Apparatus and method for the zoned placement of superabsorbent material
US5494622A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F13/15658
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming a composite web having selected discrete pocket regions which are distributed on a carrier layer and contain high-absorbency material. The invention includes a pattern chamber having opposed side walls, an entrance end wall and an exit end wall. A particulate supplying mechanism provides particles of high-absorbency material into the pattern chamber, and a web supplying mechanism provides a gas permeable carrier layer. A foraminous forming mechanism moves the carrier layer through the pattern chamber, and the forming mechanism includes a pattern of openings which are formed therethrough and are arranged to provide for a selected pattern of the discrete pocket regions. A vacuum supplying mechanism provides a selected level of relatively low gas pressure at an underside region of the forming mechanism to produce a selected gas-flow through the carrier layer and the foraminous forming mechanism to form the pocket regions. A covering mechanism provides a layer of liquid-permeable covering material to sandwich said pocket regions of high-absorbency material between said carrier layer and said covering layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.