Non-impact printing method for applying compositions to webs and products produced therefrom
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJohn J. Urlaub, Thomas G. Shannon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is disclosed for application of compositions onto non-woven webs, such as paper webs. The present invention is also directed to products made from the process. In general, the method includes applying a composition to a non-woven web using a non-impact printer, such as an ink jet printer. The composition is applied, in one embodiment, as droplets that remain as discrete shapes on the substrate. In this manner, treated areas and untreated areas are formed on the web. Through this process, the water absorption and control properties of the web can be adjusted as desired while simultaneously treating the web with a composition that improves the physical and/or chemical properties of the web.
Claims24
A process for applying a composition onto a nonwoven web comprising:
- providing a nonwoven sheet, the nonwoven sheet comprising a paper web containing cellulosic fibers;
- and
- non-impact printing a composition onto at least one side of the sheet using an ink jet printer, the composition being applied in an amount sufficient to improve the physical properties of the sheet or to be transferred to an adjacent surface during use of the sheet, the composition being deposited on the sheet in the form of discrete droplets, the droplets on the sheet having a diameter of less than about 3 mm, the composition being applied to the sheet in a discontinuous manner such that the sheet includes treated areas where the droplets reside and untreated areas, the treated areas comprising from about 5% to about 90% of the surface area of the at least one side, wherein the paper web after being printed with the composition has a wet out time of less than about 10 seconds.
A process for applying a composition onto a paper web comprising the steps of:
- providing a paper sheet containing cellulosic fibers, the sheet having a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 80 gsm and having a bulk of at least about 2 cm3/g;
- and
- non-impact printing a composition onto at least one side of the sheet using an ink jet printer, the composition being deposited on the sheet in the form of discrete droplets, the droplets on the sheet having a diameter of less than about 3 mm, the composition being applied to the sheet in a discontinuous manner such that the sheet includes treated areas where the droplets reside and untreated areas, the treated areas comprising from about 5% to about 90% of the surface area of the at least one side, the composition being applied to the sheet at an add on rate of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the sheet, the paper sheet after being treated with the composition having a wet out time of less than about 10 seconds.
A paper product comprising:
- a paper sheet comprising pulp fibers, the paper sheet having a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 80 gsm and having a bulk of at least about 10 cc per gram;
- and
- a composition applied to at least one side of the paper sheet, the composition comprising a chemical additive, the composition being applied to the sheet in the form of discrete droplets, the droplets forming treated areas on the sheet separated by untreated areas, the droplets on the sheet having a diameter of less than about 200 microns, the treated areas comprising from about 5% to about 90% of the surface area of the at least one side of the sheet, the composition being hydrophobic, the sheet after being treated with the composition having a wet out time of less than about 10 seconds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.