Abstract: A seamless unitary deflection member. The seamless unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The seamless unitary deflection member may also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance may have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or lesser area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to belts useful in the manufacture of paper products, such as tissue paper. Particularly this invention relates to a belt used in a through-air drying process for making tissue products, and more particularly to an additively manufactured belt having a particular pattern thereon which imparts properties to tissue products manufactured therewith.

Abstract: A seamless unitary deflection member. The seamless unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The seamless unitary deflection member may also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance may have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or lesser area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to belts useful in the manufacture of paper products, such as tissue paper. Particularly this invention relates to a belt used in a through-air drying process for making tissue products, and more particularly to an additively manufactured belt having a particular pattern thereon which imparts properties to tissue products manufactured therewith.

Abstract: A seamless unitary deflection member. The seamless unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The seamless unitary deflection member may also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance may have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or lesser area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: An embosser/laminator machine has an adhesive unit releasably connectable with a main frame structure of the machine, and a roll extractor configured to move a roll between the main frame structure and an exchange position between the main frame structure and the adhesive unit when the adhesive unit is spaced from the main frame structure during removal and installation of the roll. The sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit may be formed with a bearing cap that cooperates with the main frame structure such that when the adhesive unit is connected with the main frame structure, the roll is operatively secured to the machine between main frame structure and the sub-frame of the adhesive unit for normal operation of the machine. When the sub-frame comprising the adhesive unit is released and spaced from main frame structure, the roll may be removed from and installed into the main frame structure.

Abstract: A seamless unitary deflection member. The seamless unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The seamless unitary deflection member can also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance can have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or lesser area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a backside defining an X-Y plane and a thickness in a Z-direction. The unitary deflection member can also have a reinforcing member and a plurality of protuberances positioned on the reinforcing member. Each protuberance can have a three-dimensional shape such that any cross-sectional area of the protuberance parallel to the X-Y plane can have an equal or greater area than any cross-sectional area of the protuberance being a greater distance from the X-Y plane in the Z-direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to belts useful in the manufacture of paper products, such as tissue paper. Particularly this invention relates to a belt used in a through-air drying process for making tissue products, and more particularly to an additively manufactured belt having a particular pattern thereon which imparts properties to tissue products manufactured therewith.

Abstract: A device is provided to produce an embossed multi-ply material, comprising: a first embossing-laminating unit (3) comprising a first embossing cylinder (5) equipped with first projections (5P) defining a first pattern, a first pressure roller (7) cooperating with said first embossing cylinder (5), a first laminating roller (9) and a first glue dispenser (11), disposed between said first pressure roller (7) and said first laminating roller (9); an embossing unit comprising at least a second embossing cylinder (25) provided with second projections (25P) defining a second pattern and a second pressure roller (27) cooperating with said second embossing cylinder (25); a first path (P1) through said first embossing-laminating unit (3); a second path (P2) for at least a second ply (V2) towards and through said second embossing unit (23); a third path (P3) for said third ply (V3).

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement arranged to introduce a three-dimensional structure in a paper during production of said paper in a paper making machine (1). The arrangement comprises a heat roll (14) arranged to dry a wet paper web and an extended nip roll (12) arranged to form a transfer nip (TN) with said heat roll (14). The extended nip roll (12) is provided with a flexible jacket (17) arranged around the circumferential area of said extended nip roll (12). An external surface of said flexible jacket (17) is provided with a textured portion (15) and when the wet paper web passes the transfer nip between said extended nip roll (12) and said heat roll (14), said textured portion (15) of the external surface of the flexible jacket (17) will impart a three-dimensional texture to the paper web.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of atomized fluid to a permeable web material is disclosed. The apparatus has a fluid source and a receipt plenum. The fluid source is disposed in proximate fluid contact with the first surface of the web material. The fluid source has a positively pressured permeable roll having atomized fluid and at least one aperture disposed therein. The apertures provide fluid communication between an inner portion of the roll and a surface thereof. The fluid is disposable from the inner portion to the surface through the apertures into contacting engagement with the permeable web material. The receipt plenum has an opening disposed adjacent to the second surface of the web material that provides a source of negative pressure to the second surface of the web material that causes the fluid to traverse through the web.

