Rolled Tissue Product Having a Flexible Core

Abstract

A rolled tissue product having a nonwoven tissue web wrapped or wound about a flexible core is generally provided. The flexible core is constructed of a polymeric sheet of synthetic polymers. The tissue sheet has a tensile strength in the machine direction that is weaker than the strength of the flexible core. For example, the flexible core can be at least twice as strong as the tensile strength in the machine direction of the nonwoven tissue web. The flexible core can include a nonwoven web of synthetic polymeric fibers, a polymeric film of synthetic polymers, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the flexible core can include a hydrophilic synthetic polymer such that the flexible core disintegrates when submerged in water. In another embodiment, the flexible core can include an elastomeric polymer that provides an elastic component to the flexible core.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Commercial and consumer tissue products such as shop towels, nonwoven fabrics, wipers, toilet tissue and paper towels are often packaged, distributed, and dispensed in roll format. Most products in this format include a stiff cylindrical core at the center of the roll. Typically, the tissue product is wrapped about the core. The core is usually some type of stiff cardboard tube, plastic tube, or solid spindle which is glued to the product so that the tissue product does not separate from the core.[0002]Recently, coreless rolls of products such as, for example, toilet tissue have appeared on the market, primarily in Europe. These coreless rolls are wound throughout the entire diameter of the roll. One example of a coreless roll has the product wound tightly around a relatively small opening in the middle. This tightly wound roll product creates a false core in the small opening, which is well defined due to the tightly wound product. However, this con...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In general, the present disclosure is directed to a rolled tissue product having a nonwoven tissue web wrapped about a flexible core. The flexible core is constructed of a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet may be constructed, in whole or in part, of synthetic polymers. The nonwoven tissue web and the flexible core are attached to each other at an inner layer

Problems solved by technology

However, this configuration creates several problems.

This requirement for a stronger web leads to limitations in the type of tissue product that can be utilized.

Specifically, the relatively high strength product can lead to sacrifices in other desired properties of the product, particularly softness and bulk.

Finally, the roll bulk of the tightly wound product is extremely low, creating a hard roll.

Such a low roll bulk of the product can lead to a consumer's impression that the tissue web itself is not soft.

However, as the product is unwound from the roll, the false core defined by the center area of the wound product weakens, which can result in lost strength and definition.

Thus, as product is removed from the roll, the roll can lose dispensing performance on a conventional dispenser.

Additionally, the inside layer of the coreless roll is subjected to frictional interactions, pressures, and other forces during the use of the coreless roll on a conventional dispenser.

As such, the inside layer(s) of the coreless roll can become soiled, or even damaged, discouraging their use in the normal course.

Furthermore, the false core of the coreless roll can be difficult to locate, especially after the roll has been deformed or flattened.

Thus, a user may not be able to readily locate the center (i.e., the false core) when wishing to load the roll into a dispenser.

The user may even damage the inner layers attempting to locate the false core.

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