Other

American Bio Energy Converting Corp.

R & L Engineering, Inc.

John M Tharpe, Jr

Robert M Herrin

William L Meadow

Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at locations having substantial quantities of biomass, with the biomass fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into char and bio-fuel constituents.

Systems, apparatus and methods for optimizing the rapid pyrolysis of biomass

Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at a sawmill or similar location where substantial quantities of biomass are generated, with the biomass generated at the sawmill fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into constituent char and bio-fuel constituents.

Systems, apparatus and methods for optimizing the production of energy products from biomass

A container that holds small bulk articles observable through mesh-covered openings while restricting access for substituting articles among containers formed by folding a blank on scores to define a top wall with two opposing end walls and two opposing side walls. Each side wall has a bottom wall foldable on a respective score for closing the container after filing with contents. At least one of the top wall and side walls defines an opening that is covered with a netting that restricts casual removal of the contents while permitting visual inspection.

Small-article container

An apparatus for producing a plurality of shock and moisture absorbing pads is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a waste material grinder positioned to grind the relatively large particle waste material into relatively much smaller particles, a ground waste core material feeder positioned to feed ground waste core material downstream, a core pad former positioned to form the core material into a plurality of individual core pads, a core pad encaser positioned to encase the plurality of individual core pads with a selected sheet of material to thereby form a sheet of a plurality of shock and moisture absorbing pads, and a pad separator positioned to separate the sheet into a plurality of individual shock and moisture absorbing pads. A shock and moisture absorbing pad is also provided and preferably includes a core pad formed from a particulate material, an elongate lower sheet underlying the core pad, an elongate upper sheet overlying the core pad, and an adhesive material contacting each of the upper and lower sheets. The particulate material of the pad preferably includes at least one of the following: super absorbency material, fluff, elastic, polymeric material, and glue. Also, the upper and lower sheets of the pad preferably include paper.

Shock and moisture absorbing pad and apparatus and methods for forming and using same

An apparatus and method for forming a connection of portions of a moving folded web of disposable undergarments is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a registration conveyor positioned to register and convey a folded web of disposable undergarments moving along a predetermined path of travel and a web connector positioned adjacent the registration conveyor to connect portions of the folded web as the folded web is conveyed along the predetermined path of travel. A method preferably includes registeringly conveying a folded web of disposable undergarments along a predetermined path of travel and connecting portions of the folded web as the folded web is conveyed along the predetermined path of travel.

Disposable undergarment forming apparatus having folder registration conveyor side connector and separator

An apparatus and method for orienting portions of a disposable undergarment, such as a core thereof, is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a core lifting system for lifting a core of a disposable undergarment when a first orientation position during travel along a predetermined path and a core orientor connected to the core lifting system for orienting the core in a second orientation position along the predetermined path of travel. The core orientor preferably includes at least one drive for driving the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel and an orientation changing system associated with the at least one drive for changing the orientation of the lifted core to the second orientation position when driving at least portions of the core lifting system along the predetermined path of the travel.

Apparatus having a core orientor and methods of orienting portions of a disposable undergarment

A laminating apparatus and methods are provided for laminating fabric such as for a disposable garment. The apparatus preferably includes a frame having upper and lower frame regions, a first roll of fabric mounted to the upper frame region so as to provide a first web of fabric when unwound from the first fabric roll, and a second roll of fabric mounted to the lower frame region and positioned adjacent the first fabric roll so as to provide a second web of fabric when unwound from the second fabric roll. A fabric dance controller is preferably positioned downstream from the first and second fabric rolls and positioned to receive the first and second webs of fabric therefrom for dancingly controlling the tension of the first and second webs of fabric being received from the first and second fabric rolls. Additionally, a fabric laminator is preferably positioned downstream from said fabric dance controlling means and positioned to receive the first and second webs of fabric for combiningly laminating the first and second webs of fabric to thereby provide a laminated web of fabric therefrom.

