EP1001879B1 - Method for making a relatively soft product, and the product itself - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing of a relatively soft, essentially flat, but three-dimensional product and a corresponding one Product itself. Such products as a whole flat products are usually considered in terms of their Volume increased by an embossing process. This Volume increase can on the one hand Affect appearance and secondly the technical Characteristics. For example, if a tissue or a similar paper product is embossed, so can, in addition to an improved appearance, the Touch and button properties can be improved. Next These touch properties can transform the Starting product by embossing the Improve the absorption properties of the product. For the Process according to the invention and the product according to the invention different materials come into question, e.g. B. regarding paper: tissue (creped and uncreped, wet laid, single-ply or multi-ply), cotton wool; regarding Textiles: all soft textiles, fabrics, so-called "non-wovens" (e.g. B. dry), textile laminates; regarding plastics: all soft plastics as film or fiber composite; regarding leather: all soft leather; regarding metal: thin metal foils, especially aluminum foils.

Various embossing processes are used for embossing Question as they are already known to the expert.

For example, EP 0 313 766 A2 and US disclose 5,229,186 a method and an apparatus for embossing Films. It is also known from US 5,296,289 flat starting product after an embossing process Subject to stretching. The state of the art provides no suitable measures ready which the Improve the touch properties of the product.

This problem is solved by a manufacturing method of a relatively soft, essentially flat, but nevertheless three-dimensional product according to claim 1.

It is a surprise to see that you have an embossed Intermediate at least in terms of appearance and Touch properties in a particularly simple manner improve in terms of secondary volume increase can, if the embossed intermediate product is stretched is subjected.

This secondary has a special effect Volume increase as a superimposition of the embossing caused volume increase, since the embossing pattern of the Intermediate from a variety of each other networked joint parallelograms is formed and that stretch as optimal in about one direction runs diagonally through the parallelograms and thereby especially through diagonally opposite hinge points, which of course are not real hinge points in the mechanical sense represent, but rather from the embossing process result in lines of compacted material crossing each other and limit the parallelograms used in networking then act similarly to a pantograph if the stretching forces be applied.

An increase in volume is understood to mean that Embossing bulges of the whole flat starting product, so that primarily a Volume increase in the direction perpendicular to the large one Surface of the starting product takes place.

The expression "relatively soft" implies the need to be able to carry out an embossing process at all. The However, expression also includes a deformability of the Product in that the stretching process permanent deformation can be achieved as well as by the Embossing process. The product should also be in the final state certain and possibly special flexibility and softness have, depending on the purpose and whether that Appearance or the touch characteristic is in the foreground.

The problem is also solved by a relatively soft, in large flat but three-dimensional product Claim 2. The secondary volume increase convex and on the convex side of the primary Volume increase forming embossed pattern can be arranged. But it can also be concave.

The embossing pattern does not have to be, but can be symmetrical.

The secondary volume increase can be particularly achieve more favorably if the embossed in the embossed pattern Individual shapes in plan view have a shape that between the shape of a circle and a square or Rectangle is located. However, one should there is a clear deviation from the circular shape. For example, the embossing pattern broadly forms a diamond pattern.

Appropriately, in the embossing pattern between the Individual shapes embossed essentially lying in one plane Lines are formed which are interconnected and four of which each form a "joint parallelogram" and networked many such parallelograms together are, as previously related to the Procedure has been mentioned. These lines cross each other the crossing points similar to a pantograph Form hinge points when the stretching forces mentioned in the be applied correctly. Between these Crossing points (articulation points) can make the lines straight, but do not have to be straightforward. You can have one take a curved course, such as in a so-called oriental or venetian pattern. It is essential Behave like a pantograph if there are appropriate stretching forces be applied.

In addition, the present invention provides Claim 8 an embossing tool for producing the Intermediate product according to claim 1 ready.

This means that the embossing tool with its design has a significant impact on the stretch caused superimposed, permanent secondary Increase in volume.

