CA1256329A - Method and apparatus for providing powder into fibrous web structures - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for providing powder into fibrous web structuresInfo
- Publication number
- CA1256329A CA1256329A CA000544489A CA544489A CA1256329A CA 1256329 A CA1256329 A CA 1256329A CA 000544489 A CA000544489 A CA 000544489A CA 544489 A CA544489 A CA 544489A CA 1256329 A CA1256329 A CA 1256329A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- web
- powder
- corrugations
- fibrous
- corrugated
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24D—TOOLS FOR GRINDING, BUFFING OR SHARPENING
- B24D11/00—Constructional features of flexible abrasive materials; Special features in the manufacture of such materials
- B24D11/001—Manufacture of flexible abrasive materials
- B24D11/005—Making abrasive webs
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/16—Cloths; Pads; Sponges
- A47L13/17—Cloths; Pads; Sponges containing cleaning agents
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/00987—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing non-adhesive dressings or bandages
- A61F13/00991—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing non-adhesive dressings or bandages for treating webs, e.g. for moisturising, coating, impregnating or applying powder
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/15577—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
- A61F13/15617—Making absorbent pads from fibres or pulverulent material with or without treatment of the fibres
- A61F13/15642—Making absorbent pads from fibres or pulverulent material with or without treatment of the fibres by depositing continuous layers or pads of fibrous material on single sheets or webs
Abstract
Abstract of Disclosure A method and apparatus for incorporating a powder into a continuous fibrous web containing multiple corrugations. In the method, a fibrous web provided with multiple parallel corrugations is continuously passed over a curved surface having an arc with a radius to web thickness ratio of 0.5-3 and the corrugations are opened at their upper side, while any bonded fibers connecting adjacent corrugations together are broken apart. A powder having 50-1000 micron particle size is deposited by gravity into the opened spaces between adjacent corrugations of the web. The deposited powder is then compacted into the fibrous corrugated web by rubbing with a pad moved in an oscillating motion generally perpendicular to the corrugations. The powder filled web is bent in the opposite direction around a roller to break the fibers between the corrugations on the opposite side of the web. The second roller can be made vertically movable so as to convert the web continuous forward motion to an intermittent forward motion.
Description
METHQD AND APPARATUS_FOR PROVIDING_POWDFR
INTO FIBROUS WEB STRUCI'URES
This invention relates to providing a powder into fibrous webs, and particularly relates to providing an absorbent powder material into a corrugated fibrous web to provide an absorbent fibrous web structure.
~ pplying powder materials to fabrics is generally known, su~h as adding powder sizing or starch materials to fabrics to impart stiffness or adding abrasive particles to fabrics to make polishing cloths. Also, absorbent fibrous products and structures are generally known and have been used in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, and the like. It has been found quite desirable to incorporate absorbent powders into such fibrous structures, such as disclosed by U.S. Patent No.
3,670,371. The present invention provides a new and improved method for providing powders into fibrous web structures, particularly into corrugated fibrous web structures such as those disclosed in U.S. 4,578,070 so as to achieve a uniform high loading of an absorbent powder into the web structure.
SummarY Qf Invention This invention provides a method and apparatus for providing a powder material between and into a continuous fibrous web having multiple corrugations and preferably for providing absorbent powders into such fibrous web materials to provide absorbent fibrous web structures.
The method includes: providing a continous flexible JsD 112 -1-fibrous web preferably having dual layers and multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, the corrugations being oriented transverse to the web length and closed together having spacing of 1.2-6 corrugations per inch of length; passing the corrugated web over a curved surface to open the corrugations on the web upper side, the arc of the curved surface having a radius to web thickness ratio of about 0.5 to about 3. By bending the web, open spaces are created between the corrugations on the web upper side. A powder having a particle size of 50-1000 microns and preferably 100-600 microns ie deposited into the op~ned spaces between the adjacent corrugations so as to achieve a powder/web weighk ratio of at least about 0.5:1 and preferably a ratio between 1:1 and 10:1. The deposited powder is then compacted into the corrugated fibrous web.
The method steps of the invention includes breaking fiber bonds between the web adjacent corrugations on the upper side, while passing the corrugated web sheet over the curved surface to bend the sheet and open the corrugations. Also to increase the powder concentration or loading in the web, the powder deposited in the web sheet corrugations is compacted and orced into the corrugations by placing a pad against the web corrugations and applying a light pressure of 0.5-10 pound/sq. ft.
while oscillating the pad in a direction subskantially perpendicular to the corrugations.
The web is preferably passed continuously below the powder depositing orifice. If desired for subsequent processing~ the powder-filled web can be passed through a motion changing step in which movement of the web is changed from continuous to intermittent motion steps, prior to subsequent processing steps for the web. Also if ~%5~
desired, the powder-filled web can be inverted to place the powder-filled side downward by passing the web over an inverting step provided by a roll bend oriented to change the direction of motion of the web by about 90 angle.
The present invention also includes an apparatus for providing a powder into a corrugated fibrous web, and comprises means for feeding the fibrous web over a roller to bend the web and open the adjacent corrugations; means for feeding the powder continuously onto the corrugated web while the adjacent corrugations are opened and for substantially filling the corrugations with the powder;
and means for compacting the powder into the web corrugations, whereby the corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder. A vertically-movable roller device is provided under which the powder-filled web is passed for changing continuous motion of the web to an intermittent motion as needed for subsequent processing steps. Also, a roll bend is provided oriented at about 45 angle to the direction of motion of the web for inverting the web.
