Unitary deflection member for making fibrous structures having increased surface area and process for making same
A unitary deflection member. The unitary deflection member can have a fluid pervious reinforcing member and a patterned framework. The patterned framework can have a plurality of regularly spaced protuberances extending from the reinforcing member. At least two of said protuberances can be similar in size and shape, and each protuberance can have a transition portion having a transition portion width and a forming portion having a forming portion width. The transition portion width can be less than the forming portion width.
1. A unitary deflection member, the unitary deflection member comprising:
i. a fluid pervious reinforcing member; and
ii. a patterned framework comprising a continuous protuberance extending from said reinforcing member.
2. The deflection member of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of voids defining a plurality of deflection conduits.
3. The deflection member of claim 2 , wherein said plurality of deflection conduits are linear segments spaced apart in either the MD or CD.
4. The deflection member of claim 2 , wherein said plurality of deflection conduits are generally parallel linear segments oriented predominantly in the MD or CD.
5. The deflection member of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of deflection conduits are disposed in a regular, spaced apart configuration of discrete units in an X-Y plane and distributed in both the MD and CD in a regular, spaced pattern.
6. The deflection member of claim 2 , wherein at least two of the plurality of deflection conduits are substantially identical in size and shape.
7. A unitary deflection member, the unitary deflection member comprising:
i. a fluid pervious reinforcing member; and
ii. a patterned framework comprising a semi-continuous protuberance extending from said reinforcing member.
8. The deflection member of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of voids defining a plurality of deflection conduits.
9. The deflection member of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of deflection conduits are linear segments spaced apart in either the MD or CD.
10. The deflection member of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of deflection conduits are generally parallel linear segments oriented predominantly in the MD or CD.
11. The deflection member of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of deflection conduits are disposed in a regular, spaced apart configuration of discrete units in an X-Y plane and distributed in both the MD and CD in a regular, spaced pattern.
12. The deflection member of claim 8 , wherein at least two of the plurality of deflection conduits are substantially identical in size and shape.
13. A unitary deflection member, the unitary deflection member comprising:
i. a fluid pervious reinforcing member; and
ii. a patterned framework comprising a plurality of protuberances extending from said reinforcing member, at least two of said protuberances being similar in size and shape.
14. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein the at least two of said protuberances are adjacent one another and separated by a void defining a deflection conduit.
15. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of protuberances are linear segments spaced apart in either the MD or CD.
16. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of protuberances are generally parallel linear segments oriented predominantly in the MD or CD.
17. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of protuberances are disposed in a regular, spaced apart configuration of discrete units in an X-Y plane and distributed in both the MD and CD in a regular, spaced pattern.
18. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein the framework is a semi-continuous framework.
19. The deflection member of claim 13 , wherein at least two of the plurality of protuberances are substantially identical in size and shape.