Process and apparatus for making channeled absorbent articles

US12336893B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ONTEX GROUP NV · BE

Inventors

• Thomas HEEGE · Düngenheim, DE
• Ainas WEBER · Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, DE
• Christel MAILINGER · Elz, DE
• Manfred BREU · Luxem, DE
• Detlef Vollrath · Treis-Karden, DE
• Alissa IDELSON · Rheinbach, DE
• Christoph Wagner · Remchingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 25, 2024
• Grant date: Jun 24, 2025
• Expiry date: Sep 25, 2044

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2013/5312
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds, each mold comprising a non-porous insert therein, typically said insert having the inverse shape of said channel(s), wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v. applying a second nonwoven web directly or indirectly over the absorbent material, or folding said first nonwoven web, such to sandwich said absorbent material between upper and lower layers of said nonwoven web(s); vi. joining said upper and lower layers together at least in the areas of the nonwoven web(s) corresponding to the insert to form an absorbent core having one or more channels substantially free…