MXPA00011357A

MXPA00011357A - Process for increasing bulk of foreshortened fibrous web

Info

Publication number: MXPA00011357A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/011357A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Mark R Richards
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 1998-05-18
Filing date: 2000-11-17
Publication date: 2001-07-31

Abstract

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

Description

PROCESS TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF A SCORED FIBROUS TRAM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the processes and apparatuses for producing resistant, soft and absorbent fibrous webs. More particularly, the present invention relates to foreshortened fibrous webs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fibrous structures, such as, for example, paper webs, are produced by a variety of processes. For example, paper webs may be produced in accordance with United States patents assigned jointly: 5,556,509, issued September 17, 1996 to Trokhan et al .; 5,580,423, issued December 3, 1996 to Ampulski et al .; 5,609,725, granted on March 11, 1997 to Phan; 5,629,052, issued May 13, 1997 to Trokhan et al .; 5,637,194, issued June 10, 1997 to Ampulski et al .; and 5,674,663, issued October 7, 1997 to cFarland et al., the descriptions thereof are incorporated herein by reference. The paper webs they can also be manufactured using air-pass drying processes as described in commonly assigned United States Patents 4,514,345, issued April 30, 1985 to Johnson et al .; 4,528,239, granted on July 9, 1985 to Trokhan; 4,529,480, granted on July 16, 1985 to Trokhan; 4,637,859, granted on January 20, 1987 to Trokhan; and 5,334,289, issued on August 2, 1994 to Trokhan et al. The disclosures of the prior patents are incorporated herein by reference. WO 93/11301 A, assigned jointly to The Procter & Gamble Company, exposes a cellulosic fibrous structure, in particular consumer products, such as, for example, toilet paper, facial tissues or a paper towel having a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly from each face of the cellulosic fibrous structure. The protuberances may extend bilaterally outward from the plane of the cellulosic fibrous structure in both directions. The protuberances that extend bilaterally increase the caliber and texture of the product for the consumer incorporated in the cellulosic fibrous structure. The protuberances are They can be produced by mechanical embossing or by embossing with fluids. This application also discloses a fluid embossing process to produce these cellulosic fibrous structures. U.S. Patent No. 5,702,571 discloses sheets of tissue paper, such as, for example, those that are useful for facial tissues or toilet paper, which are embossed with a fine-scale embossing pattern to increase volume with minimal loss of weight. resistance. The fine scale embossing pattern contains at least about 15 discrete patterned embossing elements per square centimeter and can allow the tissue manufacturer to produce tissue paper of excellent quality having adequate softness, volume and strength from tissue paper base sheets conventional without equipment for layering or drying by air passage. GB 1,220,070 discloses a device for the continuous production of patterned paper. The device comprises a moving machine-mesh means, means for distributing liquid material on the machine-mesh medium in a uniform thickness, first means for draining to eliminate the volume of moisture in the liquid material distributed over the mesh medium in order to form a continuous wet web of uniform thickness, patterned web media having perforations and which can move at the same speed as the machine-mesh means, means for extracting the water under pressure through the perforations on the wet web at a water pressure that is equal to the means disposed below the means for extracting water and above the lower stroke of the patterned web means, second means for draining to remove the extracted water after the extracted water has passed through the perforations, the wet web and the machine-mesh means and means for heating the wet web to produce the dry patterned paper. The patterned paper of this form can be further subjected to a mechanical folding treatment to render the paper capable of contracting by alkylamma. Patterned paper according to this Specification can also be laminated with paper without pattern by superimposing the patterned paper on the wet web and winding them together under pressure. The foreshortening of the fibrous webs can be used to increase the caliber, absorbency and softness of the plot. Foreshortening refers to the reduction of the length of a dry weft, which results from the application of energy to the weft. Normally, during the foreshortening, the new arrangement of the fibers in the weft is presented, accompanied by at least a partial breaking of the fiber-to-fiber bonds. As a result of the foreshortening, micro-folds commonly called "crepe" are formed in the weft. It has been found that the increase in caliber or volume of the foreshortened weft can also be achieved by loosening, at least partially, the crepe in the weft. It has also been found that the crepe can be loosened in pre-selected portions of the weft in such a way that the rest of the weft not affected by crepe loosening retains the quality of the foreshortened weft. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for increasing the volume of the foreshortening by loosening the crepe of the weft in the selected portions of the weft. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for increasing the volume of the foreshortened weft by loosening the crepe of the weft in the selected portions of the weft BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a process and apparatus for increasing the caliber / volume of a foreshortened fibrous web by causing the micro-regions or selected portions of the foreshortened web to loosen the crepe therein, thereby they expand outward from the general design of the plot. The process comprises the steps of providing a foreshortened web comprising crepe and having a general design; and adding moisture to the weft or at least to the selected portions of the weft, thereby causing loosening of the crepe in the selected portions and its expansion outwardly from the overall design of the weft, while retaining the crepe in the remainder of the weft. the plot. The preferred apparatus comprises two reciprocally opposed surfaces designed to receive and hold the foreshortened weft between them, at least one of the surfaces having a plurality of fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough; means for moistening the weft or at least its selected portions corresponding to the expansion conduits when the foreshortened weft is arranged between the two surfaces; and a means to create a temperature differential between the two surfaces in such a way that when the weave is held between the surfaces, the differential temperature is sufficient to cause the moisture added to the weft to move through the weft in the direction from one surface to the other, loosening the crepe in the selected portions of the frame and causing the selected portions to expand through the expansion conduits. A first step of the process of the present invention comprises providing a foreshortened and preferably fibrous web. The term "foreshortened" weft refers to a weft that has been reduced in length, that is to say, practical and proportionally contracted along its length in a machine direction. The first step of providing a fibrous web may be preceded by the steps of forming that web and then foreshortening the web. The fibrous web suitable for the present invention can be manufactured by any papermaking process known in the art, including, but not limited to, a conventional process and an air-pass drying process. The present invention also contemplates the use of the weft that has been wetted again before being foreshortened. The foreshortened weave in general characterized by a plurality of micro-folds running through the length of the frame, which is known in the art as "crepe". Foreshortening can be carried out by any method known in the art, for example, by creping , when transferring the web from the first press surface to a transfer fabric with slow movement or by combining them. Preferably, the foreshortened weft is placed on a work surface. The preferred work surface has a plurality of fluid permeable expansion conduits therethrough. A preferred work surface is formed by a band comprising a frame (preferably resinous) attached to a fluid-permeable reinforcing structure and pushing outwardly from the reinforcing structure, thereby forming the reticular area. The frame may comprise a substantially continuous and macroscopically monoplane reticular area in which case the plurality of expansion ducts preferably comprises a plurality of discrete orifices or holes, which are dispersed throughout the working surface and surrounded by the continuous network area. alternative or additional, the work surface may comprise a plurality of discrete areas formed by discrete protrusions extending from the reinforcing structure, in which case a substantially continuous expansion conduit surrounds the plurality of discrete protrusions. Preferably, the expansion ducts and / or projections are arranged in a pre-selected pattern, and more preferably, the pattern of the arrangement of the expansion ducts and / or projections is not random and is repeating. If the patterned work surface comprises discrete areas formed by the individual projections, the discrete areas of the work surface may have the discrete expansion ducts therethrough, analogous to the discrete expansion ducts in the continuous work surface. . The work surface may comprise a surface of a fluid-permeable stage or, in a preferred continuous process, an endless band permeable to fluids or a band capable of traveling in a machine direction. The steps of placing the foreshortened weft on the work surface and wetting the weft can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously. If the dry foreshortening placed first on the work surface, moisture can be added subsequently to the weft placed on the work surface. Various means can be used to dampen the foreshortened web, such as, for example, spraying the web with water or causing it to penetrate the steam web under pressure. A plurality of jets can also be used to discharge water on the selected portions of the weft according to a predetermined pattern. Preferably, the weft, or its selected portions, are wetted to have a moisture content between about 95% and 25%, that is, the preferred fiber consistency of the weft is between about 5% and 75%. More preferably, the moisture content of the selected portions of the weft, after they have been wetted, is 85% to 35%, that is, the most preferred fiber consistency of the weft is between about 15% and 65% The moisture can be added mainly to the selected portions of the foreshortened weave, that is, those portions that correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface and that are not in direct and immediate contact with the work surface. Moisture is added to the selected portions of the weft preferably after placing the weft on the work surface or simultaneously with this step. The moisture added to the web may comprise functional paper additives such as softening and disintegrating agents, including, but not limited to: lotions, perfumes, antimicrobial agents, wet strength resin, et c. Under the influence of the added moisture, the selected portions of the weft loosen the crepe therein and consequently expand out of the overall design of the weft, thereby increasing the volume of the weft. At the same time, the rest of the web, which comprises the portions in contact with the surface that are in direct and immediate contact with the work surface, retain the crepe therein. The resulting weft structure therefore comprises, at