Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIBROUS STRUCTURES WITH
VISUALLY AND ELEMENTALLY BALANCED DESIGNS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fibrous structures having an embossed and/or
printed
design and methods for making the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fibrous structures including sanitary tissue products, such as bath tissue,
facial tissue and
paper towels, are commonly used by consumers. Often fibrous structures are
embossed or
printed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look to the exposed surface of
the products and/or
provide some structural enhancement to the product (e.g., embossments assist
in bonding
multiple plies, providing additional depth, etc.).
While printing and embossing are common, manufacturers of fibrous structures
face
challenges when providing designs for their products, including but not
limited to producing
designs that distinguish their products from competitors, appeal to the
consumers, provide
insights about their products to consumers through feel and visual effects,
and are efficient and
cost-effective to produce.
Moreover, manufacturers have found it difficult to produce complex designs
that are
vertically or horizontally centered and/or aligned. Rather, designs are often
diagonal along the
length of the fibrous structure. The diagonal orientation is at least
partially due to the methods of
manufacturing fibrous structures such as sanitary tissue products having
embossed designs.
Indeed, emboss rolls have skewed patterns (i.e., patterns oriented at an
angle) to avoid issues
with balance and roll wear. If emboss patterns were aligned vertically or
horizontally, the
concentration of elements in one location could cause the emboss roll to wear
in that area,
causing additional costs of repair and slowdown in production. Likewise,
emboss rolls are often
used in conjunction with backing surfaces or the like to create a nip. If
design elements are
aligned vertically or horizontally, there may be fluctuations in the
concentration of emboss
elements at the nip (i.e., fluctuations of concentration throughout the cross
machine direction,
where there is a higher concentration of elements where dense elements are
located and a lower
concentration of elements in other areas). These fluctuations cause
vibrations, which result in
lower production rates and product quality issues, among other things. To
resolve these balance
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issues, manufacturers skew their emboss patterns on the emboss roll. However,
skewing
precludes the ability to provide vertically and horizontally aligned patterns
on the fibrous
structures.
With printing apparatuses, manufacturers often manually lay out design
elements to ward
against balance issues. Obviously, manual placement of each design element to
avoid sheet
balance issues is not cost-effective or efficient. One such balance issue ¨
sheet height imbalance
¨ occurs when a design element is repeated in the same spot about a rolled
fibrous structure or
stacked fibrous structure such that the stacked or rolled product exhibits an
undesired high caliper
in one location as compared to the surrounding areas. The high caliper can be
caused by a higher
concentration of ink in that area and is not an intended consequence of the
design. Sheet height
imbalance may also occur with a repeated embossed element.
In addition, manufacturers also face the challenge of creating complex designs
that
visually appear centered, vertically aligned and/or horizontally aligned.
Again, production
methods are partially responsible for such challenge. For example, printing
equipment may not
perfectly and consistently register elements and embossment elements are
skewed as noted
above.
Likewise, manufacturers have been unable to dispose complex designs on rolled
products
in a way that allows such designs to continue uninterrupted from the last
sheet of the roll to the
underlying sheet such that the design is visually continuous about the
circumference of the roll
regardless of where the end of the terminal sheet lands.
Further to the above, high speed production of fibrous structures such as
sanitary tissue
products requires simple designs that are easily repeatable, where print files
and/or embossment
patterns can be easily manufactured and replicated if necessary. Complex
designs, until now,
required multiple files, numerous design elements and size alterations when
reproducing the
designs on different size products.
Thus, there is a need to provide a balanced, non-skewed, visually centered
and/or
vertically aligned and/or horizontally aligned printed and/or embossed design
for fibrous
structures like sanitary tissue products. Likewise, there is a need to provide
enhanced consumer-
appealing designs for fibrous structures. Further, there is a need to solve
these issues in a cost-
effective and efficient manner and/or a manner that reduces issues with roll
wear and nip balance.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A strip of a fibrous structure is disclosed. The strip has a first edge and a
second edge
opposite the first edge, wherein the first edge and the second edge define a
strip width
therebetween. The strip has a main centerline extending in a longitudinal
direction and
equidistant between the first edge and the second edge and a central region
extending in a
longitudinal direction and having a central width, wherein the central width
is less than the strip
width and the centrai region extends laterally outwardly on each side of the
main centerline. .A
first edge region and a second edge region is disposed each extend outward
from the central
region toward at least one of the first edge and the second edge. The strip
has a first pattern
comprising a first major design. element and a first minor design element,
wherein the first major
design element is at least partially disposed in the central region and the
first minor design
element is at least partially disposed in the one of the group consisting of
the first edge region
and the second edge region. The strip further has a second pattern comprising
a second major
design element and a second minor design. element, wherein the second major
design element is
at least partially disposed in the central region and the second minor design
element is at least
partially disposed in the one of the group consisting of the first edge region
and the second edge
region. The first pattern and the second pattern interlock to form an
interlocking motif
in another embodiment, a fibrous structure having an interlocking motif is
disclosed. The
fibrous structure comprises a machined direction and a cross machine
direction. The interlocking
motif has a width, W, in the cross machine direction and a length, L, in the
machine direction.
The interlocking motif also has a interlocking motif centerline extending
longitudinally and being
substantially parallel to the machine direction and a first pattern and a
second pattern overlapping
the first pattern. The fibrous structure includes a lock and step repeat of
the interlocking motif to
form a repeating interlocking motif having a repeat width, R.W, in the cross
machine direction.
in another embodiment, a convolutely wound log having a repeating continuing
design is
disclosed. The log includes a terminal sheet having a machine direction, a
cross machine
direction and a terminal end extending in the cross machine direction. The log
also includes an
underlying sheet that has a covered portion disposed underneath the terminal
sheet and a visible
portion adjacent to the terminal end. The fibrous structure has a repeating
continuing design
comprising a continuing design repeating two or more times in the machine
direction, wherein
the continuing design is visually continuous between the terminal sheet and
the visible portion of
the underlying sheet.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a fibrous structure in accordance with one
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a fibrous structure in accordance with one
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of design elements in accordance with one
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of one design element in accordance with
a
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4A is a plan, sectional view of a strip in accordance with one
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a fibrous structure in accordance with one
nonlirniting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the fibrous structure of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a fibrous structure in accordance with another
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 8A and 8B are schematic representations of an elementally balanced
interlocking
motif in accordance with nonlimiting embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of a strip in accordance with one nonlimiting embodiment
of the
present invention;
Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a pattern in accordance with one
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11.A is a schematic representation of a pattern. in accordance with
another nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 11B is a schematic representation of an interlocking motif in accordance
with a
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12A is a schematic representation of emboss roll in accordance with a
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12B is a schematic representation of a prior art emboss roll;
Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a repeating motif in accordance with
a
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
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Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of a repeating motif in accordance with
another
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1.5 is a schematic representation of a convolutely wound log in
accordance with one
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
5 Fig. 16 is a schematic representation of a fibrous structure having a
repeating motif in
accordance with a nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 17 is a schematic representation of a design in accordance with a
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. l 8 is a partial plan view of a fibrous structure in accordance with a
nonlimiting
embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 19A and 19B are schematic representations of a convolutely wound log in
accordance with nonlimiting embodiments of the present invention;
Fig. 20 is a schematic representation of a convolutely wound log in accordance
with one
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a schematic representation of an imparting apparatus in accordance
with one
nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 22 is a schematic representation of an imparting apparatus in accordance
with
another nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 23 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for measuring roll
diameter and/or
roll compressibility in accordance with a nonlimiting embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
"Brand information" as used herein means any descriptions, depictions, objects
or other
indicia relating to a brand (i.e., a single source identifier which identifies
a product and/or service
as exclusively corning from a single commercial source). Nonlimiting examples
of a brand are
PUFFS facial tissue, CHARMIN bath tissue, and BOUNTY paper towels. PUFFS ,
CHARMIN and BOUNTY are also trademarks. Nonlimiting examples of brand
information
are brand names, brand insignia, slogans, mascots, endorsements,
certifications,
recommendations and claims regarding brand performance, quality, history
recognition or
consumers' preferences for the brand.
