GB2377204A

GB2377204A - Multi-ply tissue product

Info

Publication number: GB2377204A
Application number: GB0116598A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Urban Widlund; Emmanuelle Morin; Anders Gustafsson
Original assignee: SCA Hygiene Products GmbH
Current assignee: Essity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2001-07-06
Filing date: 2001-07-06
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Also published as: WO2003004257A1; EP1404511A1; GB0116598D0

Abstract

A multi-ply tissue product having several plies (2, 3, 4, 5), is made by at least one folding (a; b; c) of at least one ply sheet (P) of tissue material in order to reduce the possibilities of delamination and to make the product flexible simultaneously.

Description

Multi-ply tissue product Technical Field The invention relates to tissue products and especially tissue products comprising several plies and suitable for use as a wipe, preferably as a toilet paper or kitchen towel.

Background Art The traditional way to make a wipe consisting of several plies is to put each single ply on top of each other and to provide a bonding between the plies which can be made by chemical or mechanical bonding, e. g. glueing or embossing or edge-embossing. This means that there are several possibilities for the wipe to delaminate, because a bonding which may delaminate exists between each of the single plies.

WO 98/37794 discloses a rolled and folded napkin which facilitates the withdrawal of napkins from a dispenser and which allows an effective storage. The napkin is intended to be unfolded for use.

Disclosure of the Invention Technical Problem When creating a wipe that consists of several tissue plies, a ply-bonding which makes the wipe feel like one wipe and not delaminate is of importance. To prevent delamination, different more or less complicated ways of so-called"plybonding"are used. But the stronger the ply-bonding is, the

less flexible the wipe becomes. Lack of flexibility is of course a problem.

Solution of the Technical Problem In a multi-ply tissue product having several plies, said multi-ply configuration is made by at least one folding of at least one ply sheet of tissue material. By this folding, there are less possibilities for delamination because a bonding is avoided at the folded ends or edges. The folding is made to achieve a thicker and more absorbent product with more than one ply. The product is to be used in its folded shape. There is a decreased stiffness and an increased bulk present. By avoiding glue, there is any toxic behaviour avoided and ply bonding is improved, when coated products are used, especially products coated with lotions.

The reduction of possibilities of delamination is increased for more plies when at least one ply sheet is folded at least twice, the first fold being made starting from a first ply to perform a double-ply configuration, and the second fold is made starting from the second ply around the free end of the first ply opposite to the folded edge of the first ply such that a third ply is present being located on the side of the first ply being opposite to the side where the second ply is located. Having at least three plies, there is only one possibility of delamination, especially when bonding is made along the free edge of the ply sheet by glue or other means.

Such a product or wipe is simultaneously much more flexible and has a better drapability.

According to a further development of the invention, a third fold can be made such that a therewith formed fourth ply is present on the side of the second ply being opposite to the side where the first ply is located.

Alternately, two ply sheets are together folded in the same manner, wherein the two ply sheets may be of different material.

As a further improvement, there may be enclosed another material or substance between at least two plies, which material or substance may be advantageous for the wiping effect.

Bonding can be made between plies at least at the outer free end of the at least one folded ply sheet and bonding can be made my adhesive or embossing or edge-embossing (knurling).

The product can furthermore also be built up with different materials or materials with different functional zones.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows a four-ply tissue product according to the prior art.

Fig. 2a and b show a one-ply sheet-multi-ply tissue product according to the invention.

Fig. 3a and b show a similar product according to Fig. 2, however, with an enclosed material.

Fig. 4a and b show a two-ply sheet-multi-ply tissue product.

When"tissue product"or"tissue ply"is mentioned in this application, then a tissue paper material is meant.

According to Fig. 1, the tissue product is achieved by combining for instance four single plies 1 or ply sheets being ply-bonded. There exist at least three possibilities of delamination when the tissue product for instance is used as a wipe. However, a strong ply-bonding for avoiding

delamination would lead to a relatively stiff product having relatively low flexibility and poor drapability.

A similar product with the same amount of plies is shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b having a first ply 2, a second ply 3, a third ply 4 and a fourth ply 5. The single ply-sheet B is folded at three points or locations a, b and c such that one free end el is enclosed and another free end e2 is open. For instance there can exist a glued area 6 for bonding the fourth ply 5 and the second ply 3 (Fig. 2b-Fig. 4b). Also additional bondings can certainly be made at preferred locations.

The same configuration is illustrated in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, however, there is'an additional material or substance 7 enclosed between the first ply 2 and the second ply 3.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b, a similar configuration is illustrated as in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.

However, there is present a two-ply-sheet configuration having the ply sheets PI and P2. Such a tissue product, e. g. a wipe, can be built up with different materials or materials with different functional zones.

Claims

Claims 1. Multi-ply tissue product having several plies (2,3, 4,

5), said multi-ply configuration being made by at least one folding of at least one ply sheet (P) of tissue material.
2. Tissue product according to claim 1, wherein at least one ply sheet (P) is folded at least twice, the first fold (a) is made starting from a first ply (2) to perform a double ply configuration and the second fold (b) is made starting from the second ply (3) around the free end (el) of the first ply (2) opposite to the folded edge (a) of the first ply (2) such that a third ply (4) is present being located on the side of the first ply (2) being opposite to the side where the second ply (3) is located.
3. Tissue product according to claim 2, wherein a third fold (c) is made such that a therewith formed fourth ply (5) is present on the side of the second ply (3) being opposite to the side where the first ply (2) is located.
4. Tissue product according to claim 2 or 3, wherein two ply sheets (PI, P2) are together folded in the same manner.
5. Tissue product according to claim 4, wherein the two ply sheets (PI, P2) are of different material.

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6. Tissue product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein between at least two plies (2,3) another material (7) or substance is enclosed.
7. Tissue product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a bonding (6) is made between plies at least at the outer free end (e2) of the at least one folded ply sheet (P).
8. Tissue product according to claim 7, wherein said bonding is made by adhesive or embossing or edge- embossing (knurling).
9. Tissue product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is a toilet paper or a kitchen towel.
10. Tissue product substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to, and as shown in, any one or more of Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
11. Method of making multi-ply tissue product comprising the step of connecting two adjacent ones of said plies by a fold.
12. Method of making multi-ply tissue product substantially as described by reference to any one or more of Figures 2 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.