U.S. patent application number 11/615239 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for wetness indicating roll wrap system, and methods.
Invention is credited to David Uitenbroek.
Application Number | 20080148688 11/615239 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39540914 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080148688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Uitenbroek; David |
June 26, 2008 |
WETNESS INDICATING ROLL WRAP SYSTEM, AND METHODS
Abstract
A wetness indicating wrap system that provides evidence to the
user if the roll wrap system has been exposed to water or other
aqueous material. The wetness indicating wrap system includes a
water contact indicator (e.g., soluble dye present as indicia) on
an outer surface of the roll wrap system, the water contact
indicator configured to bleed, run, or otherwise distort when
exposed to water or other aqueous material. The water contact
indicator dries in its distorted image, thus providing an
indication that the water contact indicator, and thus the roll wrap
system, had been exposed to water or other aqueous material.
Inventors: |
Uitenbroek; David; (Sun
Prairie, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
39540914 |
Appl. No.: |
11/615239 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/410 ;
229/87.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 3/04 20130101; B65D
79/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/410 ;
229/87.01 |
International
Class: |
B65D 65/22 20060101
B65D065/22 |
Claims
1. A wrapped roll of sheet material comprising: (a) a roll of sheet
material having a first end and an opposite second end; and (b) a
wetness indicating wrap system comprising a roll wrap system at
least partially covering the roll, the roll wrap system having a
water contact indicator thereon and comprising an outer wrap of
material wrapped circumferentially around the roll and an outer
header covering at least one end of the roll.
2. The wrapped roll of claim 1 wherein each of the outer wrap and
the outer header has the water contact indicator thereon.
3. The wrapped roll of claim 2 wherein the outer header comprises a
first header covering the first end of the roll and a second header
covering the second end of the roll.
4. The wrapped roll of claim 3, wherein each of the outer wrap, the
first header and the second header has the water contact indicator
thereon.
5. The wrapped roll of claim I wherein the water contact indicator
comprises indicia formed from a water soluble dye.
6. The wrapped roll of claim 5 wherein the water soluble indicia is
alphanumeric.
7. The wrapped roll of claim 5 wherein the water soluble indicia
comprises a repeating pattern.
8. The wrapped roll of claim 1 wherein the sheet material is
paper.
9. A method of monitoring the quality of rolled sheet material, the
method comprising: wrapping a roll of sheet material with a wetness
indicating wrap system comprising a roll wrap system having a water
contact indicator thereon; and monitoring the wrapped roll for
distortion of the water contact indicator.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, after wrapping,
storing the wrapped roll.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising, after wrapping,
transporting the wrapped roll from a first location to a second
location.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein wrapping a roll of sheet material
with a wetness indicating wrap system comprises wrapping a roll of
paper.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein wrapping a roll of sheet material
with a wetness indicating wrap system comprises wrapping a roll of
sheet material with a wetness indicating wrap system comprising a
roll wrap system having water soluble indicia thereon.
14. A wrapped roll of sheet material comprising: (a) a roll of
sheet material having a first end and an opposite second end; and
(b) a wetness indicating wrap system comprising a roll wrap system
at least partially covering the roll, the roll wrap system having a
water contact indicator thereon and comprising at least one of an
outer wrap of material wrapped circumferentially around the roll
and an outer header covering at least one end of the roll.
15. The wrapped roll of claim 14 wherein the roll wrap system
comprises both an outer wrap of material and an outer header.
16. The wrapped roll of claim 15 wherein each of the outer wrap and
the outer header has the water contact indicator thereon.
17. he wrapped roll of claim 15 wherein one of the outer wrap and
the outer header has the water contact indicator thereon.
18. The wrapped roll of claim 14 wherein the water contact
indicator comprises indicia formed from a water soluble dye.
19. The wrapped roll of claim 18 wherein the water soluble indicia
is alphanumeric.
20. The wrapped roll of claim 18 wherein the water soluble indicia
comprises a repeating pattern.
