Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.

Abstract: A towel roll product having an absorbent towel roll engaged on its outer surfaces by a flexible, protective wrapping. The upper portion of the wrapping at the towel roll top surface has a tear-away perforated portion that provides a tamperproof closure for the product presale, while allowing the product to be in a substantially ready-to-use state following its purchase. In addition, the perforated portion dictates the size of the opening to be created in the wrapping so as to limit potential of compromising the intended functioning of the towel roll product.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable wiper or towel. A slurry is created by blending virgin cellulose fibers with cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste to create a mixture of cellulose fibers that contains about 40 to about 80 percent cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. A contaminant deactivator and debonder are added to the slurry. The slurry is formed into a wet web. The wet web is pressed and adhered a Yankee dryer. The partially dried sheet is creped and dried. The sheet is wound to form a base sheet roll. The base sheet is fed to a first printer. A binder is applied to a first side of the base sheet with the first printer and then pressed into the base sheet. The base sheet is recreped and dried.

Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable wiper or towel. A slurry is created by blending virgin cellulose fibers with cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste to create a mixture of cellulose fibers that contains about 40 to about 80 percent cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. A contaminant deactivator and debonder are added to the slurry. The slurry is formed into a wet web. The wet web is pressed and adhered a Yankee dryer. The partially dried sheet is creped and dried. The sheet is wound to form a base sheet roll. The base sheet is fed to a first printer. A binder is applied to a first side of the base sheet with the first printer and then pressed into the base sheet. The base sheet is recreped and dried.

Abstract: A product including a web and a method of manufacturing such a product. The product may be for use as an industrial absorbent or a thermal or acoustic insulator and includes a web including scrap and/or recycled cellulose, the cellulose being selected from a source of post-industrial cellulose and/or a source of post-consumer cellulose, the cellulose being treated with a fire-retardant, the cellulose being dry before web formation, and opened, individuated bicomponent fibers mixed with the cellulose, at least some of the bicomponent fibers being thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose. The method may include shredding the cellulose, declumping and sizing the cellulose, metering the cellulose into a spray booth, applying a fire retardant to the cellulose in the spray booth, if the fire retardant is a liquid, drying the cellulose, adding bicomponent fibers to the cellulose, forming a web, and heating the web in an oven.

Abstract: A water resistant absorbent towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a container having top, bottom and side walls housing a supply of absorbent towels, and an exterior handle for facilitating transport of the dispenser. The top wall includes a finger-accessible opening through which absorbent towels may be withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the top wall is convex upwardly, but is flexible to enable it to be depressed when dispensers are stacked vertically so as to come into load bearing contact with the towel supply. In some embodiments, the top and bottom walls have interlocking configurations to add lateral stability to vertically stacked dispensers.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: A water resistant absorbent towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a container having top, bottom and side walls housing a supply of absorbent towels, and an exterior handle for facilitating transport of the dispenser. The top wall includes a finger-accessible opening through which absorbent towels may be withdrawn. In certain embodiments, the top wall is convex upwardly, but is flexible to enable it to be depressed when dispensers are stacked vertically so as to come into load bearing contact with the towel supply. In some embodiments, the top and bottom walls have interlocking configurations to add lateral stability to vertically stacked dispensers.

Abstract: A product including a web and a method of manufacturing such a product. The product may be for use as an industrial absorbent or a thermal or acoustic insulator and includes a web including scrap and/or recycled cellulose, the cellulose being selected from a source of post-industrial cellulose and/or a source of post-consumer cellulose, the cellulose being treated with a fire-retardant, the cellulose being dry before web formation, and opened, individuated bicomponent fibers mixed with the cellulose, at least some of the bicomponent fibers being thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose. The method may include shredding the cellulose, declumping and sizing the cellulose, metering the cellulose into a spray booth, applying a fire retardant to the cellulose in the spray booth, if the fire retardant is a liquid, drying the cellulose, adding bicomponent fibers to the cellulose, forming a web, and heating the web in an oven.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical towel roll product comprises an absorbent towel roll having an upright axis, and a flexible, water resistant, protective wrapper engaging the circumferential surface of the towel roll and of sufficient strength to restrain significant diametric expansion of the towel roll when the roll is subjected to an axial load and to increase axial stiffness of the product. The wrapper includes top and bottom portions that encase the top and bottom surfaces of the roll, respectively, the top wrapper portion having an opening providing axial access to the towel roll and through which individual towels can be drawn axially from the interior of the towel roll. A removable and replaceable soil and water-resistant cover protectively covers the wrapper opening, and a rigid disc may be provided between the top surface of the towel roll and the top portion of the wrapper, the disc extending radially to the periphery of the upper surface of the roll.

Abstract: A towel product that has dual functions is provided. The towel product includes a series of stacked towels sandwiched between a first support plate and a second support plate. The first support plate, stacked towels, and second support plate are all encased in an outer wrapper. In some cases, the towel product serves as a stand-alone product. In other cases, the towel product serves as an insert to be placed inside of a towel-dispensing container. The first support plate aids in the product's insert functions when placed inside of a towel-dispensing container and the second support plate aids the product's stand-alone functions.

Abstract: An industrial absorbent and methods of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the industrial absorbent includes a first scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; a second scrim made from at least one thermoplastic material; and a middle layer positioned between the first and second scrims. The middle layer includes a dry-laid web of fire-retardant treated cellulose and opened, individuated staple bicomponent fiber. At least some of the bicomponent fiber in the middle layer is thermally bonded to at least some of the cellulose in the middle layer, and the first and second scrims are thermally bonded to the middle layer.