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:
Aug. 01, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2002
James J. Hlaban, Ogdensburg, WI (US);
Scott D. Dobslaw, Winchester, WI (US);
Daniel J. Heuer, Fremont, WI (US);
Michael K. Lewis, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Stephen L. Nunn, Appleton, WI (US);
Thomas P. Keenan, Appleton, WI (US);
Richard W. Kubalek, Appleton, WI (US);
Dale J. Fischer, Neenah, WI (US);
Moshe Saraf, Menasha, WI (US);
James J. Hlaban, Ogdensburg, WI (US);
Scott D. Dobslaw, Winchester, WI (US);
Daniel J. Heuer, Fremont, WI (US);
Michael K. Lewis, Kaukauna, WI (US);
Stephen L. Nunn, Appleton, WI (US);
Thomas P. Keenan, Appleton, WI (US);
Richard W. Kubalek, Appleton, WI (US);
Dale J. Fischer, Neenah, WI (US);
Moshe Saraf, Menasha, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
The invention is directed to method and apparatus for blending fibers. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises blending apparatus for blending fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent, and for conveying the blended fibers to a fiber collection station. A first weighing apparatus weighs out a first quantity of first fibers at a first weigh station. A second weighing apparatus weighs out a quantity of second fibers at a second weigh station. The first and second quantities of fibers are conveyed to a blend opener having a beater roll rotatable in the blend opener. The beater roll opens and mixes the fibers. The fibers are entrained in an air stream by a pneumatic conveyor system and conveyed to a fine opener. The fine opener has a rotatable clothing roll to further open and mix the fibers. The pneumatic conveyor system is operable to separate fiber fines from longer fibers and to deliver the longer fibers to said fine opener. The blended fibers can be used for making pads, such as feminine protection pads.