WO2014078357A1

WO2014078357A1 - Absorbent paper product having source identifying emboss element

Info

Publication number: WO2014078357A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/069805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wen Fei CHU; Lynne Cheryl Hannen; Emma Lynn SARTINI
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2012-11-13
Filing date: 2013-11-13
Publication date: 2014-05-22
Also published as: MX2015006050A; CA2891226A1; US20140134374A1; EP2920365A1

Abstract

A rolled absorbent paper product. The rolled absorbent paper product includes an absorbent paper substrate having at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced-apart positions across the ply. The two emboss design elements comprise a first emboss design element occupying all but at least one of the positions in a first repeating pattern, and a second emboss design element occupying the at least one of the positions not occupied by the first emboss design element. The second emboss design element can be a word comprising a line emboss defining line-embossed letters wherein each letter comprises an open area within the line emboss. The first and second emboss design elements can each have an emboss area of from about 7% to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each other of less than about 10%.

Description

ABSORBENT PAPER PRODUCT HAVING SOURCE

IDENTIFYING EMBOSS ELEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to embossed absorbent paper products, such as bath tissue, facial tissue, and paper towels and to methods of making such paper products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Absorbent paper products, such as bath tissue, facial tissue, and paper towels are well known. Such products are commonly used in households, businesses, restaurants, shops, and the like. Often absorbent paper products are embossed to provide an aesthetically pleasing look to an exposed surface of the absorbent paper product. Embossing is also known to be useful for aiding in bonding multiple plies of absorbent paper together to form a multi-ply absorbent paper product.

Methods for making absorbent paper products are also well known. Typically absorbent paper products are made by wet laying processes in which a fibrous slurry of cellulosic fibers is deposited on a forming wire and thereafter dried by known processes such as through-air-drying, press felts, and Yankee drum drying. Absorbent paper products can be creped or non-creped, and can be converted after drying into multi-ply, embossed, and/or rolled absorbent paper products.

Manufacturers of absorbent paper products desire that consumers of such products be able to distinguish between the varieties of absorbent paper products on the market. One way a manufacturer can distinguish its product from the products of other manufacturers is by the emboss designs and emboss pattern visible to the consumer. For example, in a rolled format, such as is common for bath tissue and paper towels, the last wrap of absorbent paper product can be exposed and visible to a consumer. If the rolled absorbent paper product is wrapped in a package that is at least partially transparent, the emboss design pattern can be seen through the packaging. A consumer can make a buying decision based on a preferred emboss design pattern.

When an absorbent paper product is in use, such as in a consumer's home, it can be difficult, if not impossible, for one to identify the manufacturer and/or marketer of the absorbent paper product. Consumers are generally not apprised of the various emboss patterns that various manufacturers/marketers use. Because at the time of use the absorbent paper product packaging is rarely around to check, if a consumer uses the absorbent paper product and likes it, the consumer has no way to readily ascertain the manufacturer, the marketer, or, for example, a brand name.

Even if a consumer does know the manufacturer of the absorbent paper product by its brand name, the consumer can be reminded during use of the source of the paper product.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an absorbent paper product having an emboss design pattern that facilitates identification of a manufacturer.

Additionally, it would be desirable to have a rolled absorbent paper product having an emboss design pattern visible on an outside layer that facilitates identification of a manufacturer. Further, it would be desirable to have a rolled absorbent paper product having an emboss design pattern visible on an outside layer that reinforces to a user during use the product the identification of a manufacturer.

Still further, it would be desirable to have an absorbent paper product for which even if a consumer does know the manufacturer of the absorbent paper product by its brand name, the consumer can be reminded during use of the source of the paper product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A rolled absorbent paper product is disclosed. The rolled absorbent paper product includes an absorbent paper substrate having at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced- apart positions across the ply. The two emboss design elements comprise a first emboss design element occupying all but at least one of the positions in a first repeating pattern, and a second emboss design element occupying the at least one of the positions not occupied by the first emboss design element. The second emboss design element can be a word comprising a line emboss defining line-embossed letters wherein each letter comprises an open area within the line emboss. The first and second emboss design elements can each have an emboss area of from about 7% to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each other of less than about 10%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a photograph of a rolled absorbent paper embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a representative emboss pattern of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a portion of an emboss roll embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one example of a repeating emboss pattern useful in the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4C are representative emboss design elements.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a surface of an emboss roll of the present invention.

