A process for producing tissue webs is disclosed. The process may include
the step of partially dewatering a tissue web, subjecting the web to at
least one deflection against a fabric, such as a coarse fabric, and then
creping the web. During the process, after being dewatered, the tissue
web is transferred from a transfer conveyor to the fabric using a
pneumatic force, such as a suction force. In order to prevent liquids
from rewetting the tissue web as the tissue web is being transferred to
the fabric, the transfer conveyor is made from a material that inhibits
or prevents liquids from flowing into the tissue web. For instance, in
one embodiment, the transfer conveyor may comprise a felt comprised of
small capillary materials. The felt may have an intake rate, for
instance, of less than about 150 .mu.L/s when wet, may have a mean free
pore size of less than about 20 microns, and may have a minimum pore size
of less than about 5 microns.