Multi-Layer Liner Web with Bleached Printing Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing printable packaging papers fail to achieve high color density, color brilliance, and contrast while being cost-effective and sustainable, particularly in the production of White Top Kraftliners and Testliners, which compromise on mechanical strength and resource efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of a multi-layer liner web using a bleached fresh pulp as the printing layer and recycled pulp as the carrier layer, with a composition of 20-60% bleached pulp and 40-80% recycled pulp, incorporating multi-stage dewatering and drying, and optional addition of auxiliary substances like starch and sizing agents to enhance printability and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If 100% virgin pulp is used for the printing layer, then print quality and strength are improved, but production costs and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidvirgin pulp consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different pulp qualities to different layers: bleached virgin pulp for the printing layer (where high quality is needed) and unbleached recycled pulp for the carrier layer (where lower quality is acceptable). This local differentiation maintains print quality while reducing overall virgin pulp consumption and production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite multi-layer structure combining bleached pulp and unbleached recycled pulp in specific configurations. The printing layer uses bleached pulp for quality, while the carrier layer uses recycled pulp for sustainability, achieving a balance between performance and environmental requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If 100% recycled pulp is used for the printing layer, then sustainability is improved, but mechanical strength and print quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycled pulp usageVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns unbleached recycled pulp specifically to the carrier layer where mechanical strength is less critical for printing, while reserving bleached pulp for the printing layer. This local quality assignment allows high recycled pulp usage (40-80% of total weight) while maintaining adequate mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-layer composite structure combines the advantages of both bleached and unbleached pulps in appropriate layers, achieving both sustainability goals and mechanical strength requirements through strategic material placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If a smoothing roller is added to improve printability, then surface properties are improved, but machine speed decreases and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprintabilityVSAvoidmachine speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs surface smoothing and impurity removal during the paper formation process itself, before the paper leaves the paper machine. By integrating these functions into the forming section rather than adding post-processing equipment, the patent maintains high machine speed while achieving good printability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (smoothing, impurity removal, surface preparation) into the paper formation process itself, eliminating the need for separate smoothing roller equipment and maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If the carrier layer is made translucent, then recycled pulp visibility is improved, but print quality deteriorates due to color correction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycled fiber utilizationVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes only the printing layer opaque through bleaching while keeping the carrier layer as unbleached recycled pulp. This local opacity treatment prevents color correction issues in the printing layer while still utilizing recycled fibers in the carrier layer for sustainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach results in a paper with excellent printability, mechanical robustness, and reduced chemical usage, achieving high-quality print images while minimizing production costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

multi-stage dewatering/drying of the multi-layer paper web to form a multi-layer liner web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDewatering:

Implementation Method 2

multi-stage dewatering/drying of the multi-layer paper web to form a multi-layer liner web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrying:

Implementation Method 3

joining the first paper layer and the second paper layer to form a multi-layer paper web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoining:

Data Source

PatentEP4368391A1Method of making a printable liner sheet for packages and printable liner for packages
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 MONDI AG
  • EP4368391A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4368391A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4368391A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing a printable, multi-layer liner web (1) for packaging. In the method, a first paper layer (4) is produced from a first pulp (2) comprising a bleached first pulp (3) containing cellulose fibers. A second paper layer (7) is then produced from a second pulp (5) comprising an unbleached second pulp (6) containing cellulose fibers. The first paper layer (4) and the second paper layer (7) are bonded together to form a multi-layer paper web (8) and processed into a multi-layer liner web (1) in a multi-stage dewatering/drying process. The first paper layer (4) forms a printing layer (9), and the second paper layer (7) forms a support layer (10) directly bonded to this printing layer (9).The process stipulates that the first pulp (3) is a bleached, virgin short-fiber material, and the second pulp (6) is a recycled fiber material. The multilayer liner web (1) is produced, based on 100 wt.% of the total mass of the multilayer liner web (1), with 20 wt.% to 60 wt.% of the first pulp (3) and 40 wt.% to 80 wt.% of the second pulp (6).