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

US8616867B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Procter & Gamble Company · US

Inventors

• Darrell Ian Brown · Mason, US
• Bradley Edward Walsh · Cincinnati, US
• Joseph Allen Eckstein · Sunman, US
• Horst Blessing · Cincinnati, US
• Volker Maier · Euskirchen, DE
• Siegfried Link · Schleiden, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2012
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 9, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F13/15658
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.