Multi-Zone Fibrous Structures for Continuous Visual Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary tissue products lack a continuous unified design feature that repeats beyond 5 inches in the machine direction, failing to provide an enhanced visual experience for consumers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of fibrous structures with surfaces featuring multiple design elements arranged according to Gestalt Principles, including a first zone with a continuous unified primary design feature and a second zone acting as a 'ground', to create a visually appealing and cohesive aesthetic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional single-zone embossing is used, then manufacturing is simple, but visual appeal and consumer experience are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign feature complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fibrous structure surface is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) with different design features. Each zone contains specific patterns (e.g., first continuous unified design feature, second design feature, third design feature) that can be independently designed and manufactured, allowing complex visual effects while maintaining manageable production processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional single-zone two-dimensional embossing to multi-zone three-dimensional surface structures. The zones are arranged in specific spatial configurations (e.g., adjacent zones, zones repeating in machine direction) creating depth and visual interest while maintaining compatibility with conventional embossing equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If design features repeat within 5 inches, then manufacturing is easier, but continuous unified aesthetic is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern repetition frequencyVSAvoidcontinuous unified design length

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The first continuous unified design feature extends continuously in the machine direction for greater than 5 inches, creating an unbroken visual pattern. This continuous feature is maintained across multiple zones without interruption, providing the desired long-range aesthetic unity while using standard repetition distances for manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If multiple design zones are implemented, then visual experience is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign feature complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing system uses a single embossing surface that simultaneously creates multiple design zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) in one pass. The embossing surface contains corresponding zones that form the different design features, allowing complex multi-zone patterns to be manufactured using conventional single-stage embossing equipment without requiring multiple processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11542663B2Fibrous structures comprising zones

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

Fibrous structures having two or more zones, sanitary tissue products comprising such fibrous structures, and method for making such fibrous structures and/or sanitary tissue products are provided.