Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

John Wallace De Vos

Thomas George Olsen

David W Heyn

Richard Francis Keller

Randy Keith Burr

Leon Robert Flesburg

Michael Barth Venturino

Lorry F Sallee

James George Van Himbergen

Brian Keith Costelic

Ryan Joseph Roth

James Joseph Wiltzius

A method and apparatus for forming an article ( ) includes a moving of a forming surface ( ) through an operative forming chamber ( ) along a forming path length ( ). A first fibrous stratum ( ) of fiber material ( ) can be deposited onto the forming surface ( ), and the first fibrous stratum ( ) can have a first stratum thickness ( ). A first quantity of a first superabsorbent material ( ) can be directed to form a selected combination with the first fibrous material to provide a first superabsorbent-containing stratum. A second fibrous stratum ( ) of fibrous material can be deposited to overlie the first fibrous stratum ( ), and the second fibrous stratum ( ) can have a second stratum thickness ( ). A second superabsorbent material ( ) can be directed to form a selected combination with the second fibrous material to provide a second superabsorbent-containing stratum.

Method for obtaining a dual strata distribution of superabsorbent in a fibrous matrix

A method and apparatus for depositing particulate material (,) in an airlaid fibrous web (,) includes a moving of a forming surface (,) through a forming chamber (,), and a laying of a fibrous material (,) onto the forming surface to form the fibrous web. The particulate material is delivered into the forming chamber with an arcuate curved nozzle (,) which is positioned within the forming chamber at a location spaced from the forming surface.

Method and apparatus for depositing particulate material in a fibrous web

A distinctive method and apparatus (20) for forming a composite fibrous web (22) includes a web supply (24, 25), which provides at least two appointed fiber layer sections (26, 28) of desired fiber material. Each of the layer sections (26, 28) has a selected composition. A fiberizer (30) disintegrates each of the fiber layer sections (26, 28) into individual, laterally adjacent fiber streams (32, 33) while substantially maintaining a lateral separation of the fiber streams while the fiber streams (32, 33) are moving through the fiberizer (30). A directing channel (34) delivers the fiber streams (32, 33) from the fiberizer (30) to a forming chamber (40). The forming chamber (40) is configured to substantially maintain the separation of the fiber streams. A foraminous forming surface (48) is disposed within the forming chamber (40), and is configured to receive each of the fiber streams (32, 33) to produce individual, fibrous web sections (76a, 76b) substantially corresponding to the individual fiber streams (32, 33). A transporter (60) removes the fibrous web sections (76a, 76b) from the forming surface (48), and an integrator (62) laterally displaces and superposes one of the fibrous sections (32, 33) onto another of the fibrous web sections to provide the composite fibrous web (22).

Side-by-side absorbent pad forming

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

John Wallace De Vos