Abstract: A limiting orifice through-air-drying apparatus for papermaking or other absorbent embryonic webs. The apparatus has a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is maintained at a differential pressure less than the breakthrough pressure, while the second zone is maintained at a differential pressure greater than the breakthrough pressure. The residence time of the embryonic web to be dried with the apparatus is maintained at preferably less than 35 milliseconds on the first zone. Using the dual zone system described above, the overall energy required to run the apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: Tissue paper products comprising a two component chemical softener composition and binder materials, either permanent or temporary wet strength binders, and/or dry strength binders are disclosed. The two component chemical softening composition comprises an ester-functional ammonium compound and a polysiloxane compound. Preferred ester-functional ammonium compounds include diester dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester di(touch hardened)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polysiloxanes include amino-functional polydimethyl polysiloxanes wherein less than about 10 mole percent of the side chains on the polymer contain an amino-functional group.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous structure having two regions distinguished from one another by basis weight. The first region is an essentially continuous high basis weight network. The second region comprises a plurality of discrete low basis weight regions. The cellulosic fibers forming the plurality of second regions are generally radially oriented within each region. The cellulosic fibrous structure may be formed by a forming belt having zones of different flow resistances arranged in a particular ratio of flow resistances. The zones of different flow resistances provide for selectively draining a liquid carrier through the different zones of the belt in a radial flow pattern.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A cellulosic fibrous structure having two regions distinguished from one another by basis weight. The first region is an essentially continuous high basis weight network. The second region comprises a plurality of discrete low basis weight regions. The cellulosic fibers forming the plurality of second regions are generally radially oriented within each region. The cellulosic fibrous structure may be formed by a forming belt having zones of different flow resistances arranged in a particular ratio of flow resistances. The zones of different flow resistances provide for selectively draining a liquid carrier through the different zones of the belt in a radial flow pattern.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose materials useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as paper towels, facial tissues, and toilet tissue are disclosed. The paper products contain a vegetable oil based quaternary ammonium chemical softening compound. Examples of preferred vegetable oil based quaternary ammonium chemical softening compounds include dioleyldimethyl ammonium chloride (i.e., di(octadec-z-9-enyl)dimethylammonium chloride) (DODMAC) and dierucyldimethyl ammonium chloride (i.e., di(docos-z-13-enyl)dimethylammonium chloride) (DEDMAC). Depending upon the paper product characteristic requirements, the saturation level of the fatty acyl groups of the vegetable oils can be tailored. Variables that need to be adjusted to maximize the benefits of using unsaturated vegetable oil based acyl groups include the Iodine Value (IV) of the fatty acyl groups; and the cis/trans isomer weight ratios in the fatty acyl groups.

Abstract: An improved superabsorbent polymer foam having a morphology to provide improved absorptive properties is disclosed. The foam preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer formed from a substantially water-soluble, unsaturated monomer having neutralized carboxyl groups and a substantially water-soluble internal crosslinking agent. The monomer and crosslinking agent are expanded in the presence of a substantially water-insoluble blowing agent and a suitable solvent and reacted to form a superabsorbent polymer foam having substantially continuous, intercommunicating channels substantially throughout the foam and a relatively high surface area to mass ratio.Methods for making the foam and absorbent products, members and articles containing the foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cellulosic fibrous structure having multiple regions distinguished from one another by basis weight. The structure is a paper having an essentially continuous high basis weight network, and discrete regions of low basis weight which circumscribe discrete regions of intermediate basis weight. The cellulosic fibers forming the low basis weight regions may be radially oriented relative to the centers of the regions. The paper may be formed by using a forming belt having zones with different flow resistances. The basis weight of a region of the paper is generally inversely proportional to the flow resistance of the zone of the forming belt, upon which such region was formed. The zones of different flow resistances provide for selectively draining a liquid carrier having suspended cellulosic fibers through the different zones of the forming belt.

Abstract: A belt for through-air drying a cellulosic fibrous structure. The belt comprises two layers, a web contacting first layer and a machine facing second layer. The two layers are joined together by either adjunct tie yarns or integral tie yarns. The resulting belt has a backside texture caused by opaque yarns which shield actinic radiation. The opaque yarns are limited to the second layer, and do not tie the second layer to the first layer. The two layers may have vertically stacked machine direction yarns.

Abstract: A papermaking belt, comprising either a forming wire or a through-air-drying belt. The papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing structure having two layers tied together and a resinous framework. The yarns of the first layer are interwoven so that, except for the tie yarns, each yarn remains within 1.5 yarn diameters of the top plane defined by the knuckles of the first layer. The belt has a thickness of at least 2.5 times the yarn diameter for rigidity.

