Abstract: A multi-layered web is disclosed that is resilient and/or elastic in the Z-direction. Thus, when the web is compressed, the web assumes a compacted state and then expands to an expanded state when the compressive forces are removed. In one embodiment, the multi-layered web includes a middle layer made from a resilient blend of fibers positioned inbetween two outer layers. The middle layer, for instance, can contain elastomeric fibers, three-dimensional fibers, and/or debonded fibers.

Abstract: A system comprising a pulper configured to (i) accept surfactant, a liquid and fiber stock and (ii) generate a foam that suspends the fiber stock, wherein the foam has a half-life; a headbox configured to receive the foam-suspended fiber stock from the pulper and displace the foam-suspended fiber stock onto a forming wire, wherein a time it takes the foam-suspended fiber stock to move from the pulper to the headbox is less than the half-life; and a foam return device that removes at least some of the foam from the forming wire and returns the at least some of the foam to the pulper.

Abstract: A process for forming multi-layer fibrous web with good absorbent capacity and absorbent rate is disclosed. The multi-layer fibrous web can be used as absorbent articles, including wiping products, such as industrial wipers, food service wipers, and the like. The multi-layer fibrous web includes a first layer and a second layer, as well as a crossover zone, that has a capillary pressure between the capillary pressure of the first layer and the capillary pressure of the second layer.

Abstract: A system comprising a pulper configured to (i) accept surfactant, a liquid and fiber stock and (ii) generate a foam that suspends the fiber stock, wherein the foam has a half-life; a headbox configured to receive the foam-suspended fiber stock from the pulper and displace the foam-suspended fiber stock onto a forming wire, wherein a time it takes the foam-suspended fiber stock to move from the pulper to the headbox is less than the half-life; and a foam return device that removes at least some of the foam from the forming wire and returns the at least some of the foam to the pulper.

Abstract: A process for foam forming webs is disclosed. The foam formed webs can be used as wiping products, such as industrial wipers, food service wipers, and the like. The web contains a mixture of cellulosic fibers and longer, strength building fibers. The web is foam formed and then subjected to one or more hydroentangling steps. After hydroentangling, the web is dried in a non-compressive manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wiping product well suited to absorbing a solvent and releasing the solvent onto an adjacent surface. The wiping product can also be constructed so as to have excellent abrasion resistance. The wiping product can be used in numerous applications and is particularly well suited for wiping unfinished surfaces, such as metal surfaces and composite surfaces for removing contaminants, such as oil and grease. The wiping product is made from a hydroentangled and thermally bonded web containing staple fibers and conjugated fibers.

Abstract: A multi-layered web is disclosed that is resilient and/or elastic in the Z-direction. Thus, when the web is compressed, the web assumes a compacted state and then expands to an expanded state when the compressive forces are removed. In one embodiment, the multi-layered web includes a middle layer made from a resilient blend of fibers positioned inbetween two outer layers. The middle layer, for instance, can contain elastomeric fibers, three-dimensional fibers, and/or debonded fibers.

Abstract: A process for foam forming tissue or paper webs is disclosed. A foamed suspension of fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric and contacted with a gas flow prior to drying the web. For instance, the web can contact the gas flow prior to dewatering the web. The gas flow can have a volumetric flow rate and/or a velocity sufficient to rearrange the fibers within the web. In one embodiment, for instance, the gas flow can increase the caliper of the web, the stretch properties of the web, and/or the absorbency characteristics of the web. In one embodiment, the gas flow can be pulsed for producing a web with a distinctive pattern.

Abstract: The foam and fiber composite can provide an absorbent article with improved dryness and an improved liquid distribution capability. The foam and fiber composite can be formed from at least two materials. The first material is an open cell foam material and the second material is a fibrous material. A plurality of the fibers forming the fibrous material can be fluid inserted into the open cell foam material thereby forming the foam and fiber composite. In various embodiments, the foam and fiber composite can be incorporated into an absorbent article as a component of an absorbent system located between a topsheet layer and a backsheet layer of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A process for foam forming tissue or paper webs is disclosed. A foamed suspension of fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric and contacted with a gas flow prior to drying the web. For instance, the web can contact the gas flow prior to dewatering the web. The gas flow can have a volumetric flow rate and/or a velocity sufficient to rearrange the fibers within the web. In one embodiment, for instance, the gas flow can increase the caliper of the web, the stretch properties of the web, and/or the absorbency characteristics of the web. In one embodiment, the gas flow can be pulsed for producing a web with a distinctive pattern.

