Patent Abstract:
A multiple ply tissue paper structure is disclosed. The multiple ply tissue paper has plies having different texture values. In one embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has two plies having different calipers and macrodensities. In another embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has three plies, including a relatively untextured ply disposed between two relatively highly textured plies.

Full Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/652,863, filed on May 23, 1996, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is related to a tissue paper structure, and more particularly, to multiple ply tissue paper structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Paper webs made from cellulosic fibers are used in consumer products such as paper towels, toilet tissue, and facial tissue. Multiple ply paper structures are well known in the art. Such multiple ply structures have two or more plies which are positioned in face to face relationship and joined together. Each ply can be formed from a paper web. A paper web can have one or more layers as it is formed on a paper machine, as is also well known in the art. 
     The individual plies of a multiple ply paper structure can be joined in any number of suitable ways, including adhesive bonding or mechanical bonding, such as by embossing. Frequently, plies are embossed for aesthetic reasons, to provide space between adjacent plies, and to connect adjacent plies in face to face relationship. 
     Examples of multiple ply paper structures are shown in the following references: U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,882 issued March, 1972 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735 issued September, 1984 to Trokhan; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,638 issued April 1976 to Kemp. The following references disclose embossing or embossed products or multiple ply paper products: U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,902 issued Feb. 13, 1996 to Shulz; U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,323 issued November 1995 to McNeil and commonly assigned; U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,981 issued November 1981 to Carstens; U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,459 issued Dec. 3, 1968 to Wells and commonly assigned; U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,723 issued Dec. 15, 1970 to Gresham; U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,907 issued Jan. 19, 1971 to Nystrand; U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,366 issued Jan. 2, 1973 to Donnelly; U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,905 issued Jun. 12, 1973 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,225 issued Feb. 18, 1975 to Nystrand and U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,728 issued Nov. 20, 1984 to Bauernfeind. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. Des. 239,137 issued Mar. 9, 1976 to Appleman illustrates an emboss pattern found on commercially successful paper toweling. 
     It is generally understood that a multiple ply structure can have an absorbent capacity greater than the sum of the absorbent capacities of the individual single plies which make up the multiple ply structure. Above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 3,650,882 to Thomas discloses a three ply product which is said to have a water absorption capacity which is more than double that of two ply towels of similar furnish, and which is said to have an absorbent capacity which is greater than would be expected from a simple consideration of the additional amount of material in a three ply structure. 
     However, comparison of the absorbent capacity of a multiple ply structure to the absorbent capacities of single ply paper structures, or other multiple ply paper structures having fewer plies, is not especially helpful in judging the performance of the multiple ply product. The absorbent capacity gained by adding an additional ply is generally greater than absorbent capacity held within the added ply. This difference is due, at least in part, to the inter-ply storage space created by the addition of an extra ply. 
     A heterogeneous n ply product having plies obtained from different types of substrates is normally expected to have an absorbent capacity which is no greater than the arithmatic mean of the absorbent capacities measured for the homogeneous n ply structures formed from the different substrates. For instance, a heterogeneous two ply tissue product has a first ply formed from a first type of paper substrate and a second ply formed from a second, different type of paper substrate. The absorbent capacity of such a heterogeneous two ply product is generally expected to be less than or equal to the arithmatic mean of the absorbent capacities measured for 1) a homogeneous two ply structure formed from two plies of the first substrate and 2) a homogeneous two ply structure formed from two plies of the second substrate. 
     Above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735 discloses extensible multi-ply tissue paper products. The products of U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735 are said to have synergistically high liquid absorbency by virtue of at least two plies of the product having sufficiently different stress/strain properties. However, it is desirable to be able to provide improved absorbency without the need to impart different stress/strain properties to different plies. 
     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a multiple ply paper structure having improved absorbent properties. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple ply paper structure which achieves a higher absorbent capacity and rate than anticipated with respect to other paper structures having the same number of plies. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple ply paper structure having plies with different texture values and calipers. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a multiple ply paper structure having one or more plies having discrete, low density regions dispensed in a continuous network region. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product having n plies, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product includes at least two plies, including a first ply and a second ply. The second ply has a texture value which is at least about 1.5 times, more preferably at least about 2.0 times, more preferably at least about 2.5 times, and still more preferably at least about 4.0 times the texture value of the first ply. 
     The second ply can have a caliper which is at least about 1.25 times, more particularly at least about 1.5 times, even more particularly at least about 2.0 times, and in one embodiment at least about 2.5 times the caliper value of the first ply. 
     The differential texture and caliper characteristics of the plies can provide the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product with a horizontal absorbent capacity which is greater than the mean of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities of the n plies, without the need for imparting different stress/strain properties to the plies, as described in above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735. 
     The heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product can include at least one ply having a macro-density which is at least about 1.5 times, more preferably at least about 2.0 times, more preferably at least about 2.5 times, and even more preferably at least about 3.0 times the macro-density of at least one of the other n plies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional illustration of a 2 ply paper structure having relatively large domes facing inwardly. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional illustration of a 2 ply structure having relatively large domes facing outwardly. 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional illustration of a 3 ply structure having a relatively low texture, non-patterned ply disposed between relatively highly textured, patterned plies. 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional illustration of an alternative 3 ply embodiment having a relatively highly textured, patterned ply disposed between relatively low texture, non-patterned plies. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a paper making machine. 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a paper web having a continuous network region and discrete domes. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the paper web of  FIG. 4  taken along lines  5 — 5  in FIG.  4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of equipment for combining two separate plies to form a two ply product according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of equipment for combining two plies to provide an intermediate 2 ply structure. