Embossed paper multi-ply material

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-ply tissue paper products face challenges in balancing softness, absorption capacity, thickness, mechanical resistance, and aesthetic appeal, particularly when soaked with liquids, as they tend to compress or collapse during packaging.

Innovation Solution

A multi-ply paper web material is designed with a combination of outer plies bonded tip-to-tip and inner plies with protuberances facing outward, creating a thick, soft, and aesthetically pleasing product. The outer plies feature linear and geometric embossing patterns for decoration, while inner plies provide support to maintain thickness and prevent collapse during winding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If multi-ply tissue paper products are made with traditional embossing and lamination techniques, then mechanical resistance is improved, but thickness is reduced and softness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing inner plies with embossed protuberances between outer plies, where the inner protuberances nest within the embossed areas of outer plies. This nested arrangement maintains thickness by preventing compression of inner layers while providing mechanical resistance through the interlocking embossed structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by creating different zones within the multi-ply structure: outer plies have embossed patterns for mechanical strength, while inner plies have protuberances oriented to maintain thickness and softness. Each layer has localized embossing characteristics optimized for its specific function within the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Shape

If multi-ply tissue paper products are made with traditional embossing patterns, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but softness deteriorates due to compression during packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidsoftness
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The nested arrangement of inner plies with protuberances between outer embossed plies prevents compression during packaging. The inner protuberances act as support structures that maintain the embossed aesthetic patterns of outer plies while preserving softness by preventing collapse of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner plies with their protuberances provide beforehand cushioning by being positioned between outer plies before packaging. These inner structures pre-establish support that prevents compression of the embossed patterns during subsequent packaging and handling, thereby preserving both aesthetics and softness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Area of stationary object

If outer plies are bonded tip-to-tip with linear embossing patterns, then decorative surface extension is improved, but absorption capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecorative surface extensionVSAvoidabsorption capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating functions across layers: outer plies have linear embossing patterns optimized for decorative surface extension, while inner plies have protuberances configured to maintain absorption capacity. The inner layers compensate for any absorption reduction in outer layers, ensuring overall high absorption performance while achieving extensive decorative surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 material achieves enhanced thickness and softness with improved resistance to compression and liquid absorption, maintaining its structure and appearance even when wound into rolls, thanks to the nested arrangement of inner protuberances supporting the embossed areas.

Implementation Method 1

two or more embossed plies of tissue paper are joined to each other by lamination and gluing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLamination: Lamination

Implementation Method 2

bonded to one another at correspondence of first protuberances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2095935B2Embossed paper multi-ply material
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 SOFIDEL SPA
  • EP2095935B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2095935B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The multi-ply material in tissue paper comprises at least one first outer ply (V1) and at least one second outer ply (V2), wherein said first and said second outer ply are embossed with first protuberances with linear development (5) facing towards the inside of the material and arranged in a tip-to-tip arrangement, and with second protuberances (9) facing towards the inside of the material and defining a background motif. Between the first outer ply and said second outer ply are arranged a third ply (V3) and a fourth ply (V4).