Abstract: A system and method for transferring a nonwoven web in a wet papermaking process to a fabric is disclosed. The system includes a vacuum shoe that operates in conjunction with a transfer shoe. The vacuum shoe is contacted against a carrier fabric which is designed to receive the nonwoven web. The transfer shoe, on the other hand, is configured to contact a transfer fabric from which the web is transferred. The transfer shoe includes an air nozzle which contacts the nonwoven web with a pressurized gas as the web is drawn towards the vacuum shoe. The system of the present invention is particularly well suited to processing lower basis weight webs and can be used in rush transfer processes.

Abstract: wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R2 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R3 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; Z is halogen selected from F, Cl, Br and I; x is from about 5 to about 45 mole %; and y is from about 55 to about 95 mole % are useful as wet strength resins and creping adhesives. Methods of producing such resins, and the use of such resins in wet strength and creping applications, as well as compositions suitable for such applications, and combinations of cellulosic product and such resins are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cellulosic webs, such as tissue webs, can be dewatered to consistencies of about 70 percent or greater in a high intensity extended nip press while retaining a substantial amount of bulk. While webs intended for use as tissues containing conventional furnishes become overly densified when passed through a high intensity extended nip press, furnishes containing certain types of fibers, such as chemically cross-linked or heat-treated fibers, resist compression and allow the compressed web to retain a high level of bulk after a high degree of dewatering.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a paper bulking promoter with which a highly bulky sheet can be obtained without impairing paper strength. Namely, this invention provides a process for producing a bulky paper, comprising the step of making paper from pulp in the presence of a bulking promoter comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a cationic compound, an amine compound, an acid salt of an amine compound, an amphoteric compound, an amide compound, a quaternary ammonium salt, and an imidazoline derivative.

Abstract: An adhesive for applying to a creping surface in the process of dry creping tissue paper is disclosed. The adhesive comprises a water-soluble, thermosetting, polyamide-epihalohydrin resin complexed with a metal ion. The adhesive provides controllable adhesion, rewetability, fugitive wet strength and doctorability for dry creping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such tissue product having a basis weight of at least about 15 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.250, and a sidedness parameter of less than 0.30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.

Abstract: An uncreped tissue sheet having improved softness results from supplementally dewatering a wet web to a consistency of greater than about 30 percent using noncompressive dewatering techniques prior to a differential speed transfer and subsequent throughdrying. An air press particularly well suited for providing the supplemental noncompressive dewatering incorporates side and/or end seals to minimize escape of pressurized fluid. A creped tissue sheet can be produced with a variety of manufacturing benefits using the air press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such tissue product having a basis weight of at least about 15 lbs./3,000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 75 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 7.5 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square feet ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 1.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square feet ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.225, and a sidedness parameter of less than 0.275.

Abstract: Methods for making high wet performance webs. A polymeric anionic reactive compound is applied heterogenously to a cellulosic fibrous web followed by curing of the compound to crosslink the cellulose fibers. The resulting tissue has high wet resiliency, high wet strength, and a high wet:dry tensile strength ratio.

Abstract: Single-ply absorbent tissue paper wherein of the fibers incorporated in the web: (a) at least 20% by weight have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20% by weight have a coarseness of less than about 12 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average fiber coarseness to length ratio is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm. The single-ply tissue having: a serpentine configuration; low sidedness; a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream; specific total tensile strength between 40 and 200 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; a cross direction specific wet tensile strength between 2.75 and 20.0 g/3 inches/lb per 3000 square foot ream; an MD tensile to CD tensile ratio between 1.25 and 2.75; a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness between 0.5 and 3.2 g/inch/% strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream; a friction deviation less than 0.250; and a sidedness parameter less than 0.30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply, printed, absorbent paper product having a Yankee side and an air side wherein the absorbent paper is printed on before or after embossing on the Yankee side, air side, or both sides, said absorbent paper exhibiting a serpentine configuration. This inventions also relates to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper product having a basis weight of at least about 12.5 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.0 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, the ratio of MD tensile to CD tensile of between 1.25 and 2.75, a specific geometric mean tensile stiffness of between 0.5 and 3.2 grams per inch per percent strain per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a friction deviation of less than 0.

