Method of producing apertured fabric using fluid streams

A method of forming an apertured web comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming a foraminous member comprising gross foramina and fine foramina wherein the gross foramina define a patterned design superimposed on said fine foramina by means of applying a photosensitive resin onto a foraminous element comprising fine foramina, curing said photosensitive resin by photoactivation in a pattern selected such that said cured resin forms elevated portions on said fine foramina defining said gross foramina, and removing all uncured photosensitive resin from said foraminous member;
• (b) providing a layer of fibers on said foraminous member;
• and
• (c) applying fluid streams to said layer of fibers such that the fibers are randomly entangled in regions interconnected by fibers extending between adjacent entangled regions in a pattern determined by the pattern of the gross foramina of the foraminous member to form an apertured web;
• wherein said elevated portions are discrete are characterized by a periphery steeply sloped and oblique relative to a surface of the foraminous element and by a distinct upper edge.