Fibrous Structures

Abstract

A fibrous structure exhibits a plurality of discrete knuckles arranged in a pattern of repeat units. The discrete knuckles are characterized by each of the discrete knuckles within the repeat unit having substantially the same shape and substantially the same size. At least some of the discrete knuckles are arranged in a plurality of rows of adjacent knuckles separated by a distance, including at least a first row and a second row. The distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the first row is different than the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the second row.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fibrous structure, comprising:
 a plurality of discrete knuckles arranged in a pattern of repeat units, and characterized by:   each of the discrete knuckles within the repeat unit have substantially the same shape,   each of the discrete knuckles within a repeat unit have substantially the same size; and   wherein at least some of the discrete knuckles are arranged in a plurality of rows of adjacent knuckles separated by a distance, and including at least a first row and a second row, with the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the first row being different than the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the second row.   
     
     
         2 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein all of the discrete knuckles are in one of the plurality of rows. 
     
     
         3 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein all the rows are oriented along one of either a Y-axis or an X-axis. 
     
     
         4 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein one or more rows are oriented along a Y-axis and one or more are oriented along an X-axis. 
     
     
         5 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous structure comprises two plies. 
     
     
         6 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous structure is embossed. 
     
     
         7 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous structure is creped. 
     
     
         8 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous structure is through air dried. 
     
     
         9 . The fibrous structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous structure is one of a paper towel or bath tissue. 
     
     
         10 . A fibrous structure, comprising:
 a plurality of discrete knuckles extending from portions of the surface of the fibrous structure, wherein the plurality of discrete knuckles are arranged in a pattern of repeat units, the repeat unit including a plurality of spaced apart rows, each row having a portion of the discrete knuckles, and wherein the discrete knuckles are characterized by:   each of the discrete knuckles within the repeat unit have substantially the same shape,   each of the discrete knuckles within a repeat unit have substantially the same size; and   wherein the discrete knuckles in each row are spaced from adjacent discrete knuckles in a non-uniform manner such that the repeat unit exhibits varying pillow widths along the row.   
     
     
         11 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the varying pillow widths vary from between about 0.030 inch to about 0.080 inch. 
     
     
         12 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the rows are non-linear. 
     
     
         13 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein all of the discrete knuckles are in one of the plurality of spaced apart rows. 
     
     
         14 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein all the rows are oriented along one of either a Y-axis or an X-axis. 
     
     
         15 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the fibrous structure comprises two plies. 
     
     
         16 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the fibrous structure is embossed. 
     
     
         17 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the fibrous structure is creped. 
     
     
         18 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the fibrous structure is through air dried. 
     
     
         19 . The fibrous structure of  claim 10 , wherein the fibrous structure is one of a paper towel or bath tissue. 
     
     
         20 . A fibrous structure, comprising:
 a plurality of discrete knuckles arranged in a pattern of repeat units, and characterized by:   each of the discrete knuckles within the repeat unit have substantially the same shape,   each of the discrete knuckles within a repeat unit have substantially the same size; and   wherein at least some of the discrete knuckles are arranged in a plurality of rows of adjacent knuckles separated by a distance, and including at least a first row and a second row, with the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the first row being different than the distance between at least two adjacent discrete knuckles in the second row, and wherein rows are oriented along an X-axis which is at an angle between 1 degree and 25 degrees with respect to an MD direction of the fibrous structure.