FIG. 5 A is a magnified view of a portion of the emboss roll of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a representative depiction of a portion of a line-embossed word emboss element of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional representation of cross section 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a representative depiction of a portion of a line-embossed word emboss element of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, the present invention is an absorbent paper product having at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced apart positions across the product. The absorbent paper product can be a facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel, napkin, or the like, and can be provided in roll form, as is common for bath tissue and paper towels.

The absorbent paper of the absorbent paper product can be any of known absorbent paper known for use as facial tissue, bath tissue, paper towel, napkin, or the like, and will not be described in detail herein. By way of example, absorbent paper suitable for use in the present invention include the absorbent paper utilized in currently marketed facial tissues including PUFFS® and KLEENEX®, currently marketed bath tissues such as CHARMIN®, COTTONELLE®, ANGEL SOFT®, and ULTRA NORTHERN®, currently marketed paper towels such as BOUNTY®, VIVA®, and BRAWNY®. In general, any absorbent paper product made by known papermaking methods, including wet laying and through air drying, and which can be embossed, can be utilized in the present invention. Therefore, the description below is non-limiting with respect to the particular absorbent paper product to be embossed, the particular manufacturing method, or the particular format (e.g., rolled or stacked/interleaved).

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, which shows a roll 10 of absorbent paper product 12. The absorbent paper product 12 shown in FIG. 1 is a paper towel product, which has been wet laid, through air dried, and creped, as is known in the art, prior to being embossed with the pattern shown. The pattern shown in FIG. 1 is representative only. As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent paper product 12 can have two visually distinct emboss design elements, a first emboss design element 14, which in FIG. 1 includes two concentric diamonds, and a second emboss design element 16, which in FIG. 1 is in the form of the brand name BOUNTY®. First emboss design element 14 can be any shape, design, or combination of shapes and designs, and can be included with other emboss elements, such as the wavy line design 18 formed from relatively closely spaced dot embossments 20. In general, visually distinct emboss design elements are design elements that can be visually distinguished as discrete, separate design elements, which design elements can be disposed in a regular, substantially repeating pattern, as shown in FIG. 1 (only one of second emboss design element 16 is shown in FIG. 1). Thus, the emboss design elements disclosed herein are disclosed as representative only, and virtually any emboss design element can be utilized for either first or second emboss design elements.

As shown in FIG. 1, a roll of absorbent paper product 10 which has been embossed can include an emboss design element which is a source identifier, i.e., a logo, a trademark, or a brand name, such as BOUNTY® as shown in FIG. 1. The brand name can be the second emboss design element 16, and can be spaced in any pattern at predetermined positions according the present invention. Having the manufacturer's and/or marketer's logo, trademark, or brand name embossed in a visually distinct emboss element on an absorbent paper product assures that the consumer, or other user, can readily identify the manufacturer and/or marketer of the absorbent paper product during use. Therefore, the consumer can be reminded of the manufacturer and/or marketer and the manufacturer's and/or marketer's brand equity can be reinforced to the consumer. If the consumer likes the absorbent paper product, he or she can be reminded during use of the source, and can be better informed to make the same purchase next time he or she shops for absorbent paper products.

