Patent Publication Number: US-6698877-B2

Title: Offset printing apparatus for applying a substance

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Production of paper products such as paper towels, tissues, napkins, and the like often employ the use of several manufacturing steps. One of these manufacturing steps involves the application of a substance onto the web from which the paper product is made. The purpose of applying a substance onto the web is due to a desire to change the functional properties of the resulting paper product. For instance, the substance may be a strength agent, a softening agent, or a debonding agent, or any other substance which affects the functional properties of the product. Application of these types of substances to a web will result in the final paper product having desired characteristics. Typically, strengthening agents are added to a web that is made into paper towels in order to provide for a paper towel that will not disintegrate upon contact with water or other liquids. Alternatively, debonding agents are sometimes applied to a web that is made into toilet tissue such that the resulting product will break up upon contact with water. As such, the application of a substance that modifies the functional properties of a paper product is an important step in the manufacturing these products. 
     One method known in the art that is used to apply a substance onto a web is known as direct printing. Direct printing can employ flexographic, gravure, or ink jet technology. Ink jet technology includes a device known as an ink jet print head that has a plurality of orifices. A substance may be expelled from one or more of these orifices thus exiting the print head of the ink jet printer. Drops of the substance then travel a throw distance between the print head and the web or other surface onto which the substance is to be applied. The orifices of the print head may be aligned in a single row or may be formed having various patterns. The substance may be expelled from these orifices either simultaneously or through selected orifices at any given time. Although ink jet technology is commonly used in ink printers which apply printing to a paper, ink jet technology is also known in the art as a method of applying substances to a paper in order to effect the functional properties of the paper. 
     Direct printing may sometimes employ a guide roll onto which the moving web is contacted. The ink jet print head may then apply the substance onto the web as the web is rolled over the guide roll. Alternatively, a transfer roll may not be present in direct printing. Here, the ink jet print head applies the substance to a moving web that is stretched in between two points, for instance two other rolls. The moving web may create a layer of boundary air that is approximately one-half inch to one inch in distance from the surface of the moving web. Although, it is to be understood that in the present invention that any size of boundary air may be present and the invention is not limited to any particular distance. This boundary air is a turbulent airflow that has a significant amount of dust present. The dust is formed by the particles that create the web. In ink jet printing, the throw distance from the print head to the surface onto which the substance is applied is typically less than fifteen millimeters, and is commonly less than five millimeters. Therefore, in direct printing the print head is typically within the boundary air. It is often the case that the dust will build up on the print head of the ink jet printer due to static effects. This buildup of dust on the print head can significantly impact the dispensing of the substance from the ink jet printer. For instance, several of the orifices can become jammed or partially clogged therefore preventing the desired distribution of the substance onto the web. Additionally, a reduced amount of substance can be applied from that which is desired. 
     The production of paper products typically occurs at a fast rate. Therefore, the web is moved at a high rate of speed producing boundary air which is also moving at an elevated speed. Due to the fact that ink jet technology propels drops of the substrate onto the web, this fast moving boundary air can potentially cause problems. For instance, the boundary air may act as a barrier to prevent the drops of the substrate from reaching the web. In addition, the boundary air may effect the location onto which the substance is placed on the web causing a buildup on some parts of the web and leaving other parts of the web with none or a reduced amount of the substance. In most circumstances, such an uneven dispersion of the substance is undesired. Additionally, the buildup of dust on the ink jet print head can cause the formation of satellite drops which are smaller drops of the chemistry that are formed due to drop break-up upon impact with dust or due to improper drop formation. These satellite drops are smaller and have a greater potential of being swept away by the boundary air and/or being inhaled by a person in the proximity of the printing equipment. These problems exist at relatively low speeds of a moving web, such as speeds less than 500 feet per minute, but become worse at higher speeds. 
     Although it is possible to move the ink jet print head away from the boundary air such that the problem of dust buildup is not as severe, this modification causes other side effects. First, the ink jet print head is designed to operate at relatively small throw distances. Having a larger throw distance will result in a loss of resolution of the substance applied to the web. For instance, more overlapping of the substance applied to the web will occur. Additionally, the substance has a greater chance of being swept away due to the boundary air. The exact placement of the substance onto the web will not be controllable since the distance the drop of the substance is thrown will be great and will be through a turbulent airflow. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the present invention. 
