Embossed Sanitary Tissue Lamination for Strength and Oil Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hygienic thin-leaf paper with tip-to-tip laminated structure faces issues with reduced strength in the lamination direction due to easy collapse of embossed spaces under load, while nested type laminated structure maintains strength but compromises diffusivity.

Innovation Solution

A laminated structure comprising first and second sheets with specific embossed and non-embossed regions, where embossed protrusions on one sheet face non-embossed regions on the other, and include intersecting linear embossed protrusions, to enhance diffusivity and absorption performance under load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If tip-to-tip laminated structure is used, then diffusivity of oil is improved, but strength in thickness direction is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffusivity of oilVSAvoidstrength in thickness direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different regions within the embossed pattern: linear embossed protrusions that extend in the thickness direction to provide strength, and dotted embossed protrusions that create larger embossed spaces for oil absorption. This local differentiation allows different parts of the same structure to serve different functions - strength provision and oil diffusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite embossed structure combining two types of protrusions (linear and dotted) on each sheet, and combines two sheets with different embossed patterns. This composite approach allows the paper towel to simultaneously achieve high strength (from linear protrusions) and high diffusivity (from dotted protrusions creating larger spaces).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If nested laminated structure is used, then strength in thickness direction is increased, but diffusivity of oil is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrength in thickness directionVSAvoiddiffusivity of oil
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different regions within the embossed pattern: linear embossed protrusions that extend in the thickness direction to provide strength, and dotted embossed protrusions that create larger embossed spaces for oil absorption. This local differentiation allows different parts of the same structure to serve different functions - strength provision and oil diffusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If embossed space volume is increased, then absorption performance is improved, but embossed space is easily collapsed under load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabsorption performanceVSAvoidresistance to collapse under load
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different regions within the embossed pattern: linear embossed protrusions that extend in the thickness direction to provide strength, and dotted embossed protrusions that create larger embossed spaces for oil absorption. This local differentiation allows different parts of the same structure to serve different functions - strength provision and oil diffusion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite embossed structure combining two types of protrusions (linear and dotted) on each sheet, and combines two sheets with different embossed patterns. This composite approach allows the paper towel to simultaneously achieve high strength (from linear protrusions) and high diffusivity (from dotted protrusions creating larger spaces).

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 structure maintains absorption performance and diffusivity by preventing embossed space collapse and increasing thickness direction strength, while allowing controlled movement of absorbed liquids.

Implementation Method 1

Moisture or oil is absorbed in the embossed space formed between such sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

oil or the like passes through such a non-embossed space, so that the oil or the like is diffused

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3677422B2Sanitary tissue paper
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 DAIO PAPER CORP
  • EP3677422B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677422B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677422B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hygienic thin-leaf paper includes a first sheet (10) including first embossed regions (30) in each of which first embossed protrusions (31) and first non-embossed protrusions (32) are included, the first sheet including first non-embossed regions (50) in each of which a first embossed protrusion (31) and a first non-embossed protrusion (32) are not included; and a second sheet (20) including second embossed regions (40) in each of which second embossed protrusions (41) and second non-embossed protrusions (42) are included, the second sheet including second non-embossed regions (60) in each of which a second embossed protrusion (41) and a second non-embossed protrusion (42) are not included. The first sheet (10) and the second sheet (20) are integrally laminated, the first embossed protrusions (31) include multiple first dotted embossed protrusions (31A) and multiple first linear embossed protrusions (31B), and the second embossed protrusions (41) include multiple second dotted embossed protrusions (41A) and multiple second linear embossed protrusions (41B). Each first non-embossed region (50) faces a given second linear embossed protrusion (41B), and each second non-embossed region (60) faces a given first linear embossed protrusion (31B) .