Embossing process including discrete and linear embossing elements

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(12) United States Patent

Boatman et al.

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,524,404 B2 Apr. 28, 2009

(54) EMBOSSING PROCESS INCLUDING DISCRETE AND LINEAR EMBOSSING ELEMENTS

(75) Inventors: Donn Nathan Boatman, Union, KY

(US); Kevin Benson McNeil, Loveland,
OH (US); David Mark Rasch,
Cincinnati, OH (US); Wayne Robert
Fisher, Cincinnati, OH (US)

(73) Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company,

Cincinnati, OH (US)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 679 days.

(21) Appl.No.: 11/147,873

(22) Filed: Jun. 8, 2005

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2006/0278355 Al Dec. 14, 2006

(51) Int. CI.

D21H 27/02 (2006.01)
D21H 27/40 (2006.01)
B31F1/07 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 162/362; 162/117; 162/132;

162/205; 101/23; 101/28; 101/32; 428/174;

156/209

(58) Field of Classification Search 162/109,

162/117, 123, 132, 205-207, 361, 362; 156/209; 428/156, 174, 152-154, 172; 101/3.1,22, 101/23, 32, 28; 425/384, 385, 394, 395, 425/403, 403.1, 404, 406-408; 264/119, 264/258, 284, 293 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

An apparatus for producing an embossed product including a first embossing member having a plurality of discrete embossing elements disposed in a first non-random pattern having at least one first single pattern unit. The total area of the distal ends of the discrete embossing elements in the first single pattern unit is less than about 5.0 cm2. The apparatus also includes a second embossing member having a plurality of linear embossing elements disposed in a second non-random pattern having at least one second single pattern unit. The total area of the second distal ends in the second single pattern unit is less than about 10 cm2. The second non-random pattern is coordinated with the first non-random pattern such that when engaged with each other the first single pattern unit and the second single pattern unit make up an embossing pattern single pattern unit.

45 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets