TECHNICAL SECTOR
[0001] The present invention more particularly refers to a technical and functional improvement
in the mechanical arrangement of a set of embossing rollers called Edge Embossing,
also known as Ply Bonding. This set has at its main objective bond at least two plies
of tissue paper by using mechanical pressure between them. Therefore the use of glue
is not required being replaced by the Edge Embossing System, so the product turns
to be a glue free tissue paper roll. On top of having a mechanical bond purpose, the
Edge Embossing also can be used to enrich the product look and appearance with decorative
patterns. These set can be used for converting and bonding the at least two ply tissue
paper rolls such as bath tissue, kitchen towel, face tissue and others with similar
characteristics.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] As it is acknowledged, currently embossing is a widely used technique to modify texture,
hand-feel, volume and appearance of tissue paper, such as bath tissue, kitchen towel,
facial tissues, napkins and others. They can all be converted to one, two or more
plies product rolls. Each ply undergoes an independent embossing process which is
a similar process to that of printing, that by the mechanical means used exert pressure
on the smooth surface of the material causing a plurality of raised deformations.
These combined raised deformations form an embossing pattern, since from a simpler
definition such as geometric details to the most elaborate artworks. Thus, paper embossing
technology turned out to be an efficient resource to modify the characteristics of
a tissue paper, mainly when it is made up of two or more plies, but also to serve
as a mean to bond the plies together.
[0003] In other words, by modifying the paper texture, the volume is also substantially
increased. The tissue paper no longer will have that "compact" effect, being replaced
by a "lighter and fluffier" appearance. With regards to the appearance, embossing
undoubtedly defines decorated surfaces on both sides of the paper. Of course the "die"
used for embossing allows for a variety of relief combinations which contribute to
obtain all sorts of drawings, which significantly improves the appearance of the paper,
inclusively suggesting its good quality and origin, thus providing more resources
to establish the trademark of the product with the final consumer.
[0004] Currently many differently tissue paper embossing devices are known, all of which
combine a series of rollers, engraved or not, some metallic and others made of rubber,
and some are also known as Edge Embossing and counter Edge Embossing, which are really
engraved, although, regardless of these features, each machine has its specific characteristics
with regard to the finished product, as taught in these documents:
BRPI0512124A of 04/19/2005
SUPPORT EQUIPMENT FOR RELIEF ENGRAVING ROLLERS, AND METHOD FOR EXCHANGING ONE OR MORE
RELIEF ENGRAVING ROLLERS.
BRPI1101330A2
PI0813705-6 A2 of 04/14/2008
DEVICE FOR TREATING PAPER WEB OR SHEET THICKNESS
US2010181040A1 publication of 07/22/2010
DEVICE FOR TREATING PAPER ROLLS
WO2009010999A1 of 04/14/2008
DEVICE FOR TREATING PAPER ROLLS
WO2010016081A1 of 07/16/2009
ROLLER FOR TREATING TEXTURE OF PAPER MATERIAL
[0005] In general, existing devices provide the necessary means to bond at least two continuous
plies of tissue paper. The bonding of the two or more plies of paper is made by a
mechanical process. The engraved steel rings have continuous not straight patterns
that in physical contact with the counter steel cylinder bond the paper sheets. These
sheets undergoes a higher supplementary "compression" (mechanical lamination) between
the engraved rings (cylinder) and a counter cylinder. These protruding rings are mounted
on a o-ring that allows the lateral edges of the two paper plies to be adequately
pressed against each other so its fibers are practically break producing a "claw"
effect joining and bonding the paper plies together.
[0006] Such a mechanical bonding system is normally applied on the top side or visible side
of the paper, such as exemplified in figures 1 and 2, where (F) indicates the joining
bands between the two continuous layers of paper (P1 E P2). Hence, those engraved
rings (wheels) affect the upper side or visible side of the paper, resulting in an
interference in the texture which negatively affects the presentation of the set.
[0007] Therefore, the biggest drawback of this conventional equipment is undoubtedly the
absence of a mechanical arrangement to improve positioning of the joining bands (F)
between the two continuous paper layers, which directly affect the embossing in the
outer ply of the finished product. The new set presented in this document apply mechanical
pressure on the bottom sheet or inner ply of the tissue roll leaving the visible embossed
part intact and uniform, without any volume variation so that the embossing pattern
is not modified and thus the appearance of the set is substantially better.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION.
