Method for embossing textured tissue sheets

• US 7,384,506 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2006
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C&BB Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Incorporated (Kimberly-Clark Corporation)
• Inventors: Beuther, Paul Douglas, Vogt, Kevin Joseph, Gusky, Robert Irving, Underhill, Richard Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): HUG, ERIC J
• Application Number:
  US11/434,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20060201643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 162109-117, 162/123, 162/125, 162/210, 162/362, 264/284, 264/257, 264/258, 428152-156, 428/171, 428/172, 428/178, 428/174, 156/209, 156/290, 425/385, D5/53
• US Class Current: 162/117
• CPC Class Codes: B31F 1/07 Embossing , i.e. producing impressions formed by locally deep-drawing, e.g. using rolls provided with complementary profilesB31F1/128 takes precedence; corrugating B31F1/20; embossing in combination with printing B41F19/02, B41M1/24; typewriters for embossing B41J3/38; stamping in combination with deforming B41K3/36
• CPC Class Codes: B31F 2201/0733 Pattern
• CPC Class Codes: B31F 2201/0774 Multiple successive embossing operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1023 Surface deformation only [e.g., embossing]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24455 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24479 including variation in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24628 Nonplanar uniform thickness material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31 Surface property or characteristic of web, sheet or block

Abstract

Embossing regularly textured sheets with an appropriate regular, discrete embossing pattern to improve softness can result in a combined texture that creates an interference pattern that camouflages the original texture pattern and the embossing pattern. The resulting pattern is more appealing to the eye and is more random in appearance than the initial textured sheet or the embossing pattern individually. This result is particularly advantageous for paper towels.

Claims

1. A method of embossing a textured tissue sheet having a regular, distinct, overall fabric texture pattern imprinted into the sheet while the sheet is being made, said method comprising embossing the textured sheet to provide a regular, distinct, overall embossing pattern that is different than the texture pattern and results in an optical interference pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the texture pattern and the embossing pattern comprise rows of distinct elements, wherein the embossing pattern differs from the texture pattern with respect to the spacing of the elements within the rows.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the texture pattern and the embossing pattern comprise rows of distinct elements, wherein the embossing pattern differs from the texture pattern with respect to the spacing of the rows elements.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the texture pattern and the embossing pattern comprise rows of distinct elements, wherein the embossing pattern differs from the texture pattern with respect to the orientation of the rows of elements relative to the machine direction of the sheet.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheet is airlaid.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheet is wet laid and throughdried.