least two distinct regions: a region formed by the portion of the previously foreshortened weft that has retained the crepe therein and a region comprising the loosened crepe portion having increased caliber (in relation to the foreshortened portion previously). Each of the regions it may be substantially continuous or may comprise a plurality of discrete micro-regions or a combination thereof. Preferably, the loosened crepe portion comprises a plurality of discrete domes extending outwardly from the design formed of the foreshortened portions of the weft. The domes can be extended from one side of the frame or from both opposite sides of the frame. One way to retain the crepe in the portions in contact with the surface of the foreshortened weave comprises adhering the portions in contact with the surface to the work surface in such a way as to avoid lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface in relationship with the work surface with which they are not in contact. To accomplish this, the work surface can be treated with an adhesive material, such as creping adhesive. Alternatively or additionally, the work surface may comprise roughness therein, preventing lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface. Other means may be employed to create sufficient friction between the work surface and the portions in contact with the foreshortening surface to avoid lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface in relation to the working surface j or. In the preferred embodiment of the process and the apparatus, a press surface is provided, opposite to and facing the work surface. The press surface is a surface adapted to press the foreshortened web against the work surface. The foreshortened web is constricted or pressed between the work and press surfaces to the extent necessary to prevent (or contain if desired) the expansion of those portions of the web. the plot that does not correspond to the expansion ducts. Those portions (defined herein as "portions in contact with the surface") retain the crepe therein, while the selected portions of the frame are free to expand through the expansion ducts. The press surface may comprise an area practically flat or it can have projected areas. The projected areas may comprise a continuous network area, or discrete areas or a combination thereof. The press surface can also have expansion ducts through it, similar to those of the surface of job. The expansion ducts of the press surface may correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface. In the latter case, moisture (water and / or steam) can be supplied to the weft and removed from it using the corresponding expansion conduits of the press and work surfaces. The latter embodiment provides an additional benefit of allowing the selected portions to expand in both opposite directions, through the expansion ducts of the work surface and through the expansion ducts of the press surface. In another embodiment, the ducts of the press surface do not correspond to the ducts of the work surface. In this case, some of the selected portions of the screen can be expanded only through the ducts of the press surface, while the others Selected portions can be expanded only through the ducts of the work surface. At least two modes of the process and the apparatus allow the creation of frames with a structured pattern. Preferably, the work surface is associated with a support surface in such a way that the work surface that has the weft in it is juxtaposed between the press surface (in contact with the weft) and the support surface. In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus and the process of the present invention, a difference temperature of at least 50 ° F is created between the press surface and the support surface. Preferably, although not necessarily, the press surface has a relatively higher temperature and the support surface has a relatively lower temperature. The preferred differential temperature is at least 50 ° F and the most preferred differential temperature is at least 100 ° F. A preferred temperature of the "cold" surface is at least 212 ° F. The differential temperature drives the moisture added to the web through the selected portions of the web by loosening the web in the selected portions and causing the selected portions to expand through the expansion ducts. To accumulate moisture conducted through the weft, a fluid-permeable fabric is juxtaposed between the "cold" (preferably working) surface and the "hot" (preferably supporting) surface. The fabric must have a sufficient void volume to accumulate moisture that condenses 1 in the same. This process or any other process known in the art can be used to dry the screen. In a preferred embodiment, the press surface comprises a surface of an agglomerated layer capable of retaining sufficient moisture volume. The preferred agglomerated layer comprises a metallic woven band capable of containing a sufficient volume of moisture therein and of releasing moisture under the influence of the differential temperature. Metal is preferred for its superior heat transfer properties. When the web and the work surface are pressed between the press and support surfaces, the moisture contained in the agglomerated layer moves inside and through the weft and towards the supporting surface. The crepe in the portions in contact with the surface of the weft, which are sufficiently contained between the press surface and the work surface, is not affected (or is affected to a lesser degree, if desired) by the water conducted to the surface. through the web from the press surface towards the support surface. The selected areas of the plot, which correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface and / or the press surface, are not sufficiently contained between the press surface and the work surface, due to the existence of the expansion ducts in both surfaces or in one of them. Therefore, the selected portions are not prevented from expanding through the expansion ducts (or is avoided to a significantly lesser extent in relation to the portions in contact with the surface). The selected expanded portions of the frame form "domes" of a finished product, thereby increasing the volume or total caliber of the finished frame. In one of the preferred continuous process embodiments of the present invention, each of the press surfaces and working surfaces are formed by an endless band or web traveling in the machine direction. An endless condensation band (cloth) traveling in the machine direction and capable of receiving a sufficient amount of the condensed moisture is placed between the support surface and the work surface. The moisture that is conducted through the selected portions of the weft and through the expansion ducts of the work surface is condensed in the fabric placed between the work surface and the support surface. In the process of the present invention, a means for collecting and recycling moisture, well known in the art, can be used. The portions that are pressed between the work surface and the press surface can be further densified if desired. The selected portions of the screen that correspond to the expansion ducts are not densified, or densified (if desired) to a lesser degree than the depressed portions. In the latter case, a differential pressure can be controlled, on the one hand by the distance between the press surface and the corresponding work surface, and on the other, by the distance between the press surface and a surface that restricts the expansion of the press surfaces. Selected portions. In the press surface comprising the projected areas, some of the projected areas may be in register (either in a protrusion to protuberance pattern or in a nested pattern or in a pattern comprising a combination thereof) with the work surface when the web is pressed between the press surface and the work surface. The modality of the apparatus, in which only some of the projected areas of the press surface have corresponding projected areas of the work surface. In this way, some of the selected portions of the weft can be partially held in the direction perpendicular to the work surface, to a lesser degree in relation to the pressed portions between the work surface and the press surface. that the selected portions of the frame may comprise in the latter case sub-portions that are relatively unconstrained in the direction perpendicular to the work surface and sub-portions that are relatively constricted and may be partially compressed (and therefore, densified) possibly) by the projected areas of the press surface that correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface. This arrangement of the work surface and the press surface can advantageously produce a web having at least three micro-regions of first differential micro-regions formed by the constricted portions in the direction perpendicular to the work surface and therefore practically retaining the crepe in the same; second micro-regions formed by the partially constricted sub-portions in the direction perpendicular to the work surface and which have thus partially loosened crepe, the second micro-regions partially expand in the direction perpendicular to the work surface; and the third micro-regions formed by the relatively unconstrained sub-struts in the direction perpendicular to the work surface, which have crepe practically loosened therein, the third micro-regions expand in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the surface. job. The expansion of the selected areas can be helped by the deviation, under pressure, of the selected wetted portions of the weft through the expansion conduits. Vacuum or differential pressure can be used as a means to divert selected portions through the expansion ducts. The diverting means may also comprise steam or tap water, preferably ba or pressure, through the selected portions and through the expansion ducts. A combination of steam and water as means for diverting is also contemplated in the present invention. The projected areas of the Pressing surfaces corresponding to the expansion ducts of the work surface may also comprise means for deflecting the selected portions of the screen. In an exemplary embodiment, the projected areas of the press surface correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface and are in contact with the selected portions of the screen. When the web is constricted between the press surface and the work surface, the projected areas of the press surface push the selected portions of the web through the expansion ducts of the work surface, thereby facilitating the expansion of the portions selected. The "angled" expansion of the selected portions is also contemplated by the present invention. In this case, the expansion of the selected portions of the web is caused to form an "angled" position with respect to the plane of the web, i.e. the axes of at least some of the domes formed by the selected portions and the surface of work form acute angles between them. The work surface may comprise a plurality of protuberances, at least some of which are angled in relation to the work surface, that is, the axes of the protuberances and the work surface form acute angles between them. Therefore, the selected portions of the weft, while expanding through the expansion conduits, will take the "angled" position relative to the work surface and the final weft product will have the continuous "angled" domes, that is, the cross section axes of the continuous domes of which form acute angles with the general design of the frame. The weft having the crepe loosened in the selected portions can be foreshortened again by, for example, adhering the selected portions of loose and expanded crepe from the weft to the creping surface and then creping them with a scraper blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic and simplified side elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, showing a weft placed on a work surface.