Abstract: A papermaking machine for the production of a fibrous web including a plurality of rollers and a structured fabric moving along the rollers. The structured fabric includes a plurality of weft yarns and a plurality of warp yarns woven with the plurality of weft yarns to produce a weave pattern, the plurality of warp yarns being a plurality of paired warp yarn sets. Each paired warp yarn set including a first warp yarn and a second warp yarn. Within the weave pattern the first warp yarn forms a float over at least four weft yarns and weaves with a single weft yarn immediately adjacent with the float. The second warp yarn having an inverse pattern to the first warp yarn, with the second warp yarn weaving with another single weft yarn that is not adjacent to the single weft yarn with which the first warp yarn is woven.

Abstract: Apparatuses are disclosed that include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed which include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.

Abstract: Methods for perforating web products are disclosed that include forming selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.

Abstract: An industrial fabric such as an endless belt or sleeve for use in the production of nonwovens, and a method of making thereof are disclosed. The industrial fabric is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.

Abstract: Apparatus for making micro-textured webs. The apparatus comprises a pair of mated forming structures having a first forming structure, a second forming structure, and a deformation zone; wherein at least the first forming structure comprises voids, and wherein at least the second forming structure comprises protrusions wherein at least one protrusion has center-to-center spacings of less than about 800 microns with at least three of its adjacent protrusions. The voids of the first forming structure are engagable with the protrusions of the second forming structure at an engagement position to form a micro-textured web. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pair of counter-rotating rollers wherein the first roller comprises grooves having a length, wherein the length of the grooves are oriented at an angle different from the machine direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for bonding at least two plies of a fibrous web, includes: a first roller having an outer periphery, at least one embossing protuberance provided on the outer periphery; and a second roller having an outer periphery and being elastic at least in a radial direction, the second roller including at least an inner layer and an outer layer that is harder than the inner layer, the second roller together with the first roller forming a nip through which the two plies are to be fed, wherein an embossing element is located on top of at least one of the embossing protuberance(s), an embossing area of each embossing element being smaller than an embossing area of the corresponding embossing protuberance(s) so that the two plies are bonded at discrete locations corresponding to the first and second embossing elements. Multi-ply product including the bonded plies and corresponding method are also described.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a watermark element (10) for forming a shadow watermark image in a substrate by means of dewatering of a fibrous suspension, wherein the watermark element (10) comprises a body with a relief side (12) having a relief (14) and a dewatering side (16) positioned opposite the relief side, perforations (18) being provided at least in the relief (14), a perforation (18) comprising a channel (20) with a channel inlet (21) at the relief side (12) and a channel outlet (22) at the dewatering side (16), which method includes the steps of forming perforations in a body in a mechanical manner and introducing a relief in the intended relief side, the perforations (18) being formed in such a way that the dewatering capacity, expressed as the open surface area of the channel inlet(s) per unit of surface area of the relief, is dependent on the height (h) of the channel inlet (21) with respect to the dewatering side (16), it being the case that the higher

Abstract: The device for joining at least two plies of paper, in particular tissue paper, including a ply-bonding unit and moistening means to moisten at least one of the two plies before joining.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a web of tissue paper, including the steps of: depositing a layer of an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers on at least one forming fabric; reducing the water content of the layer until the amount in weight of the fibers in the layer is brought up to a first value; wet-embossing the layer in a nip between a pair of embossing rollers; and drying the embossed layer using a drying system to form a web of tissue paper.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a hygiene paper product in form of a continuous paper web (W)of sheets partly separated by perforation lines (9) and wound to a log of predetermined longitudinal length, providing a continuous paper web (W), moving the continuous paper web in a direction of its longitudinal extension, providing at least one embossed pattern on the continuous paper web, providing in the area of an embossing station at least one mark (6, 7) onto the continuous paper web, which mark (6, 7) is in register to the embossed pattern, sensing the mark and controlling perforating means for registering the perforation lines (9) with the embossed pattern thereby imparting perforation lines to the continuous paper web in predetermined longitudinal distances, winding up the resulting web to logs, and cutting the log into rolls.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having male embossing elements, a second embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the first and second embossing rolls define a first nip for receiving the web, and a third embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the second and third embossing rolls define a second nip for receiving the web, and wherein at least a substantial portion of the embossing elements of at least one of the first, second, and third embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: An apparatuses is disclosed that forms selected perforation designs and patterns. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed in linear or nonlinear fashion, can extend in the cross direction or the machine direction and can be formed to complement or match an embossed or printed design on the web. The perforation designs and patterns can be formed utilizing various mechanical perforating techniques.

