KR100366116B1 - Cellulosic fibrous web having embossed pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

A cellulose fibrous web with an embossed pattern is disclosed. The embossed pattern has a repeating pattern. One repeating pattern has a base matrix with a number of distinct discrete lands and a number of discrete elements. The repeating pattern is formed by embossing the cellulose fibrous web. The base matrix has a density with 40 to 90 discrete elements per square inch. A discrete land that is distinguished is defined by being substantially surrounded by discrete elements of the base matrix. One distinct discontinuous land is formed that corresponds to the size from which 4 to 90 discontinuous elements are removed from the base matrix. The total area of the discrete discrete lands in one repeating pattern occupies 3% to 35% of the area of one repeating pattern.

Description

Cellulose fibrous web with embossed pattern {CELLULOSIC FIBROUS WEB HAVING EMBOSSED PATTERN}

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cellulose fibrous web, and more particularly to a cellulose fibrous web having an embossed pattern. The embossed pattern provides an aesthetic appearance and bulk to the cellulose fibrous web.

Background

Cellulose fibrous webs, such as tissue products, are used almost continuously in everyday life. Toilet tissues, paper towels, and cosmetic tissues are examples of cellulose fibrous webs that are used throughout the home and industry. Although cellulose fibrous webs that have not been deformed from the base sheet have long been accepted by consumers, there is a need for cellulose fibrous webs with an aesthetic appearance. The aesthetic appearance of the cellulose fibrous web gives the consumer the impression of a high quality product. It is also desirable to impart bulk to the cellulose fibrous web. Bulk properties, from the consumer's point of view, relate to softness and absorbency and are therefore desirable for high quality products.

Many studies have been attempted to improve the aesthetic appearance and bulk of the cellulose fibrous web. For example, embossing patterns are common for imparting aesthetic appearance and bulk to cellulose fibrous webs. Much effort has been made to emboss cellulose fibrous webs. For example, US Pat. No. 5,562,805 to Kamps et al. On October 8, 1996, discloses a method of making soft high bulk tissue. Such tissues are embossed with finely sized embossing patterns to increase bulk and minimize strength degradation. The finely sized embossing pattern includes at least about 15 per square centimeter (100 per square inch) of discontinuous interlocking embossing elements.

US Patent No. 5,300,347, issued to Underhill et al. On April 5, 1994, discloses embossed cosmetic tissue. Uniformly embossed cosmetic tissue has a continuous or dense discontinuous embossing pattern. The lines of the embossed pattern cause the unembossed pillows surrounded by the embossed lines to have a relatively large bulk. The tissue has between about 1 and about 40 distinct non-embossed areas per square inch of tissue.

US Patent No. 4,759,967, issued to Bauernfeind on July 26, 1988, discloses an embossing process and product. Most, preferably substantially all of the background embossing has a long axis and a short axis. The major axis is substantially aligned in the CD direction of the sheet. The patent discloses a background embossing pattern and an additional intermittent design pattern that essentially covers the sheet. An additional intermittent design pattern is formed by an unembossed neutral plane.

U. S. Patent No. 362,967 to Rothwell et al. On October 10, 1995 and U. S. Patent No. 371,910 to Schultz et al. On July 23, 1996 disclose embossed paper products. These embossed paper products have, within the embossed pattern, a non-embossed area with a relatively large embossing and a relatively large area.

There is an increasing demand for consumers to increase the number of sheets while maintaining the long life of the product, i. One approach to achieving an increase in the number of sheets at a given roll diameter or a given box size is to maximize the nesting of the embossed sheet. However, the fine sized embossing formed on the sheet is difficult to nest with each other due to the fine size of the embossing, thus preventing the sheet from nesting. On the other hand, large scale embossing is nested with each other relatively easily compared to fine sized embossing. However, when the sheets are stacked or wound up, the large embossing easily collapses and loses bulk.

In addition, it is desirable to give an aesthetic appearance on the web by simple operation. One approach to achieving this is to arrange the embossing to form a predetermined pattern, such as to form a design pattern by the non-embossed face by leaving certain areas of the cellulose fibrous web unembossed. By leaving many parts of the cellulose fibrous web unembossed, it is possible to give the web a more aesthetic appearance. However, if there are too many unembossed areas on the cellulose fibrous web, nesting of the sheet is disturbed when rolled or stacked in a box. This causes product problems such as ridging and / or wrinkling on the surface of the product or roll product filled in the box.

