AU1005302A - Rolls of tissue sheets having improved properties - Google Patents

Description

S&FRef: 533972D4

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

401 N. Lake Street Neenah Wisconsin 54956 United States of America Mark Alan Burazin, Edward Van Rengen Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower,Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Rolls of Tissue Sheets Having Improved Properties Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- :r1} .2 5845c ROLLS OF TISSUE SHEETS HAVING IMPROVED PROPERTIES Background of the Invention Through dried tissues have recently been developed which provides a unique combination of bulk and softness. In part, a method for making such tissues includes the use of a throughdrying fabric having high and long machine direction knuckles which impart a high degree of texture to the resulting tissue sheet. When such sheets are used for making bath tissue or paper towelling, they are wound into a roll for sale to the consumer. However, in spite of the high bulk and texture of the resulting tissue sheet, when wound into a roll the sheet has a tendency to "nest" as the protrusions of the sheet 1o mate with corresponding depressions of the adjacent sheet in the wound roll. As a result, the wound roll has good firmness, but does not exhibit exceptional roll bulk befitting of the high texture exhibited by the sheet itself.

Therefore there is a need for a method of imparting good firmness and high bulk "to rolls of tissue sheets having high bulk and texture.

Object of the Invention ee .°It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention It has now been discovered that the bulk/firmness properties of rolls of tissue sheets, including throughdried tissue sheets, can be improved by modifying the fabrics S used in the process of manufacturing the tissue sheet. The resulting rolls have both a high degree of bulk and firmness, particularly for rolls made from relatively soft sheets.

[R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb As used herein, the "dryer side" of the tissue sheet is the side of the sheet facing the throughdried fabric during throughdrying and the "air side" of the sheet is the side of the sheet facing away from the throughdrying fabric during throughdrying. When the sheet is wound into a roll of product, it is often preferred that the air side of the sheet be the side of the sheet facing the core of the roll and the dryer side of the sheet be the outwardly facing side of the sheet.

Also as used herein, the term "cross-machine direction dominant" means that the bar-like protrusions or troughs run at an angle of about 440 or less, more specifically about 200 or less, and still more specifically about 100 or less, relative to the cross- 1o machine direction of the sheet or fabric. The bar-like protrusions can be parallel with the :..-.cross-machine direction of the sheet. Similarly, the term "machine direction dominant" ~means that the feature in question runs at an angle of about 440 or less, more specifically about 20' or less, and still more preferably about 100 or less, relative to the machine direction of the sheet or fabric. The machine direction dominant feature in question can 15 also be parallel or substantially parallel to the machine direction of the sheet or fabric.

There is firstly disclosed herein a throughdried tissue sheet having an air side and a dryer side, the dryer side of the sheet having parallel discontinuous rows of machine direction dominant elevated pillow-like regions, wherein the discontinuities in the rows of elevated pillow-like regions are cross-machine direction dominant troughs that appear as 20 cross-machine dominant bar-like protrusions on the air side of the sheet.

There is further disclosed herein a method of making a throughdried tissue sheet comprising depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibres onto a forming fabric to form a wet web; dewatering the wet web to a consistency from about 20 to percent; transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to a transfer fabric travelling at a speed from about 10 to 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; (d) transferring the web to a throughdrying fabric having from about 5 to 300 impression knuckles per square inch which are raised at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) above the plane of the fabric, wherein the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the throughdrying fabric; and throughdrying the web, wherein the sheet side of the transfer fabric contains cross-machine direction dominant troughs which impart cross-machine direction bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue sheet.

There is further disclosed herein a method making a throughdried tissue sheet comprising depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibres onto a forming [R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb fabric to form a wet web; dewatering the wet web to a consistency from about 20 to percent; transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to a transfer fabric travelling at a speed from about 10 to 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; (d) transferring the web to a throughdrying fabric having from about 5 to 300 impression knuckles per square inch which are raised at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) above the plane of the fabric, wherein the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the throughdrying fabric; and throughdrying the web, wherein the throughdrying fabric has an offset seam at an angle of about 2 degrees or less relative to the cross-machine direction of the fabric.