Accordingly, the use of a is particularly expedient So-called "female" embossing tool, which has recesses in which is the material of the flat starting product for the permanent primary volume change is pressed. in the The embossing tool has a connection between them the recesses interconnected webs on the corresponding bulges of lines pressed together by the webs and thus recessed material are limited, which lines in particularly favorable due to the "female" embossing Form parallelograms that are network-like are interconnected that this network at Applying opposite stretching forces in the direction the large area extension and essentially in Diagonal direction of the joint parallelograms of the Intermediate acts like a pantograph. Accordingly the parallelogram should be aligned in the machine direction if the stretching is in the machine direction.

The secondary volume expansion is particularly easy achieve effectively when the side walls in the embossing tool of the recesses starting from the tool surface run at a certain acute angle on all sides. This angle should preferably be no less than about 40 ° and in particular not less than about 60 °. In this angle is particularly advantageously 65 °.

Also the number of individual shapes per square centimeter influences the formation of the secondary in a positive way Increase in volume. So this number of individual forms 0.5 to 6 and in particular 1 to 2.5 per square centimeter be.

The dimension of the recesses of the embossing tool has also influence the training of the permanent secondary volume increase through stretching. So it can Ratio of the depth of the recesses to the width 0.1 to 0.5 and in particular be 0.2 to 0.3.

The recesses in the embossing tool have staggered Side walls in such a way that starting from the Tool surface several wall sections in the depth of the Recesses are strung together and the tips Angle that the wall sections form to the tool surface, be smaller from wall section to wall section.

The webs between the recesses of the embossing tool can preferably have a width of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and in particular from 1.2 mm to 2.2 mm. In the above A profile can also be provided in webs, and in particular can be a number of along the same in the webs trained recesses may be provided. Form thereby bulges in the embossed lines of the product additional volume increases.

Fig. 1a

die schematische Draufsicht auf ein Prägemuster eines Tissue-Produktes;

Fig. 1b

eine Draufsicht auf ein Prägewerkzeug zur Herstellung des Produktes gemäß Fig. 1a;

Fig. 1c

eine Teilschnittansicht gemäß der Linie A-A in Fig. 1b;

Fig. 2a bis 2c

den Figuren 1a bis 1c ähnliche Ansichten, jedoch mit einem anders ausgeführten Muster;

Fig. 3a bis 3c

Ansichten gemäß Fig. 1a bis 1c bzw. Fig. 2a bis 2c, jedoch mit einem weiteren, anders gestalteten Muster;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittansicht einer nicht zur Erfindung gehörenden Prägemusterausbuchtung mit Einzelseitenwandabschnitt;

Fig. 5a bis 5c

verschiedene Schnittansichten einer Prägemusterausbuchtung mit Mehrfachseitenwandabschnitten;

Fig. 6a

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Prägemusterausbuchtung von der konvexen Seite her im ungestreckten Zustand;

Fig. 6b

eine diagonale Schnittansicht durch die Ausbuchtung mit der Darstellung einer durch das Prägen hervorgerufenen primären Volumenvergrößerung;

Fig. 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d

eine den Figuren 6a und 6b ähnliche Darstellung, jedoch nach dem Streckvorgang, wobei der Fig. 7b, 7c, 7d eine durch das Strecken hervorgerufene sekundäre Volumenvergrößerung als Überlagerung der primären Volumenvergrößerung erkennbar ist;

Fig. 8a

eine Ansicht des Musters des Endproduktes gemäß Fig. 1 ("Diamant");

Fig. 8b

eine Ansicht einer Toilettenpapierrolle mit dem Muster gemäß Fig. 8a;

Fig. 9a

eine Ansicht des Musters des Endproduktes gemäß Fig. 2 ("orientalisch");

Fig. 9b

eine Ansicht einer Toilettenpapierrolle mit dem Muster gemäß Fig. 9a;

Fig. 10a

eine Ansicht des Musters des Endproduktes gemäß Fig. 3 ("kissenförmig"); und

Fig. 10b

eine Ansicht einer Toilettenpapierrolle mit dem Muster gemäß Fig. 10a.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of some training examples shown purely schematically in the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1a

the schematic plan view of an embossing pattern of a tissue product;

Fig. 1b

a plan view of an embossing tool for producing the product according to FIG. 1a;

Fig. 1c

a partial sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1b;