     The present invention provides for an offset print apparatus for applying a substance to a moving web. The offset print apparatus includes a transfer roll that is capable of being rotated. A moving web is provided and is in contact with a first circumferential portion of the transfer roll. The moving web moves over or under the transfer roll and stays in contact with the first circumferential portion of the transfer roll while moving over the transfer roll. A dispenser is located proximate to a second circumferential portion of the transfer roll and has at least one orifice. A substance may also be present and be dispensed from the dispenser through the at least one orifice. The substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll without having the dispenser contact the transfer roll. The transfer roll rotates the substance into engagement with the moving web such that at least a portion of the substance is applied to the moving web. 
     The present invention also provides for an offset print apparatus for applying a substance to a web that includes a transfer roll. An ink jet printer is provided that has a print head located proximate to the transfer roll. The print head has a plurality of orifices from which the substance is dispensed onto the transfer roll. The distance between the surface of the print head and the transfer roll is defined as a throw distance. A web contacts the transfer roll such that the substance that is dispensed onto the transfer roll is transferred to the web through contact of the transfer roll and the web. The web has an amount of dust laden boundary air that is formed proximate to the web when the web is moving. The print head of the ink jet printer need not come into contact with the dust laden boundary air that is formed when the web is moving. 
     The present invention also encompasses an apparatus as discussed above where the substance is applied to affect the functional properties of the web. 
     A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention is provided as an apparatus as immediately discussed where the substance is selected from the group that consists of but is not limited to strength agents, softening agents, and debonding agents. 
     A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention exists in an apparatus as previous discussed where the dispenser is an ink jet printing apparatus. 
     Alternatively, the present invention includes an offset print apparatus as previously discussed which further has a doctor blade that is located proximate to the transfer roll. The doctor blade removes any of the substance that remains on the transfer roll after engagement of the substance with the moving web. 
     Alternatively, the present invention includes an apparatus as set forth above where the moving web is moving at a speed of between about 5,000 feet per minute and about 8,000 feet per minute in one exemplary embodiment, and a speed between about 500 and 3,000 feet per minute in another exemplary embodiment. 
     Additionally, the present invention includes an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus as discussed above where the throw distance is between about 2 and about 3 millimeters in one exemplary embodiment, and can be between 1 and 20 millimeters in other exemplary embodiments. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the invention exists where the print head is spaced away from and not in contact with the boundary air that is formed by the moving web. 
     The present invention also encompasses a method for applying a substance to a moving web. The method includes the step of rotating a transfer roll. A web is moved over or under a first circumferential portion of the transfer roll. The web stays in contact with the first circumferential portion while being moved over or under the transfer roll. A dispenser is located proximate to a second circumferential portion of the transfer roll. The dispenser is located such that boundary air from the moving web is substantially remote from the dispenser. A substance is dispensed from the dispenser onto the transfer roll at the second circumferential portion. The substance is rotated into engagement with the moving web so that at least a portion of the substance is applied to the moving web. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The offset print apparatus is shown having a dispenser that is an ink jet printer. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The offset print apparatus has a doctor blade that is present to remove any remaining substance that is on the transfer roll after the substance comes into contact with the moving web. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a print head in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The print head is shown having a plurality of orifices from which a substance may be dispensed. 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed elevational view of a transfer roll and a print head in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The drawing shows the throw distance being the distance between the transfer roll and the print head. 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a direct print apparatus. The direct print apparatus makes use of a print head that prints directly onto the web. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the guide roll and the print head of a direct print apparatus. A layer of boundary air is shown being formed above the moving web. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a direct print apparatus. The drawing shows the web moving underneath a print head. In this drawing, the moving web has just begun moving and a substance is shown being applied by the print head to the moving web. 
     FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of the direct printing apparatus shown in FIG.  7 . Here, the drawing shows the print head shortly after the print head shown in FIG.  7 . An amount of dust has accumulated on the print head. 
     FIG. 9 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Two transfer rolls and print heads are present in order to apply a substance to both sides of a web. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations. 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention. The offset print apparatus  10  is shown having a transfer roll  12  being present. The transfer roll  12  is rotationally mounted onto a frame  46  via a shaft  44 . The transfer roll  12  may be cylindrical in shape and have a smooth outer surface. However, it is to be understood that other exemplary embodiments of the present invention will have a transfer roll  12  that does not have a smooth outer surface. The transfer roll  12  may be any type of roll known in the art in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, for instance, one such roll is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,138 B1 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. The transfer roll  12  may be made of any type of material, for instance, steel. Also, the transfer roll  12  may have a smooth, textured, or patterned surface. Additionally, an elastomeric coating may or may not be present on the transfer roll  12 . The transfer roll  12  may be a vacuum roll in certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. A vacuum roll is a roll that has a vacuum applied to the interior thereto such that a web  14  is securedly pulled against the vacuum roll. However, it is to be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the transfer roll  12  is not a vacuum roll. Additionally, in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention the transfer roll  12  may be replaced by a belt having or not having a vacuum present underneath. As such, it is to be understood that as used herein and in the claims the term “transfer roll” is broad enough to be an element capable of transferring substance. 
