Method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material for use as a component in an absorbent core assembly

US7524449B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Bradley Edward Walsh · Cincinnati, US
• Horst Blessing · Cincinnati, US
• Darrell Ian Brown · Mason, US
• John Glasgow Burns, Jr. · Cincinnati, US
• Joseph Allen Eckstein · Sunman, US
• Volker Maier · Euskirchen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2005
• Grant date: Apr 28, 2009
• Expiry date: Apr 8, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/15634
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming an absorbent core assembly containing a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a laydown drum having a plurality of vacuum zones, a plurality of fence zones, and a plurality of blow-off zones. The vacuum zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass through and into the laydown drum. The fence zones may be substantially impermeable to inhibit air from passing through. The blow-off zones may be substantially permeable to permit air to pass out of and through said laydown drum. The apparatus may also include a deposition chute for depositing particulate material on a web of material in close proximity to the laydown drum. A shield may also be attached to the deposition chute in order to prevent the particles from bouncing off of the laydown drum.