Thus, there is a need for a cellulose fibrous web that has a bulk and imparts an aesthetic appearance on the web. There is also a need for a cellulose fibrous web that has been adjusted to allow longer use of the product. There is also a need to reduce leasing and / or wrinkles on the surface of the final product.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cellulose fibrous web having an embossed pattern. The embossed pattern has a repeating pattern. One repeating pattern consists of a background matrix formed by a plurality of discrete lands and a number of discrete elements. The repeating pattern is formed by embossing the cellulose matrix web. The base matrix has 40 to 90 discrete element densities per square inch. The discrete lands to be distinguished are defined by being substantially surrounded by discrete elements of the base matrix. One distinct discontinuous land corresponds to a size that removes 4 to 90 discontinuous elements from the base matrix. The total area of the discrete lands divided in one repeating pattern occupies 3% to 35% of one repeating pattern area.

Brief description of the drawings

Although the present specification concludes with the claims particularly pointed out and specifically claimed by reference to what constitutes the present invention, the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description set forth in connection with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a cellulose fibrous web having an embossed pattern.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cellulose fibrous web shown in FIG. 1 taken along the II-II line.

3 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

4 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

5 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

6 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

7 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

8 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

9 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

10 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

11 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

12 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

13 is a top view of a cellulose fibrous web with another embossing pattern.

14 is a schematic diagram of an embossing process for producing a cellulose fibrous web according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

By 'comprise' is meant that other steps and other elements may be added that do not affect the final result. The term includes the terms 'consisting of' and 'consisting of major components'.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Embossing pattern 10 is formed on cellulose fibrous webs such as toilet tissue, paper towels, and cosmetic tissues. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an embossed pattern 10 is formed on a tissue 12 wound on a roll (FIG. 1 shows only a portion of the tissue unrolled from the roll). The tissue 12 spans two directions, the machine direction MD and the cross machine direction CD. The 'machine direction', represented by MD, is the direction parallel to the flow direction of the paper through the paper machine. The 'cross machine direction', represented by CD, is the direction orthogonal to the machine direction in the X-Y plane.

The embossing pattern 10 has two or more repeating patterns 14 repeated in the machine direction MD. One repeating pattern 14 has a number of distinct discrete lands 16 and a background matrix 18. One repeating pattern into the MD can be determined by comparing successive patterns with the same length in the MD. If successive patterns with the same length in MD are the same along the MD of the product, the pattern is a repeating pattern. One repeating pattern into the CD can be determined by the width of the product. Therefore, the area of the repeating pattern is defined by the length of one repeating pattern into the MD of the product and the width of the CD into the product (ie, (area) = (length of one repeating pattern into the MD of the product) × (product Width to CD)). The base matrix 18 is formed by a number of embossed discontinuous elements 20 shown in black in FIG. 1. Discontinuous land 16 is defined by being substantially surrounded by a number of embossed discrete elements 20. Here, 'discontinuity' means that adjacent elements are not continuous with each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, adjacent embossing elements 20 are not continuous with each other. Here, 'divided' means that the land can be identified and distinguished from the background matrix. Here, "substantially enclosed" means that the land is surrounded by a number of discrete elements that do not form a closed curve (ie, the land is not surrounded by a closed curve). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discrete discontinuous lands 16 are not distinguishable from the base matrix 18 by having no discrete elements 20 embossed therein. Preferably, the discontinuous elements 20 and the discrete lands 16 to be distinguished have a relatively different height as a result of the embossing. In addition, in FIG. 2, the discontinuous element 20 is preferably embossed, and the discrete land 16 to be distinguished is preferably not embossed. Alternatively, the discrete discontinuous lands 16 may be embossed to have a different height than the discontinuous element 20. Alternatively, the discrete elements 20 and the discrete lands 16 that are distinguished may have the same height as long as the discrete discrete lands 16 can be identified and distinguished from the background matrix 18. In yet another embodiment, the discontinuous element 20 is not embossed, and the discrete lands 16 to be distinguished may be embossed. In this case, in order for the discrete element 20 to be identified, the remaining portion of the base matrix 18 except for the discrete element 20 may be embossed (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base matrix ( The remainder of 18) is shown as white networked elements).

