U.S. patent application number 11/588076 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-01 for soft and absorbent tissue products.
Invention is credited to Kou-Chang Liu.
Application Number | 20080099168 11/588076 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39232970 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080099168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Kou-Chang |
May 1, 2008 |
Soft and absorbent tissue products
Abstract
Softening compositions for tissues, particularly facial tissues,
include a combination of polysiloxanes and one or both of a
polyalkylene oxide and a fatty alkyl derivative. The softening
compositions can contain from about 30 to about 75 weight percent
polysiloxane, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent polyalkylene
oxide and from about 0 to about 60 weight percent fatty alkyl
derivative, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide
and the fatty alkyl derivative is about 25 weight percent or
greater. The resulting tissues have good softness and
wettability.
Inventors: |
Liu; Kou-Chang; (Appleton,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
39232970 |
Appl. No.: |
11/588076 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
162/109 ;
162/158; 162/168.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 8/891 20130101;
D21H 17/59 20130101; A61K 8/86 20130101; D21H 27/002 20130101; A61Q
19/00 20130101; D21H 17/36 20130101; A61K 8/0208 20130101; D21H
21/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
162/109 ;
162/158; 162/168.1 |
International
Class: |
D21H 25/00 20060101
D21H025/00 |
Claims
1. A tissue sheet having from about 0.5 to about 10 dry weight
percent of a topically-applied softening composition which
comprises, on a solids basis, from about 30 to about 75 weight
percent of one or more polysiloxanes, from about 0 to about 60
weight percent of one or more polyalkylene oxides and from about 0
to about 60 weight percent of one or more fatty alkyl derivatives,
wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide(s) and the
fatty alkyl derivative(s) is about 25 weight percent or
greater.
2. The tissue sheet of claim 1 wherein one or more of the
polysiloxanes has the following general structure: ##STR00003##
wherein: "m" is from 10 to 100,000; "n" is from 1 to 10,000; "p" is
from 0 to 1,000; "A" and "B" are independently a hydroxyl, C.sub.1
to C.sub.20 or R.sub.2; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are
distributed in random or block fashion; R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 to
C.sub.8 radical, which can be straight chain, branched or cyclic;
R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 radical, which can be straight
chain, branched or cyclic, or of the structure: ##STR00004##
wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently a C.sub.2 to C.sub.8
alkylene diradical, which can be straight chain or branched,
substituted, or unsubstituted; X is an oxygen or N--R.sub.8;
R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently hydrogen, a
substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 or C.sub.2, a substituted or
unsubstituted straight chain or branched or cyclic C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 alkyl radical, or an acyl radical, such as an acetyl
radical; and "s" is 0 or 1; R.sub.3 is of the structure:
R.sub.9--Y--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.r--C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.q--R.sub.10
wherein Y is an oxygen or N--R.sub.11; R.sub.9 is a C.sub.2 to
C.sub.8 alkylene diradical, which can be straight chain or
branched, substituted or unsubstituted; R.sub.10 and R.sub.11, are
independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 or
C.sub.2, a substituted or unsubstituted, straight chain or branched
or cyclic C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 alkyl radical; "r" is from 1 to
100,000; and "q" is from 0 to 100,000.
3. The tissue of claim 2 wherein R.sub.2 is an alkylene substituted
with a di-amine or a mono-amine.
4. The tissue of claim 2 wherein R.sub.2=R.sub.1 and "A" and "B"
are a nitrogen quaternium.
5. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the polyalkylene oxide has the
following general structure:
R.sub.12--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub-
.2tO].sub.v--R.sub.13 wherein: R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are
independently a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a straight chain or branched C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a cyclic C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl
radical; "i", "j" and "v" are independently from 0 to 100,000, with
the oxide moieties are distributed along the polymer backbone
randomly or as blocks; "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than 10; and
"t" is from 4 to 10.
6. The tissue of claim 4 wherein the polyalkylene oxide is a
polyethylene oxide or a polyethylene glycol.
7. The tissue of claim 6 wherein the polyethylene oxide or
polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight greater than 600.
