EP3688224B1 - Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3688224B1
EP3688224B1 EP17808569.2A EP17808569A EP3688224B1 EP 3688224 B1 EP3688224 B1 EP 3688224B1 EP 17808569 A EP17808569 A EP 17808569A EP 3688224 B1 EP3688224 B1 EP 3688224B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
roll
coating composition
continuous web
absorbent material
web
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17808569.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3688224A1 (en
Inventor
Nicolas Weisang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Original Assignee
Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Essity Hygiene and Health AB filed Critical Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority to HUE17808569A priority Critical patent/HUE059203T2/hu
Publication of EP3688224A1 publication Critical patent/EP3688224A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3688224B1 publication Critical patent/EP3688224B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H27/00—Special paper not otherwise provided for, e.g. made by multi-step processes
    • D21H27/002—Tissue paper; Absorbent paper
    • D21H27/004—Tissue paper; Absorbent paper characterised by specific parameters
    • D21H27/005—Tissue paper; Absorbent paper characterised by specific parameters relating to physical or mechanical properties, e.g. tensile strength, stretch, softness
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H19/00—Coated paper; Coating material
    • D21H19/10—Coatings without pigments
    • D21H19/12—Coatings without pigments applied as a solution using water as the only solvent, e.g. in the presence of acid or alkaline compounds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H19/00—Coated paper; Coating material
    • D21H19/10—Coatings without pigments
    • D21H19/14—Coatings without pigments applied in a form other than the aqueous solution defined in group D21H19/12
    • D21H19/24—Coatings without pigments applied in a form other than the aqueous solution defined in group D21H19/12 comprising macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H19/00—Coated paper; Coating material
    • D21H19/10—Coatings without pigments
    • D21H19/14—Coatings without pigments applied in a form other than the aqueous solution defined in group D21H19/12
    • D21H19/34—Coatings without pigments applied in a form other than the aqueous solution defined in group D21H19/12 comprising cellulose or derivatives thereof
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D21—PAPER-MAKING; PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE
    • D21H—PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D21H27/00—Special paper not otherwise provided for, e.g. made by multi-step processes
    • D21H27/002—Tissue paper; Absorbent paper
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3206—Coreless paper rolls