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of equipment for combining the intermediate 2 ply structure made according to  FIG. 7  with a third ply to provide a 3 ply product according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of a drying member in the form of a through-air drying fabric having a macroscopically monoplanar, patterned, continuous network surface defining a plurality of discrete, isolated deflection conduits, each conduit having a machine direction length greater than the associated conduit cross machine direction width. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of another drying member in the form of a through-air drying fabric having a continuous network surface and a plurality of discrete, isolated deflection conduits. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of another drying member in the form of a through air drying fabric having a continuous network surface and a plurality of discrete, isolated deflection conduits. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a cross-section of a drying fabric taken along lines  12 — 12  in FIG.  9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product  20  having n plies.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are cross-sectional illustrations of 2 ply structures (n=2). The individual plies in  FIG. 1A  are designated  31  and  32 , respectively. The plies  31  and  32  are joined at discrete, spaced apart locations by embossments  35 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are cross-sectional illustration of 3 ply embodiments (n=3) of the present invention. The individual plies in  FIG. 2A  are designated  41 A,  42 , and  41 B. The plies  41 A,  42 , and  41 B are joined together at discrete, spaced apart locations by embossments  45 . 
     By the term “heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product” it is meant that at least one of the plies of the multiple ply tissue product  20  can be distinguished from at least one of the other n plies in terms of at least one of the following properties: caliper, macro-density, basis weight, or texture value. The caliper, macro-density, basis weight, and texture value of a ply are measured according to the procedures provided below. 
     A homogeneous multiple ply paper structure is a multiple ply structure having plies which are made with substantially the same composition of paper fiber furnish and papermaking additives, and which are all substantially identical to one another with respect to all of the above properties (i.e. for any of the above properties, the maximum ply to ply difference of that particular property is less than about 10 percent of the lower value of the property). 
     The absorbent capacity and absorbent rate of the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product  20  are measured according to the procedures described below. The heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper products  20  of the present invention can have an absorbent capacity which is greater than the weighted average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities measured for each of the n plies. In one embodiment, the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper products of the present invention can have an absorbent capacity which is greater than the maximum of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities measured for the n plies. The heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper products of the present invention can have a wicking capacity which is greater than the weighted average of the homogeneous n ply wicking capacities measured for each of the n plies. The heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper products of the present invention can also have an absorbent rate which is greater than the weighted average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent rates measured for each of the n plies. 
     The “homogeneous n ply absorbent capacity” and the “homogeneous n ply absorbent rate” for a particular ply are determined as follows. First, a “homogeneous n ply structure” for that particular ply is formed by joining together n plies of that particular ply. This multiple ply structure is referred to as a “homogeneous n ply structure” because all the plies are substantially identical. N plies of the particular ply are joined together using the same procedure (eg same embossing method, same embossing pattern, same adhesive) used to combine the n plies of the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product. A homogeneous n ply structure is formed for each different ply used to form the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product. 
     Then, the absorbent capacity and the absorbent rate for each of the homogeneous n ply structures are measured. The absorbent capacity and absorbent rate of each homogeneous n ply structure is measured using the same procedures used to measure the absorbent capacity and absorbent rate for the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product. Accordingly, the absorbent capacity and absorbent rate of the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product can be compared to those of homogeneous multiple ply structures having the same number of plies. Averages can then be calculated for the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities and rates. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 1A , the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product  20  has two plies,  31  and  32  (n=2), where ply  32  is not obtained from the same type of paper web from which ply  31  is obtained. For instance, ply  32  can have a caliper, macro-density, and texture value substantially different from those of ply  31 . The associated homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  31  is obtained by joining together two paper webs of the type from which the ply  31  is formed. Likewise, the associated homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  32  is obtained by joining together two paper webs of the type from which the ply  32  is formed. The homogeneous 2 ply paper structures are formed using the same combining method (eg. same adhesive, same embossing method, same embossing pressure, same embossing pattern, etc.) which is used to combine the plies  31  and  32  together to form the heterogeneous 2 ply paper product  20 . 
     The absorbent capacity and absorbent rate can then be measured for the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  31 . Likewise, the absorbent capacity and rate can be measured for the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  32 . For the structure of  FIG. 1A , the average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities is the average of the absorbent capacities measured for the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  31  and the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  32 . Similarly, the average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent rates is the mean of the absorbent rates measured for the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  31  and the homogeneous 2 ply structure for ply  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper product  20  has three plies,  41 A,  42 , and  41 B (n=3). Ply  41 A is obtained from a paper web of the same type from which ply  41 B is obtained, and ply  42  is obtained from a paper web different from that of the type from which plies  41 A and  41 B are obtained. The associated homogeneous 3 ply structure for plies  41 A and  41 B is obtained by joining together three paper webs of the type from which the ply  41 A is formed. Likewise, the associated homogeneous 3 ply structure for ply  42  is obtained by joining together three paper webs of the type from which the ply  42  is formed. The homogeneous 3 ply paper structures are formed using the same combining method (eg. same adhesive, same embossing method, same embossing pressure, same embossing pattern, etc.) which is used to combine the plies  41 A,  42 , and  41 B together to form the heterogeneous 3 ply paper product  20 . 
     The absorbent capacity and absorbent rate can then be measured for the homogeneous 3 ply structure for ply  41 A. Likewise, the absorbent capacity and absorbent rate can be measured for the homogeneous 3 ply structure for ply  42 . For the structure of  FIG. 2A  having ply  41 A made from a paper web of the same type from which ply  41 B is formed, the average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities can be calculated as a weighted average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent capacities:
 
