Method and apparatus for forming tow-based absorbent structures with a single casing sheet
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming absorbent structures having a single casing sheet, the apparatus comprising:
- a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material;
a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter;
a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material;
a vacuum draw roll comprising a foraminous center surface, the foraminous center surface having a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and being rotatable about a first axis, the vacuum draw roll being positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply;
one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply; and
, one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for forming tow-based absorbent structures having a single casing sheet are disclosed. The apparatus has a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material, a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter, and a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material. The apparatus also has a vacuum draw roll having a foraminous center surface that has a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and is rotatable about a first axis. The vacuum draw roll is positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply. The apparatus also has one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply, and one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply.
111 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming absorbent structures having a single casing sheet, the apparatus comprising:
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a tow supply mechanism for providing tow material;
a particulate matter supply mechanism for providing particulate matter;
a casing sheet supply mechanism for providing casing sheet material;
a vacuum draw roll comprising a foraminous center surface, the foraminous center surface having a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and being rotatable about a first axis, the vacuum draw roll being positioned to receive the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material to form a open core composite supply;
one or more angled surfaces positioned to create one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply; and
,one or more folders to further fold the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply to form a folded core composite supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for preparing absorbent structures having a single casing sheet, the method comprising:
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providing tow material;
providing particulate matter;
providing casing sheet material;
forming an open core composite supply by combining the tow material, the particulate matter and the casing sheet material on a vacuum draw roll comprising a foraminous center surface, the foraminous center surface having a width defined by a first edge and a second edge and being rotatable about a first axis;
creating one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply using one or more angled surfaces; and
,forming a folded core composite supply by folding flat the one or more obtuse angles in the open core composite supply. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification