APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR FORMING A LAID FIBROUS WEB WITH ENHANCED BASIS WEIGHT CAPABILITY

摘要

A method and apparatus for forming an airlaid fibrous web on a moving surface can include a contoured foraminous member (62) having a first side portion (66), a laterally opposed second side portion (68), and a depth contour. A longitudinally extending, first side-masking member (52) can be located superjacent the first side portion (66) of the foraminous member (62), and can have a first inboard side wall surface (70). At least a second, separately provided, longitudinally extending, side-masking member (53) can be located superjacent the second side portion (68) of the foraminous member (62), and can have a second inboard side wall surface (72). Either or both of the first and second side-masking members (52, 54) are at least laterally movable relative to the foraminous member (62). A releasable attachment system (74) can selectively hold at least the first side-masking member (52) at a substantially fixed position relative to the foraminous member (62).