Embossed Folded Napkin Structure for Stable Stacking and Ply Bonding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing napkin embossing methods create uneven surfaces, leading to inclination and instability in stacked piles, and fail to firmly maintain multiple plies together.
Innovation Solution
A napkin design with symmetrical embossing on both perimeter and central areas, using identical punctiform imprints to ensure equal thickness and stability, combined with selective gluing on higher embossments for firm bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If embossing is performed only on the perimeter area of the napkin, then the napkin gains decorative thickness and ply joining capability, but the stacked pile becomes unstable and inclined due to uneven surface distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The embossing area is segmented into multiple distinct zones: a perimeter embossed area (A1) along the edges, a central embossed area (A2) in the middle, and a separation area (A3) between them. This segmentation allows each zone to contribute differently to the overall structure, with perimeter and central areas providing stability points while the separation area maintains appropriate spacing, thus preventing pile inclination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the napkin are given different embossing qualities: the perimeter area (A1) and central area (A2) receive embossing to create localized thickness, while the separation area (A3) remains relatively flat or has reduced embossing. This local differentiation ensures that thickness is concentrated at strategic locations that provide stability without causing uneven distribution across the entire surface.
2Strength
If embossing is performed on the napkin, then the plies are joined together and decorative thickness is created, but the surface becomes uneven and thickened, causing the napkin to slope when stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The embossing is segmented into discrete perimeter (A1) and central (A2) areas separated by a separation area (A3). This segmentation concentrates the thickness-generating embossing action in specific zones rather than across the entire surface, allowing plies to be joined at these strategic points while maintaining relative flatness in the separation area, thus preventing overall surface unevenness that would cause sloping.
3Strength
If traditional embossing with micro-tips is used, then decorative patterns and ply joining are achieved, but the embossed area becomes significantly thicker than non-embossed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The embossing is applied locally to specific perimeter (A1) and central (A2) areas rather than uniformly across the entire napkin surface. The separation area (A3) has reduced or no embossing, creating a local quality difference. This allows the embossed areas to provide the necessary thickness for decorative and joining functions while the non-embossed separation areas maintain lower thickness, reducing the overall volume increase and preventing excessive local thickening.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a napkin formed by a suitably folded sheet, the sheet comprising at least one ply and wherein the ply comprises: - A perimeter area which comprises the whole perimeter of the ply; - An isolated area and distant from said perimeter area; - A separation area which separates the perimeter area from the isolated area; - And wherein in said perimeter area a first embossing (10) is imprinted comprising a plurality of imprints on the ply with the geometry of the imprints all equal to each other characterized by the fact that a second embossing (20) is comprised in said isolated area and distant from the perimeter area, said second embossing comprising a plurality of imprints (20) with geometry all equal to each other and further with equal geometry to the ones of the first embossing.