toilet paper roll

Abstract

Toilet paper roll (21, 22, 23, 24) formed by winding a paper strip (21a) into a roll (20), the toilet paper roll comprising: a perforation row (40) formed to extend in the transverse direction of the paper strip (21a); ​​and Markings (50) formed on the perforation row (40) and indicating the position of the perforation row (40), wherein each of the markings (50) is designed such that pore spaces of the paper fibers of the paper strip (21a) are expanded.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a toilet paper roll with a marking for indicating the position of a perforation row. [State of the art]

[0002] A toilet paper roll is formed by winding a strip of paper. One type of toilet paper roll has perforation rows formed on the paper strip at predetermined intervals along the length of the paper strip. The perforation rows are provided to facilitate easy separation. The toilet paper roll is usually white, making it difficult to quickly visually identify the perforation row. The paper strip may tear at a location where the perforation row is not formed. One type of toilet paper roll has colored markings to indicate the position of the perforation row.

[0003] For example, PTL 1 discloses a toilet paper roll having a colored portion formed on the paper strip around separation lines (i.e., a series of perforations). The colored portion may be a band-shaped colored mark formed to surround the separation line, or may be a dotted colored mark formed to extend parallel to the separation line on the upper or lower side thereof. PTL 2 discloses a toilet paper roll in which a blue line or characters / letters or a pattern is / are printed on the paper strip parallel to the perforation series.

[0004] PTL 3 discloses a toilet paper roll in which through holes and markings are formed on the paper strip to help a visually impaired person or an elderly person easily locate the position of the perforation row. For example, this toilet paper roll has a green mark printed at the position of the perforation row, and a notch or through hole is also formed at the position of the perforation row. The notch or through hole assists a user in dispensing the correct length of toilet paper from the roll. [Citation list][Patent literature] [PTL 1] Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3140786 [PTL 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-130636 [PTL 3] Japanese Registered Utility Model No. 3093320 [Summary of the invention][Technical problem]

[0005] A common toilet paper roll has markings or similar markings near the perforation line. While a user can find the approximate position of the perforation line, they may have difficulty identifying the exact position. Accordingly, the user may tear off the paper strip at a location other than the perforation line, resulting in a piece of paper that is not the desired size and shape.

[0006] Another known toilet paper roll has a line or characters / letters printed on the paper strip surrounding or parallel to the perforation row, which requires a considerable amount of ink to be applied to the paper strip. The ink penetrates the paper fibers, and the water contained therein weakens the fiber bond at the application point. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide an ink-drying step before winding the paper strip into a roll. In the drying step, it is also necessary to dry a portion of the paper strip that runs almost between its opposite edges in the transverse direction. When forming the notch or through-hole at the perforation row, the production machine must be equipped with a cutting device for forming the notch or through-hole in addition to a perforation cutter for forming the perforation row.This makes it difficult to suppress an increase in manufacturing costs compared to familiar types of toilet paper rolls, for example those with markings to indicate the position of the perforation row, which leads to an increase in the selling price.

[0007] The present disclosure is made under these circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet paper roll in which the position of the perforation row can be correctly detected and a piece of paper can be easily torn off at the perforation row. [Solution to the problem]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a toilet paper roll formed by winding a paper strip / tape into a roll has a perforation row formed to extend in a transverse direction of the paper strip, and further has markings formed on the perforation row and indicating the position of the perforation row. Each of the markings is formed to expand the pore spaces of the paper fibers of the paper strip.

[0009] In the toilet paper roll of the present disclosure, the markings are preferably colored.

[0010] In the toilet paper roll of the present disclosure, the markings are preferably formed only on opposite edge portions of the paper strip in the transverse direction. [Advantageous effects of the invention]

[0011] The toilet paper roll of the present disclosure has the markings formed at the opposite end portions of the paper strip and at / on the perforation row, thereby allowing a user to easily locate the position of the perforation row. In the toilet paper roll, each of the markings is designed to expand the pore spaces of the paper fibers, allowing a piece of the paper strip to be easily torn off at the perforation row. [Brief description of the drawings] [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of a toilet paper manufacturing machine or plant for producing toilet paper rolls according to the present disclosure. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the toilet paper manufacturing plant in which marking nozzles are arranged, the marking nozzles forming marks on a base paper strip being transported from a base paper feeding unit to a winding unit. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a roll formed by winding the base paper strip in the winding unit. [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the exterior of a toilet paper roll according to the present disclosure. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the exterior of another example of a toilet paper roll according to the present disclosure. [Description of embodiments]

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described. [Embodiment]

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 for manufacturing toilet paper rolls according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 shows a part of the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 in which a paper strip with rows of perforations and markings is wound up.

