Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight. The sheet includes a papermaking-fiber reticulum having a plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in a cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet, and a plurality of elongated densified regions that interconnect the plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions. The elongated densified regions (i) have a relatively low local basis weight, and each extending a distance in a machine direction (MD) of the sheet, and (ii) are arranged in a repeating pattern having leading and trailing edges, such that the elongated densified regions are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight. The sheet includes a papermaking-fiber reticulum having a plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in a cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet, and a plurality of elongated densified regions that interconnect the plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions. The elongated densified regions (i) have a relatively low local basis weight, and each extending a distance in a machine direction (MD) of the sheet, and (ii) are arranged in a repeating pattern having leading and trailing edges, such that the elongated densified regions are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other.

Abstract: A multi-ply absorbent sheet of cellulosic fiber includes continuous outer surfaces, and an absorbent core between the outer surfaces. The absorbent core includes a non-woven fiber network comprising a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight interconnected by way of a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated fiber enriched regions, interconnected thereby, and a plurality of fiber-deprived cellules between the fiber enriched regions and the linking regions, also being characterized by a local basis weight lower than that of the fiber enriched regions.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing at least a portion of a web comprising a first roll and at least a second roll. The first roll and second roll may define a first nip for embossing the web. At least one of the first roll and the second roll has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the machine direction and optionally at least one of the first and second rolls has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction. At least one of the first roll and the second roll may also have perforate embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction that may or may not be elongated. The embossing elements are capable of imparting one or both of a cube embossing pattern or a perforate emboss on the web. The web may be a cellulosic fibrous web, a portion of which is lignin-rich, high coarseness fiber having generally tubular fiber configuration. In addition, the web may be creped with an undulatory creping blade.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish, the nascent web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber, transferring the nascent web having the generally random distribution of papermaking fiber to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, drying the web, to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent, including compactively dewatering the web prior to or concurrently with transfer of the web to the transfer surface, fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric with a patterned creping surface, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, the web being creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing at least a portion of a web comprising a first roll and at least a second roll. The first roll and second roll may define a first nip for embossing the web. At least one of the first roll and the second roll has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the machine direction and optionally at least one of the first and second rolls has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction. At least one of the first roll and the second roll may also have perforate embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction that may or may not be elongated. The embossing elements are capable of imparting one or both of a cube embossing pattern or a perforate emboss on the web. In addition, the web may be creped with an undulatory creping blade.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet with improved dispensing characteristics. The method includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web, applying the nascent web to a translating transfer surface, fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping fabric, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, wherein the fabric is traveling at a fabric speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface, the web being creped from the transfer surface and transferred to the creping fabric, adhering the web to a drying cylinder with a resinous adhesive coating composition, drying the web on the drying cylinder to form a dried web, and peeling the dried web from the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation, applying the nascent web having the apparently random distribution of fiber orientation to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, belt-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30% to about 60% utilizing a patterned creping belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt, the web being creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web with a reticulum having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight includes a patterned papermaking-fiber reticulum provided with (a) a plurality of generally machine direction (MD) oriented elongated densified regions of compressed paper-making fibers having a relatively low local basis weight as well as leading and trailing edges, the densified regions being arranged in a repeating pattern of a plurality of generally parallel linear arrays that are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other such that a plurality of intervening linear arrays are disposed between a pair of cross machine (CD) direction aligned densified regions, and (b) a plurality of fiber-enriched, pileated regions having a relatively high local basis weight interspersed between and connected with the densified regions, the pileated regions having crests extending generally in the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber, applying the nascent web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, belt-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure of at least 20 pounds per linear inch in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt is traveling at a belt speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface. The web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet of cellulosic fibers includes a mixture of hardwood fibers and softwood fibers arranged in a reticulum having (i) a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet and interconnected by way of (ii) a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions that each extend a distance in the machine direction (MD) of the sheet and whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated regions interconnected thereby. The relative basis weight, degree of pileation, hardwood to softwood ratio, fiber length distribution, fiber orientation, and geometry of the reticulum are controlled such that the sheet exhibits a percent CD stretch that is at least about 2.75 times the machine direction to cross-machine direction (MD/CD) dry tensile ratio of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber, applying the nascent web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, and fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping fabric, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, the web being creped from the transfer surface and wherein the creping fabric is adapted to contact the transfer surface and applies pressure to the web against the transfer surface such that the fibers of the web are redistributed on the creping fabric to form a web with a drawable reticulum.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight. The sheet includes a papermaking-fiber reticulum having (a) a plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions of a relatively high local basis weight each extending a distance in the cross-machine direction (CD) of the sheet, and (b) a plurality of elongated densified regions of compressed papermaking fibers that interconnect the plurality of fiber-enriched pileated regions. The elongated densified regions (i) have a relatively low local basis weight and each extend a distance in the machine direction (MD) of the sheet, (ii) are arranged in a repeating pattern having leading and trailing edges, such that the elongated densified regions are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other, and (iii) have MD/CD aspect ratios of at least 1.5.

