Method and apparatus for making on-line stabilized absorbent materials

US6846448B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Timothy J. Rymer · Neenah, US
• Michael Venturino · Appleton, US
• Mark Scott Lancaster · Neenah, US
• Robert Eugene Vogt · Neenah, US
• Dennis John DeGroot · Appleton, US
• Michael J. Garvey · Appleton, US
• James A. Boldra · Menasha, US
• Frank P. Abuto · Duluth, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2005
• Expiry date: Oct 29, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2013/530364
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for forming a stabilized airlaid layer (86) can include an airforming of a substantially unbonded fibrous layer (66) which includes absorbent fibers and binder-fibers. The fibrous layer (66) is exposed to high-frequency electromagnetic energy during a distinctively short activation period to activate the binder-fibers to provide the stabilized, airlaid layer (86). In a particular aspect the activation period can be not more than about 3 sec.