8. The tissue of claim 4 wherein the polyalkylene oxide is
polyethylene glycol.
9. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the polyalkylene oxide is a solid
at room temperature.
10. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative has
the following general structure: R.sub.14-G wherein: R.sub.14 is a
C.sub.8 to C.sub.40 alkyl radical, which can be substituted or
unsubstituted, primary, secondary or tertiary; straight chain,
branched or cyclic; and "G" is hydroxy, amine, sulfonate, sulfate,
phosphate, acid or acid derivative, or
-Q-[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical; wherein "Q" is an oxygen radical, an NH
radical or
N--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O}.sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical; R.sub.13 is a hydrogen, a substituted or
unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a straight chain or
branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a cyclic C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical; "i", "j" and "v" are independently from 0 to
100,000, where the oxide moieties are distributed along the polymer
backbone randomly or as blocks; "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than
10; and "t" is from 4 to 10.
11. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative is an
ethoxylated alcohol or a mixtures of ethoxylated alcohols.
12. The tissue of claim 11 wherein an ethoxylated alcohol has a
carbon chain length of 12 or greater.
13. The tissue of claim 11 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative is an
ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol.
14. The tissue of claim 11 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative is an
ethoxylated cetyl alcohol.
15. The tissue of claim 10 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative is a
solid at room temperature.
16. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the polysiloxane is an
amino-derivatized polysiloxane and the fatty alkyl derivative is an
alkylenoxylated alcohol.
17. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the polysiloxane is an
amino-derivatized polysiloxane and the fatty alkyl derivative is an
alkylenoxylated amine.
18. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the tissue softening composition
comprises about 70 weight of an amino-polysiloxane and about 30
weight percent of an ethoxylated alcohol or a mixture of
ethoxylated alcohols.
19. The tissue of claim 18 wherein the ethoxylated alcohols are in
solid form at room temperature.
20. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the tissue softening composition
comprises from about 50 to about 70 weight percent of an
amino-polysiloxane and from about 30 to about 50 weight percent
polyethylene glycol.
21. The tissue of claim 20 wherein the polyethylene glycol is a
solid at room temperature.
22. The tissue of claim 1 wherein the tissue softening composition
comprise from about 50 to about 70 weight percent of an
amino-polysiloxane and from about 30 to about 50 weight percent of
a mixture of at least one polyethylene glycol and at least one
fatty alkyl derivative
23. The tissue of claim 22 wherein the polyethylene glycol and
fatty alkyl derivative are in solid form at room temperature.
24. A softening composition which comprises, on a solids basis,
from about 30 to about 75 weight percent of one or more
polysiloxanes, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent of one or
more polyalkylene oxides and from about 0 to about 60 weight
percent of one or more fatty alkyl derivatives, wherein the
combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide(s) and the fatty alkyl
derivative(s) is about 25 weight percent or greater.
25. The composition of claim 24 wherein one or more of the
polysiloxanes has the following general structure: ##STR00005##
wherein: "m" is from 10 to 100,000; "n" is from 1 to 10,000; "p" is
from 0 to 1,000; "A" and "B" are independently a hydroxyl, C.sub.1
to C.sub.20 or R.sub.2; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are
distributed in random or block fashion; R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 to
C.sub.8 radical, which can be straight chain, branched or cyclic;
R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 radical, which can be straight
chain, branched or cyclic, or of the structure: ##STR00006##
wherein R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently a C.sub.2 to C.sub.8
alkylene diradical, which can be straight chain or branched,
substituted, or unsubstituted; X is an oxygen or N--R.sub.8;
R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are independently hydrogen, a
substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 or C.sub.2, a substituted or
unsubstituted straight chain or branched or cyclic C.sub.3 to
C.sub.20 alkyl radical, or an acyl radical, such as an acetyl
radical; and "s" is 0 or 1; R.sub.3 is of the structure:
R.sub.9--Y--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.r--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.q--R.sub.10
wherein Y is an oxygen or N--R.sub.1; R.sub.9 is a C.sub.2 to
C.sub.8 alkylene diradical, which can be straight chain or
branched, substituted or unsubstituted; R.sub.10 and R.sub.11, are
independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 or
C.sub.2, a substituted or unsubstituted, straight chain or branched
or cyclic C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 alkyl radical; "r" is from 1 to
100,000; and "q" is from 0 to 100,000.
