissue products, such as facial and bath tissue, can be increased by steaming the tissue while stressed in the machine direction of the tissue.