     A moving web  14  is present in the offset print apparatus  10 . The moving web  14  moves in the direction of arrow A from an upstream manufacturing process  48 . The web  14  employed in FIG. 1 may be, for example, a tissue. However, it is to be understood that the web  14  may be used to form other products besides a tissue in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For instance, the web  14  may be used to form paper towels, paper napkins, hand wipes, toilet tissues, or the like. The offset print apparatus  10  is not limited to using a particular type of web  14 . 
     The web  14  moves around an upstream directional roll  32  from which the direction of web  14  is changed. At this point, the web  14  contacts a first circumferential portion  16  of the transfer roll  12 . The web  14  may be moved at speeds of between 500 and 8,000 feet per minute in certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     The transfer roll  12  is also provided with a second circumferential portion  20 . The second circumferential portion  20  is located next to a substance delivery system (dispenser)  18 . The substance delivery system  18  shown in FIG. 1 is an ink jet printer  34 . The ink jet printer  34  is a device commonly known in the art. A print head  36  is present on the ink jet printer  34  and is located proximate to the second circumferential portion  20  of the transfer roll  12 . In certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the print head  36  may be heated. The print head  36  may be any type of print head commonly known in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,000,787 and 6,084,609 show two typical ink jet print heads that are commonly used in ink jet technology. However, it is to be noted that the ink jet print heads shown in these two references are used for placing ink onto a paper surface and not a substance that modifies the chemical properties of the paper or web as is the case in certain exemplary embodiments in the present disclosure. 
     The ink jet printer  34  of FIG. 1 is provided with a positive pressure enclosure  28 . The function of the positive pressure enclosure  28  is to keep the area surrounding the print head  36  and the ink jet printer  34  clean. The positive pressure enclosure is not limited to a particular size or shape. As stated, an amount of dust or lint may build up on the print head  36  during use. It is important to keep the print head  36  along with the ink jet printer  34  free from dust and lint in order to ensure for a long lasting life of these components and for proper functioning of the offset print apparatus  10 . The positive pressure enclosure  28  is provided with an air intake  30  that receives clean air from a blower at a pressurized air source (not shown). This clean air is used in part to prevent the accumulation of dust and lint onto the print head  36  and the ink jet printer  34 , and also to help prevent boundary air  40  (shown in a direct print apparatus  50  in FIG. 6) from contacting the print head  36 . 
     The print head  36  may be configured as shown in FIG. 3 in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, a series of orifices  22  are present on the surface of the print head  36 . As used in the art, the orifices  22  are sometimes referred in ink jet technology as being “jets”. A substance  24  that effects the functional properties of the web  14  once placed onto the web  14  is dispensed through the orifices  22  of the print head  36 . The substance  24  is shown in FIG. 3 as being dispensed through several but not all of the orifices  22 , however it is to be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present invention the substance  24  may be dispensed through any number or all of the orifices  22 . In addition, the substance  24  may be dispensed in unequal amounts through different orifices  22 . Any type of configuration of dispensing known in the art is to be covered under the scope of the present invention. 
     The substance  24  is shown as being in the form of a series of drops. Again, the print head  36  may be modified such that the substance  24  is dispensed in a steady stream or a configuration of drops which takes various shapes. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it may be desired to apply a substance  24  onto the web  14  such that the resulting product has desired hydrophilic properties. The substance  24  may be a material that changes the functional properties of the web  14  or may simply be a material such as ink that marks or writes on the web  14  in other exemplary embodiments. The substance  24  may be a strengthening agent, a softening agent, and/or a debonding agent. 