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a web of absorbent paper product 12. Absorbent paper product

12 can be made on wet-laid papermaking machines, which as is known, in commercial operations produces parent rolls of absorbent paper product having a machine direction MD and a cross direction CD. The MD represents the direction of travel as the absorbent paper product is being made on the paper machine. The CD represents the cross direction, which at its maximum is the width of the web of paper as it is being made (or the width of a finished paper product, such as a paper towel). Absorbent paper product 12 can have spaced apart lines of weakness 24, which can be in the form of perforations, which in the finished product facilitate tearing off one sheet at a time. For example, rolled absorbent paper products, such as bath tissue and paper towels typically have perforations which permit the user to tear off a sheet (or a plurality of sheets) at the location of the perforation. Additionally, the parent roll can be cut by a log saw to produce a plurality of finished rolls of a predetermined width. As shown in FIG. 2, the log saw can cut along lines 32 to form a finished roll having a roll width W.

The solid lines 34 forming two adjacent rectangles in FIG. 2 are intended to represent two individual, adjacent sheets 36 of a finished roll of absorbent paper product, such as a finished roll of paper towels in a Select-a-Size® format. Each sheet 36 is defined in the CD by the settings of the log saw which cuts the parent roll, and in the MD by the spacing of lines of weakness 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, emboss design elements occupy positions 22 which can be predetermined positions, each position of which can be occupied by either a first emboss design element 14, or a second emboss design element 16, or no emboss design element. In an embodiment, positions 22 can be determined by the use of a grid 26, which can be an imaginary, or digitally overlaid, grid which does not actually appear on the absorbent paper product 12, but which can be a tool for conceptualizing and designing an emboss pattern. A portion of a representative grid 26 is shown in FIG. 2. As shown, a grid 26 of the present invention can be a grid of parallel straight lines 28 in the machine direction, MD, intersecting with parallel straight lines in the cross direction, CD. In the embodiment shown, positions 22 are predetermined to be every other intersection in both the MD and the CD. For clarity, positions 22 can be any predetermined location on the absorbent paper product 12 at which a designer desires an emboss design element. In practice, it can be typical to make such design elements in a regular, repeating pattern. In the present invention, a first emboss design element 14 can be disposed in a substantially regular, repeating pattern at most of the positions 22, with the exception of the positions 22 at which are disposed second design emboss elements 16.

The concept and description of "positions" as used herein is utilized to convey the enabling concept of a predetermined distribution of emboss design elements that can also be utilized on commercial embossing equipment as is known in the art. Known embossing rollers typically provide for a nip between a rubber roll and a steel roll, or two steel rolls. Of course, all manner of roll types, number of rolls, materials, and nip configurations can be employed in the present invention. However, to be commercially viable the patterned emboss roll can be balanced; that is, the pattern can be designed such that the area occupied by emboss elements is substantially equal as a percentage across the face of the emboss roll. In an embodiment, for a specified area surrounding each position 22 the emboss design element (and portions of emboss elements) encompassed in that area has an area of emboss that is substantially equal to the area of emboss for the specified area at every other position 22 having emboss elements. Therefore, the number of positions is not important, but the spacing and placement can be designed to ensure that on average the area of emboss surrounding each position 22 is substantially equal across the face of the emboss roller.

In an embodiment, therefore, in the present invention, first emboss design elements 14 and second emboss design elements 16 can have substantially equal emboss areas relative to each other, such that when spaced generally regularly in a repeating pattern at some or all of positions 22, the emboss roll can be balanced. A balanced emboss roll experiences less wear and, therefore, lasts longer with fewer other mechanical problems such as excessive vibration, than an unbalanced roll.

In an embodiment, the first and second emboss design elements (along with any other emboss elements such as closely spaced dot embossments 20 in a predetermined area, as discussed below) each have an emboss area of from about 7% to about 25%, including every tenth of a percent between 7% and 25%, for example 16.9%. In an embodiment, the relative difference between the emboss area of first emboss design element 14 and second emboss design element 16 can be less than about 10%, or less than about 7%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 3%. Emboss area of an emboss element in an embossed absorbent paper product can be determined by considering the area of the emboss roll elements which produced the emboss in the embossed absorbent paper product, the emboss roll elements producing a close approximation in area on the embossed absorbent paper product. In an embodiment, the emboss area of an emboss element can be determined by utilizing a visual image in which emboss elements are outlined, either by hand or electronically, and the emboss area determined by mathematical calculations.