26. The composition of claim 25 wherein R.sub.2=R.sub.1 and "A" and
"B" are a nitrogen quaternium.
27. The composition of claim 24 wherein the polyalkylene oxide has
the following general structure:
R.sub.12--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O}.sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub-
.2tO].sub.v--R.sub.13 wherein: R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are
independently a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a straight chain or branched C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a cyclic C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl
radical; "i", "j" and "v" are independently from 0 to 100,000, with
the oxide moieties are distributed along the polymer backbone
randomly or as blocks; "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than 10; and
"t" is from 4 to 10.
28. The composition of claim 24 wherein the fatty alkyl derivative
has the following general structure: R.sub.14-G wherein: R.sub.14
is a C.sub.8 to C.sub.40 alkyl radical, which can be substituted or
unsubstituted, primary, secondary or tertiary; straight chain,
branched or cyclic; and "G" is hydroxy, amine, sulfonate, sulfate,
phosphate, acid or acid derivative, or
-Q-[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical; wherein "Q" is an oxygen radical, an NH
radical or
N--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O}.sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical; R.sub.13 is a hydrogen, a substituted or
unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a straight chain or
branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a cyclic C.sub.1 to
C.sub.6 alkyl radical; "i", "j" and "v" are independently from 0 to
100,000, where the oxide moieties are distributed along the polymer
backbone randomly or as blocks; "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than
10; and "t" is from 4 to 10.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The use of various polysiloxanes to soften tissue products,
such as facial and bath tissue, is well known in the tissue
industry. However, while polysiloxanes are effective in providing a
smooth surface feel, they are generally hydrophobic and retard
wettability. In addition, polysiloxanes can be expensive. Therefore
there is a need for lower cost polysiloxane compositions which
provide the desired level of softness without reducing the
wettability of the tissue to unacceptable levels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It has now been discovered that certain blends of components
can provide tissues with the desired balance of softness and
wettability at a reduced cost compared to current polysiloxane
softness compositions. More specifically, it has been found that
polysiloxanes can be combined with one or more polyalkylene oxides
and/or one or more fatty alkyl derivatives in the proper ratios,
particularly when the polyalkylene oxide(s) and/or the fatty alkyl
derivative(s) is(are) solid at room temperature, to provide
improved softness compared to the polysiloxane alone, as well as
good wettability for tissue products, particularly facial
tissues.
[0003] Hence, in one aspect, the invention resides in a softening
composition which comprises, on a solids basis, from about 30 to
about 75 weight percent of one or more polysiloxanes, from about 0
to about 60 weight percent of one or more polyalkylene oxides and
from about 0 to about 60 weight percent of one or more fatty alkyl
derivatives, wherein the combined amount of the polyalkylene
oxide(s) and the fatty alkyl derivative(s) is about 25 weight
percent or greater.
[0004] In another aspect the invention resides in a tissue sheet
having a topically-applied softening composition which comprises,
on a solids basis, from about 30 to about 75 weight percent of one
or more polysiloxanes, from about 0 to about 60 weight percent of
one or more polyalkylene oxides and from about 0 to about 60 weight
percent of one or more fatty alkyl derivatives, wherein the
combined amount of the polyalkylene oxide(s) and the fatty alkyl
derivative(s) is about 25 weight percent or greater.
[0005] The softening composition can topically applied onto one or
both of the outer tissue product surfaces, such as by printing or
spraying, or by any other manner known in the tissue making art.
Topical addition tends to concentrate the softening composition on
the surface(s) of the tissue product where its softening
characteristics are most readily apparent to the consumer. The
add-on amount can be from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent,
more specifically from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent, and
still more specifically from about 1 to about 3 weight percent.
