Micro fiber textured paper tissue and method of making it

Abstract

Paper tissues and paper tissue products such as disposable handkerchiefs, kitchen paper towels, toilet paper and facial tissues exhibiting a soft and smooth surface, and a high bulkiness together with a high strength, in order to provide to the user an enhanced functionality and a high degree of comfort during usage. The present invention also relates to the process of making paper tissue and paper tissue products presenting such characteristics.

1 . A paper tissue, said tissue comprising:
 paper fibers and having a first surface, a second surface and an embossing pattern disposed thereon,   said embossing pattern having raised regions surrounded by depressed regions on said first surface,   said first surface having extending paper fibers wherein said extending paper fibers have a first end and a second end, said first end being un-bonded to said tissue and said second end being integral with, and bonded to, said tissue;   wherein more of said extending paper fibers are disposed in said raised regions than in said depressed regions; and,   wherein said embossing pattern comprises at least 30 embossing elements per square centimeter.   
   
   
       2 . The tissue of  claim 1  further comprising extending paper fibers on said second surface. 
   
   
       3 . The tissue of  claim 1  comprising at least 25% more of said extending paper fibers in said raised regions of said first surface than in said depressed regions. 
   
   
       4 . The tissue of  claim 3  comprising at least 50% more of said extending paper fibers in said raised regions of said first surface than in said depressed regions. 
   
   
       5 . The tissue of  claim 1  in which said embossing pattern further comprises a micro-embossing pattern. 
   
   
       6 . The tissue of  claim 1  further comprising an interconnected network formed by said depressed regions. 
   
   
       7 . The tissue of  claim 1  wherein said first surface forms an outer surface. 
   
   
       8 . A paper-product including at least two plies, each of which includes the tissue of  claim 1 , wherein said embossing patterns of each of said tissues are registered. 
   
   
       9 . A process for making a paper tissue, the process including the following steps:
 providing a tissue, said tissue having a first and a second surface,   embossing said tissue by passing said tissue between two rolls forming an embossing nip, and   brushing at least one of said surfaces of said tissue, wherein said brushing process step is subsequent to said embossing step.   
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 9  in which said embossing step comprises a micro-embossing step created by stretch deformation of said tissue without creating local tissue breakage. 
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 9  in which said brushing process step comprises the use of a brushing tool on said first surface without a counter-surface being applied to said second surface of said tissue. 
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 9  wherein said brushing process step uses a brushing tool on said first surface with a counter-surface being applied to said second surface of said tissue. 
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 12  wherein the counter-surface is a counter-roll, said first surface of said tissue is in contact with said counter-roll while said second surface of said tissue is in contact with said brushing tool, and said second surface of said tissue contacting said brushing tool is convex. 
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 10  wherein said tissue is moving at a first surface speed and the brushing tool has a second surface speed that is been 1.5 and 20 times faster than the first surface speed of said tissue. 
   
   
       15 . An article comprising:
 paper fibers and having a first surface, a second surface, and an embossing pattern disposed thereon;   said embossing pattern having raised regions surrounded by depressed regions on said first surface;   said first surface having extending paper fibers wherein said extending paper fibers have a first end and a second end, said first end being unbonded to said tissue and said second end being integral with, and bonded to, said tissue;   wherein more of said extending paper fibers are disposed in said raised regions than in said depressed regions; and   wherein said depressed regions have a depth of less than 260 micrometers.   
   
   
       16 . The article of  claim 15  wherein said embossing pattern comprises at least 30 embossing elements per square centimeter. 
   
   
       17 . The article of  claim 15  wherein said embossing pattern further comprises a micro-embossing pattern. 
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 15  wherein said extending paper fibers disposed in said raised regions comprise at least 25% more of said extending paper fibers than said extending paper fibers disposed in said depressed regions. 
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 15  further comprising an interconnected network formed by said depressed regions. 
   
   
       20 . The article of  claim 15  wherein said first surface forms an outer surface of said article.