In accordance with the understanding of the above description with respect to positions and roll balancing, the number, spacing and placement of first and second emboss design elements can be varied for the desired visual impression desired by the manufacturer or marketer of the absorbent paper product. However, for rolled absorbent paper products 10 of the present invention, in an embodiment the number, spacing and placement of second emboss design elements 16 can be sufficient to ensure that at least one second emboss design element 16 at least partially intersects with a line of weakness 24, as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the number, spacing and placement of second emboss design elements 16 can be sufficient to ensure that at least two, or at least 4, or at least 6, or at least 8, or at least 10, or at least 12 second emboss design elements 16 at least partially intersects with a line of weakness 24. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, each second emboss design element 16 at least partially intersects with a line of weakness 24. It is not necessary that every second emboss design element 16 at least partially intersects with a line of weakness 24, but at least one can.

The advantage of producing a rolled absorbent paper product in which one or more second emboss design elements 16 intersects at one or more lines of weakness 24 is maximized when the second emboss design element 16 is a source identifier, such as a logo, brand name or trademark. When a person is using a paper towel, for example, and reaches to tear off one sheet, the user's eyes are drawn to the roll of paper towels, and specifically can be drawn to the line of weakness at which the tear propagates. Thus, in the action of the user's ordinary behavior of tearing off a paper towel, the user is necessarily exposed to a visual representation of the manufacturer's and/or marketer's logo, brand name, or trademark. This activity, which of course can hold for all rolled absorbent paper products including bath tissue, helps ensure that the manufacturer's and/or marketers' identification is reinforced as the user is reminded of the source of the rolled absorbent product.

The logo, brand name, or trademark can be embossed by providing for the logo, brand name, or trademark on the emboss roll, such as the representative emboss roll 38 shown in FIG. 3. The emboss roll 38 shown in FIG. 3 can be a steel roll manufactured by means known in the art for steel emboss rolls. The mating roll (not shown) can be a rubber (or other soft-surface) roll, or a mating steel roll, as is known in the art. The representative emboss roll 38 shown in FIG. 3 produces an emboss pattern on absorbent paper product 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, as can be understood, a first emboss roll element 40 including two concentric diamonds corresponds to first emboss design element 14, and a second emboss roll element 42 of the brand name BOUNTY® corresponds to second emboss design element 16. As with the pattern shown in FIG. 2, additional emboss roll elements, such as the point (or dot, or spot) emboss roll elements 44 can be disposed in a closely spaced arrangement to form a wavy line emboss roll pattern 46. With respect to determining roll balance and percent area of emboss elements at any given position 22, the point emboss roll elements 44 can be taken into account.

As can be understood from the description above and with respect to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present invention the emboss roll 38 can have a pattern of regularly spaced first emboss roll elements 40 where at certain of positions 22 a second emboss roll element 42 can be substituted so as to provide for a periodic embossment of a logo, brand name, or trademark, while maintaining relatively little percent emboss area difference between first emboss roll elements and second emboss roll elements (including, as necessary, other surrounding emboss elements such as point emboss roll elements 44). As can be appreciated from FIG. 3, second emboss roll element 42 may displace, i.e., replace, some of the point emboss roll elements 44 that form wavy line emboss roll pattern 46. The number of point emboss roll elements 44 that are displaced can be adjusted depending on the size and emboss area of the line embossment elements of second emboss roll design elements 42 so as to maintain a relatively low emboss area difference between first emboss roll elements 40 and second emboss roll elements 42.