[R:\LIBLL]02639.doctyb As used herein, "roll bulk" is the bulk of the wound product, excluding the core volume, and is most easily understood with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates a typical roll product having a core, around which the paper product is wound. The radius of the roll product is designated as whereas the radius of the core is designated as The width or length of the roll is designated as All measurements are expressed as "centimetres". The product roll volume expressed in cubic centimetres is the volume of the product minus the volume of the core, namely RV (nR 2 L) (nR 2

L).

The product roll weight is the weight of the roll minus the weight of the core, measured in grams Alternatively, the roll weight can be calculated by 0o multiplying the basis weight of the sheet, expressed in grams per square metre, by the area of the sheet (length times width), expressed in square metres. Either way, the "roll bulk", expressed in cubic centimetres per gram is "RV" divided by [R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb As used herein, "roll firmness" is a measure of the extent a probe can penetrate the roll under controlled conditions and is readily understood with reference to Figure 3, which illustrates the apparatus used for determining roll firmness. The apparatus is available from Kershaw Instrumentation, Inc., Swedesboro, NJ and is known as a Model RDT-101 Roll Density Tester. Shown in Figure 3 is a towel roll 80 being measured, which is supported on a spindle 81. When the test begins a traverse table 82 begins to move toward the roll. Mounted to the traverse table is a sensing probe 83. The motion of the traverse table causes the sensing probe to make contact with the towel roll. When the sensing probe contacts the roll, the force exerted on the load cell exceeds the low set point of 6 grams and the displacement display is zeroed and begins indicating the penetration of the probe. When the force exerted on the sensing probe exceeds the high set point of 687 grams, the traverse table stops and the displacement display indicates the penetration in S• millimetres. The tester records this reading. Next the tester rotates the towel roll 900 on the spindle and repeats the test. The roll firmness value is the average of the two Is5 readings, expressed in millimetres. The test is performed in a controlled environment of "73.4 1.8°F and 50 2% relative humidity. The rolls are conditioned in this "1 °environment at least 4 hours before testing.

ee [R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb As used herein, "geometric mean stiffness" is the geometric mean slope divided by the geometric mean tensile strength; where the geometric mean tensile strength is the square rootof the product of the machine direction tensile strength and the crossmachine direction tensile strength, expressed in grams per 3 inches (7.62 cm); and where the geometric mean slope is the square root of the product of the machine direction slope and the cross machine direction slope, expressed in grams per 3 inches (7.62 cm); and where machine direction slope and-cross machine direction slope are as described in U.S. 5,746,887 issued -May 5, 1998 to Wendt etal. entitled Method of Making Soft Tissue Products, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As used herein, the "single sheet caliper" is measured in accordance with TAPPI test method T402 "Standard Conditioning and Testing Atmosphere For Paper, Board, Pulp Handsheets and Related Products" and is measured as one sheet using an EMVECO 200-A Microgage automated micrometer (EMVECO, Inc., Oregon). The micrometer has an anvil diameter of 2.22 inches (56.4 millimeters) and an anvil pressure of 132 grams per square inch (per 6.45 square centimeters) (2.0 kPa).

As used herein, the "absorbent capacity" of tissue sheets is determined by cutting the. tissue sheets into 4 inches by 4 inches squares, placing twenty squares into a stack such that all squares are oriented the same relative to the machine direction of the tissue, and stapling the comers of the stack together to form a 20 sheet pad. The pad is :i 20 placed into a wire mesh basket with the staple points down and lowered into a water bath held at a temperature of 23 0 C 2 0 C. When the pad is completely wetted, it is removed and allowed to drain for.30 seconds while in the wire basket. The weight of the water remaining in the pad after 30 seconds is the amount absorbed. This value is divided by the weight of the pad to determine the absorbent capacity, which for purposes herein is expressed as grams of water absorbed per gram of fiber.

As used herein, the "absorbent rate" of tissue sheets is determined by same procedure as for the absorbent capacity, except the size of the pad is 2.5 inches by inches. The time taken for the pad to completely wet out after being lowered into the water bath is the absorbent rate, expressed in seconds. Higher numbers mean that the rate at which water is absorbed is slower.

