U.S. patent application number 10/550440 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for disposable tissue and production apparatus thereof.
Invention is credited to Jong-Ok Lee.
Application Number | 20070173160 10/550440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37052558 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070173160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Jong-Ok |
July 26, 2007 |
Disposable tissue and production apparatus thereof
Abstract
A disposable tissue is formed from a rayon non-woven and
compressed into a predetermined shape using an apparatus that
includes a cylindrical molding bushing having a longitudinal
through passage, a table for supporting the molding bushing such
that both end portions of the through passage of the molding
bushing are exposed to the outside, an upper press installed
vertically movably above the table and having a pressing rod to be
inserted into the through passage of the molding bushing when the
upper press moves downwardly, and a lower press installed
vertically movable below the table and having a support rod to be
inserted into the through passage of the molding bushing when the
lower press moves upwardly.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jong-Ok; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
37052558 |
Appl. No.: |
10/550440 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 22, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR04/00624 |
371 Date: |
December 18, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
442/327 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 442/60 20150401;
D04H 1/4258 20130101; D21H 25/005 20130101; A47K 10/16 20130101;
D21H 27/002 20130101; D04H 1/492 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
442/327 |
International
Class: |
D04H 13/00 20060101
D04H013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 22, 2003 |
KR |
20-2003-0008658 |
Claims
1. A disposable tissue, the tissue being made of non-woven of rayon
material, and received and compression-molded in a mold having a
predetermined shape.
2. The disposable tissue according to claim 1, wherein a
compressibility (.DELTA.V/V) of the molded disposable tissue ranges
from about 04 to about 0.6.
3. The disposable tissue according to claim 1, wherein the
disposable tissue is compression-molded by being pressed
longitudinally in a state where the disposable tissue is
rolled.
4. The disposable tissue according to claim 3, wherein the molded
disposable tissue takes the shape of a cylinder.
5. An apparatus for producing a disposable tissue, comprising; a
cylindrical molding bushing having a longitudinal, through passage;
a table for supporting the molding bushing such that both end
portions of the through passage of the molding bushing are exposed
to the outside; an upper press installed vertically movably above
the table and having a pressing rod to be inserted into the through
passage of the molding bushing when the upper press moves
downwardly; and a lower press installed vertically movably below
the table and having a supporting rod to be inserted into the
through passage of the molding bushing when the lower press moves
upwardly.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the through passage
of the molding bushing has an upwardly flared, tapered surface at
an inner surface of an upper entrance thereof.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the molding bushing
has a step formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to
have a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the
molding bushing is inserted into a through hold formed on the
table, and the through hole formed on the table has a diameter
smaller than that of the later diameter section but larger than
that of the smaller diameter section of the molding bushing so that
the step of the molding bushing is caught and movably supported by
a perimeter of the through hold of the table.
8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of
molding bushings are provided, each of the molding bushings having
a step formed on an outer circumference surface thereof to have a
larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the
apparatus further comprises a supporting block supported on the
table, the supporting block taking the shape of a cylinder and
having a plurality of through holes for received and supporting the
molding bushings with the steps formed thereon, each of the molding
bushings is received in the relevant one of the through holds
formed l the supporting block, each of the through holes having a
diameter smaller than that of the larger diameter section but
larger than that of the smaller diameter section of the relevant
one of the molding bushings so that the step of each of the molding
bushings is caught and movably supported by a perimeter of each
through hold of the supporting block, and the upper press has a
plurality of pressing rods provided above the relevant molding
bushings and the lower press has a plurality of supporting rods
provided below the relevant molding bushings.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the supporting block
has a step formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to
have a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the
supporting block is inserted into a through hold formed on the
table, and the through hole formed on the table has a diameter
smaller than that of the larger diameter section but larger than
that of the smaller diameter section of the molding bushing so that
the step of the molding bushing is caught and movably supported by
a perimeter of the through hole of the table.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pressing rod
has an end surface on which rugged portions are formed for stamping
a definite embossed pattern on the disposable tissue to be
compression-molded.
