Abstract: The present invention provides a method for creping a nonwoven web using a hot melt adhesive as the creping adhesive. As a second aspect of the present invention, an internal adhesive is added to the polymers used to produce the nonwoven web during the nonwoven web forming process and this internal adhesive adheres the nonwoven web to the creping roll. Using the processes of the present invention, more energy efficient methods are provided for creping nonwoven webs. The creped nonwoven webs of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of application including as wipes, liners, transfer or surge layers, outercovers, other fluid handling materials and looped attachment materials for hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making cushioning dunnage comprising the steps of providing an elongated band of stock material having lateral edges and a longitudinal axis, the band of stock material being formed from at least two elongated paper webs adhered together along the lengths of the webs by glue applied to one of the webs in a gluing area having a length along a longitudinal axis of the one web and a width transverse to the one web longitudinal axis, the transverse location of glue applied to the gluing area varying as a function of the longitudinal location along the gluing area; driving the band longitudinally; folding the lateral edges of the band laterally inwardly; alternatingly crumpling the band longitudinally on first one side of the longitudinal axis of the band and then on the other side of the longitudinal axis of the band to form pleats in the band; and connecting the pleats in the band by compressing the band through the thickness of the band.

Abstract: Water-borne epoxies and/or water-borne urethanes are employed as a replacement for at least a portion of the bonding materials utilized in various print bonding processes. The additives may operate in conjunction with standard print bonding adhesives such as ethylene vinyl acetates to bond fibers together in a pulp-containing web. The paper-based sheet material made according to this process is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making a fluid transfer layer has steps of depositing a first non-woven layer on a support, depositing a second non-woven layer on the first layer, with the two layers having a different melting point. The two layers are then thermally bonded to one another in a heated calender nip, during which differential shrinkage occurs because of the two layers' different melting points. A micro-bulked profile results. The composite, micro-bulked web is then mechanically bulked to provide a macro-bulked profile. The resulting non-woven fabric has a high bulk, high resistance to pore structure collapse, high resistance to compression deformation, and is more economical to produce than prior art carded or bicomponent webs. An absorbent article has a porous topsheet, the fluid transfer layer of the invention underlying the topsheet, and an absorbent core.

Abstract: Process for the radiation crosslinking of double-sided adhesive tapes, in which a backing material coated on both sides with adhesives is irradiated asymmetrically from both sides with different doses in an irradiation means.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing an end cap on a cylindrical workpiece includes a stationary support base, a guide member, a push bar, and an applicator device. The guide member is affixed to the stationary support base, and includes a ramp, disposed at an angle to the horizontal. The push bar is slidably movable in relation to the support base. The applicator includes a back plate which is operatively pivotally attached to the push bar at a pivot connection. The lower part of the applicator has a post attached thereto, which rides along the ramp of the guide member. Linear inward movement of the push bar, from a first position to a second position thereof, moves the applicator post up the ramp of the guide member, pivoting the applicator around the pivot connection, and causing the back plate to move from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying adhesive transfer tape, including an adhesive tape transfer roll holding an adhesive transfer tape, a roll locking cylinder wherein the roll locking cylinder stops the adhesive tape transfer roll from rolling, stopping the transfer of the adhesive transfer tape, and where the locking cylinder further holds the adhesive transfer tape roll for a predetermined time after the completion of the tape transfer such that internal stresses are dissipated. The apparatus and method may further include a piston that raises the adhesive transfer tape at the same time as the roll locking cylinder stops the adhesive tape transfer roll stops rolling.

