Nozzle assembly used to manufacture absorbent articles

An apparatus for applying a first fluid to an advancing substrate, the apparatus comprising:

• a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body made, at least in part, using an additive manufacturing method, the nozzle body comprises an upper nozzle assembly comprising at least one first material and a lower nozzle assembly comprising at least one second material;
• and a thermally insulating material positioned between and separating the upper and lower nozzle assemblies to minimize heat transfer from the upper nozzle assembly to the lower nozzle assembly;
• the at least one first material comprises one or more metals having a high thermal conductivity;
• and the at least one second material comprises one or more polymers having a resistance to heat, the nozzle body further comprising:
• a fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid;
• a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid received by the fluid orifice;
• a passageway in fluid communication with the fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid received by the conduit;
• a slot in fluid communication with the passageway for applying the first fluid to the advancing substrate;
• and
• a heating element embedded or formed into a portion of the nozzle body adjacent to at least one of the fluid orifice, the conduit, the passageway, and the slot, wherein the heating element is adapted to provide heat energy to the portion of the nozzle body.

An apparatus for applying a first fluid to an advancing substrate, the apparatus comprising:

• a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle body made, at least in part, using an additive manufacturing method, the nozzle body comprises an upper nozzle assembly comprising at least one first material and a lower nozzle assembly comprising at least one second material;
• and a thermally insulating material positioned between and separating the upper and lower nozzle assemblies to minimize heat transfer from the upper nozzle assembly to the lower nozzle assembly;
• the at least one first material comprises one or more metals having a high thermal conductivity;
• and the at least one second material comprises one or more polymers having a resistance to heat, the nozzle assembly further comprising:
• a fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid;
• a conduit in fluid communication with the fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid received by the fluid orifice;
• a passageway in fluid communication with the fluid orifice for receiving the first fluid received by the conduit;
• and
• a slot in fluid communication with the passageway for applying the first fluid to the advancing substrate,
• wherein the slot comprises a plurality of distribution channels formed by a laser ablation process, the distribution channels controlling a distribution pattern of the first fluid deposited on the advancing substrate.