AU739752B2 - Paper product - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0 1 1 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: 'Paper product' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: F1IPS 'flN ATM WO32(N I37 2117, CE003889116v9.doc 1 Paper Product Field of the invention The present invention relates to a paper product and a method for producing a paper product. The present intention especially relates to a paper product impregnated with seeds and to a method for producing the product.

Background of the invention te Bushwalking or hiking is a very popular leisure activity in many countries throughout the world. Although this pursuit exposes many people to national parks, forests and unspoilt 10 wilderness areas, the increasing number of people partaking in this activity is placing environmental pressures on such areas. Particularly problematic are issues relating to disposal of toilet products and other personal care items. Environmental awareness programs try to teach that toilet products, including faecal matter and toilet paper, be buried. However, this is not always possible or practical. Disposal of tissues also presents similar problems.

eee° Summary of the invention 15 It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper product that overcomes or at .000 S least ameliorates at least one of the above difficulties.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a toilet or tissue paper comprising a sheet of paper and a plurality of seeds applied to an outer face of the sheet such that the seeds are held in place without an adhesive.

Preferably, the sheet of paper is made from recycled paper. More preferably, the sheet of paper is recycled, unbleached paper.

The sheet of paper is preferably a single-ply paper. However, multi-ply papers may also be used. The paper product may even comprise two or more sheets of paper placed in face-to-face abutment, as in conventional facial tissues.

The seeds may be impregnated into one face of the sheet of paper. This is especially w ttl j -hen the sheet comprises a single-ply paper, although, of course, the seeds may also be CE0038891 6v9.doc 2 impregnated onto the upper face of a multi-ply paper. More preferably, the seeds are impregnated onto an outer face of the paper products.

The paper product of the present invention may be toilet paper. In this case, individual sheets of paper are preferably joined to neighbouring sheets by a line of perforations and the product is conveniently placed in the form of a roll.

The paper product of the present invention may also be tissue paper. For ease of use in this embodiment of the invention, a number of individual sheets are preferably stacked in a box or packet, preferably so that a "pop up" action occurs in which removal of one sheet from the 99999 box or packet causes at least a part of the next sheet to protrude, ready for easy removal.

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9* 10 The seeds used in the present invention are preferably very small or even dust-like. This S ensures user comfort by avoiding large, rough seeds.

4004The seeds may be selected such that they correspond to native vegetation in the intended S area of use. For example, if a user of the product intends to go bushwalking in a coastal area, seeds of native vegetation in that coastal area are provided in the product. Similarly, if a user *9g9 intends to go bushwalking in an alpine area, seeds of native vegetation in alpine areas are used.

o Thus, it may be that a number of discrete paper products, each of which contain seeds of native 0* vegetation relevant to a particular region, are manufactured and available for sale. A user would then select the most appropriate product for the intended use.

Alternatively, a mixed vegetation product containing seeds of native vegetation from a variety of areas, may be produced. In this product, the seeds of vegetation for the area of use would germinate and grow whilst the seeds of vegetation from other areas would not germinate.

In use of the paper product in accordance with the present invention, the product is used and disposed of, for example, by burying or discarding. When appropriate climatic conditions prevail, the seeds germinate and grow. Natural selection will normally ensure that thinning out of the resultant vegetation is not required.

The paper used in the present invention is preferably a biodegradable paper, most preferably a readily biodegradable product.

The present invention also encompasses a method for producing the paper product.

CE00368727.9 3 In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a paper product comprising a sheet of paper having one or more seeds impregnated therein, the method comprising forming a paper and applying the one or more seeds to the paper prior to final drying of the paper.

Preferably, the process includes the further step of pressing the seeds into the paper.

Pressing may be achieved by passing the paper through one or more rollers after applying the seeds thereto.

The paper is preferably made in the form of a continuous web. A conventional paper making machine may be used. Typically, paper is made by dewatering a pulp on the paper making machine to thereby form a continuous web of paper. The web of paper typically passes through various drying rollers and finishing rollers and is finally wound onto a large roll. The seeds are preferably applied to the paper before final drying of the paper has occurred. The seeds are preferably pressed and air dried to form the final product. Particularly suitable drying conditions for drying of the paper after the seeds are applied thereto utilize a rapid air drying 15 using low humidity and temperatures not exceeding If the paper product is produced in the form of a large roll, the paper product may be further processed to get the product into its final form, such as a toilet roll, or a stack of individual sheets. Alternatively, the continuous web may be processed into final form without being wound onto a large roll.