     The substance  24  is dispensed in a desired amount from the print head  36 . FIG. 4 shows the distance between the print head  36  and the transfer roll  12  as being a throw distance  38 . The substance  24  traverses this throw distance  38  either along a substantially straight line or along some other path in order to contact the transfer roll  12  at the second circumferential portion  20  of the transfer roll  12 . Referring back to FIG. 1, the transfer roll  12  moves in the direction of arrow B. The substance  24  on the surface of the transfer roll  12  therefore is moved in the direction of arrow B from the second circumferential portion  20  to the first circumferential portion  16  of the transfer roll  12 . At this point, the web  14  contacts the first circumferential portion  16  of the transfer roll  12  such that the substance  24  is transferred to the web  14 . The substance  24  is then applied to the web  14  so that the functional properties of the web  14  is modified to a desired state. The web  14  is then moved over a downstream directional roll  42  and moved to a subsequent manufacturing stage. A backing roll  15  may be present and form a nip with the transfer roll  12  into which the web  14  is drawn. The backing roll  15  may be either independently driven or driven by the transfer roll  12 . The backing roll  15  in some exemplary embodiments aids in the transfer of the substance  24  onto the web  14 . 
     Ink jet printing technology makes use of throw distances  38  that are usually less than fifteen millimeters and commonly are less than five millimeters. In addition, is also very common to have a throw distance  38  that is between about two and three millimeters. As can be expected, with such small throw distances, dust from the web  14  may buildup on the print head  36  very rapidly due to static effects. 
     FIG. 2 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus  10  in accordance with the present invention. Here, the offset print apparatus  10  is substantially similar to the one disclosed in FIG.  1 . However, the offset print apparatus  10  shown in FIG. 2 has a doctor blade  26  being present and contacting the transfer roll  12 . The purpose of doctor blade  26  is to remove any extra substance  24  that remains on the transfer roll  12  after the substance  24  contacts the web  14 . This is done in order to ensure that an even distribution of the substance  24  is attained on the web  14 . If the substance  24  were allowed to remain on the transfer roll  12 , an uneven distribution would occur once the new amount of substance  24  were applied to the transfer roll  12  and moved into contact with the web  14 . In some applications, a doctor blade  26  is not necessary since all of the substance  24  is transferred onto the web  14 . In addition, in other applications it may be desirable to have an uneven distribution of the substance  24  onto the web  14  such that the doctor blade  26  is not needed. Further, the substance  24  may change the color of the web  14  or may print a design or writing onto the web  14 . Additionally, the substance  24  may be an odor control agent that is used to change the odor of web  14 . 
     FIG. 5 shows a direct print apparatus  50 . The most substantial difference between the direct print apparatus  50  of FIG.  5  and the offset print apparatus  10  of FIG. 1 is that the print head  36  of the direct print apparatus  50  dispenses the substance  24  directly onto the web  14 . Although a guide roll  13  is shown in FIG. 5, the ink jet printer  34  and the print head  36  do not dispense the substance  24  directly onto the guide roll  13  to be later transferred to the web  14  as is the case in the offset print apparatus  10  of FIG.  1 . The direct print apparatus  50  of FIG. 5 has the moving web  14  being turned around the guide roll  13  . At essentially the same time, substance  24  from the print head  36  is applied to the web  14 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the direct print apparatus  50  of FIG.  5 . Here, the web  14  is shown being moved around the guide roll  13  with the print head  36  being proximate to the guide roll  13 . The web  14  is made of material that when moved creates a layer of boundary air  40  proximate to the web  14 . Typically, the moving web  14  will create a layer of boundary air that is approximately one-half inch to one inch away from the surface of the web  14 . The layer of boundary air  40  is laden with dust and other particles that make up the web  14 . Additionally, other particles may also be present in the boundary air  40  that are not part of the web  14 . The boundary air  40  is a turbulent flow that has a significant amount of dust contained therein. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the print head  36  is located inside of the boundary air  40 . The print head  36  therefore acts to disrupt the turbulent airflow of the boundary air  40  and create an even greater agitation of dust and other particles at the print head  36  and the area between the print head  36  and the guide roll  13 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the direct print apparatus  50  as the web  14  begins moving from an at rest position. The substance  24  is shown being dispensed from an orifice  22  of the print head  36 . The web  14  contacts the guide roll  13  on one end and on the other end is applied with the substance  24  from the print head  36 . The web  14  is moving in the direction of arrow A as indicated in FIG.  7 . As can be seen, once the web  14  begins moving, immediately afterwards the dispensing of the substance  24  is normal since there is no dust buildup on the print head  36 . 