[0014] The paper strip is provided by unwinding a raw paper roll 10, which was produced by a process not shown here. As shown in Fig. 1, the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 comprises a raw paper feeding unit 2, a winding unit 3, a perforation cutter 4 and a marking nozzle 5.

[0015] The raw paper roll 10 is a roll formed from a raw paper strip 10a having a width equivalent to several toilet paper rolls such as the toilet paper rolls 21 (described later). The raw paper roll 10 is arranged in the raw paper supply unit 2 of the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1. The raw paper supply unit 2 holds the raw paper roll 10 formed by winding the raw paper strip 10a. The raw paper strip 10a is taken out while rotating the raw paper roll 10. More specifically, the raw paper supply unit 2 includes supply rollers 11 and 12, as well as other rollers and guides. The raw paper strip 10a, which is supplied from the raw paper roll 10 by the supply rollers 11 and 12, is transported by a transport device (not shown) in the direction of arrow "a" (hereinafter referred to as the "transport direction").The said transport device transports the raw paper strip 10a, after it has been removed from the raw paper roll 10, from the position where the raw paper feed unit 2 is located to the position where the winding unit 3 is located.

[0016] The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 includes the perforation cutter 4. The perforation cutter 4 forms rows of perforations or perforation rows in the base paper strip 10a while the base paper strip 10a is transported by the transport device. The perforation rows are formed such that they run in the transverse direction X of the base paper strip 10a. The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 further includes a marking nozzle located at a position reached by the base paper strip 10a after passing the perforation cutter 4. The marking nozzle 5 is configured to form marks on the base paper strip 10a. The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 further includes the winding unit 3 located at a position reached by the base paper strip 10a after passing the marking nozzle 5. The winding unit 3 winds the base paper strip 10a.Furthermore, the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 also includes a paper cutter (not shown) at a position between the marking nozzle 5 and the winding unit 3 in the transport direction. The paper cutter cuts the base paper strip 10a to form the end of the strip wound in the winding unit 3.

[0017] The winding unit 3 has a winding shaft 30. The raw paper strip 10a transported by the transport device is wound around the winding shaft 30. The winding unit 3 also has winding guide rollers 32 and 33 arranged below the winding shaft 30. The winding guide rollers 32 and 33 enable the raw paper strip 10a to be wound around the winding shaft 30.

[0018] The winding unit 3 further includes a pressure roller 31 arranged above the winding shaft 30. The pressure roller 31 presses the base paper strip 10a (i.e., a roll 20) wound around the winding shaft 30 to exert an appropriate tension on the base paper strip 10a. The pressure roller 31, which is supported by a bracket, is configured to exert a predetermined pressure on the roll 20 depending on the outer diameter of the roll 20, which changes as the winding progresses.

[0019] The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 further comprises a cutting device designed to cut the roll 20 wound in the winding unit 3. The cutting device cuts through the roll 2 at several points in the transverse direction.

[0020] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the part of the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 in which marking nozzles 5 are arranged. The marking nozzles 5 form marks 50 on the raw paper strip 10a, which is transported from the raw paper feed unit 2 to the winding unit 3. In Fig. Figure 2 shows the raw paper strip 10a transported by the transport device, viewed from above. The toilet paper production plant 1 has, for example, a plurality of marking nozzles 5, wherein the marking nozzles 5 are secured by means of a fastening element at a position above the raw paper strip 10a transported by the transport device.

[0021] The plurality of marking nozzles 5 are arranged in the transverse direction X of the transported raw paper strip 10a. The raw paper strip 10a is wound into the roll 20 in the winding unit 3, and the roll 20 is cut by the cutting device into toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24. The marking nozzles 5 are spaced apart in the transverse direction X such that the marking nozzles 5 can ensure that a prescribed liquid can adhere to the raw paper strip 10a at locations corresponding to the widthwise opposite end portions of each of the toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24. The number of marking nozzles 5 to be provided is, for example, twice the number of toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24 produced by cutting a single roll 20. The number of marking nozzles 5 included in the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 is not limited to the Fig. 2 number shown is limited.

[0022] The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 includes piping, a container, a compressor, and a control device (not shown). The compressor delivers the prescribed liquid from the container via the piping to the marking nozzles 5. The control device controls the compressor and the marking nozzles 5 to adjust the timing and quantity of the liquid discharged from the marking nozzles 5.

[0023] The operation of the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 is described below. The base paper strip 10a is made from paper material using a paper machine and a drying device, and the base paper roll 10 is produced by winding the base paper strip 10a. The base paper roll 10 is set in the base paper supply unit 2, and the base paper strip 10a is taken out from the base paper roll 10 by the transport device and transported to the winding unit 3. During transport, the perforation cutter 4 forms perforation rows 40 in the base paper strip 10a, the rows extending in the transverse direction X thereof. The perforation rows 40 are formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction. The perforation rows 40 are formed in the transverse direction X of the base paper strip 10a so as to connect the side ends of the strip.

