This invention relates to the field of fibrous structures, and particularly to the field of demonstrating strength characteristics of fibrous structures.
Fibrous structures are used in many consumer items, particularly as fibrous paper products. Paper products such as facial tissue, bath tissue, and paper towels are used by many consumers for many cleaning tasks. In particular, paper towels which are usually sold on a roll are often used for wet tasks, such as cleaning windows, cleaning up spills and scrubbing countertops. For this reason it can be important that absorbent paper products have sufficient strength for expected tasks. It is particularly important that absorbent paper products such as paper towels retain a certain strength when wet.
When marketing absorbent paper products, such as paper towels, it can be important to demonstrate to a potential consumer the strength of the absorbent paper product. For example, it can be important to demonstrate to a consumer the wet strength of a paper towel. Furthermore it can be important to demonstrate to a consumer the wet strength of one paper towel in relation to another paper towel.
Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a new and better way of demonstrating to a potential consumer the strength characteristics of a fibrous structure.
Additionally there is an unmet need for a new and better way of demonstrating to a potential consumer the strength characteristics of a paper towel.
Further, there is an unmet need for a new and better way of demonstrating to a potential consumer the relative strength characteristics of one paper towel, with respect to another paper towel.
Still further, there is an unmet need for a new and better way of demonstrating to a potential consumer the relative strength characteristics of a wet paper towel, particularly with respect to another wet paper towel.
A method for demonstrating the strength of an absorbent product is disclosed. The method can be used to demonstrate the strength, including the wet strength of a single absorbent product, such as a paper towel. In an embodiment, the method includes steps for demonstrating the strength of first absorbent product relative to a second absorbent product. The method can include:
The method of the present invention provides for a demonstration to illustrate the dry or wet strength of an absorbent product, particularly a cellulosic absorbent product in the form of a paper towel. In the description below, therefore, the invention will be illustrated with respect to a paper towel. However the invention can be utilized for various other absorbent products, including bath tissue, facial tissue, wipes, and the like.
As shown in
Upper and lower holding clamps, 12 and 14, can secure the respective opposing edges of absorbent product 10, by any means known in the art. As shown in cross-section 2-2 in FIG. T, for example, upper holding clamp 12 and lower holding clamp 14 can be substantially identical and can have movable opposing sides 12a and 14a, respectively, that can be drawn together at their respective distal tips 16 to apply substantially even pressure sufficient to grip absorbent product 10 under a tensile load, as discussed below. In general, sufficient gripping pressure need be great enough only to hold the absorbent product during the testing demonstration, as discussed below, such that there is little to no relative movement between the closed distal end 16 an absorbent product 10 during the demonstration. Distal tips 16 can apply sufficient force to apply sufficient pressure to the edges of absorbent product 10, by any means known in the art. For example, opposing sides 12a and 14a can be designed to have a spring action such that distal tips 16 are biased toward one another on each of upper clamp 12 and lower clamp 14. In another embodiment, opposing sides 12a and 14a can be drawn inwardly by a screw or bolt (not shown) extending laterally through both sides 12a and 14a, such that by a threaded means, sides 12a or 1a can be drawn together to apply sufficient pressure that distal tips 16.
Lower holding clamp 14 can have a weight such that alone it is sufficient to apply a downward tensile loading to absorbent product 10 such that upon wetting absorbent product 10 the weight of lower holding clamp 14 is sufficient to cause absorbent product 10 to fail in tension. However, in one embodiment a separate device is used to apply a predetermined weight to lower holding clamp 14, which weight, of course, applies tension to absorbent product 10. For example, as shown in
Once the apparatus 1 is set up as shown, for example, in
In a similar manner, the apparatus 1 can be set up as shown, for example, in
A method of the invention utilizing the illustrated apparatus starts with providing an absorbent product having a length dimension and a width dimension. The length and width dimensions of absorbent product 10 can be equal. The absorbent product can be generally rectangular shaped. The absorbent product can be a cellulosic absorbent paper product, and can be a paper towel. The paper towel can be one from a roll of paper towels. The method includes providing an upper holding clamp 12 for holding the top edge along its width W. Upper holding clamp 12 can be mounted to any stable and stationary object 15. A lower holding clamp 14 is also provided and positioned to generally uniformly and evenly clamp the bottom edge of absorbent product 10 along the width W of the absorbent product. Once upper holding clamp and lower holding clamp are in place, which can be in a substantially parallel relationship, the absorbent product should hang freely in a vertical orientation.
