Abstract: Provided are papermaking belts comprising a plurality of 3-D printed modules comprising first and second machine direction extending arms that may be interdigitated with one another and joined by a linkage pin. The 3-D printed modules generally have protuberances and apertures to facilitate molding and dewatering of the embryonic tissue web during manufacture. The protuberances are joined to, and extend from, the first web contacting surface of the module and are integrally formed therewith. In this manner the web contacting surface of the belt comprises a first and a second plane, where the second plane is generally defined by the upper surface plane of the protuberances. The apertures, which generally consist of both intra-module and inter-module apertures, allow water to be removed from a tissue web during manufacture.

Abstract: A web break apparatus is disclosed for cutting and severing a web. The web break apparatus includes a first rotating device that rotates generally at the same speed as a moving web. Positioned on the circumference of the first rotating device is a web engaging device and a straining element. When a web break is desired, the web engaging device and straining element are brought into contact with the web. The web engaging device engages the web, while the straining element causes a web break. The web break apparatus may be used in any suitable winding system. For instance, the winding system may be for winding a web to produce rolled products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variety of novel fibrous structures having a design element disposed on at least one surface. More particularly the present invention provides fibrous structures comprising a textured surface, and more preferably a textured background surface, and a design element wherein the design element is formed by removing a portion of the textured background. In this manner the fibrous structures of the present invention generally comprise a textured background surface having a top surface lying in a surface plane, a bottom surface lying in a bottom plane and a design element lying in a third plane between the surface and bottom planes. The textured surface provides the fibrous structures with an overall background pattern that is typically visually distinct from the design element imparted thereon.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of manufacturing a patterned tissue product comprising a textured background surface, and a design element wherein the design element is formed by removing a portion of the textured background.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of manufacturing a patterned tissue product comprising a textured background surface, and a design element wherein the design element is formed by removing a portion of the textured background.

Abstract: The present application provides chemically treated fibrous structures, tissue products and a method of manufacturing thereof, wherein the fibrous structure comprises a textured background surface, a design element formed by removing a portion of the textured background, the design element lying between the surface and bottom planes of the fibrous structure, and an additive composition selectively disposed on the design element.

Abstract: A web break apparatus is disclosed for cutting and severing a web. The web break apparatus includes a first rotating device that rotates generally at the same speed as a moving web. Positioned on the circumference of the first rotating device is a web engaging device and a straining element. When a web break is desired, the web engaging device and straining element are brought into contact with the web. The web engaging device engages the web, while the straining element causes a web break. The web break apparatus may be used in any suitable winding system. For instance, the winding system may be for winding a web to produce rolled products.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a perforating station comprising two or more discrete perforating stations, the stations synchronized with one another to cut a line of perforations across a web, such as a web of tissue paper, moving at high speeds. By providing two or more synchronized perforating stations the perforating station may increase the number of impacts per minute compared to prior art perforating devices.

Abstract: Creped tissue webs having low surface-roughness and high sheet bulk are disclosed. Specifically creped, single ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MIU (MMD) of less than about 0.040 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 12 cc/g are disclosed. Additionally creped, multi-ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MUI (MMD) of less than about 0.035 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 10 cc/g are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to creped tissue webs that demonstrate low surface-roughness and high sheet bulk. The present disclosure relates to a creped, single ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MIU (MMD) of less than about 0.040 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 12 cc/g. The present disclosure also relates to a creped, multi-ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MUI (MMD) of less than about 0.035 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 10 cc/g.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to creped tissue webs that demonstrate low surface-roughness and high sheet bulk. The present disclosure relates to a creped, single ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MIU (MMD) of less than about 0.040 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 12 cc/g. The present disclosure also relates to a creped, multi-ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MUI (MMD) of less than about 0.035 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 10 cc/g.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an improved winding apparatus useful in the production of filament wound products and particularly wound tubular products having high length to diameter ratios. The improved winding apparatus comprises a support means for supporting a rotatable mandrel during the manufacture of wound products, the support means comprising a plurality of axially spaced pins extending circumferentially around the mandrel, and a support assembly having a semicircular inner face and an opening, wherein a portion of the plurality of pins is brought into contact with the inner face of the support assembly when the mandrel is rotated.

Abstract: Curvilinear or other complex perforation patterns for paper products, such as paper towels and bath tissue, can be produced using a differential speed perforation nip formed between a rotating pattern roll and a moving anvil surface. The relative speed between the perforation elements on the surface of the pattern roll and the anvil surface shears the web at the perforation points.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and an apparatus useful to installing and removing endless belts in a conveyor system and more preferably continuous fabrics, belts, felts and webs used in the papermaking process. According to the present invention a pair of guide rolls to move a first continuous fabric from a first fabric position to a second fabric position and a second fabric from the second fabric position to the first fabric position, passing the fabrics over one another as the position of the fabrics are exchanged. The movement of the first and second fabrics may be done at the same time so as to further enhance the efficiency of changing fabrics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to creped tissue webs that demonstrate low surface-roughness and high sheet bulk. The present disclosure relates to a creped, single ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MIU (MMD) of less than about 0.040 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 12 cc/g. The present disclosure also relates to a creped, multi-ply tissue web having a single wire probe mean deviation of MUI (MMD) of less than about 0.035 and a sheet bulk of greater than about 10 cc/g.

Abstract: The present invention provides a perforating station comprising two or more discrete perforating stations, the stations synchronized with one another to cut a line of perforations across a web, such as a web of tissue paper, moving at high speeds. By providing two or more synchronized perforating stations the perforating station may increase the number of impacts per minute compared to prior art perforating devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and an apparatus useful to installing and removing endless belts in a conveyor system and more preferably continuous fabrics, belts, felts and webs used in the papermaking process. According to the present invention a pair of guide rolls to move a first continuous fabric from a first fabric position to a second fabric position and a second fabric from the second fabric position to the first fabric position, passing the fabrics over one another as the position of the fabrics are exchanged. The movement of the first and second fabrics may be done at the same time so as to further enhance the efficiency of changing fabrics.

Abstract: Coreless rolls of tissue, such as rolls of bath tissue or paper towels, are produced by winding tissue logs on a mandrel having retractable pins. During winding, the pins extend and penetrate the first several windings of the log as it is initially wound, which prevents slippage. After the winding is complete, the pins retract to allow the tissue log to slide off of the mandrel for subsequent slitting into individual product rolls and packaging. The penetration of the pins into the first several windings of the log tends to mechanically entangle and structurally unify those windings to create a “soft core”. At the same time, the properties of the tissue sheets within the soft core are the same as the other sheets within the roll and are therefore usable by the consumer.

Abstract: Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll bulk, firmness and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a multiple ply tissue webs formed according to various processes. Tissue webs having basis weights greater than about 40 grams per square meter were wound into rolls having a Kershaw roll firmness of less than about 9 mm and a roll bulk of greater than about 15 cc/g. Similarly, tissue webs having basis weights less than about 40 grams per square meter were wound into rolls having a Kershaw roll firmness of less than about 9 mm and a roll bulk of greater than about 18 cc/g.