[0024] The toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 detects the position of each perforation row 40 on the base paper strip 10a in the transport direction using a sensor. When the perforation row 40 of the base paper strip 10a passes below the marking nozzles 5, the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 discharges an appropriate amount of the prescribed liquid from the marking nozzles 5 onto the perforation row 40 by controlling, for example, the compressor and the marking nozzles 5. The prescribed liquid is, for example, a liquid containing any pigment dispersed in water. The base paper strip 10a is thereby colored with a color different from that of the base paper strip 10a. The base paper strip 10a colored with the prescribed liquid is transported to the winding unit 3 by the transport device.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the roll 20 produced by winding the base paper strip 10a in the winding unit 3. The base paper strip 10a transported to the winding unit 3 is guided by the winding guide rollers 32 and 33 and wound around the winding shaft 30. The winding shaft 30 winds the base paper strip 10a, thus forming the roll 20, which has the same width as the base paper strip 10a.

[0026] In the winding unit 3, when the winding shaft 30 winds the base paper strip 10a to form the roll 20, the pressure roller 31 exerts appropriate pressure on the outer surface of the roll 20 to wind the base paper strip 10a without loosening or wrinkles. The paper cutter is arranged between the marking nozzles 5 and the winding guide roller 32. In the toilet paper manufacturing machine 1, the paper cutter is used to cut the base paper strip 10a transported by the transport device when a predetermined length of the base paper strip 10a is wound in the winding unit 3. Consequently, the toilet paper manufacturing machine 1 stops winding the roll 20.

[0027] The roll 20 is removed from the winding shaft 30 and is placed on the Fig. 3 are cut transversely with cross cutters to form the toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23 and 24. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the roll 20 is cut into four toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24. However, the number of toilet paper rolls produced from a single roll 20 is not limited to four.

[0028] Fig. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the toilet paper roll 21. The toilet paper roll 21 is made of a paper strip 21a wound into a roll. The paper strip 21a is formed by cutting the raw paper strip 10a into paper strips of a predetermined size. The toilet paper roll 21 of Fig. 4 is produced by attaching the roller 20 to the Fig. 3. The toilet paper roll 21 has perforation rows 40 formed in the paper strip 21a so as to extend in the transverse direction thereof, and further includes marks 50 formed on the perforation rows 40 to indicate the position of the perforation rows 40. The toilet paper rolls 22, 23, and 24 also have respective perforation rows 40 and marks 50 in the same manner as the toilet paper roll 21. Marks 50 are provided at opposite end portions or opposite portions near the ends in the transverse direction X of each of the toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24 such that the marks 50 are positioned so that respective cutting positions 60 are located therebetween.

[0029] The following describes a manufacturing method for forming marks 50 on the base paper strip 10a. The marking nozzles 5 dispense or drop the prescribed liquid onto the base paper strip 10a moving below the marking nozzles 5. The marking nozzles 5 form marks 50 by applying the prescribed liquid to the base paper strip 10a at positions corresponding to opposite end portions or opposite portions near the ends in the transverse direction X of each of the future toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24 to be cut from the roll 20.

[0030] The marking nozzles 5 dispense or drop the prescribed liquid, for example, onto respective predetermined areas of the base paper strip 10a each time to form marks 50 having a size of 5 mm to 10 mm in the transverse direction X of each of the toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24. By forming the marks 50 with the above-mentioned size, a user is able to easily find the position of the perforation row 40.

[0031] The prescribed liquid may be a liquid capable of expanding the pore space between paper fibers. The liquid that expands the pore space between paper fibers may be a solution containing, for example, a plant or animal natural pigment (carotenoid, anthocyanin, chlorophyll, or the like) or an artificial synthetic pigment and a trace amount of cellulase. The markings 50 may be formed using such a liquid at positions corresponding to the opposite edge portions in the transverse direction X of each of the future toilet paper rolls 21, 22, 23, and 24, that is, at the Fig. 3. This allows the paper strip to be easily torn off at the perforation row 40. When the markings 50 are formed in the edge portions of the paper strip of the toilet paper roll 21 in the transverse direction X, the prescribed liquid applied to the edge portions penetrates into the paper fibers during the manufacturing process. As a result, the toilet paper roll 21 has the markings 50 only at the opposite edge portions of the paper strip 21a and at / on the perforation row 40, as shown in Fig. 5. After the prescribed liquid has dried, the toilet paper roll 21 can be torn off more easily at the portion with the marking 50 than at other portions. Accordingly, the paper strip 21a can be easily separated from the edge portion of the paper strip 21a along the perforation row 40.