Description
[0001] The present disclosure is directed to rolls of sheet good
products, such as rolls of paper sheet goods. The disclosure
relates to wrap systems for the rolls.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Paper rolls, or other rolls of sheet material, usually have
the roll covered with a roll wrap protective system, such as a
sheet (i.e., an outer wrap) wrapped around the circumference of the
roll. Any wrap material overhanging the ends of the roll is usually
crimped radially inwardly over the ends of the roll. A header
assembly may be located internally and/or externally of the crimped
over projecting wrap portion at each end of the roll. This
protection system, including the roll wrap and the header assembly,
is common.
[0003] The roll wrap system protects the roll of material (e.g.,
paper) throughout the storage and distribution process. Once a roll
of material is formed, it is desirable to cover the roll to protect
the material from damage until it is used.
[0004] It is common that during storage or shipping, the wrapped
roll may come into contact with water, for example, as a puddle on
the floor on which the roll is stored, rain or snow falling on the
roll during transport, or the like. Many times, the water soaks
through the roll wrap and/or header and contacts the material,
damaging the material.
[0005] As mentioned, paper is a common rolled material that is
wrapped with a roll wrap system for storage and transportation. Wet
paper can generally not be used. Even after drying, however,
although the paper may have not visible indication of damage, the
paper may no longer be suitable for use or may not perform as
expected. Often, the paper dries before it has been noticed that it
had been wet, thus creating a surprise for the paper user when the
paper roll is unwrapped.
[0006] What is needed in a system to notify one if a wrapped roll
has been exposed to water or other aqueous material.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present disclosure provides a roll wrap system that
provides an indication to the user if the roll wrap system has been
exposed to liquid water or other aqueous material. The wetness
indicating wrap system of this invention includes a water contact
indicator on an outer surface of the roll wrap system, the water
contact indicator configured to bleed, run, or otherwise distort
when exposed to water or other aqueous material. The water contact
indicator dries in its distorted image, thus providing an
indication that the water contact indicator, and thus the roll wrap
system, had been exposed to liquid water or other aqueous
material.
[0008] Having evidence that the roll has been exposed to liquid
water, and possibly damaged, has numerous benefits.
[0009] Having a water contact indictor on the roll wrap system
increases the confidence level of the user of the roll material
that the material has not been exposed to liquid water and thus not
damaged or rendered unusable. Further, knowing that the roll of
material has not been damaged, those handling the roll may be more
careful than if they were not certain the material was still
useable, quality material. Also, those handling the roll may be
more careful knowing that it would be traceable back to them if
water contact occurred while the roll was under their control. As
possession of the rolls passes from one to another, the subsequent
handler would know if the roll was damaged prior to his possession
of the roll, thus providing an indication of under whose control
the damage occurred. Knowing where and when water damage occurred
would also save time and money, reducing the handling and transport
of damaged rolls.
[0010] One particular embodiment of this disclosure is a wetness
indicating wrap system that includes a roll wrap system having a
water contact indicator thereon. The roll wrap system includes a
roll wrap and at least one header (often two headers), with the
water contact indicator on at least one of the roll wrap and the at
least one header. The water contact indicator may be indicia formed
from a water soluble dye.
[0011] These and other embodiments are described in the present
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a roll of sheet
material;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, schematic perspective view
of a roll having a roll wrap system, the roll wrap system including
an outer protective roll wrap, an optional inner header, and an
outer header;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a roll having the
wetness indicating wrap system of the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is the roll of FIG. 3 after having been exposed to a
water or aqueous liquid source, showing the benefits of the wetness
indicating wrap system of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The present disclosure is directed to providing evidence of
water exposure to a wrapped roll, particularly a paper roll, such
as those from a paper making processes.
