Cellulosic web, method and apparatus for making the same using

Abstract

A papermaking forming belt and a method of making the same, as well a cellulosic web and the process of making the web are disclosed. The belt comprises an air-permeable reinforcing structure and a resinous framework. The reinforcing structure has a web-facing side defining an X-Y plane, a machine-facing side opposite the web-facing side, and a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The resinous framework is comprised of a plurality of discrete protuberances extending from the reinforcing structure, each of the protuberances having an axis, a top surface, a base surface opposite the top surface, and walls. The axes of at least some of the protuberances and the Z-direction form an acute angles therebetween. The web produced on the belt has at least two regions disposed in a non-random and repeating pattern: a macroscopically planar and patterned first region comprising an essentially continuous network and preferably having a relatively high basis weight, and a second region comprised of a plurality of discrete knuckles circumscribed by and adjacent to said first region and preferably having a relatively low basis weight. The knuckles extend from the first region in at least one direction, that at least one direction and said Z-axis forming an acute angle therebetween.