Abstract: Water-borne epoxies and/or water-borne urethanes are employed as a replacement for at least a portion of the bonding materials utilized in various print bonding processes. The additives may operate in conjunction with standard print bonding adhesives such as ethylene vinyl acetates to bond fibers together in a pulp-containing web. The paper-based sheet material made according to this process is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-woven fabric having a high recovery after elongation and a substantially uniform surface including the steps of microcrepeing the fabric between about 20% and 35%, and heat setting the fabric to a temperature between its glass transition temperature and its melting temperature. A non-woven fabric having a recovery of at least 40% after five cycles of 35% elongation is made from a microcreped fabric of basis weight from 1-3.5 osy. The non-woven fabric has a uniform surface that is substantially free of bunching, gathering, and that is otherwise substantially flat to the eye and touch.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a rim preform or rim-element having an axis of revolution by the placing on a preforming matrix pre-assembled fibers along two orientations defining deformable meshes. A winding of a strip of fibers is fastened on a circumference of the preforming matrix with asymmetrical orientation of the fibers, whereupon it is applied progressively until covering the entire surface of the preforming matrix by subjecting it to tensions of substantially circumferential orientation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a hardcover book, a laminated sheet is fed to the inner book spine with a wide roll machine, and the sheet consists of a paper-laminated gauze. The laminate is subsequently treated and has a flat fine creping with a lengthwise elasticity of 5-15%. The end of the laminate sheet is fed to the inner book (12) perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the inner book spine and pressed onto the glued inner book spine followed by the 10 mm overlaps to either side. The joint material (36) that is applied is elastic perpendicular to the inner book spine. The inner book can then be trimmed and rounded, and the joint (36) stretches without losing stability or tearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing decorative panels for use in vehicle interiors. A layer 3 of plant components, such as leaves 6, is glued onto a metal or plastic carrier 1, whose shape allows it to be mounted to dashboards and/or the side panels of the interior; a transparent varnish layer 4 is then applied to the layer of plant components.

Abstract: A stretch-activated elastic composite includes a non-woven fabric having a potential elongatability of higher than 100% in a predetermined direction, and an elastically recoverable, elastic sheet. The elastic sheet in its unstretched state is partially bonded to the non-woven fabric in its unelongated state. The elastic composite exhibits, per unit width of 5 cm, (1) a stress of lower than 1000 g at 30% stretch, (2) a stress of higher than 400 g at 100% stretch, (3) a breaking point of higher than 400 g and (4) an elastic limit of higher than 200%. The elastic composite after being stretched at a rate of lower than 200% exhibits, per unit width of 5 cm, (1) a stress of lower than 500 g at 30% stretch and (2) a stress of higher than 100 g at 100% stretch. The elastic composite after three repeated cycles of 150% stretching and relaxing exhibits an elastic recovery rate of higher than 60%.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for making a high quality paper product at improved process efficiency through the use of high steam levels in the Yankee dryer. The product according to the present invention is creped from the Yankee dryer while it is still wet and is then drying is completed using conventional methods. Products made according to the present invention exhibit improved absorbency, softness and bulk.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to wiping products having great softness and strength. The wiping products are made from a web of material containing binder fibers alone or in combination with pulp fibers. Once the web is formed, the web is adhered to a creping surface and creped. According to the present invention, the web may be creped once or creped multiple times. Of particular advantage, the web can be adhered to a creping surface through the use of the binder fibers without the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: A low density, wet-creped paper web having improved levels of tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The web has a distribution of densified regions corresponding to the distribution of knuckles on a drying fabric. Generally speaking, these densified regions should be distributed so that the distance between at least a portion of the densified regions is less than or equal to the length of the longest fiber in the furnish (e.g., pulp fibers and/or other fibers) used to make the paper web. The wet-creped paper web is removed from a Yankee dryer at a dryness of between 45 and 65% and then passed to the after dryer section of a paper machine. An after dryer fabric is pressed into the wet base web to transfer the topography of the after dryer fabric to the web and to generate improved tensile strength, tear strength and thickness. The wet base web is pressed into the drying fabric utilizing a nip before the web is 70% dry.

Abstract: A process is for the production of a padding material (7) made from paper or similar flat structures that are folded together and are formed by tools. At least one intermediate layer (3, 4) is perhaps incorporated within a top layer (2) that is to be folded together. The top layer and the intermediate layer that may or may not be provided are formed along their narrow sides by at least one forming tool (10, 11) after the top layer has been folded together. An intermittent transport unit acts on the structure (1) that is still flat but has been folded together. This causes the structure to be formed longitudinally, in addition to the forming that is carried out by the forming tool (10, 11).

