Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Steven J Hickey

John Alexander Werner, Iv

Cristiano Bobba

Oriol Margo Moreno

Giovanni Massarotti

Paul David Bradford

Michael Alan Hermans

Frank Stephen Hada

John Alexander Werner Iv

Giovanni Massaroti

The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 20 to about 30 gsm, without the negative effects often associated with higher basis weight. As such, the tissue products are generally soft and flexible, having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 12.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20. While being soft and flexible, the instant tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a GMT greater than about 600 g/3&#x2033; and a Burst Index greater than about 12.0.

Soft high basis weight tissue

A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing machine in a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in , the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a heated drying cylinder. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The process provides a web having an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not expected in wet-pressed products.

Method for making tissue sheets on a modified conventional wet-pressed machine

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Maidstone, United Kingdom

Steven J Hickey