     FIG. 8 shows the direct print apparatus  50  of FIG. 7 after some period of time has elapsed between the starting of the web  14  shown in FIG.  7 . Here, an amount of dust  52  has accumulated on the print head  36 . This dust  52  is also present within the orifice  22  from which the substance  24  is dispensed. The dust  52  interferes with the dispensing of the substance  24  such that the substance  24  is not evenly dispensed on the web  14 . An uneven distribution of the substance  24  on the web  14  is undesirable in some applications because the resulting product will have inconsistent properties throughout. 
     Again, the accumulation of dust  52  onto the print head  36  is undesirable in that it impedes the proper functioning of the dispensing of the substance  24  from the print head  36 . In some cases, the dust  52  may completely clog or jam the orifices  22 , shown in FIG. 3, and prevent any of the substance  24  from being dispensed. In other instances, the dust  52  may impede the flow of the substance  24  such that satellite drops of the substance  24  are formed. These satellite drops are smaller drops which have been removed from the main drop of the substance  24 . Also, these satellite drops may be so small and have a smaller weight such that they are swept away by the fast moving boundary air  40 . Such a result is undesirable in that the satellite drops will be blown to an unknown location either on the web  14  or off of the web  14 . In such circumstances, the application of the substance  24  onto the web  14  cannot be controlled or predicted with any regularity. 
     In the offset print apparatus  10  of FIG. 1, the print head  36  does not have dust or lint accumulation as does the direct print apparatus  50  because the air between the print head  36  and the transfer roll  12  in the area of the second circumferential portion  20  of the transfer roll  12  is not laden with dust. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the web  14  moves some distance away from the print head  36  and the offset print apparatus  10 . A boundary air  40  (shown in FIG. 6) will be present next to the web  14  in the offset print apparatus  10 , however the boundary air  40  does not come into close proximity with the print head  36 . Dust or other particles from the boundary air  40  may be transferred upwards due to the rotating motion of the transfer roll  12 , however, this type of dust transfer from the web  14  to the print head  36  is minimal as compared to that displayed in the direct print apparatus  50 . By use of an offset print apparatus  10 , the boundary air  40  that contains lint and dust  52  will be prevented from contacting the surface of the transfer roll  12  proximate to the print head  36 . The print head  36  may then be positioned next to the transfer roll  12  such that a small throw distance  38  is present. By making use of a small throw distance  38 , the concerns with the boundary air  40  issues are minimized and/or eliminated. In addition, the doctor blade  26  as shown in FIG. 2 may also be used to prevent dust from being transferred from the web  14  to the print head  36 . As stated, the doctor blade  26  may also be provided for the function of removing any excess substance  24  from the transfer roll  12 . 
     The offset print apparatus  10  may therefore have a print head  36  that is located very close to the transfer roll  12 . Having such a short throw distance  38  provides for a better resolution of the substance  24  dispensed onto the transfer roll  12 . Less overlapping will therefore occur with the offset print apparatus  10 . In addition, the speed of the web  14  and the transfer process of the substance  24  onto the web  14  can be maximized. The web  14  may be run at a speed of between about 500 and 8,000 feet per minute with the use of an offset print apparatus  10  even if a significant boundary air  40  with dust  52  is present. However, the present invention is not limited to a particular speed of the web  14 . For instance, in other exemplary embodiments the speed of the web  14  may be less than 500 feet per minute and/or greater than 8,000 feet per minute. 
     The present invention also encompasses an exemplary embodiment of an offset print apparatus  10  in which the substance  24  used is a wax chemistry. In such an instance, the print head  36  is typically heated such that the wax chemistry substance  24  does not solidify on the transfer roll  12 . A heated transfer roll  12  is incorporated in order to prevent the solidification of the wax chemistry substance  24 . Alternatively, a heated transfer roll  12  may be used when the substance  24  is a viscous liquid in order to keep the viscosity low enough for an optimal transfer to the web  14 . A heated transfer roll  12  is also advantageous in helping to reduce cooling problems that are associated with printing at high speeds. When the transfer roll  12  revolves at a high rate, air will be blown across the print head  36  such that the print head  36  is cooled which could cause the evaporation of, or an increase in, the evaporation rate of the substance  24  located in the print head  36  or could make the substance  24  inside of the print head  36  more viscous. Additionally, the surface of the transfer roll  12  can become cooled due to a faster movement of air around the transfer roll  12 . In all of such instances, a heated transfer roll  12  can help to reduce the cooling effect of the rotating transfer roll  12  and increase the efficiency of the transfer between the substance  24  and the web  14  and maintain consistent properties of the substance  24 . 
