Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for forming an apertured pad

US6220999A · kind A · utility

21Cited by
130References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 19, 1999
Grant dateApr 24, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 19, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F13/533
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a pad wherein a rotatable forming screen which has a generally cylindrical surface and at least one outwardly projecting nob is employed. The nob is positioned on the forming screen whereby the nob is circumscribed by the material, e.g., cellulosic fluff, deposited on the forming screen to form the pad. The pad is transferred from the forming screen to a moveable transfer surface. The transfer surface may be either flat or round and moves at a velocity which is at least as great as the velocity of the forming screen. The nob located on the forming screen includes a thrust surface disposed on a trailing edge of the nob. The thrust surface imparts a compressive force on the pad during the release of the pad from the forming screen. The compressive force is at least partially directed towards the transfer surface and thereby assists in the release and transfer of the pad. A vacuum may also be used to attract the pad to the transfer surface. When the transfer surface is a cylindrical surface, the forming screen may have a diameter which is smaller than, substantially equivalent to, or greater than the diameter of the transfer surface. The nobs …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.