# US 11,441,274 B2 · Tissue products having emboss elements with reduced bunching and methods for producing the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,441,274 B2 - Document ID: US11441274B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/149,174 - Filed: 2021-01-14 - Published: 2021-09-16 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-16 - Assignees: GPCP IP Holdings LLC - Applicants: GPCP IP Holdings LLC - Inventors: Brian J. Schuh; Steven R. Olson; Michael D. Wishneski; Eric A. Stuart - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11441274B2 ## CPC - D21F 11/14: Making cellulose wadding, filter or blotting paper - D21H 27/40: at least one of the sheets being non-planar, e.g. crêped (crêping or corrugating paper B31F) - B31F 1/07: Embossing {, i.e. producing impressions formed by locally deep-drawing, e.g. using rolls provided with complementary profiles}({B31F1/128 takes precedence;} corrugating B31F1/20; embossing in combination with printing B41F19/02, B41M1/24; typewriters for embossing B41J3/38; stamping in combination with deforming B41K3/36) - D21F 11/006: {Making patterned paper} - 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 27/02: Patterned paper (patterned coatings D21H19/66; embossing B31F1/07; prepared on the paper-making machines D21F11/00) - D21H 27/32: with materials applied between the sheets (attaching together paper or cardboard sheets B31F5/00; adhesives C09J) - B31F 2201/0715: The tools being rollers - B31F 2201/0733: Pattern - B31F 2201/0738: Cross sectional profile of the embossments - B31F 2201/0761: Multi-layered - B31F 2201/0787: Applying adhesive - D21F: PAPER-MAKING MACHINES; METHODS OF PRODUCING PAPER THEREON - 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 - B31F: MECHANICAL WORKING OR DEFORMATION OF PAPER, CARDBOARD OR MATERIAL WORKED IN A MANNER ANALOGOUS TO PAPER (making layered products not composed wholly of paper or cardboard B32B) ## Abstract Products having reducing tissue wrinkling, puckering, and bunching and improved emboss definition, emboss visibility, and perceived softness are described. The methods comprise embossing the tissue sheet with a emboss elements having segments aligned in the machine direction and including an abatement component, such as a tapered width or a multi dual-apex, that can absorb machine direction stretch during the production of the product. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tissue product comprising; at least one tissue ply comprising a pattern of embossments having at least one conforming embossment having at least one segment that aligns in the machine direction for a distance equal to an aspect ratio of at least 2.5; wherein the at least one conforming embossment has a base and an apex; wherein the conforming embossment has a length; wherein the apex of the conforming embossment has a width; and wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises at least one of a taper varying the width of the apex such that the width of the apex narrows to a narrowest portion and widens to a widest portion along at least one portion of the length of the conforming embossment or at least one channel running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into at least two sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one ply has a MD elongation stretch from about 10% to about 40%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises a taper varying the width of the apex from a narrowest portion to a widest portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises at least one channel running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into at least two sections. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises a taper varying the width of the apex and at least one channel running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into at least two sections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The tissue product of claim 3, wherein the width of the apex of the conforming embossment at the narrowest portion is at least about 5% less than the width of the apex at the widest portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The tissue product of claim 3, wherein the width of the apex of the conforming embossment at the narrowest portion is at least about 15% less than the width of the apex at the widest portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The tissue product of claim 3, wherein the taper repeats along the length of the conforming embossment at an interval of at least about 2.5. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The tissue product of claim 3, wherein the taper repeats along the length of the conforming embossment at an interval of at least about 5. ### Claim 10 (depends on 4) The tissue product of claim 4, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises one channel running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into two sections. ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The tissue product of claim 4, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises two channels running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into three sections. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The tissue product of claim 4, wherein the width of the at least one channel is at least about 10% of the total width of the apex. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The tissue product of claim 4, wherein the width of the at least one channel is at least about 35% of the total width of the apex. ### Claim 14 (depends on 4) The tissue product of claim 4, wherein the width of the at least one channel is from about 20% to about 50% of the total width of the apex. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one conforming embossment is a continuous embossment. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one conforming embossment comprises a series of continuous embossments that form a series of cells. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment aligns in the machine direction for a distance equal to an aspect ratio of at least 3.5. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the at least one segment aligns in the machine direction for a distance equal to an aspect ratio of at least 5. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The tissue product of claim 1, wherein the product comprises at least one second tissue ply bonded to the at least one first tissue ply by adhesive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The tissue product of claim 19, wherein the at least one conforming embossment of the at least one first tissue ply comprises at least one channel running the length of the conforming embossment dividing the apex into at least two sections, and wherein the at least one first tissue ply is bonded to the at least one second tissue ply by adhesive applied to the at least two sections of the apex. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The tissue product of claim 15, wherein the continuous embossment is not broken into smaller elements.