Figure 2 is a view similar to one shown in Figure 1 and shows the web that is pressed between the work surface and the press surface. Figure 3 is a schematic and simplified side elevation view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, having a press surface and comprising extended projected areas. Figure 4 is a schematic and simplified side elevational view of another additional embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, having a press surface comprising extended projected areas and expansion passages. Figure 5 is a simplified schematic side elevational view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing the press surface comprising an agglomerated layer.

Figure 5A is a schematic and simplified side elevational view of another additional embodiment of the apparatus comprising two reciprocally opposed surfaces having corresponding expansion passages therethrough. Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the surface of work comprising a plurality of discrete ducts taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of the work surface comprising continuous ducts, taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 3. Figure 8 is a schematic and simplified side elevational view of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, showing both the press surface and the working surface of the expansion ducts between the same, the expansion ducts of the work surface correspond partially to the expansion ducts of the press surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a process and apparatus for increasing the volume of a foreshortening by causing the selected portions of the foreshortening to loosen the crepe, thereby expanding outward from one or both opposite sides of the weft. . A first step of the process of the present invention comprises providing a foreshortened weft and preferably fibrous. As used herein, the term "fibrous web" or simply "web" designates a macroscopically flat substrate comprising cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers or any combination thereof. The first step of providing a frame 60 can be preceded by the steps of forming that frame and then foreshortening the frame. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the formation of the web 60 may include the steps of providing a plurality of paper fibers. Suitable fibers comprising the web 60 may include recycled or secondary paper fibers as well as virgin paper fibers. These fibers may comprise hardwood fibers, softwood fibers and fibers that do not contain wood. In a typical, continuous papermaking process, the plurality of fibers are preferably suspended in a liquid carrier. More preferably, the plurality of fibers comprises an aqueous dispersion. Equipment for preparing aqueous dispersion of fibers is well known in the art and is therefore not illustrated herein. The aqueous dispersion of fibers can be provided to a ca main or main boxes. The main boxes and the equipment for preparing the aqueous dispersion of fibers are typically of the type set forth in U.S. Patent No. 3,994,771, issued to Morgan and Rich on November 30, 1976, the patent of which is incorporated herein by reference . The preparation of the aqueous dispersion of paper fibers and the physical characteristics of this aqueous dispersion are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent 4,529,480, the patent of which is incorporated herein by reference. The fibrous web suitable for the present invention can be manufactured by any papermaking process known in the art, including, but not limited to, a conventional process and an air-pass drying process. The present invention also contemplates the use of the weft 60 which has been wetted again. The rewetting of a previously manufactured dry weft can be used to create three-dimensional weft structures by, for example, embossing the rewetted web and then drying the embossed web. In the sense in which it is used in the present, the term "foreshortened" frame refers to a plot that has been contracted proportionally and practically along its length, that is, in a machine direction. In papermaking, the machine address, or MD, indicates the direction that is parallel to the same direction in which the weft flows through a papermaking equipment. The direction transverse to the machine, or CD, is perpendicular to the machine direction and parallel to the general design of the frame. The foreshortened weave in general is characterized by a plurality of micro-folds that run through the length of the weft. These micro-folds are commonly known in the art as "crepe". The foreshortening can be carried out by any method known in the art, for example, when creping, by transferring the web from the first press surface to a mobile transfer fabric or by combining them. In the sense in which it is used in the present, the weft that has been foreshortened has crepe in it, regardless of the method to foreshorten. Usually, the creping is carried out with a scraping blade for creping, juxtaposed with the creping surface having the weft adhered to it. Creping can be carried out according to the United States Patent assigned jointly 4,919,756, granted on April 24, 1992 to Sawdaí, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A conventional creping blade is placed against the creping surface in order to create an impact angle between the blade and the creping surface, wherein the impact angle varies between about 70 and 90 degrees. A creping adhesive can be applied directly to the creping surface. Creping adhesives comprising polyvinyl alcohol, animal-based protein glues or mixtures thereof, well known in the art, can be used. United States Patent 3,926,716 assigned jointly to Bates on December 16, 1975 and which is incorporated herein by reference, shows a creping adhesive with polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. Patent 4,501,640 issued to Soerens on February 26, 1985; U.S. Patent 5,187,219 issued to Furman, Jr. on February 16, 1983; U.S. Patent 5,494,554 issued to Edwards et al. on February 27, 1996 describe various types of creping adhesives. Optionally you can use various plasticizers together with the creping adhesive. For example, commercially sold plasticizer such as CREPETROL R 6390 is available from Hercules Incorporated of Wilmmgton, DE. The foreshortening comprises a process commonly described as a "microcont raccion". The microcontition includes transferring the web from a moving surface (typically a foramous member of a paper web) to another, a slow moving surface (typically a transfer web). U.S. Patent 4,440,597, assigned in a joint manner and incorporated herein by reference, discloses in detail a "wet microcontraction". Briefly, wet microcontraction involves transferring the weft having a low fiber consistency from a first member (such as a foraminous member) to a second member (such as an open weave fabric loop) that moves slower than the first member. first member. According to U.S. Patent 4,440,597, the preferred consistency of the weft before transfer is between about 10% and 30% fibers by weight and the most preferred consistency is between about 10% and 15%. The application of jointly assigned patent entitled "Process and Apparatus For Making Foreshortened Cellulosic Structure", filed in the