Abstract: A secondary belt for papermaking. The belt has a framework of protuberances arranged in a semicontinuous pattern to provide a semicontinuous pattern of deflection conduits. The semicontinuous pattern is distinguished from the discrete and continuous patterns of the prior art. The protuberances may be generally parallel, or may provide individual cells within the deflection conduits between the protuberances. Also disclosed is the paper made on such a secondary belt.

Abstract: A low-density, soft, bulky and absorbent paper sheet exhibiting a diamond-shaped pattern in its surface after creping, said paper being characterized by having a cross-directional stretch of from about 2 to about 6 percent, as well as improved softness, surface feel and drape, said paper sheet being particularly suitable for use in tissue, toweling and sanitary products. The aforesaid paper sheets are produced by impressing a dot-dash knuckle pattern, wherein the long axis of the dash impressions is aligned parallel to the machine direction of papermaking, using the back side of a monofilament, polymeric fiber, semi-twill fabric of selected coarseness, the knuckle imprint area of which constitutes between about 20 and about 50 percent of the total fabric surface area, as measured in the plane of the knuckles, on an uncompacted paper web at selected fiber consistencies, induced by thermal predrying, prior to final drying and creping.