Methods for making throughdried tissues generally in accordance with this invention are described in U.S. 5,656,132 entitled "Soft Tissue" issued August 12, 1997 to Farrington et al. and U.S. 5,672,248 entitled "Method of Making Soft Tissue Products" issued September 30, 1997 to Wendt et al., both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The tissue sheets of the tissue roll useful for purposes of preferred embodiments of this invention can have one, two, three, or more plies and can be wet-pressed, throughdried, uncreped throughdried or wet molded and dried. They can be used for facial tissues, bath tissues, paper towels, dinner napkins and the like, although the greatest utility can be found in roll product forms such as bath tissue and paper towels.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of the method for making uncreped throughdried tissues; Figure 2 is a schematic figure of a typical roll product, illustrating the calculation of "roll bulk"; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the apparatus used for measuring "roll firmness"; 15 Figure 4 is a plot of roll bulk versus roll firmness for products (labelled "11" "13" corresponding to Examples 1-13 below), a control point (labelled "Control") made without the methods described in Example 14, and a variety of commercially available paper towels (collectively labelled "Cl" or "C2"depending upon whether or not they are 1- or 2-ply products, respectively), illustrating the combination of high roll bulk and high roll firmness attained; Figure 5 is a plot of the roll bulk/roll firmness ratio versus single sheet caliper and a variety of commercially available paper towels with data points labelled as in Figure 4, illustrating the efficiency of the methods described for attaining firm, bulky rolls with tissue sheets of a given caliper; Figure 6 is a plot of the roll bulk/roll firmness ratio versus the geometric mean stiffness, similar to Figures 4 and 5 above, illustrating the ability of the methods described to provide a high degree of bulk and firmness with soft (less stiff) sheets; Figure 7 is a plot of the roll bulk/roll firmness/single sheet caliper ratio versus the geometric mean stiffness, similar to Figures 4, 5 and 6 above, further illustrating the efficiency of the methods described in providing quality bulk and firmness for soft tissue sheets of a given caliper; [RALIBLL]02639.doc:tyb Figures 8A and 8B are photographs of the dryer side (top side) of an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet made as described herein and a similar sheet made without using the methods described herein, respectively, illustrating the parallel rows of elevated pillow-like regions in the machine direction which are interrupted by the cross-machine direction dominant troughs imparted to the sheet by the transfer fabric; Figures 9A and 9B are photographs of the air side (bottom side) of the sheets of Figures 8A and 8B, respectively, further illustrating the bar-like impressions imparted to the tissue sheet by the transfer fabric, which on this side of the sheet are bar-like protrusions; Figure 10 is a photograph of the sheet side of a transfer fabric used to impart the bar-like protrusions in the air side of the sheet; and Figures 11 A, 11 B and 11C are schematic illustrations of the steps involved in a method of making an offset seam in a fabric.

eee:Detailed Description of the Drawings 15 Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a method .of making an ::uncreped throughdried tissue sheet. Shown is a twin wire former having a layered papermaking headbox 10 which injects or deposits a stream 11 of an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers between forming fabrics 12 and 13. The web is adhered to forming fabric 13, which serves to support and carry the newly-formed wet web downstream in S• 20 the process as the web is partially dewatered to a consistency of about 10 dry weight percent. Additional dewatering of the wet web can be carried out, such as by vacuum suction, while the wet web is supported by the forming fabric.

The wet web is then transferred from the forming fabric to a transfer fabric 17 travelling at a slower speed than the forming fabric in order to impart increased MD 25 stretch into the web. A kiss transfer is carried out to avoid compression of the wet web, preferably with the assistance of a vacuum shoe 18. Depending upon the method used to impart the desired roll properties, the transfer fabric can be a fabric having high and long impression knuckles, generally as described in U.S. 5,672,248 to Wendt et al., previously mentioned, or it can have a smoother surface such as Asten 934 937, 939, 959, Albany 94M or Appleton Mills 2164-B33. If the transfer fabric is being used to provide crossmachine direction dominant bars to the sheet, the transfer fabric can be as described in Figures 5, 6, and 7 of U.S. Patent No. 5,219,004 entitled "Multi-ply Papermaking Fabric With Binder Warps" issued June 15, 1993 to Chiu, which is hereby incorporated by [R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb reference. More particularly, referring to a transfer fabric as illustrated in Figure 6 of Chiu, the sheet side of the transfer fabric is the side of the fabric having the long crossmachine direction dominant floats created by filaments 144, and the cross-machine dominant bars in the sheet imparted by the transfer fabric correspond to the troughs formed between cross-machine direction dominant filaments 144.

The web is then transferred from the transfer fabric to the throughdried fabric 19 with the aid of a vacuum transfer roll 20 or a vacuum transfer shoe. The throughdrying fabric can be travelling at about the same speed or a different speed relative to the transfer fabric. If desired, the throughdrying fabric can be run at a slower speed to further enhance MD stretch. Transfer is preferably carried out with vacuum assistance to ensure deformation of the sheet to conform to the throughdrying fabric, thus yielding desired bulk, flexibility; CD stretch and appearance. The throughdrying fabric is preferably of the high and long impression knuckle type generally described in Wendt et al.

ic The level of vacuum used for the web transfers can be from about 3 to about inches of mercury (75 to about 380 millimetres of mercury), preferably about 10 inches (254 millimetres) of mercury. The vacuum shoe (negative pressure) can be supplemented eeee or replaced by the use of positive pressure from the opposite side of the web to blow the web onto the next fabric in addition to or as a replacement for sucking it onto the next fabric with vacuum. Also, a vacuum roll or rolls can be used to replace the vacuum shoe(s).

While supported by the throughdried fabric, the web is final dried to a consistency of about 94 percent or greater by the throughdryer 21 and thereafter transferred to a carrier fabric 22. The dried basesheet 23 is transported to the reel 24 using carrier fabric 22 and an optional carrier fabric 25. An optional pressurised turning roll 26 can be used to facilitate transfer of the web from carrier fabric 22 to fabric Suitable carrier fabrics for this purpose are Albany International 84M or 94M and Asten 959 or 937, all of which are relatively smooth fabrics having a fine pattern. Although not shown, reel calendering or subsequent off-line calendering can be used to improve the smoothness and softness of the basesheet.

Figures 2 and 3 have been previously described in connection with the roll bulk and roll firmness measurements.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are plots comparing certain properties of commercially available products with the products of the methods described herein with the Examples described below.

[R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb Figures 8A and 8B are photographs of the dryer side of an uncreped throughdried tissue sheet made in accordance with the method described herein (8A) and a similar sheet made without using the methods described herein Referring to Fig.

8A, shown are the parallel rows of elevated pillow-like regions 85 running in the machine direction which are interrupted by the cross-machine direction dominant troughs 86 in the tissue sheet of this invention. In Figure 8B, structure corresponding to the cross-machine dominant troughs is absent.

Figures 9A and 9B are photographs of the air side of the sheets of Figures 8A and 8B, respectively. Shown are the CD dominant bar-like protrusions 91 imparted to the air side of the tissue sheet by the transfer fabric.

Figure 10 is a photograph of the sheet side of an Appleton Mills 2054-A33 transfer fabric used to impart the cross-machine direction dominant bar-like protrusions to the air side of the sheet illustrated in Figures 8A and 9A.

Figures 11 A, 11 B and 11 C are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps used to Is make a fabric with an offset seam for purposes described herein. Initially, as shown in ooo* Figure 11A, the fabric 100 is laid flat and the degree of offset is determined. Parallel offset lines 102 and 103 are drawn near the edges of the fabric as shown. The angle of these lines relative to the edge of the fabric represents the degree of offset relative to the machine direction of the fabric. The fabric is then formed into a continuous loop with the 20 offset lines aligned as shown in Figure 11B. The two adjacent edges of the fabric are then seamed together. The excess fabric material is then trimmed away using a hot knife or other suitable means, leaving an offset fabric as illustrated in Figure 11C. As a result of this method, the seam 104 of the resulting fabric is not perpendicular to the machine direction of the fabric.

(R:\LIBLL]02639.doc:tyb Examples Example 1.

An uncreped throughdried tissue sheet was made as described above in connection with Figure 1. More Specifically, a nonlayered single ply towel tissue was made using a furnish comprising 50 dry weight percent northern softwood kraft fiber (NSWK); 25 northern softwood bleached chemithermomechanical fiber (BCTMP), and 25 southern hardwood kraft fiber (SHWK).