Abstract: A macroscopically monoplanar secondary belt for manufacturing a cellulosic fibrous structure is provided. The belt, having two mutually orthogonal principal directions, a machine direction and a cross machine direction, and having a reinforcing structure; and a framework of protuberances joined to said reinforcing structure and extending outwardly therefrom to define deflection conduits between the protuberances, the framework of protuberances having a semicontinuous pattern and the deflection conduits having a semicontinuous pattern, is further provided. The protuberances and the deflection conduits have a vector component extending substantially throughout one principal direction of the belt, each protuberance of the pattern being spaced apart from an adjacent protuberance in the pattern. The protuberances have primary protuberances having a first width, T and the nodes have a second width, N, wherein a ratio of N to T is from about 1.5 to about 5.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric includes a plurality of through voids, where each of the voids has a first opening associated with a top surface of the fabric and a first raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the first opening. The voids may each further include a second opening associated with a bottom surface of the fabric and a second raised edge circumferentially adjacent to the second opening, such that the first opening may have a surface area that is larger than or the same as the second opening.

Abstract: A sieve for the wet-end section of a paper machine is described, in which the sieve has been compressed by at least one of increased temperature, pressure and/or moisture. Such a treatment leads to a sieve which has at least one side wherein the thread floats and knuckles are reshaped and the sieve presents at least one substantially flatter surface for the production of paper. This process does not cause any physical damage to the surface of the sieve, as current techniques of abrasively polishing the surface do, and therefore leads to cloths with improved properties and lifetimes.

Abstract: A three-dimensional hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite structure made of nonwoven fibrous web and a fibrous material integrated in the nonwoven fibrous web by hydraulic entanglement is disclosed. The nonwoven composite structure has a greater ability to maintain an embossed pattern when wet and has the ability for the structure to recover after it has been compressed, to a greater degree than previously found. Also disclosed is a method of making an embossed hydraulically entangled nonwoven composite fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a web of tissue paper, including the steps of: depositing a layer of an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers on at least one forming fabric; reducing the water content of the layer until the weight percentage of fiber in the layer is brought up to a first value; wet-embossing the layer in a nip between a pair of embossing rollers; and drying the layer to form a web of tissue paper.

Abstract: An industrial fabric such as an endless belt or sleeve for use in the production of nonwovens, and a method of making thereof are disclosed. The industrial fabric is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.

Abstract: A structured papermaking fabric for making a bulky tissue web, including: a web facing side and an opposite side, the web facing side including a structure formed by interweaving of transverse yarns with longitudinal yarns, the structure including a plurality of pattern areas being regularly distributed on the web facing side and each of said pattern area being surrounded by an edge area, said pattern areas are woven in a plain weave and each of said edge areas including at least one longitudinal and at least one transverse edge segment, said longitudinal edge segment being formed by weaving of a longitudinal yarn over at least four, preferably at least five, consecutive transverse yarns, said transverse edge segment being formed by weaving of a transverse yarn over at least four consecutive longitudinal yarns.

