Roll of fibrous cellulose-based product

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cellulose wadding products, such as toilet paper rolls, face issues with stiffening due to uniform glue application, leading to weakened resistance and unsightly pattern cuts, which compromise flexibility, softness, and aesthetic appeal, especially when large patterns are involved.

Innovation Solution

A new association scheme is introduced where bonding points are moved to the periphery of the product, creating a technical zone for rigidity and a use zone for softness, with the glue applied only in a peripheral zone representing between 4% and 60% of the sheet's surface, ensuring flexibility and resistance while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If glue is applied uniformly over the entire surface of the folds, then the association of plies is strengthened, but the sheet becomes stiff and flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation strength of pliesVSAvoidflexibility of sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies glue only in a peripheral zone rather than uniformly across the entire surface. This localized application provides sufficient association strength at the edges where plies need to be secured, while leaving the central area free of glue to maintain flexibility and softness for user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If large embossed patterns are used to cover the entire surface, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but the patterns are cut by edges and weakened areas are revealed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearance of patternVSAvoidresistance at embossing patterns
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the embossed pattern entirely within the central zone, away from the peripheral bonding zone. This ensures the pattern remains intact and aesthetically pleasing without being cut by edges, while the peripheral zone provides structural strength through glue application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If mechanical crushing is used to associate folds, then association is achieved, but the back side effect and accelerated piercing occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassociation of foldsVSAvoidback side effect and piercing resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical crushing with chemical bonding using glue applied in the peripheral zone. This substitution achieves fold association without creating protuberances on the back side, thereby eliminating the tent canvas effect and accelerated piercing issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If peripheral zone for bonding is reduced to 4%-60% of sheet surface, then flexibility and softness are improved, but bonding area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility and softnessVSAvoidbonding area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the peripheral zone to occupy 4%-60% of the total sheet surface area. This parameter range provides sufficient bonding area to maintain association strength while leaving the majority of the central area free for flexibility, softness, and aesthetic patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the product's flexibility, resistance, and softness, with improved resistance to tearing and wet conditions, while maintaining a presentable appearance by reducing the association surface area and minimizing pattern cuts, resulting in a 20% improvement in dry resistance and 7% in cross-direction resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the association of the plies in a multi-ply product essentially made of cellulose wadding is carried out by the application of a glue between said plies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

another, equally classic, type of association of folds which is purely mechanical and which consists of locally deforming, by crushing, the folds to be linked

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3590400B1Roll of fibrous cellulose-based product
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 ESSITY OPERATIONS FRANCE SAS
  • EP3590400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3590400B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3590400B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of cellulose wadding products for sanitary or domestic use and is particularly concerned with roll products such as toilet paper rolls and the like. It relates to a roll of fibrous cellulose product characterized in that it comprises a rolled strip of sheets (2) of cellulose wadding separated by perforated or pre-cut lines (4), the individual plies (3) of each sheet (2) being glued on a peripheral surface (5) comprising between 4% and 60% of the total surface area of ​​each sheet (2).