Abstract: A method of making sanitary paper products from recycled newspapers. The method includes the steps of: (a) pulping newspapers in water with agitation to produce a pulp slurry, the pulp from the newspapers having an average fines content of greater than about 40% and a Canadian Standard Freeness of less than about 250; (b) washing the pulp, whereby the fines content is reduced to less than about 35% and the Canadian Standard Freeness is increased to more than about 300; (c) introducing the treated pulp at a papermaking consistency into the headbox of a paper making machine; (d) adding from about 0.01% to about 1.5% of a surfactant system to the treated pulp; and (e) utilizing the treated pulp in a paper making process to produce sanitary paper products.

Abstract: Synthetic polymers having moieties capable of covalent or hydrogen bonding to cellulose and one or more amphiphilic moieties are disclosed. These polymers are capable of providing two distinct properties to paper products, such as tissues, which properties heretofore have been imparted through the use of at least two different molecules. The backbone of these synthetic polymers is based on modified vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamides and polyacrylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of making a soft, thick, single-ply, absorbent paper in the form of a bathroom tissue, facial tissue, or napkin wherein the cellulosic fibers incorporated in the furnish comprise: (a) at least 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness exceeding 23 mg/100 m; (b) at least about 20 percent by weight of the fibers in the web have a coarseness of less than about 1.2 mg/100 m; and (c) the weight average coarseness to length ratio of the fibers in the web is less than about 8.5 mg/100 m/mm having a serpentine configuration and to a process for the manufacture of such absorbent paper having a basis weight of about 15 lbs. per 3000 square foot ream and having low sidedness, said tissue exhibiting: a specific total tensile strength of between 40 and 200 grams per 3 inches per pound per 3000 square foot ream, a cross direction specific wet tensile strength of between 2.75 and 20.

Abstract: Composition comprising at least one water soluble polymer, such as polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin resin, polyamine-epichlorohydrin resin, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. and at least one stabilizer, such as hypophosphorous acid, phosphorous acid, hypodiphosphoric acid, etc. and salts thereof, suitable as creping adhesive for paper.

Abstract: A creping adhesive for applying to a creping surface in the process for dry creping tissue and or towel paper is disclosed. The adhesive comprises a blend of at least two water-soluble cationic polyamide-epihalohydrin (PAE) resins. The first PAE resin has a mole ratio of epihalohydrin to secondary amine groups of the polyamine ranging from about 0.5:1.0 to about 1.8:1.0; and the second PAE resin has a mole ratio of epihalohydrin to secondary amine groups of the polyamine less than 0.5:1.0. The weight percent of the solids in the admixture or blend in an aqueous solution ranges from about 40% to about 0.01% solids, wherein the solids in this admixture are comprised of from about 0.1% to about 50.0% by weight of the first PAE resin and from about 99.9% to about 50.0% by weight of the second PAE resin. Varying the percentages of the two PAE resins in the creping adhesive can produce desired levels of adhesion and water resistance for given grades of tissue and/or towel paper products.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. The base web disclosed in the present application is made from at least three fibrous layers. The outer layers of the web contain synthetic staple fibers for increasing the tensile strength and abrasion resistant properties of the web. In one embodiment, the middle layer can further contain hardwood fibers, such as eucalyptus fibers, which improves the wipe dry properties of the web.

Abstract: A paper bulking promoter containing a compound represented by the following formula (1) with which a highly bulky sheet can be obtained without impairing paper strength: RO(EO)m(PO)nH  (1) wherein R represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an alkylaryl group in which the alkyl group has 4 to 20 carbon atoms; E represents an ethylene group; P represents a propylene group; m indicates the average number of moles added in the range of 0≦m≦20; and n is a number in the range of 0≦n≦50; provided that the EO and PO groups may have any of block and random arrangements and may begin with any of EO and PO.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a paper machine in threading of paper web, in which method a narrower tail (T) is separated from the edge of the paper web and transferred to threading guiding means arranged in connection with the moving parts of a machine conveying the paper web. Before transferring the tail (T) to the threading devices, its free length is shortened, for example by crinkling, wherein its tensile stretch is increased and bending stiffness reduced.

