The novel tissue products of the present invention are generally produced by calendering a tissue basesheet using at least one patterned roll. In one embodiment the patterned roll replaces the flat steel roll commonly used in calendering. The elements on the patterned roll provide a means of providing a nip having variable loading that yields a web having a smooth surface without subjecting the web to excessive compression forces and preventing excessive caliper loss. Thus, webs converted according to the present invention have comparable or better surface smoothness compared to webs converted using conventional calendering means and also retain a greater percentage of their caliper and bulk.

An apparatus for producing a web of fibrous material includes a roll having incisions with a depth of 0.01-2.00 mm, a width of 0.01-2.00 mm, and a pitch 0.01-10.00 mm, and rotated at a peripheral velocity v.sub.1 equal to the velocity of an upstream apparatus unit; a belt stretched between transmission rollers that advances at a velocity v.sub.2 less than v.sub.1, wherein v.sub.1/v.sub.2 lies between 1.05 and 1.40; a presser roller rotating at a peripheral velocity v.sub.2, associated with a presser system acting to press the belt against the metal roll with a pressure of 1-200 kg per centimeter; and a system that feeds a sheet of pliable fibrous material between the belt and the roll, the belt having a longitudinal elongation of no more than 5%, dimensional stability along its entire length, a thickness of 1-10 cm, and a hardness 24-70 Shore.

An apparatus for producing a web of fibrous material includes a roll having incisions with a depth of 0.01-2.00 mm, a width of 0.01-2.00 mm, and a pitch 0.01-10.00 mm, and rotated at a peripheral velocity v.sub.1 equal to the velocity of an upstream apparatus unit; a belt stretched between transmission rollers that advances at a velocity v.sub.2 less than v.sub.1, wherein v.sub.1/v.sub.2 lies between 1.05 and 1.40; a presser roller rotating at a peripheral velocity v.sub.2, associated with a presser system acting to press the belt against the metal roll with a pressure of 1-200 kg per centimeter; and a system that feeds a sheet of pliable fibrous material between the belt and the roll, the belt having a longitudinal elongation of no more than 5%, dimensional stability along its entire length, a thickness of 1-10 cm, and a hardness 24-70 Shore.

A sheet manufacturing apparatus has a heating/compressing unit configured to form a sheet by heating and compressing material including fiber and resin, and the heating/compressing unit includes a first rotating body that rotates, and a second rotating body that rotates in contact with the first rotating body. The sheet manufacturing apparatus holds, heats, and compresses material by the first rotating body and the second rotating body. The sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a heating unit that heats the outside surface of at least one of the first rotating body and second rotating body.

The present application provides a calender, a floor production line and a production method using the calender, wherein the calender comprises a calendering roller rack and a set of calendering rollers arranged on the calendering roller rack. The set of calendering rollers comprises a plurality of calendering rollers arranged in a line and not vertically. The present application changes the arrangement of the calendering rollers. The calendering rollers are arranged in a line, not vertically. This arrangement reduces the overall height of the calender, decreases the requirements of the calender on the height of the factory building and facilitates long-distance transportation by containers. Using the calender to assemble the floor production line, the height space of the factory building occupied by the production line can be saved.

The present application provides a calender, a floor production line and a production method using the calender, wherein the calender comprises a calendering roller rack and a set of calendering rollers arranged on the calendering roller rack. The set of calendering rollers comprises a plurality of calendering rollers arranged in a line and not vertically. The present application changes the arrangement of the calendering rollers. The calendering rollers are arranged in a line, not vertically. This arrangement reduces the overall height of the calender, decreases the requirements of the calender on the height of the factory building and facilitates long-distance transportation by containers. Using the calender to assemble the floor production line, the height space of the factory building occupied by the production line can be saved.

A method produces or machines a roller which is suitable to be used in a machine for producing or processing a fibrous web. The roller contains a roller core and at least one functional layer. The method is characterized in that the method includes the application of a functional layer. The application of the functional layer is performed by applying a coating substrate to the surface of a roller core. The application takes place simultaneously over at least half the roller width, preferably over 75% of the roller width, particularly preferably over the entire roller width. The entire applied coating substrate or parts thereof are hardened, forming a solidified structure.

A method produces or machines a roller which is suitable to be used in a machine for producing or processing a fibrous web. The roller contains a roller core and at least one functional layer. The method is characterized in that the method includes the application of a functional layer. The application of the functional layer is performed by applying a coating substrate to the surface of a roller core. The application takes place simultaneously over at least half the roller width, preferably over 75% of the roller width, particularly preferably over the entire roller width. The entire applied coating substrate or parts thereof are hardened, forming a solidified structure.

The invention provides calendered tissue webs and products produced by passing a tissue web through a calender nip created by a patterned roll having a first pattern and a second pattern thereon and a substantially smooth roll. As the web is transported through the nip it is subjected to variable calender loads that impart variable cross-machine (CD) direction properties to the resulting calendered web. CD properties that may be varied according to the present invention include sheet caliper, sheet bulk and surface smoothness. The variable CD property may be preserved in the web as it is further converted, such as winding about a core, resulting in tissue products having physical properties that vary along at least one dimension of the product.

The invention provides calendered tissue webs and products produced by passing a tissue web through a calender nip created by a patterned roll having a first pattern and a second pattern thereon and a substantially smooth roll. As the web is transported through the nip it is subjected to variable calender loads that impart variable cross-machine (CD) direction properties to the resulting calendered web. CD properties that may be varied according to the present invention include sheet caliper, sheet bulk and surface smoothness. The variable CD property may be preserved in the web as it is further converted, such as winding about a core, resulting in tissue products having physical properties that vary along at least one dimension of the product.