The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.
A61F 13/532 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
A61F 13/539 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
B05C 1/10 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length using a roller the liquid or other fluent material being supplied from inside the roller
B05C 19/04 - Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces the particulate material being projected, poured or allowed to flow onto the surface of the work
B05D 1/32 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials using means for protecting parts of a surface not to be coated, e.g. using stencils, resists
B32B 37/24 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers with at least one layer not being coherent before laminating, e.g. made up from granular material sprinkled onto a substrate
B32B 5/16 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, chopped fibres, powder
B32B 5/30 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by the presence of two or more layers which comprise fibres, filaments, granules, or powder, or are foamed or specifically porous one layer comprising granules or powder
A61F 13/15 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators
A61F 13/53 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium
2.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOSITE STRUCTURE
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.
A61F 13/15 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators
A61F 13/532 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
A61F 13/539 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
The present invention relates to an absorbent structure, preferably for use in absorbent products, such as used in the food, consumer, household, building and construction, beauty and medical industry, and as used in the personal hygiene industry. The substantially cellulose free absorbent structures continuously immobilise absorbent polymer material via initial smaller pockets and subsequently larger compartments allowing excellent fluid management of the absorbent polymer material in dry, partially and fully liquid loaded state. Preferably such absorbent structure volume increases are result of temporary secondary attachment patterns made in combination with substantially permanent primary attachment grids allowing the release of bigger volumes from the initial smaller volumes by detachment of the secondary attachments. Furthermore the absorbent structure according to an embodiment of the invention non-homogeneously swells to form a liquid-managing surface structure as a result of exposing the absorbent structure to liquid. The present invention foresees in the need for improved flexible, thin, lightweight absorbent structures which overcome the absorbency problems of the prior art during absorption, distribution and retention of liquids with optimal fit.
A61F 13/15 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators
A61F 13/532 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium having a homogeneous composition through the thickness of the pad inhomogeneous in the plane of the pad
A61F 13/539 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the absorbing medium characterised by the connection of absorbent layers with each other or with the outer layers
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