Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02246526 1998-09-03 . . .. ~ .~,
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I II TISSUE PAPER SHEETS, ROLLS OF EMBOSSED TISSUE, AND
METHODS OF FORMING ROLLS OF EMBOSSED TISSUE
2 I
TECHNICAL FIELD
a This invention pertains to tissue paper sheets, rolls of embossed
s ~~ tissue, and methods of forming tissue paper sheets and rolls of
6 II embossed tissue.
7 I
s $ACKGROUND OF THE I1~V)~NT~ON
Tissue produced using traditional wet press technology is typically
to embossed subsequent to creping to improve bulk, appearance and
perceived softness. It is known in the art to emboss sheets comprising
Iz multiple plies of creped tissue to increase the surface area of the sheets
13 and thereby enhance their bulk and water-holding capacity.
Tissue paper can be sold in many forms, but toilet tissue is
Is typically marketed in rolls. A goal in marketing rolls of toilet tissue is
16 to enhance a consumer perception regarding the quality and comfort of
,~ a toilet tissue. Consumers generally associate soft toilet tissues as being
Is high-quality tissues that will be comfortable to use. Accordingly, it is
,9 a goal in the toilet tissue industry to create embossed tissue designs that
zo enhance consumer perception of softness of a toilet tissue product
z, ~~ comprising the designs.
2z ~~ A prior art method for enhancing perception of softness of a
23 tissue product is to create relatively shallow stitchlike debossments
za arranged in patterns to form polygonal cells across a surface of a toilet
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
tissue. The polygonal cells have a "pillowy" quilted appearance creating
z the illusion of shading as would be seen in a quilt having chambers
~~ being filled with fiber or down.
A prior art method for enhancing a consumer perception of
s quality of a tissue product is a so-called "signature" pattern. The
signature pattern can also be a distinctive pattern to enable consumer
recognition of a tissue product. A signature pattern is a predominant
s pattern of debossments, commonly suggesting a shape of a flower, shell,
bird or animal which is repeated regularly across a surface of a toilet
~~ tissue. It is common to combine signature patterns with stitchlike
debossments. The stitchlike debossments form the pillowy quilted
Iz chambers described above, and the signature debossments are formed in
Is the center of such pillowy chambers. The signature patterns are formed
la over the centers of pillowy chambers to create a consumer perception
Is of fabric wherein the stitches surround an imprinted portion.
le ~~ In the course of the present invention, it has been discovered that
" ~~ the signature patterns formed in the center of quilted chambers can
Is decrease the pillowy appearance of the chambers, and accordingly
,9 undermine the effect of stitchlike patterns. Also, it has been discovered
zo that the signature patterns formed in the center of quilted chambers can
z~ affect a bulk and water holding capacity of the chambers. Accordingly,
zz it is desired to develop alternative methods of embossing tissue wherein
z3 both signature patterns and stitchlike patterns are provided on the same
2a ~, tissue, and wherein the signature patterns do not adversely affect
either
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
the pillowy illusion created by the stitchlike debossments, or the bulk
z and water holding capacity of chambers created by the stitchlike
debossments.
4
s BRIEF D ESC~;tIPTIQN OF TIE DRAWINGS
s Preferred described ow with
embodiments bel
of the
invention
are
reference to the following accompanying drawings.
s Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top view of a sheet of present
tissue the
9 invention illustrating a preferred relationshipvarious
of debossments
o formed on relationshipof the
the tissue
sheet,
and a preferred
a debossments formed.
to a machine
direction
at which
the tissue
sheet is
n Fig. 2 is an expanded view of a first of the Fig.1 sheet.
portion
,3Fig. 3 is an expanded view of a second Fig.
portion of the 1
~4 II sheet.
Is Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating consumer perceived softness of a
s product encompassed by the present invention (referred to as "Happy
m Flower") relative to other toilet tissue products.
~s Fig. 5 is a graph illustrating consumer purchase intent of a
,9 product encompassed by the present invention (referred to as "Happy
zo Flower") relative to other toilet tissue products.
z~
22
23
24
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
]DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
z This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the
constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote the progress
a of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section 8).
s ~~ In one aspect, the invention comprises a sheet of tissue paper
comprising:
a plurality of first debossments substantially defining polygonal
a cells, the polygonal cells having corners; and
s a plurality of second debossments proximate corners of the
o polygonal cells, the second debossments being larger than the first
,~ debossments.