Laminating apparatus having dancer and air shaft and associated methods

An apparatus for applying a gel onto a sheet of material for production of disposable undergarments, the sheet moving in a predetermined direction of manufacture at a predetermined rate of travel, the apparatus comprising: a container positioned to contain a supply of the gel; a shoe comprising a body having a lower surface, a proximal end positioned to receive the sheet of material as the sheet travels in the predetermined direction of manufacture, and a distal end, an inlet conduit positioned within the body to receive the gel therein, a chamber connected to the inlet conduit and positioned within the body, a groove extending along the lower surface of the proximal end of the body and a plurality of spaced-apart outlet conduits each extending from the chamber to the groove so that the gel is delivered onto the sheet of material in a pattern of substantially parallel lines; and a gel delivery controller positioned in fluid communication with the container and with the shoe, for providing a variably controlled flow of the gel from the container to the inlet conduit of the shoe, therethrough to the chamber and to the plurality of outlet conduits, and therefrom for delivery onto the sheet of material at a rate responsive to the predetermined rate of travel of the sheet of material.

Apparatus for applying a gel preparation to disposable products

A disposable undergarment forming apparatus and methods are provided for forming disposable undergarments. The apparatus preferably includes a core former positioned to form a stream of undergarment cores. The core former includes a mat securer positioned to secure each of a plurality of undergarment mats to a sheet of a polymeric material and a first separator positioned downstream from the mat securer for separating the stream of undergarment cores into a plurality of individual cores. An elastic waistband former preferably is positioned adjacent the core former for forming elastic waistbands. A waistband securer is positioned downstream from the core former and positioned to receive the elastic waistbands from the elastic waistband former for securing the waistbands to the plurality of individual undergarment cores to thereby form a chain of a plurality of undergarments. A folder is positioned downstream from the waistband securer for folding each of the plurality of undergarments of the chain. A side connector is positioned downstream from the folder for connecting at least the side peripheries of the waistbands of the plurality of undergarments of the chain. The apparatus also preferably includes a second separator positioned downstream from the side connector for separating the plurality of undergarments of the chain into individual disposable undergarments.

Apparatus for forming disposable undergarment

An apparatus and associated methods are provided for producing a plurality of shock absorbing pads. The apparatus preferably has a core pad former for forming particulate core material into a plurality of individual core pads, a core pad encaser positioned downstream from the core pad former for encasing the plurality of individual core pads with a selected sheet of material to thereby form a sheet of a plurality of shock absorbing pads, a pad sheet debulking conveyor positioned adjacent the core pad encaser for debulking the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads and conveying the sheet of the plurality of shock absorbing pads downstream, and a pad separator positioned downstream the pad sheet conveyor for separating the sheet into a plurality of individual shock absorbing pads.

Apparatus for producing shock absorbing pads and associated methods

Disposable garments of the training pants variety include a cuff which is rolled inwardly from the plane of each leg opening. The rolled cuff feature is obtained during production by stretching a unitary elastic sheet across the machine web in a direction lateral to the direction of manufacture, and then cutting leg openings through the elastic sheet and an adjacent outer web. The machinery for manufacturing the garments includes various features which facilitate the manufacture of this garment, including a reciprocating cutting knife and an associated accumulating conveyor for providing a reciprocal motion into the reciprocal knife. The manufacturing apparatus also includes features for maintaining core pads in the desired alignment, and various other features.

Disposable garments and method and apparatus for making

Method of forming disposable undergarment

A vaginal tampon and a method for fabricating same. The vaginal tampon for substantially absorbing menstrual flow includes a body having a proximal end for intravaginal positioning and a distal end for aiding in digital insertion and removal of the tampon, the body formed from a combination of an absorbent material positioned on a sheet of nonwoven material, the combination rolled together such that the absorbent material is contained within the proximal end of the vaginal tampon and the nonwoven material forms an outer surface of the body. The tampon has a head formed at the proximal end of the body from the combination of absorbent material and the sheet of nonwoven material rolled together, for substantially absorbing menstrual flow. The tampon also has a hollow tail formed at the distal end of the body from the sheet of nonwoven material rolled into an elongated hollow cylindrical member extending distally away from the head, the hollow tail allowing positioning of a finger therein for aiding in inserting and removing the tampon.

Vaginal tampon and method for fabrication thereof

An apparatus and method for orienting portions of a disposable undergarment, such as a core thereof, is provided. The apparatus preferably includes a core lifting system for lifting a core of a disposable undergarment when in a first orientation position during travel along a predetermined path and a core orientor connected to the core lifting system for orienting the core in a second orientation position along the predetermined path of travel. The core orientor preferably includes at least one drive for driving the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel and an orientation changing system associated with the at least one drive for changing the orientation of the lifted core to the second orientation position when driving at least portions of the core lifting system along the predetermined path of travel.

Growing community of inventors

Albany, GA, United States of America

John M Tharpe, Jr