Abstract: A novel paper article, a method of making a paper product, and an embossing roll are disclosed for providing a paper surface region having a minority of fiber to fiber bonds broken in the paper surface region to a depth less than about 0.02 mm from the paper surface. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions sized at less than about 0.1 mm. In one aspect, the roughened embossing roll includes protuberances or depressions adapted to produce paper product surface deformations in the paper surface, wherein the paper product surface deformations are invisible to an unaided human eye. The present invention provides a paper product having higher perceived softness while maintaining tensile strength.

Abstract: A process for producing paper having a three-dimensional structure of alternating raised and recessed portions including passing a wet paper web through a heated press nip so the paper web is simultaneously dried by means of impulse drying and given a three dimensional structure. The heated press nip includes a heated pressure roll with a three dimensional pattern of alternating raised and recessed portions in its surface and a compressible surface. The compressible surface can be a compressible press felt which supports the wet paper web prior to and through the heated press nip. The compressible press felt may be pressed against a resilient compressible surface in the heated press nip away from the heated cylinder. The wet paper web may be a papermaking pulp containing at least 10%, and preferably at least 30% or 50% by weight of a high-yield pulp such as TMP or CTMP.

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: 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: A method of imparting bulk and/or visual aesthetics to a tissue basesheet involves pressing the basesheet with a felt having a raised pattern on it so that the pattern becomes inherent in the sheet. A pattern is stitched into a carrier layer which is joined to a substrate to form the felt. As the basesheet is pressed into the felt, the raised pattern displaces fibers in the sheet, effectively inducing the pattern in the basesheet. The novel felt with a raised patterned layer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Webs can be embossed using matched embossing elements with shoulders located off-centered. Such a configuration increases the bulk of the web and maintains the web's strength. The shoulder of one roll is located above or below the embossing surface mid-plane. The shoulder of the second roll substantially matches the off-centered elements of the first roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing bulk of a foreshortened fibrous web includes a working surface designed to receive a foreshortened web thereon, a means for adding moisture to at least selected portions of the web thereby relaxing the crepe in the selected portions, and a means for retaining the crepe in the rest of the web. A preferred apparatus includes a pair of opposite surfaces, at least one of which having expansion conduits therethrough, the web being impressed between the surfaces. A temperature differential is created between the two opposite surfaces, sufficient to drive the moisture added to the selected portions therethrough, thus relaxing the crepe in the selected portions which expand into the expansion conduits, while the crepe is retained in the rest of the web impressed between the two surfaces.

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: An embossed multiple ply paper product having a nested latticework embossment pattern providing a cloth-like, quilted appearance and a process for embossing and bonding such multiple ply paper product. The multiple ply paper product comprises a latticework of cells composed of n rows of embossment elements nested within an interfacing latticework of cells composed of n+1 rows of embossment elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a chemical treating agent to a cellulose web. The invention is further a means of increasing the bulk, absorbency and pattern definition in an embossed cellulose web without losing softness in the web. Finally, the invention includes products produced by the foregoing processes.

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 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 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: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web. The first felt is positioned adjacent a first surface of the web. The imprinting member is positioned between the second surface of the web and the second felt. The second felt has an air permeability which can be greater than that of the first felt.

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 present invention relates to 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: 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: A paper web and method of making the paper web are disclosed. In one embodiment the paper web includes a continuous relatively thinner region and a plurality of discrete relatively thickner regions. The relatively thicker regions are disposed in the plane of the relatively thinner region. The paper web can have a relatively patterned face and a relatively smooth face. The paper structures can be dried relatively quickly and efficiently, and can provide enhanced absorbency and bulk density while having a relatively smooth face.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue 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: A process and an apparatus for making a foreshortened paper web are disclosed. A wet web disposed on a fluid-permeable papermaking fabric is being pressed between two parallel and mutually opposed first and second press surfaces, the first press surface contacting the web, and the second press surface contacting the fabric. In the continuous process, the press surfaces, the web and the fabric move in a machine direction. Under pressure, at least selected portions of the web become densified and adhered to the first press surface which can be treated with a creping adhesive. The first surface is heated to create a temperature differential between two surfaces. The temperature differential causes the water contained in the web to move from the web into the fabric, thereby drying the web. After the web is released from the pressure, the web is foreshortened either by creping or by transferring the web to a slower moving transfer fabric.

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: A papermaking belt and paper made thereon. The papermaking belt comprises a patterned framework and a reinforcing element. The papermaking belt may be used as a through air drying belt, a forming wire, a backing wire, a conventional press felt, etc., The papermaking belt has a reinforcing element and a framework extending from the reinforcing element. Intermediate various portions of the framework are deflection conduits. The framework is interrupted and subdivided by synclines. The framework, synclines and deflection conduits respectively impart first, second and third values of intensive properties to regions of the paper made on these portions of the belt. The value of the intensive property of the regions of the paper corresponding to the synclines is intermediate the value of the regions of the paper corresponding to the framework and deflection conduits.

Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, yet maintains visually discernible machine direction micropeaks at a suitable micropeak frequency.

Abstract: A sheet of paper, in particular for a sanitary paper, consists of at least one ply of absorbent, creped paper of a specific surface weight between 12-35 g/m.sup.2 evincing first and second protrusions respectively (10, 2) respectively arrayed in a first and second pattern. The first pattern is composed of pattern elements each constituted by at least one of the first protrusions (10) and is comparatively well spaced apart mutually, while the second so-called background pattern comprises the second protrusions (2) arranged in more compact manner between the pattern elements. The sheet of paper is characterized in that the pattern elements form a graphic pattern while being arrayed at a rate of at most 0.5 element/cm.sup.2 and the first protrusions (10) constituting them evince at their top a line-shaped surface with a width between 0.1-2 mm, the second protrusions (2) being arrayed at the rate of at least 30, and preferably 40, protrusions/cm.sup.2 and ensuring the essential functional features.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web, the imprinting member, and two felt layers, are then pressed in a compression nip with a foraminous backing member to mold and dewater the web.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a differential density cellulosic web comprising a first plurality of high-density micro-regions and a second plurality of low-density micro-regions are disclosed. The process comprises the steps of providing a fibrous web containing fluid-latent indigenous polymers and water; depositing the web on a fluid-permeable molding fabric; applying ultrasonic energy to the web, thereby contributing to softening of the fluid-latent indigenous polymers in at least selected portions of the web; impressing the molding fabric into the web, thereby densifying the selected portions of the web and causing the fluid-latent indigenous polymers to flow and interconnect the fibers which are mutually juxtaposed in the selected portions; and immobilizing the fluid-latent indigenous polymers, thereby creating bonds thereof between the fibers which are interconnected in the selected portions.

Abstract: An embossed multiple ply paper product and process for producing such product displaying aesthetically pleasing decorative attributes and exhibiting functional characteristics of softness, absorbency, and drape. The decorative attributes comprise embossed patterns of indicia displaying a high quality cloth-like appearance for a softer, more quilted look. The plies are joined in a face-to-face arrangement by selective bonds which are limited to the indicia, in order to produce more permanent decorative figures that inhibit dissipation caused by compressive forces, humidity, absorption, etc.

Abstract: Webs can be embossed using matched embossing elements with shoulders located off-centered. Such a configuration increases the bulk of the web and maintains the web's strength. The shoulder of one roll is located above or below the embossing surface mid-plane. The shoulder of the second roll substantially matches the off-centered elements of the first roll.

Abstract: High bulk tissue webs are processed sequentially through separate calendering and embossing units to optimize the balance between sheet caliper for winding tension and embossing element height for pattern definition, resulting in embossed, high-bulk tissue products with improved embossing pattern clarity. The multiple step converting process enables the use of male embossing elements having a height of about 0.04 inch or greater. The tissue webs have a Residual Waviness value of 12 micrometers or greater, which is attributable to average surface waviness values for the spot embossments being about 30 micrometers or greater.

Abstract: A process for increasing bulk of a foreshortened fibrous web comprises adding moisture to at least the web's selected portions, thereby causing the crepe in the selected portions to relax and the selected portions to expand, while retaining the crepe in the rest of the web. A preferred apparatus comprises a pair of opposite surfaces, at least one of which having expansion conduits therethrough, the web being impressed between the surfaces. A temperature differential is created between the two opposite surfaces, sufficient to drive the moisture added to the selected portions therethrough, thus relaxing crepe in the selected portions which expand into the expansion conduits, while the crepe is retained in the rest of the web impressed between the two surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft, thick, single-ply tissue 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: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed in a compression nip with first, second, and third dewatering felt layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a soft thick single-ply tissue, 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 1.00 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 ratio of product cross direction stretch to base sheet cross direction stretch of at least about 1.4, a friction deviation of less than 0.225, and a sidedness parameter of less than 0.275.

Abstract: Throughdried tissue products such as facial tissue, bath tissue, and paper towels are made using a throughdrying fabric having from about 5 to about 300 machine direction impression knuckles per square inch (per 6.45 square centimeters) which are raised above the plane of the fabric. These impression knuckles create corresponding protrusions in the throughdried sheet which impart a significant amount of cross-machine direction stretch to the sheet. In addition, other properties such as bulk, absorbent capacity, absorbent rate and flexibility are also improved.

Abstract: A smooth, high density tissue. The tissue has a relatively low caliper, as well as high smoothness and high density. The tissue is calendered from a multidensity, through air dried web.

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 papermaking through-air drying belt and a method of making the same, as well as a paper web produced on the belt and the process of making the web are disclosed. The belt comprises a resinous framework having a web-side surface defining an X-Y plane, a backside surface opposite the web-side surface, a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits extending between the web-side surface and the backside surface. Each of the discrete conduits has an axis and walls. The axes of at least some of the discrete conduits and the Z-direction form acute angles therebetween. Preferably, the belt also comprises an air-permeable reinforcing structure joined to the resinous framework.

