Abstract: Method of producing a nonwoven material by hydroentangling a fiber mixture containing continuous filaments, e g meltblown and/or spunbond fibers, and natural fibers and/or synthetic staple fibers. The method is characterized by foamforming a fibrous web (14) of natural fibers and/or synthetic staple fibers and hydroentangling together the foamed fiber dispersion with the continuous filaments (11) for forming a composite material where the continuous filaments are well integrated with the rest of the fibers.

Abstract: A noncompressive dewatering device generates air streams that can be used to remove water from cellulosic webs in an energy efficient manner. Further, a wet-pressed machine can be modified to economically produce low-density tissue with an energy/capital efficiency greater than that of the throughdrying process. For instance, a cellulosic web can be non-compressively dewatered from a post forming consistency to a consistency from about 25 percent to the water retention consistency by passing air through the web with an Energy Efficiency at least 10 percent greater than that achievable using vacuum dewatering at the same speed.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in.sup.2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a Yankee dryer. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The resulting web has an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not previously found in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a radar target, especially a sea target, in the presence of clutter caused by ocean waves in particular. To detect a radar target within a predeterminable region, first a measurement window corresponding to this region is formed in the video range of the radar system, and a frequency distribution is determined for all pulse-height values (amplitudes) within the measurement window. The average value and the standard deviation can be determined from the distribution; from these values, a hit-recognition threshold is determined and used to decide whether a pulse-height value is to be associated with a radar target to be detected.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: Nonwoven material produced by hydroentanglement of a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web. The material comprises a mixture of short plant fibres, in particular pulp fibres, and long hydrophillic plant fibres, where the major portion of the fibres presents a fibre length which is at least 10 mm, whereby the portion of long fibres is at least 1 weight-% of the fibre weight. The fibres were mixed with each other in the presence of a dispersing agent which allows a uniform fibre formation, in a wet-laid or foam-formed fibre web which has been hydroentangled with sufficient energy to form a compact absorbing material.

Abstract: A process for making a paper sheet is disclosed. After a web is transferred from a forming wire to a papermaking belt preferably having deflection conduits, the web is overlaid with a flexible sheet of material such that the web is disposed intermediate the sheet of material and the papermaking belt. The sheet of material has an air permeability less than the papermaking belt, and is preferably air-impermeable. An application of a fluid pressure differential to the sheet of material causes deflection of at least a portion of the sheet of material towards the papermaking belt and, preferably, deflection of at least a portion of the web into the conduits of the papermaking belt and water removal from the web through the conduits of the papermaking belt.

Abstract: A process for treating a fibrous material which includes the steps of: 1) providing a liquid suspension composed of fibrous material; 2) intermixing the liquid suspension of fibrous material with a treatment over a time period T.sub.1 --wherein the treatment requires a period of time T.sub.R sufficient to treat the fibrous material; 3) depositing the liquid suspension of fibrous material and intermixed treatment onto a forming surface to form a layer and removing a substantial portion of the liquid, over a period of time T.sub.2 ; and 4) applying pressurized jets of a liquid to the layer of fibrous material to wash unused treatment from the fibrous material within a period of time T.sub.3. Periods of time T.sub.1, T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 are immediately consecutive and amount to a total period of time at least as great as T.sub.R.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adsorbent fibrous nonwoven structure composed of a matrix of pulp fibers having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface; and an adsorbent material integrated into the pulp fiber matrix so that the concentration of adsorbent material adjacent the first exterior surface of the nonwoven structure is at least about 60 percent, as determined by optical image analysis, and the concentration of adsorbent material adjacent the second exterior surface is less than about 40 percent, as determined by optical image analysis. This adsorbent nonwoven structure provides useful strength and low-lint characteristics. The fibrous nonwoven structure of the present invention may be laminated together or to surfaces of other materials.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for making the fibrous structure, having three four, and more regions. The process is similar to known papermaking techniques, but comprises the additional steps of applying a differential pressure to selected regions of the fibrous structure which are not coincident with the regions of the fibrous structure defined by the apparatus in prior steps of the papermaking process. The selective application of noncoincident differential pressure to selected regions of the fibrous structure may result in densification or dedensification of such regions.