"Brand insignia" as used herein means objects, character representations,
words, colors,
shapes or other indicia that can be used to distinguish, identify or represent
the manufacturer,
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retailer, distributor or brand of a product, including but not limited to
trademarks, logos,
emblems, symbols, designs, figures, fonts, lettering, crests or similar
identifying marks.
"Pattern" as used herein means an arrangement of one or more design elements.
"Design element" as used herein means a shape or combination of shapes that
visually
create a distinct and discrete component, regardless of the size or
orientation of the component.
A design element may be present in one or more patterns. A design element may
be present one
or more times within one pattern. In one nonlimiting example, the same design
element is
present twice in one pattern ¨ the second instance of the design element is
smaller than the first
instance. One of skill in the art will recognize that alternative arrangements
are also possible.
"Concentrated design element(s)" generally are the densest design element(s)
on a fibrous
structure, emboss apparatus (e.g., emboss roll) or printing apparatus (e.g.,
print plate). Whether a
design element constitutes a concentrated design element is based on relative
measurements.
Each design element is measured by drawing a perimeter outline that fully
surrounds the entire
element. The perimeter outline must be at have an area of at least .0625
inches. Design elements
that can be fully captured with a perimeter outline having an area of less
than .0625 inches should
be discounted from the analysis. A concentrated design element will have an
emboss and print
area that is at least 1.25 times the emboss and print area of another design
element present on the
fibrous structure, emboss apparatus or printing apparatus. In an embodiment,
there may be more
than one concentrated design element present. In such embodiment, the relative
emboss and
print area of the two concentrated design elements may not differ by a factor
1.25; however, each
will have a emboss and print area that is at least 1.25 times greater than the
emboss and print area
of another design element located on the same fibrous structure, print
apparatus or emboss
apparatus. By way of example, in Fig. 1, the word "Charmin" is a concentrated
design element.
In general, any embossed or printed word or noticeable brand information is a
concentrated
design element as long as it meets the emboss and print area requirements
explained above.
"Fibrous structure" as used herein means a structure that comprises one or
more fibrous
elements. In one example, a fibrous structure according to the present
invention means an
association of fibrous elements that together form a structure capable of
performing a function.
Nonlimiting examples of fibrous structures of the present invention include
paper (such as a
sanitary tissue product) and fabrics (including woven, knitted, and non-
woven).
Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures include known
wet-laid
papermalcing processes, air-laid papermaking processes, and wet, solution, and
dry filament
spinning processes, for example meltblowing and spunbonding spinning
processes, that are
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typically referred to as nonwoven processes. Further processing of the formed
fibrous structure
may be carried out such that a finished fibrous structure is formed. For
example, in typical
papermaking processes, the finished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure
that is wound on the
reel at the end of papet ____________________________________________________
making. The finished fibrous structure may subsequently be converted
into a finished product, e.g. a sanitary tissue product.
"Fibrous element" as used herein means an elongate particulate having a length
greatly
exceeding its average diameter, i.e. a length to average diameter ratio of at
least about 10. A
fibrous element may be a filament or a fiber. For purposes of the present
invention, a "fiber" is
an elongate particulate as described above that exhibits a length of less than
5.08 cm (2 in.) and a
"filament" is an elongate particulate as described above that exhibits a
length of greater than or
equal to 5.08 cm (2 in.).
Fibers are typically considered discontinuous in nature. Nonlimiting examples
of fibers
include cellulosic fibers (e.g., wood pulp, cotton linters, rayon, lyocell,
bagasse, grasses or grain)
and synthetic staple fibers (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester,
copolymers thereof,
rayon, glass fibers and polyvinyl alcohol fibers).
Filaments are typically considered continuous or substantially continuous in
nature.
Filaments are relatively longer than fibers. Nonlimiting examples of filaments
include
meltblown and/or spunbond filaments. Nonlimiting examples of polymers that can
be spun into
filaments include natural polymers or synthetic polymers.
Also applicable to the present invention are fibrous elements derived from
recycled paper.
"Sanitary tissue product" as used herein means a soft, relatively low density
fibrous
structure useful as a wiping implement for post-urinary and post-bowel
movement cleaning
(toilet tissue), for otorhinolaiyngological discharges (facial tissue), multi-
functional absorbent
and cleaning uses (paper towels) and wipes, such as wet and dry wipes. The
sanitary tissue
product may be convolutely wound upon itself about a core or without a core to
form a sanitary
tissue product roll or the sanitary tissue product may be in the form of
discrete sheets. The
sanitary tissue product can be single-ply or multi-ply. In general, any
sanitary tissue product
made by known papermaking methods can be utilized in the present invention.
Therefore, the
description below is nonlimiting with respect to the particular sanitary
tissue product to be
embossed and/or printed on, the particular manufacturing method, or the
particular format (e.g.,
rolled or stacked/interleaved).
The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may comprise additives
such as
softening agents, temporary wet strength agents, permanent wet strength
agents, bulk softening
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agents, lotions, silicones, wetting agents, latexes, patterned latexes and
other types of additives
suitable for inclusion in and/or on sanitary tissue products. The sanitary
tissue product of the
present invention may be manufactured by any process known in the art prior to
being embossed
or printed on in accordance with the present invention.
"Machine Direction" or "MD" as used herein means the direction parallel to the
flow of
the fibrous structure through the fibrous structure making machine and/or
sanitary tissue product
manufacturing equipment.
"Cross Machine Direction" or "CD" as used herein means the direction parallel
to the
width of the fibrous structure making machine andior sanitary tissue product
manufacturing
equipment and peipendicular to the machine direction.
As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used herein, for example, "an
anionic
surfactant" or "a fiber", is understood to mean one or more of the material
that is claimed or
described.
"Embossing" refers to a type of paper finish obtained by mechanically
impressing a
design on the finished paper with engraved rolls, plates, or belts in
combination with
complimentary or mating metallic, cross-linked rubber, or sail rubber or
rubber-like rolls, or
belts.
"Printing" refers to a type of finish applied to the absorbent product that
imparts visually
perceptible design through the application of color. One or more colors can be
applied
mechanically by means commonly known in the art such as applying ink by a
gravure roll,
flexographic plates, ink jet printers or other known means.
To be "elementally balanced" as used herein means that an item, such as a
pattern or an
interlocking motif, (i) can be printed or embossed without substantial
vibration or wear =in an
emboss roll or printing apparatus from which the item was imparted, and/or
(ii) can be printed or
embossed without creating an area of sheet height imbalance. An example of an
elementally
balanced pattern is depicted in Fig. 1. Those of skill in the art will
appreciate that a pattern or
motif on an emboss apparatus or on a print apparatus can be directly
translated to a fibrous
structure (i.e., the design on the emboss apparatus and/or printing apparatus
can be substantially
replicated on the fibrous structure) such that, for example, a pattern
balanced on an emboss roll is
balanced on a fibrous structure.
