Abstract: An improved absorbent consumer paper product such as toilet tissue involves drying fabric that forms an aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior pattern on the paper web before creping. The drying fabric is characterized by a plurality of shute threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a cross-direction of the drying fabric; and a plurality of warp threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a machine direction of the drying fabric. The shute and warp threads are woven together so as to define a number of relatively long warp knuckles at locations where one of said warp threads crosses over at least four of the shute threads.

Abstract: A papermaking fabric, particularly useful as a throughdrying fabric, which has shute and warp threads woven together to define a top surface plane on the sheet side containing only a number of relatively long warp knuckles at locations where one of the warp threads crosses over at least four of the shute threads. The long warp knuckles are positioned in a shed pattern to form (a) a first axis of bulky ridges that are defined by long warp knuckles positioned next to each other on adjacent warp threads, the first axis being disposed at a first angle with respect to the cross-direction of the drying fabric that is substantially between 68 and 90 degrees; and (b) a second axis formed by each of the long warp knuckles with other, overlapping long warp knuckles on nearby, but not immediately adjacent, warp threads, the second axis forming a second angle with respect to the cross-direction of the drying fabric of less than about 28 degrees.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10% to 32% dry to the range of 33% to 50% dry wherein the embryonic web is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10% to 32% dry to the range of 33% to 50% dry wherein the embryonic web is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the moisture content of a paper web in a papermaking process from in the range of 10% to 32% dry to the range of 33% to 50% dry wherein the embryonic web is supported on a knuckled through drier fabric and lightly pressed between the knuckled through drier fabric and a capillary membrane of a capillary dewatering roll. The capillary membrane has capillary pores therethrough which have a substantially straight through, non-tortuous path with a pore aspect ratio of from about 2 to about 20. A vacuum is drawn within the capillary dewatering roll which is not greater than the negative capillary suction pressure of the capillary pores.

Abstract: An embossed sanitary paper product and method of making such product. The paper is embossed to form in the paper a midplane and an array of bosses extending up and down from the formed midplane. Each upward extending boss is flanked on two sides, in each of two directions, by a downward extending boss, and in at least one of the two directions, the paper between an upward extending boss tip and an adjacent downward extending boss tip on one side has a higher strain than the paper between the upward extending boss tip and an adjacent downward extending boss tip on the opposite side. The forming of a higher strain region and a lower strain region on opposite sides of a boss can be accomplished by forming asymmetric bosses with each upward extending boss rotated 180.degree. about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper with respect to its adjacent downward extending bosses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directing a foamed material, such as a foamed binder, across the lateral dimension of a moving surface in a uniform and controlled metered flow. In accordance with the method the foamed material is fed into an interior compartment of an applicator unit and is spread laterally as it moves through the compartment toward a laterally extending metering flow gap. After being laterally spread the foamed material is metered in a uniform, controlled manner across the lateral dimension of the moving surface. The applicator unit of this invention has a housing that includes a body portion and a door portion movable relative to each other to form, in a closed condition, the interior compartment that receives the foamed material. The body portion and door portion also aid in forming the laterally extending metering flow gap in communication with the interior compartment, and a passage extends through a wall of the housing to permit the foamed material to be introduced into the applicator unit.