Towel having improved wet performance

Abstract

The present invention provides a creped tissue web having a CD Wet/Dry ratio that meets or exceeds satisfactory levels without the excess use of a wet strength resin. The satisfactory level of CD Wet/Dry ratio is generally greater than about 0.40, more preferably greater than about 0.42 and still more preferably greater than about 0.44, such as from about 0.40 to about 0.45. The satisfactory level of CD Wet/Dry ratio is surprisingly achieved by treating the tissue making furnish with a relatively modest amount of non-wood synthetic fibers, preferably fibrillated acrylic fiber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue product, free from latex binder, having an Absorbent Capacity greater than about 6.0 g/g and a CD Wet/Dry Ratio greater than about 0.40. 
     
     
         2 . The tissue product of  claim 1  having a Wet CD Durability of greater than about 2.0. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue product of  claim 1  having an Absorbent Capacity from about 6.5 to about 7.0 g/g and a CD Wet/Dry Ratio from about 0.42 to about 0.50. 
     
     
         4 . The tissue product of  claim 1  having a GMT from about 1200 to about 2600 g/3″. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue product of  claim 4  having a Stiffness Index from about 4.0 to about 6.0. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue product of  claim 1  wherein the tissue product comprises a single-ply multi-layered web having a first, a second and a third layer. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue product of  claim 6  wherein at least one layer comprises from about 1 to about 20 percent, by weight of the tissue product, hydrophobic synthetic fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue product of  claim 7  wherein the hydrophobic synthetic fiber comprises fibrillated acrylic fiber. 
     
     
         9 . The tissue product of  claim 8  wherein the fibrillated acrylic fiber comprises at least about 85 percent PAN. 
     
     
         10 . A through-air dried tissue product comprising from about 1 to about 20 percent, by weight of the product, fibrillated acrylic fibers, the tissue product having an Absorbent Capacity greater than about 6.0 g/g and a CD Wet/Dry Ratio greater than about 0.40. 
     
     
         11 . The tissue product of  claim 10  having a Wet CD Durability of greater than about 2.0. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue product of  claim 10  having an Absorbent Capacity from about 6.5 to about 7.0 g/g and a CD Wet/Dry Ratio from about 0.42 to about 0.50. 
     
     
         13 . The tissue product of  claim 10  having a GMT from about 1200 to about 2600 g/3″. 
     
     
         14 . The tissue product of  claim 10  having a Stiffness Index from about 4.0 to about 6.0. 
     
     
         15 . The tissue product of  claim 10  wherein the tissue product comprises a single-ply multi-layered web having a first, a second and a third layer. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue product of  claim 15  wherein the first and third layers consist essentially of wood pulp fibers and are substantially free from fibrillated acrylic fibers and the fibrillated acrylic fibers are selectively disposed in the second layer. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue product of  claim 10  wherein the fibrillated acrylic fiber comprises at least about 85 percent PAN. 
     
     
         18 . A layered through-air dried tissue product comprising at least one tissue web comprising a first fibrous layer and a second fibrous layer, the first fibrous layer comprising wood pulp fibers and the second layer comprising fibrillated acrylic fibers, wherein the first fibrous layer is substantially free of fibrillated acrylic fibers and wherein the fibrillated acrylic fibers comprise from about 1 to about 20 percent of the total weight of the through-air dried web, the tissue product having a CD Wet/Dry Ratio greater than about 0.40. 
     
     
         19 . The layered through-air dried tissue product of  claim 18  having a Wet CD Durability of greater than about 2.0. 
     
     
         20 . The layered through-air dried tissue product of  claim 18  having an Absorbent Capacity from about 6.5 to about 7.0 g/g and a CD Wet/Dry Ratio from about 0.42 to about 0.50.