Process For Making An Embossed Web

Patent Publication Number: US 8585951 B2

Title: Process for making an embossed web

Filing Date: March 11, 2010

Priority Date: March 13, 2009

Inventor(s): Kevin Gerard Muhs, Richard George Coe, Keith Joseph Stone, Sarah Beth Gross

Original Assignee / Applicant(s): The Proctor & Gamble Company

Link to Patent: US8585951B2

Summary:

This invention discloses a method for providing an embossing on a precursor web material, which is usually a thermoplastic film. These web materials have a variety of uses including as components of absorbent articles (such as topsheets and backsheets), packaging (such as flow wrap, shrink wrap, and polybags), trash bags, food wrap, dental floss, wipes, electronic components, and the like. According to the invention, a film or a sheet of the precursor web material is fed between two rolls, one being a forming structure containing several apertures and/or depressions and the other being that of a compliant substrate that provides a force against the forming structure. Pressure is provided between the compliant substrate and the forming structure to force the precursor web into the apertures or depressions of forming structure to form the embossed web. This invention utilizes Fujifilm Prescale® to ascertain the area of contact between the compliant substrate and the forming structure, by feeding the said Fujifilm Prescale® between the two rolls before the commencement of the manufacturing process. Since the Fujifilm Prescale® changes color upon application of pressure, the area of contact is ascertained from the colored patch formed therein.