Lotion treated through-air dried tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tissue products often cause irritation and inflammation due to their rough surface, despite previous attempts to make them smoother and softer through chemical additives and lotions, which have not fully addressed the issue.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous softening composition comprising a cationic softening compound and a high molecular weight polyhydroxy compound, such as polyethylene glycol, is applied at low add-on levels to reduce the coefficient of friction and enhance moisturizing feeling in tissue products, maintaining strength and softness without excessive use of softening compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chemical debonders or lotions are applied to the tissue product surface, then the surface becomes smoother and softer, but the add-on level of softening composition increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the polyhydroxy compound from conventional low molecular weight to high molecular weight (at least 1,000 g/mol). This parameter change enables the softening composition to achieve effective softness at reduced add-on levels while maintaining sufficient moisturizing properties, thus resolving the contradiction between surface smoothness and quantity of substance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite softening composition containing both a cationic softening compound and a high molecular weight polyhydroxy compound. The cationic softening compound provides surface smoothness by interfering with fiber-to-fiber bonding, while the high molecular weight polyhydroxy compound provides moisturizing properties. This composite approach achieves effective softness at lower overall add-on levels compared to using lotions alone
2Ease of operation
If lotions comprising oils, waxes, or plant extracts are applied to the tissue product, then softness is improved, but the coefficient of friction remains relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the polyhydroxy compound to at least 1,000 g/mol, which fundamentally alters the rheological properties of the softening composition. This high molecular weight polyhydroxy compound forms a more effective lubricating layer on the tissue surface, achieving lower coefficient of friction values while maintaining softness, unlike conventional low molecular weight lotions
3Force
If high add-on levels of softening composition are used to achieve low coefficient of friction, then surface smoothness is improved, but the tensile strength of the tissue product decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the polyhydroxy compound to high molecular weight (at least 1,000 g/mol), which enables the softening composition to achieve effective lubrication and low coefficient of friction at reduced add-on levels. This parameter change prevents excessive softener deposition that would compromise tissue tensile strength, thus resolving the contradiction between friction reduction and strength maintenance
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 solution achieves a tissue product with a low coefficient of friction and improved moisturizing feeling while maintaining sufficient strength, achieved with reduced add-on levels of softening composition, resulting in a softer and more comfortable product.
Implementation Method 1
an aqueous softening composition comprising a cationic softening compound and a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol may be applied at relatively low add-on levels, such as less than about 12 percent, by weight of the tissue web, and still reduce the tissue's coefficient of friction (COF)
Data Source
AI summary
A soft through-air dried tissue having a soothing feel and method of making the same is disclosed which contains an aqueous softening composition comprising from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a cationic softening compound, such as quaternary ammonium compounds and imidazolinium compounds; from about 10 to about 20 weight percent of a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, and optionally a silicone or glycerin. Examples of the cationic softening compound include tallow- and ester-substituted quaternary ammonium compounds having chloride or methyl sulfate as the anion, and examples of the polyhydroxy compound include polyethylene glycols (PEG) or polypropylene glycols (PPG) having a molecular weight of at least about 1,000 g/mol, such as PEG-1000 and PEG-8000.