Fibrous Surface Pattern With Variable-Width Sinusoidal Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fibrous structures, such as sanitary tissue products, lack improved properties like softness and strength, and current surface patterns with parallel line elements do not effectively enhance these characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A fibrous structure with a surface pattern featuring sinusoidal parallel line elements that exhibit non-constant widths along their length, creating distinct zones with varying stress/strain slopes and moduli, which are designed to enhance tactile perception and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional surface patterns with constant width parallel line elements are used, then manufacturing is simple, but softness and cleaning perception are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of parallel line elements at different locations along their length. The line elements transition from a first width in a first region to a second width in a second region, creating zones with different tactile properties. This local variation in geometry provides enhanced softness and cleaning perception in specific areas while maintaining the overall structural integrity and manufacturability of the surface pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the geometric parameters of the parallel line elements, specifically the width parameter. The width varies continuously or discontinuously along the length of the line elements, creating a gradient or stepped variation in dimensions. This parameter variation allows the surface to provide improved tactile perception and softness while remaining compatible with conventional manufacturing processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform surface patterns are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but strength characteristics are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones with different line element widths that correspond to different functional requirements. The first region with the first width provides one set of mechanical properties, while the second region with the second width provides different mechanical properties. This zonal approach optimizes tensile strength and elongation characteristics in different areas of the fibrous structure while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements asymmetry by introducing non-uniform width variations in the parallel line elements. Instead of symmetric, constant-width lines, the line elements exhibit asymmetric width profiles where the width differs at different positions along the length. This asymmetric geometry creates favorable stress distribution and enhances overall strength characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Fibrous structures and more particularly to fibrous structures that have a surface containing a surface pattern having a plurality of parallel line elements, such as sinusoidal parallel line elements, and methods for making same are provided.