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a coreless roll of an absorbent sheet product such as napkins, toilet paper, towels etc.
  • the coreless roll is provided in a compressed form.
  • the present invention also pertains to a process for the manufacture of the coreless roll.
  • Rolls of absorbent sheet product for home use typically consist of a continuous web of absorbent sheet material that is spirally wound around a prefabricated core made of a stiff material such as cardboard or glued paper.
  • the core defines an axial hollow passageway, which is centrally positioned relative to the roll and extends from one edge of the roll to the other edge.
  • the axial hollow passageway enables the consumer to easily mount the roll on the spindle of a roll holder.
  • the core is expensive, requires storage space and additional manual handling.
  • the core remains after use of the absorbent sheet product, thus increasing the risk of clogging sewage systems.
  • Collapsing refers to the phenomenon occurring when the absorbent sheet product constituting the first inner turns of the roll (i.e. the turns forming the axial hollow passageway at winding start) cannot be stably maintained such that an axial hollow passageway is clearly defined.
  • Coreless rolls are generally associated with an increased risk of "collapsing”. Collapsing typically occurs in the manufacture process of coreless rolls when the temporary core is extracted after completing the winding, or during storage and transport of the finished product. As a consequence of collapsing, it can become difficult to mount the roll on the spindle of a roll holder. Moreover, collapsing generally creates the perception of decreased quality among consumers.
  • a "flexible" roll offers the benefit that it can be provided in a compressed form, which requires less space during storage and transport. As a result, storage and transport costs can be significantly reduced.
  • the roll can be compressed by applying and maintaining pressure in a direction perpendicular to the axial hollow passage so as to produce a roll having an oval cross section.
  • the roll can be maintained in the compressed form during storage and transport by e.g. tightly wrapping a packaging material around the roll(s).
  • the roll must also exhibit a certain level of "elasticity" such that it can substantially return by itself from the compressed (oval) form to the uncompressed (cylindrical) form (e.g. when the package is opened) while reopening the axial hollow passageway in a clearly defined manner. That is, the axial hollow passageway must open by itself and be clearly defined when the roll returns to the cylindrical form. This requires the first inner turns to newly and stably maintain the axial hollow passageway. As a result, there should be no substantially visible difference in appearance between a roll returning from the compressed form to the uncompressed form and a roll that has not been subjected to compression.
  • the roll can be subjected to deformation forces during storage and transport, e.g. radial forces exerted in the rewinding and/or cutting unit, axial forces occurring during packaging and/or when packaged roll products are stacked on pallets for storage/shipment etc.
  • deformation forces e.g. radial forces exerted in the rewinding and/or cutting unit, axial forces occurring during packaging and/or when packaged roll products are stacked on pallets for storage/shipment etc.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material can be irreversibly deformed and the roll can lose its cylindrical shape, thus causing a feeling of decreased quality among consumers.
  • the roll must combine a certain level of axial and radial stiffness (sometimes also referred to as "rigidity") with excellent resiliency, meaning that the roll can recover its original size and shape when deformation forces are no longer applied.
  • This requires the continuous web of absorbent material constituting the roll to exhibit suitable internal resistance to deformation.
  • the roll should maintain its size and shape irrespective of
  • WO 2009/027874 A1 discloses a roll including a nonwoven tissue web that is spirally wound around a flexible core.
  • the flexible core includes a polymeric sheet of synthetic polymers, which is attached to the inner layer of the nonwoven tissue web by means of an attachment mechanism such as an adhesive, heat bonding etc.
  • the flexible core is characterized by a higher tensile strength in the machine direction than that of the nonwoven tissue web. As a result, the roll exhibits flexibility for packaging and storage purposes.
  • the polymer sheet of synthetic polymers is prepared beforehand, stored, and manually handled. Furthermore, in the frame of industrial manufacturing, the continuous web of absorbent material is run at a speed of around 10 m/s. This renders the incorporation and attachment of the polymer sheet to the inner layer of the nonwoven tissue web technically complex and difficult to implement at the running speed required for industrial manufacturing.
  • the nonwoven tissue web forming the roll lacks elasticity.
  • the nonwoven tissue web that is spirally wound about the flexible core does not recover its original position and the roll retains an oval shape, i.e. it exhibits low resiliency. This contributes to a feeling of decreased quality among consumers.
  • WO 95/13183 A1 discloses a roll of elongated material having a core at the centre of the roll.
  • the core essentially includes a number of turns of the elongated material, which are fixed together by means of a binder such as polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate, latex, starch, polyvinyl alcohol etc.
  • WO 95/13183 A1 also discloses a process for producing such roll in the compressed form. More specifically, WO 95/13183 A1 indicates that a binder solution is sprayed or coated on the first turns of a conventional winding. After complete winding and removal from the winding shaft, the roll is immediately compressed to an elliptical or oval section form. The document teaches that the roll can be opened from the compressed form by applying pressure on the "shorter" sides of the ellipse.
  • the binder as described in WO 95/13183 A1 e.g. latex, starch, polyvinyl alcohol etc.
  • the resulting core lacks flexibility and shows low elasticity.
  • the first inner turns of elongated material i.e. the turns of elongated material forming the core
  • the delamination force needed for separating the first inner turns is generally greater than the tear strength of the elongated absorbent material. It is hence difficult to separate the first inner turns without tearing apart the elongated material on which the binder is applied. As a result, it is not possible to use the elongated absorbent material on its whole length, i.e. up to the last sheet.
  • the elongated material lacks sufficient elasticity.
  • the elongated material forming the roll does not substantially recover its original position and the spirally wound elongated material does not substantially recover its original position and the roll retains an oval shape, i.e. it exhibits low resiliency. This contributes to a perception of decreased quality among consumers.
  • the coreless roll of an absorbent sheet product of the present invention is made of a spirally wound continuous web of absorbent material having a first end and a second end.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material is preferably made of a base tissue paper which can be obtained by the Conventional Wet Press or the Through Air Drying (TAD) manufacturing method or other manufacturing methods.
  • base tissue paper tissue paper web
  • tissue paper web means the one-ply base tissue as obtained from the tissue machine.
  • the base tissue paper has a low basis weight, in the range of 8 to 60 g/m 2 , preferably 10 to 30 g/m 2 .
  • tissue refers to the one or more plies of tissue paper in the final tissue paper product (e.g. toilet paper) as is/are obtained after processing ("converting") one or more base tissue paper webs.
  • tissue production is counted among the papermaking techniques.
  • the production of tissue is distinguished from paper production by its extremely low basis weight and its much higher tensile energy absorption index.
  • the tensile energy absorption index is arrived at from the tensile energy absorption in which the tensile energy absorption is related to the test sample volume before inspection (length, width, thickness of sample between the clamps before tensile load). Paper and tissue paper also differ in general with regard to the modulus of elasticity that characterizes the stress-strain properties of these planar products as a material parameter.
  • a tissue's high tensile energy absorption index results from outer or inner creping.
  • the former is produced by compression of the paper web adhering to a dry cylinder as a result of the action of a crepe doctor or in the latter instance as a result of a difference in speed between two wires ("fabrics").
  • fabrics two wires
  • a high tensile energy absorption index can also be achieved by imparting to the tissue a 3D structure by means of the wires themselves. Most of the functional properties typical of tissue and tissue products result from the high tensile energy absorption index (see DIN EN 12625-4 and DIN EN 12625-5).
  • tissue paper Typical properties include the ready ability to absorb tensile stress energy, their drapability, good textile-like flexibility, properties which are frequently referred to as bulk softness, a high surface softness, a high specific volume with a perceptible thickness, as well as high liquid absorbency and, depending on the application, a suitable wet and dry strength as well as an interesting visual appearance of the outer product surface.
  • tissue paper to be used, for example, as cleaning cloths (e.g. household towels), sanitary products (e.g. toilet paper, hand towels) and wipes (e.g. cosmetic wipes, facial tissues).
  • the continuous web of absorbent material is preferably composed of 1 tissue paper ply or 2 to 5 superposed tissue paper plies.
  • the tissue paper can be produced from paper-making fibers according to "Conventional Processes” as in the manufacture of "Dry Crepe Tissue” or " Wet Crepe Tissue” or “Processes for Structured Tissue” such as the Through Air Drying (TAD) manufacturing method, the manufacture of uncreped through-air dried (UCTAD) tissue, or alternative manufacturing methods, e.g. the Advanced Tissue Molding System (ATMOS) of the company Voith, or Energy Efficient Technologically Advanced Drying eTAD of the company Georgia Pacific, or Structured Tissue Technology SST of the company Metso Paper.
  • ATMOS Advanced Tissue Molding System
  • Hybrid processes like NTT (New textured Tissue) which are alterations of the conventional processes can be used, too.
  • the conventional dry crepe manufacturing method comprises:
  • the creping operation creates undulations in the sheet across its direction of travel.
  • the creping operation increases the thickness of the sheet, and confers elasticity and gives touch (soft touch) properties to the sheet.
  • the TAD manufacturing method comprises:
  • the dried sheet may be creped.
  • tissue web (as preferred embodiment of the continuous web of absorbent material to be used)
  • a process as described in PCT/EP2015/059326 (application date: 29.04.2015; title: "Tissue paper comprising pulp fibers originating from Miscanthus and method for manufacturing the same") can be used.
  • TAD process e.g. 3-D-shaped fabric, permeable drying cylinder, etc.
  • the parameters described in this passage are also valid for the use of the ATMOS technology.
  • tissue paper has been manufactured, a distinct manufacturing operation called converting operation is typically employed to form the tissue paper product (i.e. paper towels, toilet tissue rolls, bathroom tissues, wiping tissues, kitchen tissue rolls, handkerchiefs, etc.).
  • converting operation is typically employed to form the tissue paper product (i.e. paper towels, toilet tissue rolls, bathroom tissues, wiping tissues, kitchen tissue rolls, handkerchiefs, etc.).
  • the absorbent material is a "nonwoven material".
  • nonwoven is very common in the art and can be further defined in the manner described in ISO 9092:2011, also for the purpose of the present invention.
  • Typical nonwoven manufacturing techniques include the air-laid technology, spun-laid technology, dry-laid technology, and wet-laid long fibers technology.
  • the nonwoven web used according to this embodiment can be a single-ply or multi-ply web.
  • the absorbent nonwoven-based web used in the coreless roll of the invention comprises cellulosic fibers.
  • the content of the cellulosic fibers based on the total weight of all fibers present in the nonwoven web, is at least 20 wt.-%, more preferably at least 50 wt.-%, for instance at least 80 wt.-%.
  • the remaining fibers are in these cases non-cellulosic fibers such as synthetic fibers.
  • the aforementioned paper-making fibers can be produced from virgin and/or recycled paper pulp raw material.
  • the cellulosic fibers which can be used in the invention typically contain as main structure-building component the long chain fibrous cellulose portion which is present in naturally occurring cellulose-containing cells, in particular those of lignified plants.
  • the fibers are isolated from lignified plants by digestion steps removing or reducing the content of lignin and other extractables and optional bleaching steps.
  • the cellulosic fibers can also stem from non-wood sources such as annual plants.
  • Suitable cellulosic fibers which can be used may be of regenerated type (e.g. Lyocell), although the use of other types of pulps is preferred.
  • the pulps employed can be a primary fibrous material ("virgin fibers") or a secondary fibrous material (recycled pulps).
  • the pulp can stem from lignin-free or low lignin sources, such as cotton linters, esparto (alfa) grass, bagasse (e.g. cereal straw, rice straw, bamboo, or hemp), kemp fibers, Miscanthus grass fibers, or flax (also referred to as "non-wood fibers" in the description and the claims).
  • the pulp is produced from ligno-cellulosic material, such as softwood (which typically originates from conifers) or hardwood (typically from deciduous trees).
  • “Chemical pulps”, as used herein, are, according to DIN 6730, fibrous materials obtained from plant raw materials of which most non-cellulosic components have been removed by chemical pulping without substantial mechanical post treatment.
