Creped prebiotic tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing creping compositions for tissue products are limited by the use of digestible polysaccharides and do not include prebiotics, which are non-digestible, and are typically added in insufficient amounts to provide health benefits while maintaining tissue properties.
Innovation Solution
A creping composition comprising prebiotics such as inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, and lactulose is applied to the tissue web during the creping process, allowing for sufficient prebiotic addition without compromising tissue strength, stiffness, or softness, thereby creating prebiotic tissue products with enhanced health benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If prebiotics are added to creping composition, then health benefits are provided, but tissue strength and stiffness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the creping adhesive, specifically using prebiotic polysaccharides with particular molecular weight ranges (10,000-1,000,000 Daltons) and degree of substitution (0.1-2.0) to achieve both health benefits and tissue strength. This resolves the contradiction by finding optimal parameter ranges where prebiotic functionality is maintained while mechanical properties are preserved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining prebiotic polysaccharides with other creping composition components (release agents, modifying agents) to create a multi-functional creping composition. The composite nature allows the system to simultaneously provide prebiotic health benefits and adequate adhesion/release performance without compromising tissue mechanical properties.
2Quantity of substance
If prebiotics are added to creping composition, then health benefits are provided, but tissue softness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight and degree of substitution of prebiotic polysaccharides to maintain tissue softness. By selecting prebiotics with appropriate molecular characteristics and limiting the add-on level to 10-200 mg/m², the patent achieves health benefits while preserving the soft, comfortable feel of the tissue product.
3Quantity of substance
If prebiotics are added in sufficient amounts for health benefits, then prebiotic effect is achieved, but creping performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by formulating a creping composition that integrates prebiotic polysaccharides with release agents (such as polyvinyl alcohol and cationic polyamide-epihalohydrin resin) and modifying agents. This composite approach ensures that sufficient prebiotic (10-200 mg/m²) is added for health benefits while the other components maintain adequate adhesion and release performance during the creping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration and molecular characteristics of prebiotic polysaccharides within specific ranges to balance creping performance and health benefits. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves reliable creping while providing sufficient prebiotic for health effects.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to creped prebiotic tissue products. The tissue products comprise prebiotics in sufficiently high amounts to have a prebiotic effect in use, without negatively affecting tissue product properties, such as tensile strength, stiffness or softness. Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention provides soft, durable creped prebiotic tissue products that are able to improve the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Lactobacillus spp. without promoting growth of enteropathogenic bacteria. The tissue products provide these benefits yet have a GMT greater than about 500, a Stiffness Index less than about 20 and a TS7 value less than about 10.