[0006] Polysiloxanes useful for purposes of this invention can have
one or more pendant functional groups such as amine, quaternium,
aldehyde, epoxy, hydroxy, alkoxyl, polyether and carboxylic acid
and its derivatives, such as amides and esters. Suitable
polysiloxanes can have the following general structure:
##STR00001##
wherein: "m" is from 10 to 100,000; "n" is from 1 to 10,000; "p" is
from 0 to 1,000;
"A" and "B" are independently a hydroxyl, C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 or
R.sub.2;
R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are distributed in random or block
fashion;
R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 radical, which can be straight
chain, branched or cyclic;
[0007] R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 radical, which can be
straight chain, branched or cyclic, or of the structure:
##STR00002##
[0008] wherein [0009] R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are independently a
C.sub.2 to C.sub.8 alkylene diradical, which can be straight chain
or branched, substituted, or unsubstituted; [0010] X is an oxygen
or N--R.sub.8; [0011] R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are
independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 or
C.sub.2, a substituted or unsubstituted straight chain or branched
or cyclic C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 alkyl radical, or an acyl radical,
such as an acetyl radical; and [0012] "s" is 0 or 1; R.sub.3 is of
the structure:
R.sub.9--Y--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.r--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.q--R.sub.10
[0013] wherein [0014] Y is an oxygen or N--R.sub.11; [0015] R.sub.9
is a C.sub.2 to C.sub.8 alkylene diradical, which can be straight
chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted; [0016] R.sub.10
and R.sub.11 are independently hydrogen, a substituted or
unsubstituted C.sub.1 or C.sub.2, a substituted or unsubstituted,
straight chain or branched or cyclic C.sub.3 to C.sub.20 alkyl
radical; [0017] "r" is from 1 to 100,000; and [0018] "q" is from 0
to 100,000.
When R.sub.2=R.sub.1, "A" and "B" can also be a nitrogen
quaternium.
[0019] Examples of suitable commercially available polysiloxanes
include AF-2340, AF-2130, HAF-1130, EAF-3000, EAF-340, EAF-15,
AF-2740, WR-1100, WR-1300 and Wetsoft CTW from Kelmar/Wacker;
DC-8822, DC-8566, DC-8211, DC-SF8417, DC-2-8630, DC-NSF, DC-8413,
DC-SSF, DC-8166 from Dow Corning; SF-69, SF-99 SF-1023 from GE
Silicones and Tegopren 6924, Tegopren 7990, Tego IS4111 from
Goldschmidt/Degussa.
[0020] The amount of the polysiloxane in the softening composition,
on a solids basis, can be from about 30 to about 75 weight percent,
more specifically from 30 to about 70 weight percent, more
specifically from about 40 to about 70 weight percent, and still
more specifically from about 50 to about 70 weight percent.
[0021] Polyalkylene oxides suitable for purposes of this invention
can have the following general structure:
R.sub.12--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O}.sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.su-
b.2tO].sub.v--R.sub.13
wherein:
R.sub.12 and R.sub.13 are independently a hydrogen, a substituted
or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a straight chain
or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a cyclic C.sub.1
to C.sub.6 alkyl radical;
[0022] "i", "j" and "v" are independently from 0 to 100,000, with
the oxide moieties are distributed along the polymer backbone
randomly or as blocks; "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than 10; and
"t" is from 4 to 10.
[0023] The polyalkylene oxide can be in a liquid or solid state at
room temperature. However, a polyalkylene oxide which is solid at
room temperature is preferred. Examples of suitable commercially
available polyalkylene oxides are Carbowax PEG 600, Carbowax PEG
1450 and Carbowax PEG 8000 from Dow Chemical.
[0024] The amount of the polyalkylene oxide in the softening
composition, on a solids basis, can be from 0 to about 60 weight
percent, more specifically from about 1 to about 60 weight percent,
more specifically from about 10 to about 60 weight percent, more
specifically from about 20 to about 60 weight percent, more
specifically from about 30 to about 60 weight percent, and still
more specifically from about 30 to about 50 weight percent.