O.o 20 As will be appreciate from the above, the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention applies the seeds to an external face of the paper.

The seeds used are preferably very small or even dust-like. Due to the small and fine nature of such seeds, the seeds may be applied to the paper without regard for uniformity of distribution of the seeds. No adhesives are required in the process of bonding the seeds to the paper and preferably no additional layers of paper are overlayed onto the single impregnated layer. No additional nutrients or water need be included in the preparation of the impregnated paper, particularly when seeds of Australian native flora are used. In this regard, seeds of Australian native flora have evolved to survive nutrient poor and water limiting environments CE00368727.9 4 and are able to withstand severe climatic conditions, remaining in a dormant state until conditions suitable for germination are encountered.

In one embodiment of the invention, the seed mixture applied to the paper comprises seed types selected from Eucalyptus, Callistemon, Melaleuca, Casuarina, Leptospermum Bracteantha, and Kunzea species. Preferably, up to 10,000 seeds per kilometre of paper are applied more preferably from 8,000 to 10,000 seeds per kilometre of paper. Preferably from 500 to 2,000 seeds of individual species are applied to the paper.

The seeds are preferably applied to the paper by spraying or by vacuum seeding.

The seeds used in all aspects of the present invention preferably lead to the growth of t.

10 trees, shrubs or wild flowers.

o .:Detailed description of the embodiments The paper product of the present invention is preferably a length of paper, in rolled or packaged form. It is impregnated with varieties of flora seeds which will germinate in suitable .,climatic conditions. The product may be toilet paper or tissue paper. after use of the product, it o 15 is disposed of in an appropriate way, typically by shallow burying or by discarding on the ground. The seeds impregnated into the paper are thereby placed into the environment and may r grow when suitable climatic conditions are encountered. The paper product may be used by campers, bushwalkers, scouts, army personnel, forestry workers, council workers, truck drivers, ,ologgers, rescue services and land care groups.

S 20 The seeds are preferably of native flora. For products for use in Australia, the following may be used: Eucalyptus Eucalyptus is a very large genus of trees. There are Eucalyptus suitable for all soils and climatic conditions. Eucalyptus are grown easily from seed, if sown or dropped in a mixture of light sandy loam and leaf mould.

Between 400 and 500 species of Eucalyptus occur in Australia. Most Eucalyptus have small seeds. Examples of particular Eucalyptus suitable for use in the present invention include: CE00368727.9 E. micocorys (Tallow-Wood) A tall, low-branching tree, with spreading crown for good rainfall areas. Grows to 50 feet.

E. perriniana (Round-Leaved Snow-Gum) An attractive small tree with silvery foliage for a very cold to cool climates. Grows to 20 feet.

E. preissiana (Bell Fruit Mallee) Grows to 15 feet.

E. nicholii A good tree for most soil, cold and temperate areas. Grows to 50 feet.

E. pyriformis (Ooldea Mallee) Hardy under most conditions. Grows to feet.

10 E. robusta (Swamp Mahogany) Useful in badly drained soils. Grows to feet.

E. rideroxylon (Pink Flowering Ironbark) Slow growing but hardy. For temperate and dry inland areas. Grows to 50 feet.

E. melliodora (Yellow Box) For moderate rainfall inland areas. Grows 15 to 50 feet.

E. macrocarpa (Mallee Rose) Prefers well drained soil in dry areas.

Grows to 15 feet.

E. macrantha (Scribbly Gum) An insect working near the bark produces the scribbly effect which gives this tree its common name.

Some varieties grow to 80 feet, others 20 to 30 feet only. Prefers sandy soils but tolerates others.

E. citriodora (Lemon-Scented Gum) For temperate and subtropical districts. Grows from 30 to 50 feet.

E. cinerea (Argyle Apple) Prefers good rainfall, in cool to cold districts. Grows to 40 feet.

E. camaldulensis (River Red Gum) Prefers heavy soil and does well in low rainfall areas. Grows from 35 to 50 feet.

CE00368727.9 6 E. calycogona (Gooseberry Mallee) Drought resistant for inland districts. Grows to 20 feet.

Acacia A large genus of attractive yellow flowering trees of which many hundreds are native to Australia. Flowers are either fluffy balls of blossom, or spikes. Foliage is feathery or simple. Species are fast growing but usually not long lived. Acacias are commonly known as Wattle. The following are examples of Acacias that may be used in the present invention: A. aneura (Mulga) Hardy under all inland conditions. It is a very useful fodder tree during drought period. Grows to 20 feet.

10 A. baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle) A widely cultivated frost hardy species. Grows to 20 feet.