name of Carol A. McLaughlm et al, on 12/19/97 (case P &B # 6966), is hereby incorporated by reference . The next step in the process of the present invention may comprise providing a work surface 20 designed to receive the foreshortened fibrous web 60. Figures 1 to 7 show various embodiments of the work surface 20. With respect to the embodiment, the surface Preferred workstation 20 has a plurality of fluid permeable micro-regions or expansion conduits 25 therethrough. As used herein, the term "fluid permeable" refers to the ability of the expansion ducts 25 to have a fluid, such as a liquid (water) or gas (air or vapor), transmitted. through conduits 25 without significant obstruction. The conduits 25 are referred to as "expansion conduits" because they provide hollow areas through which the selected portions of the weft can expand outwardly, as will be explained in more detail below. The expansion ducts 25 Preferred include holes or holes without obstructing, through the work surface 20. Preferably, the expansion conduits 25 are arranged in a pre-selected pattern and more preferably the pattern of their arrangement is not random or repetitive through of the entire work surface. A preferred work surface 20 is formed by a band comprising a frame 21 attached to a reinforcing structure 23, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Preferably, the frame 21 is resinous. The frame 21 pushes outwardly from the reinforcing structure 23, thereby forming the network area 22, as best shown in Figures 1 and 6. This type of band is described in several patents of the United States assigned in a joint manner. incorporated as reference herein and related in the foregoing. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 6 and 2, the network 22 is substantially continuous and macroscopically monoplane, and the plurality of fluid-permeable conduits 25 comprises a plurality of discrete orifices or holes that disperse through the network 22 practically continues and are covered by it. In the sense in which it is used in the present, the term "practically continuous" indicates that interruptions in absolute geometric continuity, while not preferred, may be tolerable, as long as these interruptions do not adversely affect the performance of frame 21 and network 22. be careful to observe that the modalities (not shown) are possible in which the interruptions in the absolute continuity of the frame 21 (and therefore the network 22) pretend to be part of the total design of the work surface 20. Preferably, the conduits 25 are arranged in a pre-selected pattern across the entire network 22 and most preferably, the pattern of The arrangement of the conduits 25 is neither random nor repetitive, such as, for example, a continuous cross-linked pattern, as best shown in Figure 6. The web having a continuous network 22 and discrete fluid-permeable expansion conduits 25. , HE is primarily set forth in United States patents assigned jointly and incorporated herein by reference 4,528,239 issued July 9, 1985 to Trokhan; 4,529,480 granted on July 16, 1985 to Trokhan; 4,637,859 granted on January 20, 1987 to Trokhan; 5,098,522 awarded on March 24, 1992 to Trokhan et al .; 5,275,700 granted on January 4, 1994 to Trokhan; 5,334,289 issued on August 2, 1994 to Trokhan; and 5,364,504 issued November 15, 1985 to Smurkoski et al. The patterned work surface 20 may comprise discrete areas, alternately or in addition to the continuous network 22. Figures 3 and 7 show the work surface 20 comprising a plurality of discrete areas formed by discrete projections 27 extending outwardly. from the reinforcing structure 23 and separated from each other by an area of virtually continuous expansion ducts. The discrete areas formed by the individual projections may have the discrete expansion conduits therethrough, similar to the expansion conduits described above in the context of the continuous work area. The band having the frame 21 and comprising the discrete projections is mainly set forth in the United States Patent assigned jointly and incorporated herein by reference 4,245,025 issued September 14, 1993 to Trokhan et al. and U.S. Patent 5,527,428 issued June 18 from 1996 to Trokhan et al. Also, the paper web having the discrete protuberances raised above the plane of the fabric can be manufactured in accordance with European Patent Application 95105513.6, Publication No. 0 677 612 A2, filed on 12.04.95, by the inventor Wendt et al. . The work surface 20 may comprise a fluid-permeable stage or, in a preferred continuous process, an endless band permeable to fluids or band 28, as shown schematically in Figure 5. The endless band or band 28 is designed for travel continuously in the machine direction. The fluid permeability of the web 28 can be achieved by drilling (preferably, according to a predetermined pattern) the web 28 through its thickness or by other conventional means, to provide the expansion conduits 25. Preferably, the band 28 is juxtaposed with a fluid-permeable fabric 50 (Figures 4 and 5). The fabric 50 should preferably have a sufficient amount of void volume to be able to receive moisture directed into the fabric 50 from the weft 60, as will be explained in more detail below. The fabric 50 can be woven or non-woven. A preferred fabric comprises Duraflex Spiral Fabric Band, made by Albany International, Engmeered Fabrics of Portland, TN. The next two steps in the process of the present invention comprise placing the foreshortened web 60 on the work surface 20 and wetting the web 60. These steps can be performed sequentially or simultaneously. If the dry foreshortening 60 is first placed on the work surface 20, the moisture can be added subsequently to the web 60 associated with the work surface 20. If the foreshortened web 60 is first wetted and then placed on the work surface 20, the wet transfer can be used in the process of the present invention for the step of placing the weft 60 on the work surface 20. As one skilled in the art will recognize, the wet transfer comprises transferring the wet weft from a carrier (a foraminous member or band) to another carrier using vacuum or differential pressure. Various means can be used to moisten the foreshortened weft 60. For example, the foreshortened weft 60 can be sprayed with water or moistened with steam. Preferably, frame 60 is moistens to have a moisture content between about 95% and 25%. More preferably, the moisture content of the web 60, after it has been wetted, is between about 80% and 40%. According to the present invention, the total web 60 can be moistened to have the necessary moisture content. Alternatively, the moisture may be added primarily to the selected portions 62 of the web 60. As used herein, the "selected portions" 62 of the web 60 are those portions corresponding to the expansion ducts. 25 of the work surface 20 when the weft is placed on the work surface 20. Preferably, the selected portions 62 are not in direct and immediate contact with the work surface 20, due to the existence of the expansion conduits. In case the moisture is mainly added to the selected portions 62 of the web 60, it is preferred that the step of wetting the foreshored web 60 be carried out after or simultaneously with the step of placing the web 60 on the work surface twenty.

