Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system and method is provided that includes, e.g., means for continuously conveying an assembly of layered sheets including a first paper sheet, at least one expanded sheet and a second paper sheet in a conveying flow between, e.g., a rotary mandrel or member at an upstream position in a direction of conveyance and a rotary die crushing and cutting tool, with said rotary mandrel or member and said rotary die crushing and cutting tool maintaining the at least one expanded sheet in an expanded state, said rotary tool having a crushing component that crushes a portion of the at least one expanded sheet such as to form a flap forming region of an envelope and a cutting component that cuts the assembly of layered sheets such as to separate individual envelope units.

Abstract: A method and device of embossing individually light-reflecting areas on a foil material, the method and device comprising feeding a foil material into a roller nip between a pair of rollers, wherein the pair of rollers comprises a first roller and a second roller, providing each of the first roller and second roller at their respective surfaces at least in a determined perimeter, respectively with a plurality of polyhedron-shaped positive projections and a plurality of negative projections complementary to the positive projections, whereby the plurality of positive projections are arranged according to a 2-dimensional grid. The plurality of polyhedron-shaped positive projections seamlessly and gaplessly join with those corresponding negative projections at the intended embossing of the foil material, hence enabling a homogeneously jointed embossed polyhedron-like shape in the foil.

Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system and method is provided that includes, e.g., means for continuously conveying an assembly of layered sheets including a first paper sheet, at least one expanded sheet and a second paper sheet in a conveying flow between, e.g., a rotary mandrel or member at an upstream position in a direction of conveyance and a rotary die crushing and cutting tool, with said rotary mandrel or member and said rotary die crushing and cutting tool maintaining the at least one expanded sheet in an expanded state, said rotary tool having a crushing component that crushes a portion of the at least one expanded sheet such as to form a flap forming region of an envelope and a cutting component that cuts the assembly of layered sheets such as to separate individual envelope units.

Abstract: Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Valley Volume parameter greater than 11 microns and a Pit Density of greater than 25 pockets per sq. cm.

Abstract: According to some illustrative embodiments, a system and method is provided that includes, e.g., means for continuously conveying an assembly of layered sheets including a first paper sheet, at least one expanded sheet and a second paper sheet in a conveying flow between, e.g., a rotary mandrel or member at an upstream position in a direction of conveyance and a rotary die crushing and cutting tool, with said rotary mandrel or member and said rotary die crushing and cutting tool maintaining the at least one expanded sheet in an expanded state, said rotary tool having a crushing component that crushes a portion of the at least one expanded sheet such as to form a flap forming region of an envelope and a cutting component that cuts the assembly of layered sheets such as to separate individual envelope units.

Abstract: A multi-ply flushable wipe includes a ply having first and second exterior layers and a middle layer disposed therebetween. Each of the exterior layers includes at least 50% by weight natural fibers. When foam-formed, the middle layer includes at least 25% by weight natural fibers. In embodiments, the middle layer may include at least 75% by weight natural fibers. The middle layer also includes synthetic fibers that have a length within the range of 1 mm and 20 mm. The wipe may have a length weight weighted average fiber length of less than 4 mm and a wet CD strength of greater than 20 N/m. Each ply of the wipe may be formed by wetlaying the first and second exterior layers and a foam formed middle layer to form a web, imprinting the web with a structured fabric, and drying the web. The plies are then attached using a binder.

Abstract: Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Valley Volume parameter greater than 11 microns and a Pit Density of greater than 25 pockets per sq. cm.

Abstract: Absorbent product including a laminate of at least two plies, wherein the absorbent product has a measured Valley Volume parameter greater than 11 microns and a Pit Density of greater than 25 pockets per sq. cm.

Abstract: A structured tissue product produced using a structured or imprinting fabric and a press roll. The tissue product has at least two plies, and has a crumple resistance of less than 30 grams force and an average peak to valley depth of at least 65 microns.

Abstract: A multi-ply through air dried structured tissue having a bulk softness of less than 10 TS7 and a lint value of 5.0 or less. Each ply of the tissue has a first exterior layer that includes a wet end temporary wet strength additive in an amount of approximately 0.25 kg/ton and a wet end dry strength additive in an amount of approximately 0.25 kg/ton, an interior layer that includes a first wet end additive comprising an ionic surfactant, and a second wet end additive comprising a non-ionic surfactant, and a second exterior layer.