>z ~~ In another aspect, the invention comprises a roll of embossed
,3 tissue defining a machine direction and comprising:
two series of intersecting lines of first debossments, one series of
,s ~~ the lines being disposed at a first acute angle clockwise the machine
direction, the other series of lines being disposed counterclockwise the
machine direction, the two series of lines together substantially defining
Is a plurality of polygonal cells, the polygonal cells having corners; and
,9 a plurality of prominent patterns at at least some corners of the
zo polygonal cells.
z, In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a method of
zz forming a roll of embossed tissue comprising:
23 transferring tissue paper through an embosser, the tissue paper
zo being transferred along a machine direction, the embosser embossing two
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
series of intersecting lines of first debossments into the tissue paper, one
z series of the lines being disposed at a first acute angle clockwise the
machine direction, the other series of lines being disposed at a second
a ~~ acute angle counterclockwise the machine direction, the two series of
s ~~ lines together defining a plurality of polygonal cells, the polygonal
cells
having corners; and
the embosser embossing a plurality of second debossments
s proximate at least some corners of the polygonal cells to form
prominent patterns at the at least some of the corners.
A tissue paper sheet 10 comprising a preferred embossment design
a of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 1-3.
~z Referring to Fig. 1, the embossment design comprises a plurality of first
m debossments 12 (only a few of which are labeled in Fig. 1) which define
polygonal cells 14 (only a few of which are labeled in Fig. 1). First
~s debossments 12 are stitchlike debossments in that they form a stitched
type pattern on tissue sheet 10, and are all substantially uniform in size
and shape. The stitched pattern of first debossments 12 creates pillowy
regions within polygonal cells 14 which have the appearance of stuffed
pockets, as would be found on a quilted blanket.
zo The embossment design also encompasses a plurality of prominent
z~ patterns 16 (only a few of which are labeled in Fig. 1), which in the
zz shown preferred design suggest floral patterns. For purpose of
z3 interpreting this disclosure and the claims that follow, a prominent
zo pattern is defined as a most immediately discernable pattern on a tissue
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
sheet. A pattern may be rendered prominent either by having a size
z which is larger than any other pattern on a tissue sheet, or by having
3 an appearance which is more distinctive than other patterns on a tissue
a sheet. For instance, in the shown preferred embodiment, the prominent
s pattern 16 is more distinctive than other patterns on the tissue sheet
a due to its strong suggestion of a floral design and due to its large size.
Prominent pattern 16 is composed of a plurality of second
s debossments 18, 19, 20 and 21 (only a few of which are labeled in Fig.
1) which are arranged to define prominent pattern 16.
,o A distinction between the present invention embossment design of
n Fig. 1 and priar art embossment designs is that the Fig. 1 design has
,z prominent patterns 16 formed at corners of polygonal cells 14, and prior
13 art designs would have the prominent patterns formed at centers of such
,4 cells. For purposes of interpreting this specification and the claims that
,s follow, a prominent pattern 16 comprises the debossments 18, 19, 20,
,6 and 21 that define the pattern, as well as spaces between the
debossments within an individual pattern. Thus, a prominent pattern 16
,s can be at (or overlapping) a corner even if none of the individual
,9 debossrnents 18, 19, 20 or 21 actually overlaps the corner.
zo The present invention formation of prominent patterns 16 at
z, corners of cells 14 enables a more pillowy appearance to be obtained
zz by cells 14 than is obtainable by prior art constructions. Such more
z3 pillowy appearance enhances consumer perception of softness relative to
za prior art embossment designs. Also, the structure of an embossment
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
design of the present invention can enable a tissue sheet comprising
2 such design to have reasonable bulk and water holding capacity.
