Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Tammy Lynn Baum

James Leo Baggot

Benjamin Peter Sierra

Clayton Charles Troxell

Michael Alan Hermans

Sharon S Chang

Paul Kerner Pauling

Elizabeth Oriel Bradley

Devon Gaynelle Curley

MaryAnn Zunker

Lisa Maria Kocourek

Jeffrey Dean Lindsay

Paul Douglas Beuther

Donald Eugene Waldroup

Kou-Chang Liu

Geoffrey Fenn Carlow

Eric Kent Isom, Jr

Benjamin C Sarbo

Anthony Mark Gambaro

David Robert Gruber

John Hanson

Alexander F Gunn

Linda Marie Barran

James A Wood

Linda A Connor Sledge

Renee Kristine Wagner

Jessie Jeannine McGuire

Claudia Helena Javenkoski

Timothy D Ferguson

Daniel J Vanderheiden

Roger E Wendler

Clayton C Troxel

Embossed, multi-ply tissue products having consumer preferred physical properties and an aesthetically pleasing appearance such as a first tissue ply having a molded topographical pattern and a first embossed pattern comprising a plurality of embossed elements disposed thereon and a second tissue ply having a molded topographical pattern and a second embossed pattern comprising a plurality of dot emboss elements disposed thereon. The multi-ply tissue products generally have improved sheet bulk, such as a sheet bulk greater than about 15 cubic centimeters per gram (cc/g), and improved softness, such as an Average TS7 less than about 12.0 and more preferably less than about 11.0, such as from about 10.0 to about 12.0. The foregoing Average TS7 values may be obtained at a product geometric mean tensile strength (GMT) from about 800 to about 1,200 g/3″.

Embossed multi-ply tissue product

Disclosed are embossed, multi-ply tissue products having consumer preferred physical properties and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The products may have a first ply embossed with a first pattern comprising line emboss elements and a second ply embossed with a second embossing pattern comprising dot emboss elements. In addition to having plies with different embossing patterns, the plies may have different tensile strength, such as a first ply having a geometric mean tensile (GMT) strength greater than 500 g/3″ and a second ply having a GMT less than 500 g/3″. Preferably the difference in the GMT between the first and second plies is at least about 20 percent, such as from about 20 to about 50 percent.

The present invention provides a method of producing a decorative tissue product, while controlling tensile degradation in a predicable fashion. The foregoing properties may be achieved using differential depth embossing in conjunction with an embossing pattern having particular characteristics. The use of an engraved roll, such as an embossing roll, having protuberances of differing depths and patterns not only improves the properties and characteristics of the fibrous structure, but may also be used to impart a unique pattern that provides the product with a distinctive look and is appealing to consumers. Generally the unique pattern results from a first set of protuberances having a first height and defining a first pattern and a second set of embossing elements having a second height and defining a second pattern, where the first height is greater than the second height.

Patterned tissue product

Rolled tissue product

Tissue paper with embossing pattern

Embossed tissue sheet

Spirally wound paper products are disclosed having desirable roll firmness characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the tissue web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the fuzz-on-edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound.

Shear-calendering process for producing tissue webs

Shear-calendering processes for making rolled tissue products having high bulk, softness and firmness

Spirally wound single-ply web products having a chemical additive applied to at least one surface exhibit desirable roll bulk characteristics and softness properties. The rolled products can be made from a single-ply tissue web formed according to various processes. Once formed, the web is subjected to a shear-calendering device that increases the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web and preserves the bulk of the web when wound. The shear-calendered web then has a chemical additive applied to at least one surface by a non-compressive application method helping to maintain the Fuzz-On-Edge properties of the web.

Rolled paper product having high bulk and softness

The present invention is generally directed to a process for hot embossing a base sheet and/or to a process for perforating and bonding multiple plies of a paper product together. The process can be used in order to apply a decorative pattern to a paper product and/or to bond multiple ply products together. In one embodiment, the process of the present invention includes feeding a previously formed single ply or multi-ply base sheet through a heated embossing nip. As the base sheet passes through the heated embossing nip, sufficient heat and pressure is imparted to cause the fibers within the sheet to begin to melt or glassinate. Upon cooling, inter-fiber bonding occurs resulting in a well-defined embossment as well as bonding between plies of a multi-ply product.

Heated embossing and ply attachment

Rolled tissue products having high bulk, softness, and firmness

Rolled single ply tissue product having high bulk, softness, and firmness

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Tammy Lynn Baum