The method and apparatus of the present invention provides the advantages that powder materials such as an absorbent powder is conveniently and effectively provided into a fibrous corrugated web in amount at least about 50%
and usually 100 - 500% based on the web weight. Then if the web is later inverted, the powder is substantially retained in the web and does not fall out during any subsequent processing steps performed on the web.
Brief Description of Drawings The invention will be fur~her described by reference to the following drawings, in which:
JBD 11~ ~3~
;I~HN~CI~ ClHN~nN ~:CIRP . TEL: 2~ 4-~5~0 ;lu I 3 l . ~7 lQ: 5~ I`lC~ F ~13~'~l3 ~;`632~
.. .
Fi~. 1 show~ a per~pective vie~ o~ a ~ibrou6 web havin~ multiple tran~ver~e corru~atlons and lon~it~dlnal embo6sed portion~ provided in the web;
s ~ ig. 2 ~how~ a cro~ ectional vie~ of ~he f ibrouc web material t~ken a~ aection ~-2 o~ ~ig. ~;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic ~levation view of a corru~ated ~lbrous web havin~ a powde~ materlal deposlted and compacted ~n~o the corrugations o~ the web, foll4wed by a motion changing ~tep ~o~ the we~.
F~g. ~ ~hows ~ cross-sectional ~iew eP the web corrugations be~ng opened and filled with a powder ~aterial:
Fig. ~ show~ a perspe~tiYe view of the corru~a~ed f ibrou8 web, in~lud~nq th~ powder depositing and ~o compact~n~ ~eps and ths ~O~ion ch~nging qtep ac~ord~ng to t~e invention.
escrip ~ nyention ~5 As generally shown by Fig. 1, ~ continl30~ ro~6 web 10 i~ ~rovide~ having multiple parallel co~rugation~ 12 arranged ~n two parallel por~ons lOa and lOb of t~e web, W~ch portion~ are separated by a ~en~ral e~ossed band portion 11 o~ the weh. The i~rous web la al80 ha6 embo~sed band~ at 13 and 14 located alon~ each edge Oe the web. The web 10 iq prefe$ably ~ade in two laye~6 15 and 16 o~ fihcou~ w~ materi~l as gener~lly shown hy Pig. 2, with the upper l~yer lS haYln~ a le~ o~en ~tructure a~d smalle~ void volum~ than the lower layer 16.
;3~9 As generally shown by Fig. 3, the fibrous web 10 is continuously fed from a suitable supply source at 17 under a guide roller 18 and over a bending roller 20, and then under a second guide roller 22. The guide rollers 18, 20 and 22 are connected together by a belt 19, which contacts the embossed strips 11, 13 and 1~ of the corrugated web 10. Also provided beneath the embossed strips 11, 13 and 14 of web 10 are rollers 23, 24 and 26, which are connected together by a plurality of parallel belts 25.
The belts 19 and 25 are positioned on opposite sides of the compacted embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web, so that these belts serve to grip the web 10 and draw it through the powder filling steps at surface speed of 20-60 ft/minute as described hereinbelow. The rollers 18, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 26 are each driven by supporting rotary shafts at substantially the same surface speed.
While the web 10 is passed over the bending roller 20, the upper ends of the web corrugations 12 are opened and a portion of the bonded fibers connecting the adjacent corrugations together are broken. A powder material 27 is deposited by gravity from a dispenser 28 into spaces 12a between the opened corrugations in a quantity sufficient to substantially fill the spaces between the corrugations with the powder, as is generally shown by Fig. 3. From the dispenser 28, the powder is metered through a variable width slot 28a by a rotating knurled roller 29 used in combination with a counter rotating brush used in combination with a counter rotating brush to provide a powder/web weight ratio of at least about 0.5/1 and preferably a weight ratio between 1/1 and 10/1. Although the powder can have a wide particle size range of S0-1000 microns, a powder particle size of 100-600 microns is usually preferred.
~sD 112 ~4~
~L~5`~3~
This powder-filling step for the corrugated web 10 is shown in greater detail by Fig. 4. The corrugated fibrous web 10 ls passed over roller 20 so that the spaces 12a between adjacent corrugations 12 are opened to permit their being substan~ially filled by the powder 27. To provide sufficient opening of the spaces, the radius "r"
of roller 20 should have a ratio to thickness `'t" of the web within a range of about 0.5 3. Also, the powder particle size relative to the web fiber densit~ is such that substantially all the particles are retained within the upper layer 15 of the web 10. If desired, the powder can be agglomerated by addition of a suitable binder material such as a hydrocarbon liquid or wa~ to help retain the powder within the web. As the web is passed over roller 20, the spacing of the lower layer 16 of the web 10 is maintained substantially unchanged by the restraining effect of embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web 10.
