Fibrous Structure Softness Without Strength Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellulosic fibrous structure products face challenges in achieving enhanced softness without compromising strength, bulk, and absorbency, as improving one attribute often negatively impacts the others.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous structure product with specific properties, including a Compression Slope of 11 to 30, basis weight of 26 to 50 lbs/3000 ft², and Flex Modulus of 0.1 to 0.8, achieved through a combination of embossment patterns and layering techniques, which enhance softness while maintaining strength and absorbency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the softness of the fibrous structure product is increased, then the compressibility and surface smoothness are improved, but the absorbency, strength, and bulk are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the Compression Slope (11-30) and Flex Modulus (0.1-0.8) to achieve optimal softness while maintaining strength. By adjusting these physical parameters within specific ranges, the invention resolves the contradiction between softness and strength, allowing both attributes to coexist at enhanced levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite fibrous structures combining different fiber types and configurations to achieve multiple attributes simultaneously. The multi-component fibrous structure allows optimization of softness, strength, bulk, and absorbency independently, resolving the trade-off between softness and strength through material composition rather than single-parameter adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If the softness of the fibrous structure product is increased, then the compressibility and surface smoothness are improved, but the bulk is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the Compression Slope parameter (11-30) to independently adjust compressibility without directly proportionally reducing bulk. This parameter optimization allows the product to achieve high softness through improved compressibility while maintaining adequate bulk through the specified ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces multiple dimensional parameters (Compression Slope, Flex Modulus, basis weight, caliper) to describe and control the fibrous structure. By operating in this multi-dimensional parameter space, the patent can optimize softness through compressibility while maintaining bulk through appropriate basis weight and caliper selections, resolving the contradiction that would exist in a single-parameter system.
3Ease of operation
If the softness of the fibrous structure product is increased, then the compressibility and surface smoothness are improved, but the absorbency is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite fibrous structures with different fiber compositions and configurations that can simultaneously provide softness and absorbency. By combining fibers with different properties in the fibrous structure, the invention achieves high surface smoothness for softness while maintaining adequate porosity and capillary action for absorbency, resolving the contradiction between these two attributes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating regions within the fibrous structure with different properties - surface regions optimized for smoothness and softness, while internal regions maintain porosity and absorbency. This spatial differentiation of properties allows the product to exhibit high softness at the surface while preserving absorbency in the bulk structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple attributes (softness, strength, bulk, absorbency) are improved simultaneously, then the product versatility is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multiple attributes simultaneously by optimizing parameters within specific ranges (Compression Slope: 11-30, Flex Modulus: 0.1-0.8, basis weight: 26-50 lbs/3000 ft²) rather than through complex multi-step manufacturing processes. This parameter-based approach allows standard manufacturing equipment to produce high-performance products with multiple attributes, resolving the contradiction between versatility and manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiply fibrous structure product having two or more plies of fibrous structure wherein the fibrous structure has a Compression Slope from about 11 to about 30; a basis weight from about 26 lbs/3000 ft2 to about 50 lbs/3000 ft2; a Wet Caliper greater than about 18 mils; and a Flex Modulus from about 0.1 to about 0.8.