Embossed absorbent paper having combined patterns

PCT No. PCT/FR95/01681 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 24, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 24, 1997 PCT Filed Dec. 15, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/18771 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 20, 1996A sheet of paper, in particular for a sanitary paper, consists of at least one ply of absorbent, creped paper of a specific surface weight between 12-35 g/m2 evincing first and second protrusions respectively (10, 2) respectively arrayed in a first and second pattern. The first pattern is composed of pattern elements each constituted by at least one of the first protrusions (10) and is comparatively well spaced apart mutually, while the second so-called background pattern comprises the second protrusions (2) arranged in more compact manner between the pattern elements. The sheet of paper is characterized in that the pattern elements form a graphic pattern while being arrayed at a rate of at most 0.5 element/cm2 and the first protrusions (10) constituting them evince at their top a line-shaped surface with a width between 0.1-2 mm, the second protrusions (2) being arrayed at the rate of at least 30, and preferably 40, protrusions/cm2 and ensuring the essential functional features.