  • “Mechanical pulp”, as used herein, is the general term for fibrous material made of wood entirely or almost entirely by mechanical means, optionally at increased temperatures. Mechanical pulp can be subdivided into the purely mechanical pulps (groundwood pulp and refined mechanical pulp) as well as mechanical pulps subjected to chemical pre-treatment, such as chemo-mechanical pulp (CMP), or chemo-thermo mechanical pulp (CTMP).
  • CMP chemo-mechanical pulp
  • CTMP chemo-thermo mechanical pulp
  • the continuous web of absorbent material (2) is spirally wound such as to define an axial hollow passageway (3) centrally positioned relative to the roll (1), and which extends from one edge (4) to the other edge (4) of the roll.
  • axial hollow passageway means a tubular opening that extends through the roll along its central axis.
  • the axial hollow passageway enables the end user to mount the roll on the spindle of a roll holder.
  • the absorbent material is dispensed from the first end (located at the outside of the roll) while the roll is allowed to freely rotate about its central axis.
  • the axial hollow passageway has a diameter of from 10 mm to 70 mm, preferably from 20 to 50 mm.
  • the axial hollow passageway (3) extends from one edge (4) to the other edge (4) of the coreless roll.
  • the coreless roll of the present invention has a cylinder-shaped circumferential surface and opposite flat ends (i.e. edges), which are formed when the log roll is cut into multiple rolls at the end of the winding process.
  • edge means the flat portion which is located on one side of the roll perpendicular to its center axis.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material (2) has a first end (5) and a second end (6).
  • the first end (5) is located at the outside of the roll and the second end (6) is located at the axial hollow passageway (3).
  • the continuous web of absorbent material consists, in the machine direction, of the first end and the second end and a middle portion located between these ends.
  • the combined lengths of the first end, the second end and the middle portion define the entire length of the continuous web of absorbent material which forms one roll.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material comprises a coating composition specified in this application.
  • the spirally wound continuous web of absorbent material has a (volumetric mass) density of from 50 to 140 mg/cm 3 , preferably 55 to 135 mg/cm 3 , more preferably 60 to 130 mg/cm 3 , more preferably 65 to 125 mg/cm 3 , more preferably of 70 to 120 mg/cm 3 , more preferably 80 to 110 mg/cm 3 , for instance 80 to 100 mg/cm 3 .
  • the desired density can for instance be achieved by adjusting the bulk (cm 3 /g) of the continuous web of absorbent material and/or the winding force (strain) of the continuous web during the winding process.
  • a greater winding force has the effect that a greater number of sheets can be accommodated in a roll of the same diameter as also illustrated by the present examples.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material constituting the roll is tightly wound (e.g. due to a higher strain applied in the winding process) and/or displays fairly low bulk values, the produced roll exhibits a high density, i.e. a high mass of absorbent material per unit volume. If the density of the produced roll exceeds 140 mg/cm 3 , the resiliency properties may not be fully developed. Furthermore, at higher density values the coreless roll may become relatively stiff and can no longer be compressed to the desired extent, e.g. for storage purposes.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material constituting the roll is relatively loosely wound (e.g. due to lower strain applied in the winding process) and/or displays fairly high bulk values
  • the produced roll exhibits a low density i.e. a low mass of absorbent material per unit volume.
  • a density of less than 50 mg/cm 3 is not desired due to the increased risk of blockage of the rewinding unit when the continuous web is run at a speed adequate for industrial manufacturing, e.g. 10 m/s.
  • a coating composition is applied to the continuous web such that at least the last turn located at the second end (6) of the web comprises the same.
  • “turn” we understand one circumvolution of the spirally wound continuous web about the axial hollow passageway (3).
  • Fig. 2 shows for instance the last three turns located at the second end (6) of the web.
  • the coating composition is applied to the web such that at least the two last turns, more preferably at least the three last turns, more preferably at least the last four turns, more preferably at least the last five turns, more preferably at least the last ten turns located at the second end comprise the coating composition.
  • a coating composition is continuously or intermittently applied to the continuous web of absorbent material Furthermore, the continuous web of absorbent material such that at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web in the machine direction comprise the coating composition.
  • the web length proportion in the machine direction refers to the total length of portions of the continuous web in the machine direction as coated by the non-ionic polymer comprising oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms ("first polymer") with respect to the entire (total) length of the continuous web in the machine direction. It may include the last turn(s) located at the second end.
  • first polymer oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms
  • the same coating composition is applied to the last turn(s) located at the second end and to the continuous web.
  • the coating composition(s) is/are applied to the continuous web such that preferably at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, for instance at least 90% of the entire length of the web in the machine direction comprises the coating composition comprising the first polymer.
  • a coating composition is applied over the entire length of the continuous web in the machine direction, i.e. the coating composition is applied continuously in the machine direction from the first end (5) located at the outer side of the roll to the second end (6) located at the axial hollow passageway (3).
  • the continuous web of absorbent material has a first end (5) and a second end (6), wherein the last turns located at the second end (i.e. the web end located at the axial hollow passageway) comprise a coating composition and the continuous web comprises a coating composition that is continuously applied in the machine direction. If the same coating composition comprising the "first polymer" is used, the continuously coated portion which includes the last turn(s) located at the second end defines the coated length portion (in %) based on the entire length of the continuous web (i.e. combined lengths of the first end, the second end and the middle portion which define the entire length of the continuous web of absorbent material forming one individual roll).
  • the continuous web of absorbent material has a first end (5) and a second end (6), wherein the last turns located at the second end (i.e. the web end located at the axial hollow passageway) comprise a coating composition and the continuous web comprises a coating composition that is intermittently applied in the machine direction. If the same coating composition comprising the "first polymer" is used, the combined lengths of the coated last turn(s) located at the second end and the intermittently coated portions define the coated length portion (in %) based on the entire length of the continuous web.
  • the polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms (“second polymer”) comprised in the coating composition, which is applied to the last turn(s) located at the second end is a nonionic polymer and preferably said coating composition is the same as that applied over at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web of absorbent material.
  • the coating composition is applied to the continuous web of absorbent material such that the maximum intersheet adhesion (delamination force) between the coated portions of the continuous web and the portions of the continuous web being in contact therewith is of from 0.3 to 1.7N, preferably 0.4 to 1.5N, e.g. 0.5 to 1.2N.
  • the intersheet adhesion can be determined as indicated in the experimental section.
  • coreless rolls with such superior resiliency properties have not been produced or described before.
  • the inventors have surprisingly found that such products can be provided by applying suitably selected coating compositions/polymers to a certain percentage of the entire length of the absorbent web and by using the coated web for preparing rolls having a suitably selected density as described in further detail in the description and the appended claims.
  • One advantage of these coreless rolls lies in the improved optical appearance of the roll after having been compressed and/or subjected to deformation forces. The greater the resiliency value is, the further the axial hollow passageway will reopen after the deformation/compression force has been released.
  • Coreless rolls with the claimed resiliency values will have substantially the same appearance to the customer before and after compression and do not create the perception of a low-quality product.
  • the coreless roll of the present invention is provided in a compressed form.
  • compressed form means a form in which the roll cross section has an oval shape.
  • the axial hollow passageway adopts a narrow oval shape (with full compression the shape of a narrow oval slit) and may no longer able to receive the spindle of a roll holder.
  • the roll requires less space and storage and transport costs can be reduced.
  • the coreless roll of the present invention is able to automatically return from the compressed form (oval) to a substantially uncompressed form (cylindrical or only slightly oval) even if no pressure is applied along the longer side (diameter) of the oval-shaped roll, i.e. perpendicular to the axis of the roll.
  • a coating composition comprising a (preferably nonionic) polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms is applied to at least the last turn located at the second end of the continuous web, and a coating composition comprising a nonionic polymer, including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms, is applied to at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web in the machine direction.
  • non-ionic polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms applied to at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web also referred to as "first polymer”
  • second polymer the polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms applied to at least the last turn located at the second end
  • At least the last turn located at the second end comprises the same coating composition as applied over at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web.
  • the following applies the following applies.
  • the coating composition usable in the present invention preferably comprises:
  • the coating composition consists of these ingredients in the stated amounts.
  • the coating composition consists of a nonionic polymer which preferably has a melting point greater than 20°C, more preferably greater than 30°C, more preferably greater than 40°C as determined by a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA, material pocket with single cantilever bending geometry) based on the tan ⁇ response, the measurement being run from -120°C to 75°C, with a gradient of 3°C per minute and a frequency of 1.0 Hz.
  • DMA dynamic mechanical analyzer
  • One example for such non-ionic polymers are the polyether polyols described in more detail below.
  • the coating composition can be applied to the continuous web of absorbent material (in particular its "second end") in a molten state after heating to a temperature at or above the specified melting point, e.g. by spraying, controlled fiberization, roll-coating, slot-die application or any other suitable application method known in the art.
  • the coating composition can be applied as an aqueous solution.
  • aqueous solution of the coating composition preferably contains the nonionic polymer in a total amount of at least 0.1 wt.-%, preferably at least 0.5 wt.-%, more preferably at least 1 wt.-% based on the total weight of the aqueous solution.
  • Further additives such as plasticizers, reinforcing agents, fragrance, dyes etc. may also be present.
  • the preferred contents thereof explained above in connection with component (b) can also be employed (but refer to the total dry content of the aqueous solution).
  • Water is preferably present in an amount which is greater than 50 wt.-%, and more preferably in an amount greater than 65 wt.-%, more preferably greater than 80 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution.
  • This aqueous solution of the coating composition can be applied as it is, preferably at room temperature, to the continuous web of absorbent material, e.g. by spraying, controlled fiberization, roll-coating, or any other suitable application method known in the art.
  • the continuous web of absorbent material can be dried, for instance by longer storage at ambient conditions or other suitable techniques known in the art. Depending on the water content, such drying step may also be unnecessary since the web of absorbent material itself will remove water from the aqueous solution, thereby leaving behind the coating composition on the web.
  • the coating composition is applied to the last turn(s) located at the second end and/or to the continuous web as an aqueous solution and has an ionic demand of -1000 to +100 ⁇ eq/g, preferably of -500 to +50 ⁇ eq/g, more preferably of -50 to 0 ⁇ eq/g.
  • ionic demand refers to the total surface charges of all dissolved and undissolved substances present in the aqueous solution.
  • the ionic demand can be measured by techniques known in the art such as polyelectrolyte titration.
  • a suitable apparatus for the measurement of the ionic demand is the Particle Charge Detector PCD 03 available from BTG Mütek GmbH, Germany.
  • the coating composition is applied onto at least one of the two sides of the continuous web, i.e. the upper and/or the lower side of the continuous longitudinal web.
  • "Upper” side as used herein, means the side of the continuous web that is oriented towards the outside of the roll when the web is spirally wound.
  • the coating composition is applied onto the "lower side", i.e. the side oriented towards the axial hollow passageway.
  • turns located at the second end for instance one or two (e.g up to three turns) comprise the (preferably non-ionic) polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms, it may be advantageous to apply the coating composition to the "upper side" in order to make sure that the upper side of the individual turns sufficiently adheres to the lower side of the next turn.
