Abstract: A paper machine roll, in particular for a soft calender or supercalender, which includes a metal frame, roll ends, and shafts. The frame is coated with a polymer coating over at least a middle area or central region thereof while lateral regions may optionally remain uncoated. In order to equalize a difference in temperature between the roll ends and the optionally non-coated lateral regions of the metal frame, on one hand, and the coated central region area of the roll, on the other hand, an arrangement for equalizing the difference in temperature is provided by heating the roll ends and the optionally non-coated lateral regions of the metal frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin printing paper with a weight per unit area in the range below 49 g/m.sup.2 and which contains wood and which is provided with surface pigmentation and which incorporates a mixture of a swellable coating silicate (sodium bentonite) and, for the remainder, conventional coating pigments as the pigment and which, in addition, contains only bonding agent that is a natural organic bonding agent, essentially starch. Even if only lightly calendered, the paper is equally well suited for rotogravure printing and for rotary offset printing. It is preferred that the paper also contain a proportion of processed fibres obtained from old-paper.

Abstract: This invention relates to calendering systems. Such structures of this type, generally, employ the use of hard and soft nips acting on a heated roll to provide excellent smoothness without gloss mottle.

Abstract: A process and device for increasing the gloss and/or smoothness of a web of material are described, whereby a web of material (5) is passed through a roller gap where it is exposed to pressure. A steam dispensing device (7) is provided upstream of the roller gap relative to the direction of travel (9) of the web of material (5). The increase in gloss and/or smoothness is to be accomplished without consuming much energy. To do so, the steam is condensed on the web of material and the web of material (5) is guided through the roller gap before the increase in moisture content of the surface due to the steam treatment has dropped below a predetermined value. The predetermined moisture content is in the range of 12% to 25%.

Abstract: A process for increasing the solvent resistance of calendered paper consisting of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) short fibers and poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) fibrids and the dimensional stability of laminates made therefrom.

Abstract: A gradient calender including two calender rolls arranged to form a calendering nip, at least one of the rolls being a hard-faced calender roll which is heatable to a high temperature whereby a web is passed through the calendering nip for hot calendering the web. At least one of the calender rolls is arranged to be loaded toward the calendering nip by a respective variable-crown support roll so that an auxiliary nip between the support roll and the respective calender roll and the calendering nip are in a common nip plane. Deflection of the calendering nip and the calender rolls is substantially prevented by the effect of the load produced by hydraulic loading devices arranged in the support roll.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the run of a web in a paper machine in which water is removed from the web by pressing the web in at least one press nip and after pressing, the web is dried in at least one dryer group applying impingement drying. The web is guided along a substantially linear path or by using a large curve radius in the dryer group applying impingement drying. In the drying stage, after the impingement drying, the web is dried in at least one dryer group having normal single-wire draw. The web is passed from the pressing stage to the drying stage as a closed draw and more particularly, from the pressing stage to the area with single-wire draw in the drying stage so that the web is constantly supported against at least one support face.

Abstract: As a paper-made stampable sheet having a high rigidity and, if necessary, improved adhesiveness and non-permeability and a light weight stampable sheet shaped body made from this sheet and a method of producing the same, there are proposed a paper-made stampable sheet obtained by paper-making a mixture of thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers to obtain a sheet-like web, piling a thermoplastic resin film of a single layer or multi layer or an organic fiber nonwoven fabric having at least one excellent property selected from rigidity, non-permeability and adhesiveness on at least one-side surface of the sheet-like web in accordance with use purpose, compressing them under heating above a melting point of the thermoplastic resin constituting the web, cooling and solidifying at a compressed state as well as a light weight stampable sheet shaped body made from this sheet and a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A method for can drying wet webs for tissue products to preserve web bulk includes, in one embodiment, restraining a partially dewatered wet web between a pair of sheet molding fabrics. The restrained wet web is processed over a plurality of can dryers to dry the wet web, for example from a consistency of at least about 40 percent to a consistency of at least about 70 percent. The sheet molding fabrics in this embodiment protect the wet web from direct contact with the can dryers and impart an impression in the web. A can drying assembly and tissue machine for accomplishing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web is formed by a wet process on a papermaking machine. The web coming off the papermaking machine is dried and thermally bonded using heated calendar rolls. The nonwoven composite material is made from a furnish of polymeric staple fibers, a first binder fiber consisting, at least in part, of a first thermoplastic binder material which melts at a first melting temperature less than and a second binder fiber consisting, at least in part, of a second polymeric material which has second melting temperature which is higher than the first melting temperature. The first polymeric material is selected to have a first melting temperature less than the temperature to which the first material will be subjected in the papermaking machine. The melted first polymeric material gives the web strength on the papermaking machine. The second polymeric material is selected to have a second melting temperature less than the temperature to which the second material will be subjected in the calendar rolls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making a paper based product which comprises a paper sheet, an aqueous latex binder and a release agent comprised of an emulsion of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the process comprises first preparing a slurry of a cellulosic pulp and a polymeric latex binder, and then breaking the stability of the latex so that the polymer particles of the latex are able to be deposited on the fibers of the cellulosic pulp. An emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof is added during the process. The addition can be to the slurry, or to the web which is formed when the slurry is drained of liquid. The web is then dried to provide the paper based product. In a preferred embodiment, a slurry of cellulosic pulp is first drained of liquid to form a web, with the polymeric latex binder and emulsion being applied to the web prior to drying.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a data carrier (1) such as a paper of value or the like having an optically variable element (5,6) such as a hologram, applied to the surface, and an additional printed pattern (2), applied for example by steel intaglio printing, wherein the surface of the data carrier (15,16,20,21) is made smoother in the area of the optically variable element than in the remaining surface and the optically variable element is applied to the smoother area.

Abstract: A process and device for satining paper may include guiding a sheet through a roll gap defined by a heated hard roll and a soft roll having with a covering. A paper sheet width of the paper may be less than a width of a cylindrical part of each of the covering and the hard roll. The two rolls may be axially adjusted in relation to each other and in accordance with the paper sheet width. Further, the two rolls are positioned such that a first sheet edge is located adjacent a first end of the cylindrical part of the covering and a second sheet edge is located adjacent a second end of the cylindrical part of the hard roll. That is, the cylindrical parts of the covering and hard roll are positioned to be directly over each other, i.e., beyond the sheet edge, at most by a predetermined permissible edge width.

Abstract: A press section in a paper machine including a compact combination of rolls which form a number of press nips with one another in which water is removed from a paper web. The paper web has a closed draw supported by a press fabric or by a roll face at least between the nips. The press section includes a center roll in connection with which at least two press nips are formed. The last press nip placed in connection with the center roll is an extended nip. The center roll is a roll provided with a circulation system for a heating medium and a heatable outer mantle. An outer face of the mantle of the center roll is heated by means of the circulation of the heating medium to such a temperature level that the dewatering of the paper web in the press nips arranged in connection with the center roll, in particular in the extended nip, is intensified substantially.

Abstract: A process of converting and printing on paper webs includes converting the running web by coating and/or calendering the web. Printing of the web occurs directly after the converting step. Thus, the converted web is not wound into a roll between the converting step and the printing step. A facility for converting the web of paper is placed in front of the entrance to a printing machine. The pass-through speed of the converting facility matches that of the printing machine.

Abstract: A method of making the paper web is disclosed. The paper web includes at least three regions disposed in a nonrandom, repeating pattern. The three regions are distinguishable from each other by at least one property selected from the group consisting of basis weight, density, and fiber composition. The paper web has a relatively high basis weight background portion and decorative indicia. The decorative indicia comprise one or more relatively low basis weight regions.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making a paper based product which comprises first preparing a slurry of a cellulosic pulp, a particulate binder, and an emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof. This slurry is then drained of liquid to form a web, with the web being dried to provide the paper based product. The preferred polymeric binder is a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol powder, which binder can be present in the final dried product in amounts of up to about 20 weight percent or more. The use of the emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof permits a web containing such a high amount of sticky polymeric binder to be dried at high temperatures, without the web sticking to the drying cans generally used in commercial processes. The process of the present invention thereby permits one to efficiently prepare such a paper based product using conventional, commercial papermaking machinery.

Abstract: Low-density uncreped through-air-dried webs containing bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers and a wet-strength resin are calendered to significantly increase density and reduce caliper. When wetted, these webs substantially return to their original caliper and density and substantially regain their original fluid-handling characteristics. Consequently these webs are very thin when dry and thick when wet. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, including paper towels, wipers and fluid-handling components for infant care and personal care products.

Abstract: A method for reducing or preventing vibrations of a roll set of a paper making apparatus, wherein the roll set comprises at least two rolls of which at least one is a soft roll coated with a compressible coating and comprising a temperature control system. The natural vibrational frequency of the roll set is changed during the operation of the apparatus by changing the temperature of the coating of at least one soft roll. The changing of the natural frequency prevents resonance on a natural frequency of the roll set.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing paper having given physical characteristics is described, and which includes, providing a paper stock slurry of a given composition; removing water from the paper stock slurry to form a continuous sheet of paper; and without the use of a sizing press, providing and applying an aqueous solution of a substantially amylose free starch to the resulting paper in a predetermined amount effective to provide the resulting paper with the given physical characteristics, the paper manufactured at a production rate which is at least 10% faster than the production rate which can be achieved for substantially identical paper having the same given physical characteristics, but which is manufactured using a sizing press.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a drying section of a paper machine for drying a fiber web. The drying section includes a plurality of drying groups, with each drying group having a plurality of heatable drying cylinders and a continuous hold-down belt. The hold-down belt has a longitudinal tension which biases the fiber web against the drying cylinders. The plurality of drying groups include at least one high-pressure group comprising a single-row drying group having one row of drying cylinders and one row of corresponding deflection rolls. The high-pressure group has a corresponding hold-down belt with a longitudinal tension which is at least 10 kN/m.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a fiber paper web in a press device wherein the web is guided through a press nip form between a press roll and a backing element in the form of a backing roll, and wherein the press roll includes a surrounding roll jacket comprised of plastic and a stationary cross head axially traversing the roll jacket. Preserving the roll jacket by cooling the roll jacket at least areawise in the axial direction of the roll jacket which increases the abrasion resistance of the roll jacket. Various devices for cooling the roll jacket include spraying coolant at the outer surface of the roll jacket, spraying coolant at the surface of a felt belt which then engages the roll jacket in a press nip, blowing air into the outlet end of the press nip between the roll jacket and the felt belt and/or blowing air into the space surrounding the outer surface of the roll jacket, e.g., the interior of the loop of the felt belt or the interior of a liquid collecting pan surrounding the roll jacket.

Abstract: A calender for treating a web of paper includes a stack of hard rollers and soft rollers. The stack includes a first set of processing nips and a second set of processing nips. Each processing nip is formed by a juncture of one of the hard rollers and one of the soft rollers. One side of the web of paper contacts against the hard rollers in the first set of processing nips and contacts against the soft rollers in the second set of processing nips. At least a last soft roller in the stack, which delimits a last processing nip that the web of paper passes through in the calender, has a lower surface roughness R.sub.a than a surface roughness R.sub.a of at least a first soft roller in the stack. The first soft roller delimits a first processing nip that the web of paper passes through in the calender. The surface roughness R. of the last soft roller is less than 0.35 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: Method and device in the press section of a paper machine for detaching a web from a smooth mantle face of a press roll. In the method and device, a transfer zone is employed, over which a press fabric or a particular transfer fabric is passed so as to accomplish a closed draw of the web. The transfer zone as well as the fabric form a transfer nip or a transfer zone with the roll face. At the transfer point, the temperature level of the roll face and/or of the web is set or regulated so high that the pressure of saturated vapor of the water present in connection with the web and with the roll face which corresponds to the temperature level is substantially equally high as, or just little higher than, the pressure that has been set to prevail in the transfer zone, the pressure being preferably lower than the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A press section of a paper machine, in particular for printing paper qualities whose grammage is in the range of about 40 g/m.sup.2 to about 80 g/m.sup.2 is disclosed. The press section comprises a pick-up roll having a suction zone on which a paper web is detached at a pick-up point from a forming wire and is passed on the pick-up felt into a first press nip in the press section. In the first press nip, the pick-up felt acts as a press fabric. The press section further includes an extended nip placed after the first press nip. Into this extended nip, the web is passed as a closed draw on support of a fabric face or roll face. The first nip in the press section is a roll nip with relatively low load and acts as a front nip. In the area of the first press nip, almost or approximately one half of the total amount of the water contained in the web entering into the front nip is removed from the web.

Abstract: A calender for applying a dispersion of solid resins, wax dispersions and surface materials on sections or particularly sheets, with a heatable calender roller, a counterpressure roller disposed at the inlet of the section or sheet and a take-off roller, which is preferably constructed as a suction roller and offset in the direction of rotation of the calender roller with respect to the counterpressure roller, as well as, optionally, an air knife disposed in the outlet gap, one or several counterpressure rollers being provided and the diameters of the calender roller and/or of the counterpressure rollers, as well as their mutual contacting pressure, being selected so that the width of the pressure strip of the mutual contact, when a counterpressure roller is provided, is between 20 mm and 45 mm and preferably about 35 mm.

Abstract: A method of removing plastic ink film from a sheet of copy paper by preheating the paper sheet in a preheating chamber to loosen the plastic ink film from the paper sheet followed by contacting the heated paper sheet with an adhesive surface by pressing the adhesive surface against the heated paper sheet, fusing the plastic ink film to the adhesive surface and then peeling the heated paper sheet from the adhesive surface so that the plastic ink film is removed from the paper sheet. The fused plastic ink film is then removed from the adhesive surface by cleaning and the adhesive roller is made ready for another paper sheet. The paper sheet is then rehumidified, calenderized and treated with white toner to restore whiteness, followed by optical inspection of the paper sheet for the presence of holes and to determine if the plastic ink film has been removed from the paper sheet. Depending on the optical inspection, the paper sheet is sorted into a rejected or accepted output bin.

Abstract: A multi-layered smooth-calendered surface aramid paper with high break strength and tear resistance comprises a substrate layer and at least one surface layer intimately bonded to the substrate layer, wherein the surface layer(s) consists essentially of 65 to 90% by weight aramid fibrids and 10 to 35% by weight aramid floc and comprises 10 to 67% of the total basis weight of the paper.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for finishing a web of paper, paperboard or the like to achieve enhanced stiffness with a minimal loss of caliper or bulk. For this purpose, liquid spray devices are substituted for the conventional waterboxes of a machine calender. These devices permit the independent control of the thickness of liquid films applied to the transfer rolls of the calender with greater uniformity. The liquid films are transferred to the surfaces of the web at transfer nips. The method produces an I-beam effect in the web with highly densified and smooth surface layers and a bulky interior to maximize stiffness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fiber web is provided by pressing the web, preferably by impulse drying and then introducing the web into a gas pressurized zone followed by reducing the pressure in the zone, the reduction preferably being effected with cooling of the fiber web.

Abstract: Blistering of a wet paper web upon a yankee dryer drum is controlled by directing compressed dry air toward the wet paper web in the space between a pressure roll external of the yankee dryer hood and the entry opening between the dryer hood and the yankee dryer drum. The flow of compressed air is controlled so that air flow can be modified across the full width of the wet paper web.

Abstract: Process and device for drying paper webs, with the process being utilized for drying voluminous paper webs, destined in particular for use as toilet paper, with at least one heated press being used for drying the wet paper web, with the undesirable delamination of the paper web, when it leaves the compression gap, caused by the sudden expansion of the flash steam, being purposefully used in order to improve the volume and softness of the thus produced paper. Several devices are also set forth for implementing the process, these devices having both short and elongate compression gaps.

Abstract: A hot soft nip calender apparatus is provided for a paper mill. The apparatus includes at least one heated calender roller and a finishing belt which is moved in proximity to the heated calender roller by a plurality of drive rollers and at least one pressure roller. Thus, a heated calender nip is defined between the heated calender roller and the finishing belt. A web of paper is passed through the nip, such that one surface of the web of paper is contacted by the heated calender roller, while the opposed surface of the web is contacted by the finishing belt. The finishing belt has an extremely smooth surface for contacting the web of paper so as to impart appropriate smoothness and gloss characteristics to that surface. The finishing belt can readily be changed when worn or damaged or to alter the characteristics being imparted to a web of paper.

Abstract: In the inventive method and apparatus for calendering a surface of a paper or board web, a temperature difference is created between the web surfaces so that the surface to be calendered is cooler than the opposite surface. In addition, moisture within the web is transferred using the so-called heat pipe effect toward the cooler surface while substantially preventing evaporation of moisture from the web so as to create a predetermined moisture profile transversely through the web and decrease the glass transition temperature of the web at the relatively cooler surface to be calendered. Finally, the web having the predetermined moisture profile is advanced into the calendering nip so that the relatively cooler and moister surface of the web is pressed against the heated roll of the nip to thereby calender that web surface.

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: A paper rawstock web is wet densified on a papermachine at a moisture content greater than about 20% and less than about 50%, and preferably from about 25-35%, in a calender device at nip pressures greater than about 3000 psi, and preferably within the range of from about 3000-6000 psi, to provide fiber springback resistance and irreversibly smooth surfaces which are substantially resistant to loss of smoothness upon rewetting, as for example in a subsequent surface sizing or coating process. Wet densification according to the present invention produces a web having greater density and increased internal bond strength, as compared with webs treated by conventionally known methods, to achieve the irreversibly smooth surfaces.

Abstract: Provided is a process for making a paper based product which comprises first preparing a slurry of a cellulosic pulp, a particulate binder, and an emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof. This slurry is then drained of liquid to form a web, with the web being dried to provide the paper based product. The preferred polymeric binder is a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol powder, which binder can be present in the final dried product in amounts of up to about 20 weight percent or more. The use of the emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof permits a web containing such a high amount of sticky polymeric binder to be dried at high temperatures, without the web sticking to the drying cans generally used in commercial processes. The process of the present invention thereby permits one to efficiently prepare such a paper based product using conventional, commercial papermaking machinery.

Abstract: A paper web is passed through a calendering nip that is formed between a roll which has been provided with a soft face and a heatable hard roll. The heatable roll is heated so as to plasticize the surface layer of the paper web that is placed at the side of the heatable roll, preferably so that the temperature of the surface layer in the calendering nip exceeds the glass-transition temperatures of the polymers contained in the paper. Before entering into the calendering nip, the paper web is moistened, so as to lower the glass-transition temperatures of the polymers contained in the paper, and pre-heated. The pre-heating of the paper web is carried out by bringing the paper web into contact with the heatable roll before the web enters the calendering nip and by, before the calendering nip, feeding steam or water onto the face of the paper web that is placed at the side of the heatable roll so as to improve the transfer of heat from the hot roll to the paper web.

Abstract: Decay-resistant paper suitable for the manufacture of a pot for raising and transplanting seedling is the one partly containing decayable portions, which is prepared by heating paper made of a natural fiber, or a fiber blend composed of a natural fiber and a synthetic fiber, and impregnated with a compound capable of crosslinking the paper cellulose, at a temperature causing the reaction of antidecay treatment and at a temperature causing no such reaction in different portions. Such decay-resistant paper partly containing decayable portions can be easily prepared by bringing the above-mentioned paper impregnated with a compound capable of crosslinking the paper cellulose into contact in a single step with a heating apparatus comprising a heating part of a temperature causing the reaction of antidecay treatment and a heating part of a temperature causing no such reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making a paper based product which comprises a paper sheet, an aqueous latex binder and a release agent comprised of an emulsion of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof. In one embodiment, the process comprises first preparing a slurry of a cellulosic pulp and a polymeric latex binder, and then breaking the stability of the latex so that the polymer particles of the latex are able to be deposited on the fibers of the cellulosic pulp. An emulsion comprised of lecithin and a fatty acid or derivative thereof is added during the process. The addition can be to the slurry, or to the web which is formed when the slurry is drained of liquid. The web is then dried to provide the paper based product. In a preferred embodiment, a slurry of cellulosic pulp is first drained of liquid to form a web, with the polymeric latex binder and emulsion being applied to the web prior to drying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reactivable paper and to a process for obtaining it.The paper consists of fibres with a heat resistance .gtoreq.180.degree. C., bonded together by means of a fibrous binder composed of polyamide or aromatic polyester pulp and of a chemical binder consisting of a polyether-imide of an aromatic polyester or of a resin of polyimide type, with a particle size smaller than 100 .mu.m, a softening point of between 50.degree. and 200.degree. C., and a degree of crosslinking of between 0.025 and 0.25. The weight proportion of fibres in the finished paper is generally preferably between 45 and 85%, that of the fibrous binder between 5 and 20%, that of the chemical binder between 10 and 50%.The papers are obtained by a wet route and find wide applications as a function of the degree of conversion of the resin, for example as a dielectric.

Abstract: Web offset printing paper having a high level of gloss and smoothness is prepared by finishing a paper web, either by supercalender or with a synthetic roll calender at a moisture content greater than the moisture content typically used for web offset finishing, and then drying the web to a moisture content of less than about 3.5% using convection, radiation or conduction. Under the preferred post-drying conditions, bonding of the previously wet paper fibers takes place to lock in the desirable printing characteristics and to prevent heat roughening on the offset press.

Abstract: Non-woven fabrics and methods and apparatus for their manufacture are disclosed. The fabrics have excellent mechanical strength and hand, and have a substantial uniformity of constituent fibers even at low basis weights. The fabric comprises chopped fibers of a synthetic polymeric thermoplastic material, which serve as binder fibers, and chopped fibers of a synthetic polymeric material which need not be a thermoplastic, which serve as bonded fibers. No extraneous binder materials need be present in the fabric. During manufacture, the binder fibers are uniformly dispersed in an aqueous liquid with the bonded fibers. The fibers are wet laid to form a web which is subsequently dried. During drying, the web is physically supported to prevent fracture. Also, during drying, the web is heated sufficiently to cause the binder fibers to bond to the bonded fibers, thereby forming the finished fabric.

Abstract: A process for forming a self-supporting preform layer of a homogeneous blend of relatively long glass staple length fibers and wettable fine denier staple length thermoplastic filaments wherein a neutral pH aqueous slurry of the glass fibers and filaments are formed into a mat using conventional papermaking equipment. In the preferred process the wettable thermoplastic filaments are dispersed first in the water then followed by the addition of the glass fibers. The self-supporting preform when converted into a molded composite structure results in a substantially void-free structure of individual glass fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin matrix.

Abstract: A paper web impulse drying apparatus and method. A paper or paperboard web, typically of indefinite length, is treated after issuing from a Fourdrinier or other paper making apparatus by passing it through the nip of a pair of rolls, at least one of which is heated. The rolls both compress the web and raise it to a relatively high temperature. Such treatment enhances certain properties of the web. Web delamination due to flashing of superheated water, after the web leaves the nip, is prevented by both (a) a steam chamber on the exit side of the nip through which the web passes, and (b) heating the web prior to its entrance into the nip. This permits lower roll temperatures to be employed, thereby decreasing the magnitude of the sudden decrease in pressure experienced by the web as it exits from the roll nip. By preheating the sheet and passing it through the steam chamber, the temperature of the heated drying roll or rolls can be decreased to 120.degree.-150.degree. C.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite web consists of 15 to 50 wt. % of first polyester fibers having a length of 5 mm to 3/4 inch and a denier of 0.3 to 3, 5 to 50 wt. % of second polyester fibers having a length of 5 mm to 1-1/2 inches and a denier of 3 to 15, and 10 to 40 wt. % of binder fibers comprising thermoplastic binder material having a melting temperature which is less than the first and second melting temperatures respectively. The first and second polyester fibers are bonded to each other at least in part by solidification of the thermoplastic binder material after subjecting the web to temperatures in excess of the melting temperature of the binder material but not in excess of the melting temperature of either the first or second polyester fibers. In particular, the web is thermally bonded by calendaring at a temperature of in the range of 360.degree. to 410.degree. F. and at a pressure in the range of 40 to 70 psi.

Abstract: In a known method of rebuilding a conventional tissue machine having a conventional C-wrap type twin wire forming section to a TAD machine, a TAD section, which includes a looped TAD fabric (24) and at least one TAD cylinder (22) located inside of the TAD fabric loop for thermally predrying the formed paper web (13) by passing hot air through the web, is incorporated in the machine.