Abstract: A method of impregnating paper with waterglass, such as soda waterglass or potassium silicate, the impregnated paper being usable as a dehumidifying element, wherein the method includes the steps of a) providing a sheet of paper such as facing paper and/or corrugated paper; b) immersing the paper into a highly concentrated waterglass solution at a temperature within the range of 45-95° C., with the highly concentrated waterglass solution having a viscosity of at least 350 mPa.s at a temperature of 45° C.; and c) cooling the immersed paper with air at a temperature no greater than 35° C. and preferably no greater than 25° C.

Abstract: An improved cloth-like base web is disclosed. In particular, the base web of the present invention has a cloth-like look and feel and has improved absorbency. The base web is made by first hydroneedling a web containing pulp and/or staple fibers. A bonding material is then applied to at least one side of the web and the web is creped on at least one side. By combining a hydroneedling operation with a creping operation, a base web is produced that is strong, stretchable, very soft and absorbent.

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: A method for making a throughdried tissue sheet is disclosed. The method includes the steps of depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers onto an endless forming fabric to form a wet web. The wet web is then transferred to a throughdrying fabric such that the wet web has a fabric side in contact with the throughdrying fabric and an opposite air side facing away from the throughdrying fabric. The wet web is routed over a throughdryer to dry the web. The web is then transferred to a Yankee dryer for further drying and is creped from the Yankee dryer to obtain a creped web having a basis weight of about 15.2 pounds per 2880 square feet. The creped web in then calendered in a calendering unit that includes a smooth calender roll and a resilient calender roll. The resilient calender roll has an exterior covering formed of ethylene propylene diene polymer and the creped web is oriented such that the fabric side is disposed toward the resilient calender roll.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for maximizing water removal from an absorbent web in a press nip. The present invention uses a pressing unit with a pressure profile that maximizes water removal in the press section or on the Yankee dryer of a paper machine. The pressure profile of the pressing unit according to the present invention has a very steep pressure drop at and/or following the exit of a pressure distribution curve in order to maximize water removal by minimizing rewet of the web. The improved pressure profile according to the present invention results in increased water removal and/or improved line speed.

Abstract: A tissue paper of improved softness, strength and absorbency; and a manufacturing process for such a tissue paper where the generation of foam is reduced, or eliminated altogether. These are obtained using a tissue paper softener system comprising a substantially equimolar, ion-paired mixture of an anionic surfactant and a cationic quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the softener system is formulated such that the charge density of the anionic surfactant/cationic quaternary ammonium compound mixture will be about neutral.

Abstract: A soft tissue product and method for making a soft tissue product which exhibits resistance to limiting while maintaining physical strength integrity. The process includes debonding and mechanically treating papermaking fibers, forming a tissue web and drying the tissue web. The process allows for the use of high levels of debonding agents and hardwood fibers.

Abstract: New and improved methods and products are disclosed relating to increasing the softness of paper sheets, without effecting their wetability. Increased softness, without loss of wetability is obtained by adding deactivated ketene dimer sizing agents to the sheet.

Abstract: Condensation polymers, such as polyamide epichlorohydrin (PAE) resins, can be combined with polysiloxanes in a single molecule to provide several potential benefits, depending upon the specific combination employed, including: (a) wet strength resins that soften; (b) softeners that do not reduce dry or wet tensile strength; (c) wet strength with improved wet/dry tensile ratio; (d) softeners/debonders with reduced linting and sloughing; (e) wet strength aids with controlled absorbency rate; and (f) Yankee dryer additives that provide surface protection and adhesion with controlled release properties.

Abstract: A web of tissue is formed in a crescent former, followed by an air press for water removal in the pressing section, passing onto a Yankee dryer. A headbox injects stock between upper and lower dryer fabrics brought together on a breast roll. The fabrics move over vacuum boxes, and the web is heated with steam and passed between an upper pressure box and a lower vacuum box forming an air press which dewaters the web. A sheet transfer pickup vacuum box holds the sheet to the upper fabric as the lower fabric diverges from the upper fabric. A pressure roller transfers the web onto a Yankee dryer. The fabrics are cleaned on vertical runs before returning to the breast roll. A second upper fabric or transfer fabric operating at a lower speed then the first can be used to form a rush transfer between the forming fabrics and the Yankee dryer which increases web bulk and absorbency. Instead of a second fabric, a vacuum pressure roll may perform the rush transfer between the lower forming fabric and the Yankee dryer.