"Non-Diagonal" as used herein means an item, such as a pattern or an
interlocking motif,
that has a centerline extending longitudinally through the item that is
substantially parallel to the
MD or that is substantially parallel to the CD.
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"Lock and step" as used herein refers to a translation of an item, such as
repeating
interlocking motifs, having both a MD vector component and a CD vector
component. As with
any translation, every point in the first instance of the item is moved in the
same direction and the
same distance to arrive at the corresponding point in the second instance of
the item. In the case
of lock and step as defined herein, the direction in which the points are
moved comprises both a
MD component and a CD component.
"Visually balanced" as used herein means that an item, such as a pattern or
interlocking
motif, visually appears symmetrical and/or centered.
Overview
As shown in Fig. 1, a strip 10 of a fibrous structure 11, such as a sanitary
tissue product
12 is provided. The fibrous structure 11 has a machine direction, MD, and a
cross-machine
direction, CD. The strip 10 comprises one or more design elements 13 disposed
in various
regions of the strip 10. By way of example, specific design elements 13a-13h
are illustrated in
Fig. 1. The design elements 13 may be printed and/or embossed onto the strip
10. In addition,
the design elements 13 form patterns 14, 16. The patterns 14, 16 interlock at
an imaginary
intersection line 15 to thrm an interlocking motif 18. The interlocking motif
18 and/or one or
more of the patterns 14, 16 may be elementally balanced and/or visually
balanced. In addition,
as illustrated later, the interlocking motif 18 may be repeated in a lock and
step manner, which
provides the opportunity to helix the interlocking motif 18 about a roll
without skewing or
jeopardizing vertical and or horizontal alignment of the overall motif 18, the
individual patterns
14, 16, and/or the individual design elements 13.
Interlocking Patterns
Fig. 2 illustrates that the strip 10 includes a first edge 20 and a second
edge 22 that is
substantially opposite the first edge 20. The first edge 20 and second edge 22
may be generally
parallel and define a strip width, SW, therebetween. The strip width SW can be
from about 15
inches to about 13 inches or from about 12 inches to about 11 inches or from
about 10 inches to
about 6 inches or from about 5 inches to about 3 inches, reciting, for each of
the disclosed ranges,
all 0.1 increments therebetween.
The strip 10 also includes a main centerline 24, which extends in a
longitudinal direction
and is substantially equidistant between the first edge 20 and the second edge
22. Extending
laterally outwardly from the main centerline 24 is a central region 26. The
central region 26
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extends in a longitudinal direction, and can extend an equal distance outward
on each side of the
main centerline 24 or at an unequal distance about either side of the main
centerline 24. The
central region 26 has a central width, CW, which is less than the strip width,
SW. The central
width CW can be from about 97% to about 25% and/or from about 85% to about 40%
and/or
5 from about 75% to about 55% or about 70% of the strip width SIAI. For
example, in one
embodiment, the strip width SW can be equal to about 4 inches and the central
width CW can be
about 75% of the strip width SW, in which case the central width CW is equal
to about 3 inches.
One or more edge regions 28, 30 can extend laterally, outwardly on either side
of the
central region 26. A first edge region 28 can extend from the central region
26 towards the first
10 edge 20. In one nonlimiting example, the first edge region 28 extends
from the boundary 26a of
the central region 26 that is most proximate to the first edge 20 to the first
edge 20. A second
edge region 30 can extend from the central region 26 towards the second edge
22. In one
nonlimiting example, the second edge region 30 extends from the boundary 26b
of the central
region 26 that is most proximate to the second edge 22 to the second edge 22.
Both the first edge
region 28 and the second edge region 30 extend longitudinally as well. The
first edge region 26
can be the same width as the second edge region 28, or the two regions 26, 28
may comprise
different widths. The width of each edge region 26, 28 may be dependent on the
central width,
CW, and the disposition of the central region 26. The sum of the widths of the
first edge region
28 and the second edge region 30 is generally the difference between the strip
width, SW, and the
central width, CW.
The strip 10 also includes a first and second pattern 14, 16 (as illustrated
in Figs. 1 and 2),
each having one or more design elements 13. The first pattern 14 may be
different from the
second pattern 16. Alternatively, the first pattern 14 and the second pattern
16 may be the same.
In one embodiment, the first pattern 14 is different from the second pattern
16 but the two
patterns 14, 16 comprise one or more of the same design elements 13. In
another embodiment,
the two patterns 14, 16 comprise different design elements 13.
Countless design elements 13 may be selected from when developing a pattern
14, 16. A
design element 13 may include any shape, line or combination of shapes and/or
lines. In one
nonlimiting example, the design element 13 is a circle. In another nonlimiting
example, the
design element 13 has a circular portion. The present inventors have
discovered that specific
design elements 13a-13h (illustrated in Fig. 3) are suitable for use in the
present invention
because the circle-like structures and wave structures connote water, cleaning
and softness to
consumers. Moreover, circles and circle-like figures have no top or bottom, or
up or down, and
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therefore creating visually and elementally balanced patterns 14, 16 with such
shapes presents far
fewer issues than balancing shapes with sharp edges, multiple sides and/or
asymmetrical
elements. In one nonlimiting example depicted in Fig. 4, an exemplary design
element 130 can
comprise a main portion 132, such as a main circular portion. The design
element 130 can
firrther comprise features that are associated with but different from the
main portion 132, such as
a tail portion 134. In another nonlimiting example, the main portion 132 may
be substantially
closed from a visual perspective using, for example, Gestalt's theory of
visual perception
pertaining to closure. Closure occurs when there is enough of a shape present
that a person is
able to mentally complete the shape so as to perceive a broken figure as a
whole figure. Viewing
Fig. 4, the main portion 132 of the exemplary design element 130 can be
perceived as
substantially closed despite the use of broken and/or dotted lines. In a
further embodiment, the
main portion 132 of a design element 130 is substantially disposed within the
central region 26 as
shown for example in Fig. 4A.
The patterns 14, 16 interlock to form an interlocking motif 18. As shown in
Figs. 5 and 6,
the first pattern 14 and second pattern 16 are interlocked at an imaginary
line of intersection 15 to
form an interlocking motif 18. The patterns 14, 16 may be interlocked by
overlapping one or
more elements I 4a, 14b of the first pattern 14 with one or more elements 16a,
16b of the second
pattern 16. The patterns 14, 16 may overlap in the MD and/or in the CD, and
thereby result in
interlocking in the MD and/or CD respectively. The interlocking motif 18 may
be elementally
balanced. Further, the interlocking motif 18 may repeat in the machine
direction and/or cross
machine direction. Where the interlocking motif 18 repeats, the repetition may
be done in a lock
and step manner as discussed more fully below. Although only two patterns 14,
16 are described
for illustrative purposes, multiple additional patterns may be interlocked
with the first and/or
second patterns 14, 16 in creating the interlocking motif 18.
Visually Balanced Pattern and/or Interlocking Motif
The design elements 13 may be disposed within the pattern 14, 16 in any
suitable means
to provide apparent visual symmetry and/or centering throughout the pattern
14, 16 and/or
interlocking motif 18. In one embodiment, design elements 13 may be arranged
in accordance
with the teachings of commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application No. 13/899,897
to Sartini in
order to achieve apparent visual symmetry and/or centering. Further, the
design elements 13 may
be disposed such that one or more of the patterns 14, 16 is elementally
balanced.