[(2)×(AC 41 A)+(AC 42 )]/3
 
where AC 41 A is the homogeneous 3 ply absorbent capacity for ply  41 A (or for ply  41 B), and AC 42  is the homogeneous 3 ply absorbent capacity for ply  42 .
 
     Likewise, the average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent rates can be calculated as a weighted average of the homogeneous n ply absorbent rates:
 
[(2)×(AR 41 A)+(AR 42 )]/3
 
where AR 41 A is the homogeneous 3 ply absorbent capacity for ply  41 a (or for ply  41 B)and AR 42  is the homogeneous 3 ply absorbent capacity for ply  42 .
 
     Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the multiple ply products of the present invention can provide the improved absorbency and absorbency rate due, at least in part, to their combination of a relatively highly textured, high caliper, relatively low macro-density ply with a relatively lower textured, low caliper, relatively higher macro-density ply. Such different characteristics can be imparted to paper webs, at least in part, through the selective use of papermaking fabrics and methods. In particular, the texture value is a measure of the wet formed, non-mechanically embossed texture of the surface of a ply prior to combining the ply with other plies. 
     The texture value does not include mechanically embossed features. Such embossed features imparted to the web when after it is dried may be at least partially destroyed when the web is wetted. Wet formed texture features imparted on the ply while the ply is on the paper machine (such as those imparted to a web by through air drying on the drying fabric of a papermachine or by wet pressing prior to drying) are included in the texture measurement. Such wet formed texture features can better maintain their structure when wetted, especially when a wet strength additive, such as KYMENE, is added to the furnish from which the web is formed. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a paper machine for use in making a paper web. The paper webs made on such a paper machine can be used to form the individual plies of a multiple ply product. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a headbox  118  delivers the aqueous dispersion of papermaking fibers to a foraminous member  111 . The foraminous member  111  can be in the form of an endless belt which is carried in the direction indicated about a series of rolls. The foraminous member  111  can comprise a fourdrinier wire. 
     Alternatively, the foraminous member  111  can comprise a plurality of discrete protuberances joined to a reinforcing structure, each protuberance having an orifice. Such a forming member  111  is suitable for providing a web having different basis weight regions, and is described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,715 issued Apr. 2, 1996 to Trokhan et al., which patent is incorporated by reference. 
     After the dispersion of fibers is deposited on the forming member  111 , an embryonic web  120  is formed by removal of a portion of the water from the dispersion. Removal of the water can be accomplished by techniques well known in the art, such as by vacuum boxes, forming boards, and the like. 
     The embryonic web  120  is then transferred to a drying member  119 , which is in the form of an endless belt carried about a series of rolls in the direction shown. The n ply structures of the present invention can have plies having about the same level of wet-foreshortening (within about 5 percent). For the purpose of making a paper structure according to the present invention, the web can be wet-foreshortened less than about 5 percent, with wet-foreshortening of the web on transfer to the drying member  119  being about 3 percent. Wet-foreshortening is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,735, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The embryonic web can be dewatered as it is transferred to the drying member  119 . The resulting intermediate web  121  is carried on the drying member  119  in the direction shown in FIG.  3 . The web can then be further dried as it is carried on the drying member  119 . For instance, when the drying member is in the form of a foraminous belt (such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480 to Trokhan and U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,609 to Trokhan), the web can be dried using through air drying equipment  125  to provide a predried web  122 . Alternatively, if the drying member  119  is a conventional papermaker&#39;s dewatering felt, the web can be further dewatered by pressing the web in nip as the web is carried on the felt. In yet another embodiment, the web can be dewatered by wet pressing the web as described in WO 95/17548 “Wet Pressed Paper Web and Method of Making Same” published Jun. 29, 1995 in the name of Ampulski et al., which publication is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The predried web can then be transferred to the surface of a heated drying drum  116  for further drying. The web can then be creped from the surface of the drum  116 , such as by use of a doctor blade  117 , to provide a dried paper web  124 . Use of the doctor blade  117  provides a web  124  which is dry-foreshortened (i.e. dry creped). For the purpose of making a paper structure according to the present invention, the web can be dry-foreshortened less than about 16 percent, with dry foreshortening of the web being about 10 percent in one embodiment. Accordingly, paper made according to the present invention can have relatively low levels of wet foreshortening and dry foreshortening. 
     The multiple ply tissue paper product of the present invention can include at least one ply comprising a paper web having regions of different density. In one embodiment, the multiple ply tissue product of the present invention can comprise a ply formed from a paper web having discrete regions of relatively high density dispersed throughout one or more regions of relatively low density. For instance, such a web can be formed on a papermachine such as that shown in FIG.  3 . The discrete regions of relatively high density can be formed by transferring the embryonic web to a dryer member  119  in the form of a woven fabric having discrete compaction knuckles. The compaction knuckles can be disposed at the cross over points of warp and shute filaments of the fabric. The compaction knuckles serve to densify discrete, spaced apart portions of the web as the web is transferred to the drying drum  116 . The following patents are incorporated by reference for the purpose of showing drying fabrics and/or methods for forming a paper web having regions of different density, and more particularly, a textured paper web having discrete, relatively high density regions disposed throughout one or more relatively low density regions. U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,746 issued January, 1967 to Sanford et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,025 issued August, 1976 to Ayers; U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,771 issued November 1976 to Morgan et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,609 issued March 1980 to Trokhan. U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,609 is particularly preferred for forming a paper web having an array of uncompressed, relatively low density regions which are in staggered relation in both the machine and cross machine directions. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the plies of the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper structure comprises a paper web made according to the teachings of EP 0677612A2 published Oct. 18, 1995 in the name of Wendt et al., which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In one embodiment, at least one of the plies of the heterogeneous multiple ply tissue paper structure comprises a paper web having a continuous network region having a relatively low basis weight and a relatively high density; and a plurality of discrete regions dispersed throughout the continuous network region, the discrete regions having relatively high basis weights and relatively low densities. A ply comprising a paper web  180  having a continuous network region  183  having a relatively low basis weight and a relatively high density, and discrete domes  184  having relatively high basis weights and relatively low densities is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The caliper of the ply is designated as T in FIG.  5 . 
     Such a paper web is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480 issued Jul. 16, 1985 to Trokhan. Trokhan &#39;480 also discloses a drying member  119  in the form of a foraminous belt suitable for making such a web. The drying member  119  shown in Trokhan &#39;480 has a macroscopically monoplanar, patterned, continuous network surface defining a plurality of discrete, isolated, non-connecting deflection conduits. The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing such a foraminous belt: U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,345 to Johnson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480 to Trokhan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,504 to Smurkoski et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,523 to Trokhan et al. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1A , a heterogeneous 2 ply tissue paper product can have plies  31  and  32 , wherein at least one of the plies has a continuous network region  183  and a plurality of discrete domes  184 .  FIG. 1A  shows both plies comprising paper webs having a continuous network region  183  and a plurality of discrete domes  184 . Both of the plies  31  and  32  are patterned, having domes  184  which extend inwardly (i.e. the domes  184  of ply  31  face the domes  184  of ply  32 ). The domes  184  of ply  31  can have the same shape as the domes of ply  32 , or the domes  184  of ply  31  can have a shape which is different from that of the domes of ply  32 . The domes in each of the plies can be bilaterally staggered. 
     In  FIG. 1A , ply  31  is different from ply  32  in that ply  31  has a relatively larger number of relatively smaller domes  184  per unit area, while ply  32  has a relatively smaller number of relatively larger domes  184  per unit area. In particular, ply  31  can have X domes  184  per square inch, where the value of X is at least about 100. Ply  32  can have Y discrete domes  184  per square inch, where the value of Y is less than the value of X, and the value of Y is less than about 250. The ratio of X to Y can be at least about 1.5, at least about 2.0, and in one embodiment is at least about 10. In one embodiment, ply  31  can have at least about 200, and more particularly at least about 500 domes  184  per inch, and ply  32  can have less than about 110, and more particularly less than about 75 domes per square inch. In addition, ply  32  has a caliper which is greater than the caliper of ply  31 . Ply  32  can have a caliper which is at least about 1.25 times, more particularly, at least about 1.5 times, even more particularly at least about 2.0 times, and in one embodiment at least about 2.5 times the caliper of ply  31 . 
     Each of the plies  31  and  32  can have a basis weight of between about 7-60 lb/3000 square feet. In one embodiment, the plies  31  and  32  can each have a basis weight of about 12-15 pounds per 3000 square feet. The macro-density of ply  31  can be at least about 1.5 times, more preferably at least about 2.0 times, and even more preferably at least about 2.5 times the macro-density of ply  32 . 
     Ply  32  has a texture value greater than ply  31 . In one embodiment, the ply  32  can have a texture value which is at least about 1.5 times, more preferably at least about 2.0 times, and even more preferably at least about 4.0 times the texture value of ply  31 . In particular, ply  32  can have a texture value of at least 15 mils, and ply  31  can have a texture value of less than about 10 mils. In one embodiment, the ply  32  can have a texture value of between about 23 and about 25 mils and ply  31  can have a texture value of between about 4.0 and about 6.0 mils. The texture value provides a measure of the wet formed surface characteristics provided by the drying member  119 . In particular, the texture value can provide a measure of the difference in elevation between the domes  184  and the network  183 . 
     In an alternative 2 ply embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B , ply  32  can be joined to ply  31  such that the domes  184  of ply  32  face outwardly and the domes  184  of the ply  31  face inwardly toward ply  32 . In such a 2 ply structure, ply  31  can provide a relatively smooth outwardly facing surface, and ply  32  can provide a relatively highly textured outwardly facing surface having outwardly facing protrusions in the form of the domes  184 . The relatively highly textured outwardly facing surface of ply  32  can be useful in scrubbing or scouring operations, while the relatively smooth outwardly facing surface of ply  31  can be used for wiping liquid from a surface. 
     Alternatively, the two ply structure  20  can comprise one ply having a continuous network and discrete domes, and a second ply which does not include discrete domes dispersed throughout a continuous network. For instance, the ply  31  in  FIGS. 1A  or  1 B can be replaced by a ply of the type shown as ply  42  in FIG.  2 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , one embodiment of the present invention is a heterogeneous 3 ply tissue paper product having plies  41 A,  42 , and  41 B. The plies  41 A and  41 B can have substantially the same structure and composition. Each of the plies  41 A and  41 B can be patterned to have a continuous network region  183  and a plurality of discrete domes  184 . Each of the plies  41 A and  41 B can have the same number Y of domes  184  per square inch. The value of Y can be between about 10 and about 600, and more particularly between about 10 and about 200. Ply  42  can be formed from a web of conventional felt dried tissue paper having substantially unpatterned smooth, untextured surfaces, and a generally uniform density and basis weight (no discernable regions having different micro-densities or different micro-basis weights). Each of the surfaces of ply  42  can have a texture value of less than about 1.0. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , each of the plies  41 A and  41 B has a caliper greater than that of ply  42 , and each of the plies  41 A and  42 B has a macro-density less than that of ply  42 . The plies  41 A and  41 B can each have a caliper which is at least about 2.5 times that of ply  42 . The ply  42  can have a macro-density which is at least about 2.5 times that of plies  41 A and  41 B. Ply  42  can have a texture value less than about 1.0, and plies  41 A and  41 B can each have a texture value of at least about 10. 
     In one embodiment, each ply  41 A and  41 B can have a basis weight of about 13.6 pound/3000 square feet, a caliper of at least about 20 mils, and a macro density of less than about 1.0 pounds/mil-3000 square feet. Ply  41 A and  41 B can each have a texture value of at least about 15 mils, and can have about 75 domes  184  per square inch. Ply  42  can have a basis weight of about 12.5 pound/3000 square feet, a caliper of between about 4 and about 6 mils, a macro density of at least about 2.0 pounds/mil-3000 square feet, and a texture value of about zero. 
     In the alternative 3 ply embodiment of  FIG. 2B , a patterned, relatively highly textured ply  41  can be disposed between two plies  42 A and  42 B having relatively low texture, the plies  42 A and  42 B having substantially no discernable pattern. In yet another 3 ply embodiment, a relatively higher textured ply, such as ply  41 , can be disposed between two plies such as that shown as ply  31  in FIG.  1 A. Each of the 3 plies in such a structure has relatively low density domes disposed throughout a continuous high density network. 
     Two or more of the paper webs  131  and  132  having desired characteristics relative to one another are combined to provide the multiple ply tissue paper product of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates equipment that can be used to combine two webs having desired characteristics relative to one another in order to form a two ply product according to the present invention. Two single ply webs  131  and  132  are unwound from rolls  210  and  220 , respectively. Each of the webs  131  and  132  can have regions of different density, and each ply can have a continuous network region having a relatively high density, and discrete domes having relatively low densities. The two webs  131  and  132  are carried in the directions indicated around rollers  225 . Web  131  corresponds to ply  31  in  FIG. 1 , and web  132  corresponds to ply  32  in FIG.  1 . 