[0025] Fatty alkyl derivatives suitable for purposes of this
invention can have the following general structure:
R.sub.14-G
wherein:
R.sub.14 is a C.sub.8 to C.sub.40 alkyl radical, which can be
substituted or unsubstituted, primary, secondary or tertiary;
straight chain, branched or cyclic; and
"G" is hydroxy, amine, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, acid or acid
derivative, or
-Q-[C.sub.2H.sub.4O].sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical;
[0026] wherein [0027] "Q" is an oxygen radical, an NH radical or
N--[C.sub.2H.sub.4O}.sub.i--[C.sub.3H.sub.6O].sub.j--[C.sub.tH.sub.2tO].s-
ub.v--R.sub.13 radical; [0028] R.sub.13 is a hydrogen, a
substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, a
straight chain or branched C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical, or a
cyclic C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl radical; [0029] "i", "j" and "v"
are independently from 0 to 100,000, where the oxide moieties are
distributed along the polymer backbone randomly or as blocks;
[0030] "i+j+v" is equal to or greater than 10; and [0031] "t" is
from 4 to 10.
[0032] The fatty alkyl derivatives can be in liquid or solid state
at room temperature. However, a fatty alkyl derivative which is a
solid at room temperature is preferred. Examples of commercially
available suitable fatty alkyl derivatives are glycerol stearate,
glycerol dilaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan tristearate,
sorbitan sesquioleate polyoxyethylene sorbitan palmitate, 9-EO
ethoxylated tridecylalcohol, Ceteth-10, Ceteth-12 (12-EO
ethoxylated cetyl alcohol) and Ceteth-20. More particularly,
suitable commercially available fatty alkyl derivatives include
Pluraface A-38, Macol CSA 20 and Macol LA 12 from BASF; Armeen 16D,
Armeen 18D, Armeen HTD, Armeen 2C, Armeen M2HT, Armeen 380,
Ethomeen 18/15 Amid 0, Witconate 90, Witconate AOK, and Witcolate C
from Akzo Nobel.
[0033] The amount of the fatty alkyl derivative in the softening
composition, on a solids basis, can be from 0 to 60 weight percent,
more specifically from about 1 to about 60 weight percent, more
specifically from about 1 to about 50 weight percent, more
specifically from about 10 to about 50 weight percent, more
specifically from about 20 to about 50 weight percent, and still
more specifically from about 20 to about 40 weight percent.
[0034] In the interests of brevity and conciseness, any ranges of
values set forth in this specification are to be construed as
written description support for claims reciting any sub-ranges
having endpoints which are whole number values within the specified
range in question. By way of a hypothetical illustrative example, a
disclosure in this specification of a range of from 1 to 5 shall be
considered to support claims to any of the following sub-ranges:
1-4; 1-3; 1-2; 2-5; 2-4; 2-3; 3-5; 3-4; and 4-5.
EXAMPLES
[0035] Three-ply, wet-pressed, creped facial tissue products were
made with different softening compositions of this invention as
described below and tested for softness and wettability. In
general, the tissue base sheets were produced using a conventional
wet-pressed tissue making process well known in the art. More
particularly, an aqueous suspension of papermaking fibers was
issued from a layered headbox onto a forming fabric. The furnish
consisted of 70 weight percent hardwood (eucalyptus) fibers and 30
weight percent softwood fibers. A vacuum box beneath forming fabric
was adapted to remove water from the fiber furnish to assist in
forming a web. The newly formed web was transferred to a felt with
aid of a pick up roll. While supported by the felt, the tissue web
was lightly pressed onto the surface of a Yankee dryer using a
press roll. The dried web was creped from the surface of the Yankee
dryer and the resulting single-ply tissue base sheet was wound onto
a parent roll. Thereafter, the base sheets from three like parent
rolls were unwound and converted into a three-ply basesheet for
subsequent application of the various softening compositions. The
finished basis weight of the three-ply base sheet was about 22.7
pounds per 2880 square feet.
