Method of embossing a web and cleaning deposits from embossing roll

A method of embossing a paper web, the method comprising the steps of:

• passing a paper web between a pair of embossing rolls, at least one of the rolls having a relieved pattern surface, thereby contacting the web with the surface of the embossing rolls and imparting the relieved pattern surface on the at least one embossing roll onto the web;
• mixing a lubricant with pressurized air;
• and
• preventing or cleaning deposits from the surface of the at least one embossing roll by directing the mixture of lubricant and pressurized air through an air nozzle and against the patterned surface of the embossing roll after the embossing roll rotates out of contact with the web to prevent deposits from sticking to the surface of the embossing roll, the air being directed against the embossing roll surface as an air knife, the air knife extending an embossing width of the embossing roll.

A method of preventing or cleaning deposits from a relieved-pattern roll, the method comprising the steps of:

• passing a paper web between a pair of relieved-pattern rolls, at least one of the rolls having a patterned surface extending for a width substantially equivalent to the width of the web, the surfaces of the pair of relieved-pattern rolls contacting the web and imparting the patterned surface of the at least one relieved-pattern roll onto the web;
• providing pressurized air;
• and
• directing the pressurized air through an air nozzle having an elongated narrow outlet configured to form the pressurized air as an air knife against a surface of the relieved-pattern roll after the surface rotates out of contact with the moving web, the air knife extending a patterning width of the relieved-pattern roll.

A method of preventing or cleaning deposits from a relieved-pattern roll for imparting a pattern onto a moving web, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing pressurized air;
• mixing a lubricant with the pressurized air;
• and
• directing the pressurized air through an air nozzle having an elongated narrow outlet configured to form the pressurized air as an air knife against a surface of the relieved-pattern roll after the surface rotates out of contact with the moving web, the air knife extending a patterning width of the relieved-pattern roll.