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In one nonlimiting example, the design elements 13 can include major and minor
design
elements. "Major design elements" will generally be partially disposed in the
central region 26
such that they generally will not be cut off from the strip 10 and such that
they provide a focal
point for the consumer. In one nonlimiting example, more than about 75% or
more than about
90% of the major design element is disposed in the central region 26. In
another nonlimiting
example, the main portion 132 of a major design element is substantially
disposed in the central
region 26. "Minor design elements" will generally be at least partially
disposed in one of the
edge regions 28, 30 and can be cut off of the strip 10 without undermining the
perceived
symmetry and/or centering. In one nonlimiting example, more than 25%, or more
than 30%, or
more than 50%, or more than 75%, or more than 90% of the minor design element
may be cut off
of the strip. By "cut oft'', it is meant that only a portion of the design
element is visible on the
strip. For example, the design element 13 may be terminated by the edge,
rendering the design
element 13 incomplete when viewing the strip 10. In another nonlimiting
example, the minor
design element may be partially disposed in the central region 26 and
partially disposed in one of
the edge regions 28, 30. In such nonlimiting example, more than 50% of the
minor design
element may be disposed in one of the edge regions 28, 30 and less than 50% of
the minor design
element may be disposed in the central region 26. In yet another nonlimiting
example, the minor
design element may comprise a main portion 132 and the main portion 132 may be
substantially
and/or partially disposed in one of the edge regions 28, 30. In one
embodiment, major design
elements can be larger than minor design elements. In another embodiment,
minor design
elements may be the same size as or larger than major design elements.
In a further embodiment, the first pattern 14 or second pattern 16 can
comprise one or
more filamentary design elements 13g or 13h. Filamentary design elements can
have the
appearance of being thin, curvilinear line elements, even though, as shown,
for example, in Fig. 3
(shown in this embodiment as a group of 3-4 individual filamentary design
elements, but can be
one or more), they can be comprised of closely spaced dots or short line
elements to give the
appearance of a linear element. Filamentary design elements 13g or 13h can be
fully disposed in
the central region 26. In an embodiment, filamentary design elements 13g or
13h are curvilinear
elements that can each have a motif associated with it, and each can be
bounded by boundaries
26a and 26b of the central region 26. Filamentary design elements can span one
or more sheets
of a fibrous structure such as bath tissue, and can span two, three, four, or
more sheets to give an
appearance of continuity from sheet to sheet.
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13
Returning to Fig. 5, the first pattern 14 can comprise one or more first major
design
elements 14a, which are at least partially disposed in the central region 26.
The first pattern 14
may also comprise one or more first minor design elements 14b, which are at
least partially
disposed in either the first edge region 28 or the second edge region 30. In
yet another
nonlimiting example, one of the first minor design elements 14b may be
partially disposed in the
central region 26 and partially disposed one of the edge regions 28, 30. As
discussed above, the
majority of the first minor design element 14b may be disposed in the edge
region 28, 30. In an
alternative embodiment, a first minor design element 14b is not present in the
central region 26.
Further, the first minor design element 14b tnay be cut off of the strip 10.
In a further embodiment, the second pattern 16 can comprise one or more second
major
design elements 16a, which are at least partially disposed in the central
region 26. The second
pattern 16 may also comprise one or more second minor design elements 16b,
which are at least
partially disposed in either the first edge region 28 or the second edge
region 30. In yet another
nonlimiting example, a second minor design element 16b may be partially
disposed in the central
region 26 and partially disposed one of the edge regions 28, 30. As discussed
above, the majority
of the second minor design element 16b may be disposed in the edge region 28,
30. In an
alternative embodiment, a second minor design element 16b is not be present in
the central
region 26. Further, the second minor design element 16b may be cut off of the
strip 10. For
clarity in the illustration, only a few major and minor elements are
identified on Fig. 5.
The interlocking motif 18 can further comprise a third design element 32. The
third
design element 32 may comprise any shape or design or any combination of
shapes and/or
designs. In one nonlimiting example, the third design element 32 is in the
shape of a brand
insignia, such as a character representation associated with a brand. In one
nonlimiting example,
illustrated in Fig. 5 for example, the third design element 32 may comprise a
paw which may be
associated with brand insignia such as the CHARMIN bath tissue bear, a
trademark of The
Procter & Gamble Company. In another nonlimiting example, the third design
element 32 may
comprise a cloud, blanket, baby, mart, and/or other indicia or symbols that
can be associated with
characteristics of sanitary tissue products 12, such as strength and/or
softness. In a fitrther
embodiment, the third design element 32 may be at least partially disposed on
an adhesive area
34. The third design element 32 may be used to cover adhesive areas 34,
rendering adhesive
areas 34 less consumer noticeable. The third design element 32 may be disposed
in the first edge
region 28, the second edge region 30, and/or the central region 26. In one
nonlimiting example,
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the third design element 32 may be a minor design element, having any of
characteristics of
minor design elements as discussed above.
The interlocking of the patterns 14, 16 and the layout of their associated
elements 14a,
14b, 16a, 16b provides the visual appearance of centering, regardless of
whether either pattern
14, 16 is actually centered on the strip 10 or symmetrical. The interlocking
the patterns 14, 16
provides visual continuity between the two patterns. Further, the interlocking
can make two or
more different patterns 14, 16 appear as one more complex design (i.e., the
interlocking motif
18). This can be advantageous when designing templates for printers and emboss
rolls;
essentially, the designer can utilize fewer patterns while making more
complex, visually
appealing overall designs.
In a further embodiment depicted in Fig. 7, the strip 10 can comprise one or
more lines of
weakness 36, such as a perforated line. The line(s) of weakness 36 allow one
or more sheets 38
to be separated from the sanitary tissue product 12. The line of weakness 36
may be substantially
parallel to the cross-machine direction. The line of weakness 36 may be
substantially straight or
curvilinear. The interlocking motif 18 may extend in the machine direction
such that it covers
multiple sheets 38. In one nonlimiting example, the interlocking motif 18
extends more than one
sheet 38, or about three sheets 38, or about four sheets 38, or more than
about three sheets 4, or
from about three sheets 38 to about seven sheets 4. Likewise, one or more of
the patterns 14, 16
may extend in the machine direction such that such pattern 14, 16 extends more
than one sheet
38. One of skill in the art will recognize that the extension of the
interlocking motif 18 can
depend on the number of patterns 14, 16 utilized, the size of the design
elements 13, and/or the
spacing between design elements 13 in a given pattern 14, 16. As shown in Fig.
7, extending the
interlocking motif 18 (and/or one or more of the patterns 14, 16 therein)
across the lines of
weakness 36 can cause the end-user to perceive each sheet 38 in a series of
sheets 38 as
comprising a unique design; however, the designer is only required to use a
small number of
patterns to create this perceived complexity. The sheets 38 may be the same
size or different
sizes.
Elementally Balanced Patterns and/or Interlocking Motif
In addition to the above, the interlocking of the patterns 14, 16 in the CD
and/or MD can
further ensure that the design elements 13 are elementally balanced. In other
words, overlapping
design elements 13 in the CD and/or MD can help to level the concentration of
embossment
impressions or printing throughout CD and/or MD respectively. In this way, the
likelihood of
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imbalance during embossment or printing processes is decreased. Likewise,
sheet height
imbalance is unlikely to occur as the design elements 13 are dispersed in a
more deliberate
manner through the fibrous structure 11.
