Method for cutting and sealing an absorbent member

• US 6,562,168 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Herron, Carlisle Mitchell, Schmitt, John Christian, Lindner, Torsten, Corzani, Italo
• Primary Examiner(s): Crispino, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hawkins, Cheryl N.
• Application Number:
  US09/720,407
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 156/269, 156/251, 156/278, 156/390, 156/515, 156/510, 156/270, 156/88, 83/14, 83/22, 831/69, 427/289, 427/256, 427/284, 427/285, 427/288, 118/35, 118/37
• US Class Current: 156/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15658 Forming continuous, e.g. composite, fibrous webs, e.g. involving the application of pulverulent material on parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/15739 Sealing, e.g. involving cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2793/00 Shaping techniques involving a cutting or machining operation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/0044 for shaping edges or extremities B29C57/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2313/00 Use of textile products or fabrics as reinforcement B29K2105/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/4878 Diapers, napkins
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1054 and simultaneously bonding [e.g., cut-seaming]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1084 of continuous or running length bonded web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1313 Cutting element simultaneously bonds [e.g., cut seaming]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0443 By fluid application

Abstract

A web including a fibrous material and superabsorbent material is fed to a station. The web has a first surface, a second surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. At the station, the operation of applying a superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent and cutting the web into individual absorbent members having a pair of opposing cut ends are carried out simultaneously.

Claims

1. A method for cutting and sealing an absorbent member (26), said method comprising the steps of:

a) feeding a web (110) comprising a fibrous material and a superabsorbent material, said web having a first side edge (140) and a second side edge (142); and

b) using a mechanical knife to simultaneously apply a superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent (122) to said web and cut said web into individual absorbent members (26) having a pair of opposing cut ends.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said individual members (26) have a first surface (246), a second surface (248), a first side edge (160), a second side edge (162), a first end edge (163) and a second end edge (165), said first and second end edges corresponding to said cut ends, and discrete, spaced apart sealing zones (243, 245) formed by the superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein each zone extends from said first side edge to said second side edge and from said first surface to said second surface.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said zones of superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent have a width of less than about 10 cm.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said sealing zones of superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent have a width of less than about 5 cm.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said sealing zones of superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent have a width of less than about 1 cm.

7.The method of claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent is a material selected from the group of polymeric solutions or polymeric emulsions.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said superabsorbent material movement obstruction agent is a thermoplastic polymer or thermoplastic polymeric composition having a softening point in the range between 50°

Celsius and 300°

Celsius.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said polymeric solutions or polymeric emulsions are either natural or synthetic.

8. The method of claim 8 wherein said thermoplastic polymer or thermoplastic polymeric composition is a wax or a composition containing at least 50% by weight of a wax.