Abstract: Substantially waterless self-emulsifiable chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 800 and polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000. The substantially waterless self-emulsifiable chemical softening compositions are prepared by mixing the quaternary ammonium compound with the polyhydroxy compound at a specific temperature range wherein the polyhydroxy compound is miscible with the quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: An improved superabsorbent polymer foam having a morphology to provide improved absorptive properties is disclosed. The foam preferably comprises a superabsorbent polymer formed from a substantially water-soluble, unsaturated monomer having neutralized carboxyl groups and a substantially water-soluble internal crosslinking agent. The monomer and crosslinking agent are expanded in the presence of a substantially water-insoluble blowing agent and a suitable solvent and reacted to form a superabsorbent polymer foam having substantially continuous, intercommunicating channels substantially throughout the foam and a relatively high surface area to mass ratio.Methods for making the foam and absorbent products, members and articles containing the foam are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making a cellulosic fibrous structure such as paper. In one embodiment, the fibrous structure has high and low basis weight regions. The high basis weight region is subdivided into low density regions, so that a fibrous structure having three regions is produced. In a second embodiment, the fibrous structure has four regions. Both the high and low basis weight regions are further subdivided into high and low density regions. The process comprises applying noncoincident differential pressure to selected regions of an embryonic fibrous structure.

Abstract: Multi-ply facial tissue paper products comprising biodegradable chemical softener compositions and a combination of a wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and a dry strength binder is disclosed.The multi-ply facial tissue paper products contain a biodegradable chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a biodegradable quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. The multi-ply facial tissue paper products also contain an effective amount of a wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and a dry strength binder to control linting and/or to offset the loss in tensile strength, if any, resulting from the use of the biodegradable chemical softening compositions. The use of both wet strength binder, either permanent and/or temporary, and dry strength binder also improves the retention of the chemical softening composition in the sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying of a cellulosic fibrous structure having constant basis weight and/or density or multiple regions varying in basis weight and/or density. Such a cellulosic fibrous structure may have a nonuniform moisture distribution prior to drying by the disclosed method and apparatus. An equally or more uniform moisture distribution is achieved by providing a micropore medium in the air flow path which has a greater flow resistance than the interstices between the fibers in the cellulosic fibrous structure web. The micropore medium is the limiting orifice in the air flow used in the drying process. The micropore medium may be executed in a laminate of plural laminae, each of successively increasing or decreasing pore size. This arrangement provides the advantage that minimal sagging or deformation of each lamina into the next coarser lamina occurs and lateral air flow between the micropore medium and the cellulosic fibrous structure is reduced.

Abstract: Biodegradable chemical softening compositions are provided comprising a mixture of a quaternized ester-amine compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred biodegradable quaternized ester-amine compounds include diester dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as diester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di(touch hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and diester di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, and polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: Fibrous cellulose materials useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as paper towels, facial tissues, and toilet tissue are disclosed. The paper products contain a biodegradable vegetable oil based ester-functional quaternary ammonium chemical softening compound. Examples of preferred vegetable oil based ester-functional quaternary ammonium chemical softening compounds include diester dioleyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DEDODMAC) (i.e., di(octadec-z-9-oenoyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride) and diester dierucyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DEDEDMAC) (i.e., di(docos-z-13-enoyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride). Depending upon the paper product characteristic requirements, the saturation level of the fatty acyl groups of the vegetable oils can be tailored. Variables that need to be adjusted to maximize the benefits of using unsaturated vegetable oil based acyl groups include the Iodine Value (IV) of the fatty acyl groups; and the cis/trans isomer weight ratios in the fatty acyl groups.

Abstract: Multi-layered tissue paper webs comprising chemical softener compositions and binder materials are disclosed. The multi-layered tissue webs are useful in the manufacture of soft, absorbent paper products such as facial tissues and/or toilet tissues. The multi-layered tissue paper products contain a chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, sorbitols, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 800, polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 4000.

Abstract: Multi-ply facial tissue paper products comprising chemical softener compositions and a combination of a wet strength binder, permanent and/or temporary, and a dry strength binder is disclosed.The multi-ply facial tissue paper products contain a chemical softening composition comprising a mixture of a quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salts such as di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and/or di(hydrogenated)tallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 150 to about 800, polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight from about 200 to 1000.