[0008] An improved construction especially focused and aimed to improve the mechanical bond
of tissue paper plies, and providing the finished converted tissue paper roll an almost
no visible embossing with no volume variation. These improved set have a totally different
new mechanical arrangements by having a engraved rings cylinder and a counter steel
cylinder in which they can produce the bonding bands (F) between the two layers of
paper on the inner side, thus eliminating the aforementioned drawback on the embossing
pattern. The embossing pattern in this case is not modified along all the width of
the converted paper, thus preserving its visual appearance, a very important characteristic
of the finished tissue paper product.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a better understanding of the present set a detailed description thereof is presented
below making a reference to the attached drawings:
FIGURES 1 and 2 represent perspective views of a conventional embossed toilet paper roll with lateral
fastening bands between the two layers, where these bands are visible from the upper
side of the roll;
FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic side view of an embossing machine whose rollers are arranged
to produce the join of the continuous layers of paper by the lower or inner side and
keep the visible side if the paper unchanged;
FIGURE 4 is a top corner isometric view of the machine illustrated in the previous figure;
FIGURE 5 shows an enlarged view of detail "A" indicated in the previous figure, pointing out
the pair of rollers responsible for the embossing of one of the continuous layers
of paper;
FIGURE 6 represents a lower corner isometric view of the machine illustrated in figure 3;
FIGURES 7 and 8 are enlarged views of details "B" and "C" pointing out other rollers responsible
for embossing and joining the continuous layers of paper;
FIGURE 9 illustrates a schematic view of the pair of rollers and respective wheels responsible
for joining the continuous layers of paper; and
FIGURES 10 and 11 represent perspective views of an embossed toilet paper roll with lateral fastening
bands between the two layers, wherein these bands are visible only from the lower
side of the roll, and thus, the upper side (visible side) presents an unchanged embossing
pattern.
[0010] According to these illustrations and their details, more particularly figures 3-8,
in a preferred embodiment, this
EMBOSSER SET FOR PAPER PROCESSING comprises three processing stations, two for engraving (1) and (2) and one for joining
(3), between which there are continuous strips of ordinary paper, where (P1) is a
lower or inner strip and (P2) is an upper or outer strip, so that they can both be
embossed with any pattern in the two first stations (1) and (2), and then both are
joined by their edges through station (3) forming a finished continuous strip of paper
(P3).
[0011] Each engraving station (1 and 2) comprises a pair of rollers, one made of rubber
(4A-4B) and the other of engraved steel (5A-5B), the latter being pulled by the corresponding
continuous inner and outer strip of paper (P1 or P2) passing between each pair and
guided by casters (6, 7, 8 and 9).
[0012] The joining station (3) is placed after the two engraving stations (1-2), and it
also comprises two rollers, a wheel roller (10) and a pulled counter-wheel roller
(11), between which the continuous strips of paper (P1 and P2) are aligned, so that
they can be joined by their edges and, thus, said wheel roller (10) presents, along
its length, various rings (12) mounted on O-rings (13), wherein each ring constitutes
the protruding means for supplementary pressure and the realization of the fastening
bands by mechanical lamination (F).
[0013] The quantity of rings (12) may vary according to the width of the strips of paper
(P1 and P2), maintaining the same concept of assemblage, and each ring is a fastening
point for two adjacent joining bands (F) which separate after the cut (C) applied
in the processed layer and therefore many dimensional variations are possible, although
maintaining the same operating concept.
[0014] Although this has not been illustrated, it is clear that the same concept of joining
by mechanical lamination (F) on the edges can be adopted to make one or more joining
bands at any point of the width of the paper.
[0015] The present set is characterized in that the stations (1, 2 and 3) are arranged in
a cooperative sequence so that the lateral joining bands (F) are applied against the
lower strip of paper (P1), hence on the lower or inner side of the continuous finished
paper (P3) which, in turn, such as figures 10 and 11 illustrate, is rolled or folded
to emboss (lower side) the lateral joining bands (F).
[0016] The relevant subject matter,
EMBOSSER SET FOR PAPER PROCESSING, solves the aforementioned drawbacks, since figures 10 and 11 show that the solutions
are advantageously achieved, since the embossing pattern (G1) of the upper strip of
paper (P2) remains unchanged, which is the visible part thereof after folding or rolling.
1. EDGE EMBOSSER SET FOR CONVERSTING PAPER TISSUE, having three processing stations, two for engraving (1) and (2) and one for joining
(3), between which there are continuous strips of ordinary paper, wherein (P1) is
a lower or inner strip and (P2) is an upper or outer strip, so that they can both
be embossed with any pattern in the two first stations (1) and (2), and then both
are joined by their edges through station (3) forming a finished continuous strip
of paper (P3); each engraving station (1 and 2) comprises a pair of rollers, one made
of rubber (4A-4B) and the other of engraved steel (5A-5B), the latter being pulled
by the corresponding continuous inner and outer strip of paper (P1 or P2) passing
between each pair and guided by casters (6, 7, 8 and 9); said joining station (3)
is placed after the two engraving stations (1-2), and it also comprises two rollers,
a wheel roller (10) and a pulled counter-wheel roller (11), between which the continuous
strips of paper (P1 and P2) are aligned, so that they can be joined by their edges
and, thus, said wheel roller (10) presents, along its length, various rings (12) mounted
on O-rings (13), each ring constituting the protruding means for supplementary pressure
and the realization of the fastening bands by mechanical lamination (F); it is characterized in that the stations (1, 2 and 3) are arranged in a cooperative sequence so that the lateral
joining bands (F) can be applied against the lower strip of paper (P1), thus on the
lower or inner side of the finished continuous paper (P3) which, in turn, is rolled
or folded to emboss (lower side) the lateral joining bands (F).
2. EMBOSSER SET FOR PAPER PROCESSING, in conformity with claim 1, characterized in that one or more joining bands (F) can be optionally produced by mechanic lamination at
any points of the width of the finished continuous paper width (P3).