Abstract: A method for making a unitary fibrous structure including the steps of providing a first plurality of synthetic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels. The synthetic fibers are provided such that at least some of the synthetic fibers are disposed in the channels. A second plurality of cellulosic fibers are provided onto the synthetic fibers such that the cellulosic fibers are disposed adjacent to the synthetic fibers to form a unitary fibrous structure including the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers, wherein the resulting fibrous structure has micro-regions of differential basis weight.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous structure including a plurality of synthetic fibers disposed in a predetermined pattern and a plurality of cellulosic fibers generally randomly distributed throughout at least one layer of the fibrous structure. The method includes depositing an aqueous slurry including synthetic fibers and an aqueous slurry including cellulosic fibers onto a fluid-permeable forming member having a pattern of channels. The slurries are dewatered to form a fibrous web, wherein the at least some of the cellulosic fibers are randomly distributed throughout at least a portion of the fibrous web and a plurality of synthetic fibers are at least partially non-randomly distributed in the channels.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers onto a forming member so as to form one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers; providing a plurality of long cellulosic fibers onto the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers so as to form one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers and one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A fibrous structure and method for making the fibrous structure, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of synthetic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels such that at least some of the synthetic fibers are disposed in the channels; providing a plurality of cellulosic fibers onto the synthetic fibers such that the cellulosic fibers are disposed adjacent to the synthetic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A fibrous structure and method for making the fibrous structure, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of cellulosic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels such that at least some of the cellulosic fibers are disposed in the channels; providing a plurality of synthetic fibers onto the cellulosic fibers such that the synthetic fibers are disposed adjacent to the cellulosic fibers; and forming the unitary fibrous structure from the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: An embossing and adhesive application process including the steps of: applying an adhesive to a first patterned embossing roll which is engaged with a second patterned embossing roll having a complementary pattern to the first embossing roll; passing a web of sheet material between the first and second embossing rolls at a tangential line speed to simultaneously emboss the web and direct the adhesive against the web; and splitting the adhesive such that at least some of the adhesive remains on the first embossing roll and some of the adhesive remains on the web to form an adhesive pattern between embossments on the web.

Abstract: A unitary fibrous structure having at least two layers wherein at least one of the layers of the structure includes long cellulosic fibers and at least one of the layers includes a mixture of short cellulosic fibers and synthetic fibers.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers onto a forming member so as to form one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers; providing a plurality of long cellulosic fibers onto the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers so as to form one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the one or more layers including the mixture of synthetic fibers and short cellulosic fibers and one or more layers including predominantly long cellulosic fibers

Abstract: A fibrous structure and method for making the fibrous structure, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of cellulosic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels such that at least some of the cellulosic fibers are disposed in the channels; providing a plurality of synthetic fibers onto the cellulosic fibers such that the synthetic fibers are disposed adjacent to the cellulosic fibers; and forming the unitary fibrous structure from the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A fibrous structure and method for making the fibrous structure, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a plurality of synthetic fibers onto a forming member having a pattern of channels such that at least some of the synthetic fibers are disposed in the channels; providing a plurality of cellulosic fibers onto the synthetic fibers such that the cellulosic fibers are disposed adjacent to the synthetic fibers; and forming a unitary fibrous structure including the synthetic fibers and the cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of (a) applying less than about 0.1 grams per square meter (gsm) of a release agent to a transfer surface, wherein the release agent is selected such that a test sample of the release agent having a concentration at or above its critical surface tension concentration, has a surface tension of less than about 50 dyne/cm or forms a contact angle with the material of the transfer surface of less than about 120°; (b) applying an adhesive to the transfer surface; and (c) transferring the adhesive from the transfer surface to a material web. Preferred embodiments are provided where the transfer surface is metals, polymers, elastomers, ceramics, wood, or combinations thereof and the release agent has the formula: X—CF2O—(C2F4O)p—(CF2O)q—CF2—X. Additional embodiments are provided to continuous and intermittent processes.

Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of (a) applying less than about 0.1 grams per square meter (gsm) of a release agent to a transfer surface, wherein the release agent is selected such that a test sample of the release agent having a concentration at or above its critical surface tension concentration, has a surface tension of less than about 50 dyne/cm or forms a contact angle with the material of the transfer surface of less than about 120°; (b) applying an adhesive to the transfer surface; and (c) transferring the adhesive from the transfer surface to a material web.

Abstract: An embossing and adhesive application process including the steps of: applying an adhesive to a first patterned embossing roll which is engaged with a second patterned embossing roll having a complementary pattern to the first embossing roll; passing a web of sheet material between the first and second embossing rolls at a tangential line speed to simultaneously emboss the web and direct the adhesive against the web; and splitting the adhesive such that at least some of the adhesive remains on the first embossing roll and some of the adhesive remains on the web to form an adhesive pattern between embossments on the web.

Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on a working surface and having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The preferred collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the machine direction between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance. This allows to provide a greater collimation of the curing radiation in the cross-machine direction relative to the machine direction.

Abstract: A collimator, in combination with a source of curing radiation and a working surface, for use in a process for curing a photosensitive resin disposed on the working surface having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction perpendicular to said machine direction, is disclosed. The collimator comprises a plurality of mutually parallel collimating elements spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction and disposed between the source of radiation and the resin. Each of the collimating elements is substantially perpendicular to the working surface, and every two of the mutually adjacent collimating elements have a machine-directional clearance and a cross-machine-directional clearance therebetween. The collimating elements and the machine direction form an acute angle therebetween such that the machine-directional clearance is greater than the cross-machine directional clearance.

Abstract: A multi-ply paper product wherein the plies are adhesively joined together. One or both of the plies may have embossments protruding towards and contacting the other ply. The plies are adhesively joined, preferably at such embossments. The adhesive is selected from a composition that advantageously provides a minimum wet ply bond strength and a dry ply bond strength which falls within a particularly desired range.

Abstract: A multi-ply paper product. One or both of the plies may have embossments protruding towards and contacting the other ply. The plies are adhesively joined, preferably at such embossments. The adhesive is selected from a composition that advantageously provides a minimum wet ply bond strength and a dry ply bond strength which falls within a particularly desired range.