Abstract: A gas stream directed at a velocity against a cellulosic web in a papermaking machine can act to transfer the web from a transport web moving at a first speed to a transport web moving at a second slower speed. The transport webs apply a linear velocity to each to the cellulosic web on the transport web. The gas stream in the form of an air knife can be directed through the first fabric against the web and can transfer the web from the first fabric to the second fabric. The difference in velocity between the first transport web and the second, increases bulk, introduces a surface finish or otherwise modifies the character of the cellulosic web.

Abstract: Synthetic polymers having hydrogen bonding capability and one or more polysiloxane moieties are capable of providing two distinct properties to paper products, such as tissues, which properties heretofore have been imparted through the use of at least two different molecules. The backbone of these synthetic polymers is based on modified vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamides and polyacrylic acids.

Abstract: A process comprising mixing polyamide and another polymer, such as polyvinylalcohol and/or polyethyleneimine and reacting the polyamide/other polymer mixture with epichlorohydrin and the use of the reaction product as creping 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: The invention relates to hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant, single-ply or multi-ply absorbent papers in the form of a towel. These humectant paper products are formed by supplying a furnish to headbox comprising: Cellulosic papermaking fiber consisting essentially of recycle fiber, hardwood fiber, softwood fiber, and mixtures thereof; and optionally up to 50% synthetic fibers and a softener which has a melting range of about 0°-40° C. wherein the softener comprises an imidazoline moiety formulated in organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated aliphatic polyols, alkoxylated aliphatic diols, aliphatic polyols, aliphatic diols and a mixture of these compounds, wherein the process of adding the softener is controlled to retain a ratio of the average particle size of dispersed softener to the average fiber diameter in the range of about 0.01 to 15 percent: wet pressing said nascent web, creping said web from said Yankee, and recovering the paper products.

Abstract: A method of dividing a formed paper web into at least two partial-width webs during production of creped paper in a paper machine having a cylinder with an adhesive coating to which the web adheres. The web is divided in conjunction with the cylinder by one partial-width web being detached by scraping from the outer surface at a first web-detaching point while the other partial-width web, still adhered to the outer surface, accompanies this surface to a second web-detaching point situated downstream, to be detached by scraping from the outer surface, at least one partial-width web being creped off.

Abstract: An adhesive for applying to a creping surface in the process for dry creping tissue paper is disclosed. The adhesive comprises cationic starch and optionally a polyvinyl alcohol and a water-soluble, thermosetting, cationic polyamide-epihalohydrin resin. The adhesive provides high adhesion and doctorability for dry creping.

Abstract: A method for producing absorbent creped cellulosic sheets is disclosed. The process is carried out by applying zirconium crosslinking agent directly and separately on the Yankee dryer at the time the base polymer is applied to the surface. These creped sheets are useful in the manufacture of tissue and towel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the manufacture of a hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant single-ply or multi-ply absorbent papers to which an organic permanent or temporary wet strength agent has been added. Also novel absorbent papers having temporary or permanent wet strength properties are disclosed. These are useful as bathroom tissue and napkins. These products are suitably also prepared using through air drying methods with or without the use of a Yankee dryer, and the products exhibit a unique combination of properties designed to appeal to consumer preferences. In many applications, these products need not be creped, and in that case they do not have the serpentine configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant, single-ply or multi-ply absorbent papers in the form of a bathroom tissue. These humectant paper products are formed by supplying a furnish to headbox comprising: Cellulosic papermaking fiber consisting essentially of recycle fiber, hardwood fiber, softwood fiber, and mixtures thereof; and optionally up to 50% synthetic fibers and a softener which has a melting range of about 0°-40°C. wherein the softener comprises an imidazoline moiety formulated in organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated aliphatic polyols, alkoxylated aliphatic diols, aliphatic polyols, aliphatic diols and a mixture of these compounds, wherein the process of adding the softener is controlled to retain a ratio of the average particle size of dispersed softener to the average fiber diameter in the range of about 0.01 to 15 percent: wet pressing said nascent web, creping said web from said Yankee, and recovering the paper products.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant, single-ply or multi-ply absorbent papers in the form of a napkin. These humectant paper products are formed by supplying a furnish to headbox comprising: Cellulosic papermaking fiber consisting essentially of recycle fiber, hardwood fiber, softwood fiber, and mixtures thereof; and optionally up to 50% synthetic fibers and a softener which has a melting range of about 0°-40° C. wherein the softener comprises an imidazoline moiety formulated in organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated aliphatic polyols, alkoxylated aliphatic diols, aliphatic polyols, aliphatic diols and a mixture of these compounds, wherein the process of adding the softener is controlled to retain a ratio of the average particle size of dispersed softener to the average fiber diameter in the range of about 0.01 to 15 percent: wet pressing said nascent web, creping said web from said Yankee, and recovering the paper products.

Abstract: A method for making a textured tissue sheet on a conventional tissue making machine using a conventional cylindrical drum dryer creates a product that is remarkably bulky, soft, and wet resilient. A combination of rush transfer and sheet molding with three-dimensional fabrics is combined with the step of web inversion to ensure that the surface of the web which was molded onto a first textured transfer fabric is the surface which is placed against the surface of the cylinder dryer. Web inversion improves machine productivity and enhances physical properties of the web.

Abstract: Wet pressed absorbent papers having temporary or permanent wet strength properties are disclosed. These are useful as bathroom tissue and napkins. In many applications, these products need not be creped, and in that case they do not have the serpentine configuration.

Abstract: A method of using a conventional wet-pressed creped tissue machine produces a textured tissue sheet that is dried on a conventional cylindrical drum dryer to create an uncreped product with throughdried-like properties. Machine modifications and a proper balance of adhesive compounds and release agents permit a textured sheet to be dried on a Yankee drier and then pulled off without use of a crepe blade.

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: 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 wherein the resin is characterized by a highly branched structure that lacks reactive intralinker functionality and which has a prepolymer backbone comprised of intralinked polyamidoamine. 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 wherein the resin is characterized by a highly branched structure that lacks reactive intralinker functionality and which has a prepolymer backbone comprised of intralinked polyamidoamine, and an optional plasticizer.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a one-ply absorbent paper product such as a bathroom tissue. The tissue combines high strength and softness along with low sidedness. The paper product is produced as a stratified product using furnishes supplied from different headboxes. The paper is manufactured as a wet pressed, creped product. The paper tissue product made by the process of this invention exhibits a sidedness parameter of less than 0.3 preferably, less than 0.225, a tensile modulus of no more than 32 grams/percent strain, a GM MMD of no more than about 0.225, and a cross direction strength of at least 200 grams per 3 inches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of a hydrophilic, humectant, soft, pliant single-ply or multi-ply absorbent papers to which an organic permanent or temporary wet strength agent has been added. Novel absorbent papers having temporary or permanent wet strength properties are shown. These are useful as bathroom tissue and napkins. These products are suitably also prepared using through air drying methods with or without the use of a Yankee dryer, and the products exhibit a unique combination of properties designed to appeal to consumer preferences. In many applications, these products need not be creped, and in that case they do not have the serpentine configuration.

Abstract: A multifunctional tissue paper product having a combination of good wet strength, flexibility and preferably absorbency. This combination allows the tissue paper to be strong enough for use as a paper towel, yet soft enough for use as a facial tissue.

Abstract: The invention relates to tissue products having improved softness properties and methods of making them. Specifically, improved softness is achieved by incorporating one or more softeners/debonders into the fiber furnish at the wet end of the tissue machine prior to formation, followed by a topical treatment with one or more softeners/debonders after the tissue web is dried. The result is a tissue product with added bulk and a smooth surface feel, both properties contributing to improved softness characteristics.