The base matrix 18 is formed by a number of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 is preferably 40 to 90 discrete elements 20 per square inch, more preferably 45 to 80 discrete elements 20 per square inch, most preferably 50 to 70 discrete elements per square inch ( 20) has a density. The base matrix 18 preferably has a density of at least 40 discrete elements 20 in order to maintain the bulk of the tissue 12. It is also preferred that the base matrix 18 has a density of up to 90 discrete elements 20 to provide sufficient nesting between the sheets.

The discontinuous element 20 preferably has an area of 0.006 square inches to 0.024 square inches, more preferably 0.009 square inches to 0.020 square inches, most preferably 0.010 square inches to 0.017 square inches. The discontinuous element 20 can be in any form such as circles, ellipses, dots, raindrops, hexagons, bow ties and tridents. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discontinuous element 20 has the form of raindrops.

Discontinuous land 16 to be distinguished is defined as being substantially surrounded by discontinuous elements 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discrete discrete lands 16 are surrounded by about twenty discrete elements 20. These discontinuous elements 20 are arranged discontinuously so as to surround the discrete lands 16 which are to be distinguished. Although the discrete discrete lands 16 are not surrounded by closed curves, the discrete discrete lands 16 can be seen to form a shape that is surrounded by the outlines indicated by dashed lines 22 in FIG. The dashed outline 22 is substantially surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20 and is defined as the boundary between the discrete lands 16 and the discrete elements 20 that are distinct. The discrete lands 16 to be distinguished preferably have a size from 4 to 90 discontinuous elements 20 removed from the base matrix 18, more preferably from 8 to 70 discontinuous elements 20 from the base matrix 18. It has a size corresponding to the size removed, most preferably from 10 to 60 discontinuous elements 20 from the base matrix 18. The discrete lands 16 to be distinguished preferably have a size with four or more discrete elements 20 removed so that they can be perceived aesthetically clearly by the consumer. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 may have up to 90 discrete elements 20 so that the unembossed discrete discrete lands 16 do not interfere with the nesting of the tissue sheet when the sheet is rolled up or stacked in a box. It is also desirable to have the size removed.

The total area of the discrete lands 16 separated in one repeating pattern is preferably 3% to 35% of one repeating pattern area, more preferably 6% to 28% of one repeating pattern area, most preferably Occupies 10% to 24% of one repeating pattern area. The total area of the discrete lands 16 separated in one repeating pattern is preferably occupied by 3% or more so that the discrete lands 16 separated are clearly recognizable to the consumer. The total area of the discrete lands 16 separated in one repeating pattern is such that the unembossed discrete lands 16, which are not embossed, do not interfere with the nesting of the tissue sheet when the sheets are rolled up or stacked in a box. It is preferable to occupy% or less.

Discontinuous land 16 to be distinguished is preferably from 0.025 square inches to 3.3 square inches, more preferably 0.076 square inches To 2.6 square inches, most preferably 0.125 square inches to 2.2 square inches. Here, the area of one distinct discontinuous land 16 is determined by the total area of the discontinuous elements 20 removed. The contours 22 of discrete lands 16 are divided into circles, ellipses, squares, triangles, diamonds, rectangles, hexagons, hearts, flowers, pounds, wavy diamonds, wavy squares, and wavy rectangles. It may have the same arbitrary form. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16 has a heart-shaped shape.

The repeating pattern 14 may have one or more discontinuous elements 24 left inside of the discrete lands 16 that are distinct. The repeating pattern 14 may have a plurality of discrete elements 24 left inside of the discrete lands 16 that are distinct. The discontinuous element 24 left inside the land 16 gives the consumer a more aesthetic impression. In FIG. 3, each of the discrete discrete lands 16 has a plurality of discrete elements 24 that are left without being removed. The discrete discrete lands 16 are substantially surrounded by a plurality of discrete elements 20, and the outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16 has a heart-shaped shape. The cluster 23 of discontinuous elements 24 remaining also substantially forms a decorative form. Here, 'substantially forming' means that a plurality of remaining discontinuous elements are gathered to form a shape. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the clusters 23 of discontinuous elements 24 left form a heart-shaped shape.