     FIG. 9 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, a second transfer roll  160  is positioned proximate to the transfer roll  12  in order to form a nip  106  into which the web  14  may be drawn. A second dispenser  104  (shown as a print head) is present and located a second throw distance  102  from the second transfer roll  100 . The second throw distance  102  may or may not be the same distance as the throw distance  38 . Additionally, the second transfer roll  100  may or may not be of the same size, or have the same surface configuration as the transfer roll  12 . The second print head  104  may apply the substance  24  onto the second transfer roll  100  along the same lines as discussed above in regards to the transfer roll  12  and the print head  36 . 
     The second transfer roll  100  may be rotated in a direction opposite to the transfer roll  12 , causing the substance  24  to be applied to the web  14  at a location at or proximate to the nip  106 . The application of the substance  24  by the second transfer roll  100  is on an opposite side of the web  14  than that applied by the transfer roll  12 . As such, the arrangement in FIG. 9 allows for application of the substance  12  on both sides of the web  14 . Such an application may provide for desired changes in the functional properties of the web  14 . In other exemplary embodiments, the direct print apparatus  50  may be used along with the offset print apparatus  10  to obtain a desired application. The substance  24  applied onto either side of the web  14  may or may not be the same substance  24  and may or may not be applied in the same amount. As used in the claims, the word “substance” may be the same or different substance  24  when applied on either side of the web  14 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the substance  24  is a lotion. The lotion can be water-based or oil-based. Suitable water based compositions include, but are not limited to, emulsions and water-dispersible compositions which can contain, for example, debonders (cationic, anionic or nonionic surfactants), or polyhdroxy compounds such as glycerin or propylene glycol. The web  14  could be treated with a bi-component system comprising a debonder and a polyhydroxy compound. Both components can be added separately or mixed together prior to being applied to the web  14 . 
     Oil-based compositions can include combinations of oil and wax. In particular embodiments, the products into which the web  14  is formed are made by applying, on the surface(s) of the web  14 , large numbers of individual deposits of a melted moisturizing/protective additive composition comprising a wax and an oil, and thereafter resolidifying the composition to form a distribution, of solid deposits on the surface(s) of the web  14 . Because the composition is a solid or a semi-solid at room temperature and rapidly solidifies after deposition, it has less tendency to penetrate and migrate into the sheet. Compared to products treated with liquid formulations, this leaves a greater percentage of the lotion on the surface of the web  14  where it can contact and/or transfer to the user&#39;s skin to provide a benefit. Thus, a lower add-on amount can be used to deliver the same benefit at lower cost because of the efficient placement of the composition substantially at the surface of the product. 
     The lotion may comprise solidified deposits of a composition comprising from about 30 to about 90 weight percent oil, and from about 10 to about 40 weight percent wax, preferably also containing from about 5 to about 40 weight percent fatty alcohol. The composition can have a melting point of from about 30° C. to about 70° C. For purposes herein, “melting point” is the temperature at which the majority of the melting occurs, it being recognized that melting actually occurs over a range of temperatures. 
     The amount of oil in the composition can be from about 30 to about 90 weight percent. Suitable oils include, but are not limited to, the following classes of oils: petroleum or mineral oils, such as mineral oil and petrolatum; animal oils, such as mink oil and lanolin oil; plant oils, such as aloe extract, sunflower oil and avocado oil; and silicone oils, silicone fluids, or silicone emulsions. For example, dimethicone and alkyl methyl silicones could be used. 
     The amount of wax in the composition can be from about 10 to about 60 weight percent. Suitable waxes include, but are not limited to the following classes: natural waxes, such as beeswax and carnauba wax; petroleum waxes, such as paraffin and ceresine wax; silicone waxes, such as alkyl methyl siloxanes; or synthetic waxes, such as synthetic beeswax and synthetic sperm wax. 
     The amount of fatty alcohol in the composition, if present, can be from about 5 to about 40 weight percent. Suitable fatty alcohols include alcohols having a carbon chain length of C 14 -C 30 , including acetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and dodecyl alcohol. 
     It should be understood that the web  14  may be any type of web known in the art, and the present invention encompasses all such types of webs. For instance, the web  14  may be a woven web in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and may be a non-woven web in another exemplary embodiment. 
     It should be understood that the present invention includes other various modifications that can be made to embodiments of the offset print apparatus  10  as described herein as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.