The NSWK fiber was pulped for 30 minutes at approximately 4 percent consistency and diluted to approximately 3.2 percent after pulping. The BCTMP and SHWK fibers were combined together in a 50:50 ratio and pulped for 30 minutes at approximately 4 percent consistency and diluted to approximately 3.2 percent after pulping. Kymene 557LX was added to both pulp streams at 10 kilograms per metric ton of pulp based on total flow. The NSWK fibers were refined at 1.0 horsepower-day (0.75 kW days) per metric ton. The pulp streams were then blended and diluted to approximately 0.18 consistency. The diluted suspension was fed to a C-wrap, twin wire, suction form roll, former with forming fabrics (12 and 13) being an Asten 867A and an Appleton Mills (AM) 2164-B33 fabric respectively. The speed of both of the forming fabrics was 1562 feet per minute (7.93 meters/second). The newly formed web was then 20 de-watered to a consistency of about 24 percent using vacuum suction from below the forming fabric before being transferred to the transfer fabric (17) traveling at 1250 fpm rush transfer.) The transfer fabric was an Appleton Mills 2054-A33 run with the coarse CD dominant filaments to the sheet side. (See Figure 10). A vacuum shoe pulling 6 inches (152 millimeters) of mercury vacuum was used to transfer the web to the transfer fabric.

The web was then transferred to a throughdrying fabric which was an Appleton Mills t1205-1. The through drying fabric was traveling at a speed of about 1250 feet per minute (6.35 meters/second). The web was carried over a Honeycomb throughdryer operating at a temperature of about 350 0 F (177 0 C) and dried to final dryness of about 97 percent consistency. The resulting uncreped tissue sheet was then calendered at a fixed gap of 0.011 inch (0.028 millimeter) between two 20 inches (508 millimeters) diameter steel rolls and wound into finished product rolls on 1.6 inches (40.6 millimeters) diameter cores.

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.8 pounds per 2880 square feet (38.6 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2480 grams per -11- 3. inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2370 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 20.1 percent; CD stretch 9.0 percent; MD slope, 6.05 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 9.29 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.10; single sheet caliper, 0.033 inch (0.84 millimeter); roll bulk, 16.7 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.16 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 40.1 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 480 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.1 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 1.9 seconds; roll diameter, 5.19 inch (132 millimeters); roll length, 60.0 feet (18.3 meters).

Example 2.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 1 except the fumish consisted of 50 percent NSWK, 25 BCTMP, and 25 northern hardwood kraft fiber (NHWK), the NSWK was refined at 1.5 horsepower-days (1.1 kW) per metric ton, the throughdrying fabric was an Appleton Mills 11205-2 fabric, and the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.007 inch (0.178 millimeter).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.4 pounds per 2880 square feet (38.1 grams per square meter); MD tensile; 2540 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 1680 grams per 3 inches (76.2 20 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 18.7 percent; CD stretch 10.3 percent; MD slope, 5.43 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 6.36 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 2.84; single sheet caliper, 0.034 inch (0.86 mm); roll bulk, 17.1 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 7.1 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 24.1 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 280 centimeters per gram; .absorbent capacity, 6.56 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 3.3 seconds; roll diameter, 5.20 inch (132 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

*Example 3.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 2 except the transfer fabric was an Appleton Mills t1605-2 fabric and the throughdrying fabric was an Appleton Mills 11205-2 off-seamed fabric at a finished offset angle of 0.273 degrees.

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 21.8 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.1 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2130 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 1970 grams per 3 inches (76.2 -12millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 17.5 percent; CD stretch 13.0 percent; MD slope, 9.13 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 5.06 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.31; single sheet caliper, 0.034 (0.86 mm); roll bulk, 19.4 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 5.85 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 33.2 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 390 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.78 grams water per gram fiber, absorbent rate, 2.2 seconds; roll diameter, 5.43 inch (138 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example 4.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 3 except the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeter).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 21.6 pounds per 2880 square feet (36.7 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2250 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 1660 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 18.5 percent; CD stretch 11.8 percent; MD slope, 8.98 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 4.47 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.28; single sheet caliper, 0.032 inch (0.81 mm); roll bulk, 19.1 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 000 6.20 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 30.8 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 380 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.83 grams water per gram fiber, absorbent rate, 2.1 seconds; roll diameter, 5.35 inch (136 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example A single ply towel was made as described in Example 3 except the NSWK was 0°eo refined at 3.0 horsepower-days (2.2 kW days) per metric ton, Kymene 557LX was added at a rate of 12 kilograms per metric ton of fiber, the transfer fabric was an Appleton Mills Ott t216-3 fabric, and the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.005 inch (0.127 millimeters).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basisweight, 22.2 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.8 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2870 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2460 grams per 3 inches (76.2 miflimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 18.3 percent; CD stretch 11.3 percent; MD slope, 11.1 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 6.20 kilograms -13per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.12; single sheet caliper, 0.029 inch (0.74 mm); roll bulk, 18.1 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.85 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 37.3 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 500 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.0 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 2.5 seconds; roll diameter, 5.32 inch (135 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example 6.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 5 except the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.007 inch (0.178 millimeter).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.3 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.9 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 3330 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2610 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 20.3 percent; CD stretch 11.7 percent; MD slope, 10.9 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 6.85 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 2.92; single sheet caliper, 0.032 inch (0.81 mm); roll bulk, 19.3 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 5.0 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 38.6 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 480 centimeters per gram; 20 absorbent capacity, 6.14 grams water per gram fiber absorbent rate, 2.5 seconds; roll diameter, 5.47 inch (139 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example 7.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 5 except the transfer fabric was an Appleton Mills 2054-A33.