Abstract: A backside textured papermaking belt is disclosed which is comprised of a framework and a reinforcing structure. The framework has a first surface which defines the paper-contacting side of the belt, a second surface opposite the first surface, and conduits which extend between first and second surfaces of the belt. The first surface of the framework has a paper side network formed therein which defines the conduits. The second surface of the framework has a backside network with passageways that provide surface texture irregularities in the backside network. The papermaking belt is made by applying a coating of photosensitive resinous material to a reinforcing structure which has opaque portions, and then exposing the photosensitive resinous material to light of an activating wavelength through a mask which has transparent and opaque regions and also through the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulosic fibrous structure, particularly a consumer product such as toilet tissue, facial tissue or a paper towel. In a first embodiment, extending outwardly from each face of the cellulosic fibrous structure is a plurality of protuberances. The protuberances extend bilaterally outwardly from the plane of the cellulosic fibrous structure in both directions. The bilaterally extending protuberances increase the caliper and texture of the consumer product embodied in the cellulosic fibrous structure. In a second embodiment, the protuberances extend outwardly, and are induced by fluid embossing, rather than mechanical embossing. Also disclosed is a fluid embossing process for making such cellulosic fibrous structures.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of throughdried tissue webs.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric and method for making the same includes subjecting a carded web to the action of a cross lapper (B) and then drafting the cross-lapped web by passing the same through a web drafter (C) utilizing a series of wire wound rolls of progressively increased speed. A web of substantially unbonded polymeric fibers is layed from a roll (D) forming a composite web by hydroentanglement utilizing a series of spun bonding steps resulting in a composite web of substantial strength comparison in the machine direction and in cross direction and possessing the characteristics of fabric suitable for use in hospital applications such as surgical gowns.

Abstract: A process for making a cellulosic fibrous structure such as paper. In one embodiment, the fibrous structure has high and low basis weight regions. The high basis weight region is subdivided into low density regions, so that a fibrous structure having three regions is produced. In a second embodiment, the fibrous structure has four regions. Both the high and low basis weight regions are further subdivided into high and low density regions. The process comprises applying noncoincident differential pressure to selected regions of an embryonic fibrous structure.

Abstract: The internal bulk of a tissue web can be improved during manufacturing of the basesheet by subjecting the tissue web to differential pressure while supported on a coarse fabric at a consistency of about 30 percent or greater. The differential pressure, such as by applying vacuum suction to the underside of the coarse fabric, causes the wet web to deflect into the openings or depressions in the fabric and "pop" back, resulting in a substantial gain in thickness or internal bulk. The method is especially adapted to improve the internal bulk of wet-pressed tissue webs.

Abstract: A high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric is disclosed. The composite fabric contains more than about 70 percent, by weight, pulp fibers which are hydraulically entangled into a continuous filament substrate. This high pulp content composite nonwoven fabric may be used as a heavy duty wiper or as a fluid distribution material, cover material, and/or absorbent material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the high pulp content nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulosic fibrous structure, particularly a consumer product such as toilet tissue, facial tissue or a paper towel. In a first embodiment, extending outwardly from each face of the cellulosic fibrous structure is a plurality of protuberances. The protuberances extend bilaterally outwardly from the plane of the cellulosic fibrous structure in both directions. The bilaterally extending protuberances increase the caliper and texture of the consumer product embodied in the cellulosic fibrous structure. In a second embodiment, the protuberances extend outwardly, and are induced by fluid embossing, rather than mechanical embossing. Also disclosed is a fluid embossing process for making such cellulosic fibrous structures.

Abstract: A hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web is disclosed. This nonwoven pulp fiber web has a mean flow pore size ranging from about 18 to about 100 microns, and a Frazier porosity of at least about 100 cfm/ft.sup.2. The web may also be characterized by a specific volume ranging from about 8 to about 15 cm.sup.3 /g. The nonwoven pulp fiber web may contain a significant proportion of low-average fiber length pulp and still have a total absorptive capacity greater than about 500 percent and a wicking rate greater than about 2 centimeters per 15 seconds. The hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web may be used as a hand towel, wipe, or as a fluid distribution material in an absorbent personal care product. Also disclosed is a method of making the hydraulically needled nonwoven pulp fiber web.

Abstract: A hydroentangled nonwoven fabric containing ribbon shaped staple synthetic fibers having a crenulated cross-section and formed from a wet-laid web containing such crenulated fibers, preferably a blend thereof with short natural fibers, such as wood fibers. The use of a wet-laid web containing such crenulated synthetic fibers enables optimal interaction with the hydroentanglement jets of water, and a reduced level of hydroentanglement energy is required to achieve the desired performance characteristics in the fabric.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel cellulosic web and a method for its manufacture. The web is fabricated of fibrous material and is characterized by one of its surfaces being nubby. Such web is formed by the deposition of fibers from an aqueous slurry onto the surface of a multiplex forming fabric defining pockets in one surface thereof, under conditions of flow and rate of water removal that establish high shear fluid flow and result in the orientation of fibers and/or fiber segments at an angle with respect to the plane of the forming fabric. The resultant web has a high apparent bulk and good absorbency and strength properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elongate, nonwoven flexible sheet structure and a method for its manufacture. The sheet structure consists essentially of a commingled mixture of about 45 to about 70% by weight short fibers of aromatic polyamide and about 30 to about 55% by weight fibrids of poly(meta-phenylene isophthalamide). The sheet structure has an interior thickness remote from the edges of between about 75 and about 150 microns with a thickened area along and adjacent each of the side edges having a maximum thickness which is at least about 5% greater in average thickness than the interior thickness of the sheet along and adjacent the thickened areas.