Further, by disposing design elements such that they are balanced across the
strip 10 in
5 the MD and/or CD also creates elemental balance. One means of doing so is
by arranging the
elements 13 in a design template to achieve balance on the emboss apparatus or
printing
apparatus. While manual arrangement is time-consuming and undesirable, the
present inventors
have found that designing a couple of patterns 14, 16 that are elementally
balanced and then
interlocking and repeating those patterns 14, 16 minimizes the effort entailed
in achieving
10 elemental balance throughout a fibrous structure 11. Moreover, the lock
and step repetition
discussed in detail below further reduces manual effort.
Balanced Concentrated Elements
Turning to Figs. 8A and 8B, the interlocking motif 18 may include one or more
15 concentrated design elements 40. The concentrated design elements 40 may
be at least partially
disposed in the central region 26. In one rtonlimiting example, the
concentrated design element
40 tnay constitute a major design element, having the characteristics of a
major design element as
discussed above.
In one embodiment, the interlocking motif 18 may comprise at least one
concentrated
design element 40 and be elementally balanced. For example, the concentrated
design element
40 may be placed in relation to one or more design elements 13 that are not
concentrated, such
that the aggregate emboss and print areas of the non-concentrated design
elements 13
substantially equates to the emboss and print area of the concentrated design
element 40. To
further exemplify, Fig. 8A comprises a first box 40A and a second box 40B. The
first box 40A
illustrates that the concentrated element 40 is elementally balanced in the
MD. In other words,
the concentrated element 40 is positioned between various non-concentrated
elements 13a-13g or
portions of non-concentrated elements 13a-I3g that counterbalance the
concentrated element 40
in the MD such that the potential for causing uneven roll wear is reduced. The
second box 40B
illustrates that the concentrated element 40 is elementally balanced in the
CD. In other words,
the concentrated element 40 is positioned such that design elements 13d, 13g
or portions of
design elements 13d, 13g throughout the CD of the second box 40B are
counterbalanced. In this
way, nip imbalance (stemming from uneven concentrations of elements 13 at the
nip) is less
likely to occur. A nip may be disposed in the CD and be represented by the
second box 40B.
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Thus, balancing elements 13 within the second box 40B can reduce nip
imbalance. Further, the
design elements 13 or portions of design elements 13 disposed in the second
box 40B (including
the concentrated design element 40) may be counterbalanced with design
elements 13 located in
a third box 40C, which can represent a second instance of a nip interacting
with the fibrous
stnacture 11.
One of skill in the art will recognize that fibrous structures 11 are often
manufactured,
printed and/or embossed in large sized parent rolls 100 or the like, wherein
the MD and CD
dimensions are longer than those of a strip 10. In such case, the interlocking
motif 18 may be
repeated throughout the CD as shown in Fig. 8B for example and discussed in
detail later.
Elemental balance may be achieved on the parent roll 100 sized fibrous
structure 11 as shown in
Fig. 8B utilizing the same principles as discussed with respect to the strip.
In a further embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the fibrous structure 11
comprises a first
concentrated design element 44. More specifically, the first pattern 14 may
comprise the first
concentrated design element 44. The first concentrated design element 44 may
be at least
partially disposed in the central region 26. In one nonlimiting example, the
first concentrated
design element 44 is at least partially disposed on the main centerline line
24. In another
nonlimiting example, the first concentrated design element 44 is a major
design element. In a
further nonlimiting example, the first pattern 14 comprises a first
concentrated design element 44
and is elementally balanced. In yet another embodiment, the first concentrated
design element 44
comprises brand information. In one nonlimiting example, the first
concentrated design element
44 comprises a brand name. Exemplary brand names include but are not limited
CHARMIN
bath tissue, BOUNTY paper towels, ANGEL SOFT bath tissue, BRAWNY paper
towels,
SPARKLE paper towels, and QUILTED NORTHERN bath tissue, and the like. In
another
nonlimiting example, the first concentrated design element 44 can comprise
brand information
such as words that connote information about qualities or performance of a
fibrous structure 11,
including but not limited to "soft", "strong" and/or "absorbent." The first
concentrated design
element 44 may be partially disposed on the main centerline 24 such that a
proximate end 44a of
the first concentrated element 44 is disposed on the main centerline 24 and
the distal end 44b is
not disposed on the main centerline 24. For example, where the first
concentrated design
element 44 comprises a brand name, the beginning of the brand name can be
disposed on the
main centerline 24. In another nonlimiting example, the end of the brand name
is disposed on
the main centerline 24. Placing a brand name on the main centerline 24 allows
the brand name to
be a central focus of the end user.
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Further to the above, the fibrous structure 11 may comprise a second
concentrated design
element 46. More specifically, the second pattern 16 may comprise the second
concentrated
design 46. The second concentrated design element 46 may be at least partially
disposed in the
central region 26. In one nonlimiting example, the second concentrated design
element 46 is at
least partially disposed on the main centerline 24. In a further nonlimiting
example, a proximate
end 46a of the second concentrated design element 46 is disposed on the main
centerline 24 and a
distal end 46b of the second concentrated design element 46 is not disposed on
the main
centerline 24. In another nonlimiting example, the second design element
comprises brand
information, including but not limited to a brand name. The beginning of the
brand name may be
disposed on the main centerline 24 and/or the end of the brand name may be
disposed on the
main centerline 24. In one embodiment, the second concentrated design element
46 may be a
major design element having any of the characteristics of a major design
element as described
above. In a further embodiment, the second design 16 may comprise a second
concentrated
design element 46 and be elementally balanced.
In yet another embodiment, the fibrous structure 11 comprises both a first
concentrated
design element 44 and a second concentrated design element 46. In one
nonlimiting example,
the first concentrated design element 44 is disposed on a first side 24a of
the main centerline 24,
and the second concentrated design element 46 is disposed on a second side 24b
of the main
centerline 24, where the second side 24b is opposite the first side 24a. The
disposition of the first
concentrated design element 44 and the second concentrated design element 46
can attribute to
elementally balancing an interlocking motif 18. In other words, the two
concentrated design
elements 44, 46 may be placed in relation to one another such that they
counterbalance each
other.
In a further embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the first pattern 14 comprises a
first
concentrated design element 44, a first pattern centerline 48 that extends
longitudinally, and a
third concentrated design element 50. In one nonlimiting example, the first
concentrated design
element 44 can be disposed on a first side 48a of the first pattern centerline
48, and the third
concentrated design element 50 can be disposed on a second side 48b of the
pattern centerline 48,
where the second side 48b is opposite the first side 48a. The disposition of
the first concentrated
design element 44 and the third concentrated design element 50 can attribute
to elementally
balancing the first pattern 14. In other words, the two concentrated design
elements 44, 50 may
be placed in relation to one another such that the counterbalance each other
within the pattern 14.
The same principles can be applied to the second pattern (i.e., the second
pattern 16 may
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comprise a second pattern centerline, and a fourth concentrated design element
that is balanced
with the second concentrated design element 46 (not shown)).
Likewise, the placement of the concentrated design elements 40 on opposite
sides of a
centerline 24 contributes to visual balance as a pattern 14, 16 or
interlocking motif 18 appears
more symmetrical and/or centered due to the alternating concentrated elements
40.