Abstract: A structuring layer of a structuring belt for structuring a wet fibrous web in a press section of a tissue papermaking machine for manufacturing high bulk tissue paper, the structuring layer having a web-carrying side with a surface for cooperating with the fibrous web, the surface having depressions distributed over the web-carrying side and forming a three-dimensional structure of the surface. The depressions altogether constitute 20-80% of the surface. Each depression has a dimension l of 0.25-2.5 mm in a first direction in the plane of the top surface area, a dimension b of 0.25-2.0 mm in a second direction in the plane of the top surface area, such directions being at right angles to each other, a mean depth d of 0.05-0.6 mm, and an area a as measured in the plane of the top surface area of 0.063-5.0 mm2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the combination of at least two plies of tissue paper without glue and by pressure marking, characterized in that it involves embossing at least one first ply according to an embossing design by passage between a first cylinder and a second cylinder covered externally with a rubber blanket, then combining at least one second ply with the first ply by causing both plies to pass between the first engraved steel cylinder of axis CC? and at least one first series of small externally smooth coaxial cylinders of axis XX?. Both plies are then passed between the first cylinder and a second series of small externally smooth coaxial cylinders of axis YY?, the axes of CC?, XX?; and YY? being horizontal and parallel. The invention also includes the apparatus for carrying out the disclosed method.

Abstract: A papermaking belt for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers is disclosed. The papermaking belt has an embryonic web contacting surface and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite thereto. The papermaking belt also has a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon and a plurality of non-random distinct pores disposed within the continuous network region. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. Each of the pores has an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the embryonic web contacting surface and an opening disposed at a predetermined location upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores defines a single pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having male embossing elements, a second embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the first and second embossing rolls define a first nip for receiving the web, and a third embossing roll having male embossing elements, wherein the second and third embossing rolls define a second nip for receiving the web, and wherein at least a substantial portion of the embossing elements of at least one of the first, second, and third embossing rolls are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction.

Abstract: A papermaking belt having an embryonic web contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic web contacting surface opposite said embryonic web contacting surface is disclosed. The papermaking belt comprises a reinforcing structure having a patterned framework disposed thereon. The patterned framework has a continuous network region and a plurality of discrete deflection conduits. The deflection conduits are isolated one from another by the continuous network region. A plurality of pores is randomly disposed within the continuous network region. The pores have one opening disposed upon the embryonic web contacting surface and one opening disposed upon the non-embryonic web contacting surface. Each of the pores provides at least one pathway between the embryonic web contacting surface and the non-embryonic web contacting surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an absorbent sheet comprising at least two plies of cellulose wadding, consisting in combining said plies under pressure by passing between two steel cylindrical components, the first being smooth on the outside and the second being equipped with raised components on the outside and the hardness of the first cylindrical component being lower than that of the second cylindrical component. According to the invention, the first cylindrical component has a treated hardened surface layer and a deformable underlayer; the second cylindrical component has a hardened outer surface, and the sheet, when it passes between the two cylindrical components is compressed at a specific pressure between 40 and 250 N/mm2. Another subject of the invention is an assembly of steel cylindrical components intended for the manufacture of multiply absorbent sheets.

Abstract: A structuring layer of a structuring belt for structuring a wet fibrous web in a press section of a tissue papermaking machine for manufacturing high bulk tissue paper, the structuring layer having a web-carrying side with a surface for cooperating with the fibrous web, the surface having depressions distributed over the web-carrying side and forming a three-dimensional structure of the surface. The depressions altogether constitute 20-80% of the surface. Each depression has a dimension l of 0.25-2.5 mm in a first direction in the plane of the top surface area, a dimension b of 0.25-2.0 mm in a second direction in the plane of the top surface area, such directions being at right angles to each other, a mean depth d of 0.05-0.6 mm, and an area a as measured in the plane of the top surface area of 0.063-5.0 mm2.

Abstract: A switch-over processing method includes the steps of performing a first process on a sheet passing between a first cylinder and a second cylinder with a first mounted body being mounted on a circumferential surface of the second cylinder arranged to oppose the first cylinder, and performing a second process different from the first process on the sheet passing between the first cylinder and the second cylinder with a second mounted body being mounted on a circumferential surface of the second cylinder in place of the first mounted body. A switch-over processing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emboss pattern, tissue product and method of manufacturing tissue product having improved bulk and softness with minimal roll ridging. The pattern combines a plurality of aligned signature bosses with a grouping of signature bosses offset from the machine direction in a clockwise manner and another grouping of signature bosses being offset in a counter-clockwise manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the combination of at least two plies of tissue paper without glue and by pressure marking, characterized in that it involves embossing at least one first ply according to an embossing design by passage between a first cylinder and a second cylinder covered externally with a rubber blanket, then combining at least one second ply with the first ply by causing both plies to pass between the first engraved steel cylinder of axis CC? and at least one first series of small externally smooth coaxial cylinders of axis XX?. Both plies are then passed between the first cylinder and a second series of small externally smooth coaxial cylinders of axis YY?, the axes of CC?, XX?; and YY? being horizontal and parallel. The invention also includes the apparatus for carrying out the disclosed method.