It is noted that some prior art tissue sheets have stitchlike
a debossments without prominent patterns. Such tissue sheets also have
s good bulk and water holding capacity. However, such tissue sheets are
s generally not readily distinguishable by consumers due to their lack of
a distinctive prominent pattern. Accordingly, the present invention is
s advantageous over prior art embossment designs that lack prominent
patterns. The present invention enables a prominent pattern to be
placed distinctively on a tissue sheet, and yet also enables the tissue
n sheet to maintain good bulk and water holding capacity.
~z In the shown embossment design, polygonal cells 14 are
substantially rectangular, or diamond shaped. Accordingly, polygonal
n cells 14 comprise four separate corners. Prominent patterns 16 are
~~ formed at only two of the four corners. The other two corners of
polygonal cells 14 are surrounded by third debossments 26. Third
debossments 26 are larger than first debossments 12, and smaller than
~s second debossments 18, 19, 20 and 21. Third debossments 26 are
located proximate corners of polygonal cells 14 and are arranged such
2o that four third debossments 26 are centered around individual corners
2, to which third debossments 26 are proximate. A fourth debossment 28
z2 is formed at the corner to which third debossments 26 are proximate.
23 II Fourth debossment 28 is smaller than first debossments 12.
24 1
PO~!-036.P01 0507131dN 7 PAT USIAM-00
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
Preferably, all of debossments 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26 and 28 are
z formed to a depth of less than or equal to about 0.060 inches in
3 ~~ sheet 10 using an engraved roll engraved to a depth of about 0.060
a II inches.
sSheet 10 is transferred throughan embosser alonga machine
sdirection "Z" to form the shown embossment e embosser
design. Th
embosses two series of intersecting of first debossments12 into
lines the
stissue paper. One series of the linesdisposed at a acute angle
is first
"Y" clockwise of machine direction and the other of lines
"Z" series is
disposed at a second acute angle "X" counterclockwise of machine
n ~~ direction "Z". The two series of lines together define a plurality of
~z polygonal cells 14. The embosser also embosses second debossments 18,
s 19, 20, and 21, as well as third debossments 26 and fourth
,a debossments 28.
,s ~~ In the shown preferred embodiment, stitchlike debossments 12 are
formed to create wavy lines rather than straight lines. Accordingly,
,~ polygonal cells 14 are not true diamonds, but are instead wavy
diamonds. Stitchlike debossments 12 serpentine about generator lines 30
,9 ~~ which extend from corner to corner of the polygonal cells.
zo Some example dimensions of the embossment design of Fig. 1 are
z~ as follows. A distance "A" from one prominent pattern to another
zz ~~ prominent pattern along machine axis "Z" is from about 3.8 to
z3 ~~ about 3.9 inches. An angle "B" of machine axis "Z" relative to an axis
zo ~~ across a diagonal of a polygonal cell is from about 63° to about
64°.
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Angle "X" of machine axis "Z" to a first series of lines defined by
z stitchlike debossments 12 is from about 18° to about 19°.
Angle "Y"
s of machine axis "Z" to the second series of lines defined by stitchlike
4 debossments 12 is from about 71° to about 72°. An angle "D" of
s ~~ machine axis "Z" relative to a clockwise diagonal through a polygonal
6 II cell is from about 26° to about 27°
An expanded view of a polygonal cell 14 is shown in Fig. 2 to
s illustrate that polygonal cell 14 comprises a large expanse between
9 prominent patterns 16. Such large expanse permits an enhanced pillowy
to effect of stitchlike debossments 12 relative to the effect that would
" occur if a prominent pattern were placed in a center of polygonal
Iz cell 14. Accordingly, prominent portions 16 are preferably not placed
,3 in a center of polygonal cells 14 in accordance with the present
~4 II invention.
,s In the above discussion, the Fig. 1 design is described as a series
I6 of cells 14 defined by stitchlike debossments 12. An alternative way of
describing the Fig. 1 design is as a series of squares defined by
~s prominent patterns 16. Referring to Fig. 3, prominent patterns 16
define corners of a square cell 40 (the edges of which are shown as
zo imaginary dashed lines). Square cell 40 comprises a center 42, and
z~ diagonal axes 44 and 46 extending through center 42 and to corners of
zz square cell 40. Axes 44 and 46 exactly overlay generator lines 30
z3 (shown in Fig. 1). Stitchlike debossments 12 extend substantially only
24 I
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
along diagonal axes 44 and 46, rather than being disbursed uniformly
z throughout square cell 40.
