Wet-microcontracted paper and concomitant process

Abstract

High bulk, absorbent paper having a relatively high MD elongation at rupture, and a substantially greater stress/strain modulus in the lowest one-third of its range of MD extensibility--preferably when wet--than equally machine-direction-stretchable, purely dry-foreshortened (e.g., dry-creped) paper having substantially identical MD elongation at rupture. The process includes a differential velocity transfer of a wet-laid embryonic web having relatively low fiber consistency from a carrier to a substantially slower moving, open-mesh transfer fabric having a substantial void volume; and thereafter drying the web while precluding substantial macroscopic rearrangement of the fibers in the plane of the web. The differential velocity transfer is effected without substantial compaction of the web by avoiding substantial mechanical pressing, centrifugal slinging, air blasting, and the like. The MD stress-strain property of the paper when wet is directly related to the magnitude of the differential velocity at transfer; to the magnitude of the wet-strength property of the paper; and to the topography of the transfer fabric.