Methods of bonding materials, especially materials used in absorbent articles

A method of bonding a laminate, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an anvil roll and a patterned roll, said anvil roll and said patterned roll being capable of counter-rotating in relation to each other, said anvil roll having an anvil roll surface and said patterned roll having a patterned roll surface, at least one load bearing member disposed between said patterned roll surface and said anvil roll surface, said load bearing member having a caliper, at least one pattern element extending from said patterned roll surface, said pattern element having a height, said caliper of said load bearing member being greater than said height of said pattern element;
• (b) providing a loading force to press said anvil roll to said patterned roll;
• (c) providing a laminate between said patterned roll surface and said anvil roll surface;
• and
• (d) counter-rotating said anvil roll and said patterned roll in relation to one another to compress said laminate between said pattern element and said anvil roll surface to effect a bond in said laminate.