The moisture added to the web 60 may comp various functional paper additives, such as, for example, softening and disintegrating agents. Examples include, but are not limited to: a nonionic surfactant described in U.S. Patent 5,527,560, issued June 18, 1996 to Fereshtehkhou et al .; a softening composition compng a quaternary ammonium compound, a polysiloxane compound, and binder materials described in co-assigned United States Patent 5,573,753, issued November 12, 1996 to Ampulski et al .; a water-soluble polyhydroxy compound described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent 5,624,532, issued April 29, 1997 to Phan et al .; a disintegrant agent described in Canadian Patent 2,118,529, issued February 2, 1996 to Edwards et al .; a softening agent described in U.S. Patent 5,716,498, issued February 10, 1998 to Jenny et al .; a cationic nitrogen softening / disintegrating agent disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,695,607, issued December 9, 1997 to Awofeso et al .; softening / disintegrating agents described in U.S. Patent 5,552,020, issued September 3, 1996 to Schroeder et al .; a cationic silicone described in U.S. Patent 5,591,306, issued January 7, 1997 to Kaun et al .; and others. Other functional additives such as, for example, lotions, emulsions, perfumes, anti-microbial and antibacterial agents and wet strength reams may also be included in the wetting. In accordance with the present invention, the moisture added to the screen 60 or the selected portions 62 of the frame loosens the crepe at the selected portions 62. Accordingly, the selected portions 62 expand outwardly from the overall design of the frame 60, thereby increasing the volume of the frame 60. Preferably, the selected portions 62 expand through the expansion conduits 25 of the work surface 20. At the same time, in accordance with the present invention, the remainder of the frame 60 retains the crepe therein. In the sense in which it is used in the present, the rest of the frame retaining the crepe is defined to comp the "portions in contact with the surface" 61 of the frame 60, for the portions in contact with the surface 61 are in direct and immediate contact with the work surface 20, in contrast to the selected portions 62 corresponding to the expansion conduits 25. In the embodiment in which moisture is added only to the selected portions 62 of the raster, the portions in contact with the surface 61 retain the crepe mainly because they have not been moistened. Additionally, the surface of work 20 can be treated to intensify the friction between the work surface 20 and the portions in contact with the surface 61, this friction preferably should be sufficient to prevent the lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface 61 in relation to the work surface 20. The friction between the work surface 20 and the portions in contact with the surface 61 can be intensified by, for example, providing the work surface with asperities therein, designed to mechanically couple the portions in contact with the surface 61 in order to avoid or restrict its lateral movement. Alternatively or additionally, the work surface can be treated with an adhesive suitable, to temporarily adhere the portions in contact with the surface 61 to the work surface 20. Neither the asperities nor the treatment with adhesive are illustrated in the drawings, one skilled in the art will be able to easily visualize both modalities. Other means for creating sufficient friction between the work surface 20 and the portions in contact with the surface 61 of the weft 60 can be employed in the apparatus of the present invention to prevent lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface. in relation to the work surface 20. After the crepe has loosened in the selected portions 62 under the influence of moisture, while the remainder of the frame 60 retains the crepe, the frame 60 comprises at least two distinct regions - a region formed by the foreshortened portion of the weft that has retained the crepe therein (ie, comprising the portions in contact with the surface 61), and a region formed by the loosened crepe portions (i.e. which comprises the selected portions 62) that extend outwardly from the general design of the weft 60 and preferably with this have increased their caliber, relative to the porc ions in contact with the surface 61 Each of the The regions may be essentially continuous or comprise a plurality of discrete micro-regions or a combination thereof, depending on the design of the surface 20 as already discussed above. Preferably, in the final product, the selected loosened crepe portions 62 comprise a plurality of discrete domes extending outwardly from the plane formed by the foreshortened portions of the weft 60. The domes may extend from one side of the weft 20 (Figures 2 to 5), or from the opposite sides of the frame 20 (Figures 5A and 8). Optionally, the selected wetted portions 62 of the weft 60 can be deflected inside the expansion conduits 25 of the work surface 20 to facilitate the expansion of the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 through the conduits of the weft. expansion 25 of the work surface 20. A variety of deflection means can be used in the process and apparatus 10 of the present invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that the vacuum pressure or differential pressure can be used as a means of deflection. The deflection means may also comprise steam or water current, preferably under pressure, through the selected portions 62 and through the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20. A combination of steam and water as a means of deflection is also contemplated by the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 comprises a press surface 30. The press surface 30 is a surface designed to constrict or press the weft 60 against the work surface 20. The press surface 30 is in opposition to the work surface 20 and preferably practically parallel to the work surface 20. Although the drawings show the press surface 30 and the work surface 20 as practically flat surfaces, it should be appreciated that both press and work surfaces 30, 20 can be bent, or have another configuration not flat, as long as they are able to receive and constrict the plot 60 between them. FIGS. 1 to 8 show various embodiments of the press surface 30. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the press surface 30 comprises a practically flat and unpatterned area. In Figures 3 and 4, the press surface 30 it comprises projected areas 31, preferably having a predetermined pattern. The projected areas 31 may comprise a practically continuous or alternatively discrete area, as already explained above in the context of the network 22 of the work surface 20. The combination of continuous areas and discrete areas of the press surface 30 is also contemplated. in the present invention. Figures 3 and 4 show that at least some of the projected areas 31 of the press surface correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20 In these two embodiments, the deflection means comprise the projected areas 31 of the press surface 30, which correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20. The projected areas 31 facilitate the expansion of the selected portions 62 through the conduits 25. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the The press surface 30, either flat or having projected areas 31, may comprise expansion ducts 35, similar to those of the work surface 20. Figure 4 shows the expansion ducts 35 corresponding to the projected areas 31 and Figure 8 shows the conduits 35 that do not correspond to the projected areas 31. In both cases, however, when the web 60 is constricted between the press surface 30, and the work surface 20, at least some of the expansion passages 35 of the press surface 30 correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20, as shown in Figures 4 and 8.

Of course, one embodiment is possible in which none of the expansion ducts 35 of the press surface 30 correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20 (not shown). Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the press surface 30 comprising a surface of an agglomerated layer 40 capable of retaining sufficient moisture volume. The agglomerated layer 40 is a preferred means for moistening the weft 60. The agglomerated layer 40 can be made of any suitable material. A suitable material for the agglomerated layer 40 is agglomerated stainless steel having pores of approximately 40 micrometers (μm) in diameter, made by Mott Corporation, 84 Spring Lane Farmmgton, CT 06032-3159 Preferably, the agglomerated layer 40 is capable of retaining a humidity in it in sufficient quantity to moisten the plot 60 to the required consistency / moisture content as defined herein. The apparatus 10 of the present invention preferably also comprises a support surface 24. The support surface 24, shown in Figures 4, 5 and 8, is a surface designed in such a way that the work surface 20 is capable of be interposed between the support surface 24 and the press surface 30, the surface of The work 20 is oriented towards the press surface 30. Preferably, the support surface 24 is not in direct contact with the work surface 20. That is, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, there is a distance D between the work surface and the support surface 24. Preferably, the support surface 24 is associated with the work surface 20 through the fabric 50 as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the embodiment of the apparatus 10 and the process of the present invention, comprising the support surface 24, the step of the process to constrict the foreshortened weft 60 between the work surface 20 and the press surface 30 comprises pressing the work surface 20 with the weft 60 associated therewith between the press surface 30 and the support surface 24.