11. A method for producing a disposable tissue comprising the steps
of: loading a disposable tissue into an apparatus for producing a
disposable tissue, the apparatus comprising a cylindrical molding
bushing having a longitudinal, through passage, a table for
supporting the molding bushing such that both end portions of the
through passage of the molding bushing are exposed to the outside,
an upper press installed vertically movably above the table and
having a pressing rod to be inserted into the through passage of
the molding bushing when the upper press moves downwardly, and a
lower press installed vertically movably below the table and having
a supporting rod to be inserted into the through passage of the
molding bushing when the lower press moves upwardly, wherein the
disposable tissue is loaded into the through passage of the
cylindrical molding bushing; and compressing the disposable tissue
between the pressing rod and the supporting rod.
12. A disposable tissue produced by the method of claim 11.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a disposable tissue and a
production apparatus thereof, and more particularly, to a
disposable tissue compressed into a predetermined shape that can be
conveniently carried and hygienically used, and an apparatus for
producing the disposable tissue.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A disposable tissue is a disposable article that can be
scrapped after use in wiping surfaces of various objects or a human
skin. The disposable tissue is made of nonwoven, pulp or the like,
and is classified into a dry tissue and a wet tissue according to
whether moisture is contained therein.
[0003] Generally, since the disposable tissue has a propensity to
suffer damages such as tear or crease, the disposable tissue has
been sold in a state where it is packed in a soft sack or a case
with a predetermined shape, which can be easily opened. Further,
the disposable tissue is packed in a state where it is folded into
two or three folds such that it can be easily taken out from the
opened sack or case in use. Moreover, it is desirable to pack the
disposable tissue in a possible smallest size so that a user can
easily store and carry it when the user is on journey or is
out.
[0004] Particularly, in case of a wet tissue, the wet tissue is
packed in a sealed container so that moisture contained in the
packed wet tissue does not evaporate. Further, the tissue is wetted
with water to which antimicrobial is added, and then stored in a
cool and dark place to prevent microbes from propagating during the
distribution of the wet tissue. In addition, the conventional wet
tissue should be packed and distributed by the piece so as to
prevent the tissue from drying.
[0005] As described above, since the conventional wet tissue should
be stored and distributed while being packed by the piece in a
separate sack or case to prevent the evaporation of moisture, the
volume of the product becomes large, resulting in increases of
packing and distribution costs.
[0006] Further, since the conventional wet tissue contains
antimicrobial as well as water, the wet tissue may cause ill
effects on the skin in a case where a child or person with weak
skin uses the conventional wet tissue, and the sickening smell of
the antimicrobial contained in the wet tissue causes unpleasantness
in use. Moreover, in a case where the wet tissue will be stored for
a long time, microbes such as colon bacilli are propagated in
moisture. Thus, there is a risk of microbial infection.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is conceived to resolve the
aforementioned problems. An object of the invention is to provide a
novel disposable tissue that can be conveniently stored and carried
without packing it by the peace due to its minimum volume obtained
through compression molding and can be then used as a wet tissue
due to restoration to its origin shape upon supply of water thereto
in use.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
disposal tissue that is stored and carried in a dry state in which
microbes cannot be propagated, and does not require addition of
harmful substances such as antimicrobial used for preventing
microbial propagation.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel disposable tissue that can be packed and stored at low cost
due to its rigid compressed state with certain strength.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an apparatus for producing the disposable tissue described
above.
[0011] A disposable tissue according to the present invention for
achieving the objects is made of non-woven of rayon material, and
received and compression-molded in a mold having a predetermined
shape.
[0012] If the non-woven fabric of rayon material is pressed under a
pressure higher than a predetermined value, the non-woven is
compression-molded into a mass having a predetermined shape and
maintains its shape. If moisture is added to the disposable tissue
molded described above, the disposable tissue is restored to its
original shape.
[0013] In the disposable tissue according to the present invention,
a compressibility (.DELTA.V/V) of the molded disposable tissue may
range from 0.4 to 0.6.