[0036] The softening composition was simultaneously applied to both
surfaces of the three-ply basesheet by rotogravure printing. The
gravure rolls were electronically engraved, chrome over copper
rolls supplied by Southern Graphics Systems, located at Louisville,
Ky. The rolls had a line screen of 360 cells per lineal inch and a
volume of 1.5 Billion Cubic Microns (BCM) per square inch of roll
surface. Typical cell dimensions for this roll were 65 microns in
length, 110 microns in width, and 13 microns in depth. The rubber
backing offset applicator rolls were a 75 Shore A durometer cast
polyurethane supplied by American Roller Company, located at Union
Grove, Wis. The process was set up to a condition having 0.375 inch
interference between the gravure rolls and the rubber backing rolls
and 0.003 inch clearance between the facing rubber backing rolls.
The simultaneous offset/offset gravure printer was run at a speed
of 2000 feet per minute. This process yielded a solids add-on level
of about 1.0 weight percent based on the dry weight of the finished
tissue product. (0.5 dry weight percent on each side of the
product.
[0037] After the tissue products were made, they were tested for
geometric mean tensile strength, wettability and softness.
[0038] As used herein, the "geometric mean tensile strength" (GMT)
is the square root of the product of the dry machine direction
tensile strength multiplied by the dry cross-machine direction
tensile strength and is expressed as grams per 3 inches of sample
width. The machine direction tensile strength is the peak load per
3 inches of sample width when a sample is pulled to rupture in the
machine direction. Similarly, the cross-machine direction (CD)
tensile strength is the peak load per 3 inches of sample width when
a sample is pulled to rupture in the cross-machine direction. More
specifically, samples for tensile strength testing are prepared by
cutting a 3 inches (76.2 mm) wide by inches (127 mm) long strip in
either the machine direction (MD) or cross-machine direction (CD)
orientation using a JDC Precision Sample Cutter (Thwing-Albert
Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa., Model No. JDC 3-10, Serial
No. 37333). The instrument used for measuring tensile strengths is
an MTS Systems Sintech 11S, Serial No. 6233. The data acquisition
software is MTS TestWorks.RTM. for Windows Ver. 3.10 (MTS Systems
Corp., Research Triangle Park, N.C.). The load cell is selected
from either a 50 Newton or 100 Newton maximum, depending on the
strength of the sample being tested, such that the majority of peak
load values fall between 10-90% of the load cell's full scale
value. The gauge length between jaws is 4+/-0.04 inches (101.6+/-1
mm). The jaws are operated using pneumatic-action and are rubber
coated. The minimum grip face width is 3 inches (76.2 mm), and the
approximate height of a jaw is 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The crosshead
speed is 10+/-0.4 inches/min (254+/-1 mm/min), and the break
sensitivity is set at 65%. The sample is placed in the jaws of the
instrument, centered both vertically and horizontally. The test is
then started and ends when the specimen breaks. The peak load is
recorded as either the "MD tensile strength" or the "CD tensile
strength" of the specimen depending on direction of the sample
being tested. At least six (6) representative specimens are tested
for each product or sheet, taken "as is", and the arithmetic
average of all individual specimen tests is either the MD or CD
tensile strength for the product or sheet.
[0039] Wettability of the tissue products is determined by the "Wet
Out Time", which is related to absorbency, and is the time it takes
for a prepared sample to completely wet out when placed in water.
More specifically, the Wet Out Time is determined by cutting 20
product sheets of the tissue sample into 2.5 inch squares. The
number of product sheets used in the test is independent of the
number of plies per sheet of product. (For a 3-ply product were are
60 plies in each pad.) The 20 square sheets are stacked together
and stapled at each corner to form a pad. The pad is held close to
the surface of a constant temperature distilled water bath
(23.+-.2.degree. C.), which is the appropriate size and depth to
ensure the saturated specimen dose not contact the bottom of the
container and the top surface of the water at the same time, and
dropped flat onto the water surface, staple points down. The time
taken for the pad to become completely saturated, measured in
seconds, is the Wet out Time for the sample and represents the
absorbent rate of the tissue. Increases in the Wet Out Time
represent a decrease in the absorbent rate.
