The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1999
Frank S. Hada, Appleton, WI (US);
Lowell E. Thoms, Appleton, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for penetrating a sheet material web being carried on a fabric. The apparatus including a penetrating device and an air flow that separates a portion of the sheet material web from the fabric adjacent the penetrating device so as to bring the web into contact with the penetrating device. In one embodiment, a vacuum lifts a portion of the sheet material web into contact with a slitting member such that it continuously slits the sheet material web longitudinally along its length as the fabric carries the sheet material web beneath it. In an alternative embodiment, a pressurized air stream is directed to a bottom portion of the sheet material web so as to separate the web from the fabric. A method for penetrating a sheet material web as it is carried on a fabric includes the steps of carrying the sheet material web on a fabric in a longitudinal direction, applying an air flow to the web so as to separate a portion of the web from the fabric, penetrating the web as it is separated from the fabric and reapplying the sheet material web to the fabric.