Concentrated design elements 40 may form a focal point for the end user due to
their
respective emboss and print areas compared to other elements 13 as well as
their disposition on
or near the centerline 24.
Balanced Non-Diagonal Patterns andlor Non-Diagonal Interlocking Motif
=Using the principles discussed herein, a pattern 14, 16, 140 or interlocking
motif 18 may
be non-diagonal and still visually balanced and/or elementally balanced. In
one embodiment, the
interlocking motif 18 is non-diagonal. Repeating designs that are imparted on
existing sanitary
tissue products tend to be imparted at an angle. This is in part due to
skewing of a design
template on a manufacturer's emboss roll 300 (or similar apparatus) in order
to prevent roll wear
and/or vibration.
In the present invention, one or more of the patterns 14, 16, 140 and/or the
interlocking
motif 18 are non-diagonally oriented. In one nonlimiting example, an exemplary
pattern 140
comprises a exemplary pattern centerline 480 (as shown in Fig. 11A). The
exemplary pattern
centerline 480 extends longitudinally throughout the fibrous structure I I and
can be substantially
parallel to the MD. The exemplary pattern centerline 480 may be coincident
with the main
centerline 24 or may be a distance apart from the main centerline 24 and
parallel to the main
centerline. In another embodiment as shown in Fig. 11B, the interlocking motif
18 has an
interlocking motif centerline 54 which extends longitudinally throughout the
fibrous structure 11
and can be substantially parallel to the MD. The interlocking motif centerline
54 may be
coincident with the main centerline 24 or may be a distance apart from the
main centerline 24
and parallel to the main centerline 24.
Fig. 12A depicts an interlocking motif 18 with an interlocking motif
centerline 54
substantially parallel to the MD on an emboss roll 300. The interlocking motif
18 may be
wrapped about the roll 300. In addition, the interlocking motif may repeat
about the roll 300. In
one nonlimiting example, the interlocking motif 18 may be repeated in a lock
and step manner.
Figure 12B depicts a skewed pattern 160 as is known in the prior art. The
skewed pattern 160
may be wrapped about the roll 300 and/or may repeat about the roll 300. In the
case of
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embossing, because balance with the present invention is not accomplished by
skewing, the
interlocking motif 18 (and/or each pattern therein) may be made to fit
different sized embossment
rolls by altering the space between design elements 13, adding design elements
13 and/or
subtracting design elements 13. One the other hand, to achieve balance in a
skewed pattern 160
that wraps around the roll 300, the beginning 160a and end 160b of the pattern
must align as
shown in Fig. 12B. Thus, when translating a skewed pattern from a smaller roll
to a larger roll,
the entire pattern has to be enlarged or stretched, or the skew angle must be
adjusted, to ensure
the beginning 160a and end 160b of the pattern 160 align and thus accomplish
elemental balance.
Again, skewing precludes non-diagonal orientation (such as vertical alignment
or horizontal
alignment). The present inventors, however, have developed a means to align
the design
elements 13 in a non-diagonal manner and fit the patterns 14, 16 and/or
interlocking motif 18 on
different sized rolls without stretching. By avoiding stretching of the
interlocking motif 18,
patterns 14, 16 and/or design elements 13, the original design intent is
better maintained. indeed,
changing the spacing between elements or adding or subtracting elements are
less significant
changes than elongating particular design elements 13. Moreover, the ability
to fit patterns on
different sized rolls without stretching reduces manufacturing costs and
resources.
Lock and Step Repeat
As shown in Fig. 13, a fibrous structure 11 of the present invention can
comprise a
repeating interlocking motif 180. The repeating motif 180 may have a repeat
width, RW, in the
cross-machine direction and/or a repeat length, RIõ in the machine direction.
The repeating
interlocking motif 180 may comprise individual interlocking motifs 18 that
repeat in a lock and
step manner. In an embodiment depicted, for example, in Fig. 13, the
interlocking motifs 18
repeat in both the MD and CD. The repeating motif 180 may repeat continuously
throughout a
fibrous structure 11 as shown in Fig. 13 or repeat throughout the fibrous
structure 11 with areas
of white space and/or other designs as shown in Fig. 14. Elements 13 within
one interlocking
motif 18a may overlap with elements 13 in an adjacent interlocking motif 18b.
In a further embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, the repeating interlocking motif
180 forms
columns of interlocking motifs 18 repeating in the MD. For illustration
purposes, columns have
been labeled A, B, C, D, and E in Figs. 13 and 14. However, it should be
recognized that any
number of columns that is desirable may be utilized. The fibrous structure 11
may comprise a
first column, A, and a second column, B, adjacent to the first column, A.
Corresponding points,
P1, of adjacent interlocking motifs 18a, 18b in the first column, A, and
second column, B, can be
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offset by a fixed distance, Dmd, in the MD and a fixed distance, Dcd, in the
CD. This offsetting
can continue throughout the repeat width, RW. The offsetting can continue
through the repeat
length, RL, as well.
One of skill in the art will recognize that the repeating motif 180 could
similarly form
5 rows instead of columns of interlocking motifs 18 (not shown).
Corresponding points, PI, of
interlocking motifs 18 in adjacent rows could be offset a fixed Dcd, in the CD
and a fixed
distance, Dm, in the MD as well. This offsetting could continue throughout the
repeat width,
RW. The offsetting could continue through the repeat length, RL, as well.
Further to the above, each interlocking motif 18 may comprise one or more
patterns 14,
10 16 that interlock, such as by overlapping. The patterns 14, 16 may
interlock in any of the
manners described above or in any way known in the art. In addition, each
interlocking motif 18
can be non-diagonal. Further, each interlocking motif 18 may comprise a width,
W, in the cross
machine direction and a length, L, in the machine direction. In one
nonlimiting example, the
width, W, of the interlocking motif 18 is substantially equal to the strip
width, SW.
15 In an embodiment, the fibrous structure 11 can be convolutely wound into
a log 200, such
as a log 200 used in the manufacturing of sanitary tissue products 12. The
repeating interlocking
motif 180 may be helixed about the log 200 as shown in Fig. 15. The helixed
repeating
interlocking motif 180 may be non-diagonal. This helixing without imposing a
diagonal
orientation is possible through the lock and step repeat of the repeating
interlocking motif 180.
20 Helixing or spiraling also occurs when skewing a pattern. However,
skewing precludes vertical
andlor horizontal alignment of a pattern. In other words, the patterns or
motif are always at an
angle (i.e., diagonal) when skewing is used. The log 200 may have a log width,
LW, in the CD
of about 80 inches to about 120 inches, or about 98 inches to about 102
inches, or up to about
150 inches. In one nonlimiting example, the repeat width, RW, is substantially
equivalent to the
log length, LW.
The repeating motif 180 may be elementally balanced and/or visually balanced.
This may
be achieved through the use of individual items that are balanced such as
balanced patterns 14,
16 and/or balanced interlocking motifs 18. Further, the repetition of balanced
interlocking motifs
18 ensures substantial balance throughout the repeat length, RL, and repeat
width, RW.
Likewise, repeating in a lock and step manner permits the arrangement of
design elements 13
such that balance is further ensured without having to skew or manually place
elements 13.