Abstract: An extensible slit sheet paper product is produced having an expandable slit pattern that forms open cells upon expansion of the paper product. The paper product is an extensible paper having an extensibility in the range from 1-9% in the machine direction and 1-5% in the cross direction. The expansion produces an array of hexagonal cells. The expanded extensible paper can be used to wrap an object for shipping by wrapping and cushioning the object in the expanded slit sheet material. The extensible, expandable slit sheet paper can be wrapped around itself to produce a void fill product.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a needleless binding device configured to form a recessed or raised impression as a needleless binding part by performing needleless binding on a bundle of sheets; an environment sensor; and a controller configured to perform, based on a value detected by the environment sensor, control to display a confirmation image requesting a user to make confirmation on the needleless binding prior to execution of the needleless binding.

Abstract: A fibrous structure is disclosed. The fibrous structure exhibits a plurality of discrete knuckles arranged in a pattern of repeat units. The repeat units can include a plurality of rows arranged orthogonally in an X-Y plane, each row having a portion of the discrete knuckles, and each discrete knuckle separated from adjacent discrete knuckles in a row by a distance. Each of the discrete knuckles within the repeat unit can have substantially the same shape and size; and wherein the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in each row are non-uniform such that the repeat unit exhibits varying pillow width distances along the rows in both the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A fabric or belt for a papermaking machine including a first layer that defines a web contacting surface and a second layer that supports the first layer. The first layer is made of extruded polymer and includes a plurality of first elements aligned in a first direction, a plurality of second elements aligned in a second direction and extending over the plurality of first elements, and a plurality of open portions defined by the plurality of first and second elements. The second layer is made of woven fabric. The first layer is bonded to the second layer so that the first layer extends only partially through the second layer and an interface formed between the first and second layers includes bonded and unbonded portions and airflow channels that extend in a plane parallel to the first and second layers.

Abstract: A sheet manufacturing apparatus can manufacture sheets using a small amount of energy even when making high grammage sheets. A sheet manufacturing apparatus according to the invention is characterized by supplying 0.014 times or more and 0.28 times or less energy to heat and compress a laid web of fiber and resin, bond multiple fibers through the resin, and forma sheet with grammage of 80 g/m2 than the energy consumed to dry a web containing approximately the same weight percent of water as fiber and form a sheet with grammage of 80 g/m2.

Abstract: Processes for extracting trichomes from plants and more particularly to processes for extracting trichomes from a mixture of trichome and non-trichome materials using a screen, for example a pressure screen, and fibrous structures employing such extracted trichomes are provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses, processes, and systems for determining features of a paper-making fabric. The apparatus, processes, and systems utilize a representation of a portion of a surface of the fabric, with the representation showing locations and sizes of knuckles and pockets in the surface of the fabric. An image of the portion of the fabric is generated based on the representation. Using the displayed image, an outline is drawn around at least one of the knuckles, and guidelines are drawn such that the guidelines pass through the center of the outlined knuckle, pass through the other knuckles, and form a shape that surrounds areas of the image that correspond to where the pockets are formed between the knuckles. With the outlined knuckle and guidelines, properties that affect the paper-making functionality of the fabric may be calculated.

Abstract: Apparatuses, processes, and systems for implementing techniques for determining characteristics of a papermaking fabric. The techniques include forming a representation of a portion of the surface of the fabric, with the representation showing the knuckles and pockets in the surface. The representation can be formed, for example, in pressure measurement film, in wax paper, or as a photograph. An image is generated from the representation, and the image is analyzed to determine characteristics of the surface of the fabric, such as knuckle sizes and pocket sizes. The depth of pockets in the fabric can also be determined. The techniques can be used in processes for analyzing wear of a fabric, and for obtaining a fabric for making a paper product with a particular three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A disposable cellulosic wiper includes a percentage by weight of pulp-derived papermaking fibers, and a percentage by weight of regenerated independent cellulosic microfibers having a number average diameter of less than about 2 microns and a characteristic Canadian Standard Freeness (CSF) value of less than 175 ml. The microfibers are selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits an average effective pore radius of less than 50 microns.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 85% or more recycled fibers and, in one construction, 100% recycled fibers. The recycled fibers are from post-consumer waste and/or post-industrial waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of cellulose fibers. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder.