2a to 2c

Figures 1a to 1c similar views, but with a different design;

3a to 3c

1a to 1c or FIGS. 2a to 2c, but with a further, differently designed pattern;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of an embossing pattern bulge not belonging to the invention with a single side wall section;

5a to 5c

different sectional views of an embossing pattern bulge with multiple side wall sections;

Fig. 6a

is a schematic plan view of an embossing pattern bulge from the convex side in the undrawn state;

Fig. 6b

a diagonal sectional view through the bulge with the representation of a primary volume increase caused by the embossing;

7a, 7b, 7c, 7d

an illustration similar to Figures 6a and 6b, but after the stretching process, Figures 7b, 7c, 7d a secondary volume increase caused by stretching is recognizable as a superimposition of the primary volume increase;

Fig. 8a

a view of the pattern of the final product of FIG 1 ("diamond");

Fig. 8b

a view of a toilet paper roll with the pattern of FIG. 8a;

Fig. 9a

a view of the pattern of the final product of FIG 2 ("oriental");

Fig. 9b

a view of a toilet paper roll with the pattern of FIG. 9a;

Fig. 10a

a view of the pattern of the final product of FIG 3 ("pillow-shaped"); and

Fig. 10b

a view of a toilet paper roll with the pattern of FIG. 10a.

In the drawings, for example Figs. 1a and 1b, are matching patterns shown, but so that the Fig. 1a based on the tool pattern as the embossed pattern would be viewed (reverse view) and Fig. 1b as the corresponding pattern of the embossing tool itself. Because the product is especially designed for that Intermediate product is produced by the embossing tool, is only based on the three embodiments Embossing tool described, because this also the product as such is marked.

In Fig. 1a to 1c a pattern is shown, which as "Diamond" pattern can be called. Opposite the Reality corresponds to the pattern according to FIGS. 1a and 1b Scale of 2: 1 and the individual representation according to FIG. 1c Scale 10: 1. This also applies to Figures 2 and 3.

The embossing pattern of the embossing tool comprises webs 1, of which four each form a square or parallelogram, so are strung together that a network through the webs results. It can be lined up in the web 1 Recesses 2 may be provided, which are embossed Show intermediate bulges small bulges. This However, recesses do not necessarily have to be present his. There is a large recess between the webs 3, which is formed by staggered side walls 4a and 4b. The side walls 4a form one with the tool surface 5 Angle α and the side walls 4b an angle β, the smaller is as the angle α.

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1,7 mm

α: 65 °

e: 0,25 mm.

The large recess 3 has a depth c with respect to the side wall 4a and a depth d with respect to the side walls 4a and 4b. According to a preferred embodiment, the dimensions mentioned have the following values:

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1.7 mm

α: 65 °

e: 0.25 mm.

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1,7 mm

f: 8 mm

g: 13,6 mm

h: 1 mm

α: 65 °.

2b shows an embossing pattern corresponding to a so-called "oriental" pattern, the machine direction being indicated by the arrow M. The scale ratios are the same as in FIG. 1, which also applies to FIG. 3. The following dimensions are relevant here:

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1.7 mm

f: 8 mm

g: 13.6 mm

h: 1 mm

α: 65 °.

Fig. 3 shows a "pillow" shaped pattern, the pattern offset to the machine direction by an angle γ of 1.5 ° can be. With such an offset, the repeat height is approx. 183.21 mm, d. H. 18.5 figures per repeat.

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1,7 mm

e: 0,25 mm

i: 1,4 mm im Durchmesser

k: 7 mm

α: 65 °.

The following values result for the measurements:

a: 1 mm

b: 6 mm

c: 1 mm

d: 1.7 mm

e: 0.25 mm

i: 1.4 mm in diameter

k: 7 mm

α: 65 °.