Turning to Fig. 16, the fibrous structure may comprise a consumer-sized
length, CL. In
one nonlimiting example, the consumer-sized length, CL is less than the
length, L, of the
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interlocking motif 18. In this way, as discussed above, the end user may
perceive a complex
design, as the design on adjacent consumer-sized sheets 38 may differ. In
other words, the
consumer is less likely to perceive the repetition of the interlocking motifs
18. In one
nonlimiting example, the consumer-sized length, CL, is about 3 inches to about
15 inches,
including all 0.1 increments therebetween. In such example, the consumer-sized
length, CL, can
be substantially equivalent to the length of a sheet 38 defined by a line of
weakness 36. In one
nonlimiting example, the interlocking motif length, L, is greater than one
times the consumer-
length, CL, or about three times greater, or about four times greater, or
about three to about eight
times greater, or about seven times greater than the consumer-sized length,
CL. The consumer-
sized length, CI, may be defined by a line of weakness 36.
In yet another embodiment, the fibrous structure 11 comprises a consumer-sized
width,
CW. The consumer-sized width, CW, may be about 3 to about 15 inches, including
all 0.1
increments therebetween. In one nonlimiting example, the consumer-sized width,
CW, is
substantially equivalent to the strip width, SW. In another nonlimiting
example, the consumer-
sized width, CW, is less than or equal to the width, W, of the interlocking
motif 18. In this way,
as discussed above, the end user may perceive a complex design, as the design
on adjacent
consumer-sized sheets 38 may differ. In another nonlimiting example, the
consumer-sized width,
CW, is less than the repeat width, RW. In this way, the consumer is less
likely to perceive the
repetition of the interlocking motifs 18, and thereby the design on the
consumer product may
appear more complex than the underlying template. By way of example, the
repeat width, RW,
may be greater than one times the consumer-sized width, or about three to
about eight times, or
about seven times greater than the consumer-sized width, CW. In one
embodiment, the sheet 38
has the dimensions of a consumer-sized width, CW, and a consumer-sized length,
CL.
Continuing Design
In a further embodiment, the fibrous structure 11 comprises a continuing
design 400. The
continuing design 400 may comprise one or more patterns 14, 16, 140 and/or an
interlocking
motif 18. The continuing design 400 can have a continuing design length, DL,
in the machine
direction as shown in Fig. 17. Further, as shown in Fig. 18, the continuing
design 400 may be
disposed on the fibrous structure 11 in a repetitive manner to create a
repeating continuing design
410. The continuing design 400 may be repeated in the machine direction, cross
machine
direction or combinations thereof. In one nonlimiting example, the continuing
design 400 is
repeated in a lock and step manner as shown in Fig. 18 and described above.
Turning to Figs.
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19A and 19B, the fibrous structure 11 may be convolutely wound into a log 200
having a
circumference, Ci. In one embodiment, the circumference, Cli may be determined
by measuring
the diameter of the log 200 on the side 201 of the log 200, to the nearest
0.01 inch and
multiplying the diameter by a. Where the log 200 has a varying diameter, the
largest diameter
may be used for the calculation of the circumference. In another embodiment,
the circumference,
CI, may be determined by measuring the Original Roll Diameter in accordance
with the Percent
Compressibility Test Method herein, and multiplying the Original Roll Diameter
by 7t. In an
embodiment, the circumference, C1, may be from about 8 inches to about 25
inches, or from
about 11 inches to about 18 inches, or from about 12 to about 14 inches, or
from about 13 inches
to about 21 inches, or from about 15 inches to about 17 inches, reciting, for
each of the disclosed
ranges, all 1 inch increments therebetween.
The log 200 will further comprise a terminal sheet 38a, which is the last
sheet 38 (i.e., the
outermost sheet 38) on the log 200 and an underlying sheet 38b, which
comprises the next
outmost layer of the log 200. The terminal sheet 38a comprises a terminal end
39a, which lands
on the underlying sheet 38b at a landing position 39b on the underlying sheet
38b. When the log
is completely wound, a covered portion 38d of the underlying sheet 38b will be
disposed
underneath the terminal sheet 38a and another portion 38c of the underlying
sheet 38b, the visible
portion 38c, will be adjacent to the tenninal end 39a of the terminal sheet
38a. As shown in Figs.
19A and 19B, the terminal end 39a may be substantially straight or curvilinear
and may generally
extend in the cross machine direction. In an embodiment, the circumference,
C1, is substantially
equivalent to the length of the continuing design, DL (i.e., C1 = DL). In such
embodiment, the
continuing design 400 will visually continue from the terminal end 39a of the
terminal sheet 38a
to the visible portion 38c on the underlying sheet 38b.
In other words, a first segment 401 of the continuing design 400 that is
disposed on the
visible portion 38c of the underlying sheet 3b will be visually uninterrupted
with a second
segment 402 of the continuing design 400 that is disposed on the terminal
sheet 38a, such that the
two segments 401, 402 will appear as a whole design 400 even though those
particular segments
401, 402 were not initially printed and/or embossed together to form the whole
400. Rather, the
first segment 401 was initially printed and/or embossed together with a third
segment 403 to
form the whole design 400, the third segment 403 being disposed on the covered
portion 38d of
the underlying sheet 38b once the fibrous structure 11 is wound.
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In contrast to a visually continuous design, segments of an interrupted design
would
appear offset, misaligned, discontinuous or otherwise noticeably different
from the original
design.
In a further embodiment, a portion 38e of the terminal sheet 38a may be
removed,
defining a new terminal end 39a (see Figs. 19A and 20). For as long as the
circumference, CI,
remains substantially equivalent to the design length, DL, the continuing
design 400 may visually
continue between the remaining portion 38f of the terminal sheet 38a and the
adjacent, visible
portion of underlying sheet 38c, regardless of the dimensions of the removed
portion 38e. In one
nonlimiting example, the fibrous structure comprises one or more lines of
weakness 36, such as a
perforation, as depicted in Figs. 19A, 19B and 20. As illustrated in Fig. 20,
the line of weakness
36 may be coincident with the terminal end 39a and the continuing design 400
may continue
between the terminal sheet 38a and the underlying sheet 38b such that the
continuing design 400
is visually uninterrupted over the line of weakness 36. For the purposes of
this disclosure, lines
of weakness 36 and terminal ends 39a themselves do not constitute visual
interruptions of the
continuing design 400.
Method
The interlocking motif 18, the repeating interlocking motif 180, continuing
design 400
and/or repeating continuing design 410 of the present invention may be
imparted onto the fibrous
structure 11 by any suitable means including printing and/or embossing. In one
embodiment, the
interlocking motif 18 or continuing design 400 is imparted by an imparting
apparatus 350. The
imparting apparatus 350 may comprise an apparatus suitable for embossing. For
example, the
interlocking motif 18 or continuing design 400 can be disposed on an
embossment roll 300 as
shown in Fig. 12A. In another embodiment, the imparting apparatus 350 may
comprise an
apparatus suitable for printing. For example, the interlocking motif 18 or
continuing design 400
can be disposed on a printing apparatus such as a gravure roll or otherwise
programmed into a
printer. In either case (embossing or printing), the imparting apparatus 350
may be used in
conjunction with a backing surface 360, such as a backing roll as shown in
Figs. 21 and 22. The
fibrous structure 11 may be driven over the backing surface 360. In one
nonlimiting example
shown in Fig. 21, the backing surface 360 and imparting apparatus 350 may be
positioned at a
distance away from each other. In such case, the distance between the backing
surface 360 and
imparting apparatus 350 may be substantially equal to or smaller than the
caliper of the fibrous
structure 11. Alternatively, as depicted in Fig. 22, the imparting apparatus
350 may form a nip
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24
370 with the backing surface 360. The fibrous structure 11 may contact the
imparting apparatus
350 at the nip 370. The backing surface 360 may be made of any material
suitable for providing
a surface for the fibrous structure 11 and/or providing pressure to facilitate
embossing or
printing, such as providing compression and/or pressure at the nip 370. In
another nonlimiting
example, the imparting apparatus 350 may be suitable for both printing and
embossing -- such as
a system comprising a printer and an emboss roll 300. The interlocking motif
18 or continuing
design 400 imparted to the fibrous structure substantially minors the
interlocking motif structure
or continuing design structure disposed on the imparting apparatus, such that
the visual
appearance of the design imparted to the fibrous structure is effectively a
one-to-one replication,
of the design of the imparting structure.
