Rolled absorbent paper products and methods for make same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional printing techniques for applying visual indicia on roll cores of paper products are inefficient, requiring frequent maintenance, using organic inks and solvents, and resulting in indicia that are difficult to read due to their helical orientation inside the roll.
Innovation Solution
The use of bleached cellulose fibers, treated with laser energy to form visible indicia on the inner radial surface of the roll core, which can be oriented substantially parallel to the end of the roll, enhancing visibility and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing techniques (ink-jet or flexographic) are used to apply visual indicia on the roll core, then the indicia can be applied during the core formation process, but the indicia end up in a helical orientation inside the tube making them difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying indicia linearly on a flat substrate that then gets helically wound (which causes the indicia to end up helical and difficult to read), the patent applies the indicia directly on the formed roll core in a radial orientation. This inverts the traditional sequence and approach, allowing the indicia to be applied after the helical winding has already occurred, thereby achieving both ease of manufacture and improved readability.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing techniques are used, then visual indicia can be applied on the roll core, but frequent maintenance and line stoppage are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical printing systems (ink-jet or flexographic printers with their complex maintenance requirements) with a marking system that applies visual indicia directly on the formed roll core. This substitution eliminates the need for frequent maintenance and line stoppage while still achieving the goal of applying visual indicia for tracking and identification purposes.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing techniques with organic inks and solvents are used, then visual indicia can be applied on the roll core, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful organic inks and solvents from the indicia application process. Instead of using traditional printing techniques that require these chemicals, the invention employs a marking method that applies visual indicia directly on the roll core without organic inks and solvents, thereby maintaining the capability to apply indicia while removing the environmental harm.
4Productivity
If visual indicia are applied in a linear pattern on a high speed moving substrate before helical winding, then the indicia can be applied at manufacturing speed, but the indicia end up far inside the tube and are difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of indicia application from a flat 2D surface (linear pattern on moving substrate) to a 3D cylindrical surface (radial orientation on formed roll core). By applying the indicia in the radial direction on the already-formed tube, the indicia are positioned closer to the opening and oriented for easier reading, while still maintaining high-speed application capability.
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 method provides a more visible and flexible means of tracking roll cores, reducing environmental impact by eliminating organic inks and solvents, and improving manufacturing efficiency by minimizing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
Energy from a laser is directed onto the first surface of the advancing substrate where the laser energy bleaches the cellulose fibers to form a visible indicia on the first surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Rolled absorbent paper products and methods for making are provided. The rolled paper products comprise a hollow cylindrically shaped tube having a visible indicia of bleached cellulose fibers on the tube and a length of an absorbent paper product wound upon the tube. Methods for making the tube employing a laser to bleach cellulose fibers is also provided.