     Web  131  is directed through a nip formed between a rubber roll  240  and a steel embossing roll  250 , as web  132  is directed through a nip formed between rubber roll  260  and a steel embossing roll  270 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the domes  184  of the web  131  face roll  240 , and the domes  184  of web  132  face roll  260 , so that the domes  184  face inwardly in the resulting 2 ply structure. The steel embossing rolls  250  and  270  have a pattern of embossing pins which contact and deform selective, discrete portions of the webs  131  and  132 , respectively. The web  131  is then carried through a nip formed between a glue applicator roll  255  and the steel embossing roll  250 . The glue applicator roll, which has a surface which is continuously replenished with glue, transfers glue to the deformed portions of the web  131 . Webs  131  and  132  then pass between steel embossing rolls  250  and  270 , with web  131  adjacent roll  250  and web  132  adjacent roll  270 . The embossing pins on roll  250  nest with those on roll  270  to deform the webs  131  and  132 , and to provide nesting of web  131  with web  132 . 
     The two webs  131  and  132  then pass through a nip having a predetermined nip loading, the nip being formed between steel embossing roll  250  and a marrying roll  280 . Marrying roll  280  has a hard rubber cover, and serves to press the webs  131  and  132  together to ensure bonding of web  131  to web  132  at those locations where adhesive is transferred from roll  255  to ply  131 . The resulting two ply paper structure  20  can be rewound for later converting into smaller rolls. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate combining three separate webs to provide a three ply paper structure such as that shown in FIG.  2 A. Web  141 A corresponds to ply  41 A in  FIG. 2A , web  142  corresponds to ply  42  in  FIG. 2A , and web  141 B corresponds to ply  41 B in FIG.  2 A. Webs  141 A and  141 B can have a continuous network region having a relatively high density and discrete domes having relatively low densities. Web  142  can comprise a conventional felt pressed web. 
     Webs  141  and  141 A can be unwound from rolls  211  and  221 , respectively, and carried in the directions shown. Web  142  is directed through a nip formed between glue applicator roll  255  and steel embossing roll  250  (The rubber embossing rolls  240  and  260  are disengaged in this operation) to transfer a layer of adhesive from roll  255  to web  142 . Webs  131  and  132  then pass between steel embossing rolls  250  and  270 , with web  142  adjacent roll  250  and web  141 A adjacent roll  270 . The embossing pins on roll  250  nest with those on roll  270 . The two webs then pass through the nip formed between steel embossing roll  250  and marrying roll  280  to ensure bonding of web  141 A to web  142 , thereby providing an intermediate 2 ply structure designated  143  in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The web  141 B can then be joined to the intermediate 2 ply structure  143 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Intermediate structure  143  is directed through the nip between rubber roll  260  and steel embossing roll  270  such that its constituent web  141 A is positioned against roll  270  and its constituent web  142  is positioned against roll  260 . Accordingly, web  142  is adhesively joined to web  141 B when the three webs pass through the nip between marrying roll  280  and embossing roll  250 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1: 2 ply 
     The purpose of this example is to illustrate one method that can be used to form a two ply embodiment of the present invention. Each of the plies  31  and  32  are formed on a pilot scale paper machine having the general configuration shown in  FIG. 3. A  0.1 percent consistency aqueous slurry of papermaking fibers, water, and additives is formed for deposition on the foraminous member  111 . The aqueous slurry comprises a mixture of 75:25 by weight NSK (northern softwook Kraft) and CTMP (chemi-thermo mechanical pulp) paper fibers. The additives include a wet strength additive, a dry strength additive, a wettability agent, and a softness additive. The wet strength additive comprises an effective amount of epichlorohydrin adduct in the form of about 22 pounds KYMENE 557H per ton of dry fiber weight. KYMENE 557H is supplied by Hercules Corp of Wilmington, Del. The dry strength additive comprises an effective amount of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose in the form of about 5 pounds of CMC 7MT per ton of dry fiber weight. CMC 7MT is supplied by Hercules Corp. The wettability agent comprises an effective amount of Dodecylphenoxy poly(ethylenoxy)ethanol in the form of about 2 pounds of IGEPAL per ton of dry fiber weight. IGEPAL is supplied by Rhone Poulence of Cranbury, N.J. The Softness additive comprises an effective amount of Quaternary ammonium compound in the form of about 2 pounds of DTDMAMS per ton of dry fiber weight. DTDMAMS (Dihydrogenated Tallow Dimethyl Ammonium Methyl Sulfate) is supplied by Sherex of Dublin, Ohio. 
     When forming the web from which ply  31  is made, the slurry is deposited onto foraminous member  111  (a Fourdrinier wire of a 5 shed, satin weave configuration having 87 machine direction and 76 cross-machine direction filaments per inch), and dewatered to a consistency of about 17 percent just prior to transfer to drying member  119 . The resulting embryonic web is then transferred to the drying member  119  to provide wet foreshortening of about 3 percent. The drying member  119  is in the form of a through air drying fabric as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 , such as is generally described in above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480. The through air drying fabric has a continuous network surface  423  which defines openings of deflection conduits  422 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the continuous network surface  423  extends a distance D above a woven reinforcing element  443  having woven reinforcing strands  441  and  442 . 
     The drying fabric  119  for forming the ply  31  has about 562 deflection conduits  422  per square inch as viewed in  FIG. 9  (562 cells per square inch). The deflection conduits  422  have an elongated shape with a machine direction length which is about 48 mils (0.048 inch) and a cross-machine direction width of about 35 mils. The knuckle area (area of the continuous network  423 ) is about 36.6 percent of the surface area of the drying fabric  119  as viewed in FIG.  9 . The distance D is about 22 mils. 
     The web is partially dried by dewatering and by predrying with through air drying apparatus  125  to a consistency of about 57 percent. The web is then adhered to the surface of yankee dryer  116 , and removed from the surface of the dryer  116  by the doctor blade  117  at a consistency of about 97 percent. The yankee dryer is operated at a surface speed of about 800 feet per minute. The dry web  124  is wound onto a roll at a speed of 716 feet per minute to provide the web  131 , to provide dry foreshortening of about 10 percent. The resulting web has between about 562 and about 620 relatively low density domes  184  per square inch (the number of domes  184  in the web is between zero percent to about 10 percent greater than the number of cells in the drying member  119 , due to dry foreshortening of the web). 
     The ply  32  is formed from a web  132  which is made using a paper machine such as that shown in FIG.  3 . The same furnish and procedure as described above with respect to ply  31  are used to form web  132 , except that the drying member  119  is of the form shown in FIG.  10 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the drying member  119  has about 45 deflection conduits  422  per square inch, a knuckle area of about 30 percent, and a dimension d of about 30 mils. The deflection conduits  422  have a quasi-quadnlateral shape having curved sides. The deflection conduits have a length of about 191 mils and a width of about 94 mils. The web  132  has between about 45 and about 50 domes  184  per square inch. The resulting webs  131  and  132 , when combined as shown in  FIG. 6  to provide a 2 ply structure  20 , have the following characteristics: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Ply 31: 
                   