  • the coating composition is preferably applied onto the continuous web before it is spirally wound to produce the roll. As a result of winding, the coating composition is applied circumferentially with respect to the axial hollow passageway.
  • the coating composition is preferably applied onto the web such that, with respect to the total length of the web (i.e. the length portion or portions carrying the resulting coating), at least 20%, preferably at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 35%, preferably at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 70%, and in particular at least 80% are coated.
  • the coating composition is preferably applied such that, with respect to the length portion(s) of the continuous web that comprises the coating composition, the area coated by the coating composition (be it a full coating or a partial coating) covers at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% of the total area of said length portion(s).
  • the coating composition can be applied onto the continuous web to provide a full or partial coating.
  • Full coating means a coating that is applied continuously in the machine and the axial (cross) direction. This full coating may include the second end of the web (see e.g. Fig. 5 ).
  • the coating composition such as to provide a full coating on the coated length portion of the web. This means that, with respect to the length portion of the continuous web that comprises the coating composition, the area coated by the coating composition is 100%.
  • such full coating includes the last turn(s) of the second end of the continuous web.
  • the same coating composition is used for coating the last turn(s) at the second end as well as the desired length portion (e.g. 20% or 40%) of the continuous web, the remaining portion (80% or 60%) remains uncoated.
  • the coating composition is applied continuously in machine direction, it is preferred that the resulting coated length portion starts at the second end and includes at least the last turn of the second end.
  • a partial coating occurs for instance if the coating is applied to the web intermittently in the machine and/or axial direction.
  • the coating composition can be applied onto the web so as to form predetermined coating patterns.
  • the applied pattern of coating composition is symmetrically and centrally arranged with respect to the symmetry axis running parallel to the machine direction (which divides the absorbent web in two equal hypothetical halves).
  • the predetermined coating pattern may form coherent (e.g. stripes, lines, or waves) or separate deposits (e.g. dots, squares, circles or any other geometric shape).
  • the coating composition is applied continuously in the machine direction but intermittently in the axial direction, i.e. it does not cover the entire (axial) cross section.
  • This can for instance be achieved by applying a wide stripe ("band") of coating composition over the desired length of the entire continuous web.
  • This wide stripe of coating composition is preferably symmetrically and centrally arranged with respect to symmetry axis running parallel to the machine direction.
  • the area coated by this wide stripe of coating composition preferably covers at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% of the total area of the coated length portion(s).
  • the coating is applied continuously in the axial (cross) direction, but intermittently in the machine direction, e.g. in the form of parallel stripes running in the axial direction, i.e. from one edge of the roll to the other edge, or in the form of several coated areas alternating with uncoated areas as shown for instance in Fig. 4 .
  • the total length proportion of coated areas needs to be calculated.
  • the total length of the continuous web is 20m and altogether 4 portions each having a length of 2 m (one of these portions including the last turn(s) located at the second end) have been coated (with a coating composition comprising a non-ionic polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms, i.e. the first polymer), altogether 40% of the entire length of the continuous web comprise the coating composition.
  • one coated portion includes at least the last turn of the second end.
  • the total amount of nonionic polymer applied to the half of the continuous web including the second end is equal to or greater than the total amount of nonionic polymer applied to the half of the continuous web including the first end.
  • the difference may for instance be at least 10%, at least 20%, or at least 50%.
  • condition (ii) applies in particular to those embodiments wherein not essentially the full length of the continuous web comprises the coating compositions but only a part thereof, e.g. 20 to 80%.
  • the coating is applied intermittently in the machine and axial (cross) direction, e.g. in the form of parallel stripes crossing each other.
  • the coating is applied intermittently in the form of dots as shown in Fig. 6 .
  • the dots can form a regular or irregular pattern, as results e.g. from spraying, fiberizing or roll-coating.
  • the area coated by the partial coating covers at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90% of the total area of the coated length portion(s).
  • Fig. 6 for instance shows a partial coating which covers essentially 100% of the length portion of the continuous web comprising the coating composition.
  • first polymer One function of the non-ionic polymer (“first polymer") applied to at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web is to provide the same with resiliency. At the same time, if applied to at least the last turn of the second end, the first polymer is also effective in adhering the absorbent web material of one turn to the web material of the adjacent turn(s). This ensures that the second end of the coreless roll is stabilized and prevents the last turn(s) from peeling off and collapsing.
  • At least the last turn located at the second end of the continuous web comprises a coating composition which comprise an ionic (anionic or cationic) or nonionic polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms ("second polymer").
  • Second polymer Polymer comprising oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms
  • the "second polymer” can be selected from ionic (anionic or cationic) polymers and non-ionic polymers.
  • the coating composition is applied to less than five turns, more preferably less than three turns, counting from and including the last turn located at the second end. Furthermore, it is preferred that the total amount of coating composition (solid content) per roll is less than 0.05 g, preferably less than 0.03 g.
  • this non-ionic polymer is preferably the same as used for coating at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web.
  • the second polymer and the first polymer are identical and preferably the coating composition applied to at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web is identical to the coating composition used for coating at least the last turn located at the second end.
  • Nonionic polymer comprising oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms
  • first polymer Nonionic polymer comprising oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms
  • a coating composition comprising a (preferably nonionic) polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms is applied to at least the last turn located at the second end of the continuous web of absorbent material and a coating composition comprising a nonionic polymer including oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms is applied to at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web in the machine direction.
  • first polymer the nonionic polymer
  • the application of the coating composition comprising the nonionic polymer to at least 20% of the entire length of the absorbent web surprisingly leads to superior resiliency (and thus also appropriate flexibility and elasticity) but also sufficient stiffness (and thus also resistance to collapsing) and a suitable delamination force.
  • Polymers can be divided into two categories, namely ionic polymers and nonionic polymers.
  • Polymers of the ionic type contain substituents that are electrically charged, whereas polymers of the nonionic type carry electrically neutral substituents.
  • the polymers used in the present invention are preferably of the nonionic type.
  • the nonionic polymers used herein include oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms. Without being bond to any theory, it is believed that the nonionic polymers used herein promote adequate electrostatic interactions, in particular the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, e.g. hydrogen bonds between nonionic polymer and absorbent material (for instance cellulosic fibers) as well as hydrogen bonds between individual molecules of nonionic polymer, and intramolecular hydrogen bonds, e.g. electrostatic interactions occurring between oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms and hydrogen atoms within different parts of one polymer molecule.
  • intermolecular hydrogen bonds e.g. hydrogen bonds between nonionic polymer and absorbent material (for instance cellulosic fibers)
  • intramolecular hydrogen bonds e.g. electrostatic interactions occurring between oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms and hydrogen atoms within different parts of one polymer molecule.
  • the nonionic polymer used herein comprises at least one repeating unit comprising one or more oxygen and/or one or more nitrogen atoms, for instance 1 to 5 oxygen and/or 1 to 5 nitrogen atoms, in particular 1 to 3 oxygen and/or 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, e.g. 1 to 3 oxygen atoms.
  • repeating unit also sometimes referred to as “repeat unit” or “monomer unit” refers in particular to one or more parts (units) of the polymer whose repetition produces the complete polymer chain by linking the repeating units together successively along the chain, with the exception of possible structural modifications at the end groups.
  • the nonionic polymer comprises at least one repeating unit comprising one or more ether oxygen atoms and/or one or more hydroxyl groups.
  • At least 50%, preferably at least 80% of all repeating units constituting the nonionic polymer (and thus the complete polymer chain with the exception of the end groups) comprise one or more oxygen and/or one or more nitrogen atoms, preferably one or more ether oxygen atoms and/or one or more hydroxyl groups and/or one or more amino groups, more preferably one or more ether groups and/or one or more hydroxyl groups.
  • the nonionic polymer exhibits a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 40g/l, preferably 200g/l, in particular 500g/l.
  • the solubility of the nonionic polymer in water ensures that the absorbent sheet product of the present invention (in particular toilet paper, etc.) has good flushability. Due to the fairly high solubility of the nonionic polymer it dissolves upon contact with water in the sewage system, or at least quickly forms a dispersion. As a result, sewage systems can be effectively prevented from clogging up.
  • the coreless roll which are normally not disposed via the sewage system, such as napkins, towels, e.g. household towels, kitchen towels or hand towels, toilet papers, wipes and facial tissues, this feature is not required but preferred.
  • biodegradable non-ionic polymers are also preferred.
  • the amount of nonionic polymer in the coating composition is set such that a total amount of from 0.001 to 40 g/roll, preferably 0.005 to 10 g/roll, more preferably 0.005 to 5 g/roll, more preferably 0.01 to 2 g/roll, more preferably 0.1 to 1.5g/roll it applied to the web.
  • the amount of nonionic polymer is to be understood as the total amount of nonionic polymer (first polymer") applied to the continuous web.
  • the amount of nonionic polymer applied to the continuous web is less than 0.001 g/roll, the desired properties in terms of stiffness and resistance to collapsing may not be fully developed.
  • the amount of nonionic polymer applied to the continuous web is greater than 40 g/roll, the roll exhibits a high stiffness and resistance to collapsing, but manufacturing costs may become high.
  • the nonionic polymer used herein is a nonionic cellulose ether, which can be described as follows.
  • Cellulose ethers are polymers derived from cellulose, which are formed by substituting (fully or partially) the hydroxyl groups of cellulose.
  • the use of one etherification agent (alkylating agent) in the substitution process results in a simple cellulose ether, whereas using different kinds of agents leads to mixed cellulose ethers (mixed ethers).
  • the extent of substitution is described as the degree of substitution (DS) defined as the average number of hydroxyl groups substituted per anhydroglucose unit.
  • the DS can vary between >0 and 3. If an etherification (alkylating) agent such as an alkylene oxide etherification agent is used, a new hydroxyl group can be generated, and can further react to give oligomeric chains.
  • the extent of substitution is described as the molar substitution (MS) defined as the average number of moles of etherification agent combined per mole of anhydroglucose unit.
  • the degree of substitution (DS) and the molar substitution (MS) of (ionic or nonionic) cellulose ethers can be determined by techniques known in the art, e.g. by 13 C NMR or by the Zeisel gas chromatography (Zeisel-GC) method as described by Hodges et al. in Anal. Chem., 1979, 51(13), 2172-2176 .
  • Cellulose ethers are divided into two categories, namely ionic cellulose ethers and nonionic cellulose ethers.
  • Cellulose ethers of the ionic type e.g. sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)
  • CMC carboxymethyl cellulose
  • cellulose ethers of the nonionic type e.g. methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose etc.
  • the cellulose ethers to be used in the present invention are of the nonionic type.
  • nonionic cellulose ethers provide a fine-tuned degree of adhesion between the coating composition and the elongated absorbent material (continuous web).
  • the delamination force can be maintained in an acceptable range, and hence it is possible to use the elongated absorbent material on its whole length, i.e. up to the last sheet.
