Textiles: fiber preparation – Assembling – Different materials
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-03-20
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Textiles: fiber preparation
Assembling
Different materials
C019S302000, C019S304000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202259
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for producing an absorbent article. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for depositing particulate material in a fibrous web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Absorbent articles and structures, such as absorbent pads and absorbent cores, have been formed by employing various techniques, such as wet forming techniques, and air laying techniques. Conventional air laying techniques have transported a foraminous forming surface, such as a forming screen, through a forming chamber. Fibrous materials and particulate materials have been introduced into the forming chamber, and a vacuum source has been employed to draw an air stream through the forming surface. The air stream entrains the fibers and particulate material for deposition onto the moving forming surface. In particular systems, a nozzle has been employed to deliver and direct the particulate material into the forming chamber, and the particles have been composed of superabsorbent material.
Multiple forming chambers have been employed to form different layers of material in a composite absorbent article. The different layers have included different types of particulate material, and have been composed of different types of fibrous material.
Such conventional techniques have been excessively complex and costly, especially those that employ multiple forming chambers. In addition, such conventional techniques have not adequately regulated the delivery of particles, such as superabsorbent particles, into desired locations within a fibrous web. More particularly, the conventional techniques have not adequately provided the deposition of particles into desired locations along a thickness dimension of the fibrous web. Also, the conventional delivery nozzles have not adequately provided the desired distributions and concentrations of the particulate material within the fibrous web. For example, the conventional delivery nozzles have not adequately generated desired, superabsorbent-rich strata within a selected absorbent article. As a result, there has been a continued need for improved techniques for controlling the deposition of particulate material in desired strata of a fibrous web, and for generating desired superabsorbent-containing strata within a composite absorbent article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a distinctive method and apparatus for depositing particulate material in an airlaid fibrous web. The technique includes a moving of a forming surface through a forming chamber, and a laying of the fibrous material onto the forming surface to form the fibrous web. In a particular aspect, the particulate material can be delivered into the forming chamber with an arcuate curved nozzle which is positioned within the forming chamber at a location spaced from the forming surface.
In its various aspects and configurations, the present invention can advantageously provide an effective and cost efficient technique for forming a desired distribution or concentration of particulate and fibrous material within an absorbent article. The technique of the invention can, for example, provide a desired distribution or concentration of superabsorbent material within a fibrous web, and can be configured to more effectively provide a predetermined location and distribution of superabsorbent material through the thickness of one or more selected fibrous strata of the desired absorbent article. In particular aspects, the technique of the invention better control the formation of selected strata having selected superabsorbent concentrations, and can better regulate desired separation distances between the strata along the thickness dimension of the article. As a result, the technique of the invention can better produce an absorbent article having improved absorbent performance, and can better produce an article having an improved combination of liquid uptake, liquid distribution, absorbent capacity, and leakage resistance.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2624079 (1953-01-01), Duvall
patent: 4666647 (1987-05-01), Enloe et al.
patent: 4761258 (1988-08-01), Enloe
patent: 4927582 (1990-05-01), Bryson
patent: 5028224 (1991-07-01), Pieper et al.
patent: 5445777 (1995-08-01), Noel et al.
patent: 5628090 (1997-05-01), Lock
Burr Randy Keith
de Vos John Wallace
Heyn David Willis
Keller Richard Francis
Olsen Thomas George
Calvert John J.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Welch Gary L.
Yee Paul
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