A minor pattern comprising third debossments 26 is formed
4 proximate center 42 of square 40, and a fourth debossment 28 is formed
s to overlay center 42. Third debossments 26 form corners of an internal
square SO (the edges of which are shown in imaginary dashed lines)
centered at center 42 of square 40.
s The enhanced perception of softness of tissue products of the
present invention relative to prior art tissue products is borne out in
o consumer tests. Specifically, product evaluations were conducted
n among 103 female respondents. Prospective participants were called at
~z home and told that a marketing research study was being done on
13 paper products. Each was then screened to ensure that she met the
~4 following requirements:
~s 1) Neither she nor anyone in their household works in market
s research, advertising or public relations, media (radio, print, TV), a
paper products company, or the supermarket or grocery business;
,d 2) She has not participated in a focus group, research panel,
or market research discussion in the last three months;
zo3) She is female head of a household;
the
214) She is primary grocery shopper for her household;
the
225) She is primary person in the household who buys
the
za II bathroom tissue;
24 I
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
6) She has bought one of the following brands of bath tissue
z for herself and her family - Charmin (Ultra), Northern (Ultra),
Kleenex/Cottonelle (Ultra), Safeway Select Softly (Ultra), Lucky Simply
a Soft (Ultra), or Albertson's Soft Choice (Ultra); and
s 7) She buys bath tissue at Albertson's, Lucky, or Safeway.
Qualified respondents were then invited to a research facility to
evaluate bathroom tissue products.
s At the start of each session, pre-recruited participants were given
a short introduction and told that they would be asked questions about
bathroom tissue. Specifically, they were told that they would be looking
m at several bathroom tissues, they would be asked to perform tasks with
Iz each tissue to judge the tissue's performance, and they should complete
the tasks as if they were in their own homes.
la The results of the evaluation are graphically illustrated in Figs. 4
~s and S. The numbers in brackets indicate mean ratings, and brands
having the same letter labels are not significantly different from one
m another. Brands identified by "PL" are Potlatch products have the same
base paper construction, on the paper.
but differing
in a pattern
formed
,9 Fig. 4 illustratesthat a product of the present invention(identified
as
zo "Happy Flower") has a perceived softness better comparable
than or to
zl all of the tested very premium
bathroom tissue
products except
the
zz Charmin Triple Roll. Thus, Fig. 4 illustrates that
a pattern
z3 encompassed by the present invention can create
a consumer perception
z4 of softness of tissue product.
a
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
Fig. 5 illustrates consumer purchase intent of the evaluated toilet
z tissues. The numbers associated with each tissue indicate a mean rating,
a and data for tissues having the same letter labels is not significantly
4 different. Fig. 5 illustrates that a tissue product encompassed by the
s present invention (the product labeled "Happy Flower") had a higher
purchase intent that any other tissue product, and scored results
comparable or better than the very premium product referred to as
s "Charmin Premium". Accordingly, a tissue encompassed by the present
9 invention can have enhanced consumer perception, evidenced by an
enhanced intent to purchase the product, relative to other tissue
" ~~ products.
~z Significantly, both Figs. 4 and 5 evidence that the product having
the design "Happy Flower" encompassed by the present invention was
~4 perceived to be at least as good as, and frequently significantly better
~s than other tissue products comprising an identical paper but having a
,6 different pattern (the products identified as PL Combo Roll, PL Double
Pass, and PL Screen Emboss). Thus, a pattern encompassed by the
~s present invention can have an improved consumer perception of tissue
quality relative to other tissue patterns.
zo ~~ Although the invention has been described in application to toilet
z~ tissue sheets and rolls, it is to be understood that an embossment
z2 pattern of the present invention can also have utility and application to
z3 other non-woven articles, such as, for example, paper towels and
24 I
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CA 02246526 1998-09-03
1 napkins. Also, an embossment pattern of the present invention can
z have application to woven articles.
3 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described
4 in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical
s features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not
s limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means
7 herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into
s effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
9 modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
to appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
11
1z
13
14
16
17
18
19
21
22
23
24
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