Abstract: Method for imparting a selectively apertured three-dimensional pattern to a heated plastic material which is either fed in film form from a supply roll or extruded as a melt directly onto the surface of a forming structure and subjected to a fluid pressure differential while in contact with its surface. In a preferred embodiment, the film forming structure comprises a stacked laminate of initially imperforate planar sheets having continuous patterns of apertures therein and at least one initially perforate selectively apertured planar sheet located beneath the uppermost continuously apertured sheet. The laminate forming structure is preferably tubular in shape so as to facilitate continuous plastic web processing against its outermost surface. Film to be debossed and selectively apertured is brought in contacting relation with the laminate structure and subjected to a substantially uniform fluid pressure differential on said forming structure while at a temperature above its softening temperature.

Abstract: Method for constructing a three-dimensional film forming structure for imparting a selectively apertured three-dimensional pattern to a heated plastic material which is either fed in film form from a supply roll or extruded as a melt directly onto the surface of the forming structure and subjected to a fluid pressure differential while in contact with its surface. The completed structure comprises a stacked laminate of initially imperforate planar sheets having continuous patterns of apertures formed therein and at least one initially perforate selectively apertured planar sheet located beneath the uppermost continuously apertured sheet. The apertures formed in the initially perforate selectively apertured sheet coincide with the portions of the plastic web to be apertured. The completed laminate forming structure is preferably tubular in shape so as to facilitate continuous plastic web processing against its outermost surface.