  • nonionic cellulose ether is to be understood broadly and includes all types of cellulose ethers - e.g. alkyl cellulose ethers, hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers, alkyl hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers, and mixed ethers thereof - provided that they are nonionic.
  • the nonionic cellulose ether has a number-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 2,000,000 e.g. 1,000 to 1,000,000, preferably of 2,000 to 800,000 e.g. 2,000 to 500,000, more preferably of 3,000 to 200,000, more preferably 5,000 to 100,000.
  • the number-average molecular weight of the nonionic cellulose ether used in the present invention can be determined by techniques known in the art, such as Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).
  • the nonionic cellulose ether has a viscosity-average molecular weight of 5,000 to 2,000,000, preferably of 10,000 to 1,500,000, more preferably of 30,000 to 1,000,000.
  • the viscosity-average molecular weight of the nonionic cellulose ether used in the present invention can be determined by techniques known in the art, such as viscometry.
  • the nonionic cellulose ether is an alkyl cellulose ether such as methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose.
  • alkyl cellulose ether we understand a (nonionic) cellulose ether wherein some of the hydroxyl groups of cellulose (at least one hydroxyl group in one individual anhydroglucose unit) are substituted with an alkyl group, i.e. an linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in particular a methyl group, an ethyl group or a propyl group.
  • alkyl cellulose ether in line with the present invention is meant to encompass alkyl cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose as well as their mixed ethers such as hydroxyalkyl methyl celluloses, e.g. hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose.
  • the nonionic cellulose ether is an alkyl cellulose ether selected from methyl cellulose (MC), mixed ethers of MC such as hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose (HBMC), ethyl cellulose (EC), mixed ethers of EC such as hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose (HEEC), hydroxypropyl ethyl cellulose (HPEC) and hydroxybutyl ethyl cellulose (HBEC).
  • the alkyl cellulose ether is MC, EC, or HPMC, more preferably MC or EC.
  • MC as preferably used herein can have a DS of 1.4 to 2.4, preferably of 1.6 to 2.0.
  • HEMC as preferably used herein can have a (methyl) DS of 1.3 to 2.2 and a (hydroxyalkyl) MS of 0.06 to 0.5.
  • HPMC as preferably used herein can have a DS of 1.1 to 2.0 and a MS of 0.1 to 1.0.
  • HBMC as preferably used herein typically has a DS greater than 1.9 and not more than 2.4 and a MS greater than 0.04 and not more than 0.6.
  • EC as preferably used herein can have a (ethyl) DS of 1.0 to 2.5, preferably a DS of 1.1 to 1.5.
  • the nonionic cellulose ether is a hydroxyalkyl cellulose ether such as hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose.
  • hydroxyalkyl cellulose ether means a (nonionic) cellulose ether, wherein some of the hydroxyl groups of cellulose are substituted with a hydroxyalkyl group, e.g. a linear or branched hydroxyalkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as a (2-)hydroxypropyl group or a hydroxyethyl group.
  • the nonionic cellulose ether is a hydroxyalkyl cellulose ether selected from hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and hydroxybutyl cellulose (HBC).
  • HEC hydroxyethyl cellulose
  • HPC hydroxypropyl cellulose
  • HBC hydroxybutyl cellulose
  • HEC hydroxyalkyl cellulose ether
  • HPC HPC
  • MS of 1.0 to 3.8 preferably of 2.0 to 3.6.
  • nonionic cellulose ether in line with the present invention also includes a blend (combination) of at least two, e.g. 2, 3 or 4, different nonionic cellulose ethers, especially a blend of an alkyl cellulose ether and a hydroxyalkyl cellulose ether such as a blend of MC and HPC.
  • the coating composition includes one or more "nonionic cellulose ether" as the sole non-ionic polymer(s) and is in particular free of polyether polyol and/or free of other saccharides than the nonionic cellulose ether.
  • the nonionic polymer used herein is a polyether polyol, preferably a polyether polyol selected from polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof, more preferably polyethylene glycol.
  • the polymer has a number-average molecular weight of 800 to 250000, preferably of 1000 to 50000, more preferably of 1500 to 15000, more preferably of 1500 to 10000, more preferably of 2000 to 7500, e.g. 2500 to 4000.
  • the polymer is polyethylene glycol having a number-average molecular weight of 800 to 250000, preferably of 1000 to 20000, more preferably of 1500 to 10000, more preferably of 2000 to 7500, more preferably of 2500 to 6500, even more preferably of 2500 to 4000.
  • the number-average molecular weight of the polymer used in the present invention can be determined by techniques known in the art, such as Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).
  • the polymer used in the present invention is represented by the following formula (I): wherein, in the above formula, n represents an integer having an average value of 10 to 5000, preferably of 10 to 2500, more preferably of 20 to 1000, more preferably of 30 to 200, more preferably of 50 to 150, or 50 to 100.
  • n represents an integer having an absolute value of 10 to 5000, preferably of 10 to 2500, more preferably of 20 to 1000, more preferably of 30 to 200, more preferably of 50 to 150, or 50 to 100.
  • the coating composition of the present invention may include a plasticizer, for instance a known plasticizer of an ester type.
  • the plasticizer may contribute to the film-forming properties of the coating composition. It is selected such as to be compatible with the polymer described above.
  • the coating composition of the present invention is free of plasticizer.
  • plasticizer may be used on its own or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the content of the plasticizer in the coating composition of the present invention is preferably no greater than 20 wt% of the total solids content concentration, more preferably no greater than 10 wt%, yet more preferably no greater than 5 wt%.
  • the coating composition of the present invention may include a strengthening agent.
  • the coating composition of the present invention is free of strengthening chemical additives, such as strength resins, for instance free of the water-soluble cationic or anionic polymers described below.
  • the coating composition includes a strengthening agent, a water-soluble cationic polymer, and/or a water soluble anionic polymer as known in the art can be used.
  • composition of the present invention may comprise as appropriate various types of known additives as long as the effects of the present invention are not inhibited.
  • examples include a fragrance, a colorant, a surfactant, an anti-scaling agent, and an anti-bacterial agent as well as inorganic or organic fillers.
  • One type thereof may be used on its own or two or more types may be used in combination.
  • the coreless roll of the present invention has many applications in the field of sanitary or domestic absorbent products.
  • the roll of the present invention can be an absorbent sheet product chosen among the group comprising napkins, towels such as kitchen towels or hand towels, toilet paper, wipes and facial tissues.
  • the absorbent sheet product is made of a continuous web of absorbent material having a first end and a second end, which consists of at least one ply of base tissue paper with typical basis weight of from 8 to 60 g/m 2 , preferably 10 to 30 g/m 2 .
  • the continuous web of absorbent material is a single ply web made of tissue paper or a multiple-ply web made of e.g. 2 to 5 superposed tissue paper plies.
  • the one-ply base tissues are combined in a converting step to the final ply count, which may be from e.g. 2 to 5 depending on the targeted properties of the final product.
  • the total basis weight of the resulting multiple-ply web preferably does not exceed 120 g/m 2 , and more preferably is lower than 65 g/m 2 , e.g. lower than 55 g/m 2 .
  • the second end of the continuous web is coated with the coating composition of the present invention (i.e. one comprising a polymer as described above) and spirally wound to achieve a roll of absorbent sheet product, such as a toilet paper roll.
  • the coating composition can be applied onto the second end by using techniques known in the art. "Spraying” and “roll-coating” belong to these well-known techniques.
  • the coating composition is applied onto at least one of the two sides of the continuous web, i.e. the upper and/or the lower side of the continuous longitudinal web, or between the base tissue paper plies forming the web.
  • the coating composition can be applied onto one or both sides of one or more plies, e.g. onto all the plies.
  • the coating composition is applied onto one of the outer plies of the web, preferably onto the outer ply which is oriented towards the axial hollow passageway in the finished absorbent sheet product (i.e. the outer ply which is the one closest to the axial hollow passageway).
  • the outer ply can be coated on one or both sides, preferably on its lower side, i.e. the side oriented towards the axial hollow passageway.
  • the absorbent sheet product of the present invention is preferably selected from napkins, towels such as kitchen towels or hand towels, toilet paper, wipes and facial tissues.
  • napkins towels such as kitchen towels or hand towels
  • toilet paper wipes and facial tissues.
  • toilet paper we understand a soft and strong base tissue paper, which is used to clean the posterior after using the toilet (sometimes also referred to as “bathroom tissue”).
  • the present invention also relates to the use of the coreless roll as toilet paper, household towel, kitchen towel, wipe, facial or napkin.
  • the absorbent sheet product is a toilet paper composed of 2 to 5 superposed tissue paper plies, e.g. 2 to 4 tissue paper plies, in which the coating composition is applied onto at least one outer ply of the continuous web, preferably on the lower side of the outer ply closest to the axial hollow passageway.
  • the dimensions of the coreless roll of the present invention are not limited and depend greatly on the targeted absorbent sheet product.
  • An individual roll can for instance have a diameter (edge diameter) of from 5 cm to 50 cm, preferably from 8 cm to 20 cm (e.g. 100mm to 155mm).
  • the axial hollow passageway can have a diameter of from 10 mm to 70 mm, preferably from 20 to 50 mm.
  • the width of the roll i.e. distance between one edge to another edge
  • the continuous web of absorbent material forming the absorbent sheet product preferably has a total length in the machine direction of from 1 m to 60 m, preferably from 1.5 m to 50 m, e.g. 2 m to 40 m.
  • the web can be partially severed in the machine direction such that it consists of consecutive single but coherent sheets.
  • a single sheet can have a length (in the machine direction) of from 80 mm to 300 mm, e.g. 100 mm to 250 mm, especially of from 100 mm to 200 mm.
  • a coreless roll of an absorbent sheet product made of a spirally wound continuous web of absorbent material having a first end and a second end, the web of absorbent material being wound such as to define an axial hollow passageway centrally positioned relative to the coreless roll and extending from one edge to another edge of the coreless roll and such that the first end is located on the outer side of the roll and the second end is located at the axial hollow passageway;
  • the coreless roll comprises all of the features (a.) to (f.). It should be noted that, where the present description teaches that features in the above feature combination can be replaced by broader or narrower ranges or broader or narrower terms/definitions, this results in further embodiments of the present invention.
  • the present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of a coreless roll as described before and below, the process comprising:
  • the aforementioned process for the manufacture of a coreless roll further comprises: (F) subjecting the coreless roll to compression in a direction perpendicular to the axial hollow passageway to produce a coreless roll in a compressed form.
  • the coreless roll of the present invention can be manufactured by using a commercially available converting machine.
  • a suitable converting machine is available, for example, from the Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), Europe.
  • the process for the manufacture of a coreless roll comprises the steps of:
  • the continuous web of absorbent material (19) to be used in the present invention consists of one or more plies of base tissue paper having a basis weight of from 8 to 60 g/m 2 , preferably from 10 to 30 g/m 2 .
  • the base tissue paper is typically provided as large parent rolls (15) and (16) having a width of from 1,80 m to 7 m as obtained from the tissue machine.
  • the parent rolls (15) and (16) are mounted on the unwinding units (10) and (11) of converting machine (9).
  • the number of parent rolls to be used corresponds to the ply count in the targeted absorbent sheet product.
  • two parent rolls (15) and (16) each providing one ply of bathroom tissue (18A) and (18B) are employed to produce a two-ply toilet paper roll (1).
  • the plies (18A) and (18B) are fed from the unwinding units (10) and (11) to an embossing unit (12), in which the plies are superposed and combined (associated) in order to produce a continuous web of absorbent material (19).
  • the embossing unit includes an engraved cylinder (20) and a mating rubber cylinder (21), both rotating in opposite directions, and optionally a glue dispenser (not shown).
  • the engraved cylinder can be engraved with a microstructure pattern combining various embossing tips.
  • the engraved cylinder can perform a simple- or a double-level engraving into the superposed plies.
  • the glue dispenser typically includes a vat (a reservoir for glue), an applicator cylinder and a dipping cylinder.
  • the applicator cylinder abuts the superposed base tissue plies against the engraved cylinder.
  • the dipping cylinder (not shown) picks up the adhesive in the vat and transfers the adhesive to the applicator cylinder (not shown).
  • the applicator cylinder is arranged to exercise a determined pressure on the engraved cylinder at the distal area of protuberances of the embossed web. At said determined pressure, the adhesive crosses through the web and bonds the plies.
  • the amount of adhesive used for ply bonding is preferably from 0.1 g/m 2 to 5.0 g/m 2 , preferably from 0.2 g/m 2 to 1.0 g/m 2 .
  • An example of a suitable adhesive for ply bonding is Swift ® tak 1004 available from H.B. Fuller, Europe.
