US 2010/0102488 A1Published application

Method for making polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression

OwnerKeith Joseph Stone, Brian Francis Gray +1inventors

InventorsKeith Joseph Stone, Brian Francis Gray, Julie Ann O'Neil

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Abstract

A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method for making a macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional, apertured polymeric web from a substantially planar polymeric precursor web, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing said precursor web;
said precursor web having a thickness;
b. providing a forming structure having opposing first and second surfaces;
said forming structure comprising a plurality of protrusions, said protrusions having an aspect ratio of at least 1;
said protrusions having an amplitude measured from said first surface of said forming structure to a distal end of said protrusion, said protrusions being shaped such that an average dimension of a lateral cross-section at a particular amplitude is the same or greater than a similar average dimension of a lateral cross-section at any greater amplitude;
said protrusions having a center-to-center spacing that is greater than twice the thickness of the precursor web;
said forming structure comprising a multiplicity of forming structure apertures;
said apertures placing said opposed surfaces of said forming structure in fluid communication with one another;
c. supporting said precursor web on said forming structure;
d. applying at least one high pressure fluid jet to said precursor web, said fluid jet(s) having sufficient mass and velocity to cause said precursor web to be formed into a macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional, apertured polymeric web comprising hair-like fibrils and apertures;
said hair-like fibrils having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion;
e. providing drying means for removing liquid from said apertured polymeric web;
and
f. drying said macroscopically expanded, three-dimensional, apertured polymeric web.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/651,616Filed 4 Jan 2010
Priority: 20 Dec 2002
Published: 29 Apr 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B29C 59/06
By mechanical means, e.g. pressing: using vacuum drums
B26F 1/26
Perforating; Punching; Cutting-out; Stamping-out; Apparatus therefor: perforating by non-mechanical means, e.g. by fluid jet
B29C 59/025
Characterised by the disposition or the configuration, e.g. dimensions, of the embossments or the shaping tools therefor: fibrous surfaces with…
B29C 59/16
Surface shaping of articles, e.g. embossing; Apparatus therefor: by wave energy or particle radiation , e.g. infrared heating

Family

Application10/325,323Continuation · filed 20 Dec 2002
Application12/651,616Continuation
US 2004/0119207 A1Published application
US 7,655,176 B2Related patent
US 2010/0102488 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.