A. dealbata (Silver Wattle) Grows to 30 feet.

A. elata (Cedar Wattle) Fast growing, longer lived than most wattles tree is suitable for temperate climates. Grows to 60 feet.

15 A. glaucescens (Coastal Myall) Long lived tree. Like moist soil in coastal areas. Grows to 40 feet.

A. longifolia (Sydney Golden Wattle) A fast growing small tree.

Moisture loving but flourishes in poor sandy soils and coastal areas.

Grows to 15 feet.

A. mearnsii (Black Wattle) Fast growing and suitable for a wide variety of soils in coastal and mountain areas. Grows to 40 feet.

A. melanoxylon (Blackwood) Tall growing and frost hardy. Requires good rainfall. Suitable for cold and temperate climates. Grows to 100 feet.

A. pendula (Weeping Myall) Suitable for fairly dry, warm inland areas.

Grows to 30 feet.

CE00368727.9 7 A. podalyriifolia (Queensland Silver Wattle) Fast growing, suitable for cultivation in all but the coldest climates. Grows from 8 feet to 20 feet.

Native to New South Wales and Queensland.

A. pycnantha (Golden Wattle) Fairly drought hardy. Suitable for temperate and inland areas. Grows to 25 feet.

A. salicina (Cooba or Willow Wattles) Suitable for inland areas.

Grows to 40 feet.

A. spectabilis (Mudgee Wattle) This species is frost hardy. Grows to 10 feet.

10 Allocasuarina (She Oaks) Australian native parrots use the Casuarinas as a food source. The female tree bears nuts, which contains the seeds. Casuarinas have scale like leaves. The following examples of Casuarina may be used in the present invention: Allocasuarina cunninghamiana (River She Oak) Usually found along fresh water streams. For most districts with rainfall exceeding 20 inches.

Grows to 50 feet.

A. glauca Grows to 40 feet. Very useful for growing in badly drained •coastal areas, near brackish water.

A. equisetifolia Incana Grows to 30 feet. Stands considerable exposure near the coastline.

Grevillea Attractive flowering trees for coastal and inland areas. Native to Australia. The following provides examples of Grevillea that may be used in the present invention: Grevillea Banksii For temperate regions. Grows to 15 feet.

G. Robusta (Silky Oak) For coastal and some inland areas.

G. Striata (Beefwood) For hot, dry inland districts. Grows to 30 feet.

G. Banksii Forsteri Most districts except very cold. Grows to 8 feet.

CE00368727.9 8 G. Rosmarinifolia Most districts. Grows to 6 feet.

G. Gaudichaudii Loves cold districts. Grows to 1 foot.

G. Triternata Loves cold districts. Grows 1-2 feet.

Melaleuca (Paperbark) An Australian native. The following gives examples of Melaleucas that may be used in the present invention: Melaleuca armillaris (Paperbark) Very hardy in sandy soils near the coast. Grows to 25 feet.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Broad-Leaved Paperbark) The largest growing of the species, reaching up to 40 feet. For coastal soils and 10 some inland areas.

M. stypheliodes (Prickly-Leaved Paperbark) Will thrive in moist soils in temperate districts.

Leptospermum (Tea Tree) Grows in sandy soils in locations close to the sea.

The following provide examples that may be used in the present invention: 15 Leptospermum flavescens Grows to 15 feet.

L. grandiflorum Grows to 15 feet.

L. laevigatum Grows to 15 feet.

L. rotundifolium Grows 3 to 6 feet.

L. lambethii Fast growing. Grows to 8 feet.

L. petersonii (Lemon-Scented Tea Tree) Temperate districts. Grows to feet.

L. scoparium Temperate districts. Grows to 6 feet.

Several Varieties L.S. nichollsii Grows to 8 feet.

CE00368727.9 9 Callistemon (Bottlebrushes) Native to Australia. They are small ornamental trees with attractive foliage, showy bottlebrush-like spikes of flowers. There are species and varieties suited to most soil conditions. For temperate, inland and warmer mountain areas. The following list provides examples of Callistemon that may be used in the present invention: Callistemon citrinus (Red Bottlebrush) For temperate and good rainfall inland areas. Grows to 15 feet.