In a preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention, illustrated schematically in Figure 5, the dry foreshortened weft 60 is first placed on the work surface 20 by any conventional means. Then, the foreshortened weft 60 placed on the work surface 20 is brought into contact with the work surface 20 so that the weft 60 is constricted between the press surface 30 and the press surface 30 comprising the agglomerated layer 40. When the frame 60 is contacted in this way by the agglomerated layer 40, the web 60 begins to receive moisture from the agglomerated layer 40 on one of the sides of the web. A pressure can be applied to facilitate wetting of the web 60 by the agglomerated layer 40. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a differential temperature is created between the press surface 30 and the work surface 20. The differential temperature must be sufficient to cause the moisture to be added to at least the selected portions 62 of the frame 60 for moving through the selected portions 62 in the direction from one of the surfaces 30, 20 and the other 20, 30. Preferably. the differential temperature between the press surface 30 and the work surface 20 is provided by heating the press surface 30 to a temperature TI, and maintaining the support surface 24 at a temperature T2 sufficiently below it. In this way, the differential temperature between the press surface 30 and the work surface 20 is preferably provided by creating the differential temperature between the press surface 30 and the support surface 24. The preferred arrangement is illustrated in the drawings. wherein the side of the web that comes into contact with the press surface 30 is first moistened, and the humidity is conducted below the differential temperature from the press surface 30 to the work surface 20 and further through the air passages. expansion 25 of the work surface 20 into the interior of the fabric 50. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the direction of movement of moisture through the weft 60 could be reversed, with the proviso that the the working surface 20 is sufficiently large in relation to the temperature of the press surface 30. It should also be appreciated that in the sense in which it is used in the present, the terms "press surface" and "work surface" are relative terms and expansion ducts may be provided in the two or both in one of the press surface 30 and the work surface 20. Accordingly, the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 can be expanded through the conduits of both or either one of the press surface 30 and the work surface 20. In the preferred embodiment, the press surface 30 is heated to obtain the temperature TI greater than the temperature T2 of the support surface 24. In Figure 4, the differential temperature ΔT between the press surface 20 and the support surface 24 causes the moisture contained in the agglomerated layer 40 to move inwards and through the weft 60 and towards the supporting surface 24. Because the portions in contact with the surface 61 of the frame 60 are sufficiently constrained between the press surface 30 and the work surface 20, the Repé in the portions in contact with the surface 61 is unaffected (or, if desired, affected to a lesser extent) by the moisture conducted through the web 60 from the press surface 30 to the support surface 20. However, due to the existence of the expansion ducts 25 on the work surface 20, the selected areas 62 corresponding to the expansion ducts 25 are not constricted or constrict, if at all, only on a single side associated with the press surface 30, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the selected portions 62 are relatively free to expand towards the support surface 24. The preferred differential temperature ΔT between the press surface 30 and the support surface 24 is at least 50. ° F, and the most preferred differential temperature T is at least 100 ° F. The temperature T2 of the "cold" surface (i.e., the support surface 24 in Figures 4, 5 and 8) is preferably less than 212 ° F.

Figure 5A shows an embodiment in which the selected portions 62 are relatively unconstrained on both sides of the weft 60, in Figure 5A the expansion conduits 25 of the working surface 20 correspond to the expansion conduits 35 of the surface Press 30. It should also be understood that while Figure 5A shows the embodiments in which the same selected portion 62 expands outwardly on both sides of the reciprocally opposite portion 62, the modality is possible (and may even be preferred) in which some of the selected portions 62 expand outwardly on one side of the frame 60, while the other selected portions 62 expand on the other (opposite) side of the frame 60. A modality is also possible in which the selected portions 62 expand partially outwardly on both sides of the weft 60 as shown in Figure 8., ie, only the portions of the selected portions 62 expand on both sides of the frame 60. In Figure 8, the ducts 35 of the press surface 30 partially correspond to the ducts 25 of the work surface 20. Preferably , the selected portions 62 are free to expand through the expansion ducts 25 and 35. It is believed that the moisture moving through the selected portions 62 and through the expansion ducts 25 in the direction toward the supporting surface 24 facilitates the expansion of the selected portions 62 through the expansion ducts 25, thereby loosening the crepe at the selected portions 62 of the frame 60. As the selected portions 62 moistened from the raster 60 expand through the expansion ducts 25 and / or 35 the caliber of the selected portions 60 increases, thereby increasing the total volume of the raster 60 In the finished raster product (not shown), the selected portions 60 they have a pattern which in a plan view is substantially similar to the pattern of the work surface 20 which includes the expansion ducts 25 and / or 35. The continuous and even foreshortened, preferred area comprising the portions in contact with the surface 61 provides strength, while the discrete domes comprising the selected portions of loosened crepe 62 generate volume, and it is believed in this way that they improve the softness and absorbency of the final weft product. Further densification of the portions in contact with the surface 61 can provide a further improvement of the strength of the finished screen product. While not preferred, the steam that moves under pressure through the selected portions 62 of the weft can be used in the present invention even without the use of the press surface 30 and the supporting surface 24 and without the aid of the differential temperature? T between the press surface 30 and the support surface 24. A person skilled in the art will readily be able to visualize a mode (not shown) in which the steam is forced to penetrate under pressure to the selected portions 62 and moves through the ducts. expansion 25, thereby causing the crepe in the selected portions 62 to loosen and expand the selected portions 62. In the latter mode, steam is preferably condensed in the fabric 50 and recycled. Figures 4 and 5 show preferred embodiments of the apparatus 10 of the present invention, comprising two opposite members: a press member 36 having the press surface 30, and a support member 26, which has the support surface 24. In the Preferred continuous process of the present invention, each of the press members 36 and the support member 26 comprises an endless band or band traveling in the machine direction. In Figure 5, the press member 36 comprises the agglomerated layer 40, and the support member 26 is associated with the moisture receiving fabric 50, it also comprises an endless band. Preferably, the moisture that is conducted through the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 through the expansion ducts. of the work surface 20 is condensed in the fabric 50 placed between the work surface 20 and the support surface 24. Preferably, in the process of the present invention, a means is used to collect and recycle moisture, well known in the art. The technique. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20, and the portions in contact with the surface 61 of the weft 60 correspond to the surface of 20 work and are in contact with it. In Figures 2 to 5, the portions in contact with the surface 61 are constricted between the work surface 20 and the press surface 30. As explained above, the pressure must be sufficient to effectively constrain the portions 61 in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20 in order to retain the existing crepe in the portions in contact with the surface 61. However, if desired, the pressure can be applied in excess which is necessary to retain the crepe in the portions in contact with the surface 61. In the latter case, the portions in contact with the surface 61 are they may densify, while the selected portions 62, which correspond to the expansion ducts 25, do not densify, or, if desired, densify to a lesser degree than the portions in contact with the surface 61. By densifying the portions in contact With the foreshortened surface 61, a further improvement in the weft strength can be achieved. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the relative degree of densification of the portions in contact with the surface 61 and the selected portions 62 may depend on the applied pressure and a relative geometry of the work surface 20 and the press surface 30. If If desired, the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 can also be constricted in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20. For example, the selected portions 62 can be compressed between the press surface 30 and the fabric 50, as shown in FIG. Figure 4. In the latter case, both portions in contact with the surface 61 and the selected portions 62 of the frame 60 can be densified although to a different degree. The differential pressure between the pressure applied to the portions in contact with the surface 61 and the pressure applied to the selected portions 62 is it can control, on the one hand, by the distance between the press surface 30 and the corresponding work surface 20, and on the other by the distance between the press surface 30 and a surface that restricts the expansion of the portions 62, i.e. the surface of the reinforcing structure 23 in Figure 3, or the surface of the fabric 50 in Figure 4. Figures 3 and 4 show two exemplary embodiments of the work surface 20 super imposed with the press surface. In Figure 3, the press surface 30 comprises the projected areas 31. Some of the projected areas 31, that is, the projected areas designated with the number 31b, correspond to (or are in register with) the work surface 20. Other projected areas 31, ie, the projected areas designated with the number 31a, correspond to (or are in register with) the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20. While the mode of the The work surface 20 shown in Figures 3 and 7 comprises discrete protuberances 27 encompassed by the continuous expansion conduit 25, it being understood that the projected areas of both working surfaces 20 and the press surface 30 are not visible. they can (and preferably do) comprise the continuous network 22 described hereinbefore and which is best shown in Figure 6. (One skilled in the art will appreciate that the schematic side elevation view shown in Figure 3 is equally applicable. to network 22 comprising both continuous patterns shown in Figure 6 and the discrete pattern shown in Figure 7.) It should be carefully noted that in Figure 3, some of the projected areas 31, i.e. projected areas 31a, of the press surface 30 do not have corresponding protuberances 27 of the work surface 20, therefore, they do not correspond to the work surface 20. Still, the selected portions 62 of the frame 60 can be partially constrained between the projected areas 31 a and the reinforcing structure 23. The selected portions 62 are constricted to a lesser degree in relation to the selected portions 61. Because the projected areas 31a correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20, ba or the differential temperature ΔT, the humidity travels from the projected areas 31 a through the frame 60, as already described above. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the pressure caused by the projected areas 31a that partially compress the selected portions 62 against the reinforcing structure 23 is less than the pressure caused by the projected areas 31b that compress the portions in contact with the surface 61 against the work surface 20. Therefore, it is believed that in the embodiment shown schematically in Figure 3, the selected portions 62 comprise sub-portions 62a that are relatively unconstrained in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20 and sub-portions 62b that are restricted and can be compressed partially by the projected areas 31 a which correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the Applicants believe that this main arrangement of the work surface 20 and the press surface 30 can produce advantageously a frame having at least three differential micro-regions: a first micro-region formed by the portions in contact with the surface 61 constricted in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20 and thus retain substantially the crepe in the same; a second micro-region formed by the sub portions 62b partially constricted and partially expanding in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20 and thus having the crepe partially loosened therein; and a third micro-region formed by the sub-portions 62a relatively unconstrained in the direction perpendicular to the working surface 20 and having the crepe substantially loosened therein, the sub-portions 62a of the third micro-region expand in the direction perpendicular to the work surface 20. In Figure 4, which shows another example embodiment of the apparatus 10 of the present invention, the projected areas 31 of the press surface 30 are in register with the ducts 25 of the surface 20 so that when the web 60 is constricted between the press surface 30 and the work surface 20, the projected areas 31 facilitate deflection of the selected portions 62 in the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20. In Figure 4, the projected areas 31 of the press surface 30 correspond to the expansion ducts 25 of the work surface 20 and are in contact with the selected portions 62 of the frame 60.