  • the embossing step described above is used to combine plies of base tissue and, also, to emboss or micro-emboss at least one of the plies in order to generate esthetical effects or modify the thickness, the softness, or the suppleness of the resulting continuous web (19).
  • (B) Applying a coating composition to at least the last turn located at the second end of the continuous web and applying a coating composition over at least 20% of the entire length of the continuous web, wherein preferably the coating composition that is applied to the last turn(s) is the same as that applied over the at least 20% of the entire web length, so as to form a full or partial coating.
  • the coating composition(s) is/are applied onto the continuous web (including the last turn(s)) by techniques known in the art. In the present invention, it is possible to use, amongst other techniques, spraying, controlled fiberization or roll-coating.
  • “Spraying”, as used herein, means that the coating composition(s) is/are applied onto the continuous web in the form of a dispersion of fine liquid droplets in a gas (i.e. a spray).
  • a spray is typically formed by using a spray nozzle (spray gun) having a fluid passage that is acted upon by mechanical forces which atomize the liquid.
  • the liquid droplets can have a size of from 1 ⁇ m to 1000 ⁇ m, e.g. 10 ⁇ m to 400 ⁇ m.
  • the converting machine (9) can be equipped with one or more spray guns (23A), e.g. 1 to 8 spray guns, which can be placed at any location of the converting line as long as this is meaningful in view of the desired results (coatings of second end).
  • the spray gun(s) (23A) can be placed before the embossing unit (12) such that the coating composition (22) is applied e.g. onto an outer ply or between the plies.
  • the spray gun(s) (23A) is/are placed between the cutting module (27) and the winding module (28) such that the coating composition(s) (22) is/are applied onto the lower side of an outer ply (as shown in Fig. 7 ).
  • the spraying system includes one or more spray gun(s) (23A), a vat (24) and pipes (25) feeding a coating composition (22) from the vat to the spray gun(s) (23A).
  • the spraying system is equipped with a heating system (e.g. heating jacket, heat guns etc., not shown), which heats the coating composition in the vat (24), pipes (25) and/or gun(s) (23A) such that the composition is maintained in a liquid state during spraying.
  • the heating system can heat the coating composition at a temperature above the melting point of the polymer used in the composition.
  • Spray guns suitable for spraying the coating composition(s) of the present invention are available e.g. from Walther Spritz- und Lackiersysteme GmbH, Germany.
  • Controlled fiberization means that the coating composition(s) is/are applied onto the continuous web in the form of strands (thin filaments) having a controlled or random pattern, e.g. due to a swirling effects.
  • the strands having a controlled or random pattern are typically formed by using a spray applicator which cooperates with a plurality of jets of air that fiberize the stream of coating composition leaving the spray nozzles.
  • Spray applicator(s) suitable for applying the coating composition of the present invention are available e.g. from ITW Dynatec ® GmbH, Germany.
  • the roll-coating system includes dipping cylinder and applicator cylinders (23B), a vat (24) and pipes (25) feeding the coating composition (22) from the vat to the dipping and applicator cylinders (23B).
  • the roll-coating system includes optionally a heating system as described above (not shown).
  • the roll-coating system can be placed at any location of the converting line as long as this is meaningful.
  • the roll-coating system can be placed, for example, on the embossing unit in a manner that the applicator cylinder (23B) abuts against the engraved cylinder (20) or another cylinder (as shown in Fig.8 ).
  • the spray gun(s) (23A) or the roll-coater (23B) can be adjusted to apply a continuous coating in the machine and axial direction or an intermittent coating (e.g. stripes, dots etc.) in the machine and/or axial direction.
  • the coating composition applied to at least the last turn located at the second end of the continuous web and the coating composition applied to at least 20% of the entire web length can be applied by using different techniques (if different coating compositions are used). For instance, the coating composition applied to the last turn(s) can be applied by roll-coating, whereas the coating composition applied over the at least 20% of the entire web length can be applied by spraying.
  • the continuous web (19) is fed from the embossing unit (12) to the rewinding unit (13) in which the web (19) is spirally wound so as to produce a log of web of absorbent material (34).
  • the rewinding unit (13) includes a perforating module (26), a cutting module (27), a winding module (28) and an extraction module (33). The rewinding unit (13) winds the continuous web (19) into multiple logs (34).
  • the winding module (28) is arranged to wind the continuous web (19) so as to produce logs of web (34).
  • the winding module (28) can be of the peripheral type (center winding) or the surface type (surface winding).
  • the winding module includes a rolling surface (29), a first winding roller (30), a second winding roller (31), a third winding roller (32), and a temporary core supplier (not shown).
  • the log is formed by winding the continuous web onto a temporary core (36) which maintains a well-defined axial hollow passageway.
  • the temporary cores (36) are sequentially provided by the core supplier through the rolling surface (29) before the beginning of a new log production cycle.
  • the temporary core (36) can be made, for example, of plastic or cardboard.
  • a "fugitive glue" pick-up glue
  • pick-up glue can be used to pick up the second end of the web (19) onto the temporary core (36) at the beginning of a new production cycle.
  • the log (34) is maintained in position during the winding by the first, second and third winding rollers (30), (31) and (32) rotating in surface contact with the log (34).
  • One of the winding rollers (30), (31) and (32) may impose a rotation movement to the log (surface winding).
  • the continuous web (19) is cut.
  • the produced log (34) is separated from the web (19) and subsequently the production of a new log begins.
  • the cutting unit (27) is arranged to cut the web according to regularly spaced cutting lines substantially transversally to the machine direction.
  • the cutting of the web occurs at a transition phase, namely when a first log is finished at the end of a log production cycle, and before a second subsequent log starts being wound at the beginning of a new log production cycle.
  • the cutting lines are lines in the axial direction made in the thickness of the web (19). Two consecutive cutting lines define the total web length forming one roll. The space between two consecutive cutting lines, i.e. the roll length, is determined depending on the target product. Typically, roll length and roll diameter are selected depending on e.g. the number of plies forming the web, the basis weight of the individual plies etc.
  • An individual roll of absorbent sheet product can have a total web length in the machine direction of from 1 m to 60 m, preferably from 1.5 m to 50 m, e.g. 2 m to 40 m.
  • the produced log (34) is then provided to the extraction module (33), which is arranged to extract the temporary cores (36) from the log (34) after the winding of a log is completed.
  • the temporary cores (36) may be recycled after extraction by the core supplier.
  • the produced log can be subjected to drying. Subsequently, the produced log is separated from the web of absorbent material prior to extraction of the temporary core. The produced log can also be subjected to drying after extraction of the temporary core.
  • the produced log is preferably dried until the tissue paper forming the log contains an amount of water which does not exceed 10% of the total weight of the log, preferably 5% of the total weight of the log.
  • the produced log can be dried by storing the log at room temperature (20°C to 25°C) and RH (relative humidity) of 10 to 60% for a period of 12 hours.
  • the web (19) Before the continuous web (19) is spirally wound by the winding module (29) as described above, the web (19) reaches the perforating module (26), if any, which is arranged to provide the web (19) with regularly spaced perforation lines (8) substantially transversally to the machine direction, i.e. in the axial direction, so as to produce single but coherent sheets (as shown in Figs. 3 , 4a and 4b).
  • a perforation line (8) is a line in the axial direction made in the thickness of the web (19) and comprising alternating perforated segments and unperforated segments (i.e. two perforated segments being separated by one unperforated segment or vice-versa).
  • Each unperforated segment forms an attachment area between two consecutive portions of the continuous web.
  • Each perforated segment forms a detachment area between two consecutive portions of the continuous web.
  • the length of said unperforated/perforated segments can be from 1 mm to 15 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 10 mm.
  • Other kinds of perforation lines are also possible as long as this is meaningful.
  • Two consecutive perforation lines (8) define the individual sheet length in the finished absorbent sheet product.
  • the space between two consecutive perforation lines, i.e. the sheet length, is determined depending on the target product.
  • a single sheet can have a length in the machine direction of from 80 mm to 300 mm. e.g. 100 mm to 250 mm.
  • a sheet of bathroom tissue can have a length of from 80 mm to 200 mm and a towel such as a household (kitchen) towel or hand towel can have a length of from 80 mm to 300 mm.
  • the log (34) is provided to the log cutting unit (14), in which the log (34) is cut parallel to the machine direction by multiple log saws (35) into multiple individual rolls (1).
  • the multiple log saws (35) are regularly spaced in the axial direction such that the log (34) is cut into multiple individual rolls (1) having a determined width in the axial direction (i.e. distance from one edge to another edge).
  • the width of an individual roll (1) is from 60 mm to 800 mm, preferably from 70 mm to 400 mm, e.g. 80 mm to 150 mm.
  • a control module (37) is coupled to the winding module (28), to the perforating module (26), to the cutting module (27) and to the spraying, fiberization or roll-coating system by means of an interface (38).
  • the control module (37) controls the operation of the winding module (28), the perforating module (26) and the cutting module (27).
  • the control module (37) controls the force applied to the continuous web during the winding process (thus allowing to achieve the desired roll density), activates the cutting module (27) to sever the web (19) at a transition phase between two consecutive logs, and controls the operation of the perforating module (26) out of transition phases.
  • control module (37) controls the operation of the spraying, fiberization or roll-coating system, namely the appropriate application (spraying, fiberizing or roll coating) of the coating composition onto the second end of the continuous web (19).
  • the appropriate application of the coating composition onto the second end can be controlled by sending e.g. start/stop signals to the application system, which are determined based on the length of the target product and the machine parameters, e.g. running speed.
  • rollers (17) are appropriately positioned in order to control the path of the continuous web (19) along the converting machine (9), within and between the various units.
  • compression means that a pressure is applied on the roll in a direction perpendicular to the axial hollow passageway so as to produce a roll having an oval cross section, which requires less storage space. Roll compression occurs preferably immediately after winding has been terminated.
  • An appropriate device known in the art can be used to operate the compression. In the present invention, it is possible to use for example the two converging synchronically driven conveyor bands described in WO 95/13183 , a pneumatic or hydraulic pressing plate, or other devices.
  • the basis weight was determined according to EN ISO 12625-6:2005, Tissue Paper and Tissue Products, Part 6: Determination of grammage.
  • the measurement is made by a precision micrometer (precision 0.001 mm) according to a modified method based on EN ISO 12625-3:2014, Part 3. For this purpose, the distance created between a fixed reference plate and a parallel pressure foot is measured.
  • the diameter of the pressure foot is 35.7 ⁇ 0.1 mm (10.0 cm 2 nominal area).
  • the pressure applied is 2.0 kPa ⁇ 0.1 kPa.
  • the pressure foot is movable at a speed rate of 2.0 ⁇ 0.2 mm/s.
  • a usable apparatus is a thickness meter type L & W SE050 (available from Lorentzen & Wettre, Europe).
  • the tissue paper product to be measured is cut into pieces of 20 x 25 cm and conditioned in an atmosphere of 23°C, 50 % RH (Relative Humidity) for at least 12 hours.
  • one sheet is placed beneath the pressure plate which is then lowered.
  • the thickness value for the sheet is then read off 5 seconds after the pressure has been stabilized.
  • the thickness measurement is then repeated nine times with further samples treated in the same manner.
  • the mean value of the 10 values obtained is taken as thickness of one sheet ("one-sheet caliper") of the tissue paper product (e.g. a three-ply toilet paper) measured.
  • the measurement is made by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) using a PL-GPC 50 Integrated GPC/SEC System equipped with a PL aquagel-OH MIXED 8 ⁇ m column 7.5 x 300 mm (both available from Agilent Technologies, Europe).
  • the GPC system was calibrated using a pullulan polysaccharide calibration kit available from Agilent Technologies (for methyl cellulose) or, depending on the polymer to be measured, with a suitable calibration kit such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose calibration kits all available from American Polymer Standards Corporation or a PEG-10 EasiVial calibration kit available from Agilent Technologies.
  • a sample of the polymer to be measured was dissolved in water at a concentration of 2 mg/mL.
  • the sample was injected (injection volume: 100 ⁇ L) and run at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a temperature of 50°C using an aqueous buffer solution 0.05M NaH 2 PO 4 , 0.25M NaCl pH 7 (for cellulose ethers) or water (for polyether polyols) as the eluent.