[0014] If the disposable tissue is compression-molded at an
excessive high compressibility, restoration of the tissue is not
performed well. On the contrary, if the disposable tissue is
compression-molded at a low compressibility, the disposable tissue
cannot maintain the molded shape and thus the shape of the
disposable tissue is deformed during distribution and storage.
Consequently, the compressibility within the above range is
appropriate.
[0015] In the disposable tissue according to the present invention,
the disposable tissue may be compression-molded by being pressed
longitudinally in a state where the disposable tissue is
rolled.
[0016] The molded tissue having a rolled shape absorbs moisture to
be restored smoothly to its original shape and a user spreads and
conveniently utilizes the wet tissue in use.
[0017] In the disposable tissue according to the present invention,
the molded disposable tissue may take the shape of a cylinder.
[0018] The cylindrically molded tissue can be not only restored
well to its original state, but also facilitate manufacture of the
mold and a work for inserting the disposal tissue into the
mold.
[0019] An apparatus for producing a disposable tissue according to
the present invention comprises a cylindrical molding bushing
having a longitudinal, through passage; a table for supporting the
molding bushing such that both end portions of the through passage
of the molding bushing are exposed to the outside; an upper press
installed vertically movably above the table and having a pressing
rod to be inserted into the through passage of the molding bushing
when the upper press moves downwardly; and a lower press installed
vertically movably below the table and having a supporting rod to
be inserted into the through passage of the molding bushing when
the lower press moves upwardly.
[0020] The upper press comprises a power source for pressing the
disposable tissue received in the through passage. The supporting
rod of the lower press closes an entrance of the through passage of
the molding bushing to compression-mold the disposable tissue and
opens the entrance of the through passage to discharge the molded
the disposable tissue from the through passage. The disposable
tissue is molded to have a shape that is the same as a space
defined by the through passage of the molding bushing, the
supporting rod of the lower press and the pressing rod of the upper
press. In a state where the entrance of the through passage of the
molding bushing is opened, the molded disposable tissue is
discharged from the through passage by the upper press moving
downwardly.
[0021] In the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention, the through passage of the
molding bushing may have an upwardly flared, tapered surface at an
inner surface of an upper entrance thereof.
[0022] In the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention, the molding bushing may have a
step formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to have a
larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the molding
bushing may be inserted into a through hole formed on the table,
and the through hole formed on the table may have a diameter
smaller than that of the larger diameter section but larger than
that of the smaller diameter section of the molding bushing so that
the step of the molding bushing is caught and movably supported by
a perimeter of the through hole.
[0023] In the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention, a plurality of molding bushings
may be provided, each of the molding bushings may have a step
formed on an outer circumference surface thereof to have a larger
diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the apparatus may
further comprise a supporting block supported on the table, the
supporting block may take the shape of a cylinder and have a
plurality of through passages for receiving and supporting the
molding bushings with the steps formed thereon, each of the molding
bushings may be received in the relevant one of the through
passages formed in the supporting block, each of the through
passages may have a diameter smaller than that of the larger
diameter section but larger than that of the smaller diameter
section of the relevant one of the molding bushings so that the
step of each of the molding bushings is caught and movably
supported by a perimeter of each through passage of the supporting
block, the upper press may have a plurality of pressing rods
provided above the relevant molding bushings, and the lower press
may have a plurality of supporting rods provided below the relevant
molding bushings.
[0024] In the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention, the supporting block may have a
step formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof to have a
larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section, the
supporting block may be inserted into a through hole formed on the
table, and the through passage may have a diameter smaller than
that of the larger diameter section but larger than that of the
smaller diameter section of the molding bushing so that the step of
the molding bushing is caught and movably supported by a perimeter
of the through passage.
[0025] Further, in the apparatus for producing the disposable
tissue according to the present invention, the pressing rod may
have an end surface on which rugged portions are formed for
stamping a definite embossed pattern on the disposable tissue to be
compression-molded.