When the web 60 is compressed, the projected areas 31 push, by contact, the selected portions 62 into the ducts 25, thereby causing the selected portions 62 to expand, as shown in Figure 4. While the Figures 2 to 5 show the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 that expand practically perpendicular to the work surface 20 and to the overall design of the weft 60, the "angled" expansion of the selected portions 62 is also contemplated by the present invention. Two patent applications assigned jointly, Serial No. 08 / 858,662 and Serial No. 08 / 858,661, both entitled "Cellulosic Web, Method and Apparatus for Making the Same Using Papermaking Belt, are incorporated herein by reference. Having Angled Cross-Sectional Structure, and Method of Making the Belt. " The above application discloses a paper web comprising a continuous resinous frame attached to a reinforcing structure and having a plurality of discrete ducts therein, at least some of the ducts have an "angled" position relative to the plane of the web, that is to say, the axes of the conduits and the surface of the band form acute angles between them. The last application discloses the band having a plurality of resinous protuberances attached to the reinforcing structure and a continuous conduit in at least some of the protuberances which are angled with respect to the surface of the band, i.e. the axes of the protuberances and the surface of the band form acute angles between them. These embodiments are not illustrated herein, in order to have a view of the two jointly assigned patent applications, cited hereinbefore, one skilled in the art will be able to easily visualize the "angled" expansion of portions. selected 62 of the frame 60. The frame 60, after having been subjected to the process of the present invention, can be re-foreshortening, if desired. In the sense in which it is used in the present, the term "re-foreshortening" refers to the foreshortening process of the plot that has already been foreshortened at least partially. For example, the web 60, which comprises the previously foreshortened portions 61 and the selected portions 62 can be adhered to the creping surface and then creped therewith with a creping blade.

By way of illustration, and not as a limitation, the following examples are presented. A creped paper web, manufactured in a conventional manner, which has a base weight of approximately 11 pounds by 3000 square feet, and the 6.0 mil caliper, the crepe was loosened according to the present invention and then tested. The following TABLE illustrates the results of the test.

TABLE For comparison, a base sample of the dry weft having a caliber of 6.0 thousandths of an inch, which was not subjected to the process of this invention, is shown in the first line of the Table. Tests I and II were conducted using the apparatus 10 of the present invention, illustrated primarily in Figure 5. More specifically, this apparatus 10 comprises the work surface 20 formed by the surface of a platen 28 of 6"? 6" which it has a plurality of expansion conduits 25 therein and the press surface 30 formed by the surface of the agglomerated layer 40. The conduits 25 are distributed across the entire working surface 20 in a stepped pattern such that the platen 28 have 40% open area (i.e., ducts 25 comprising 40% of the entire stage surface). The plate 28 is made of a perforated metal, with 14 AL gauge. Each of the conduits 25 is an aperture having a diameter of 0.125"The agglomerated layer 40 is formed by a 6" x 10"0.078" Agglomerated Stainless Steel, having a pore size of 40μm, manufactured by Mott Corporation and related herein in the foregoing. The plate 28 is adjacent to the condensation fabric 50 formed by the 6"? 6" portion of the Spiral Tissue Duraflex Band, manufactured by Albany International, Inc., to which reference was made in the foregoing. Tests III and IV were conducted using apparatus 10, shown schematically in Figure 5A. This apparatus 10 comprises two plates 28 of 6"? 6" reciprocally opposite, described in the previous paragraph. The platens 28 are interposed in such a way that their respective conduits 25 and 35 correspond, as shown in Figure 5A. The agglomerated layer 40 and the fabric 50 are identical to those described in the previous paragraph. In all tests from I to IV, a press (not shown) was used to cause the press member 36 and the support member 26 to move in the direction of the other and press the work surface 20 with the weft 60 associated between them. The press used is a Carver Laboratory Press, Model "C", manufactured by Carver, Inc., of Indiana (1569 Morris street, Wabash, IN 46992-0544). The press is equipped with 6"? 6" Electric Heating Plates, Catalog No. 2101, available from Carver, Inc. In all tests from I to IV, frame 60 was interposed between work surface 20 and the press surface 30, the weft 60 was at least partially wetted and compressed between press and work surfaces 30, 20 at a pressure of 55 psi (cylinder pressure) for 7 minutes. The size of the selected portions of the dry weft 60 (which has a fiber consistency of approximately 95%) was then measured. In Run I, the complete sample of the weave 60 was wetted to have a fiber consistency of approximately 20% . As shown in the TABLE, the gauge of the screen 60 increased to 8.9 mils, that is, to more than 48% in relation to the base sample caliber of 6.0 mils. For comparison, in Test II, a dry sample (approximately 95% fiber consistency) of the screen 60 was compressed under the same pressure; the resulting gauge was only 5.3 mils. In Test III, only the selected portions 62, corresponding to the expansion ducts 25 and 35, were wetted to have a fiber consistency of approximately 20%. The resulting gauge of the selected portions 62 was 8.2 mils, ie, increased to more than 36%, relative to the base sample gauge of 6.0 mils. In Test IV, the dried sample (approximately 95% fiber consistency) of the weft, after it was compressed to the 55 psi pressure, had a caliber of 5.2 mils. The caliber of the selected portions 62 of the weft 60 was measured as the thickness of the selected portions 62 was "preconditioned" when subjected to a compression load of 15 grams per square centimeter (g / cm2), or 95 grams per square inch (g / in2), with a press foot that has a diameter of 2 inches (5.08 cm). The term "preconditioned" means a web subjected to a temperature of (23 ± 1) ° C, and a relative humidity of (50 ± 2)% for 24 hours, in accordance with the TAPPI Method # T4020M-88. The gauge was measured with a thickness tester model 89-11 Thwing-Albert manufactured by Thwing-Albert Co. of F ladelfia, PA.