If, for example, a tissue paper as a starting product with the respective embossing tools, as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3, an embossing in the form of a pattern is awarded, a rubber roller presses the tissue paper against the webs 1 and in the recesses 3, whereby the Starting product experiences an imprint that in Area of the webs the material is compressed and stiffened and 3 bulges 6 are formed in the area of the recesses, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 6. The Embossed edge areas are there with reference number 7 Mistake. These are specifically here as embossed lines designated. They form according to the network of webs Lines as shown in FIG. 6a parallelograms, where the crossing points of the lines as hinge points can be seen, as is the case, for example, in FIGS. 3a and 3b can be removed. With regard to the networking of Joint parallelograms can make the entire pattern look like one mechanical pantograph behave when in agreement with the illustration in Fig. 7a applied stretching forces S. become a corresponding to a pantograph movement The narrowing of the parallelogram leads to how this occurs through the Arrows P is indicated. The bulge 6 forms a primary increase in volume during the embossing process and by the stretching process by means of the stretching forces S a this superimposed secondary volume increase 8, which is indicated by the arrow V in Fig. 7b, 7c, 7d. there 7c and 7d is the secondary volume increase a superimposed fold.

With regard to the recesses of the tool, FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an illustrative example not belonging to the invention with individual side walls and an associated angle α. 5a shows a sequence of staggered one after the other Side walls 4a, 4b with corresponding angles α and β, where the angle β is smaller than the angle α, measured to Tool surface. 5c, it is also possible to to provide first side wall sections 4a, which is dome-like a curved surface 4d connects.

Some of the following are illustrative of the invention Examples given.

Example 1: A two-ply tissue paper web was drawn off from an initial roll and fed to an embossing mill. The two-ply tissue paper had a basis weight of 21.9 g / m ² and a width of 50 cm. The tissue paper consisted of 100% cellulose pulp. The embossing plant consisted of a steel roller and a rubber roller. The steel roller had a diameter of 198 mm. The rubber roller had a diameter of 174 mm with a rubber thickness of 17 mm and a rubber hardness of 33 shore. The female embossed recesses had a dimension according to FIGS. 1b and 1c of the drawings in connection with the associated description. The embossing pressure between the rolls was 9420 N / m.

The product embossed with this embossing machine was then one Drafting system fed (all in one device) and there stretched across the width with a stretching force of 30 N / m. The above-mentioned secondary volume increase occurred one that the first created by embossing Volume increase was superimposed. Compared to the The starting product was an increase in volume of 21.4%. The strength increased in the machine direction 17.6% from the starting product (i.e. the Flexibility in this direction increased). The elongation at break decreased by 12.3% compared to the starting product and that Strength in the cross-machine direction by 36.8%.

After stretching, the product was wound up as sections spaced in lengths by perforation on a roll of toilet paper. This roll had a diameter of 123.2 mm and a compactness of 635 cm x 10 ^-3 .

The aforementioned strength corresponds to the machine direction the tensile stress in the machine direction until it breaks. It was the two-ply tissue paper or the finished product in Samples 76mm wide cut and then in Machine direction aligned. The samples were between two clamps of a tension tester clamped. The The clamps were at a distance of 51 mm and the Sample was pulled apart at 250 mm per minute. As The result was the peak force in N up to the break recorded. It was similar in the direction across Move machine direction. The volume increase was like this measured that leaves cut from the starting material ten times and sheets of the end product five times on top of each other placed in an electronic thickness gauge with a Foot pressure of 2.9 kPa were inserted. The results were recorded in thousandths of a mm.

The basis weight was determined so that again ten Sheets cut from the raw material or five sheets of the two-ply end product as squares of 10 x 10 cm were placed on top of each other. The sample was then weighed and the result multiplied by 10 and then recorded as kPa.

The diameter of the finished toilet paper roll was like this measured that a calibrated band to display the Diameter wrapped around the circumference of the finished roll has been.

The compactness or winding hardness of the finished toilet paper roll in cm x 10 ^-3 was measured as follows. The finished toilet paper roll was held by a rigid rod that was pushed through the core. Then a tester loaded with a light load was placed on the circumference of the roll. After a set-up time of approx. 15 seconds, the measuring device was read zero. Then a heavier weight was put on and after stabilization after 15 seconds a second reading was taken. The difference in readings was recorded as the compactness of the roll and was measured in thousandths of a cm. Accordingly, the compactness was 635 cm x 10 ^-3 .

