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US 2015/0147539 A1Published application
Printed 3D-Elastic Laminates
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsOomman P. Thomas, Simon K. Poruthoor, Charles Morell
Life of this patent
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AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsOomman P. Thomas, Simon K. Poruthoor, Charles Morell
Estimating the term…
An aesthetically pleasing elastic film with three-dimensional characteristics is provided. In one embodiment, a two-dimensional ink structure is printed onto an elastic film, which is then activated, for example, by heat, which transforms the two-dimensional ink structure into a three-dimensional ink structure on one or more outer surfaces of the film. The location and amount of ink applied can be selectively controlled so that the film has the desired hand feel without sacrificing the elastic properties of the film. Further the printing and activating of the ink can be controlled to increase the tear resistance of the film or to conversely allow the film to tear or rip at desired locations on demand. In another embodiment, the elastic film can be laminated to a facing to form a laminate, where the outer surface of the film that is not in contact with the facing contains the three-dimensional ink structures.
An elastic film having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, the film comprising a first outer-facing surface, a second outer-facing surface, and three-dimensional ink structures, wherein each of the three-dimensional ink structures is present on the first outer-facing surface in a pattern extending in a predominant direction, wherein a continuous gap exists between adjacent three-dimensional ink structures, and further wherein the film is stretchable along the continuous gap in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the predominant direction in which the three-dimensional ink structures extend.
A method of producing an elastic film having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, the method comprising:
A film having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction, the film comprising a first outer-facing surface, a second outer-facing surface, and three-dimensional ink structures, wherein each of the three-dimensional ink structures is present on the first outer-facing surface in a pattern extending in a predominant direction, wherein a continuous gap exists between adjacent three-dimensional ink structures, wherein the film is elastic or inelastic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.