                 Homogenous 2 ply (31-31) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 12.0 
                 Caliper 
                 24.7 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 13.6 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 19.6 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 1.13 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 13.8 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value 
                 5.5 
                 Absorbent Rate: 
                 0.35 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ply 32: 
                   
                 Homogenous 2 ply (32-32) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 35.0 
                 Caliper 
                 42.8 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 13.6 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 32.8 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 0.39 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 27.0 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value: 
                 24.0 
                 Absorbent Rate 
                 0.68 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Heterogenous 2 Ply 31-32: 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Caliper: 
                 34.6 
               
               
                   
                      Absorb. Capacity 
                 28.1 
               
               
                   
                      Wicking Capacity 
                 23.2 
               
               
                   
                      Absorbent Rate: 
                 0.59 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Units: Unless otherwise specified, caliper is reported in mils, basis weight in lbs/3000 square feet; macro-density in lb/3000 square feet-mil, Texture Value in mils, Absorbent Capacity in grains per gram, Wicking Capacity in grains per gram, and Absorbent Rate in grains per second.   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 2: 2 ply 
     The purpose of this example is to illustrate another method that can be used to form a two ply embodiment of the present invention. 
     Ply  31  is formed as follows: a 0.1 percent consistency aqueous slurry of papermaking fibers, water, and additives is formed for deposition on the foraminous member  111 . The aqueous slurry comprises a mixture of 63:20:17 by weight NSK, CTMP, and broke. The additives include a wet strength additive, a dry strength additive, a wettability agent, and a softness additive. The wet strength additive comprises an effective amount of epichlorohydrin adduct in the form of about 24 pounds KYMENE 557H per ton of dry fiber weight. The dry strength additive comprises an effective amount of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose in the form of about 5 pounds of CMC 7MT per ton of dry fiber weight. The wettability agent comprises an effective amount of Dodecylphenoxy poly(ethylenoxy)ethanol in the form of about 1.5 pounds of IGEPAL per ton of dry fiber weight. The Softness additive comprises an effective amount of Quaternary ammonium compound in the form of about 1.3 pounds of DTDMAMS per ton of dry fiber weight. 
     When forming the web from which ply  31  is made, the slurry is deposited onto foraminous member  111  (a Fourdrinier wire of a 5 shed, satin weave configuration having 87 machine direction and 76 cross-machine direction filaments per inch), and dewatered to a consistency of about 17 percent just prior to transfer to drying member  119 . The resulting embryonic web is then transferred to the drying member  119  to provide wet foreshortening of about 3 percent. The drying member  119  is in the form of a through air drying fabric as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 12 , and such as is generally described in above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480. 
     The drying fabric  119  for forming the ply  31  has about 240 deflection conduits  422  per square inch as viewed in  FIG. 9  (240 cells per square inch). The knuckle area (area of the continuous network  423 ) is about 25 percent of the surface area of the drying fabric  119  as viewed in FIG.  9 . The distance D is about 22 mils. 
     The web is partially dried by dewatering and by predrying with through air drying apparatus  125  to a consistency of about 63 percent. The web is then adhered to the surface of yankee dryer  116 , and removed from the surface of the dryer  116  by the doctor blade  117  at a consistency of about 97 percent, and to provide a dry foreshortening of about 10 percent. The resulting web has a basis weight of about 13.1 pound/3000 square feet. The resulting web has between about 240 and about 262 relatively low density domes  184  per square inch (the number of domes  184  in the web is between zero percent to about 10 percent greater than the number of cells in the drying member  119 , due to dry foreshortening of the web). 
     Ply  32  is formed as follows: a 0.1 percent consistency aqueous slurry of papermaking fibers, water, and additives is formed for deposition on the foraminous member  111 . The aqueous slurry comprises a mixture of 65.6:23.1:11.3 by weight NSK, CTMP, and broke. The additives include a wet strength additive, a dry strength additive, a wettability agent, and a softness additive. The wet strength additive comprises an effective amount of epichlorohydrin adduct in the form of about 19.5 pounds KYMENE 557H per ton of dry fiber weight. The dry strength additive comprises an effective amount of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose in the form of about 3.8 pounds of CMC 7MT per ton of dry fiber weight. The wettability agent comprises an effective amount of Dodecylphenoxy poly(ethylenoxy)ethanol in the form of about 1.4 pounds of IGEPAL per ton of dry fiber weight. The Softness additive comprises an effective amount of Quaternary ammonium compound in the form of about 1.08 pounds of DTDMAMS per ton of dry fiber weight. 
     When forming the web from which ply  32  is made, the slurry is deposited onto foraminous member  111  (a Fourdrinier wire of a 5 shed, satin weave configuration having 87 machine direction and 76 cross-machine direction filaments per inch), and dewatered to a consistency of about 17 percent just prior to transfer to drying member  119 . The resulting embryonic web is then transferred to the drying member  119  to provide wet foreshortening of about 2.5 percent. The drying member  119  is in the form of a through air drying fabric as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , and such as is generally described in above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,480. 
     The drying fabric  119  for forming the ply  32  has about 97 deflection conduits  422  per square inch as viewed in  FIG. 11  (97 cells per square inch). The knuckle area (area of the continuous network  423 ) is about 20 percent of the surface area of the drying fabric  119  as viewed in FIG.  11 . The distance D is about 15.9 mils. 
     The web is partially dried by dewatering and by predrying with through air drying apparatus  125  to a consistency of about 63 percent. The web is then adhered to the surface of yankee dryer  116 , and removed from the surface of the dryer  116  by the doctor blade  117  at a consistency of about 97 percent, and to provide a dry foreshortening of about 4.5 percent. The resulting web has a basis weight of about 16.1 pound/3000 square feet. The resulting web has between about 97 and about 102 relatively low density domes  184  per square inch. 
     The resulting webs  131  and  132 , when combined as shown in  FIG. 6  to provide a 2 ply structure  20 , have the following characteristics: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Ply 31: 
                   
                 Homogenous 2 ply (31-31) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 16.0 
                 Caliper 
                 27.0 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 13.1 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 25.9 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 0.82 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 17.2 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value 
                 15.3 
                 Absorbent Rate: 
                 0.48 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ply 32: 
                   
                 Homogenous 2 ply (32-32) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 22.0 
                 Caliper 
                 30.0 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 16.1 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 24.7 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 0.73 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 14.5 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value: 
                 26.8 
                 Absorbent Rate 
                 0.64 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Heterogenous 2 Ply 31-32: 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Caliper: 
                 27.9 
               
               
                   
                      Absorb. Capacity 
                 26.7 
               
               
                   
                      Wicking Capacity 
                 22.0 
               
               
                   