[0040] Softness of the tissue products was determined by a trained
in-hand ranking panel, which provides a basic assessment of the
softness and stiffness characteristics of a tissue product. The
ranking panel is trained to provide holistic assessments as close
as possible to those that a typical consumer might provide. In
carrying out the test, two different assessments are made: Softness
and Softness-on-Face. The Softness test involves evaluating the
velvety, silky or fuzzy feel of the tissue sample when rubbed
between the thumb and fingers. The Softness-on-Face test involves
rubbing the tissue sample against the face, including the area
between the nose and lips. Rank data generated for each sample code
by the panel are analyzed using a proportional hazards regression
model. This model assumes computationally that the panelist
proceeds through the ranking procedure from most of the attribute
being assessed to least of the attribute. The softness test results
are presented in the tables below as log odds values. The log odds
are the natural logarithm of the risk ratios that are estimated for
each code from the proportional hazards regression model. Larger
log odds indicate the attribute of interest is perceived with
greater intensity.
Example 1
[0041] Two tissue softening compositions were prepared and supplied
by the Kelmar Division of Wacker Chemical Corporation, Duncan, S.C.
The relevant chemical components of the formulations are set forth
in Table 1. Tissue samples were prepared as described above by
gravure coating the two formulations on a three-ply, wet-pressed,
creped facial tissue basesheet. A total add-on of 1 weight percent
(0.5 weight percent on each side) was evenly coated on both sides
of the basesheet. The treated basesheets were then converted into
folded facial tissue products. (The percentage of each component,
on a solids basis, is in parentheses).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Water and other 12-EO 9-EO formulation
Ethoxylated Ethoxylated aids Polysiloxane Cetyl tridecyl balance to
Formulation AF-23 alcohol alcohol 100% 1 (Control) 30% (83%) 0%
(0%) 6% (17%) '' 2 (Invention) 22.5% (67%) 5% (15%) 6% (18%) ''
[0042] The GMT and Wet Out Time of the facial tissue products were
measured and the Softness and Softness-on-Face of the tissue
products were evaluated. The results are set forth in Table 2
below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Soft on Formulation GMT WOT Face Softness 1
(Control) 933 34.5 0.2308 -0.0646 2 (Invention) 929 25.6 0.9738
0.3842
[0043] The results illustrate that at similar physical strength
(GMT), the tissue product treated with the softening chemical
composition of this invention (Formulation 2) has a shorter Wet Out
Time (or better wettability) and was softer in general and softer
on the face when compared with the tissue product treated with the
control (Formulation 1) (In Formulation 1, the combined amount of
the polyalkylene oxide(s) and the fatty alkyl derivative(s) is less
than 25 weight percent.)
Example 2
[0044] Softening compositions designated as Formulations 3-8 in
Table 3 were prepared, applied to tissue samples and tested as
described in Example 1. (The percentage of each component, on a
solids basis, is in parentheses). The test results are set forth in
Table 4.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Water and other Polyethylene 9-EO
formulation Polysiloxane oxide Ethoxylated aids balance Formulation
(AF-23) (PEG 1450) tridecylalcohol to 100% 3 (Control) 30% (83%) 0%
(0%) 6% (17%) '' 4 (Invention) 21% (58%) 9% (25%) 6% (17%) '' 5
(Invention) 18% (50) 12% (33%) 6% (17%) '' 6 (Invention) 15% (42%)
15% (42%) 6% (17%) '' 7 (Invention) 12% (33%) 18% (50%) 6% (17%) ''
8 (Invention) 9% (25%) 21% (58%) 6% (17%) ''
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Formulation GMT WOT Soft-on-Face Softness 3
(Control) 964 32.2 0.5053 -0.0344 4 (Invention) 975 25.6 0.7572
0.1405 5 (Invention) 980 30.3 0.9222 -0.1781 6 (Invention) 979 30.9
0.8172 0.1056 7 (Invention) 971 22.9 0 0 8 (Invention) 1043 16.7
0.3191 -1.0158
[0045] The results shown in Table 4 illustrate that at similar
physical strength (GMT), tissue products treated with the softening
compositions of this invention, such as the tissue product treated
with Formulation 4, has a shorter Wet Out Time (better wettability)
and was softer in general and softer on the face when compared with
the tissue product treated with the control (Formulation 3).
[0046] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and
examples, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of this invention, which is defined
by the following claims and all equivalents thereto.
* * * * *