  • the retention time (min) of the polymer was recorded as a peak.
  • the number-average molecular weight of the polymer was determined by comparing the recorded retention time with that of standard (calibration) polymers.
  • the measurement can be conducted as follows by viscometry using an Ubbelodhe capillary viscometer equipped with a capillary having an internal diameter of 0.63 mm (both available from SI Analytics, Europe).
  • the viscometer is suspended in a thermostatic bath for 30 minutes at a temperature of (25 ⁇ 0.1)°C.
  • the flow time (the time taken for the sample solution to flow between the two calibrated marks) is measured.
  • the measurement is repeated five times and the mean value of the five values obtained is taken as flow time of the sample solution.
  • the same measurement is reproduced with a sample of water (without cellulose ether).
  • the Hagenbach-Couette corrections (as provided by SI Analytics) were subtracted from the measured flow times.
  • the intrinsic viscosity ⁇ can be determined graphically by plotting the relative viscosity (y-axis) against the sample concentration (x-axis) and extrapolating the theoretical straight line backwards to zero concentration (the line cuts the y-axis at the height of the intrinsic viscosity).
  • M ⁇ v ⁇ K ⁇
  • the measurement was made by a vertical dynamometer equipped with a 2.5kN cell.
  • a usable apparatus is a dynamometer type ZwickiLine Z1.0 (available from Zwick Roell, Europe).
  • a roll was placed vertically between the pressure plates (on one of the two flat edges), and pressure was applied in a direction parallel to the axis of the hollow passageway.
  • the roll was compressed between the plates at a constant speed of 60 mm/min.
  • the compression force was measured and plotted against the displacement of the cell (y-axis: compression force; x-axis: cell displacement).
  • the correlation between compression force and cell displacement was determined by linear regression in the elastic domain of the graph. The slope of the linear regression line was taken as the axial stiffness of the roll.
  • the measurement was repeated four times with further samples (toilet paper rolls from the same production batch), and the mean value of the five values obtained was taken as the axial stiffness K ax of the roll.
  • the measurement is made by a vertical dynamometer (Zwickiline Z1.0) equipped with a 200N cell.
  • a roll was placed horizontally between the pressure plates (on the round edge), and pressure was applied in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the hollow passageway.
  • the roll was compressed between the plates at a constant speed of 60 mm/min.
  • the compression force was measured and plotted against the displacement of the cell (y-axis: compression force; x-axis: cell displacement).
  • the correlation between compression force and cell displacement was determined by linear regression in the elastic domain of the.
  • the slope of the linear regression line was taken as the radial stiffness of the roll.
  • the measurement was repeated four times with further samples (toilet paper rolls from the same production batch), and the mean value of the five values obtained is taken as the radial stiffness K rad of the roll.
  • the measurement is made by a vertical dynamometer (Zwickiline Z1.0) equipped with a 2.5KN cell. The time was taken by a standard stopwatch timer.
  • a roll was placed horizontally between the pressure plates (dimensions: 190x190x15mm), and the upper plate is lowered until the detected force is (0 ⁇ 0.1)N.
  • the distance between the two pressure plates was measured and taken as the initial height H(i) of the roll.
  • the height of the roll H(30s) was measured.
  • the resiliency measurement was repeated four times with further roll samples, and the mean value of the five values obtained was taken as resiliency of the roll measured.
  • the measurement is made by a vertical dynamometer (39) (ZwickiLine Z1.0) equipped with a shaft assembly (40)-(43), a jaw (45) and a 50N cell (not shown) as depicted in Figures 9a, 9b and 9c .
  • the first inner turns of a coreless roll to be measured (44) were inserted on the upper shaft (41) of the shaft assembly, the outermost paper sheet was unwound and placed on the shaft assembly as shown in Figure 9a , and the outermost paper sheet was inserted into the jaw (45).
  • the turns were unwound at a constant speed of 300 mm/min.
  • the delamination force needed for separating the paper sheets forming the turns was measured and plotted as a function of the displacement of the cell. The maximal force and the average force required to delaminate the sample were recorded within the displacement interval. The delamination force measurement was then repeated four times with further samples.
  • the mean value of the 5 values of the maximal force obtained is taken as the delamination force of the coated continuous web.
  • the measurement can be conducted as follows by polyelectrolyte titration using a particle charge detector PCD 03 pH available from BTG Mütek GmbH, Germany.
  • a sample solution of the polymer in water is prepared (e.g. 0.1 wt.-%) and transferred to the particle charge detector.
  • the disintegrability can be determined according to NF Q34-20:1998, Sanitary and Domestic Articles - Bathroom Tissue - Determination of Disintegration.
  • the test can be conducted by a vertical dynamometer (ZwickiLine Z1.0) equipped with a 1kN cell.
  • a roll is placed horizontally (on the round edge) between the pressure plates.
  • the roll is compressed between the pressure plates at a constant speed of 400 mm/min until an oval cross section is reached, i.e. the axial passageway is not visible.
  • the roll is maintained in the compressed form for a time of about 10 seconds, and the pressure is released such that the pressure plates can return to their initial position at a speed of 800 mm/min.
  • the compression cycle is repeated 4 times.
  • test is repeated four times with further samples (toilet paper rolls from the same production batch). Collapsing of the roll sample is evaluated by visual inspection of the first inner turns forming the reopened axial hollow passageway.
  • a three-ply base tissue paper (Conventional) having a basis weight of 55.6 g/m 2 and a caliper of 0.62 mm (manufactured by SCA) was used as the continuous web of absorbent material in Reference Examples 1 to 3, Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Examples 1 to 4.
  • the three-ply base tissue paper (continuous web) was prepared with a conventional converting machine by combining a one-ply base tissue paper to the final ply count (3) as follows:
  • a first unwinding unit provided a first ply of base tissue from a first parent roll having a width of 0.6 m.
  • a second unwinding unit provided a second ply of base tissue from a second parent roll having a width of 0.6 m.
  • a third unwinding unit provided a third ply of base tissue from a third parent roll having a width of 0.6 m.
  • the plies of base tissue were fed to an embossing unit.
  • the base tissues were superposed and combined (associated) using an adhesive in the embossing unit in order to form a continuous web of absorbent material.
  • the engraved cylinder performed a double-level engraving into the superposed absorbent log base webs.
  • the adhesive used for ply bonding was Swift ® tak 1004 in an amount of 0.5 g/m 2 .
  • the resulting three-ply continuous web of absorbent material was fed to a rewinding unit.
  • a conventional tissue paper converting machine was adapted to make a toilet paper having three plies.
  • the machine involved two unwinding units, an embossing unit, a rewinding unit, and a log cutting unit.
  • the embossing unit comprised an engraved cylinder, a mating rubber cylinder and a glue dispenser.
  • the engraved cylinder was engraved with a microstructure pattern combining various embossing tips.
  • the glue dispenser comprised a vat, an applicator and a dipping cylinder.
  • the rewinding unit comprised a perforating module, a cutting module, a winding module and an extraction module.
  • the perforating module comprised a perforator roll and a stationary anvil roll.
  • the cutting module comprised a cutting roll and a stationary anvil roll.
  • the rewinding unit was furthermore equipped with a spraying system consisting of four spray guns type WA520 (available from Walther Pilot) having a nozzle diameter of 1.5 mm and working under a pressure of 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 bars, a vat and pipes feeding the coating composition from the vat to the spray guns.
  • a spraying system consisting of four spray guns type WA520 (available from Walther Pilot) having a nozzle diameter of 1.5 mm and working under a pressure of 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 bars, a vat and pipes feeding the coating composition from the vat to the spray guns.
  • the spray guns were placed between the cutting module and the winding module such that the coating composition was sprayed on the lower side of the continuous web of absorbent material upstream to a cutting line at the beginning of the log, thus defining the first web end (i.e. the turns of the log/roll close to the axial hollow passageway).
  • the log cutting unit comprised multiple log saws.
  • Various rollers are appropriately positioned in order to control the path of the absorbent log base webs along the converting machine, within and between the various units.
  • the absorbent log base webs travel into the converting machine according to the machine direction (MD) from the unwinding units, towards the embossing unit, towards the rewinding unit and towards the log cutting unit.
  • MD machine direction
  • a control module was coupled to the rewinding module, the perforating module, the cutting module and the spray guns by means of an interface.
  • the control module controlled the operations of the perforating module, the cutting module and the appropriate spraying of the coating composition onto the second end as well as the winding force applied to the continuous web of absorbent material in the rewinding unit.
  • the machine speed was kept throughout the trials at 100 m/min.
  • Reference Example 1 Reference toilet paper with density 93 mg/cm 3 .
  • a three-ply continuous web of absorbent material (basis weight: 55.6 g/m 2 , caliper: 0.62 mm) was produced as described above, conveyed from the embossing unit and fed to the rewinding unit.
  • the continuous web first reached the perforating module, which pinched the web to provide perforation lines transversally orientated relative to the machine direction (MD) and regularly spaced relative to the cross direction (CD).
  • the size of the perforated segment was 4 mm and the size of the unperforated segment was 1 mm.
  • the distance between two perforation lines was 125 mm.
  • the web of absorbent material reached the winding module, in which the web was picked up onto a temporary core (external diameter: 38 mm) using Tissue Tak 604 as "fugitive adhesive".
  • the continuous web (approximate total length of the continuous web: 17500 mm; corresponding to 140 perforated sheets) was then wound onto the core to form a log having a diameter of 120 mm.
  • the produced log was separated from the web of absorbent material by the cutting module, which severed the web transversally relative to the MD.
  • the produced log was stored at 20-22°C, relative humidity of 50% for a period of 12 hours.
  • the temporary core was extracted from the log by the extraction module.
  • the produced log was cut parallel to the MD by multiple log saws into multiple individual rolls having a width of 99 mm.
  • the density of the roll was 93 mg/cm 3 .
  • Reference Example 2 (Reference toilet paper with density 119 mg/cm 3 )
  • a coreless roll was produced in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1 above except that a three-ply continuous web of absorbent material having an approximate total length of 22500 mm (corresponding to 180 perforated sheets) was wound onto the core to form a log having a diameter of 120 mm.
  • the temporary core was extracted from the log by the extraction module, and the log was cut parallel to the MD by multiple log saws into multiple individual rolls having a width of 99 mm.
  • the density of the roll was 119 mg/cm 3 .
  • Reference Example 3 Reference toilet paper with density 149 mg/cm 3 .
  • a coreless roll was produced in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1 above except that a three-ply continuous web of absorbent material having an approximate total length of 28125 mm (corresponding to 225 perforated sheets) was wound onto the core to form a log having a diameter of 120 mm.
  • the temporary core was extracted from the log by the extraction module, and the log was cut parallel to the MD by multiple log saws into multiple individual rolls having a width of 99 mm.
  • the density of the roll was 149 mg/cm 3 .
  • Example 1 (Toilet paper with HPMC and density 93 mg/cm 3 )
  • a coating composition was prepared by dissolving hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) in water at a concentration of 3.7% by weight.
  • HPMC hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose
  • the obtained coating composition was fed to the spray guns and applied at room temperature (22°C).
  • a coreless roll was produced in the same manner as described in the Reference Example 1 above except that, after pinching/severing and before winding the web, the coating composition was applied (sprayed) by means of the spray guns (pressure: 2.5 bars) onto a length of about 3500 mm (i.e. about 20% of the entire web length) upstream from the cutting line.
  • the amount of HPMC applied onto the continuous web was 0.148 g/roll (solid content of HPMC applied to one individual roll, i.e. after cutting the log).
  • the density of the roll was 93 mg/cm 3 .
  • the density of the rolls produced in Examples 2, 3, 4 and 5 was 93 mg/cm 3 .
  • the application length, application pressure and dry polymer amount applied onto the continuous web in Examples 6 and 7 were as indicated in Table 1 below.
  • the density of the rolls produced was 119 mg/cm 3 .
  • the density of the rolls produced was 93 mg/cm 3 and 119 mg/cm 3 , respectively.
  • the application length, application pressure and dry polymer amount applied onto the continuous web in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were as indicated in Table 1 below.
  • the density of the rolls produced was 149 mg/cm 3 .
  • the rolls according to the present invention can be unwound up to the last sheet without tearing apart and/or damaging the sheets (i.e. no occurrence of perforation breakage and/or sheets damage in the delamination force measurement).

