Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Andrew Michael Lake

Jeffrey Dean Lindsay

Richard Joseph Kamps

Fung-jou Chen

Mark Louis Robinson

Shelley Rae Rasmussen

Gregory John Rajala

Rodney Lawrence Abba

Marcus David Weiher

Daniel James Oshefsky

David Henry Hollenberg

Moshe Saraf

Laura Jane Walker

James Ellis Horton, Jr

Edward G Wollangk

Michael John Bott

Lawrence Howell Sawyer

Heather Anne Sorebo

Tamara Lee Mace

Susan Jean Moder

MeeWha Lee

Valerie Victoria Finch

Connie Lynn Hetzler

Rebecca Lyn Dilnik

Allan James Krueger

David Michael Matela

Richard William Kubalek

Jayne B Nelson

Christine Marie Cowell

Andrew Scott Burnes

Thomas Patrick Jorgenson

Janice G Nielsen

Alexander M Schmidt-Foerst

Jesse James Pasterski

Michael Brent Kottek

Ann Marie Giencke

Charles John Chappell

James Allyn Spiers

Ann Margaret Vanevenhoven

Sarah Elizabeth Long-Radloff

Wen Tong Lay

An apparatus and process () for forming an embossed web or other article can include moving a target, composite web () along an appointed machine-direction () at a selected web speed, and operatively contacting the target web () with a rotary embossing device () to thereby form a non-linear embossment region () in at least a selected embossment portion of the target web (). For example, the web speed can be at least a minimum of about 1.9 m/sec. In a particular aspect, the embossing device () can include an outer peripheral surface () having a lateral cross-direction () and a circumferential-direction (), and can include a non-linear embossing member () located on the outer surface (). In another aspect, the embossing member () can be configured to include a selected traversing occurrence along the circumferential-direction () of the embossing device (). In a further aspect, the embossing member () can be configured to include a selected lateral traversing distance ().

Method and apparatus for forming an embossed article

An embossing method and apparatus () comprises a rotary embossing device () having a radial direction () and an outer peripheral surface (). The embossing device () includes at least one embossing-component () which extends at least radially outward from the peripheral surface (), and is configured to provide for a first embossing-pattern (). The embossing device () also includes a rotary shaft member (). A base embossing-segment () is operatively joined to the rotary shaft member () and configured to carry a first base-section () of the first embossing-component (). In a particular aspect, a first, supplemental embossing-segment () is operatively joined and selectively positionable on the rotary shaft member (), and is configured to carry a first supplemental-section () of the first embossing-component (). In other aspects, a first spacing mechanism () can adjust a radial position of the first, supplemental embossing-segment (), and a first, supplemental attachment-mechanism () can secure the radial position of the second supplemental embossing-segment ().

Multi-segmented embossing apparatus and method

The present invention is a method for producing an absorbent article. A wet resillient, cellulosic basesheet having elevated and depressed regions with an Overall Surface Depth of at least 0.2 mm is prepared. The cellulosic basesheet has an upper surface and a lower surface. A contiguous, fibrous nonwoven web having a plurality of openings is integrally attached onto the upper surface of the cellulosic basesheet such that a portion of the openings are superposed over the depressed regions of the cellulosic basesheet. An absorbent core and an impervious web are attached to the lower surface of the cellulosic basesheet such that the absorbent core is sandwiched between the impervious web and the cellulosic basesheet.

Dual-zoned absorbent webs

An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A rolled web product with an alternating winding pattern may be manufactured. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be placed upon a roll by winding in one direction and then back again in a second direction repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Rolled web products having a web wound in an oscillating fashion

Improved aperturing of a web can be obtained by providing pins with an extended tapered section that is substantially convex in shape. When the tapered section is longer than the penetration depth of the pins into the receiving recesses of a female roll, frictional forces in the nip between layers are reduced. Pins with extended tapered sections can be used in devices for producing apertured composite web assemblies comprising sections of absorbent matter attached to a nonwoven web or other carrier layer.

System for aperturing and coaperturing webs and web assemblies

An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be wound in one direction and then back again repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Method and apparatus for winding a web

Stabilized absorbent material and systems for personal care products having controlled placement of visco-elastic fluids

A dual-zoned, three-dimensional, resilient absorbent web is disclosed which is suitable as body-side liner for absorbent articles such as feminine pads, diapers and the like. When used as a liner in absorbent articles, the dual-zoned web combines the advantages of apertured films and soft, nonwoven cover layers in one structure while still being inherently hydrophilic. The liner comprises a web of wet-resilient, hydrophilic basesheet having a three-dimensional topography comprising elevated regions onto which hydrophobic matter is deposited or printed and a plurality of spaced apart depressed regions. In a preferred embodiment, the hydrophobic matter applied to the elevated regions of the basesheet comprises hydrophobic fibers in a contiguous nonwoven web which has been apertured or provided with slits or other openings, such that the apertures or openings overlay a portion of the depressed regions. The elevated hydrophobic regions enhance dry feel and promote fluid flow toward the lower hydrophilic regions, which comprise the exposed depressed regions of the basesheet. The basesheet is preferably in liquid communication with underlying absorbent material, most preferably a stabilized airlaid cellulosic material or compressed stabilized fluff such that the absorbent material can wick fluid out of the basesheet by capillary action. When soft, hydrophobic fibers are deposited on the elevated regions, the liner also has a soft, cloth-like feel in addition to a dry feel in use.

An easily operated dispenser for a flexible web typically a cellulosic web is provided that can be operated at a user option to provide a dry web or provide a liquid treated web. The liquid treatment can comprise an antimicrobial liquid treatment suitable for personal contact. The liquid treatment can comprise a cleaner, a soothing lotion, a protective coating, a pharmaceutical treatment, or any other liquid that can provide a beneficial property to a skin surface. The dispenser operates by having a first position from which it provides a dry web. The dispenser can also have a second position which contacts the web with a liquid treatment producing a web containing the liquid treatment composition. The user can interact with the dispenser and place the dispenser in the second position or the first position depending on the user's need for either a wet or dry web. This is a self-contained unit which can be designed to be either a disposable or nondisposable unit. The container can fit into a conventional tissue roll bracket or it can be designed to sit in a flat surface.

Wet or dry web dispenser

Low-density uncreped through-air-dried webs containing bleached chemithermomechanical pulp fibers and a wet-strength resin are calendered to significantly increase density and reduce caliper. When wetted, these webs substantially return to their original caliper and density and substantially regain their original fluid-handling characteristics. Consequently these webs are very thin when dry and thick when wet. They can be used for a wide variety of applications, including paper towels, wipers and fluid-handling components for infant care and personal care products.

High-density absorbent structure

Growing community of inventors

Kimberly, WI, United States of America

Andrew Michael Lake