Method of making an absorbent structure having three-dimensional topography
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Thomas Baker, Theresa Michelle McCoy, Stephen Avedis Baratian, Charles Wilson Colman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography includes placing at least a portion of the absorbent structure between opposed mold surfaces. At least one of the mold surfaces has a three-dimensional topography. The three-dimensional topography of the mold surface is imparted onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface.
Claims15
A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography comprises:
- placing at least a portion of the absorbent structure between opposed mold surfaces, at least one of the mold surfaces having a three-dimensional topography;
- and
- imparting the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface, the absorbent structure having the three-dimensional topography imparted thereon having a projected area as determined by a Topography Analysis Method, an upper surface of the absorbent structure having a vertical area as determined by the Topography Analysis Method in the range of about 0.1 cm2 to about 0.5 cm2 per 1.0 cm2 projected area of the absorbent structure.
A method of making an absorbent structure having a three-dimensional topography comprises:
- passing the absorbent structure through a nip defined by opposed rolls, at least one of the rolls having a mold surface with a three-dimensional topography;
- and
- imparting the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface onto the absorbent structure so that the absorbent structure has a three-dimensional topography corresponding to the three-dimensional topography of the mold surface, the absorbent structure having the three-dimensional topography imparted thereon having a projected area as determined by a Topography Analysis Method, an upper surface of the absorbent structure having a vertical area as determined by the Topography Analysis Method in the range of about 0.1 cm2 to about 0.5 cm2 per 1.0 cm2 projected area of the absorbent structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.