[0017] The size of these rolls is often 30-60 inches in diameter,
30-100 inches in height, weighing from less than a ton to as much
as 5 tons, although smaller and larger rolls are also common. Often
used terms for these rolls include trim, master and roll stock.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, a standard, unprotected trimmed roll of
paper is illustrated at reference numeral 10. Paper roll 10 has a
first end 12, an opposite second end 14, and an outer surface 15
that extends between ends 12 and 14. Paper may be wound on a core
or be wound in a coreless manner to form roll 10. The paper of
paper roll 10 may be any conventional or otherwise known paper, and
of any basis weight that can be wound into a roll, such as kraft
paper, newspaper, or other. The paper may be bleached or
unbleached, or colored. The paper may be in any stage of
processing, for example, ready for printing, ready for slitting,
already slit to the desired size, or ready for any other converting
process. Methods for forming paper roll 10 are well known.
[0019] Rolls 10 are often stored and moved from one location to
another for storage. To protect rolls 10 during handling and
storage, a protective outer covering system, that may include
various elements, is added to roll 10.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates wrapped paper roll 10', which is roll 10
having a roll wrap system, comprising various protective elements,
present. In particular, wrapped roll 10' includes an outer
protective wrap 20 that extends around the circumference of roll
10. Outer protective wrap 20 preferably extends axially over ends
12, 14 of roll 10 to form covered end 22 and covered end 24,
respectively. The portion of wrap 20 that extends over ends 12 to
form covered end 22 is usually crimped or folded to form portions
42. Covered end 24 has a similar overlap of wrap 20, but is not
seen in FIG. 2. Outer protective wrap 20 and methods of applying to
roll 10 to form crimped portions 42 over covered ends 22, 24 are
well known.
[0021] It is also well known to apply a header assembly to one or
both ends 22, 24 of wrapped roll 10', to protect the edge of the
rolled material. The header assembly often includes an inner
header, positioned between the rolled paper and crimp portions 42,
and an outer header, positioned over crimp portions 42. In some
assemblies, only one header is present. FIG. 2 illustrates an inner
header 50 at end 22 present between the rolled paper and crimp
portion 42. A comparable inner header can be present at end 24. The
header assembly also includes outer header 55, which is illustrated
removed from end 22, to facilitate understanding of the placement
of outer header 55 on wrapped roll 10'. Header 55 is typically
circular, to match the shape of end 22 of the paper roll. The outer
perimeter of header 55 may extend short of the outer perimeter of
end 22 and wrap 20, thus leaving exposed a portion of crimped
portions 42, or, outer header 55 may cover the entire end 22 and
crimped portions 42.
[0022] Any or all of wrap 20, inner header 50 and outer header 55
can include natural fiber, synthetic fiber, or a mixture.
[0023] Natural fiber refers to fiber formed from plants or animals.
Natural fibers are not fibers that are formed as a result of
extrusion or spinning. The natural fibers can be obtained from a
source of fiber using techniques such as chemical pulping, chemical
mechanical pulping, semi chemical pulping, or mechanical pulping.
Natural fibers from plants are often referred to as cellulosic
fibers. Exemplary natural fibers that can be used to form base
sheet 11 include wood fibers and non-wood natural fibers such as
vegetable fibers, cotton, various straws (e.g., wheat and rye),
various canes (e.g., bagasse and kenaf), silk, animal fiber, (e.g.,
wool), grasses (e.g., bamboo, etc.), hemp, corn stalks, abaca,
etc.
[0024] Wood fiber can be obtained from wood pulp, which can include
hardwood fibers, softwood fibers, or a blend of hardwood fibers and
softwood fibers. The pulp can be provided as cellulose fiber from
chemical pulped wood, and can include a blend from coniferous and
deciduous trees. By way of example, wood fibers can be from
northern hardwood, northern softwood, southern hardwood, southern
softwood, or any blend thereof. Hardwood fibers tend to be more
brittle but are generally more cost effective for use because the
yield of pulp from hardwood is higher than the yield of pulp from
softwood. Softwood fibers have desired paper making characteristics
but are generally more expensive than hardwood fibers.