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.1 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.6 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 3260 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2120 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 19.1 percent; CD stretch 9.4 percent; MD slope, 5.98 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 9.4 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 2.85; single sheet caliper, 0.031 inch (0.79 mm); roll bulk, 17.6 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.90 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 35.9 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 460 centimeters per gram; -14absorbent capacity, 5.86 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 2.74 seconds; roll diameter, 5.24 inch (133 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example 8.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 7 except the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.007 inch (0.178 millimeter).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.3 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.9 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 3330 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2270 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 17.4 percent; CD stretch 10.5 percent; MD slope, 6.6 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 8.8 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 2.8; single sheet caliper, 0.032 inch (0.81 mm); roll bulk, 18.4 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.45 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 41.3 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 510 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 5.98 grams water per gram fiber;, absorbent rate, 3.0 seconds; roll diameter, 5.35 inch (136 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

S.Example 9.

ooo i 20 A single ply towel was made as described in Example 7 except the former consistency was approximately 0.25 percent.

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.2 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.8 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2940 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2210 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 16.5 percent; CD stretch 10.0 percent; MD slope, 6.65 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 8.50 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.00; single sheet caliper, 0.030 inch (0.76 mm); roll bulk, 17.8 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 0 4.55 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 39.1 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 520 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.0 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 2.8 seconds; roll diameter, 5.28 inch (134 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example A single ply towel as described in Example 9 except the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.007 inch (0.178 millimeter).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.3 pounds per 2880 square feet (37.8 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 3220 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2370 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 18.5 percent; CD stretch 10.5 percent; MD slope, 6.06 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 8.67 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 2.63; single sheet caliper, 0.033 inch (0.84 mm); roll bulk, 18.4 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.9 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 37.6 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 450 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 5.89 grams water per gram fiber, absorbent rate, 2.8 seconds; roll diameter, 5.35 inch (136 millimeters); roll length, 62.5 feet (19.1 meters).

Example 11.

A single ply towel was made as described in Example 2 except the resulting basesheet was not calendered.

20 The resulting.finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 23.6 pounds per 2880 square feet (40.1 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2570 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2290 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 19.9 percent; CD stretch 12.6 percent; MD slope, 8.98 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 10.2 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.93; single sheet caliper, 0.045 inch (1.14 mm); roll bulk, 20.9 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.35 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 48.1 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 420 centimetersper gram; absorbent capacity, 6.56 grams water per gram fiber, absorbent rate, 3.2 seconds; roll diameter, 5.95 inch (151 millimeters); roll length, 65.0 feet (19.7 meters).

Example 12.

A single ply towel as described in Example 3 except the resulting basesheet was not calendered.

-16- The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.5 pounds per 2880 square feet (38.3 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2600 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2410 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 19.6 percent; CD stretch 13.2 percent; MD slope, 12.3 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 8.74 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 4.13; single sheet caliper, 0.043 inch (1.09 mm); roll bulk, 23.2 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.9 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 47.3 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 430 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.41 grams water per gram fiber;, absorbent rate, 2.2 seconds; roll diameter, 6.1 inch (155 millimeters); roll length, 65.1 feet (19.7 meters).

Example 13.

A single ply towel as described in Example 7 except the resulting basesheet was not calendered.