As shown in FIG. 4, the desired shaped line of the discrete lands 16 in which the discrete elements 20 surrounding the discrete lands 16 are separated (eg, a diamond-shaped outline in FIG. 4) is drawn. It may be partially cut accordingly. The portion 20A of the partially cut discontinuous element 20 may remain to form part of the base matrix 18. The other part of the partially cut discontinuous element 20 is removed to form a discrete land 16 that is separated. Thus, the number of discrete elements removed from the base matrix 18 must include these removed portions of the discrete element 20. In addition, the discrete elements 24 remaining within the discrete discrete lands 16 are partially along the desired shaped line of the cluster 23 of the remaining discrete elements 24 (eg, heart-shaped outline in FIG. 4). Can be cut. The partially cut off portion 24A of the discontinuous element 24 remaining therein may be left to form part of the community 23. The partially cut off portion of the discontinuous element 24 left therein is removed to form a discrete land 16 which is to be distinguished. Thus, the number of discontinuous elements removed should include these removed portions of the discontinuous element 24 left therein. The shape shown in FIG. 4 is useful for providing a clearer aesthetic.

14 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an embossing process for producing a cellulose fibrous web of the present invention. Embossing process 500 has two rolls 502 and 504. Cellulose fibrous web 506 is fed into an embossing nip formed between rolls 502 and 504. The cellulose fibrous web 506 fed into the embossing nip may have one ply or two or more plies. In one example, roll 502 has a pattern of female elements (not shown) on its surface, and roll 504 has a pattern of male elements on its surface. The pattern of male and female elements is arranged to bite each other, and this bite forms the desired embossing pattern 508 on the cellulose fibrous web 506. The roll 502 has at least one repeating pattern of female elements such that one rotation of the rolls 502 and 504 produces at least one repeating pattern of the embossing pattern on the cellulose fibrous web 506. Roll 504 has at least one repeating number pattern. Continuous rotation of the rolls forms a number of repeating patterns on the web 506. In a preferred embodiment, roll 502 has two or more repeating patterns of female elements, and roll 504 has the same number of repeating patterns of male elements.

Laticework may be formed on the entire cellulose fibrous web. Here, 'grid' means a pattern of small intersecting diagonal or zigzag segments or angles.

The following examples illustrate and demonstrate the preferred embodiments within the scope of the invention. As many variations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the examples are given for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used for like parts. The sizes of the examples shown here are not the actual size. The size of each element may vary within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 shows an example of the present invention. The cellulose fiber web 12 shown in FIG. 1 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density where there are 68 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 18 discrete elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16 surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20 has a heart-like shape. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.01 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.257 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 accounts for 11.2% of the area of one repeating pattern.

3 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 3 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density at which there are 48 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 22 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16 surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20 has a heart-like shape. Inside the discrete lands 16, which are separated, thirty-three discrete elements 24 are left, their clusters forming a heart-like shape. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.015 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.458 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 accounts for 9.1% of the area of one repeating pattern.

4 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 4 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density of 57 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which about 53 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16, which are surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20, has a diamond shape. About 21 discrete elements 24 are left inside the discrete lands 16 that are to be distinguished. As shown in FIG. 4, some of the discontinuous elements 20 are cut along a straight line of each side of the diamond shape. The cut portions 20A remain to form the base matrix 18. Some of the discontinuous elements 24 remaining therein are also cut along the heart-shaped line. The cut off portion 24A remains to form a community 23 of discontinuous elements 24 therein. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.012 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.909 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 accounts for 21.9% of the area of one repeating pattern.

5 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 5 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density of 53 discontinuous elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which about 52 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16, which are surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20, has a diamond shape. About 21 discrete elements 24 are left inside the discrete lands 16 that are to be distinguished. Some of the discontinuous elements 24 left inside are also cut along the heart-shaped line. The cut off portion 24A remains to form a community 23 of discontinuous elements 24 therein. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.013 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.98 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 20% of the area of one repeating pattern.