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Sanitary Thin Papers (AREA)
  • Paper (AREA)
EP17808569.2A 2017-09-29 2017-09-29 Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same Active EP3688224B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HUE17808569A HUE059203T2 (hu) 2017-09-29 2017-09-29 Magnélküli abszorbens lap tekercs, és eljárás annak elõállítására

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2017/001403 WO2019064044A1 (en) 2017-09-29 2017-09-29 ABSORBENT SHEET-FREE CHUCK ROLL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3688224A1 EP3688224A1 (en) 2020-08-05
EP3688224B1 true EP3688224B1 (en) 2022-06-15

Family

ID=60569949

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17808569.2A Active EP3688224B1 (en) 2017-09-29 2017-09-29 Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US20200277737A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP3688224B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN111148876B (zh)
CO (1) CO2020003129A2 (zh)
EC (1) ECSP20021734A (zh)
ES (1) ES2922998T3 (zh)
HU (1) HUE059203T2 (zh)
MX (1) MX2020003651A (zh)
RU (1) RU2762259C2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2019064044A1 (zh)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200217018A1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-07-09 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
US20200263361A1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-08-20 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CR20230062A (es) * 2020-07-03 2023-06-29 Essity Hygiene & Health Ab Productos de papel tisú, rollos y pilas de productos de papel tisú, y métodos de fabricación
WO2022003380A1 (en) * 2020-07-03 2022-01-06 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless rolls of a tissue paper product and methods of manufacturing coreless rolls
CN115715342B (zh) * 2020-07-03 2024-07-26 易希提卫生与保健公司 绵纸产品的无芯卷及制造无芯卷的方法
CA3131707A1 (en) * 2020-09-24 2022-03-24 First Quality Tissue, Llc Systems and methods for application of surface chemistry to bath tissue, facial tissue, and paper towel
WO2023126639A1 (en) * 2021-12-29 2023-07-06 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless rolls of a tissue paper product and methods of manufacturing coreless rolls
US20240158194A1 (en) 2022-11-10 2024-05-16 Paper Converting Machine Company Method and Apparatus for Producing Coreless Roll Products

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58200719A (ja) * 1982-05-19 1983-11-22 小林　昌志 トイレツトペ−パロ−ル及びその製造法
SE505508C2 (sv) 1993-11-08 1997-09-08 Moelnlycke Ab Rulle av banformigt material, förfarande för framställning av en sådan samt anordning för utövande av förfarandet
FR2886929B1 (fr) * 2005-06-08 2007-09-14 Georgia Pacific France Soc En Rouleau avec moyen de maintien des spires
US20090057456A1 (en) 2007-08-31 2009-03-05 Thomas Gerard Shannon Rolled Tissue Product Having a Flexible Core
US8535780B2 (en) * 2009-10-06 2013-09-17 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Coreless tissue rolls and method of making the same
JP5871452B2 (ja) * 2010-03-30 2016-03-01 ヘンケルジャパン株式会社 ロール状ペーパー用接着剤及びロール状ペーパー
MX346871B (es) * 2010-03-31 2017-03-24 Procter & Gamble Estructuras fibrosas y métodos para elaborarlas.
RU2670038C1 (ru) * 2015-02-16 2018-10-17 ЭсСиЭй ТИШЬЮ ФРАНС Бесстержневой рулон и способ изготовления

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20200217018A1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-07-09 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
US20200263361A1 (en) * 2017-09-29 2020-08-20 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20200277737A1 (en) 2020-09-03
RU2020114748A (ru) 2021-10-29
RU2762259C2 (ru) 2021-12-17
ECSP20021734A (es) 2020-05-29
CN111148876A (zh) 2020-05-12
ES2922998T3 (es) 2022-09-22
HUE059203T2 (hu) 2022-10-28
EP3688224A1 (en) 2020-08-05
CO2020003129A2 (es) 2020-05-29
CN111148876B (zh) 2022-08-26
RU2020114748A3 (zh) 2021-10-29
WO2019064044A1 (en) 2019-04-04
MX2020003651A (es) 2020-08-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3688224B1 (en) Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
US10213066B2 (en) Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
EP3688226B1 (en) Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
EP3688225B1 (en) Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same
EP3289139B1 (en) Tissue paper comprising pulp fibers originating from miscanthus and method for manufacturing the same
EP2461968B1 (en) Fibrous sheet that disintegrates in water, process for manufacturing said fibrous sheet, core consisting of strips of said fibrous sheet
US11633076B2 (en) Sanitary tissue product rolls
US20200131707A1 (en) Sanitary Tissue Product Rolls
EP3436087B1 (en) Coreless roll of absorbent sheet and method for manufacturing the same

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20200318

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20210428

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20220110

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FI

Ref legal event code: FGE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602017058574

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: RO

Ref legal event code: EPE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1498481

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220715

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2922998

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20220922

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20220615

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HU

Ref legal event code: AG4A

Ref document number: E059203

Country of ref document: HU

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220915

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220916

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220915

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1498481

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221017

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20221015

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602017058574

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20230316

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20220930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220929

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220929

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20220930

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Payment date: 20230828

Year of fee payment: 7

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20230810

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Payment date: 20230815

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20231009

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20220615

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20240926

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240926

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240924

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240925

Year of fee payment: 8