[0025] The natural fibers can be extracted with various pulping
techniques. For example, mechanical or high yield pulping can be
used for stone ground wood, pressurized ground wood, refiner
mechanical pulp, and thermomechanical pulp. Chemical pulping can be
used incorporating kraft, sulfite, and soda processing.
Semichemical and chemi-mechanical pulping can also be used which
includes combinations of mechanical and chemical processes to
produce chemi-thermomechanical pulp. Natural fibers can be bleached
or unbleached.
[0026] The pulp can include a recycle source for reclaimed fiber.
Exemplary recycle sources include post-consumer waste (PCW) fiber,
office waste, and corrugated carton waste. Post-consumer waste
fiber refers to fiber recovered from paper that is recycled after
consumer use. Office waste refers to fiber obtained from office
waste, and corrugated carton waste refers to fiber obtained from
corrugated cartons. Additional sources of reclaimed fiber include
newsprint and magazines. Reclaimed fiber can include both natural
and synthetic fiber. Incorporation of reclaimed fiber in base sheet
11 can aid in efficient use of resources and increase satisfaction
of the end user of masking paper 10.
[0027] Examples of synthetic fibers that could be used for any or
all of wrap 20, inner header 50 and outer header 55 include
polyacrylic fiber, polyethylene fiber, polypropylene fiber,
polylactide fiber, rayon, and nylon fiber.
[0028] In accordance with this disclosure, the wrap system,
comprising wrap 20 and at least outer header 55, includes a water
contact indicator thereon. A water contact indicator is a visible
element that, when exposed to liquid water, distorts, usually in
its shape. The water contact indicator sufficiently distorts upon
exposure to liquid water so that a user can readily recognize the
distortion. The water contact indicator does not return to its
pre-distorted form upon removal of the water or drying. One example
of a water contact indicator is indicia formed from a water soluble
dye.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 3, a paper roll wrapped with the wetness
indicating wrap system of this disclosure is illustrated as roll
100. Roll 100 includes first end 112 on which roll 100 is placed
and opposite second end 114 at the top of roll 100. Roll 100 has
thereon a roll wrap system that includes a water contact indicator.
In this specific embodiment, roll 100 includes a roll wrap system
comprising an outer wrap 120 that includes indicia 130 thereon. The
header at end 114 also includes indicia 130 therein. Although not
seen in this view, the header at end 112 may additionally or
alternately include indicia 130 thereon.
[0030] Indicia 130 may be any readily visually discernable marking,
such as alphanumeric indicia, (i.e., letters or numbers), shapes
(e.g., polygons), lines, patterns (e.g., cross-hatch) or irregular
arrangements of shapes or lines, etc. Although indicia with fairly
exact patterns or lines is preferred (in order to readily discern
if the indicia has bled or run or otherwise distorted), large solid
areas of indicia may be suitable. In this embodiment, indicia 130
includes alphanumeric indicia 132 (particularly, "PAPER") and
cross-hatched lines 134 on wrap 120 and alphanumeric indicia 136 on
the header. Of course other forms of indicia are suitable. Indicia
130 may relay information about the paper within roll 100, for
example, lot number, date of production, basis weight, etc.
[0031] The water contact indicator, such as indicia 130, is
preferably sufficiently large (e.g., at least 2 inches high, e.g.,
at least 3 inches high) and sufficiently bold so that one can
readily visually inspect the quality of the water contact indicator
at a distance of at least about 3 meters, often at a distance of at
least 5 meters.
[0032] In most embodiments, the entire surface of the wrap system
will include water contact indicator, such as indicia 130, however,
in some embodiments, it may be desired to have the water contact
indicator focused at end 112, the end that will be positioned on
the ground or other supporting surface. Either or both of wrap 20
and outer header 55 can have the water contact indicator thereon;
it is not required that the water contact indicator be the same on
wrap 20 as on header 55.
[0033] In one embodiment, indicia 130 is formed on the wrap system,
i.e., either or both of wrap 20 and outer header 55, from a water
soluble dye. In preferred embodiments, the dye is a water soluble
food grade dye.