Abstract: A differential micro-regions single lamina fibrous web comprises at least two pluralities of micro-regions disposed in a non-random and repeating pattern: a first plurality of micro-regions comprising fibers interconnected with a fiber-bonding substance, and a second plurality of micro-regions, preferably not interconnected with the fiber-binding substance. The fiber-binding substance is selected from the group consisting of hemicelluloses, lignin, polymeric extractives, and any combination thereof. The fibers of the first plurality of micro-regions are bonded together by a process of softening, flowing, and immobilization of the fiber-binding substance between the cellulosic fibers.

Abstract: A differential density single lamina web of cellulosic fibers comprises at least two pluralities of micro-regions disposed in a non-random and repeating pattern: a first plurality of high density regions and a second plurality of low density regions. The high density regions comprise cellulosic fibers comprising fluid latent indigenous polymers (FLIP), such as hemicelluloses and lignin. The fibers of the high-density regions are FLIP-bonded, i.e., bonded together by a process of softening, flowing and immobilization of the FLIP between the cellulosic fibers of the high density regions.

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: An improved absorbent consumer paper product such as toilet tissue involves drying fabric that forms an aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior pattern on the paper web before creping. The drying fabric is characterized by a plurality of shute threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a cross-direction of the drying fabric; and a plurality of warp threads extending substantially parallel to each other in a machine direction of the drying fabric. The shute and warp threads are woven together so as to define a number of relatively long warp knuckles at locations where one of said warp threads crosses over at least four of the shute threads.

Abstract: An improved system for embossing a pattern on an absorbent consumer paper product such as a paper towel includes a first pair of embossing rollers that are patterned to impress a relatively fine preparatory base pattern onto the web, and a second pair of embossing rollers that are patterned to impress a final pattern onto the web. The final pattern is of a type that would cause bursting of the absorbent paper web if the absorbent paper web was passed through the second pair of embossing rollers without first being passed through the first set of embossing rollers. As a result, the formation of the preparatory base pattern by the first set of embossing rollers creates stretchability in the absorbent paper web that enables the final pattern to be impressed thereon by the second pair of embossing rollers without bursting the absorbent paper web.

Abstract: A papermaking belt and paper made thereon. The papermaking belt may be a through air drying belt having a plurality of deflection conduits therethrough. The deflection conduits are divided into subconduits by peninsular segments. Likewise, the paper made on the belt has an essentially continuous network and a plurality of domes. Each dome is divided into a plurality of subdomes by peninsular segments in the paper. The papermaking belt may, alternatively, be a forming wire. If so, the forming wire may have a plurality of discrete protuberances extending outwardly from the plane of the forming wire. Each protuberance has at least one slot therein. The slots extend into the discrete protuberance. Likewise, the paper made on this forming wire has a high basis weight essentially continuous network and discrete low basis weight regions corresponding to the discrete protuberances. Each low basis weight region has at least one high basis weight peninsular segment corresponding to the slot in the protuberance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.

Abstract: High bulk tissue webs are processed sequentially through separate calendering and embossing units to optimize the balance between sheet caliper for winding tension and embossing element height for pattern definition, resulting in embossed, high-bulk tissue products with improved embossing pattern clarity. The multiple step converting process enables the use of male embossing elements having a height of about 0.04 inch or greater. The tissue webs have a Residual Waviness value of 12 micrometers or greater, which is attributable to average surface waviness values for the spot embossments being about 30 micrometers or greater.

Abstract: A papermaking forming belt and a method of making the same, as well a cellulosic web and the process of making the web are disclosed. The belt comprises an air-permeable reinforcing structure and a resinous framework. The reinforcing structure has a web-facing side defining an X-Y plane, a machine-facing side opposite the web-facing side, and a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The resinous framework is comprised of a plurality of discrete protuberances extending from the reinforcing structure, each of the protuberances having an axis, a top surface, a base surface opposite the top surface, and walls. The axes of at least some of the protuberances and the Z-direction form an acute angles therebetween.

Abstract: High sheet count rolls of spot-embossed, soft bathroom tissue suffer from embossing patterns becoming pressed out by the high winding tension necessary to confine the size of the roll to a diameter of about 5 inches. This size is necessary in order for such high sheet count rolls to fit within the bathroom tissue dispensers found in most households. However, by embossing the tissue between a resilient back-up roll and an engraved embossing roll having short male embossing element heights of only from about 0.005 to about 0.035 inch, the tissue sheet becomes simultaneously calendered, which lowers the sheet caliper (as measured under a compressive load). Because of the resulting lower caliper, the embossed sheet can be wound into the required roll size with less tension on the sheet, such that the embossing pattern for tissue sheets within the roll remains well defined.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web, the imprinting member, and two felt layers, are then pressed in a compression nip with a foraminous backing member to mold and dewater the web.