Abstract: A process for making a fibrous structure including the steps of: providing a deflection member comprising a macroscopically monoplanar, patterned framework having a backside forming an X-Y plane and a web-side opposite to the backside, wherein the framework comprises a plurality of bases extending from the X-Y plane in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and a plurality of suspended portions laterally extending from the plurality of bases in at least one direction substantially parallel to the X-Y plane and elevated in the Z-direction from the X-Y plane to form void spaces between the X-Y plane and the suspended portions; providing a plurality of fibers on the deflection member, thereby forming a partly-formed fibrous structure; and separating the partly-formed fibrous structure from the deflection member, thereby forming the fibrous structure.

Abstract: A single or multi-ply disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article comprises at least one web layer and has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers. A continuous polymer network defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions is bonded to the web layer. The continuous polymer network is preferably a thermoplastic adhesive. After curing, the thermoplastic adhesive can contract upon heating, thereby creating puckered regions of maximum caliper coincident unbonded regions. The minimum caliper of the web layer is coincident the bonded regions. Methods of making the web of the present invention are disclosed. One method includes providing a first web layer; providing a thermoplastic adhesive; applying the thermoplastic adhesive to the first web layer in a continuous network; curing the thermoplastic adhesive; and heating the thermoplastic adhesive to effect contraction of the thermoplastic adhesive.

Abstract: A fibrous structure having at least a first region defining a first plane and having a first elevation, and a second region outwardly extending from the first plane to define a second elevation, wherein the second region comprises a plurality of fibrous pillows. At least some of the fibrous pillows comprise fibrous domes and fibrous cantilever portions laterally extending therefrom at the second elevation. The cantilever portions are elevated from the first plane to form pocket therebetween. In a cross-section perpendicular to the first plane the fibrous pillow has a cross-sectional base measured at the first elevation and a cross-sectional perimeter, wherein a ratio of the cross-sectional perimeter to the cross-sectional base is greater than 4/1. A laminated fibrous structure is also disclosed, comprising at least one fibrous sheet having a plurality of fibrous cantilever portions.

Abstract: A flexible structure comprises a plurality of starch filaments. The structure comprises at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property selected from the group consisting of density, basis weight, elevation, opacity, crepe frequency, and any combination thereof. The common intensive property of the first region differs in value from the common intensive property of the second region.

Abstract: A flexible structure comprises a plurality of starch filaments. The structure comprises at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property selected from the group consisting of density, basis weight, elevation, opacity, crepe frequency, and any combination thereof. The common intensive property of the first region differs in value from the common intensive property of the second region.

Abstract: A single- or multi-ply disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article comprises at least one web layer and has a surface topography exhibiting regions of minimum and maximum calipers. A continuous polymer network defining bonded regions and a plurality of unbonded regions is bonded to the web layer. The continuous polymer network is preferably a thermoplastic adhesive. After curing, the thermoplastic adhesive can contract upon heating, thereby creating puckered regions of maximum caliper coincident unbonded regions. The minimum caliper of the web layer is coincident the bonded regions. Methods of making the web of the present invention are disclosed. One method includes providing a first web layer; providing a thermoplastic adhesive; applying the thermoplastic adhesive to the first web layer in a continuous network; curing the thermoplastic adhesive; and heating the thermoplastic adhesive to effect contraction of the thermoplastic adhesive.

Abstract: In a deflection member comprising a framework having a web-side, a backside defining an X-Y plane, and a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, the framework comprises a multi-layer structure formed by at least two layers joined together in a face-to-face relationship. Each of the layers has a deflection conduit portion extending in the Z-direction. The deflection conduit portion of at least one layer is fluid-permeable and positioned such that portions of that layer comprise a plurality of suspended portions elevated in the Z-direction from the X-Y plane to form void spaces between the X-Y plane and the suspended portions. The deflection member can comprise a reinforcing element positioned between the web-side and at least a portion of the backside of the framework. Each of the layers can comprise a substantially continuous network, a semi-continuous network, or a plurality of discrete protuberances.