Example 2: The procedure is basically the same as in example 1, but with the following changes. The embossing tool corresponded to the information shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c. The diameter of the steel roll was 191 mm.

The decrease in strength in the machine direction (increase in flexibility) compared to the starting product was 22.9% in the finished roll and the corresponding decrease in strength in the transverse direction was 39.3%. The increase in volume increase was 12%. The finished roll had a diameter of 123.7 mm and a compactness of 622.3 cm x 10 ^-3 .

Comparative example : A comparative example was realized with a sample according to FIG. 1. However, the diameter of the steel roller was 197 mm. The angle α was 38 °, the value b was 7.2 mm and the value d was 1.3 mm. This only resulted in a volume increase of 1.7%. The diameter of the finished toilet paper roll was 120 mm and the compactness was only 503 cm x 10 ^-3 .

Claims (14)

1. A method of producing a relatively soft, essentially planar, though three-dimensional product including the production steps of:

   a) converting a relatively soft, essentially flat planar starting product by embossing a three-dimensional pattern that generates a primary increase in bulk with respect to the starting product; and

   b) stretching this intermediate product achieved by embossing of the initial product essentially in the direction of its largely planar extension for generating a superimposed, secondary increase in bulk with respect to the intermediate product converted by embossing,

      characterised in that
      the embossing pattern of the intermediate product is formed from a plurality of "hinged parallelograms" crosslinked together, and that the stretching occurs roughly in a direction running diagonally through the parallelograms.
2. A relatively soft, largely planar, though three-dimensional product having a three-dimensional embossing pattern and a secondary increase in bulk superimposed on this embossing pattern as an inherent primary increase in bulk, wherein the primary and secondary increase in bulk are primarily formed in the direction perpendicular to the large surface of the starting product, and the secondary increase in bulk is achieved primarily by stretching in the direction of the largely planar extension thereof.
3. A product according to claim 2, in which the secondary increase in bulk is convex and is disposed on the convex side of the embossing pattern that forms the primary increase in bulk.
4. A product according to claim 2 and/or 3, in which the embossing pattern is essentially a symmetrical embossing pattern.
5. A product according to at least one of the claims 2 to 4, in which within the embossing pattern, the embossed individual shapes in plan view exhibit a form which is between the shape of a circle (clearly different from a circle shape) and that of a square or rectangle.
6. A product according to at least one of the claims 2 to 5, in which the embossing pattern is largely a rhombic pattern.
7. A product according to at least one of the claims 2 to 6, in which lines that are essentially embossed on a plane are formed within the embossing pattern between the individual shapes, the lines being connected together and four thereof respectively forming a kind of hinged parallelogram and many such hinged parallelograms being crosslinked together.
8. An embossing tool for the production of the intermediate product according to claim 1, which comprises recesses and webs (1) connected together between the recesses (3), which are arranged in a rhombic, crosslinked manner, wherein the side walls (4a) of the recesses of the embossing tools extend at a specific acute angle (α) on all sides starting from the tool surface (5), which angle is no less than approx. 40°, characterised in that the recesses (3) comprise graduated side walls (4a, 4b), in that a plurality of wall sections is juxtaposed into the depth of the recesses starting from the tool surface (5), and the acute angle (α, β) formed by the wall portions relative to the tool surface (5) is smaller from wall portion to wall portion.
9. An embossing tool according to claim 8, in which the stated angle (α) is no less than approximately 60° and in particular 65°.
10. An embossing tool according to at least one of claims 8 to 9, in which the number of individual shapes per square centimetre is 0.5 to 6 and in particular 1 to 2.5.
11. An embossing tool according to at least one of claims 8 to 10, in which the ratio of depth (c) to width (b) of the recesses (3) is 0.1 to 0.5 and in particular 0.2 to 0.3.
12. An embossing tool according to at least one of claims 8 to 11, in which the webs (1) between the recesses (3) have a width (α) of 0.5 mm to 3 mm and in particular of 1.2 mm to 2.2 mm.
13. An embossing tool according to at least one of claims 8 to 12, in which the webs (1) comprise a profile and in particular a row of recesses (2) formed along the webs.
14. Use of the embossing tool according to at least one of claims 8 to 13 on tissue material.

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