METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ABSORBENT STRUCTURE

摘要

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 particulate material in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer and positioning it into a pocketing pattern. The method allows accurate forming of a pre-determined pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. As such method allows manufacturing of absorbent structures being substantially cellulose free and substantially glue free, considered technically, economically and environmentally friendly. The present invention foresees in the need for an improved thin, flexible, lightweight particulate material absorbent structure which overcomes the problems of the prior art having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.

主权项

1. A method for producing a sandwich structure comprising a pattern of particulate material, said method comprising the steps of:
a—providing at least one essentially endless layer as carrier layer and/or auxiliary layer b—providing an essentially endless support means for said carrier layer, c—positioning said carrier layer over said support means, whereby said carrier layer is in contact with the contact surface of said support means, and whereby the relative speed between said carrier layer, contact surface of said carrier support means and the clustering means is essentially zero; d—providing a particulate material stream from a particle material supply means; e—directing the particulate material through the perforations of a clustering means; f—providing an essentially endless material as auxiliary material; g—combining said carrier layer and said auxiliary layer with said particulate material sandwiched there between; wherein h—said clustering means guide said particulate material towards the carrier layer thereby creating a printing pattern of particulate material; l—said printing pattern being positioned by positioning means thereby forming a pocket pattern of particulate material on the carrier material.