Abstract: A deflection member comprising a patterned framework having a web-side and a backside opposite to the web-side and forming an X-Y plane. The framework comprises a plurality of bases extending from the X-Y plane in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane, and a plurality of suspended portions laterally extending from the plurality of bases to form void spaces between the X-Y plane and the suspended portions. The deflection member can comprise a reinforcing element joined to the plurality of bases and positioned between the web-side and at least a portion of the backside of the framework. A process for making the deflection member comprises curing a coating of a liquid photosensitive resin supported by a forming surface through a mask having a pattern of transparent and opaque regions. The opaque regions comprise regions having first opacity and regions having second opacity less than the first opacity.

Abstract: A paper web of the present invention has a longitudinal centerline and a transverse centerline, and comprises a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The first regions form boundaries separating the second regions, the first regions being substantially in a plane of the paper web. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised out-of-said-plane rib-like elements, the rib-like elements of each second region being disposed parallel to a major rib axis and perpendicular to a minor rib axis. All or most of each first regions have both major rib axis and minor rib axis components. The first and second regions undergo geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable wiping article. The wiping article may be single-layer (single-ply), or multi-layer (multi-ply). At least one layer (the only layer in a single-layer wiping article) is a primary layer and is wet extensible. A discontinuous coating is applied to selected portions of the wet extensible primary layer and cured to form a constraining component which inhibits wet extension of the primary layer in the plane of the primary layer. As a result, the primary layer deforms, such as by buckling or puckering, in the Z-direction (perpendicular to the plane of the primary layer), resulting in increased caliper, bulk, and texture. In one embodiment, more than one primary layer may be used in a single wiping article.

Abstract: A wipe comprising a high internal phase inverse emulsion disposed in a discontinuous pattern on a substrate. The pattern provides areas coated with the emulsion and areas free of the emulsion. Preferably the emulsion is disposed so that the surface area to volume ratio of the emulsion is minimized. The emulsion locally expresses water during use upon the application of pressure to the wipe. The water is useful for cleaning. The discontinuous pattern of the emulsion provides regions of the substrate which are wetted during use and regions which may remain dry. The wetted regions transfer water to the surface to be cleaned. The dry regions then remove the water from the surface for more efficacious cleaning.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially dry, disposable, personal cleansing article useful for both cleansing the skin or hair, and more particularly to a disposable, cleansing article having a substrate which preferably comprises of multiple layers. These articles are used by the consumer by wetting the dry article with water. The article comprises a water insoluble substrate having at least a first portion that is wet extensible and at least a second portion that is less wet extensible than said first portion and a lathering surfactant. Preferably, the articles of the present invention further comprise a conditioning component.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles useful in cleansing, and particularly wet-like cleansing wipes, which are dry until used, where fluid is released from the article. These articles comprise:a. a carrier comprising a cellulosic fibrous structure having at least a first region of relatively high basis weight that comprises an essentially continuous network and a second region of a plurality of mutually discrete regions of relatively low basis weight which are circumscribed by the high basis weight first region; andb. an emulsion applied to the carrier, where the emulsion provides fluid for cleaning when shear forces are applied to the article.The first and second regions of the cellulosic fibrous structure are disposed in a nonrandom, repeating pattern. The articles offer a number of significant advantages over prior cleaning products when in the form of wet-like cleansing wipes such as those used for cleaning of hardsurfaces (e.g., floors, countertops, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and the like).

Abstract: A disposable wiping article is disclosed. The disposable wiping article has at least two layers. The first layer has a wet extensibility greater than that of the second layer. The first layer can be an apertured, dry creped web of cellulosic fibers, and the second layer can be a nonwoven web comprising synthetic fibers. Selected portions of the first layer are bonded to the second layer to inhibit wet extension of the first layer in the plane of the first layer.