[0026] Patterns or symbols are engraved on the compression-molded
disposable tissue by the rugged portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disposable tissue
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an apparatus for producing a
disposal tissue according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state before the
apparatus for producing the disposal tissue according to the
embodiment of the present invention performs a compression
operation.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state where the
disposable tissue according the embodiment of the present invention
is pressed by the apparatus.
[0031] FIGS. 5 and 6 are conceptual views showing a state where the
disposable tissue according to the embodiment of the present
invention is restored to its original state when the tissue is
submerged in a liquid.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS FOR DESIGNATING MAIN COMPONENTS
IN THE DRAWINGS
[0032] 1: Disposable tissue [0033] 10: Apparatus for producing a
disposal tissue [0034] 11: Molding bushing [0035] 11a: Through
passage [0036] 13: Lower press [0037] 15: Upper press
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0038] Hereinafter, a disposable tissue and an apparatus for
producing the same according to the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0039] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state where a
disposable tissue 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention is made through compression molding, FIG. 2 is a
sectional view of an apparatus for producing a disposal tissue
according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a
sectional view showing a state before the apparatus for producing
the disposal tissue according to the embodiment of the present
invention performs a compression operation, and FIG. 4 is a
sectional view showing a state where the disposable tissue
according the present invention is pressed by the apparatus.
[0040] A disposable tissue 1 of the present invention is made of
non-woven of rayon material. In particular, since the disposable
tissue 1 of the present invention has superior flexibility and
breathability, it is preferred that the disposable tissue be made
of non-woven manufactured by means of a spun lace method in which a
web is formed out of viscose rayon and fibers are coupled using a
high-pressure water stream. The disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention is received and compressed in a mold having a
predetermined shape to form a mass having a shape corresponding to
that of the mold. This molded shape of the mass is maintained until
moisture is supplied thereto.
[0041] Since the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention is
made of the nonwoven of rayon material, the disposable tissue has
resilience similarly to conventional fibers. The resilience
represents the ability of a fiber to be restored to its original
state when an external force is not exerted thereon after it has
been bent or compressed due to application of an external force
thereto. This resilience may be referred to as compression
elasticity or a work elastic restoration modulus. The resilience of
a fiber is closely involved with the elasticity of the fiber and
varies according to the form or sectional shape of the fiber.
Accordingly, the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention
should be pressed under a pressure higher than a predetermined
value to prevent the tissue from restoring to its origin shape even
though the pressure is relieved after the compression molding
thereof. Meanwhile, once a pressure higher than a predetermined
value is applied to the disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention, the disposable tissue 1 is hardly restored to its
original state even though the tissue has absorbed moisture and
been swelled. Accordingly, in order to make the non-woven of rayon
material be restored to its original state when it absorbs
moisture, the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention should
be pressed under a pressure less than a predetermined value. That
is, the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention should be
subjected to compression molding under a pressure within a
predetermined pressure range that varies according to the shape or
configuration of the non-woven as described above. However, if the
disposable tissue 1 is pressed under a pressure within the
predetermined pressure range, it is compressed at a compressibility
(.DELTA.V/V) in a range of 0.4 to 0.6. Here, the compressibility
(.DELTA.V/V) represents a ratio of the amount of volume change
(.DELTA.V) in the compressed disposable tissue to the volume (V) of
the uncompressed disposable tissue 1. The amount of volume change
(.DELTA.V) means a difference between the volume (V) of the
uncompressed disposable tissue 1 and the volume of the
compression-molded disposable tissue.
[0042] Further, even though the disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention taking any shape is put in a mold, the disposable tissue
1 is molded into a shape corresponding to that of the mold. The
molded tissue is restored to its original shape when moisture is
added thereto as described below. However, in a case where the
disposable tissue 1 of the present invention has been randomly
crumpled or folded into many folds, is received in the mold and
then subjected to compression molding, the crumpled or folded
portions of the tissue are not smoothly restored. Accordingly, it
is preferred that the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention
be compression molded by being pressed in a longitudinal direction
in a state where the tissue has been rolled, (see FIGS. 5 and
6).
