Process for making an embossed web
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsKeith Joseph Stone, Roger Dale Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for making an embossed web. A precursor web is provided between a forming structure and a compliant substrate. The forming structure has a plurality of discrete protruded elements and lands completely surrounding them. Pressure is provided between the compliant substrate and the forming structure to conform the precursor web to the forming structure to form the embossed web. The resulting embossed web has a plurality of discrete extended elements completely surrounded by land areas.
Claims22
A process for making an embossed web comprising a plurality of discrete extended elements formed integrally with said embossed web, said extended elements having open proximal portions, closed or open distal ends, and sidewalls, said extended elements being thinned at said distal ends and/or along said sidewalls, said process comprising the steps of:
- providing a forming structure comprising a plurality of discrete protruded elements and lands completely surrounding said discrete protruded elements, wherein said discrete protruded elements each have a diameter of less than about 500 microns;
- providing a compliant substrate;
- providing a precursor web between said compliant substrate and said forming structure;
- wherein said precursor web comprises a colorant, synthetic material, metallic material, biological material, or combinations thereof;
- and
- said compliant substrate providing pressure against said forming structure sufficient to conform said precursor web to said discrete protruded elements of said forming structure to form said embossed web;
- wherein said precursor web has a melting point and wherein said process is carried out at a temperature less than said melting point of said precursor web;
- wherein said embossed web is formed and wherein said extended elements extend outwardly from a surface of said embossed web to a height that is greater than the thickness of said precursor web.
A process for making an embossed web comprising a plurality of discrete extended elements formed integrally with said embossed web, said extended elements having open proximal portions, closed or open distal ends, and sidewalls, said extended elements being thinned at said distal ends and/or along said sidewalls, said process comprising the steps of:
- providing a forming structure comprising a plurality of discrete protruded elements and lands completely surrounding said discrete protruded elements, wherein said forming structure comprises at least about 95 discrete protruded elements per square centimeter;
- providing a compliant substrate;
- providing a precursor web between said compliant substrate and said forming structure;
- wherein said precursor web comprises a colorant, synthetic material, metallic material, biological material, or combinations thereof;
- and
- said compliant substrate providing pressure against said forming structure sufficient to conform said precursor web to said discrete protruded elements of said forming structure to form said embossed web;
- wherein said precursor web has a melting point and wherein said process is carried out at a temperature less than said melting point of said precursor web;
- wherein said embossed web is formed and wherein said extended elements extend outwardly from a surface of said embossed web to a height that is greater than the thickness of said precursor web.
A process for making an embossed web comprising a plurality of discrete extended elements formed integrally with said embossed web, said extended elements having open proximal portions, closed or open distal ends, and sidewalls, said extended elements being thinned at said distal ends and/or along said sidewalls, said process comprising the steps of:
- providing a forming structure comprising a plurality of discrete protruded elements and lands completely surrounding said discrete protruded elements, wherein said discrete protruded elements each have a non-columnar shape;
- providing a compliant substrate;
- providing a precursor web between said compliant substrate and said forming structure;
- wherein said precursor web comprises a colorant, synthetic material, metallic material, biological material, or combinations thereof;
- and said compliant substrate providing pressure against said forming structure sufficient to conform said precursor web to said discrete protruded elements of said forming structure to form said embossed web;
- wherein said precursor web has a melting point and wherein said process is carried out at a temperature less than said melting point of said precursor web;
- wherein said embossed web is formed and wherein said extended elements extend outwardly from a surface of said embossed web to a height that is greater than the thickness of said precursor web.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.