Creped Tissue with Olefin Polymer Creping Composition

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional creping chemistries struggle to produce a soft, yet thick and absorbent tissue web at higher basis weights, as increased basis weight typically results in stiffness and a coarser crepe structure, compromising softness and processing difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A creping composition comprising a non-fibrous olefin polymer, such as an ethylene and octene copolymer, is applied to the tissue web, forming a discontinuous film and maintaining a fine crepe structure even at basis weights greater than 16 gsm, with a geometric mean tensile less than 500 g/3″ and a % COV at a STFI wavelength of 16 to 32 mm of less than 12, achieved through specific layering and application methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the basis weight of the tissue is increased to achieve thickness and absorbency, then the tissue becomes thicker and more absorbent, but the tissue stiffness increases and softness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasis weightVSAvoidsoftness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the creping composition by incorporating specific polymers (polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose) in defined ratios. This chemical parameter change enables the creping process to produce a fine crepe structure even at higher basis weights, thereby maintaining softness while achieving increased thickness and absorbency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite creping composition that combines multiple polymers (polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose) with specific functional properties. This composite material approach allows the formulation to provide both the structural integrity needed for high basis weight and the surface properties needed for fine crepe structure and softness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If the basis weight of the tissue is increased to achieve thickness and absorbency, then the tissue becomes thicker and more absorbent, but the crepe structure becomes coarser and processing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasis weightVSAvoidcrepe structure fineness

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the creping composition by incorporating specific polymers (polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose) in defined ratios. This chemical parameter change enables the creping process to produce a fine crepe structure even at higher basis weights, thereby maintaining softness while achieving increased thickness and absorbency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The creping composition acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high basis weight requirement and the fine crepe structure requirement. The specific polymer formulation in the creping composition facilitates the formation of fine crepe folds even when the underlying tissue web has high basis weight, thus resolving the contradiction between thickness and crepe fineness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional creping chemistries are used at higher basis weights, then the tissue can be made thicker, but the softness is compromised due to increased stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasis weightVSAvoidprocessing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the creping composition by incorporating specific polymers (polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose) in defined ratios. This chemical parameter change enables the creping process to produce a fine crepe structure even at higher basis weights, thereby maintaining softness while achieving increased thickness and absorbency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite creping composition that combines multiple polymers (polyolefin, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose) with specific functional properties. This composite material approach allows the formulation to provide both the structural integrity needed for high basis weight and the surface properties needed for fine crepe structure and softness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 enables the production of soft, strong, and absorbent tissue products with a fine crepe structure at higher basis weights, maintaining softness and absorbency while achieving increased thickness, addressing the limitations of conventional creping chemistries.

Implementation Method 1

a creping composition comprising a non-fibrous olefin polymer disposed on at least the first side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Data Source

PatentUS9499942B2High basis weight creped tissue

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE INC

AI summary

In general, the present disclosure is directed to creped tissue webs, and products produced therefrom. The creped webs and products are strong, soft, and have fine crepe structure, such as less than about 12, measured as % COV at a STFI wavelength of 16 to 32 mm, using the test method set forth herein. Fine crepe structure is achieved even at basis weights in excess of 16 gsm per ply.