Abstract: A method of making a belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. A papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a dewatered web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber orientation. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer surface moving at a transfer surface speed. The web is belt-creped from the transfer surface utilizing a generally planar polymeric creping belt provided with a plurality of perforations through the belt, the belt-creping step occurring under pressure in a belt creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping belt. The belt travels at a belt speed that is slower than the transfer surface speed, and the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping belt to form a web. The web includes hollow domed regions, connecting regions, and transition areas. The web is dried to produce the belt-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet.

Abstract: A method of making a fabric-creped absorbent cellulosic sheet. A papermaking furnish is compactively dewatered to form a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of papermaking fiber. The dewatered web is applied to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed. The web is fabric creped from the transfer surface utilizing a patterned creping fabric. The fabric creping step occurs under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric. The creping fabric travels at a fabric speed that is slower than the transfer surface speed. The creping fabric contacts 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 having a plurality of interconnected regions of different local basis weights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a fiber web, in particular a web of tissue or hygiene material, provided with a three-dimensional surface structure, whereby the fiber web is pressed at a dry content of <35% onto an imprinting fabric by way of a first pressure field and is thereby pre-imprinted and the fiber web is guided through at least one other pressure field, and at least one of dewatering and drying the fiber web.

Abstract: Embossed multi-ply fibrous structures and methods for making such embossed multi-ply fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A method for making fibrous structures. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a fibrous furnish comprising papermaking fibers, the fibrous furnish containing, in addition to water and cellulosic fibers, from about 0.1% to about 15% waterborne shape memory polymer; (b) depositing the fibrous furnish onto a foraminous member such that an embryonic fibrous web is formed; (c) associating the embryonic web with a molding member comprising discrete deflection cells or substantially continuous deflection conduits; (d) deflecting the fibers in the embryonic fibrous web into the discrete deflection cells or substantially continuous deflection conduit and removing water from the embryonic web through the discrete deflection cells or substantially continuous deflection conduit so as to form an intermediate fibrous web; (e) optionally, drying the intermediate fibrous web; and (f) optionally, foreshortening the intermediate fibrous web.

Abstract: A method of making a cellulosic web having an elevated absorbency includes forming a nascent web having a random distribution of fiber orientation from a papermaking furnish, non-compactively drying the nascent web to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent, thereafter, transferring the nascent web to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a transfer surface speed, and fabric-creping the nascent web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric, the fabric-creping step occurring under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, such that the nascent web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric to form a creped wet web. The creped wet web is dried while the web is held in the creping fabric.

Abstract: An embossing roll for producing fibrous products, has a structurized embossing surface suitable to run against an anvil roll. The structurized embossing surface includes male protrusions or female depressions starting from a base circumferential surface of the roll. The embossing pattern is characterized by the following features: the base areas of selected male protrusions or female depressions in the base circumferential surface are different; the heights or depths of selected male protrusions or selected female depressions in a radial direction of the roll and starting from the base circumferential surface are different; and the angles between sidewall sections and the adjacent base circumferential surface of selected male protrusions and/or female depressions are different.

Abstract: Embossed sheet materials are disclosed. In accordance with the present disclosure, the embossing pattern includes at least one line element that has a gradually decreasing depth. The gradually decreasing depth has been found to alter the shadow characteristics of the embossing pattern thus creating a line in the embossing pattern that appears to decrease in line weight. The decrease in line weight is accomplished without having to change the width of the embossment, although the width can also be changed in conjunction with the depth. Being able to incorporate line weight variations into embossing patterns can dramatically improve the aesthetic appeal of the patterns.

Abstract: A multi-ply wiper/towel product includes at least one wet laid web having at least 10% fibrillated cellulosic microfiber, and at least about 40% wood pulp derived papermaking fibers. The at least one wet laid web has formed therein (i) a plurality of fiber-enriched hollow domed regions on the upper side of the at least one wet laid web having a relatively high local basis weight, (ii) connecting regions having a relatively lower local basis weight forming a network interconnecting the relatively high local basis weight domed regions of the one wet laid web, and (iii) transition areas with upwardly and inwardly inflected consolidated fibrous regions transitioning from the connecting regions into the domed regions.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable wiper or towel. A slurry is created by blending virgin cellulose fibers with cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste to create a mixture of cellulose fibers that contains about 40 to about 80 percent cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. A contaminant deactivator and debonder are added to the slurry. The slurry is formed into a wet web. The wet web is pressed and adhered a Yankee dryer. The partially dried sheet is creped and dried. The sheet is wound to form a base sheet roll. The base sheet is fed to a first printer. A binder is applied to a first side of the base sheet with the first printer and then pressed into the base sheet. The base sheet is recreped and dried.