The method of the invention includes optionally adding weight to the apparatus by connecting weight to lower holding clamp 14. For example, a round bar 20 can be connected to lower holding clamp 14 by clamps 17 which securely hold bar 20 in a generally parallel relationship with respect to lower holding clamp 14. If additional weight is desired, weights 22 can be added on to bar 20 until the desired weight pulling in downward tension on absorbent product 10 is reached.
Once absorbent product 10 is held in a hanging relationship by upper holding clamp 12 and lower holding clamp 14, and optionally after adding additional weights 20, 22, the absorbent product can be tested for wet strength by wetting in any suitable manner. Wetting can be achieved by applying a fluid, such as water, to the absorbent product. In one embodiment wetting is achieved by spraying a predetermined number of sprays from a spray bottle 30, as shown in
In one embodiment additional sprays of wetting fluid, for example, water, from spray bottle 30 can be made until tensile failure occurs due to the weakening of the absorbent product 10 when wetted sufficiently. In another embodiment, for a predetermined amount of spray from spray bottle 30, additional weight can be added to bar 20 in a stepwise fashion until sufficient weight is added to cause absorbent product 10 to fail in tension. In another embodiment, for a predetermined amount of wetting of absorbent product 10, the time between wetting and failure in tension can be measured.
Wetting can be accomplished in any known manner including spraying by means other than by spray bottle, as depicted in
In an embodiment one or more apparatus 1 can be utilized to show comparative results of two absorbent products 10. For example, as shown in
The method of the present invention when utilized in a comparative demonstration, can utilize two or more apparatuses as shown in
Therefore, in an embodiment for demonstrating the strength of an absorbent product, particularly when wet, the method involves providing two absorbent products each having generally the same size and shape. Thus, for example, two paper towels of generally the same overall size can be tested in a side-by-side demonstration by each paper towel being arranged in an apparatus, for example in an arrangement in accordance with the description above with respect to
In one embodiment a demonstration can be filmed for visual viewing by others later. For example, two absorbent products, such as competitive brands of paper towels, can be arranged in side-by-side apparatuses in which the top edge and bottom edges are uniformly held across their respective width. Once each paper towel is hanging in a dry stable condition, wetting can be applied, for example, by use of a spray bottle generally uniformly spraying an equal amount and placement of wetting fluid, such as water, across the width of each paper towel. If each paper towel, after wetting, remains intact, either additional wetting can be applied, or additional weight can be applied in order to show which competitive brand of paper towel ultimately fails first in tension.
In any embodiment of the present invention, it can be understood that the demonstration can be modified according the desired communication to be made by varying fluid application, time, weight, or combinations of all three. For example, it may be desirable to show that a particular paper towel, being wetted by a certain amount of fluid, remains strong enough to retain physical integrity for a certain amount of time. Likewise, it may be desirable to show that a particular paper towel, being wetted by a certain amount of fluid, can retain physical integrity under the influence of a larger amount of weight than, for example, a paper towel marketed by a competitor.
Other physical configurations are contemplated as serving a similar function and providing the benefit of a visual demonstration of strength. For example, in an embodiment, an absorbent product, such as a paper towel, can be positioned horizontally, with opposing edges attached to weights by know means, such as clamps as described above, with the clamped edges being pulled in tension by weights draped over appropriately spaced turning bars and pulling under the influence of gravity. As with the method described above, weights can be added in incremental amounts until failure of the paper towel occurs, at which time the weights can fall freely under the influence of gravity. Other demonstration techniques can also be utilized in the method of the present invention. For example, visual and audio clues, such as the visual of a paper towel being “snapped” taut can be shown. For example, at the beginning, end, or during the demonstration as described above, a visual representation can be shown of a person snapping taut a paper towel, with or without an accompanying sound of the snapping motion.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.