A representative pattern repeat for the representative emboss pattern shown in FIGS. 1-3 is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 can represent a design drawing pattern repeat, as well as represent the pattern of the first emboss roll elements 40 or, correspondingly, when applied to the absorbent paper product in an embossing unit operation, FIG. 4 can represent a pattern repeat of the first emboss design elements 14 in the finished absorbent paper product 12. In an embodiment, and for simplicity, as discussed above the method for how to calculate an emboss element area can be accomplished to a close, working approximation by calculating the area of emboss roll 38 elements. For any position 22 at which an emboss roll element is centered, an inscribed area 48 can be determined, such as by defining a closed perimeter, such as circle 50, centered about position 22. Of course, the inscribed area 48 need not be a circle, but can be any shape sufficient to inscribe at least one emboss element, such as a square, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, sufficient to inscribe emboss roll element 40. Also, as can be understood by the description herein, the inscribed area 48 can also inscribe or partially inscribe other emboss elements as long as a consistent inscribed area 48 is applied to all positions 22 occupied by an emboss roll element.

Once an inscribed area 48 is determined, the area of the flattened faces F (as shown in FIG. 7, which is a representative cross-sectional depiction of all emboss roll embossments of the present invention) of emboss roll elements, such as the paper-contacting outer surface of the line elements making up first emboss roll elements 40 (and portions thereof, as shown in FIG. 4, in which inscribed area 48 includes parts of the four outer first emboss roll elements 40), as well as point emboss roll elements 44. The area of the substantially flat faces of the various emboss roll elements can be added to arrive at a total area of embossment. The total area of embossment can be divided by the inscribed area 48 to arrive at a percent emboss area for any given emboss elements around a position 22 at which emboss elements are centered.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the inscribed area 48 can be a square, and the second emboss design element can include line embossed letters (FIG. 4A) or block-embossed letters (FIG. 4C). Block-embossed letters, which are letters in which the entire letter is embossed, can be used for the logo, brand name, or trademark of the second emboss design element, but, of course, will have a higher emboss area. In an embodiment, the percent emboss area for first emboss elements 16 (and, correspondingly, first emboss roll elements 40) can be substantially equal to the percent emboss area for second emboss design elements 14 (and, correspondingly, second emboss roll elements 42).

For the emboss design elements shown by way of example herein in FIGS. 1 and 2, as formed by an emboss roll as shown in FIG. 3 (or similar thereto), and for emboss areas calculated by inscribing a square inscribed area 48 as shown in FIGS. 4-A-4C, the percent emboss areas can be as follows (emboss areas of all inscribed emboss elements, including point emboss roll elements 44 and inscribed portions of line embossments 56). The percent emboss area for the second emboss design element 16 (or, to a close, working approximation, the second emboss roll element 42) as shown in FIG. 4A, can be about 15.6%. The percent emboss area for the first emboss design element 14 (or, to a close, working approximation, the first emboss roll element 40) as shown in FIG. 4B, can be about 16.9%. The percent emboss area for the second emboss design element 16 (or, to a close, working approximation, the second emboss roll element 42) as shown in FIG. 4A, can be about 20.3%. In an embodiment, the difference in emboss area of a first emboss roll element to a second emboss roll element can be less than about 10%, or less than about 7%, or less than about 5%, or less than about 3%. In a like manner, the difference in emboss area of the embossments in the finished absorbent paper product 12 can be determined, either by direct measurement, or by close approximation to the emboss roll elements responsible for making their respective first emboss design elements 13 or second design elements 16 or closely spaced dot embossments 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, first and second emboss roll elements 40, 42 can comprise unbroken, or substantially continuous ridge elements 54 that form line embossments 56 in the embossed absorbent paper product 12 (as shown in FIG. 1). Line embossments present certain challenges for the purposes of embossing absorbent paper products. For example, due to web tensions during converting operations, including embossing, line embossments oriented in the MD tend to cause puckering after embossing and after tension is released from the absorbent paper product. Puckering may desired, in which case MD line embossments can be utilized; otherwise, however, certain design constraints can be utilized in the present invention, such as minimizing the length of a line emboss element oriented in the MD. In an embodiment of the present invention there are no line embossments having a length greater than about one-quarter inch, or greater than about one-eighth of an inch, oriented in the MD. In an embodiment of the present invention, for any given continuous line embossment (e.g., one diamond shape of the first emboss roll element), less than 25%, or less than 10%, or less than 5% of the line length is oriented in the MD. Stated differently, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, any given unbroken ridge element 54 (or line embossment 56 in the absorbent paper product) can have a vector component 58 in the MD and a vector component 60 in the CD. In an embodiment, the vector component in the CD is sufficient to render the linear element to make an angle A of at least about 10 degrees off an axis parallel to the CD.