Abstract: A cut or precut absorbent sheet intended in particular for wiping includes at least two plies or groups of plies of creped absorbent paper with a basis weight ranging between 12 and 35 g/m2 per ply, at least one of the plies having an embossed pattern made up of protrusions directed towards the inside of the sheet and forming cavities between them. Some of the protrusions are distributed over at least one of the plies in such a way as to define portions of curves which in particular form concentric circles around or near the geometric center of the outline of the sheet; and the set of protrusions belonging to one ply of the sheet forms alignments which constitute an embossed pattern with central symmetry with respect to the geometric center of the outline of the sheet.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable wiper or towel. A slurry is created by blending virgin cellulose fibers with cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste to create a mixture of cellulose fibers that contains about 40 to about 80 percent cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. A contaminant deactivator and debonder are added to the slurry. The slurry is formed into a wet web. The wet web is pressed and adhered a Yankee dryer. The partially dried sheet is creped and dried. The sheet is wound to form a base sheet roll. The base sheet is fed to a first printer. A binder is applied to a first side of the base sheet with the first printer and then pressed into the base sheet. The base sheet is recreped and dried.

Abstract: An embossed sheet is composed of at least a first and a second ply of creped tissue having a basis weight between 12 and 30 g/m2 according to which the first ply has a first embossed pattern composed of a series of first aligned protrusions of frustoconical overall shape, the tops of which are oriented towards the inside of the sheet, and the second ply has a first and a second series of protrusions, the tops of which are oriented towards the inside of the sheet, the second series having a height greater than that of the first series of protrusions. The protrusions of the first ply and the highest protrusions of the second ply are nested inside one another, and the lowest protrusions of the second ply are arranged between the protrusions of the first ply so as to create empty spaces between the two plies and promote a rapid absorption of liquid.

Abstract: Method for producing a tissue web which includes moving the tissue web over at least one drying cylinder, removing the tissue web from the at least one drying cylinder with a creping doctor, supporting one side of the tissue web with a transfer device at least largely over an entire distance between the creping doctor and a winding device, wherein the tissue web has a free web draw between the creping doctor and the winding device, and winding the tissue web with a winding device.

Abstract: A method of making a cellulosic web having an elevated absorbency. The method includes (a) forming a nascent web having an apparently random distribution of fiber orientation from a papermaking furnish, (b) non-compactively drying the nascent web to a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent, (c) thereafter, transferring the web to a translating transfer surface that is moving at a first speed, and (d) fabric-creping the web from the transfer surface at a consistency of from about 30 to about 60 percent utilizing a creping fabric. The creping step occurs under pressure in a fabric creping nip defined between the transfer surface and the creping fabric, wherein the fabric is traveling at a second speed that is slower than the speed of the transfer surface. The fabric pattern, nip parameters, velocity delta and web consistency are selected such that the web is creped from the transfer surface and redistributed on the creping fabric.

Abstract: Fibrous structures that exhibit a Dry Burst of greater than 360 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and optionally, a Total Dry Tensile of less than 2450 g/76.2 mm and/or a Machine Direction (MD) Dry Tensile of less than 1520 g/76.2 mm and/or a Geometric Mean (GM) Total Dry Tensile of less than 1180 g/76.2 mm as measured according to the Tensile Strength Test Method are provided.

Abstract: Differentially densified fibrous structures, methods for making same, and processes for treating fibers used in the fibrous structures are provided. More particularly, fibrous structures comprising two or more regions, at least one of which exhibits a density that is at least 1.6 times greater than another region within the fibrous structure, methods for making such fibrous structures and non-naturally occurring fibers useful in such fibrous structures are provided.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a throughdrying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the throughdrying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the throughdrying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a fibrous web in an apparatus that includes at least one nip formed between a smooth roll and at least one opposing element, a felt and an embossing belt. The process includes guiding the fibrous web and the felt through the at least one press nip formed between the smooth roll and the at least one opposing element, and passing the fiber web, in an unsupported manner, over a free draw from the smooth roll onto an embossing belt. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a near-premium quality paper product having good strength and absorbency characteristics and a product made by that method. The invention is also a method for retaining a high ash content within a paper web formed by conventional wet pressing. The present invention is also a method for retaining a high percentage of softening agent within a paper web that includes such an agent. Further, the present invention is a soft absorbent paper product having a high void volume. Finally, the invention is also a method for producing a soft, absorbent, and near premium paper product having a high void volume using an undulatory crepe blade having a multiplicity of serrulations in its rake surface which presents differentiated creping angles and/or rake angles as to the paper being creped.