                      Absorbent Rate: 
                 0.65 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 3: 3 ply 
     The purpose of this example is to illustrate one method that can be used to form a three ply embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2A , the plies  41 A and  41 B are formed from webs made on a paper machine, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , having a drying member  119  in the form of a through air drying fabric. The ply  42  is formed from a web made on a paper machine, such as that shown in  FIG. 3 , having a drying member  119  in the form of a conventional papermakers dewatering felt. 
     The following procedure is used to make the webs from which plies  41 A and  41 B are formed. A 0.1 percent aqueous slurry of papermaking fibers, water, and additives is formed for deposition on the foraminous member  111 . The aqueous slurry comprises a mixture of 75:25 by weight NSK (northern softwook Kraft) and SSK (southern softwood kraft) paper fibers. The additives include a wet strength additive and a dry strength additive. The wet strength additive comprises an effective amount of epichlorohydrin adduct in the form of about 22 pounds KYMENE 557H per ton of dry fiber weight. The dry strength additive comprises an effective amount of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose in the form of about 5 pounds of CMC 7MT per ton of dry fiber weight. 
     The slurry is deposited onto foraminous member  111  (a Fourdrinier wire of a 5 shed, satin weave configuration having 87 machine direction and 76 cross-machine direction filaments per inch), and dewatered to a consistency of about 17 percent. The resulting embryonic web is then transferred to the drying member  119 , which is in the form of a through air drying fabric as shown in FIGS.  11 . The drying fabric  119  for forming the plies  141 A and  141 B has about 75 deflection conduits  422  per square inch as viewed in FIG.  11 . The knuckle area (area of the continuous network  423 ) is about 39 percent of the surface area of the drying fabric  119  as viewed in FIG.  11 . The distance D is about 16 mils. 
     The web is partially dried by dewatering and by predrying with through air drying apparatus  125  to a consistency of about 57 percent. The web is then adhered to the surface of yankee dryer  116 , and removed from the surface of the dryer  116  by the doctor blade  117  at a consistency of about 97 percent. The yankee dryer is operated at a speed of about 800 feet per minute. The dry web  124  is wound onto a roll at a speed of 716 feet per minute to provide the web  141 A (or  141 B), with dry foreshortening being about 10 percent. The web  141 A (or  141 B) has between about 75 and about 85 domes  184  per square inch. 
     The following procedure is used to make the web from which ply  42  is formed. A 0.1 percent aqueous slurry of papermaking fibers, water, and additives is formed for deposition on the foraminous member  111 . The aqueous slurry comprises a mixture of 60:40 by weight NSK and CTMP. The additives include a wet strength additive, a dry strength additive, a wettability agent, and a softness additive. The wet strength additive comprises an effective amount of epichlorohydrin adduct in the form of about 22 pounds KYMENE 557H per ton of dry fiber weight. The dry strength additive comprises an effective amount of Carboxy Methyl Cellulose in the form of about 3.7 pounds of CMC 7MT per ton of dry fiber weight. The wettability agent comprises an effective amount of Dodecylphenoxy poly (ethylenoxy)ethanol in the form of about 2 pounds of IGEPAL per ton of dry fiber weight. The Softness additive comprises an effective amount of Quaternary ammonium compound in the form of about 5 pounds of DTDMAMS per ton of dry fiber weight. 
     The slurry is deposited onto foraminous member  111  (a Fourdrinier wire of a 5 shed, satin weave configuration having 87 machine direction and 76 cross-machine direction filaments per inch), and dewatered to a consistency of about 14 percent. The resulting embryonic web is then transferred to the drying member  119 , which is in the form of a conventional papermakers dewatering felt having a relatively smooth web support surface. The felt is an Albany XYJ 1605-7 felt (precompressed) supplied by Albany International Corporation. 
     The web is partially dried by dewatering and pressing the web and felt to provide an intermediate web having a consistency of about 39 percent. The web is then adhered to the surface of yankee dryer  116 , and removed from the surface of the dryer  116  by the doctor blade  117  at a consistency of about 96 percent. The yankee dryer is operated at a speed of about 3200 feet per minute. The dry web  124  is wound onto a roll at a speed of 2712 feet per minute to provide the web  142 . The web  142  is dry foreshortened about 15 percent. 
     The resulting webs  141 A,  142 , and  141 B, when combined as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  to provide a 3 ply structure  20 , have the following characteristics: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Ply 41A (or 41B): 
                   
                 Homog. 3 ply (41A-41A-41A) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 25.4 
                 Caliper 
                 38.3 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 13.6 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 23.5 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 0.535 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 16.8 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value 
                 17.7 
                 Absorbent Rate 
                 0.96 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ply 42: 
                   
                 Homog. 3 ply (42-42-42) 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Caliper: 
                 6.0 
                 Caliper 
                 26.6 
               
               
                   
                 Basis Weight: 
                 12.5 
                 Absorb. Capacity 
                 15.4 
               
               
                   
                 Macro-Density: 
                 2.08 
                 Wicking Capacity: 
                 8.27 
               
               
                   
                 Texture Value: 
                 &lt;1.0 
                 Absorbent Rate 
                 0.24 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Heterogenous 
                   
               
               
                   
                                           3 Ply 41A-42-41B: 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                      Caliper: 
                 40.8 
               
               
                   
                      Absorb. Capacity 
                 26.5 
               
               
                   
                      Wicking Capacity: 
                 17.7 
               
               
                   
                      Absorbent Rate: 
                 0.86 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 4: 3 ply 
     The purpose of this example is to illustrate an alternative three ply embodiment such as that shown in FIG.  2 B. The three ply embodiment of this example includes a patterned, relatively textured ply  41  disposed between two substantially unpatterned, relatively untextured plies  42 A and  42 B. Ply  41  is formed from the same type web from which plies  41 A and  41 B are formed in Example 3. Plies  42 A and  42 B are formed from the same type web from which ply  42  is formed in Example 3. The resulting heterogeneous 3 ply paper product has the following properties:
         Heterogeneous 3 Ply  42 A- 41 - 42 B:
           Caliper: 27.8   Absorb Capacity 22.6   Wicking Capacity: 13.4   Absorbent Rate: 0.6   
               