In a further embodiment, the interlocking motif 18 and/or patterns 14, 16, 140
comprising
the interlocking motif 18 are visually balanced and/or elementally balanced in
accordance with
the teachings herein. Further in one embodiment, interlocking motif 18 is
elementally balanced
before imparting the interlocking motif 18 onto the fibrous structure 11. In
one nonlimiting
example, the interlocking motif 18 may be elementally balanced and/or visually
balanced as it is
being imparted onto the imparting apparatus 350.
In addition, the interlocking motif 18 may be imparted on the fibrous
structure 11 such
that the interlocking motif centerline 54 is substantially parallel to the
machine direction.
Likewise, a pattern 140 forming a part of the interlocking motif 18 may be
imparted to the
fibrous structure 11 such that the pattern centerline 480 is substantially
parallel to the machine
direction.
The interlocking motif 18 may include any of the features described above,
including but
not limited to any of types of design elements 13 and/or patterns 14, 16, 140
described herein.
Further, the interlocking motif 18 (andlor patterns 14, 16 comprising the
interlocking motif 18)
may be non-diagonal. Likewise, the continuing design 400 may include any of
the features
described above, including but not limited to the design length, DL. The
continuing design may
comprise an interlocking motif 18 or a pattern 14, 16, 140.
In addition, the interlocking motif 18 or continuing design 400 may be
imparted onto the
fibrous structure 11 repeatedly to form a repeating interlocking motif 180 or
repeating continuing
design 410 respectively; the interlocking motif 18 or continuing design 400
may be repeated in
the CD and/or in the MD. In one embodiment, the interlocking motif 18 or
continuing design
400 is imparted onto the fibrous structure 11 in a lock and step repeating
manner as discussed
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above. In one nonlimiting example, the interlocking motif 18 or continuing
design 400 is helixed
about the imparting apparatus 350.
After imparting the interlocking motif 18 or repeating continuing design 410
onto the
fibrous structure 11, the method can further include winding the fibrous
structure into a
5 convolutely wound log 200. In another embodiment, the method may include
dividing the
fibrous structure into a consumer-sized length, CL, andior a consumer-sized
width, CW, in
accordance with the description above related to said dimensions. The method
can further
include winding the fibrous structure 11 into a log 200 having a
circumference, C1, wherein the
circumference, Ci, is substantially equivalent to the length of the continuing
design, DL, as
10 described above.
Percent Compressibility Test Method
Percent Roll Compressibility (Percent Compressibility) is determined using the
Roll
Diameter Tester 1000 as shown in Figure 23. It is comprised of a support stand
made of two
15 aluminum plates, a base plate 1001 and a vertical plate 1002 mounted
perpendicular to the base, a
sample shaft 1003 to mount the test roll, and a bar 1004 used to suspend a
precision diameter
tape 1005 that wraps around the circumference of the test roll. Two different
weights 1006 and
1007 are suspended from the diameter tape to apply a confining force during
the uncompressed
and compressed measurement. All testing is performed in a conditioned room
maintained at
20 about 23 C 2 C and about 50% 2% relative humidity.
The diameter of the test roll is measured directly using a Pi* tape or
equivalent precision
diameter tape (e.g. an Executive Diameter tape available from Apex Tool Group,
LLC, Apex,
NC, Model No. W606PD) which converts the circumferential distance into a
diameter
measurement so the roll diameter is directly read from the scale. The diameter
tape is graduated
25 to 0.01 inch increments with accuracy certified to 0.001 inch and
traceable to NIST. The tape is
0.25 in wide and is made of flexible metal that conforms to the curvature of
the test roll but is not
elongated under the 1100 g loading used for this test. If necessary the
diameter tape is shortened
from its original length to a length that allows both of the attached weights
to hang freely during
the test, yet is still long enough to wrap completely around the test roll
being measured. The cut
end of the tape is modified to allow for hanging of a weight (e.g. a loop).
All weights used are
calibrated, Class F hooked weights, traceable to NIST.
The aluminum support stand is approximately 600 mm tall and stable enough to
support
the test roll horizontally throughout the test. The sample shaft 1003 is a
smooth aluminum
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cylinder that is mounted perpendicularly to the vertical plate 1002
approximately 485 mm from
the base. The shaft has a diameter that is at least 90% of the inner diameter
of the roll and longer
than the width of the roll. A small steal bar 1004 approximately 6.3 mm
diameter is mounted
perpendicular to the vertical plate 1002 approximately 570 mm from the base
and vertically
aligned with the sample shaft. The diameter tape is suspended from a point
along the length of
the bar corresponding to the midpoint of a mounted test roll. The height of
the tape is adjusted
such that the zero mark is vertically aligned with the horizontal midline of
the sample shaft when
a test roll is not present.
Condition the samples at about 23 C 2 C and about 50% 2% relative
humidity for 2
hours prior to testing. Rolls with cores that are crushed, bent or damaged
should not be tested.
Place the test roll on the sample shaft 1003 such that the direction the paper
was rolled onto its
core is the same direction the diameter tape will be wrapped around the test
roll. Align the
midpoint of the roll's width with the suspended diameter tape. Loosely loop
the diameter tape
1004 around the circumference of the roll, placing the tape edges directly
adjacent to each other
with the surface of the tape lying flat against the test sample. Carefully,
without applying any
additional force, hang the 100 g weight 1006 from the free end of the tape,
letting the weighted
end hang freely without swinging. Wait 3 seconds. At the intersection of the
diameter tape 1008,
read the diameter aligned with the zero mark of the diameter tape and record
as the Original Roll
Diameter to the nearest 0.01 inches. With the diameter tape still in place,
and without any undue
delay, carefully hang the 1000 g weight 1007 from the bottom of the 100 g
weight, for a total
weight of 1100 g. Wait 3 seconds. Again read the roll diameter from the tape
and record as the
Compressed Roll Diameter to the nearest 0.01 inch. Calculate percent
compressibility to the
according to the following equation and record to the nearest 0.1%:
(Orginal Roll Diameter) ¨ (Compressed Roll Diameter)
% Compressibility = __________________________________________________ x 100
Original Roll Diameter
Repeat the testing on 10 replicate rolls and record the separate results to
the nearest 0.1%.
Average the 10 results and report as the Percent Compressibility to the
nearest 0.1%.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being
strictly
limited to the exact numerical values recited. instead, unless otherwise
specified, each such
dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range
surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is
intended to mean
"about 40 mm."
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Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent
or
application and any patent application or patent to which this application
claims priority or
benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
unless expressly
excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an
admission that it is prior
art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it
alone, or in any
combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or
discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in
this document
conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document
incorporated by
reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document
shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is
therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are
within the scope of this invention.