In general, as shown in FIG. 4, it is believed to be good emboss practice to cause the entire roll emboss pattern to repeat at a slight angle B with respect to a reference line 52 parallel to the emboss roll axis. Angle B can be from about 1 degree to about 5 degrees, and can be about 2 degrees, 2.5 degrees, 3 degrees, 3.5 degrees, or about 2.6 degrees.

FIG. 5 shows a representative surface 58 of an emboss roll 38 in a flat out configuration. That is, FIG. 5 shows the surface 58 of an emboss roll 38 as it would look if it were "unrolled" and laid flat. CD-oriented centerline 60 can also be considered to represent a roll axis when the surface is curved about the emboss roll. As shown, an emboss roll can have a roll width RW, and a roll circumference RC. In an embodiment the roll width RW can be about 110 inches and the roll circumference RC can be from about 36 inches to about 200 inches. Emboss roll 38 can comprise a plurality of first emboss roll elements 40 occupying positions 22 in regular repeating pattern which is complete except for the substitution in certain positions 22 of second emboss roll elements 42. As can be seen by observing the reference lines 62 drawn through three representative sets of second emboss roll elements 42, the second emboss roll elements 42 can be disposed in positions 22 such that they are inclined at an angle C with respect to axis 60, and can be disposed in a spiral about the circumference of emboss roll 38.

A representative second emboss roll element 42 (which can produce a second emboss design element 16 in an embossed absorbent paper product 12), is shown in more detail in FIG. 5A. As shown, in an embodiment, second emboss roll element 42 can be a word formed of line- embossed letters 64, where each letter comprises an open area 66 within the line emboss. Representative line-embossed letters 64 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 8. FIG. 6 shows a detail of the first two letters of the word BOUNTY, as shown in FIG. 5A. As shown, each letter can have a line-emboss 56 perimeter which forms an outline shape of the given letter. The line-emboss 56 perimeter can be an emboss element which can have an average width WLE measured at the paper-contacting outer face F of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.120 inches, including every 0.001 inch increment between, such as, for example, 0.051 inches. The width of the line emboss perimeter emboss element can vary, including at the junction of letters, such as at junction 68 where the line emboss 56 element forms a common perimeter element for both the "B" and the "O" of the word BOUNTY.

As shown in FIG. 7, which is a representative cross sectional depiction of cross section 7- 7 of FIG. 6, line embossments 56 can have a height E of from about 0.050 inches to about 0.170 inches, including every 0.001 increment in between, such as, for example, 0.130 inches. Line embossments 56 can have sidewalls that can be angled by included angle D of from about 10 degrees to about 55 degrees, including every integer value of angle in between, including, for example, 20 degrees. The top, paper-contacting face F of line embossments 56 can be substantially flat and have a width WLE of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.120 inches, including every 0.001 inch increment in between, including, for example, 0.030 inches.

Each letter 64 can comprise an open area 66 that for each letter can be from about 9% to about 23% of the area encompassed by the full, outside perimeter of the letter 64. For a given overall size measured from the outside boundary of unbroken ridge elements 54 forming line emboss elements, the open area 66 can vary depending on the width WLE of the line embossments 56, and, for certain letters, such as the "B" and the "O" shown in FIG. 6 the size of interior letter emboss elements 70. In letters such as "V" which have no true "interior" portions for a letter emboss element 70, the area inside the "V" can be considered an interior letter emboss element 70, as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 8.

