Compact roll of absorbant paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiping paper rolls have significant empty spaces, leading to volume inefficiencies, while maintaining absorption and tear resistance properties, making them economically and ecologically suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
A compact roll of wiping paper is created by winding a sheet of multi-ply absorbent paper with a diameter less than 3.5 cm, incorporating a wet-resistant additive, and embossed protuberances that interlock, maintaining absorption capacity and improving tear resistance without significant thickness or mechanical strength loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standard roll dimensions are used with multi-ply absorbent paper, then absorption capacity is improved, but roll volume increases with significant empty spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing one fold inside another fold of the multi-ply paper structure. The inner fold is positioned within the outer fold, creating a compact nested arrangement that eliminates empty spaces while preserving the absorption capacity of all paper layers. This nested configuration allows the roll to maintain high absorption performance without increasing roll volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the traditional flat stacking arrangement into a three-dimensional nested structure. By utilizing the radial dimension of the roll and positioning folds at different radii with interlocking protuberances, the design optimizes space utilization in all three dimensions, eliminating wasted volume while maintaining the required absorption capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If deep embossing is used to increase thickness and absorption, then absorption capacity is improved, but mechanical strength is lost due to inter-fiber bond breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by creating moderate-depth protuberances rather than deep embossing. The protuberances have sufficient height to create the nested structure and provide absorption enhancement, but their depth is controlled to avoid excessive breakdown of inter-fiber bonds. This partial embossing approach achieves the necessary volume reduction and absorption improvement while preserving adequate mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating protuberances only in specific locations where they are needed for the nested structure, rather than uniformly embossing the entire surface. The protuberances are strategically positioned to provide structural support and absorption enhancement at critical points while leaving other areas with intact inter-fiber bonds to maintain mechanical strength.
3Quantity of substance
If folds are assembled with protuberances to improve absorption, then absorption capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the embossing and assembly operations into a single integrated process. The protuberances are embossed on one fold, and this same fold is then nested with another fold that has complementary recesses. The gluing operation connects these pre-formed protuberances, combining multiple functions (embossing, nesting, and assembly) into a unified manufacturing sequence that improves absorption while controlling complexity.
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 achieves optimal absorption capacity with reduced paper volume, improving tear resistance and allowing for more compact rolls with minimal reduction in absorption properties, while maintaining softness and logistical advantages.
Implementation Method 1
incorporate various additives, including in particular an additive giving them improved resistance to humidity. This type of additive, which is hereinafter referred to as a wet-resistant additive, constitutes a network across the sheet which does not alter the capacity of the paper fibers to absorb liquids while replacing the inter-fiber bonds forming the paper which are broken in the presence of water.
Implementation Method 2
the capacity of the paper fibers to absorb liquids while replacing the inter-fiber bonds forming the paper
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a roll of paper towels produced by winding a sheet of multi-ply absorbent paper around a mandrel, the sheet including at least a first (10) and a second (20) ply of absorbent paper, the weight of each ply being between 15 and 30 g/m2, and at least one of the plies including a wet-strength additive, the thickness Ep of the sheet being between 0.02 and 0.07 cm, the diameter of the mandrel being less than 3.5 cm and the diameter of the roll being between 4.5 cm and 11 cm, preferably between 4.5 and 9.5 cm, for a volume V of absorbent paper per unit of length of the roll, and the absorptive capacity A of the sheet in cm3 of water per gram of paper being greater than 6 cm3/g. The roll is characterized in that the ratio E=A/(Ep*V) is greater than or equal to 3.2.