Referring again to Fig. 3, after the powder-filled web 10 has passed under the second guide roller 22, the web is ne~t contacted on its upper side by at least one rubbing pad 30 which is pressed lightly against the web. The pad 30 is moved in a reciprocating motion parallel with the direction o movement of the web 10 and transverse to the web corrugations 12 by horizontal support rods 32 and a suitable crank mechanism (not shown) at an average surface speed, e~ceeding the web surface speed, while the pad(s) e~ert a slight pressure of at least about 0.5 pounds/ft2 and preferably 2-10 lb/ft2 on the powder-filled web. A
stationary support plate 31 is provided below the pad and belts to support the pad rubbing pressure on the web.
The pad 30 is preferably provided as two parts 30a and 30b, for which the pressure against the web can be varied JBD 112 -5~
separately 'oy springs 33 as desired. This combination of pad reciprocating mo~ement and pressure on the powder on the corrugated web serves to further force the powder 27a into the spaces 12a between the web corrugations 12 and also between the web fibers, so that an increased concentration of powder can be desirably incorporated into the fibrous web 10, and the powder will not fall out when the web is later inverted. After such compacting of the powder, the powder~web weight ratio is at least about 0.5 and is preferably 1.0-10Ø The web 10 is supported during the powder compacting step by a plurality of parallel belts 29 which extend around rollers 24, 26 and 34 and by the support plate 31, as is shown by Fig. 3.
Following such compacting of the powder i7a into the fibrous w~b 10, the powder-filled web at 35 is passed over guide roller 34 and then under a roller 36, which is arranged to be vertically-movable within dual slots 37a of a guide structure 37 provided at each end of the roller 36. This roller 36 should have a ratio of roller radius to web thickness within a range of about 0.5-3, and also serves to bend the web and break bonded fibers between adjacent corrugations of the web. The vertical movement of the roller 36 aids in converting the continuous forward motion of the web sheet at 35 into an intermittent forward motion for the web at guide roller 38 and beyond as required for subsequent processing steps.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the web powder-filling and compacting steps. The web 10 is conveniently provided from a folded stack 40 and passed over a feed roller 41 and a roll bend 42 to the powder-filling step. The powder is deposited from dispenser 28 at the desired rate in combination with the continuous forward motion of the web 10 to provide a powder/web weight ratio bstween about 1/1 and 10/1 on the web, as was described above. Any powder which may fall onto the embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web 10 is removed by suction nozzles connected to a vacuum system (not shown).
.
The powder-filled web at 39 is then preferably passed over a stationary inverted roll bend 44, in which the web is inverted while its direction of movement is changed by an angle of about 90, as generally shown by Fig. 5.
Following such web inversion, the powder-~illed layer of the web 10 is located on the lower side and any surplus powder 27a not retained within the corrugated web falls out and is recovered, such as by a belt 48 and collection ~ontainer 49, or by an elongated receptacle provided below the inverted web (not shown). The powder filled inverted web at 50 is then passed on to subse~uent processing steps as desired.
The fibrous web usually contains synthetic resiliant fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide fibers, bicomponent fibers, copolymers, and mi~tures thereof and the like. In addition, cellulosic fibers such as rayon, wood pulp fibers, acrylic fibers and the like may be used. The web thickness is at least about 0.3 inch and is preferably 0.~-1.5 inches and contains 1.5-5 transverse corrugations per inch. The web overall width is 12-24 inches, and the embossed strip portions of the web are each 0.75-2.0 inches wide.
The powder particle size range is 50-100 microns, and is preferably an absorbent powder having a particle size of 100-500 microns, consisting of a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric substance, and may be mixed with 1-10 percent by weight polyethylene glycol to cause 3~3 .
agglomeration and suppress dusting of the powder during filling of the web.
This invention will be further described by reference to the followiny example, which should not be construed as limiting in scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE
A continuous elongated corrugated fibrous web is composed of two superimposed layers of fibrous material and has a flat embossed portion extending along each side and in a middle portion of the web. The corrugated web is gripped on both sides of each embossed portion by a sets of mating belts and is drawn over a bend roller to open the corrugations upper side, while an absorbent powder is deposited by gravity feed into the upper side opened spaces between the ad]acent opened corrugations. The fibrous web and powder have characteristics as listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Çharacteris~ics of Corrugated Fibrous Web and Powder Web material polyester fibers Web thickness, inches 0.75-1.0 Web width, inches 18-20 Embossed strip width, in. 1 1-2 Number of web corrugations-per inch 3.5_4 Ratio of bending roller radius to web thickness 1.0 Powder composition Potassium acrylate 3~
Powder particle size range 100-400 microns Absorbent powder added to web, weight % of web 100-150 After the powder is deposited in the web upper layer, the web is passed under a rubbing pad oscillating at 30 strokes per minute which e~erts a light pressure of 2-3 pounds/ft2 on the powder to force it further into the web corrugations, so as to provide a desired powder/web weight ratio of about 1.0/1 for .the fibrous web structure.
From the above description, it will be apparent that numerous modification and variations may be made to the powder filling steps and apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention~ which is defined by the following claims.
JBD 112 -,~0-
INTO FIBROUS WEB STRUCI'URES
This invention relates to providing a powder into fibrous webs, and particularly relates to providing an absorbent powder material into a corrugated fibrous web to provide an absorbent fibrous web structure.
~ pplying powder materials to fabrics is generally known, su~h as adding powder sizing or starch materials to fabrics to impart stiffness or adding abrasive particles to fabrics to make polishing cloths. Also, absorbent fibrous products and structures are generally known and have been used in disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinent pads, and the like. It has been found quite desirable to incorporate absorbent powders into such fibrous structures, such as disclosed by U.S. Patent No.
3,670,371. The present invention provides a new and improved method for providing powders into fibrous web structures, particularly into corrugated fibrous web structures such as those disclosed in U.S. 4,578,070 so as to achieve a uniform high loading of an absorbent powder into the web structure.
SummarY Qf Invention This invention provides a method and apparatus for providing a powder material between and into a continuous fibrous web having multiple corrugations and preferably for providing absorbent powders into such fibrous web materials to provide absorbent fibrous web structures.
The method includes: providing a continous flexible JsD 112 -1-fibrous web preferably having dual layers and multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, the corrugations being oriented transverse to the web length and closed together having spacing of 1.2-6 corrugations per inch of length; passing the corrugated web over a curved surface to open the corrugations on the web upper side, the arc of the curved surface having a radius to web thickness ratio of about 0.5 to about 3. By bending the web, open spaces are created between the corrugations on the web upper side. A powder having a particle size of 50-1000 microns and preferably 100-600 microns ie deposited into the op~ned spaces between the adjacent corrugations so as to achieve a powder/web weighk ratio of at least about 0.5:1 and preferably a ratio between 1:1 and 10:1. The deposited powder is then compacted into the corrugated fibrous web.
The method steps of the invention includes breaking fiber bonds between the web adjacent corrugations on the upper side, while passing the corrugated web sheet over the curved surface to bend the sheet and open the corrugations. Also to increase the powder concentration or loading in the web, the powder deposited in the web sheet corrugations is compacted and orced into the corrugations by placing a pad against the web corrugations and applying a light pressure of 0.5-10 pound/sq. ft.
while oscillating the pad in a direction subskantially perpendicular to the corrugations.
The web is preferably passed continuously below the powder depositing orifice. If desired for subsequent processing~ the powder-filled web can be passed through a motion changing step in which movement of the web is changed from continuous to intermittent motion steps, prior to subsequent processing steps for the web. Also if ~%5~
desired, the powder-filled web can be inverted to place the powder-filled side downward by passing the web over an inverting step provided by a roll bend oriented to change the direction of motion of the web by about 90 angle.
The present invention also includes an apparatus for providing a powder into a corrugated fibrous web, and comprises means for feeding the fibrous web over a roller to bend the web and open the adjacent corrugations; means for feeding the powder continuously onto the corrugated web while the adjacent corrugations are opened and for substantially filling the corrugations with the powder;
and means for compacting the powder into the web corrugations, whereby the corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder. A vertically-movable roller device is provided under which the powder-filled web is passed for changing continuous motion of the web to an intermittent motion as needed for subsequent processing steps. Also, a roll bend is provided oriented at about 45 angle to the direction of motion of the web for inverting the web.
The method and apparatus of the present invention provides the advantages that powder materials such as an absorbent powder is conveniently and effectively provided into a fibrous corrugated web in amount at least about 50%
and usually 100 - 500% based on the web weight. Then if the web is later inverted, the powder is substantially retained in the web and does not fall out during any subsequent processing steps performed on the web.
Brief Description of Drawings The invention will be fur~her described by reference to the following drawings, in which:
JBD 11~ ~3~
;I~HN~CI~ ClHN~nN ~:CIRP . TEL: 2~ 4-~5~0 ;lu I 3 l . ~7 lQ: 5~ I`lC~ F ~13~'~l3 ~;`632~
.. .
Fi~. 1 show~ a per~pective vie~ o~ a ~ibrou6 web havin~ multiple tran~ver~e corru~atlons and lon~it~dlnal embo6sed portion~ provided in the web;
s ~ ig. 2 ~how~ a cro~ ectional vie~ of ~he f ibrouc web material t~ken a~ aection ~-2 o~ ~ig. ~;
Fig. 3 shows a schematic ~levation view of a corru~ated ~lbrous web havin~ a powde~ materlal deposlted and compacted ~n~o the corrugations o~ the web, foll4wed by a motion changing ~tep ~o~ the we~.
F~g. ~ ~hows ~ cross-sectional ~iew eP the web corrugations be~ng opened and filled with a powder ~aterial:
Fig. ~ show~ a perspe~tiYe view of the corru~a~ed f ibrou8 web, in~lud~nq th~ powder depositing and ~o compact~n~ ~eps and ths ~O~ion ch~nging qtep ac~ord~ng to t~e invention.
escrip ~ nyention ~5 As generally shown by Fig. 1, ~ continl30~ ro~6 web 10 i~ ~rovide~ having multiple parallel co~rugation~ 12 arranged ~n two parallel por~ons lOa and lOb of t~e web, W~ch portion~ are separated by a ~en~ral e~ossed band portion 11 o~ the weh. The i~rous web la al80 ha6 embo~sed band~ at 13 and 14 located alon~ each edge Oe the web. The web 10 iq prefe$ably ~ade in two laye~6 15 and 16 o~ fihcou~ w~ materi~l as gener~lly shown hy Pig. 2, with the upper l~yer lS haYln~ a le~ o~en ~tructure a~d smalle~ void volum~ than the lower layer 16.
;3~9 As generally shown by Fig. 3, the fibrous web 10 is continuously fed from a suitable supply source at 17 under a guide roller 18 and over a bending roller 20, and then under a second guide roller 22. The guide rollers 18, 20 and 22 are connected together by a belt 19, which contacts the embossed strips 11, 13 and 1~ of the corrugated web 10. Also provided beneath the embossed strips 11, 13 and 14 of web 10 are rollers 23, 24 and 26, which are connected together by a plurality of parallel belts 25.
The belts 19 and 25 are positioned on opposite sides of the compacted embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web, so that these belts serve to grip the web 10 and draw it through the powder filling steps at surface speed of 20-60 ft/minute as described hereinbelow. The rollers 18, 20, 22, 23, 24 and 26 are each driven by supporting rotary shafts at substantially the same surface speed.
While the web 10 is passed over the bending roller 20, the upper ends of the web corrugations 12 are opened and a portion of the bonded fibers connecting the adjacent corrugations together are broken. A powder material 27 is deposited by gravity from a dispenser 28 into spaces 12a between the opened corrugations in a quantity sufficient to substantially fill the spaces between the corrugations with the powder, as is generally shown by Fig. 3. From the dispenser 28, the powder is metered through a variable width slot 28a by a rotating knurled roller 29 used in combination with a counter rotating brush used in combination with a counter rotating brush to provide a powder/web weight ratio of at least about 0.5/1 and preferably a weight ratio between 1/1 and 10/1. Although the powder can have a wide particle size range of S0-1000 microns, a powder particle size of 100-600 microns is usually preferred.
~sD 112 ~4~
~L~5`~3~
This powder-filling step for the corrugated web 10 is shown in greater detail by Fig. 4. The corrugated fibrous web 10 ls passed over roller 20 so that the spaces 12a between adjacent corrugations 12 are opened to permit their being substan~ially filled by the powder 27. To provide sufficient opening of the spaces, the radius "r"
of roller 20 should have a ratio to thickness `'t" of the web within a range of about 0.5 3. Also, the powder particle size relative to the web fiber densit~ is such that substantially all the particles are retained within the upper layer 15 of the web 10. If desired, the powder can be agglomerated by addition of a suitable binder material such as a hydrocarbon liquid or wa~ to help retain the powder within the web. As the web is passed over roller 20, the spacing of the lower layer 16 of the web 10 is maintained substantially unchanged by the restraining effect of embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web 10.
Referring again to Fig. 3, after the powder-filled web 10 has passed under the second guide roller 22, the web is ne~t contacted on its upper side by at least one rubbing pad 30 which is pressed lightly against the web. The pad 30 is moved in a reciprocating motion parallel with the direction o movement of the web 10 and transverse to the web corrugations 12 by horizontal support rods 32 and a suitable crank mechanism (not shown) at an average surface speed, e~ceeding the web surface speed, while the pad(s) e~ert a slight pressure of at least about 0.5 pounds/ft2 and preferably 2-10 lb/ft2 on the powder-filled web. A
stationary support plate 31 is provided below the pad and belts to support the pad rubbing pressure on the web.
The pad 30 is preferably provided as two parts 30a and 30b, for which the pressure against the web can be varied JBD 112 -5~
separately 'oy springs 33 as desired. This combination of pad reciprocating mo~ement and pressure on the powder on the corrugated web serves to further force the powder 27a into the spaces 12a between the web corrugations 12 and also between the web fibers, so that an increased concentration of powder can be desirably incorporated into the fibrous web 10, and the powder will not fall out when the web is later inverted. After such compacting of the powder, the powder~web weight ratio is at least about 0.5 and is preferably 1.0-10Ø The web 10 is supported during the powder compacting step by a plurality of parallel belts 29 which extend around rollers 24, 26 and 34 and by the support plate 31, as is shown by Fig. 3.
Following such compacting of the powder i7a into the fibrous w~b 10, the powder-filled web at 35 is passed over guide roller 34 and then under a roller 36, which is arranged to be vertically-movable within dual slots 37a of a guide structure 37 provided at each end of the roller 36. This roller 36 should have a ratio of roller radius to web thickness within a range of about 0.5-3, and also serves to bend the web and break bonded fibers between adjacent corrugations of the web. The vertical movement of the roller 36 aids in converting the continuous forward motion of the web sheet at 35 into an intermittent forward motion for the web at guide roller 38 and beyond as required for subsequent processing steps.
Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the web powder-filling and compacting steps. The web 10 is conveniently provided from a folded stack 40 and passed over a feed roller 41 and a roll bend 42 to the powder-filling step. The powder is deposited from dispenser 28 at the desired rate in combination with the continuous forward motion of the web 10 to provide a powder/web weight ratio bstween about 1/1 and 10/1 on the web, as was described above. Any powder which may fall onto the embossed portions 11, 13 and 14 of the web 10 is removed by suction nozzles connected to a vacuum system (not shown).
.
The powder-filled web at 39 is then preferably passed over a stationary inverted roll bend 44, in which the web is inverted while its direction of movement is changed by an angle of about 90, as generally shown by Fig. 5.
Following such web inversion, the powder-~illed layer of the web 10 is located on the lower side and any surplus powder 27a not retained within the corrugated web falls out and is recovered, such as by a belt 48 and collection ~ontainer 49, or by an elongated receptacle provided below the inverted web (not shown). The powder filled inverted web at 50 is then passed on to subse~uent processing steps as desired.
The fibrous web usually contains synthetic resiliant fibers such as polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide fibers, bicomponent fibers, copolymers, and mi~tures thereof and the like. In addition, cellulosic fibers such as rayon, wood pulp fibers, acrylic fibers and the like may be used. The web thickness is at least about 0.3 inch and is preferably 0.~-1.5 inches and contains 1.5-5 transverse corrugations per inch. The web overall width is 12-24 inches, and the embossed strip portions of the web are each 0.75-2.0 inches wide.
The powder particle size range is 50-100 microns, and is preferably an absorbent powder having a particle size of 100-500 microns, consisting of a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymeric substance, and may be mixed with 1-10 percent by weight polyethylene glycol to cause 3~3 .
agglomeration and suppress dusting of the powder during filling of the web.
This invention will be further described by reference to the followiny example, which should not be construed as limiting in scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE
A continuous elongated corrugated fibrous web is composed of two superimposed layers of fibrous material and has a flat embossed portion extending along each side and in a middle portion of the web. The corrugated web is gripped on both sides of each embossed portion by a sets of mating belts and is drawn over a bend roller to open the corrugations upper side, while an absorbent powder is deposited by gravity feed into the upper side opened spaces between the ad]acent opened corrugations. The fibrous web and powder have characteristics as listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1 Çharacteris~ics of Corrugated Fibrous Web and Powder Web material polyester fibers Web thickness, inches 0.75-1.0 Web width, inches 18-20 Embossed strip width, in. 1 1-2 Number of web corrugations-per inch 3.5_4 Ratio of bending roller radius to web thickness 1.0 Powder composition Potassium acrylate 3~
Powder particle size range 100-400 microns Absorbent powder added to web, weight % of web 100-150 After the powder is deposited in the web upper layer, the web is passed under a rubbing pad oscillating at 30 strokes per minute which e~erts a light pressure of 2-3 pounds/ft2 on the powder to force it further into the web corrugations, so as to provide a desired powder/web weight ratio of about 1.0/1 for .the fibrous web structure.
From the above description, it will be apparent that numerous modification and variations may be made to the powder filling steps and apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention~ which is defined by the following claims.
JBD 112 -,~0-
Claims (17)
1. A method for providing a powder material into a continuous fibrous web structure, comprising:
(a) providing a flexible fibrous web, said web having multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, and oriented transverse to the sheet length and having a thickness of 0.3-1.5 inch and spacing of 1.2-6 corrugations per inch of web length;
(b) passing said corrugated web over a curved surface having an arc with a radius to web thickness ratio of about 0.5-3, so as to bend the web and open adjacent corrugations on the web upper side;
(c) providing a powder material having a particle size of 50-1000 microns, and depositing the powder into the opened spaces between the web parallel corrugations, so as to achieve a powder/web weight ratio of at least about 0.5/1; and (d) compacting the deposited powder into the spaces between the corrugations of the fibrous web to stabilize the powder and achieve a powder/web weight ratio at least about 0.5/1 within the web structure.
(a) providing a flexible fibrous web, said web having multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, and oriented transverse to the sheet length and having a thickness of 0.3-1.5 inch and spacing of 1.2-6 corrugations per inch of web length;
(b) passing said corrugated web over a curved surface having an arc with a radius to web thickness ratio of about 0.5-3, so as to bend the web and open adjacent corrugations on the web upper side;
(c) providing a powder material having a particle size of 50-1000 microns, and depositing the powder into the opened spaces between the web parallel corrugations, so as to achieve a powder/web weight ratio of at least about 0.5/1; and (d) compacting the deposited powder into the spaces between the corrugations of the fibrous web to stabilize the powder and achieve a powder/web weight ratio at least about 0.5/1 within the web structure.
2. The method according to Claim 1, including breaking fiber bonds between web corrugations on the upper side of the web while passing the corrugated web over the curved surface to bend the web and open the adjacent corrugations.
3. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the powder is deposited in said corrugated web to provide a powder/web weight ratio between 1:1 and 10:1.
4. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said fibrous web includes two corrugated layers of fibrous material, said upper layer having less void volume than the lower layer, and the powder is provided in substantially the upper layer only.
5. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said fibrous web has at least three embossed strip portions, and the web is passed continuously over said curved surface by action of moving mating belts contacting the embossed strip portions of the web.
6. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the powder deposited in said web corrugations is compacted and forced into the web corrugations by placing a pad against the web corrugations at a contact pressure of 0.5-10 pound/sq. ft. and oscillating the pad in a direction substantially perpendicular to the corrugations.
7. The method according to Claim 1, including additionally passing the powder-filled web under a roller having a radius to web thickness ratio of about 0.5-3 and bending the web so as to break remaining bonded fibers between the adjacent corrugations of the web and also change continuous forward motion of the web to an intermittent forward motion.
8. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the powder-filled web is passed over an inverting step so as to invert the web and provide the powder on the lower side of the web.
9. The method of Claim 1, wherein the powder is an acrylate polymer having a particle size of 100-500 microns and is mixed with 1-10 wt % polyethylene glycol 600 to agglomerate and suppress dusting of the powder.
10. A method for providing an absorbent powder material into a corrugated fibrous web structure, the method comprising:
(a) providing a flexible fibrous web, said web having dual fibrous layers and multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, said corrugations being oriented transversely to the web length and having a spacing of 1.5-6 corrugation per inch of web length;
(b) passing said corrugated web continuously over a curved surface having an arc with a radius to web thickness ratio of 0.5-3, so as to bend the web sheet sufficiently to break fiber bonds and open said corrugations on the web upper side;
(c) providing an absorbent powder having a particle size of 100-400 microns, and depositing the powder by gravity feed into the opened spaces between parallel corrugations so as to achieve a powder/web weight ratio of between about 1:1 and 10:1;
(d) compacting the deposited absorbent powder into the spaces between adjacent corrugations of the fibrous web, so as to stabilize the powder within the web and achieve an increased powder/web weight ratio within the web structure.
(a) providing a flexible fibrous web, said web having dual fibrous layers and multiple parallel corrugations formed therein, said corrugations being oriented transversely to the web length and having a spacing of 1.5-6 corrugation per inch of web length;
(b) passing said corrugated web continuously over a curved surface having an arc with a radius to web thickness ratio of 0.5-3, so as to bend the web sheet sufficiently to break fiber bonds and open said corrugations on the web upper side;
(c) providing an absorbent powder having a particle size of 100-400 microns, and depositing the powder by gravity feed into the opened spaces between parallel corrugations so as to achieve a powder/web weight ratio of between about 1:1 and 10:1;
(d) compacting the deposited absorbent powder into the spaces between adjacent corrugations of the fibrous web, so as to stabilize the powder within the web and achieve an increased powder/web weight ratio within the web structure.
11. An apparatus for providing a powder material into a corrugated fibrous web structure, the apparatus comprising:
(a) web feeding means for continuously feeding a corrugated fibrous web over a roller to open spaces between adjacent web corrugations;
(b) means for continuously feeding a powder onto the corrugated web sheet while the spaces between the web corrugations are opened, so as to substantially fill the spaces with the powder; and (c) means for compacting the powder into the spaces between the web corrugations and into the web structure, whereby the web corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder.
(a) web feeding means for continuously feeding a corrugated fibrous web over a roller to open spaces between adjacent web corrugations;
(b) means for continuously feeding a powder onto the corrugated web sheet while the spaces between the web corrugations are opened, so as to substantially fill the spaces with the powder; and (c) means for compacting the powder into the spaces between the web corrugations and into the web structure, whereby the web corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder.
12. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said web feeding means includes belts mating against upper and lower sides of the web.
13. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the powder feeding means includes a box oriented transverse to the web and containing a knurled roller located adjacent a variable width slot in the box lower side.
14. The apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said powder-compacting means includes a pad pressed against the web and reciprocated.
15. The apparatus according to Claim 11, including a vertically-movable roller for changing continuous forward motion of the web to intermittent forward motion.
16 The apparatus according to Claim 11, including a rollover bend means for inverting the moving powder-filled web.
17. An apparatus for providing a powder material into a corrugated fibrous web, the apparatus comprising:
(a) web feeding means for continuously feeding a corrugated fibrous web over a roller to open spaces between the web corrugations, said feeding means including dual belts gripping the web;
(b) means for continuously feeding a powder by gravity onto the web corrugations while the corrugations are opened, so as to substantially fill the spaces between the corrugations with the powder;
(c) reciprocating pad means for compacting the powder into the web corrugations, whereby the corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder; and (d) a vertically-movable roller under which the powder-filled web is passed for changing continuous forward motion of the web to an intermittent forward motion of the web.
(a) web feeding means for continuously feeding a corrugated fibrous web over a roller to open spaces between the web corrugations, said feeding means including dual belts gripping the web;
(b) means for continuously feeding a powder by gravity onto the web corrugations while the corrugations are opened, so as to substantially fill the spaces between the corrugations with the powder;
(c) reciprocating pad means for compacting the powder into the web corrugations, whereby the corrugations are substantially completely filled with the powder; and (d) a vertically-movable roller under which the powder-filled web is passed for changing continuous forward motion of the web to an intermittent forward motion of the web.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US897,171 | 1986-08-15 | ||
| US06/897,171 US4699808A (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1986-08-15 | Method and apparatus for providing powder into fibrous web structures |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1256329A true CA1256329A (en) | 1989-06-27 |
Family
ID=25407451
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000544489A Expired CA1256329A (en) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-08-13 | Method and apparatus for providing powder into fibrous web structures |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4699808A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0256869B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0814057B2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE77044T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU592663B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1256329A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3779703T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2031512T3 (en) |
| GR (1) | GR871273B (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ221251A (en) |
Families Citing this family (23)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3736275A1 (en) * | 1987-10-27 | 1989-05-11 | Hartmann Paul Ag | HYGIENIC CELLULAR ITEM AS A DISPOSABLE ITEM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF |
| US5582865A (en) * | 1988-12-12 | 1996-12-10 | Extraction Systems, Inc. | Non-woven filter composite |
| US5330817A (en) * | 1989-05-15 | 1994-07-19 | Milliken Research Corporation | Incontinence pad |
| CA2140263C (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 2005-09-13 | Michael R. Hansen | Particle binders |
| US6340411B1 (en) | 1992-08-17 | 2002-01-22 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Fibrous product containing densifying agent |
| US5998032A (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 1999-12-07 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Method and compositions for enhancing blood absorbence by superabsorbent materials |
| US5807364A (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 1998-09-15 | Weyerhaeuser Company | Binder treated fibrous webs and products |
| US6391453B1 (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 2002-05-21 | Weyernaeuser Company | Binder treated particles |
| US5368890A (en) * | 1992-09-01 | 1994-11-29 | De Nagybaczon; Erno N. | "Coating process for depositing extremely hard films on substrates" |
| IT1272480B (en) * | 1993-07-21 | 1997-06-23 | Korma S R L Ora Korma S P A | PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANUFACTURING INTERMEDIATE ABSORBING PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS SO OBTAINED, AND FINISHED ABSORBING ITEMS USING THESE PRODUCTS. |
| ES2111696T3 (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1998-03-16 | Procter & Gamble | METHOD TO MANUFACTURE AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND APPARATUS TO CARRY OUT SUCH METHOD. |
| WO1996007384A2 (en) * | 1994-09-09 | 1996-03-14 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Z-direction liquid transport medium |
| MXPA03010110A (en) * | 2001-05-04 | 2005-03-07 | Korma Spa | Method and device for production of a number of laminates. |
| US20060202379A1 (en) * | 2005-03-11 | 2006-09-14 | Rachelle Bentley | Method of making absorbent core structures with encapsulated superabsorbent material |
| US20060206073A1 (en) * | 2005-03-11 | 2006-09-14 | Crane Patrick L | Insitube-formed absorbent core structures |
| NL1029775C2 (en) * | 2005-08-22 | 2007-02-26 | Design & Polymers B V | Oil absorbent blanket, comprises nonwoven formed by adding oil absorbent particles to flat array of fibers and then compacting |
| US20070299410A1 (en) * | 2006-06-26 | 2007-12-27 | Eknoian Michael W | Skin treatment article |
| WO2010113919A1 (en) | 2009-03-31 | 2010-10-07 | 大王製紙株式会社 | Absorbent article |
| CN102286847B (en) * | 2011-08-01 | 2014-03-12 | 际华三五零二职业装有限公司 | Machine for rubbing cotton slice |
| WO2013086426A1 (en) * | 2011-12-07 | 2013-06-13 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Synthetic granulating gauze for use with reduced-pressure treatment systems |
| CN102978828A (en) * | 2012-12-18 | 2013-03-20 | 苏州展华纺织有限公司 | Drum type cotton kneading machine |
| CN103015031A (en) * | 2012-12-27 | 2013-04-03 | 苏州弘贸纺织有限公司 | Multilayer cotton kneading machine |
| WO2016203641A1 (en) * | 2015-06-19 | 2016-12-22 | 株式会社ダイセル | Method for manufacturing opened fiber material formed of long fiber tow |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2723937A (en) * | 1954-07-22 | 1955-11-15 | Mohawk Carpet Mills Inc | Method of producing embossed pile fabric |
| US3211600A (en) * | 1961-07-13 | 1965-10-12 | Detroit Gasket & Mfg Company | Method of making composite contoured carpeting |
| US3908591A (en) * | 1974-04-29 | 1975-09-30 | Owens Corning Fiberglass Corp | Apparatus for treating sheet material |
| DE2837894A1 (en) * | 1978-08-30 | 1980-03-13 | Johnson & Johnson | Absorbent fibrous batt with hydrocolloid-contg. dense layer - the dense layer being formed by the application of heat and pressure from opposite sides of the batt |
| US4473428A (en) * | 1980-09-30 | 1984-09-25 | Fiberlok, Inc. | Process and apparatus for contacting a powder with a fibrous web |
-
1986
- 1986-08-15 US US06/897,171 patent/US4699808A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1987
- 1987-07-29 NZ NZ221251A patent/NZ221251A/en unknown
- 1987-08-13 GR GR871273A patent/GR871273B/en unknown
- 1987-08-13 CA CA000544489A patent/CA1256329A/en not_active Expired
- 1987-08-14 AT AT87307208T patent/ATE77044T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-08-14 JP JP62201978A patent/JPH0814057B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-14 DE DE8787307208T patent/DE3779703T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-14 EP EP87307208A patent/EP0256869B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-08-14 AU AU76887/87A patent/AU592663B2/en not_active Expired
- 1987-08-14 ES ES198787307208T patent/ES2031512T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3779703D1 (en) | 1992-07-16 |
| JPH0814057B2 (en) | 1996-02-14 |
| NZ221251A (en) | 1989-01-06 |
| US4699808A (en) | 1987-10-13 |
| EP0256869A2 (en) | 1988-02-24 |
| EP0256869B1 (en) | 1992-06-10 |
| ATE77044T1 (en) | 1992-06-15 |
| JPS6359464A (en) | 1988-03-15 |
| AU592663B2 (en) | 1990-01-18 |
| DE3779703T2 (en) | 1992-12-10 |
| EP0256869A3 (en) | 1989-11-15 |
| AU7688787A (en) | 1988-02-18 |
| GR871273B (en) | 1987-12-18 |
| ES2031512T3 (en) | 1992-12-16 |
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