Claims

RE IVINGJICAC IONS 1. A process for increasing the volume of a foreshortened web, the process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a foreshortened web comprising a crepe and having a general design; (b) adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the foreshortened weave, thereby causing loosening of the crepe in the selected portions of the weft and expansion of the selected portions of the weft outwardly from the overall design of the weft; and (c) retain the crepe in the rest of the frame.
2. A process for increasing the volume of a foreshortened web, the process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a foreshortened web having two opposite sides and comprising crepe therein; (b) providing reciprocally opposing surfaces designed to receive the foreshortened web between them, at least one of the surfaces it has a plurality of fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough; (c) placing the foreshortened web between the two mutually opposite surfaces such that each of the surfaces is in contact with one side of the web, thereby retaining the web in those portions of the foreshortened web that do not correspond to the ducts of expansion; (d) adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the foreshortened web, the selected portions of which correspond to the expansion ducts when the foreshortened web is constricted between the two surfaces, thereby causing loosening of the crepe in the selected portions and expansion of the selected portions of the frame through the expansion conduits.
3. A process for increasing the volume of a foreshortened fibrous web, the process comprises the steps of: (a) providing a foreshortened fibrous web having crepe thereon; (b) provide a work surface designed to receive the foreshortened fibrous web in the same and having fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough; (c) providing a press surface opposite to the work surface, the work surface and the press surface are designed to compress the foreshortened fibrous web between them; (d) providing a support surface such that the work surface is positioned between the support surface and the press surface; (e) placing the foreshortened fibrous web on the work surface; (f) adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the foreshortened fibrous web, the selected portions of which correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface; (g) constricting the web between the work surface and the press surface in the direction practically perpendicular to the work surface, thereby retaining the crepe in those portions of the foreshortened web, the portions of which do not correspond to the expansion ducts; and (h) creating a differential temperature between the work surface and the support surface. preferably the temperature of the press surface must be greater than the temperature of the support surface, the differential temperature is sufficient to cause the moisture to be added to the selected portions of the foreshortened weave to move through them loosening with this the crepe in the selected portions of the frame that correspond to the deflection conduits.
4. The process according to Claims 1, 2 and 3, further comprising the step of deflecting, under pressure, the selected wetted portions of the foreshortened web, thereby facilitating the expansion of the selected portions of the web.
5. The process according to Claims 1, 2, 3 and 4, wherein the step of retaining the crepe comprises adhering the portions in contact with the surface of the foreshortened weft to the working surface thereby avoiding the lateral movement of the portions in contact with the surface of the frame.
6. The process according to Claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein the step of adding moisture to the less the selected portions of the screen comprises the steps of: providing steam, and directing the steam through at least the selected portions of the screen, thereby facilitating loosening of the crepe therein.
7. The process according to Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, further comprising a step of re-foreshortening the weft.
8. The process according to Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, wherein in the step of adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the weft, the moisture comprises substances selected from the group consisting of additives for the Functional paper making.
9. An apparatus for increasing the volume of a foreshortened web, the apparatus comprises: a work surface designed to receive therein a foreshortened web comprising crepe; a means for placing the foreshortened weft on the work surface; a means for adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the foreshortened weave, thereby causing the crepe in the selected portions to loosen and the selected portions to expand outwardly; and a means to retain the crepe in the rest of the plot.
10. An apparatus for increasing the volume of a foreshortening comprising crepe, the apparatus comprises: a work surface designed to receive a foreshortened weft therein and having a plurality of fluid-permeable expansion conduits therethrough, the foreshortened weave comprises crepe; a means for placing the foreshortened weft on the work surface; a means for adding moisture to at least the selected portions of the foreshortened web, such that when the web is placed on the work surface, the selected portions of the web correspond to the expansion ducts of the work surface, and the portions in contact with the surface of the weft correspond to the work surface, and a means for retaining the crepe in the portions in contact with the surface of the weft in such a way that when the weft is placed on the work surface, the moisture added to the surface less the selected portions cause the crepe in the selected portions to loosen and the selected portions to expand through the expansion ducts of the work surface, while the portions in contact with the surface retain the crepe therein.
The apparatus according to Claims 9 and 10, further comprising a press surface opposite the working surface designed to contact the foreshortened weft placed on the work surface
12. The apparatus according to Claims 9, 10 and 11, wherein the press surface comprises projected areas, preferably the projected areas of the press surface are in register with the expansion ducts of the working surface j or
13. The apparatus according to Claims 9, 10, 11 and 12, wherein the press surface has expansion ducts therethrough, preferably the expansion ducts of the press surface are in register with the expansion ducts of the press surface. job.
14. The apparatus according to claims 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, further comprising a support surface associated with the work surface such that the work surface is placed between the support surface and the press surface while orienting towards the press surface, and a means to create a differential temperature between the press surface and the support surface, the differential temperature will be sufficient to cause the moisture added to the selected portions of the web to travel through it, loosening with this the crepe in the selected portions of the frame.
The process according to Claims 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, where the differential temperature is between approximately 50 ° F and 212 ° F, preferably the surface temperature is greater than the temperature of the support surface, the differential temperature causes the moisture added at least to the selected portions of the web to move in the direction of the press surface towards the support surface.
16. The apparatus according to Claims 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, wherein the means for moistening at least the selected portions of the weft comprises an agglomerated layer, the agglomerated layer preferably comprises the press surface.
17. The apparatus according to Claims 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, wherein the means for moistening at least the selected portions of the screen comprises steam.
18. The apparatus according to Claims 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, wherein each of the press surface, work surface and support surface comprises an endless belt or band designed to travel continuously in a machine direction.
19. An apparatus for increasing the volume of a foreshortened fibrous web comprising crepe, the apparatus comprising: two reciprocally opposed surfaces designed to receive and constrain the foreshortened web between them, at least one of the surfaces has a plurality of permeable expansion ducts. fluids through them; means for moistening at least the selected portions of the foreshortened web, the selected portions correspond to the expansion ducts on at least one of the two surfaces when the foreshortened web is placed between them; and a means for creating a differential temperature between the two surfaces such that when the web is constrained therebetween, the differential temperature is sufficient to cause the added moisture to at least the selected portions of the web to move through. the weft in the direction of one surface towards the other, loosening with this the crepe of the selected portions of the weft and causing that the selected portions expand through the expansion ducts.
20. The apparatus according to Claim 19, further comprising means for continuously moving the two surfaces in a machine direction.