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-layered wiping product that maintains desired characteristics of softness, strength, stretchability, absorbency, and the like. The wiping product is formed from a process using a multi-layered paper web, printing a bonding agent on both of its outer surfaces, pressing the web so it adheres tightly to a creping surface and lightly to a presser roll, and then creping one of its surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to facial tissues having great softness and strength. The facial tissues are made from a multi-layered paper web containing a middle layer of eucalyptus fibers either alone or in combination with polyester fibers. The paper web is made with a debonding agent for producing a web having reduced levels of fiber bonding. Once formed, the paper web is treated on each side with a bonding agent in a preselected pattern. Both sides of the paper web are also creped. In order to create a smooth low friction surface, the paper web is fed through a calendering machine and treated with a friction reducing composition and subsequently dried.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of a corrugating adhesive. The method includes the steps of extracting hemicellulose from a hemicellulose-containing plant source, separating the hemicellulose in a soluble phase from the insoluble portion of the hemicellulose-containing plant source, and mixing the hemicellulose-rich phase with starch to form an adhesive composition. The adhesive composition of the invention exhibits superior shear stability properties as compared with prior art adhesive compositions that incorporate pasted starches, and exhibits superior green tack as compared with prior art hemicellulose-based adhesives. Also disclosed are a corrugated board and a method for preparing same.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a starch based glue for making corrugated board. The process is carried out in a system which includes a first and relatively large mixing vessel containing a stirrer. A second and smaller mixing vessel is connected to the first vessel via a recirculation path. The second and smaller mixing vessel contains means for exerting a shearing force which is greater than the shearing force exerted in the first and larger mixing vessel. The process is carried out in two steps. A first step is to make a carrier by combining water, starch and a limited amount of lye in the large vessel. A second step adds further amounts of starch, water, borax, and a second shot of lye to the carrier while in the small vessel. Adding lye in two steps is a principal aspect of the invention. If all lye is added in one step, it must be limited to an amount which does not prematurely gelatinize the starch to a level which defeats the glue making.

Abstract: After laminating together the first sheets crepe-processed at a high crepe ratio and the second sheet crepe-processed at a crepe ratio lower than that of the first sheet or not crepe-processed, the sheets are bonded together at bonding parts at a given pitch in rows. When the resulting bonded sheets are impregnated with a liquid, expansions are generated between the rows of bonding parts due to the difference in ratios of the elongation of the two sheets. The expansions take on the shape of large wrinkle according to the pitch of the bonding parts. At the production process of the sheet, the sheet is crepe-processed containing water at a preset ratio, whereby small wrinkles as residual crepe wrinkles are formed on the sheet surface. The large wrinkles and the small wrinkles can enhance the wiping effect.

Abstract: A method for producing creped paper products comprising applying to a drying surface, a film-forming semi-crystalline polymer and a non-thermosetting cationic resin containing no secondary amine. The invention also comprises a method for producing creped paper products comprising applying to a drying surface a film-forming semi-crystalline polymer, a non-thermosetting cationic resin containing no secondary amines and an optional plasticizer.

Abstract: A fastening tape for a sanitary article, for fastening the article on the body of a person is attached to the article at one of its end portions (18) and provided with any fastener (22) on one surface of the other end portion (20). A stretchable elastic portion (30) consists of a sandwich structure of a tape section (32) of a stretchable elastic material secured to one surface of the fastening tape (10) at least at both ends (32a, 32b) thereof, to bridge a section of the fastening tape (10).

Abstract: A method is described for the production of a multiple width fiber strip consisting of crimped interlaced filaments and having several zones extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip as well as at least one predetermined tear line (4) extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip, wherein the tear strength (daN) of the fiber strip, referred to the total denier (dtex) is at least about 1.7.times.10.sup.-4 daN/dtex. The method produces one or several such fiber strips, with several separate bands (1, 2) being formed of substantially parallelly extending filaments and the formed bands being crimped jointly to produce one or several crimped fiber strips. The method makes possible the production of a multiple width fiber strip with the predetermined tear line referred to, processing on a double skein filter rod machine with a single (individual) treatment section.