The advantages of the line-embossed letters 64 of second emboss roll elements 42, of the present invention are many. First, a second emboss design 16 made by line-embossed letters 64 of element second emboss roll element 42 provides for excellent visually discernible emboss impressions in the absorbent paper product 12 because of the shadowing that can be produced in relatively deep, narrow channels formed by the walls of the embossed portion in the absorbent paper product 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The line embosses form a perimeter of each letter, which in a light incident on the paper, shows shadows and light portions that help enhance the visual aesthetic qualities of the embossed letters 64.

Second, a line-embossed letter provides for excellent visually discernible emboss impression without requiring excessive percent emboss area, which could lead to an unbalanced emboss roll 38. By way of non-limiting example, for the second emboss roll element 42 illustrated in FIG. 4, if the letters of the word BOUNTY were solid, i.e., filled, the percent emboss area of second emboss roll element 42 would be about 20.3%, which is much greater than the 16.9% emboss area of the first emboss roll elements 40. As line-embossed letters, the word BOUNTY as depicted in FIG. 4 provides for a second emboss roll element 42 having an emboss area of about 15.6%, which is about an 8% difference relative to the first emboss roll element 40, which can be acceptable for proper balance of the emboss roll 38.

Further, a line-embossed letter 64 provides for the ability to keep more of the absorbent portions of an absorbent paper product capable of absorbing. A filled letter would densify more area, in fact the entire area of the letter, which could effectively cause the densified area to lose effective absorbent capacity, thereby reducing the overall absorbent capacity of the absorbent paper product.

Finally, a line-embossed letter 64 can provide for a larger word to be embossed while minimizing the percent emboss area of the word, which can be the second emboss design element 16. A larger word is more likely to be seen by the user at the point of purchase, or at the time of use, for example, when the user is tearing off a sheet to use. As discussed above, a larger word (or logo or trademark) can be more easily seen by the user as the user is tearing off a sheet, especially if, as is described herein, the word traverses a line of weakness, such as a perforation.

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."

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, 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.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A rolled absorbent paper product, said product characterized by:

a. an absorbent paper substrate having at least one ply with an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced-apart positions across said ply;

b. said two emboss design elements comprising a first emboss design element occupying all but at least one of said positions in a first repeating pattern, and a second emboss design element occupying said at least one of said positions not occupied by said first emboss design element;

c. said second emboss design element being a word comprising a line emboss defining line-embossed letters wherein each letter comprises an open area within said line emboss; and,

d. said first and second emboss design elements each have an emboss area of from about 7% to about 25% and a difference in emboss area relative to each other of less than about 10%.

2. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that said second emboss design element repeats in a regular pattern.

3. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that both said first and second emboss design elements repeat in a regular, repeating pattern.

4. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that said line- embossed letters comprise lines having a width of from about 0.020 inches to about 0.120 inches.

5. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that one or both of said first and second emboss designs comprise a linear segment, said linear line segment having a vector component in the machine direction and a vector component in said cross machine direction of said absorbent paper product.

6. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that one or both of said first and second emboss designs comprise a linear segment, said linear line segment having a vector component in the cross machine direction, said linear line segment making an angle of at least about 10 degrees off an axis parallel to the machine direction of said absorbent paper product.

7. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 1, further characterized in that one or both of said first and second emboss design comprise a linear line segment and wherein less than 25% of a total length of said line segment is oriented in a machine direction of said absorbent paper product.

8. A rolled absorbent paper product, said product characterized by:

a. an absorbent paper having a plurality of individual sheets each comprising at least one ply having an emboss pattern comprising two visually distinct emboss design elements disposed in a plurality of predetermined, spaced-apart positions across said ply, wherein adjacent of said individual sheets are separated by a line of weakness;

c. said second emboss design element being a word comprising letters; and, d. wherein said second emboss element at least partially traverses at least one said line of weakness.

e.

9. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 13, further characterized in that said second emboss element repeats in a regular pattern and at least one of said second emboss elements does not traverse at least one said line of weakness.

10. The rolled absorbent paper product of Claim 13, further characterized in that said word is a trademarked brand name for said rolled absorbent product.