Hesperaloe Tissue Fiber Composition for Softness and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in producing tissue products is to balance softness and durability, as reducing pulp fiber length to enhance softness typically decreases durability, and the limited availability and high cost of Northern Softwood Kraft fibers necessitate alternative solutions that maintain both properties.
Innovation Solution
The use of hesperaloe fibers, processed through high yield pulping, replaces conventional wood fibers, particularly Northern Softwood Kraft fibers, to produce tissue products with improved softness, strength, and bulk without compromising durability or bulk characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If fiber length is reduced to increase softness, then surface softness is improved, but durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fiber material by using hesperaloe fibers with specific characteristics (length 1.5-3.0mm, coarseness 4.0-6.0mg/100m, lumen diameter 12-20μm, cell wall thickness 2.0-4.0μm). These parameter modifications allow the fibers to achieve both softness and durability simultaneously, resolving the trade-off between surface softness and product durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fiber system by blending hesperaloe fibers with hardwood kraft fibers in specific ratios (30-70% hesperaloe, 70-30% hardwood). This composite approach combines the softness-providing characteristics of hesperaloe fibers with the strength-providing characteristics of hardwood fibers, achieving both softness and durability
2Ease of manufacture
If Northern Softwood Kraft fibers are replaced to reduce cost, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but softness and strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive Northern Softwood Kraft fibers with more economically viable hesperaloe fibers that can be produced at lower cost. The hesperaloe fibers maintain the necessary performance characteristics while reducing dependency on scarce and expensive softwood resources, achieving cost reduction without sacrificing product quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the fiber furnish composition by incorporating hesperaloe fibers with specific physical parameters (aspect ratio 30-60, high lumen-to-cell wall ratio) that provide equivalent or superior performance to NSWK fibers. This parameter optimization ensures that cost reduction through substitution does not compromise softness and strength
3Shape
If bulk is increased to improve softness, then overall softness is improved, but tensile strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation by directing hesperaloe fibers (which provide softness) to the outer layers and incorporating them in a layered structure where they contact the user's skin. The inner layers can contain different fiber compositions that provide structural support and tensile strength. This spatial differentiation allows the product to exhibit both high bulk/softness and adequate tensile strength
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to tissue products comprising hesperaloe fibers and methods of producing the same. Preferably the hesperaloe fibers are high yield hesperaloe pulp fibers, which have demonstrated the ability to replace substantially all of the long fiber fraction of the papermaking furnish without negatively effecting important tissue product properties such as CD Stretch, CD Durability and bulk. Thus, the tissue product may comprise greater than about 90 weight percent hesperaloe fiber and more preferably greater than about 95 weight percent.