Abstract: A dispersible moist wipe includes regenerated cellulose fibers in an amount equal to or less than 20 percent by weight and natural cellulose fibers in an amount equal to or greater than 80 percent by weight. At least 50 percent of the natural cellulose fibers are fibrillated. The regenerated cellulose fibers and the natural cellulose fibers are hydroentangled such that the web has a wet CD tensile strength of at least 200 grams per inch. A method of making a dispersible nonwoven sheet includes dispersing natural cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers in a liquid medium to form a liquid suspension and depositing the liquid suspension over a forming surface to form a nonwoven web. The natural cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers of the web are hydroentangled using a plurality of hydroentangling jets.

Abstract: A process for foam forming tissue or paper webs is disclosed. A foamed suspension of fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric and contacted with a gas flow prior to drying the web. For instance, the web can contact the gas flow prior to dewatering the web. The gas flow can have a volumetric flow rate and/or a velocity sufficient to rearrange the fibers within the web. In one embodiment, for instance, the gas flow can increase the caliper of the web, the stretch properties of the web, and/or the absorbency characteristics of the web. In one embodiment, the gas flow can be pulsed for producing a web with a distinctive pattern.

Abstract: A process for foam forming tissue or paper webs is disclosed. A foamed suspension of fibers is deposited onto a forming fabric and contacted with a gas flow prior to drying the web. For instance, the web can contact the gas flow prior to dewatering the web. The gas flow can have a volumetric flow rate and/or a velocity sufficient to rearrange the fibers within the web. In one embodiment, for instance, the gas flow can increase the caliper of the web, the stretch properties of the web, and/or the absorbency characteristics of the web. In one embodiment, the gas flow can be pulsed for producing a web with a distinctive pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wiping product well suited to absorbing a solvent and releasing the solvent onto an adjacent surface. The wiping product can also be constructed so as to have excellent abrasion resistance. The wiping product can be used in numerous applications and is particularly well suited for wiping unfinished surfaces, such as metal surfaces and composite surfaces for removing contaminants, such as oil and grease. The wiping product is made from a hydroentangled and thermally bonded web containing staple fibers and conjugated fibers.

Abstract: A wet laid and hydraulically entangled nonwoven material made from cellulosic fibers and synthetic staple fibers is disclosed. The cellulosic fibers are mixed with the synthetic fibers and formed into a web using a wet lay process. The web is then subjected to multiple hydroentangling processes. In one embodiment, the web is subjected to a first hydroentangling process while being conveyed in a horizontal position. The web is then fed over subsequent hydroentangling drums. Each side of the web is subjected to at least one more hydroentangling process.

Abstract: A dispersible moist wipe includes regenerated cellulose fibers in an amount equal to or less than 20 percent by weight and natural cellulose fibers in an amount equal to or greater than 80 percent by weight. At least 50 percent of the natural cellulose fibers are fibrillated. The regenerated cellulose fibers and the natural cellulose fibers are hydroentangled such that the web has a wet CD tensile strength of at least 200 grams per inch. A method of making a dispersible nonwoven sheet includes dispersing natural cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers in a liquid medium to form a liquid suspension and depositing the liquid suspension over a forming surface to form a nonwoven web. The natural cellulose fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers of the web are hydroentangled using a plurality of hydroentangling jets.

Abstract: A stretch-bonded elastic nonwoven composite includes a machine-direction elastic apertured film-based, stretch-bonded laminate layer that has been hydroentangled throughout all of its laminate layers with a hydrophilic fibrous layer. The elastic apertured film-based, stretch-bonded laminate layer includes a middle elastic film layer positioned between one or two inelastic layers, each of which layers includes hydrophilic fibers from the hydrophilic fibrous layer.

Abstract: A stretch-bonded elastic nonwoven composite that is absorbent to both water and oil includes a machine-direction, elastic filament-based, stretch-bonded laminate layer and a hydrophilic fibrous layer that is hydroentangled with all layers of the elastic filament-based, stretch-bonded laminate layer. The laminate layer includes a middle elastic filament-based layer sandwiched between two inelastic nonwoven layers.

Abstract: A wet mop head assembly for use with a mop handle is disclosed. The mop head includes a laminate mop substrate having a first layer of scrubbing material, a second layer of scrubbing material and an absorbent foam layer sandwiched between the scrubbing material layers. At least one bond is present to join the scrubbing and absorbent foam layers together.

Abstract: A multiple mode headbox is provided including a support surface, two or more chambers, and an adjustable roof. Each chamber includes a plurality of nozzles adapted to optionally supply papermaking fibers to the support surface. The adjustable roof is operably configured to adjust over a range of movement such that it defines a forming zone between the support surface and at least one chamber in a first mode, and between said support surface and at least one different said chamber in a second mode.