Abstract: Process for producing an elastic multilayer web of material consisting of a flexible elastic backing film made of a thermoplastic elastomer and a web of nonwoven material bonded in a crepe-like manner to both the top and bottom sides of the backing film, whereby the webs of nonwoven material are welded together and the weld bonds are distributed over the web of material in the form of a grid arrangement of spot welding points and at the same time yield areas of increased air permeability through the web of material.

Abstract: A wallpaper with a decorative scene that comprises a substrate adapted to be attached to a wall and a cover attached to the substrate. The cover includes a plurality of wrinkled metal foil parts. Each of the plurality of wrinkled metal foil parts has a front and a back. A thin, flexible material is connected to the back of each of the plurality of metal foil parts. The decorative scene is disposed on the fronts of the plurality of metal foil parts. To make a decorative wallpaper, a plurality of metal foil parts backed with a thin, flexible material are provided. The thin, flexible material of each metal foil part is secured to a second thin, flexible material. Paint is applied to the metal foil parts to provide a decorative scene. The painted metal foil parts and the second thin, flexible material are damaged to create a distressed and wrinkled decorative scene. The second thin, flexible material are secured to a substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a polymer-reinforced paper which includes preparing an aqueous suspension of fibers, at least about 50 percent, by dry weight, of which are cellulosic fibers; distributing the suspension on a forming wire; removing water from the distributed suspension to form a paper; and treating the paper thus formed with a polymer-reinforcing medium which contains a bulking agent to give the polymer-reinforced paper. The treatment of the paper is adapted to provide in the polymer-reinforced paper from about 15 to about 70 percent, by weight, of bulking agent, based on the dry weight of the cellulosic fibers in the paper. Alternatively, the bulking agent can be added to a polymer-reinforced paper after it has been formed. In certain embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyhydric alcohol. In other embodiments, the bulking agent is a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the range of from about 100 to about 1,500.

Abstract: A composition for creping fibrous webs comprises (1) a polyamine/epihalohydrin resin creping adhesive, and (2) a creping release agent that is a plasticizer for the polyamine/epihalohydrin resin and has a swelling ratio of at least 0.10 and a solubility parameter >20 MPa.sup.1/2. Also disclosed is a process for creping fibrous webs in which the creping adhesive and the release agent can be applied together or separately to a drying surface for the fibrous web.

Abstract: A printing process prints a continuously moving substrate with elongate, semi-tone graphics. The printed substrate is incorporated into a composite elastic material, in which the substrate is contracted, thereby forming a desired full-tone graphic from the semi-tone graphic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mutually bonding at least two moving continuous material webs of material (1,5) to form a laminate (12) which includes at least one puckered material layer. A first and second web (1,5) are advanced at different speeds (V.sub.1, V.sub.2) to a web bonding means (4) in which the webs are mutually bonded and the resultant laminate (12) is further advanced at the lower speed (V.sub.2). Because of the difference in speed between the two webs, that web (1) which moves at the higher speed (V.sub.1) at the web bonding moment is puckered while the other web (5) remains smooth. The invention also relates to an arrangement for mutually bonding two material webs (1,5) in accordance with the method, and to an absorbent article (17) which includes a liquid-receiving outer layer (20) which contains at least one puckered, first liquid-permeable layer (21) and at least one smooth, second liquid-permeable layer (22).

Abstract: Crimped paper articles are reinforced by rolling a piece of paper around a sleeve and pressing one end of the paper and sleeve against a hard surface. The sleeve is repeatedly lifted in small increments and the paper is pushed down towards the hard surface, creating crimps in the paper. When the paper is substantially crimped, it is removed from the sleeve and straightened. Vinyl duct tape or another resilient material is applied to the underside of the paper for reinforcement, and the paper is formed into a useful or art article. The vinyl tape makes the article stronger and more configurable. The vinyl tape also keeps the article from losing its shape. Transparent tape can be applied to the outer surface of the articles to further protect the articles from dehydration, humidity and decay.