Abstract: A method for hydroentangling nonwoven fibrous sheet material to significantly increase the strength thereof at low latex add-on values employs small diameter jets of high-pressure water in the form of coherent streams that concentrate the hydraulic energy over a distance equal to approximately the diameter of the fibers being entangled. While fiber entangling water jets have been utilized heretofore, the present invention employs a relatively lower pressure for the fiber rearrangement along with a synergistic effect of wood pulp and long polyester fibers coupled with small amounts of latex to achieve the unexpectedly high strengths within these light weight materials. The resultant sheet material possesses excellent uniformity of fiber distribution and improved strength characteristics over those typically obtained from prior art water jet enganglement processes requiring 300-2000% the enganglement input energy employed in this process.

Abstract: The absorbent laminated sheet is composed of at least two plies (1.9), embossed, constituted essentially of cellulose fibers, bonded together at least partially by means of protruding elements relative to the surface of said plies and pointing inward to the sheet; it is characterized in that the protruding elements (101) are positioned essentially according to lines or combinations of lines reproducing spaced motifs (100), which recur indefinitely.Application as domestic or sanitary paper.

Abstract: A method for making an electrolyte permeable diaphragm, and the diaphragm thus produced, wherein an aqueous slurry, containing as its principal particulate ingredient a water-wettable, insert, micron-size, inorganic material, along with both polyfluoroethylene fibers and polyfluoroethylene dispersion, is drawn through a foraminous structure to form a diaphragm thereon.

Abstract: Soft, absorbent paper webs and processes for making them. In the process, an aqueous dispersion of the papermaking fibers is formed into an embryonic web on a first foraminous member such as a Fourdinier wire. This embryonic web is associated with a second foraminous member known as a deflection member. The surface of the deflection member with which the embryonic web is associated has a macroscopic monoplanar, continuous, patterned network surface which defines within the deflection member a plurality of discrete, isolated deflection conduits. The papermaking fibers in the web are deflected into the deflection conduits and water is removed through the deflection conduits to form an intermediate web. Deflection begins no later than the time water removal through the deflection member begins. The intermediate web is dried and foreshortened as by creping. The paper web has a distinct continuous network region and a plurality of domes dispersed throughout the whole of the network region.

Abstract: Improved infusion web material for tea bags and the like is provided by using synthetic pulp in the heat seal phase and forming therein an array of a large number of small discrete craters. These craters, which exhibit an average planar area of at least about 1.times.10.sup.-3 square centimeters, are formed prior to drying the initially formed multi-phase material by directing a low impact mist-like liquid spray onto the heat seal phase. The droplets from the spray displace the fibers to form the shallow craters and, at times, expose portions of the underlying non-heat seal fiber phase. The small craters are present throughout the heat seal phase at a concentration of at least about 40 per square centimeter and occupy about 10-75 percent of the total exposed surface area of the heat seal fiber phase of the material. The web also is treated with a surfactant.

Abstract: A double layer, nonapertured textile fabric comprising two integrally entangled layers. The first layer contains fibers arranged to form a pattern of apertures or openings in the layer. The second layer comprises a plurality of entangled areas which are disposed within the apertures of the first layer to form a unitary textile fabric.

Abstract: A nonwoven, self-sustaining, absorbent fabric comprising a batt of randomly arranged, intermingled cellulosic fibers has a plurality of high loft, loosely compacted regions separated from each other by highly compressed regions. An adhesive material penetrates through the compressed regions to form bonded fiber networks extending completely through the batt, and said adhesive material only partially penetrates through said high loft regions whereby the fibers in the interiors of said high loft regions are unbonded by said adhesive so that said regions are highly absorbent. A method of manufacturing the above-described nonwoven fabric by moistening opposed surfaces of a loosely compacted, randomly oriented cellulosic fiber batt, embossing said moistened batt for providing a pattern in said surfaces, applying an adhesive to the patterned surfaces of the batt and setting said adhesive.

Abstract: A tufted nonwoven web material exhibiting high loft, bulk and absorbency is made by a papermaking technique using an apertured, plate-like, fiber collecting element having a structure appropriate to preventing entanglement between adjacent tufts prior to removal from the element. The tufted nonwoven fibrous web exhibits inwardly turned, spirally consolidated and entangled individual tuft head portions and substantially aligned and untwisted root portions interconnecting the head portion to the undisturbed planar main body of the web material.

Abstract: A tufted nonwoven web material exhibiting high loft, bulk and absorbency is made by a papermaking technique using an apertured, plate-like, fiber-collecting element having a structure appropriate to preventing entanglement between adjacent tufts prior to removal from the element. The apertured element is adapted not only to form the tufted nonwoven fibrous web but also to permit consolidation of individual tufts and facilitate the formation of tufted webs from 100 percent wood pulp. Additionally, webs having tufts on both planar surfaces also can be formed by this technique.