C. salignus Stands fairly dry conditions. Grows to 20 feet.

C. viminalis Prefers a moist location. Grows to 20 feet.

10 Bracteantha (Everlasting Daisies) fast growing native daisy grows in most soils.

Kunzea hardy woody shrub 15 capable of growing in a wide range of environments in temperate Australia Examples The following sample seed mixes were prepared and applied to the paper in accordance with the application rate given in the column under the heading "Seed per Kilometre": CE00368727.9 Example 1 Bracteantha 1,400,000 2,000

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Example 2 Casuarina 300,000 1,000 Callistemon 1,000,000 2,000 Eucalyptus 300,000 1,000 Leptospermum 600,000 2,000 Melaleuca 1,100,000 2,000 Totali 10,000 seeds Species Approx Seed per Viable Seed/kg Kilometre Bracteantha 1,400,000 2,000 Casuarina 300,000 500 Callistemon 1,000,000 2,000 Eucalyptus 300,000 500 Kunzea 800,000 1,000 Leptospermum 600,000 1,000 Melaleuca 1,100,000 2,000 Total' 9,000 se:eds' The paper products made using the seed mixes given above was formed into toilet paper, with approximately 10 rolls of toilet paper per kilometre of paper being made. Each roll of toilet paper had approximately 1,000 sheets.

CE00368727.9 11 The paper used in this example comprised a thick, singular layer of recycled unbleached toilet paper sheeting. No adhesives were used to adhere the seeds to the paper. No fungicides were added to the seeds or paper.

When the toilet paper has been used, it may be discarded in the environment. The paper may then spend time on the ground awaiting warmth and moisture for germination. As in nature, there is no need for thinning out, once the seeds have germinated. The seedlings will sort themselves out by competition or natural selection. Some of the seed may be carried away by the wind, some may be carried away by fauna, some will stay where they lay.

Australian natives do not need to be watered like cultivated plants because they have in o 10 evolved under rigorous conditions. In their natural environment, Australian natives have developed special characteristics that help them to survive in conditions which would otherwise be most unfavourable for health growth.

Seeds and/or tissue cultures of wild flowers may also be used in the present invention.

Wildflowers usually do best under the same soil conditions suitable to most shrubs and annuals.

•o•0 Wildflowers typically prefer well-drained, acidic soil, though some plants grow particularly well in waterlogged soils and areas subject to flooding.

The faster growing trees will give shade when growing to the slower growing species.

When the faster growing trees die off, their litter will feed and mulch the slower growing spcies. Forest litter or mulch will conserve water and absorb si;"gnificant quantities of ramn in a short period of time. If the plants grow close together, they will mulch each other and in time create a micro-climate.

The present invention provides an environmentally friendly, cost-effective product that goes a long way towards overcoming the environmentally unfriendly problems caused by discarding of toilet paper and tissue paper in our national parks and native bushland. The product also promotes the growth of trees and other vegetation, with apparent benefits to the environment and greenhouse effect.

CE00368727.9 12 The range of plants used in the present invention is preferably a universal mix of natives of a non-invasive character. The plants stabilize the soil and increase vegetative material for our fauna. They create habitat for our fauna and generate seed to promote further generations.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein may be subject to variations and modifications. It is to be understood that the present invention extends to and encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.

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Claims (18)

1. Toilet paper or tissue paper comprising a sheet of paper and a plurality of seeds applied to an outer face of the sheet such that the seeds are held in place without an adhesive.

2. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet of paper is made from recycled paper.

3. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in class 2 wherein the recycled paper is unbleached recycled paper.

4. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the sheet of paper is a single ply paper. 10

5. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the sheet of paper is a multi-ply paper.

6. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims o wherein the seeds are impregnated into the outer face of the sheet.

7. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 15 wherein the seeds are very small or dust-like.

8. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims S S wherein the seeds are applied at a rate of up to 10,000 seeds pre kilometre of paper.

9. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in claim 8 wherein the seeds are applied at a rate of 8,000 to 10,000 seeds per kilometre of paper.

10. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the seeds are selected from seeds of trees selected from Eucalyptus, Callistemon, Melaleuca, Casuarina, Leptospermum, Bracteantha and Kunzea species.

11. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in the form of a roll having a plurality of sheets. CE003889116v9.doc 14

12. Toilet paper or tissue paper as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 10 in the form of a plurality of sheets in a stack..

13. A method for producing a paper product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising forming a paper and applying one or more seeds to the paper prior to final drying of the paper.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 further comprising pressing the seeds into the paper.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 to 14 wherein the one or more seeds are applied to an external face of the paper. 10

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the paper is pressed and air dried following application of the one or more seeds.

17. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16 wherein the seeds are applied to the paper by spraying or vacuum seeding.

18. A paper product substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Example. Dated this 20th day of August 2001 Joy Kogias by its attorneys Freehills Carter Smith Beadle