Abstract: A laminate of creped tissue paper, which is wet-strength-treated and which has the required qualities for tablecloths, such as drape, heaviness, softness and tensile strength. The laminate is formed by applying an adhesive to a first tissue paper in patterns to form a first web. The first web is then laminated to another tissue paper web by means of a water-based adhesive compound containing a dispersion of the adhesive mixed with a large amount of filler. The filler makes the adhesive only penetrate to a limited depth into the respective surface layers of the webs that are directed towards each other.

Abstract: A bend tab method which facilitates an efficient separation of a release liner from the pressure sensitive adhesive surface of an article.

Abstract: A method for producing a decorative panel wall paper and the like out of a flat piece of creaseable material wherein the piece is first creased along a multitude of crease lines to form a relatively flat production blank configured with a topography having peak portions and valley portions formed by regions of the piece between various ones of the crease lines, comprising the step of either spraying a sprayable pigment onto at least one side of the piece in an oblique direction so that the sprayable pigment impinges and is retained on windward sides of the peak portions with valley portions and leeward sides of the peak portions being shielded from the sprayable pigment, or immersing the piece into a fluid dip to coat the surface portions with a film operative to alter the appearance thereof and thereafter forming a relatively flat production blank.

Abstract: A system for handling a waste web initially forming a label web adhesively bonded to a carrier web which together comprise a web laminate. The waste web, having its undersurface adhesively coated, results upon the formation of labels from the label web such that the carrier web supports the labels. The system includes a separating roll for causing the carrier and waste webs of the laminate to travel along separate paths. The machine has a web treating roll about which the waste web passes in adhereing contact therewith, and a doctor blade removes the waste web from the treating roll as waste material.

Abstract: An improved system for fabricating convolutely wound tubes includes a supply roll support for supporting a large supply of paperboard, an adhesive applicator for receiving paperboard from the supply roll and applying a coating of adhesive to one side thereof, a cutting station for cutting the paperboard across its length to form sheets of paperboard, and a winding station including a mandrel about which cut sheets of adhesive bearing paperboard are wound into a tubular configuration. As the paperboard is drawn from the supply roll, one of its edges passes sequentially through three corrugating nip rolls, which alternately deform the material of the edge to render it more pliable and flexible. This flexible edge, then, becomes the trailing edge of paperboard sheets that are wound into tubes such that the edge can be easily conformed to the contour of and adhered to the outer surface of the finished tube.

Abstract: A composite extensible material useful for making a clothing article comprising a first film layer resistant to penetration by liquid water by permeable to water vapor adhered at discrete securement locations to a second layer of water vapor vapor permeable extensible sheet material. The adherence between the two layers is such that when the composite material is under zero stretching load and resting on a flat surface the second layer is substantially flat and the first layer is corrugated, ruched or puckered. The adherence is also such that the composite material can be stretched by at least 10% in at least one direction by a load less than that required to stretch the first layer by the same amount on its own.

Abstract: A low cost, high web integrity fabric that can be economically produced and tailored to provide a variety of different combinations of characteristics and properties for different end uses. It is a fabric wherein the strength in any direction can be predetermined and also wherein the elasticity in any direction can be varied in a predetermined fashion. It is also a fabric that combines continuous filaments, ranging from elastomeric to non-elastic but elongatable to at least a minimum extent, for strength and elasticity with the predetermined indepth intermingling of fibrous melt blown webs for interlocking of the said continuous filaments in the formation of the integrated, fibrous and continuous filament matrix.

Abstract: This invention teaches a method of forming a low cost, breathable, light weight, soft, disposable elastic structure with surface properties that are characterized by a controlled irregularity of the pleats or shirrs that make up the broad surfaces of the structure. The structure is a layered structure with outer layers of low basis weight breathable material, a central elastic layer, and an adhesive layer that serves to join all the layers together to form a unitary elastic structure.