6 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 6 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density at which there are 48 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which about thirty discrete elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the distinct discontinuous lands 16 surrounded by a number of discontinuous elements 20 has a circular shape. About 15 discrete elements 24 are left inside the discrete discontinuous lands 16. Some of the discontinuous elements 24 left inside are also cut along the heart-shaped line. The cut off portion 24A remains to form a community 23 of discontinuous elements 24 therein. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.015 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.643 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 11.4% of the area of one repeating pattern.

7 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 7 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density of 44 discontinuous elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which about 34 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete lands 16 separated by a number of discrete elements 20 has a rectangular shape. Fifteen discrete elements 24 are left inside the discrete lands 16 that are to be distinguished. Some of the discontinuous elements 24 left inside are also cut along the heart-shaped line. The cut off portion 24A remains to form a community 23 of discontinuous elements 24 therein. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.016 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.777 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 12.9% of the area of one repeating pattern.

8 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 8 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density where there are 68 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 12 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete lands 16 separated by a number of discrete elements 20 has a rectangular shape. In the interior of the discrete lands 16, four discrete elements 24 are left. The combination of discrete discrete lands 16 of rectangular shape and the four discrete elements 24 left therein form a flower-like shape as a whole. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.01 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.171 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 12% of the area of one repeating pattern.

9 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 9 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density of 57 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 12 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete lands 16 separated by a number of discrete elements 20 has an elliptical shape. In the interior of the discrete lands 16, four discrete elements 24 are left. The combination of the elliptical shaped discrete lands 16 and the four discrete elements 24 left therein form a whole like a peanut. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.012 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.206 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 11.5% of the area of one repeating pattern.

10 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 10 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density with 84 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete lands 16 to be distinguished are provided with two kinds of the first type 16A and the second type 16B. The first type 16A of the discrete discrete lands 16 corresponds to the size from which eight discrete elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The second type 16B of the discrete lands 16, which are to be distinguished, corresponds to the size from which 12 discrete elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22A of the first mold 16A of the discontinuous land 16 to be distinguished has a rectangular shape. Four discontinuous elements 24A are left inside the first type 16A of the discrete lands 16 that are to be distinguished. The combination of the first type 16A of the discrete discontinuous lands 16 of rectangular shape and the four discontinuous elements 24 left therein form an overall shape similar to a chopstick. The outline 22B of the second type 16B of the discontinuous lands 16 to be distinguished has an elliptic shape. Four discontinuous elements 24B are left inside the second type 16B of the discrete land 16 that is to be distinguished. The combination of the second type 16B of the discrete discontinuous lands 16 of ellipse shape and the four discontinuous elements 24 left therein form an overall peanut-like shape. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.008 square inches. The first type 16A of the discrete lands 16 to be distinguished has an area of 0.091 square inches. The second type 16B of discrete land 16, having a distinction, has an area of 0.137 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 7.8% of the area of one repeating pattern.

11 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 11 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density at which there are 48 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which about 32 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16, which are surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20, has a diamond shape. About 21 discrete elements 24 are left inside the discrete lands 16 that are to be distinguished. As shown in FIG. 11, some of the discontinuous elements 20A are cut along a straight line that is each side of the diamond. Some of the discontinuous elements 20 left inside are also cut along the heart-shaped line. The discontinuous element 20 has a raindrop shape. The cut off portion 24A remains to form a community 23 of discontinuous elements 24 therein. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.015 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.686 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 12.1% of the area of one repeating pattern. The cellulose fibrous web shown in FIG. 11 also has a lattice pattern. Each cell of the plaid has one distinct discontinuous land 16 therein.

12 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 12 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density with 60.5 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 25 discrete elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete discrete lands 16, which are surrounded by a number of discrete elements 20, has a diamond shape. The discontinuous element 20 has a bowtie shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.012 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.413 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 accounts for 21.9% of the area of one repeating pattern.