Abstract: A multi-layer woven creping fabric comprising a plurality of warp yarns and weft yarns or shutes. The multi-layer woven creping fabric has a machine or roll side and a sheet contacting side. A plurality of weft yarns or shutes on the machine or roll side of the fabric which are lobed or grooved yarns and/or having weft yarn or shute diameters which are less than the warp yarn diameter.

Abstract: A method of making soft, strong, high bulk tissue is disclosed. The method includes pre-conditioning a wet web by straining the wet web in the cross-machine direction prior to transferring the wet web to a through drying fabric. The pre-conditioned web provides improved sheet softness and conforms more readily to the surface contour of the through drying fabric, thereby creating greater caliper (bulk) in the resulting dried sheet. The bulk is maintained during a subsequent creping step by maintaining the dried sheet in registration with the through drying fabric when the dried sheet is applied to the surface of the creping cylinder.

Abstract: A high utility (strong in both dry and wet states, highly absorbent, abrasion resistant, thick, and soft) disposable wiper or towel that contains 40% or more cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste and/or in excess of 50% pre and/or post consumer waste. The base sheet is produced in a wet-pressed, creped process and is post-treated using a DRC process. The final wiper or towel is a double re-creped, non-woven sheet having a first side and a second side. The non-woven sheet includes about 85% to about 90% by weight of-cellulose fibers. The cellulose fibers include about 40% to about 80% of cellulose fibers from post-consumer waste. The non-woven sheet includes at least about 10% to about 15% by weight of binder. The wiper meets EPA guidelines related to the level of PCW in wipers.

Abstract: Pulp fibers can be treated with water insoluble chemical additives resulting in a minimal amount of unretained water insoluble chemical additives present after redispersing the treated pulp fibers in the process water. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for preparing chemically treated pulp fiber. A fiber slurry is created comprising process water and pulp fibers. The fiber slurry is transported to a web-forming apparatus of a pulp sheet machine thereby forming a wet fibrous web. The wet fibrous web is dried to a predetermined consistency thereby forming a dried fibrous web. The dried fibrous web is treated with a water insoluble chemical additive thereby forming a chemically treated dried fibrous web containing chemically treated pulp fibers.

Abstract: A method of forming a cellulosic web is discussed, the product of which may, for example, possess at least one of increased softness, strength, and absorbency. The method measures the total anionic charge and controls the net charge of an aqueous stream.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to paper products having great softness and strength and methods of making the paper products. The paper products are formed from one or more paper webs that can be made according to various methods. In one embodiment, the paper web is an uncreped through-air dried web. According to the present invention, at least one side of the paper web is treated with a bonding material according to a preselected pattern and creped from a creping surface. Through the process, a two-sided tissue web is formed having a smooth side and a textured side.

Abstract: The process for the production of crepe paper by adhesive bonding of a paper web with the aid of an adhesive comprising (i) polyethyleneimine having a molar mass Mw of from 50 000 to 2 million, (ii) reaction products of polyethyleneimine having a molar mass Mw of from 500 to 1 million with at least one C14- to C22-alkyldiketene, a monocarboxylic acid, an ester of a monocarboxylic acid or an acid chloride of a monocarboxylic acid and/or (iii) reaction products of polyalkylenepolyamines having a molar mass of from 300 to 1 million with at least one bischlorohydrogen ether or bisglycidyl ether of a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight MN of from 300 to 3000 to a creping cylinder, compression and removal of the crepe paper, as well as the use of the adhesives (i) to (iii) as creping assistants.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing a fibrous web in an apparatus that includes at least one nip formed between a smooth roll and at least one opposing element, a felt and an embossing belt. The process includes guiding the fibrous web and the felt through the at least one press nip formed between the smooth roll and the at least one opposing element, and passing the fiber web, in an unsupported manner, over a free draw from the smooth roll onto an embossing belt. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A multiple ply tissue paper structure is disclosed. The multiple ply tissue paper has plies having different texture values. In one embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has two plies having different calipers and macrodensities. In another embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has three plies, including a relatively untextured ply disposed between two relatively highly textured plies.