Sanitary Tissue Products With Patterned Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary tissue products, such as toilet tissue, exhibit less than desirable tear and tensile properties, failing to meet consumer expectations for strength, softness, and flexibility, while also lacking in cushiness and compressibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of patterned molding members that impart three-dimensional patterns to fibrous structure plies, combined with specific placement of softwood pulp fibers and adjustment of knuckle angles, enhances tear strength while minimizing tensile strength, thereby improving the overall performance of sanitary tissue products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional patterned molding members with discrete knuckles arranged in woven patterns are used, then the sanitary tissue product can be manufactured with basic structural integrity, but the tear strength and tensile strength properties fall below consumer expectations
Solution Approach 1:
The molding member is divided into discrete knuckle elements arranged in specific geometric patterns (triangular, rectangular, or square configurations) rather than continuous woven patterns. This segmentation allows for optimized stress distribution and improved tear strength while maintaining manufacturability through standardized component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the molding member are designed with varying knuckle densities and configurations to create localized zones of different mechanical properties. This allows optimization of tear strength in critical areas while maintaining overall structural integrity and manufacturability.
2Strength
If the tensile strength is increased to improve tear strength, then the tear resistance improves, but the softness and compressibility of the product deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The molding member creates localized densified regions at knuckle intersections and less dense regions in pillow areas. This local variation in density allows the product to have high tear strength at critical stress points while maintaining softness and compressibility in user-contact regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The knuckle elements are designed with curved rather than sharp angles, creating smooth transitions in the fibrous structure. This curvature distributes stress more evenly, improving tear strength without creating rigid, non-compliant regions that would reduce softness.
Data Source
AI summary
Sanitary tissue products employing fibrous structures that exhibit novel tear alone or in combination with tensile properties and methods for making same.