Abstract: The invention relates to drinking U-straws and more particularly to a paper for manufacturing drinking U-straws, which is environmental friendly, bio-degradable and is able to be formed in the shape of a bent straw with an accordion-like structure at the bend. The paper has high water resistance as well as high strength and elongation properties compatible with the intended use. In particular, the paper for forming a U-straw includes: •between 10 and 50 dry wt % of first fibers having a length of between 1.4 mm and 2.5 mm; •between 40 and 80 dry wt % of second fibers having a length of between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm; and•between 1 and 6 dry wt % of a sizing agent.

Abstract: A treated paper product is provided according to the invention. The treated paper product comprises a result of applying a water based emulsion to a paper base sheet to provide an impregnated paper product, and drying the impregnated paper product to a water content of less than about 8 wt. % to provide the treated paper product. The water based emulsion includes a barrier and/or release forming component comprising at least one of stearylated melamine, polyethylene wax, paraffin wax, isoparaffin wax, microcrystalline wax, fluoropolymer wax, silicone wax, alkyl ketene materials, octyl succinic anhydride, Werner chrome complex, natural wax, and mixtures thereof. The water based emulsion can have a solids content of between about 2 wt. % and about 50 wt. % when it is applied to the paper base sheet. Methods for manufacturing and using the treated paper product, and a combination food and treated paper product are provided.

Abstract: A creped paper product is provided according to the invention. The creped paper product comprises a result of creping a web of fibers comprising synthetic fibers to provide a creped paper product having a stretch of at least 3% in the machine direction according to TAPPI test T494. The web of fibers can include about 0.5 wt. % to 100 wt. % synthetic fibers based on the total weight of the fibers. In addition, the web of fibers can contain about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of synthetic fibers and about 90 wt. % to about 99.5 wt. % of cellulosic fibers. When the web of fiber includes a mixture of synthetic fibers and cellulosic fibers, the creped paper product can be provided having a tear strength in the machine direction according to TAPPI test T494 at least 10% greater than an otherwise identical creped paper product that does not contain synthetic fibers. A method for forming a creped paper product is provided according to the invention.

Abstract: A flexible shaft with an inner sleeve defining a hollow core for chip removal. A cylindrical rod is wound right handed into a helical configuration about the sleeve, the convolutions of the rod being in close adjacency with one another. A flat band is wound left handed into a helical configuration about the rod, adjacent convolutions of the band being in nesting relationship with one another.