[0043] Meanwhile, the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention
may be molded to take various shapes such as a sphere, a prism or a
cylinder. In the disposable tissue 1 of the present invention,
however, plastic deformation may be produced at a portion where
there is a rapid change in shape. The aforementioned portion where
there is a rapid change in shape mainly corresponds to an edge
portion of such a prism. Accordingly, it is preferred that the
disposable tissue 1 of the present invention be molded to take a
shape of a sphere in which there is no corner. Further, it is
preferred that the tissue be molded to take the shape of a cylinder
which has relatively fewer edges than a prism. Meanwhile, as will
be described below, the disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention is inserted into a molding bushing shown in FIG. 2 and
then molded to have a shape corresponding to that of the molding
bushing. However, since it is difficult to manufacture a molding
bushing taking the shape of a sphere and to insert the disposable
tissue into such a spherical molding bushing, it is preferred that
the molding bushing takes the shape of a column. Therefore, it is
desirable to produce the disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention by molding it through insertion thereof into a
cylindrical molding bushing which has not only relatively fewer
edge portions but also is easily manufactured and operated. That
is, it is preferred that the disposable tissue 1 of the present
invention be molded to take the shape of a cylinder.
[0044] The disposable tissue 1 of the present invention is
compression-molded in a state where it is received in a
predetermined cylindrical mold as described above. Hereinafter, an
apparatus 10 for producing the disposable tissue according to an
embodiment of the present invention by compression-molding
non-woven of rayon material will be described in detail.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus 10 for producing the
disposable tissue according to the embodiment of the present
invention comprises a molding unit 17, a lower press 13 and an
upper press 15.
[0046] The molding unit 17 comprises a table 16, molding bushings
11 for receiving disposable tissues to be molded, and a supporting
block 12 for supporting the molding bushings 11 on the table 16.
The table 16 has a through hole 16' into which the supporting block
12 is fitted. An outer surface of the supporting block 12 is
defined by a larger diameter section 12c and a smaller diameter
section 12d extending from the larger diameter section 12c. Through
holes 12a are formed longitudinally at a peripheral portion of the
supporting block 12. When the supporting block 12 is inserted into
the through hole 16' of the table 16, a step 12b formed at a
boundary between the larger diameter section 12c and the smaller
diameter section 12d is caught and supported by an upper perimeter
of the through hole 16' of the table 16. The supporting block 12 is
formed such that the diameter of the larger diameter section 12c of
the supporting block 12 is larger than that of the through hole 16'
of the table 16 and the diameter of the smaller diameter section
12d of the supporting block 12 is smaller than that of the through
hole 16' of the table 16. Accordingly, in a state where the
supporting block 12 is supported by the table 16, a clearance 14 is
created between the through hole 16' of the table 16 and the
smaller diameter section 12d of the supporting block 12 so that the
supporting block 12 can be horizontally played on the table 16. An
outer surface of the molding bushing 11 is defined by a larger
diameter section 11e and a smaller diameter section 11f extending
from the larger diameter section 11e. A through passage 11a is
formed longitudinally at the center of each molding bushing 11.
When the molding bushing 11 is inserted into the through hole 12a
of the supporting block 12, a step 11d formed at a boundary between
the larger diameter section 11e and the smaller diameter section
11f is caught and supported by an upper perimeter of the through
passage 12a of the supporting block 12. The molding bushing 11 is
formed such that the diameter of the larger diameter section 11e of
the molding bushing 11 is larger than that of the through hole 12a
of the supporting block 12 and the diameter of the smaller diameter
section 11f of the molding bushing 11 is smaller than that of the
through hole 12a of the supporting block 12. Accordingly, in a
state where the molding bushing 11 is supported by the supporting
block 12, a clearance 18 is created between the through hole 12a of
the supporting block 12 and the smaller diameter section 11f of the
molding bushing 11 so that the molding bushing 11 can be
horizontally played in the supporting block 12. The through passage
11a of the molding bushing 11 has an upwardly flared, tapered
surface 11b formed at an inner surface of an upper portion thereof
so that a pressing rod 15' of the upper press 15 can be smoothly
inserted into the through passage 11a. On the contrary, the through
passage 11a of the molding bushing 11 has a downwardly flared,
tapered surface 11c formed at an inner surface of a lower portion
thereof so that a supporting rod 13' of the lower press 13 can be
smoothly inserted into the through passage 11a.
