Nonwoven fabrics having intercalated three-dimensional images

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a plurality of three-dimensional images whereby the fabric is comprised of at least a first and second three-dimensional image that are dissimilar from one another. The three-dimensional images may be imparted into the fabric in a co-planar arrangement, multi-planar arrangement, or by utilizing both arrangements within the same fabric. Further, the present invention contemplates a fabric comprised of a plurality of three-dimensional images which can provide the fabric with various physical and/or aesthetic performances.

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         7 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images comprising: 
 a nonwoven precursor web that is advanced onto a three-dimensional image transfer device and that is subjected to hydraulic energy to entangle and impart into the web at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image to form a nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute    
     
     
         8 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images comprising: 
 a nonwoven precursor web that is advanced onto a three-dimensional image transfer device and that is subjected to hydraulic energy to entangle and impart into the web at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image to form a nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute.    
     
     
         9 . A nonwoven fabric in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the first three-dimensional image facilitates exfoliation and the second three-dimensional image provides enhanced lather generation.    
     
     
         10 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images comprising: 
 a nonwoven precursor web that is advanced onto a three-dimensional image transfer device and that is subjected to hydraulic energy to entangle and impart into the web at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image to form a nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute.    
     
     
         11 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images comprising: 
 a nonwoven precursor web that is advanced onto a three-dimensional image transfer device and that is subjected to hydraulic energy to entangle and impart into the web at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image to form a nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute.    
     
     
         12 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images made by steps comprising: 
 a) providing a nonwoven precursor web;    b) advancing said nonwoven precursor web onto a three-dimensional image transfer device, which comprises at least two dissimilar images embedded within a movable imaging surface;    c) subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web; and    d) forming a nonwoven fabric havin at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute.    
     
     
         13 . A nonwoven fabric in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the step of subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web comprises imparting three-dimensional images in arrangements selected from the group consisting of a co-planar arrangement, a multi-planar arrangement, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         14 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images made by steps comprising: 
 a) providing a nonwoven precursor web;    b) advancing said nonwoven precursor web onto a three-dimensional image transfer device, which comprises at least two dissimilar images embedded within a movable imaging surface;    c) subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web; and    d) forming a nonwoven fabric having at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides a performance attrubute and a second three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute.    
     
     
         15 . A nonwoven fabric in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the step of subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web comprises imparting three-dimensional images in arrangements selected from the group consisting of a co-planar arrangement, a multi-planar arrangement, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         16 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images made by steps comprising: 
 a) providing a nonwoven precursor web;    b) advancing said nonwoven precursor web onto a three-dimensional image transfer device, which comprises at least two dissimilar images embedded within a movable imaging surface;    c) subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web; and    d) forming a nonwoven fabric havin at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute.    
     
     
         17 . A nonwoven fabric in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the step of subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web comprises imparting three-dimensional images in arrangements selected from the group consisting of a co-planar arrangement, a multi-planar arrangement, and mixtures thereof.    
     
     
         18 . A nonwoven fabric containing at least two intercalated three-dimensional images made by steps comprising: 
 a) providing a nonwoven precursor web;    b) advancing said nonwoven precursor web onto a three-dimensional image transfer device, which comprises at least two dissimilar images embedded within a movable imaging surface;    c) subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web; and    d) forming a nonwoven fabric havin at least two intercalated three-dimensional images, wherein a first three-dimensional image provides an aesthetic attribute and a second three-dimensional image provides a performance attribute.    
     
     
         19 . A nonwoven fabric in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein: 
 the step of subjecting the nonwoven precursor web to hydraulic energy to simultaneously entangle and impart at least a first three-dimensional image within a second three-dimensional image into said web comprises imparting three-dimensional images in arrangements selected from the group consisting of a co-planar arrangement, a multi-planar arrangement, and mixtures thereof.