     In alternative embodiments of Examples 3 and 4, the ply  42  in Example 3, and the plies  42 A and  42 B in Example 4 can be made from webs having multiple basis weight regions with a high basis weight region comprising an essentially continuous network, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,715 to Trokhan. The webs from which the plies  42 ,  42 A and  42 B are obtained can be formed by depositing an aqueous slurry onto a foraminous member  111  which comprises a plurality of discrete protuberances joined to a reinforcing structure, each protuberance having an orifice (as is described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,715). One suitable forming member  111  includes about 200 protuberances per square inch, each protuberance extending a distance D of about 5.5 mils above the reinforcing structure. The top surface areas of the protuberances comprise about 28 percent of the surface area of the drying member (knuckle area of the protuberances is about 28 percent). The reinforcing structure can be a 90×72 triple layer construction woven wire, available from the Appleton Wire Company. 
     TEST PROCEDURES 
     Samples are placed in a temperature (73±2 Fahrenheit) and relative humidity (50±2 percent) controlled location for at least 2 hours prior to testing. Testing is conducted under these conditions. 
     Absorbent Capacity 
     The absorbent capacity is a measure of the ability of a paper structure, while supported horizontally, to hold liquid. The absorbent capacity is measured using the following procedure: A full size (11 inch×11 inch) sheet is supported horizontally in a tared filament lined basket and weighed to provide the weight of the dry sheet. The filament lined basket has crossed filaments which serve to support the sheet horizontally. The crossed filaments permit unrestricted movement of water into and out of the paper sheet. The sheet supported in the basket is lowered into a distilled water bath having a temperature of 73±2 degrees F. for one minute. The basket is then raised from the bath, so that the sheet is allowed to drain for 1 minute. The basket and sheet are then re-weighed to obtain the weight of the water absorbed by the sheet. The absorbent capacity, in grams/gram, is calculated by dividing the weight of the water absorbed by the sheet by the weight of the dry sheet. The absorbent capacity is reported as an average of at least 8 measurements. 
     Absorbent Rate and Wicking Capacity 
     The absorbent rate is a measure of the rate at which a paper structure acquires liquid by wicking. The wicking capacity is a measure of the weight of water wicked into a sample per gram of sample dry weight. The absorbent rate and wicking capacity are measured using the following procedure. The sample sheet, which is cut into a circular shape having a 3 inch diameter, is supported horizontally on a tared filament tray. The weight of the dry sample is determined. 
     A vertical tube having a diameter of 0.312 inches and holding a column of distilled water is provided. The tube is supplied with water from a reservoir to provide a convex meniscus adjacent the lip of the tube. The water level in the tube is adjustable, such as by a pump, so that the meniscus can be raised to contact a sample sheet positioned above the lip of the tube. 
     The sample sheet supported in the filament tray is positioned above the vertical tube, such the the filament tray is about ⅛ inch above the lip of the tube. The water level in the tube is then varied so that the meniscus contacts the sample, after which the pressure used to raise the meniscus (about 2 psi) is reduced to zero. The weight of the sample sheet is monitored as water is taken up by the sample. Time zero is set at the instant when the sample first takes up water (first change in balance reading from dry weight). At time equals two seconds (two seconds after time zero), the contact between the meniscus and the sample sheet is broken by suction (about 2 psi) applied to the water in the tube, and the wetted sample weight is recorded. The wetted sample is weighed after breaking contact between the meniscus and the sample so as not to include surface tension in the weight measurement. 
     The absorbent rate is the weight of the wetted sample minus the sample dry weight, divided by 2 seconds. A small positive pressure (about 2 psi) is applied to the water in the tube to cause the meniscus to recontact the sample. The weight of the sample is again monitored until time equals 180 seconds. At time equals 180 seconds, the contact between the meniscus and the sample sheet is broken by suction (about 2 psi) applied to the water in the tube, and the wetted sample weight is again recorded. The wetted sample is weighed after breaking contact between the meniscus and the sample so as not to include surface tension in the weight measurement. The wicking capacity is calculated as the wetted sample weight at 180 seconds minus the dry weight, divided by the dry weight. The absorbent capacity and wicking capacity are each reported as an average of at least 4 measurements. 
     Texture Value 
     The texture value is a measurement of the non-embossed, wet formed texture of a surface of a tissue paper web. Each surface of a ply can be measured and assigned a texture value. Generally, if only one texture value is provided, it is the higher texture value for the two surfaces of a ply. Mechanically embossed texture, such as that imparted to the plies when the plies are combined, is not measured The texture value of a surface is determined by scanning a surface of a ply with a transmitted light microscope, and determining the elevation difference between a local high point (peak) and an adjacent local low point (valley) in a particular field of view. The texture value of the surface of a ply is preferably measured prior to combining a ply with other plies to form a multiple ply product. However, the texture value can also be obtained from a sample cut from a multiple ply sample, provided that any texture features created by combining the plies (e.g. embossing) are not included in the measurement. 
     The elevation difference is determined by varying the focus of the microscope, and recording the difference in focus positions between the peaks and adjacent valleys in the field of view. The measurements are made on a sample measuring about 2 inches by 1.5 inches. The difference between 15 adjacent peaks and valleys are measured and averaged to provide the texture value for the surface. A 10× eyepiece and a 10× objective (numerical aperture=0.30) is used for samples having more than about 150 peaks per square inch, and a 10× eyepiece and 5× objective (numerical aperture=0.15) is used for samples having less than about 150 peaks per square inch. A suitable microscope which has an readout indicating the difference in elevation between two focus settings is a Zeis Axioplan Transmitted Light Microscope with a Microcode II Accessory. The Microcode accessory records the range of focus settings in millimeters, which can then be converted to mils. 
     For instance, where the sample includes the wet formed domes  184  and network  183 , the microscope focus would be varied to bring into focus the top of a dome  184 . The microscope focus would then be varied to bring into focus the surface of an adjacent portion of the network  183 . The difference in elevation for the dome and adjacent network would be recorded. This process would be repeated to provide 15 dome/network elevation differences. The 15 elevation differences are then averaged to provide the texture value of the surface. The difference in elevation between a dome and adjacent network surface is represented as E in FIG.  5 . 
     Caliper 
     The caliper of a single or multiple ply sample is a measurement of thickness under a prescribed loading. The caliper of a ply is measured using the following procedure: A dial indicator is used to measure the thickness of the sample under a compressive loading of 95 grams per square inch provided by a foot having a 2 inch diameter. The caliper is reported as the average of at least 8 such measurements. 
     Basis Weight 
     The basis weight is a measure of the weight per unit area of a sample. The basis weight of a sample is measured using the following procedure. A total of eight plies of 4 inch by 4 inch square of the sample are weighed, to provide a weight per 128 square inches of the substrate (4×4×8). This weight per 128 square inches is then converted to units of pounds per 3000 square feet. The basis weight is reported as an average of 4 such measurements. 
     Macro-Density 
     The macro-density is the basis weight of a sample divided by its caliper.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1