Abstract: A plate configured to contact a web includes a first region having a first characteristic and a second region having a second characteristic different than the first characteristic. The plate has a substantially arcuate wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vacuum holes extends between the inner and outer surfaces and are configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A vacuum region is adapted to contact the first region of the web and a reduced-vacuum region is adapted to receive the second region of the web. The plurality of vacuum holes are configured such that, when attached to the vacuum source, a vacuum pressure at the vacuum region is greater than a pressure at the reduced-vacuum region so that the first region of the web is held against the plate with a greater force than the second region.

Abstract: A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system includes feeding a web having a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface. The male fastening material has a plurality of male fasteners with a first, unmodified profile. The profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material are modified by engagement of the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member and by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member. A modified male fastening material includes a plurality of male fasteners modified from a first profile to a second, different profile by passing the male fastening material over the outer surface of the modifying member.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system includes feeding a web having a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface. The male fastening material has a plurality of male fasteners with a first, unmodified profile. The profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material are modified by engagement of the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member and by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member. A modified male fastening material includes a plurality of male fasteners modified from a first profile to a second, different profile by passing the male fastening material over the outer surface of the modifying member.

Abstract: A plate configured to contact a web includes a first region having a first characteristic and a second region having a second characteristic different than the first characteristic. The plate has a substantially arcuate wall with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of vacuum holes extends between the inner and outer surfaces and are configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A vacuum region is adapted to contact the first region of the web and a reduced-vacuum region is adapted to receive the second region of the web. The plurality of vacuum holes are configured such that, when attached to the vacuum source, a vacuum pressure at the vacuum region is greater than a pressure at the reduced-vacuum region so that the first region of the web is held against the plate with a greater force than the second region.

Abstract: A tissue product, which includes a carton and a stack of tissues, is provided with a flattened arched-shaped sheet that supports the stack of tissues. As the tissues are withdrawn from the carton and the weight of the tissue stack is reduced, the flattened arch-shaped sheet gradually assumes its normal arched shape, thereby raising the stack of tissues within the carton. Raising the stack substantially reduces or eliminates “fall-back”, which is a common dispensing problem, as the stack height is reduced.

Abstract: A disposable garment having a fin seam, wherein the fin seam has a Height no greater than 6 millimeters and a Rigidity no greater than 0.6 gram-force/%-compression as measured by the Test Method. In particular embodiments, the garment is a pant-like garment having two outwardly extending side fin seams, each having a Height no greater than 6 millimeters and a Rigidity no greater than 0.6 gram-force/%-compression as measured by the Test Method.

Abstract: A method of forming an elastomeric laminate having targeted elastic properties for use in personal care articles is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the method comprises providing first and second nonwoven webs; providing a core layer of elastomeric material under tension; sandwiching the core layer between the first and second nonwoven webs; bonding the core layer to at least one of the first and second nonwoven webs; providing an elastomeric film ribbon web under tension; sandwiching the elastomeric film ribbon web between the first and second nonwoven webs; and fusing the elastomeric film ribbon web to the first and second nonwoven webs. In particular embodiments, the core layer of elastomeric material is an elastomeric film web core layer. In particular embodiments, the elastomeric film ribbon web, the core layer, or both is/are bonded to the first and second nonwoven webs solely by fusing, without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A tissue product, which includes a carton and a stack of tissues, is provided with a flattened arched-shaped sheet that supports the stack of tissues. As the tissues are withdrawn from the carton and the weight of the tissue stack is reduced, the flattened arch-shaped sheet gradually assumes its normal arched shape, thereby raising the stack of tissues within the carton. Raising the stack substantially reduces or eliminates “fall-back”, which is a common dispensing problem, as the stack height is reduced.

Abstract: A soft, layered, single-ply wet-pressed tissue can be made with improved softness by providing one or both outer layers of the tissue with polysiloxane-treated pulp fibers. A particularly suitable wet-pressing process includes pressing a wet tissue web between a felt and a transfer belt to dewater the web, followed by transfer of the dewatered web to a texturizing fabric where the wet web is provided with a three-dimensional texture. Thereafter the texturized web is transferred to a Yankee dryer, dried and creped. The combination of the polysiloxane fibers and the texturizing step provides a particularly effective combination of surface feel, low stiffness and high bulk (caliper).

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, includes an impermeable transfer belt that passes through the press nip along with the paper web, and a permeable structuring fabric for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device is disposed. A web-contacting surface of the belt has a non-uniform distribution of microscopic-scale depressions, and a suction zone of the transfer device includes a transfer point spaced a distance D from the press nip. The belt is arranged to bring the web into contact with the structuring fabric in the suction zone for a length L, such that suction is exerted on the paper web to transfer the paper web from the belt onto the structuring fabric at the transfer point.

Abstract: A tissue product, which includes a carton and a stack of tissues, is provided with a flattened arched-shaped sheet that supports the stack of tissues. As the tissues are withdrawn from the carton and the weight of the tissue stack is reduced, the flattened arch-shaped sheet gradually assumes its normal arched shape, thereby raising the stack of tissues within the carton. Raising the stack substantially reduces or eliminates “fall-back”, which is a common dispensing problem, as the stack height is reduced.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, includes an impermeable transfer belt that passes through the press nip along with the paper web, and a permeable structuring fabric for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device is disposed. A web-contacting surface of the belt has a non-uniform distribution of microscopic-scale depressions, and a suction zone of the transfer device includes a transfer point spaced a distance D from the press nip. The belt is arranged to bring the web into contact with the structuring fabric in the suction zone for a length L, such that suction is exerted on the paper web to transfer the paper web from the belt onto the structuring fabric at the transfer point.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a wet paper web from a press nip to a drying cylinder (52) of a papermaking machine, and for structuring the web, comprises an impermeable transfer belt (35) having a web-contacting surface, the wet paper web passing through the press nip enclosed between a press felt (33) and the transfer belt, and a permeable structuring fabric (37) for transfer of the web onto the drying cylinder, the structuring fabric having a structured surface and being arranged in a loop within which a suction transfer device (38) is disposed, said suction transfer device having a suction zone (41).

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for making paper includes a forming section, a press section, and a drying section. The paper web is pressed between two press members while enclosed between a press felt and a transfer belt having non-uniformly distributed microscopic depressions in its surface, the web following the transfer belt from the press to a transfer point at which the web is transferred via a suction transfer device onto a structuring fabric, the web then being dried on a drying cylinder. The transfer point is spaced a distance D from the press nip selected based on machine speed, a basis weight of the web, and the surface characteristics of the transfer belt, such that within the distance D a thin water film between the web and the transfer belt at least partially dissipates to allow the web to be separated from the transfer belt.