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.7 pounds per 2880 square feet (38.6 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 3430 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2620 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 21.6 percent; CD stretch 10.7 percent; MD slope, 20 7.67 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 14.2 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 3.46; single sheet caliper, 0.042 inch (1.07 mm); roll bulk, 21.7 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 4.40 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 49.2 square centimeters per gram; roll oooo bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 460 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 5.98 grams water per gram fiber;, absorbent rate, 2.8 seconds; roll diameter, 5.90 inch (150 millimeters); roll length, 63.5 feet (19.2 meters).

.Example 14 (Control).

A single ply towel as described in Example 1 except the transfer fabric was an AM 2164-B33 and the resulting basesheet was calendered at a fixed gap of 0.011 inch (27.9 mm).

The resulting finished product had the following properties: basis weight, 22.4 pounds per 2880 square feet (38.1 grams per square meter); MD tensile, 2670 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD tensile, 2170 grams per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; MD stretch, 19.1 percent; CD stretch 9.0 percent; MD slope, -17- 19.6 kilograms per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; CD slope, 10.6 kilograms.

per 3 inches (76.2 millimeters) sample width; geometric mean stiffness, 5.98; single sheet caliper, 0.033 inch (0.84 mm); roll bulk, 17.0 cubic centimeters per gram; roll firmness, 10.4 millimeters; roll bulk divided by roll firmness, 16.3 square centimeters per gram; roll bulk divided by roll firmness divided by single sheet caliper, 200 centimeters per gram; absorbent capacity, 6.0 grams water per gram fiber; absorbent rate, 2.0 seconds; roll diameter, 5.19 inch (1325 millimeters); roll length, 60.0 feet (18.2 meters).

It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.

-18-

Claims (12)

1. A throughdried tissue sheet having an air side and a dryer side, the dryer side of the sheet having parallel discontinuous rows of machine direction dominant elevated pillow-like regions, wherein the discontinuities in the rows of elevated pillow- like regions are cross-machine direction dominant troughs that appear as cross-machine dominant bar-like protrusions on the air side of the sheet.

2. The tissue sheet of claim 1 wherein the generally parallel rows of elevated pillow-like regions run at an angle of from about 0.050 to 20 relative to the machine direction of the sheet.

3. The tissue sheet of claim 2 wherein the angle is from about 0.050 to 1°.

4. The tissue sheet of claim 2 wherein the angle is from about 0.1 to 0.60. The tissue sheet of claim 1 wherein the tissue has an absorbent capacity of 5 or more grams of water per gram of fibre.

6. The tissue sheet of claim 1 wherein the tissue has an absorbent rate of 5 about 4 seconds or less.

7. A method of making a throughdried tissue sheet comprising (a) depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibres onto a forming fabric to form a wet web; dewatering the wet web to a consistency from about 20 to 30 percent; (c) transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to a transfer fabric travelling at a speed from about 10 to 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; transferring the web to a throughdrying fabric having from about 5 to 300 impression knuckles per square inch which are raised at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) above the plane of the fabric, wherein the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the throughdrying fabric; and throughdrying the web, wherein the sheet side of the transfer fabric contains cross-machine direction dominant troughs which impart cross- machine direction bar-like protrusions to the air side of the tissue sheet.

8. A method making a throughdried tissue sheet comprising depositing an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibres onto a forming fabric to form a wet web; dewatering the wet web to a consistency from about 20 to 30 percent; transferring the dewatered web from the forming fabric to a transfer fabric travelling at a speed from about 10 to 80 percent slower than the forming fabric; transferring the web to a throughdrying fabric having from about 5 to 300 impression knuckles per square inch which are raised at least about 0.005 inch (0.127 mm) above the plane of the fabric, wherein the web is macroscopically rearranged to conform to the surface of the throughdrying fabric; and throughdrying the web, wherein the throughdrying fabric [R:\LIBLL] 12077specie-DIV.4.doc:keh:tyb has an offset seam at an angle of about 2 degrees or less relative to the cross-machine direction of the fabric.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the offset seam angle is about 1 degree or less relative to the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the offset seam angle is from about 0.05 to 1 degree relative to the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the offset seam angle is from about 0.1 to 0.6 degree relative to the cross-machine direction of the sheet.

12. A throughdried tissue sheet, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of making a throughdried tissue sheet, said method substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. 15 Dated 28 December, 2001 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. SPatent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 0 [R:\LIBLL] 12077specie-DIV.4.doc:keh:tyb