Kimberly-clark Corporation

Theodore B Lang

Timothy M McFarland

James J O'Connor

Martha E Bolick

Rebecca J Weber

Peggy H Miller

The invention is generally accomplished by providing a roll having cavities suitable for retaining small quantities of particulate material. The roll further is adapted to be rotated such that the particulate material is deposited onto a web in discrete areas. These areas correspond to the depressions on the roll. The appartus and method of the invention further provides in its preferred form a roll applicator device for adhesive having a series of lands and valleys wherein the lands correspond to the areas between the discrete particulate material. The applicator roll provides adhesive on the land areas that is transferred to a web of material which is brought into contact with the substrate bearing the discrete deposits of particulate material and sealed thereto. There is thereby provided areas of discrete particulate material securely separated by the adhesive connected webs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the particles are superabsorbent material and the composite web containing discrete areas of superabsorbent material is utilized in formation of an absorbent structure such as a diaper, incontinent garment or feminine pad.

Apparatus for forming discrete particulate areas in a composite article

The invention is generally accomplished by providing a roll having cavities suitable for retaining small quantities of particulate material. The roll further is adapted to be rotated such that the particulate material is deposited onto a web in discrete areas. These areas correspond to the depressions on the roll. The apparatus and method of the invention further provides in its preferred form a roll applicator device for adhesive having a series of lands and valleys wherein the lands correspond to the areas between the discrete particulate material. The applicator roll provides adhesive on the land area that is transferred to a web of material which is brought into contact with the substrate bearing the discrete deposits of particulate material and sealed thereto. There is thereby provided areas of discrete particulate material securely separated by the adhesive connected webs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the particles are superabsorbent material and the composite web containing discrete areas of superabsorbent material is utilized in formation of an absorbent structure such as a diaper, incontinent garment or feminine pad.

Composite article having discrete particulate areas formed therein

The invention generally provides for formation of meltblown material containing wood fiber on to a continuous foraminous belt. During formation a polymer and wood fiber first layer is applied to a moving belt from at least one bank of meltblown forming apparatus. This first layer does not contain superabsorbent. The belt carrying the first layer passes beneath at least one further source of meltblown fiber into which superabsorbent is added along with the wood fibers. This provides at least one additional layer integrally connected to the first-formed layer and having superabsorbent properties. The first layer acts to aid in trapping of any superabsorbent which is not immediately entangled in the meltblown and wood fibers and prevents it passing through the forming belt.

Selective layering of superabsorbents in meltblown substrates

The invention is generally accomplished by providing a roll having cavities suitable for retaining small quantities of particulate material. The roll further is adapted to be rotated such that the particulate material is deposited onto a web in discrete areas. These areas correspond to the depressions on the roll. The apparatus and method of the invention further provides in its preferred form a roll applicator device for adhesive having a series of lands and valleys wherein the lands correspond to the areas between the discrete particulate material. The applicator roll provides adhesive on the land areas that is transferred to a web of material which is brought into contact with the substrate bearing the discrete deposits of particulate material and sealed thereto. There is thereby provided areas of discrete particulate material securely separated by the adhesive connected webs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the particles are superabsorbent material and the composite web containing discrete areas of superabsorbent material is utilized in formation of an absorbent structure such as a diaper, incontinent garment or feminine pad.

Method for forming discrete particulate areas in a composite article

The invention is generally accomplished by providing a pad that has an impermeable backing member, an overlaying permeable member and an absorbent coform layer therebetween. The pad is provided with a quilted pattern by permanent adhering compression of the pad in narrow areas, forming a lined pattern. The pad further may be heated to shrink the coform and provide a pleasing puckered surface.

Crinkled, quilted absorbent pad

Improved one-piece bib construction having a neck opening in the form of a triangle with one side generally parallel to the shoulders of the wearer when in use. The opening is formed by severing along the sides of the triangle not parallel to the wearer's shoulders and preferably folding inward along the other side so that a double layer of absorbent material is located in the front neck and chest area of the wearer. The result is a bib that tends to conform closely to the wearer thus reducing gaps and unprotected areas. Embodiments include those wherein the angle opposite the side parallel the shoulders is about 30.degree. to 120.degree. and the longest side comprises 30% to 95% of the total bib width and is centrally located. Materials include absorbent fibrous webs such as cellulose tissue which may be combined with a film backing as well as sheets of impervious films.

Growing community of inventors

Winnebago County, WI, United States of America

Theodore B Lang