[0034] A dye can generally be described as a colored, liquid
substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is
being applied. Dye is generally an aqueous solution, and may
require a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the
substrate (e.g., paper fiber). Both dyes and pigments/inks appear
to be colored because they absorb some wavelengths of light while
reflecting others.
[0035] A dye is different than an ink or pigment, which is a
suspension or dispersion of finely divided pigment in a drying oil.
Some types of inks dry by evaporation of a volatile solvent rather
than by oxidation and polymerization of a drying oil or resin. In
contrast with a dye, an ink or pigment generally is insoluble, and
has no affinity for the substrate.
[0036] An example of a suitable, food grade water soluble dye for
the wrap system of this disclosure is available from Sensient,
located in Saint Louis, Mo. This dye is available in powder form
which can then be blended into a solution. Water, other aqueous
solvent, or organic solvent may be used.
[0037] The dye may be a natural dye, such as an organic colorant
obtained from an animal or plant source. Examples of natural dyes
include madder, cochineal, logwood, and indigo. The dye may be
generally any color that is distinguishable from the wrap system
surface on which it is applied. Colors that have the most contrast,
as compared to the wrap system surface, would be most
preferred.
[0038] The water contact indicator bleeds, runs, or otherwise
distorts when exposed to liquid water or other aqueous source. Upon
removal of the water or other aqueous source from the water contact
indicator (that is, the area is dried), the water contact indicator
does not return to its original form, but remains distorted. The
water contact indicator should not bleed, run or otherwise distort
under typical atmospheric conditions and preferably does not bleed,
run or otherwise distort at relative humidity of less than about
90%.
[0039] In FIG. 4, roll 100 from FIG. 3 is illustrated contacting
water or other aqueous material source. In FIG. 4, roll 100' has
first end 112 at least partially seated in a puddle of water W. It
should be understood that other sources of water or other aqueous
material would cause indicia 130 to distort; for example, water
dripping onto roll 100 or seeping up through the floor.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 4, water W has contacted and at least
partially wetted the wrap system surrounding the paper roll; water
W may or may not have soaked through the wrap system and wetting
the paper itself. Because of the exposure of indicia 130 on wrap 20
to water W, at least a portion of indicia 130 has distorted (e.g.,
run, bleed, etc.). The alphanumeric indicia (i.e., "PAPER") has
distorted, creating distorted alphanumeric indicia 132'. The edges
of the individual letters are no longer sharp. In fact, some
adjacent edges of the letters have bled together. In other
embodiments, the individual letters may not be discernible.
Additionally, the cross-hatch pattern alternating with the
alphanumeric indicia has distorted, creating lines 134'. Indicia
136 at end 114 has not contacted water W and thus has not
distorted.
[0041] After removal of paper roll 100' from water W, paper roll
100' will eventually dry, and in some embodiments, there will be
little or no evidence remaining on roll 100' that the roll had been
exposed to water. The water contact indicator however, as indicia
130', will remain distorted, providing visual evidence of prior
wetting of the paper roll.
[0042] The dye that forms indicia 130 can be applied to wrap 20 by
conventional coating processes, such as by flexographic coating,
gravure coating, lithography, offset printing or other printing,
knife coating, reverse angle gravure coating, and the like, and
then appropriately dried or cured to drive off the dye solvent and
set the dye to the substrate. Examples of suitable drying methods
include using deck driers, ovens, steam or oil heated cans, or any
combination thereof.
[0043] In most embodiments, a coating process is used that provides
sufficiently sharp and precise edges for indicia to discern when
indicia 130 has distorted. A size coat or other undercoating may be
present on wrap 20 or header 55 prior to applying indicia 130. The
application of indicia 130 onto the wrap system is usually done
prior to applying the wrap system to the paper roll to be
protected.
[0044] Coating speeds for indicia 130 of 100 ft/min to even 1000
ft/min can be obtained. The amount of water soluble dye applied to
the wrap system is an amount sufficient to provide visually
discernible and recognizable indicia 130.
[0045] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *