Printing – Embossing or penetrating – Special-article machines
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-21
2001-01-09
Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)
Printing
Embossing or penetrating
Special-article machines
C101S005000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170393
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for embossing a pattern into absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads, more particularly the present invention relates to an anvil roll in an embosser assembly which reduces the machine dynamics such as vibration associated with the embossing apparatus and significantly improves the embossing line process and quality.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
All manner and variety of absorbent articles configured for the absorption of body fluids such as menses, urine, and feces are, of course, well known. Some particularly preferred absorbent articles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,308,346 and 5,234,422 issued to Sneller, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,623 entitled “Trisection Sanitary Napkin” issued to Emenaker, et al., and PCT Publication No. WO 94/10045, entitled “Sanitary Napkin Having Core Predisposed to a Convex Upward Configuration”, published on Mar. 23, 1995 in the name of Letha M. Hines, et al.
The latter publication discloses providing the sanitary napkin with one or more lines of weakness that allow the sanitary napkin to bend in a preferred manner. The lines of weakness may be comprised of discrete embossment sites. In the manufacture of such absorbent articles, difficulties are often encountered with process reliability and embossment quality, particularly when the sanitary napkin is made in a high speed manufacturing operation. Machine dynamics, such as vibration, cause high stress concentrations, high wear, and fatigue which decrease the life of the embossing apparatus. An apparatus which increases the machine durability, reduces machines vibrations, creates a wide distribution of stress concentrations and provides a high degree of control over the registration of the embossing pattern is needed, particularly when the sanitary napkin or other absorbent articles are being made in a high speed manufacturing operation.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for embossing a pattern into absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, diapers, and adult incontinence pads which improves significantly the embossing line process and quality.
The apparatus for forming a pattern of embossments in an absorbent article comprises an embosser assembly having a patterned die roll and an anvil roll. The anvil roll comprises a multi-layered structure, that preferably comprises a hub, encircled by a compressible layer and enclosed by a sleeve. The multi-layered anvil roll reduces machine dynamics, such as vibration, associated with the embossing apparatus and significantly improves the embossing line process and quality. The embosser assembly also includes a mechanism for applying compressive pressure on the components of an absorbent article when the components are placed between the die roll and the anvil roll.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1528956 (1925-03-01), Smith
patent: 2966723 (1961-01-01), Swope
patent: 3264978 (1966-08-01), Staley
patent: 3877919 (1975-04-01), Shorr
patent: 4823450 (1989-04-01), Ramisch et al.
patent: 5308346 (1994-05-01), Sneller et al.
patent: 5411463 (1995-05-01), Brookstein
patent: 5830296 (1998-11-01), Emenaker et al.
DeHaan Dennis Allen
Hook Jeremy Frederic
Kollner Wilfried Maria
Bamber Jeffrey V.
Hickman Ingrid N.
Hilten John S.
Nguyen Anthony H.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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