Abstract: An embossing system for embossing and perforating at least a portion of a web is provided comprising a first embossing roll having embossing elements and at least a second embossing roll having embossing elements, wherein the elements of the first and second embossing rolls define perforate nips for embossing and perforating the web and wherein at least a predominate number of the perforate nips are substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Moreover, substantially all of the nips defined by the embossing elements of the first and second embossing rolls can be substantially oriented in the cross-machine direction. Further, the cross-machine embossing elements are at an angle of about 85° to 95° from the machine direction.

Abstract: A method for producing a deep-nested embossed product is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an embossing apparatus having mating first and second embossing members; b) providing the first embossing member with a plurality of discrete embossing elements in a non-random pattern; c) providing the second embossing member with at least one linear embossing element; d) coordinating the at least one linear embossing element with the non-random pattern of first embossing elements; e) aligning the first embossing member and the second embossing member so that the non-random pattern of first embossing elements nest with the at least one linear embossing element to an engagement depth of greater than about 0.01 mm; f) providing one or more plies of material to the embossing apparatus; and, g) passing the one or more plies of the material between the first and second embossing members to produce the deep-nested embossed product.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a deep-nested embossed product including a first embossing member and a second embossing member. The first embossing member has a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern. The second embossing member has a plurality of second embossing elements including at least one linear embossing element. The second embossing elements are disposed in a second non-random pattern such the first non-random pattern and the second non-random pattern nest together to a depth of greater than about 0.01 mm.

Abstract: A method for producing an article made of a web material, comprising at least one ply, wherein a superabsorbent material in powder form is associated with said ply.

Abstract: A one-ply tissue product includes a first external surface and a second external surface, the first surface having a wet-formed pattern and the second surface having an embossed pattern imitating the wet-formed pattern. Additionally, also multi-ply tissue product is suggested comprising at least two plies including two outer plies, each outer ply having a first surface and a second surface, one outer ply having a wet-formed pattern on at least the first surface and the other outer ply having an embossed pattern on at least the first surface imitating the wet-formed pattern on the first surface of the one outer ply, both outer plies being brought together so that their respective first surfaces represent external surfaces of the multi-ply tissue product. Moreover, a corresponding method and an embossing unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for producing a fibrous web, in particular a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, includes a former on which the fibrous web is formed on a structured belt and is dewatered between said structured belt and a forming belt, and a drying apparatus for the further dewatering of the fibrous web, through which the fibrous web is guided together with the structured belt and in which hot air flows through the permeable structured belt and the fibrous web. The forming fabric is formed by a printed forming fabric or a DSP fabric with zonally different permeability.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a papermaker's or industrial fabric requires the application of a polymeric resin material onto preselected locations on a base substrate using an array which deposits the polymeric resin material in droplets having an average diameter of 10? (10 microns) or more. The preselected locations, for example, may be knuckles formed by the interweaving of the yarns making up the fabric or interstices between the yarns. The purpose of such precise application of the resin is to control functional properties of the fabric, such as permeability and abrasion resistance. The polymeric resin material is set by means appropriate to its composition, and, optionally, may be abraded to provide the polymeric resin material above the surface plane of the base substrate with a uniform thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a deep-nested embossed product including a first embossing member and a second embossing member. The first embossing member has a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern. The second embossing member has a plurality of second embossing elements including at least one linear embossing element. The second embossing elements are disposed in a second non-random pattern such the first non-random pattern and the second non-random pattern nest together to a depth of greater than about 0.01 mm.