Patent · US Expired

Method of forming and metering fluff pulp

US6773545B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by
33References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 7, 2003
Grant dateAug 10, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 7, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC D)Textiles; Paper
  • CPC primaryD21B1/066
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for fiberizing bales of pulp into substantially dry fibers and fiber aggregates, i.e., dry fluff, and metering the resulting dry fluff to a receptacle or other process, such as an airlaid process for making disposable absorbent articles. One version of an apparatus having features of the present invention includes: a bale support member for supporting a bale of pulp, the bale support member defining two openings; two rotatable fiberizing assemblies having disrupting elements protruding through the openings an adjustable distance above the bale support member to contact a surface layer of the bale of pulp, the surface layer having a dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fiberizing assembly, each disrupting element extending longitudinally and substantially continuously along the fiberizing assembly for a distance of 100% or more of said surface-layer dimension; a transportation assembly for moving the bale of pulp back and forth along the bale support member and over the openings so that the disrupting elements contact a surface layer in the bale to form substantially dry, individual fibers and fiber aggregates…

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