Patterned Fibrous Structures for Softness and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fibrous structures and sanitary tissue products can only convey either softness or strength characteristics, as these traits are perceived as diametrically opposed, failing to provide both visually recognizable softness and strength simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A patterned fibrous structure is developed, featuring visually recognizable softness and strength regions, with embossed regions designed to convey strength and non-embossed or less embossed regions for softness, utilizing a combination of embossments to create a fibrous structure that exhibits both characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If embossments are added to convey strength characteristics, then strength perception is improved, but softness perception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fibrous structure is segmented into multiple regions with different embossment patterns. Strength regions contain embossments to convey durability, while softness regions have fewer or no embossments to maintain a soft appearance. This spatial segmentation allows both contradictory characteristics to coexist in different parts of the same product.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the fibrous structure are given different local qualities through varying embossment densities. The strength regions are locally modified with embossments to convey strength, while softness regions maintain their original texture to convey softness. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to optimize for its specific function.
2Strength
If a uniform embossed pattern is applied to the entire fibrous structure, then strength characteristics are conveyed, but softness characteristics are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform embossed pattern is replaced with a segmented pattern where embossments are concentrated in specific strength regions rather than being distributed uniformly across the entire structure. This segmentation allows the product to convey strength where needed while preserving softness in other areas, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and softness perception.
Data Source
AI summary
Patterned fibrous structures, more particularly to fibrous structures that comprise a pattern that conveys to a user a characteristic of the fibrous structure and/or single- or multi-ply sanitary tissue product comprising such a patterned fibrous structure and methods for making same are provided.