Abstract: In the manufacture of thermoplastic film zipper bags and the like heat sealing the film to the zipper produces a seal line that shrinks, resulting in unsightly apearance. A system and method are disclosed for restoring the shrunk seal line to its orginal length by corrugating and stretching it between mating teeth. A method is also disclosed for restretching the seal without corrugation.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a decorative sheet material to be bonded to a substrate to provide a surface having a brushed metal appearance, a light-reflective, glossy metal layer is formed on a thermoformable carrier film. A pattern of straight and parallel microscopic cracks is created in the metal layer at a temperature below Tg of the carrier film by bi-directionally bending and drawing the resulting sheet material around a straight cracking member. Thereafter, the sheet material is stretched at a temperature above Tg of the carrier film. This creates an attractive brushed metal appearance of reduced gloss.

Abstract: Method for the production of a compound foil as an endless strip, the compound foil to be processed in the form of rectangular blanks covering a width of the endless strip characterized in that two different foil strips, of which a first strip contains an aluminum foil (4) or a paper are drawn through a lamination machine with tractive forces to overcome friction losses in the machine, these tractive forces producing different elongations in said two different foil strips, that one of the endless strips is provided at one side surface with a binding agent over a connecting surface, which consists of several partial areas (3, 13) separated from each other, that the two strips are connected to each other while the both strips being elastically stretched to different elongations as the strips are drawn through the lamination machine whereby after the two foil strips coming back again to their non-stretched starting state, that surfaces of the blanks each have one central area and two margin areas (9, 12) borderi

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the production of a multi-ply sheet product in which separate non-woven fibrous webs are combined into a multi-ply sheet before embossment, embossed as a multi-ply sheet, the embossed webs separated from one another and longitudinally displaced relative to one another, and then recombined into an embossed multi-ply sheet with the embossments out of register with one another. The resulting product exhibits enhanced softness and absorbence as compared with similar products comprising simultaneously embossed multi-ply webs.

Abstract: A microcreping process is improved by using a razor sharp retarder blade positioned such that its razor edge is overlapped by either the primary blade or a back-up blade, whichever extends the furthest downstream. Preferably, pressure is applied to the primary blade through one or more back-up blades arranged in a stepwise configuration.

Abstract: A continuous method for making a protective and decorative sheet material comprises:(A) forming a highly reflective, specular metal layer on a continuously moving web of a thermoformable carrier film; and(B) continuously bending and drawing the web biaxially around first and second non-parallel cracking members to create in the metal layer a pattern of microscopic cracks which, when the sheet material is stretched and thermoformed, is capable of exhibiting a brushed metal appearance.

Abstract: Film-backed pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that resembles conventional creped paper-backed masking tape but can be torn cleanly with the fingers, is prepared by extruding an isotactic polypropylene film, passing it through the nip between a rubber roll and a water-cooled embossed steel roll at a temperature and rate such that predominantly crystalline film is obtained. The embossed roll imparts a ridge-and-valley configuration to one surface of the film, valleys extending crosswise of the tape and having a depth greater than half the total film thickness. When the smooth face of the film is coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, the resultant tape can be torn readily, using only the fingers, in a straight line crosswise of the tape. When subjected to a stretching force in the machine direction (at right angles to the ridges and valleys), the tape elongates uniformly without "necking down." A specific embodiment of this invention is a sterilization indicator tape made with the above described film.

Abstract: Addition of a phosphate salt to creping adhesive composition comprising a water soluble binder increases operational efficiency.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite elastic material comprises stretching an elastic web to elongate it, for example, elongating a nonwoven web of meltblown elastomeric fibers, and bonding the elongated web to at least one gatherable web, such as a spunbonded polyester fiber material, under conditions which soften at least a portion of the elastic web to form the bonded composite web of elastic material. The composite material is relaxed immediately after the bonding to prevent the elastic web from losing its ability to contract from the stretched dimensions which it assumed during the bonding step. Such immediate relaxation of the composite material after the bonding step results in the elastic web retaining its ability to contract so that, upon termination of the elongating force, the elastic web contracts to form gathers in the gatherable web.