Method and Apparatus for Producing Composite Structure

A method for producing a composite structure comprising absorbent particulate material;

• wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• providing an endless rotating drum incorporating a clustering means with perforations corresponding to a desired pattern;
• driving the clustering means in a same direction as and in close proximity to a moving carrier layer;
• feeding a pulsed particulate material stream from a particulate material supply means to the clustering means by creating constantly and quickly repeating pulses of particulate material suspended in airflows acting as a conveyer means;
• said pulsed particulate material stream comprising absorbent polymer material;
• directing the pulsed particulate material stream through the clustering means onto carrier deposit zones of the carrier layer;
• placing an auxiliary layer on top of the carrier layer on which particulate material has been deposited so as to form a sandwich structure;
• wherein at least one of the carrier layer and the auxiliary layer is made of a hydrophilic non-woven;
• wherein the auxiliary layer is bound or joined to the carrier layer in one or more inter-deposit zones between the carrier deposit zones, via attachment means in the form of grids, patterns, lines and/or dots.

A method for producing a composite structure comprising absorbent particulate material;

• wherein the method comprises the steps of:
• providing an endless rotating drum incorporating a clustering means with perforations corresponding to a desired pattern;
• driving the clustering means in a same direction as and in close proximity to a moving carrier layer;
• feeding a pulsed particulate material stream from a particulate material supply means to the clustering means;
• said pulsed particulate material stream comprising absorbent polymer material suspended in airflows;
• directing the pulsed particulate material stream through the clustering means onto carrier deposit zones of the carrier layer;
• placing an auxiliary layer on top of the carrier layer on which particulate materials has been deposited so as to form a sandwich structure;
• wherein the desired pattern of the perforations extends along a circumferential- and width-wise direction of the endless rotating drum;
• and wherein the perforations perforate the endless rotating drum in a radial direction thereof, from an inner surface to an outer surface of the endless rotating drum;
• and wherein each perforation is formed with a converging funnel structure in an inlet region thereof.