[0032] When the base paper strip 10a inked with the prescribed liquid is wound into the roll 20 in the winding unit 3, the prescribed liquid may penetrate into a portion where the perforation row 40 is not formed. To prevent this, the amount of the prescribed liquid discharged from the marking nozzles 5 is appropriately adjusted. After the marking nozzles 5 apply the prescribed liquid to the base paper strip 10a, the prescribed liquid is preferably dried using a suitable drying device before the base paper strip 10a is wound in the winding unit 3.

[0033] The prescribed liquid discharged from the marking nozzles 5 preferably has the property of developing a weak adhesive strength. When using a prescribed liquid that can develop a weak adhesive strength, the base paper strip 10a, to which the prescribed liquid is applied, is wound into a roll in the winding unit 3 before the prescribed liquid has dried out, that is, during the time in which the prescribed liquid can stick two sheets together. The adhesive strength of the prescribed liquid is set, for example, so that the paper strip 21a of the toilet paper roll 21 is made of Fig. 4 does not tear accidentally when two layers of the paper strip 21a bonded together by the prescribed liquid are separated from each other.

[0034] When using the prescribed liquid with adhesive ability, the prescribed liquid is applied to the inner surface of the base paper strip 10a, which is located inside when the base paper strip 10a is wound into the roll 20. Since the prescribed liquid is applied to the inner surface of the paper strip 21a as described above, the outermost layer of the paper strip 21a adheres to the next layer of the paper strip 21a at the marks 50 when the paper strip 21a of the toilet paper roll 21 is wound from Fig. 4 is removed. Since the outermost layer of the paper strip 21a adheres to the next layer at the markings 50, a user feels resistance at the markings 50 of the outermost paper strip 21a when pulling on the outermost layer of the paper strip 21a. This helps the user locate the position of the perforation row 40 using a sense other than sight.

[0035] According to the toilet paper roll of the present disclosure, the markings 50 are formed on the perforation row 40, which allows a user to easily locate the position of the perforation row 40 and assists the user in easily tearing off a piece of the paper strip 21a from the toilet paper roll 21 at the perforation row 40. According to the toilet paper roll of the present disclosure, the markings 50 are formed using the liquid that adheres to the paper strip and expands the pore spaces of the paper fibers. Due to the expanded pore spaces of the paper fibers, a piece of the paper strip 21a can be easily torn off at the perforation row 40.

[0036] According to the toilet paper roll of the present disclosure, the markings 50 are formed using the prescribed liquid, which can develop weak adhesive strength. Therefore, when a user pulls the paper strip 21a out of the toilet paper roll 21 and the paper strip 21a is separated from the toilet paper roll 21, they feel resistance at the markings 50. Therefore, the user can easily locate the position of the perforation row 40. Furthermore, if the markings 50 are colored, a user with poor eyesight can easily locate the position of the perforation row 40.

[0037] In the method for manufacturing the toilet paper roll, the marks 50 are formed by applying the prescribed liquid to the base paper strip 10a during the transport of the base paper strip 10a taken from the base paper roll 10 to the winding unit 3. This can simplify the manufacturing process in the toilet paper manufacturing plant 1 for producing toilet paper rolls having the marks 50 for indicating the position of the perforation row 40. Accordingly, the toilet paper rolls 21 having the marks 50 can be manufactured while suppressing cost increases. [List of reference symbols] 1 toilet paper manufacturing plant 2 Raw paper feed unit 3 changing unit 4 perforation cutters 5 Marking nozzle 10 raw paper rolls 10a raw paper strips 11, 12 Feed roller 20 rolls 21, 22, 23, 24 Toilet paper roll 21a Paper strips 30 winding shaft 31 Pressure roller 32, 33 Winding guide roller 40 perforation row 50 Mark 60 cutting position a transport direction X transverse direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 3140786

[0004] JP 2012-130636

[0004] JP 3093320

[0004]

Claims

[1] Toilet paper roll (21, 22, 23, 24) formed by winding a paper strip (21a) into a roll (20), the toilet paper roll comprising: a perforation row (40) formed to extend in the transverse direction of the paper strip (21a); ​​and Markings (50) formed on the perforation row (40) and indicating the position of the perforation row (40), wherein each of the markings (50) is designed such that pore spaces of the paper fibers of the paper strip (21a) are expanded. [2] Toilet paper roll according to claim 1, wherein the markings (50) are colored. [3] Toilet paper roll according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the markings (50) are formed only on opposite edge portions of the paper strip (21a) in the transverse direction.

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