Apparatus for forming a substrate
OwnerStephen A. Marrano, Charles W. Colman +1inventors
InventorsStephen A. Marrano, Charles W. Colman, Kyle Krautkramer
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Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for producing a substrate are described. A method and apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply is also presented. A method can include providing a first fluid supply. The fluid supply can be configured as a foam in some embodiments. The method can also include providing a component feed system and a supply of the component. The method can include introducing the component to a fluid supply in an eductor in some aspects. A resultant slurry including a fluid supply and the component can be transferred through a headbox. The resultant slurry can be dewatered to provide a substrate including the component.
Claims20
An apparatus for forming a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first pump configured for pumping a first fluid supply;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component;
- and
- an outlet conduit;
- an eductor in fluid communication with the outlet conduit of the component feed system and with a second fluid supply comprising water, wherein at least one of the first fluid supply and the second fluid supply comprises a plurality of fibers, the eductor comprising a first discharge;
- a headbox in fluid communication with the first fluid supply and the first discharge of the eductor, wherein a resultant slurry comprises the first fluid supply, the second fluid supply, and the supply of the component;
- and
- a forming surface configured to receive the resultant slurry transferred through the headbox.
An apparatus for forming a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first pump configured for pumping a first fluid supply;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component;
- and
- an outlet conduit comprising an outlet axis;
- an eductor in fluid communication with the supply of the component through the outlet conduit of the component feed system and with a second fluid supply comprising water, the eductor comprising a first discharge;
- a mixing junction in fluid communication with the first discharge of the eductor and with the first fluid supply, the mixing junction comprising a second discharge;
- a headbox in fluid communication with the second discharge of the mixing junction, wherein a resultant slurry comprises the first fluid supply, the second fluid supply, and the supply of the component;
- and
- a forming surface configured to receive the resultant slurry transferred through the headbox.
An apparatus for forming a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first pump configured for pumping a first fluid supply comprising water;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component;
- and
- an outlet conduit comprising an outlet conduit axis;
- an eductor in fluid communication with the outlet conduit of the component feed system and with the first fluid supply, the eductor comprising a discharge;
- a headbox in fluid communication with the discharge of the eductor, wherein a resultant slurry comprises the first fluid supply and the supply of the component;
- and
- a forming surface configured to receive the resultant slurry transferred through the headbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.