Abstract: An embossing system is provided for embossing at least a portion of a web comprising a first roll and at least a second roll. The first roll and second roll may define a first nip for embossing the web. At least one of the first roll and the second roll has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the machine direction and optionally at least one of the first and second rolls has elongated embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction. At least one of the first roll and the second roll may also have perforate embossing elements extending substantially in the cross-machine direction that may or may not be elongated. The embossing elements are capable of imparting one or both of a cube embossing pattern or a perforate emboss on the web. In addition, the web may be creped with an undulatory creping blade.

Abstract: An absorbent cellulosic sheet having a variable local basis weight includes a patterned papermaking-fiber reticulum provided with (a) a plurality of generally machine direction (MD) oriented elongated densified regions of compressed paper-making fibers having a relatively low local basis weight as well as leading and trailing edges, the densified regions being arranged in a repeating pattern of a plurality of generally parallel linear arrays that are longitudinally staggered with respect to each other such that a plurality of intervening linear arrays are disposed between a pair of cross machine (CD) direction aligned densified regions, and (b) a plurality of fiber-enriched, pileated regions having a relatively high local basis weight interspersed between and connected with the densified regions, the pileated regions having crests extending generally in the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation, applying the nascent web having the apparently random distribution of fiber orientation to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, belt-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30% to about 60% utilizing a patterned creping belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt, the web being creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web with a reticulum having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights.

Abstract: A multi-ply absorbent sheet of cellulosic fiber includes continuous outer surfaces, and an absorbent core between the outer surfaces. The absorbent core includes a non-woven fiber network comprising a plurality of pileated fiber enriched regions of a relatively high local basis weight interconnected by way of a plurality of lower local basis weight linking regions whose fiber orientation is biased along the direction between pileated fiber enriched regions, interconnected thereby, and a plurality of fiber-deprived cellules between the fiber enriched regions and the linking regions, also being characterized by a local basis weight lower than that of the fiber enriched regions.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet with improved dispensing characteristics. The method includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web, applying the nascent web to a translating transfer surface, fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping fabric, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, wherein the fabric is traveling at a fabric speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface, the web being creped from the transfer surface and transferred to the creping fabric, adhering the web to a drying cylinder with a resinous adhesive coating composition, drying the web on the drying cylinder to form a dried web, and peeling the dried web from the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes compactively dewatering a papermaking furnish to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber, applying the nascent web having the apparently random fiber distribution to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, belt-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a patterned creping belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure of at least 20 pounds per linear inch in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt is traveling at a belt speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface. The web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet includes forming a nascent web from a papermaking furnish, the nascent web having a generally random distribution of papermaking fiber, transferring the nascent web having the generally random distribution of papermaking fiber to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, drying the web, to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent, including compactively dewatering the web prior to or concurrently with transfer of the web to the transfer surface, fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric with a patterned creping surface, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, the web being creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric.