Method and apparatus for making disposable absorbent article with absorbent particulate polymer material and article made therewith

摘要

A method for making a disposable absorbent core comprises depositing absorbent particulate polymer material from a plurality of reservoirs in a printing roll onto a substrate disposed on a grid of a support which includes a plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between the plurality of cross bars. The plurality of reservoirs in the first peripheral surface are arranged in an array comprising rows extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another. A disposable absorbent article and apparatus for making an absorbent article are also disclosed.

主权项

1. An apparatus for making a disposable absorbent article comprising:
a first absorbent particulate polymer material feeder; a first support comprising a first grid including a first plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between the first plurality of cross bars; a first printing roll for receiving absorbent particulate polymer material from the first absorbent particulate polymer material feeder having a first peripheral surface and a first plurality of reservoirs in the first peripheral surface arranged in an array comprising rows extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, the first support and first printing roll arranged such that the first plurality of cross bars are substantially parallel to the rows of the first plurality of reservoirs in the first peripheral surface, so that, when the first printing roll rotates, the first plurality of reservoirs roll receive absorbent particulate polymer material from the first absorbent particulate polymer material feeder and deposit the absorbent particulate polymer material on a first substrate in a first pattern such that the absorbent particulate polymer material collects in rows on the first substrate formed between the first plurality of cross bars; and a first thermoplastic adhesive material applicator for applying thermoplastic adhesive material on the absorbent particulate polymer material and the first substrate to cover the absorbent particulate polymer material on the first substrate and form a first absorbent layer; a second absorbent particulate polymer material feeder; a second support comprising a second grid including a second plurality of cross bars extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another so as to form channels extending between the second plurality of cross bars; a second printing roll having a second peripheral surface and a second plurality of reservoirs in the second peripheral surface arranged in an array comprising rows extending substantially parallel to and spaced from one another, the second support and first printing roll arranged such that the second plurality of cross bars are substantially parallel to the rows of the second plurality of reservoirs in the second peripheral surface, so that, when the second printing roll rotates, the second plurality of reservoirs roll receive absorbent particulate polymer material from the second absorbent particulate polymer material feeder and deposit the absorbent particulate polymer material on a second substrate in a second pattern such that the absorbent particulate polymer material collects in rows on the second substrate formed between the second plurality of cross bars; and a thermoplastic adhesive material applicator for depositing a thermoplastic adhesive material on the absorbent particulate polymer material and the second substrate to cover the absorbent particulate polymer material on the second substrate and form a second absorbent layer, wherein the first and second supports are separated by a nip and arranged for combining said first and second absorbent layers together in the nip in juxtaposed relation such that at least a portion of said thermoplastic adhesive material of said first absorbent layer contacts at least a portion of the thermoplastic adhesive material of said second absorbent layer, the absorbent particulate polymer material is disposed between the first and second substrates in an absorbent particulate polymer material area, and the absorbent particulate polymer material is substantially continuously distributed across the absorbent particulate polymer material area; wherein the rows of absorbent particulate polymer material on the first and second substrates are separated by junction areas between the rows of absorbent particulate polymer material so that the rows of absorbent particulate polymer material on the first substrate are disposed between and substantially parallel to rows of absorbent particulate polymer material on the second substrate; wherein the plurality of reservoirs in the first printing roll and the plurality of reservoirs in the second printing roll each have a diameter of about 3 to about 8 mm, a spacing in a cross direction of about 5.5 to about 10 mm from reservoir center to reservoir center, and a spacing in a machine direction of about 8 to about 10 mm from reservoir center to reservoir center.