Tissue Paper Biopolymer Coating for Dry Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing tissue paper do not effectively enhance strength properties during the converting stage, leading to potential loss of strength and limited options for using biocompatible biopolymers for sanitary and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
Coating tissue paper with an aqueous solution of biopolymers such as gum arabic, cellulose ethers, and modified starches during the converting stage to develop and enhance dry strength properties, using biocompatible, hydrophilic, water-soluble polymers like carboxymethylcellulose, alkalinized gum arabic, and cationic starches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tissue paper is coated with chemical additives during the paper machine stage, then strength properties are improved, but the options for using biocompatible biopolymers are limited and strength is lost during converting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies biopolymer coatings (such as starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and other biocompatible polymers) to the tissue paper surface during the converting stage, which is a preliminary action taken after paper formation but before final product completion. This timing allows strength enhancement to occur at the point of need, compensating for strength loss during converting operations while maintaining flexibility in polymer selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of when strength enhancement occurs - moving from the paper machine stage to the converting stage. This parameter change enables the use of biocompatible biopolymers that can be effectively applied as coatings rather than incorporated into the pulp, thus expanding the range of usable biocompatible materials while achieving the desired strength properties in the finished product.
2Ease of manufacture
If tissue paper undergoes converting operations, then the finished product is produced, but strength properties are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies biopolymer coatings to the tissue paper surface during the converting stage, which acts as a cushioning measure to prevent strength loss. The coating creates a protective layer that reinforces the paper structure before it undergoes final converting operations, thereby compensating for the inevitable strength reduction that occurs during processing into the finished product.
3Ease of operation
If surface treatment with coatings is applied, then softness is developed, but no reinforcement or strength development occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses biopolymer coatings that perform multiple functions simultaneously: they provide softness to the tissue paper surface while also reinforcing and developing strength properties. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling a single treatment process to achieve both softness enhancement and strength development, unlike traditional coatings that only provide softness.
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
Significantly improves dry strength properties of tissue paper products, offering an alternative to traditional pulp incorporation methods and enabling the use of biocompatible biopolymers for various tissue products, including kitchen rolls, toilet papers, and hand towels.
Implementation Method 1
coating a tissue paper, in the step of converting a tissue paper into a finished product, with an aqueous solution comprising at least one biopolymer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a tissue paper production method comprising a step of coating a tissue paper with aqueous solutions comprising at least one biopolymer at the converting stage of a tissue product into a finished product. The aqueous solutions of biopolymers considered in the present invention refer to solutions comprising gum arabic, cellulose ethers, starch and modified starches, and mixtures thereof. The method described in this invention results in an increase in the resistance properties of tissue products, a fundamental property in products such as, but not limited to, kitchen rolls, multipurpose rolls, toilet papers, hand towels, napkins, and pocket/face tissues.