13 shows another example of the present invention. The cellulose fibrous web 12 shown in FIG. 13 has an embossing pattern. One repeating pattern 14 has a base matrix 18 having a plurality of discrete discrete lands 16 and a plurality of discrete elements 20. The base matrix 18 has a density of 42 discrete elements 20 per square inch. The discrete discontinuous lands 16 correspond to the size from which 22 discontinuous elements 20 are removed from the base matrix 18. The outline 22 of the discrete lands 16 separated by a number of discrete elements 20 has a cross shape. The discontinuous element 20 has a trident shape. The discontinuous element 20 has an area of 0.017 square inches. Discontinuous land 16 that is distinguished has an area of 0.534 square inches. The total area of the discrete discrete lands 16 in one repeating pattern 14 occupies 27.2% of the area of one repeating pattern.

All these examples provide the advantages of the present invention.

The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (any patent granted to that patent application and any corresponding published foreign patent application), and publications mentioned throughout this patent application are incorporated herein by reference. However, it is not necessarily to be understood that any record incorporated herein by reference teaches or discloses the present invention. Moreover, it is not obvious that any of the commercially available materials or products described herein teach or disclose the present invention.

All limits and ranges specified herein include all narrower ranges, limits and amounts within the above-specified limits and ranges, and it is to be understood that such narrower ranges and limits may be claimed, although not separately described.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (22)

The embossing pattern has a repeating pattern, one repeating pattern having a base matrix having a plurality of discrete discrete lands and a plurality of discrete elements, the repeating pattern being formed by embossing a cellulose fibrous web, The base matrix has a density of between 40 and 90 discrete elements per square inch, and The discrete discrete lands are defined as being substantially surrounded by discrete elements of the base matrix, where one discrete discrete land corresponds to a size from which 4 to 90 discrete elements are removed from the base matrix, and one repetition A cellulosic fibrous web with an embossed pattern, wherein the total area of discrete lands in the pattern occupies 3% to 35% of the area of the one repeating pattern. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the discrete lands having a distinction have an outline defined by being substantially surrounded by the discrete elements of the underlying matrix, wherein the outlines of the discrete lands have a decorative shape. Cellulose fibrous web. 3. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 2, wherein at least one discrete element surrounding the discrete discrete lands is partially removed to form the discrete discrete lands. 4. A cellulose fibrous web according to claim 3, wherein said discrete lands have one or more discrete elements left therein. 5. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 4, wherein the population of the plurality of discrete elements left therein forms a substantially decorative shape. 6. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 5 wherein at least one discrete element left therein is partially removed to form the discrete discrete land. The cellulosic fibrous web of claim 1 wherein the discrete elements and the discrete discrete lands have a relatively different height. 8. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 7, wherein the discontinuous elements are embossed and the discrete discontinuous lands are not embossed. 8. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 7, wherein the discontinuous elements are not embossed and the discrete discontinuous lands are embossed. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the discontinuous element has an area of 0.006 square inches to 0.024 square inches. 11. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 10, wherein the discontinuous element has an area of 0.009 square inches to 0.020 square inches. 12. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 11, wherein the discontinuous elements have an area of 0.010 square inches to 0.017 square inches. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1, wherein said discrete lands have an area of 0.025 square inches to 3.3 square inches. 14. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 13, wherein said discrete lands have an area of 0.076 square inches to 2.6 square inches. 15. The cellulosic fibrous web of claim 14, wherein the discrete discrete lands have an area of 0.125 square inches to 2.2 square inches. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the base matrix has a density of between 45 and 80 discrete elements per square inch. 17. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 16, wherein the base matrix has a density of between 50 and 70 discrete elements per square inch. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1 wherein the one discrete discrete land corresponds to a size from which 8 to 70 discrete elements are removed from the base matrix. 19. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 18 wherein the one discrete discontinuous land corresponds to a size from which 10 to 60 discontinuous elements are removed from the base matrix. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the total area of the distinct discontinuous lands in one repeating pattern comprises 6% to 28% of the area of one repeating pattern. 21. The cellulosic fibrous web of claim 20 wherein the total area of said discrete discrete lands in one repeating pattern comprises between 10% and 24% of the area of one repeating pattern. The cellulose fibrous web of claim 1, wherein the cellulose fibrous web is wound on a roll.