[0047] The lower press 13 comprises the supporting rods 13' for
opening and closing lower entrances of the through passages 11a of
the respective molding bushings 11. The lower press 13 moves toward
the through passages 11a of the molding bushings 11 and then the
supporting rods 13' are inserted into the respective through
passages 11a so that the lower entrances of through passages 11a of
the molding bushings 11 are closed by the supporting rods 13'.
[0048] The upper press 15 comprises the pressing rods 15' that are
inserted into the through passages 11a of the molding bushings 11
via upper entrances thereof and move downward to press the
disposable tissues 1 received in the through passages 11a. The
upper press 15 is provided to vertically reciprocate above the
molding bushings 11. That is, the upper press 15 is installed such
that the pressing rods 15' of the upper press 15 can be inserted
into the through passages 11a of the molding bushings 11 to press
the disposable tissues 1 received in the through passages 11a of
the molding bushings 11 and the upper press 15 can be returned to
above the upper entrances of the through passages 11a. The upper
press 15 moves downward by power transmitted from a power source
(not shown) so that the pressing rods 15 move downward and press
the disposable tissues 1 received in the through passages 11a.
After the pressing is completed, the upper press 15 pushes
downwardly the compression-molded disposable tissues 1. Further,
the upper press 15 moves upward to be removed from the through
passages 11a in order to insert new disposable tissues into the
through passages via the upper entrances.
[0049] Meanwhile, in the apparatus 10 for producing the disposable
tissue according to the present invention, an end surface of each
pressing rod 15' is formed with rugged portions (not shown) for
stamping a predetermined embossed pattern on the compression-molded
disposable tissue 1.
[0050] Further, although the apparatus 10 for producing the
disposable tissue according to the present invention has been
described by way of example as having the plate-shaped table 16 on
which the molding bushings 11 and the supporting block 12 are
installed, continuous works may be performed by forming the table
16 in the shape of a rotational disk or installing molding bushings
11 on a conveyor device or the like.
[0051] Moreover, although this embodiment has been described by way
of example as having a structure in which the supporting block 12
and 12' is made separately from the table 16, the present invention
is not limited thereto. It will be readily apparent that the
supporting block 12 and may be formed integrally with the table 16.
Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the molding bushings
11 may be directly inserted into and supported by in the table
16.
[0052] The apparatus 10 for producing the disposable tissue having
the structure described above is operated as follows.
[0053] In a state where the disposable tissue 1 that has been
rolled as shown in FIG. 3 is inserted into the through passage 11a
of the molding bushing 11, the lower press 13 moves toward the
through passages 11a of the molding bushings 11 and the supporting
rods 13' of the lower press 13 are inserted into lower portions of
the through passages 11a. At this time, since the clearance 14
which allows the supporting block 12 to play horizontally is formed
between the supporting block 12 and the through hole 16' of the
table 16 and there is the clearance 18 between the supporting block
12 and each molding bushing 11, even though the center of each
through passage 11a of the molding bushing 11 is not aligned with
the center of each supporting rod 13' and thus there is an offset
between the two centers, the supporting block 12 plays horizontally
and thus the supporting rods 13' are inserted smoothly into the
lower portions of the through passages 11a of the molding bushings
11 when the supporting rods 13' are inserted into the lower
portions of the through passages 11a of the molding bushings
11.
[0054] Moreover, since each through passage 11a has the downwardly
flared, tapered surface 11c formed at the inner surface of the
lower portion thereof, the supporting rod 13' is slid on the
tapered surface 11c and inserted more smoothly into the through
passage 11a.
[0055] Next, each pressing rod 15' of the upper press 15 is
inserted into the relevant through passage 11a of the molding
bushing 11 via the upper entrance thereof and moves downward to
press the disposable tissue 1 as shown in FIG. 4. At this time,
even though each supporting rod 13' of the lower press 13 has been
inserted into the lower portion of the through passage 11a of the
molding bushing 11, the center of the pressing rod 15' is not
aligned with the center of the through passage 11a of the molding
bushing 11 because of a mechanical clearance existing between the
supporting rod 13' and the through passage 11a. Further, even
though the center of the pressing rod 15' is not aligned with the
center of the through passage 11a and thus an offset exists between
the two centers, when the pressing rod 15' of the upper press 15 is
inserted into the through passage 11a of the molding bushing 11,
the supporting block 12 and the molding bushing 11 play
horizontally so that the pressing rod 15' is slid on the tapered
surface 11b formed on the inner surface of the upper portion of the
through passage 11a of the molding bushing 11 and inserted smoothly
into the through passage 11a.
[0056] As described above, when the pressing rod 15' is inserted
into the through passage 11a of the molding bushing 11 to press the
disposable tissue 1 received in the through passage 11a, the
disposable tissue 1 is molded into a specific shape defined by the
molding bushing 11, the supporting rod 13' of the lower press 13
and the pressing rod 15' of the upper press 15.
[0057] Next, the supporting rod 13' of the lower press 13 closing
the lower entrance of the through passage 13a of the molding
bushing 11 is removed therefrom and the pressing rod 15 moves
further downward. Thus, the molded disposable tissue 1 is
discharged from the through passage 11a of the molding bushing
11.
[0058] The disposable tissue 1 molded as described above is
restored to an original state when moisture is applied thereto.
FIGS. 5 and 6 are conceptual views showing a state where the
disposable tissue 1 of the present invention is submerged in a
liquid 3 such as water and then restored to the original state.
[0059] Generally, when a fiber absorbs moisture, the fiber is
swelled. Accordingly, a crumpled or folded portion of the fiber
receives a swelling force generated by the absorption of the
moisture. Thus, the fiber is restored to its original shape. The
disposable tissue 1 of the present invention utilizes the property
of the fiber by which the fiber is restored to its original shape
through the absorption of the moisture. Referring to the figures,
once the molded disposable tissue 1 is submerged in the liquid such
as water as shown in FIG. 5, the molded tissue absorbs the liquid
and is restored to its original shape in which the tissue it is
rolled as shown in FIG. 6. The user can utilize the disposable
tissue that has been restored as described above.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0060] Since the disposable tissue of the present invention
constructed as above is compression-molded into a mass that
maintains a predetermined shape, the present invention has
advantages in that there is no need to prepare an additional soft
sack or case for storing and carrying the disposable tissue as well
as there is no need to seal the sack or case in which a wet tissue
is accommodated.
[0061] Further, since the disposable tissue of the present
invention is stored and carried in a dry state, the present
invention has advantages in that microbes does not propagate and
thus there is no need to add harmful substances such as
antimicrobial used for preventing the propagation of the
microbes.
[0062] In addition, the disposable tissue of the present invention
has an advantage in that since the tissue is compressed at a
compressibility larger than a certain value and has small volume,
it is easy to store and carry the disposable tissue.
[0063] Furthermore, since the disposable tissue is
compression-molded into a mass with a predetermined shape, it is
easy to pack the tissue and production costs are decreased.
[0064] Further, the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention can produce the disposable
tissue according to the present invention at low production
costs.
[0065] Moreover, the apparatus for producing the disposable tissue
according to the present invention has an advantage in that a
character, symbols or the like can be easily stamped on an outer
surface of the disposable tissue according to the present
invention.
[0066] It is intended that the embodiments of the present invention
described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be
construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various
changes and modifications thereto without departing from its true
spirit. Therefore, various changes and modifications obvious to
those skilled in the art will fall within the scope of the present
invention.
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