Patent ID: 8298376

Claim:
A patterned framework for a papermaking belt having an embryonic-web-contacting surface for carrying an embryonic web of paper fibers and a non-embryonic-web-contacting surface opposite said embryonic-web-contacting surface, said patterned framework comprising: a continuous network region; and, a plurality of discrete regions, said discrete regions being isolated from one another by said continuous network region; and, wherein said continuous network region comprises a pattern formed therein, said pattern comprising a plurality of tessellating unit cells; wherein each cell of said plurality of unit cells comprises a center and at least two continuous land areas extending in at least two directions from said center, each discrete region being surrounded by a portion of at least one of said continuous land areas; wherein at least one of said continuous land areas at least bifurcates to form a continuous land area portion having a first width, W 1 , before said bifurcation and at least two continuous land area portions having a second width, W 2 , and a third width, W 3 , respectively, after said bifurcation, each of said at least two continuous land area portions being in continuous communication with said continuous land area portion having said first width; and, wherein each of said at least two continuous land area portions are disposed at an angle (θ) relative to each other ranging from about 1 degree to about 180 degrees and W 1 ≦W 2 +W 3 .