# US 8,574,400 B1 · Tissue comprising macroalgae > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,574,400 B1 - Document ID: US8574400B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/481,154 - Filed: 2012-05-25 - Published: 2013-11-28 - Granted: 2013-11-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-25 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Applicants: Thomas Gerard Shannon; Bo Shi; Candace Dyan Krautkramer; Michael William Veith - Inventors: Thomas Gerard Shannon; Bo Shi; Candace Dyan Krautkramer; Michael William Veith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8574400B1 ## CPC - D21H 11/00: Pulp or paper, comprising cellulose or lignocellulose fibres of natural origin only - D21H 17/005: {Microorganisms or enzymes} - D21H 17/02: Material of vegetable origin (proteins D21H17/22; lignins D21H17/23; polysaccharides D21H17/24; rosin D21H17/62) - D21H 27/002: {Tissue paper; Absorbent paper (D21H21/22, D21H27/02, D21H27/20 take precedence; toilet paper A47K10/00; absorbent pads for physiological fluids A61L15/16; making on paper-making machines D21F11/00)} - D21H 27/005: {relating to physical or mechanical properties, e.g. tensile strength, stretch, softness} - D21H 27/007: {relating to absorbency, e.g. amount or rate of water absorption, optionally in combination with other parameters relating to physical or mechanical properties} - D21H 27/30: Multi-ply (for surface covering D21H27/18; making on paper-making machines D21F9/00, D21F11/00) - D21H 27/38: at least one of the sheets having a fibrous composition differing from that of other sheets - D21H: PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The disclosure provides tissue webs, and products incorporating the same, where the webs comprise macroalgae fibers. More specifically the disclosure provides soft and durable tissue webs comprising at least about 1 percent macroalgae fiber by weight of the web. In the tissue webs of the present disclosure, macroalgae fibers may preferably replace high average fiber length wood fibers, which increases the strength and durability of the web without negatively stiffness. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tissue web comprising from about 1 to about 4 weight percent macroalgae fibers, the tissue web having a basis weight less than about 60 grams per square meter (gsm) and a sheet bulk greater than about 5 cm3/g. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a Stiffness Index of less than about 10. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having an MD Durability Index of greater than about 10. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a basis weight from about 15 to about 60 gsm, a geometric mean tensile index of at least about 30 and geometric mean slope of less than about 10 kg. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a wet to dry tensile strength ratio in the machine direction of about 0.3 or greater. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a plurality of pores with a mean flow pore size less than about 30 microns and wherein no more than two percent of the plurality of pores have a pore size greater than 50 microns. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a basis weight from about 15 to about 60 gsm and a Wicking Capacity of greater than about 3 grams per gram. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 having a basis weight from about 15 to about 60 gsm and a Retention Capacity of greater than about 4 grams per gram. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 macroalgae fibers are red algae pulp fibers derived from Gelidium elegance, Gelidium corneum, Gelidium amansii, Gelidium robustum, Gelidium chilense, Gracelaria verrucosa, Eucheuma Cottonii, Eucheuma Spinosum, or Beludul. ### Claim 10 A multi-layered tissue web comprising a first fibrous layer and a second fibrous layer, the first fibrous layer comprising conventional papermaking fibers and the second comprising macroalgae fibers, wherein the first fibrous layer is substantially free of macroalgae fibers and the second fibrous layer comprises from about 1 to about 4 percent macroalgae fiber by weight of the total web, the tissue web having a basis weight less than about 60 grams per square meter (gsm) and a sheet bulk greater than about 5 cm3/g. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 wherein the first fibrous layer comprises hardwood fibers and the second fibrous layer comprises macroalgae and softwood fibers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 further comprising a third fibrous layer and wherein the second fibrous layer is disposed between the first and the second fibrous layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tissue web of claim 12 wherein the third fibrous layer comprises hardwood fibers and is substantially free of macroalgae fibers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 having a basis weight from about 15 to about 60 gsm, a geometric mean tensile index of at least about 30 and a geometric mean slope of less than about 10 kg. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 having a Stiffness Index of less than about 10. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 having an MD Durability Index of greater than about 10. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The tissue web of claim 1 comprising from about 1 to about 3 weight percent macroalgae fibers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The tissue web of claim 10 comprising from about 1 to about 3 weight percent macroalgae fibers.