Process for producing a web substrate having indicia disposed thereon and elastic-like behavior imparted thereto

Abstract

A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a web substrate; printing indicia on the web substrate; and, providing the web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition. A portion of the first regions extend in a first direction while the remainder of the first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to intersect one another. The first regions form a boundary completely surrounding the second regions. The second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements. The first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and the second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when the web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.

1 . A process for providing indicia and an elastic-like behavior to a web substrate, the process comprising the steps of:
 providing a web substrate;   printing indicia on said web substrate; and,   providing said web substrate with a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition, a portion of said first regions extending in a first direction while the remainder of said first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to intersect one another, said first regions forming a boundary completely surrounding said second regions, said second regions comprising a plurality of raised rib-like elements, said first regions undergoing a molecular level and geometric deformation and said second regions initially undergoing a substantially geometric deformation when said web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.   
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing said first regions and said second regions as distinct from one another. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , providing said first region substantially free of said raised rib-like elements. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of disposing said web substrate about a plurality of articles. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of rewinding said web substrate having said indicia and an elastic-like behavior disposed thereon about a cylindrical core. 
     
     
         6 . A web substrate for containing a plurality of consumer goods, said web substrate comprising:
 indicia printed on a surface of said web substrate, said indicia providing a branding signal to a consumer;   a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions disposed upon at least a portion of said web substrate, said plurality of first regions and plurality of second regions comprising the same material composition;   a portion of said first regions extending in a first direction while the remainder of said first regions extend in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction to intersect one another;   wherein said first regions form a boundary completely surrounding said second regions;   wherein said second regions comprise a plurality of raised rib-like elements; and,   wherein said first regions undergo a molecular level and geometric deformation and said second regions initially undergo a substantially geometric deformation when said web material is subjected to an applied elongation along at least one axis.   
     
     
         7 . The web substrate for containing a plurality of consumer goods according to  claim 6 , wherein said first regions and said second regions are distinct from one another. 
     
     
         8 . The web substrate according to  claim 6 , wherein said first regions are substantially free of said rib-like elements. 
     
     
         9 . The web substrate according to  claim 6 , wherein said web substrate comprises a polyolefin or blends thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The web substrate according to  claim 6 , wherein said second regions provide a limit to an available stretch of said web substrate.