Method and apparatus for producing a zoned substrate
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsJian Qin, Sridhar Ranganathan, Francis P. Abuto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for producing a zoned and/or layered substrate are described. A method can include providing a first supply of fibers, providing a second supply of fibers, and providing a headbox. The headbox can include a machine direction, a cross-direction, and a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner. The method can further include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers to the headbox. The method can also include transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to provide the substrate.
Claims21
A method for manufacturing a substrate, the method comprising:
- providing a first supply of fibers;
- providing a second supply of fibers;
- providing a headbox, the headbox comprising:
- a machine direction;
- a cross direction;
- an inlet;
- an outlet;
- and
- a first cross-directional divider that separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner, the first cross-directional divider including a length that is at least 50% of the length of the headbox;
- transferring the first supply of fibers to the first zone of the headbox and transferring the second supply of fibers to the second zone of the headbox;
- and
- transferring the first supply of fibers and the second supply of fibers through the headbox to the outlet to provide the substrate.
A divider for a headbox including a cross direction and a machine direction, the divider comprising:
- a first surface;
- a second surface, the second surface being opposite from the first surface;
- a width defined in the cross direction that provides a first z-directional layer of the headbox and a second z-directional layer of the headbox;
- a length defined in the machine direction;
- and
- a first cross-directional divider extending away from the first surface, the first cross-directional divider comprising a cross-directional thickness and a machine-directional length.
A headbox for manufacturing a substrate, the headbox including a machine direction and a cross direction, the headbox comprising:
- an inlet;
- an outlet;
- an internal chamber;
- and
- a divider at least partially within the internal chamber, the divider comprising:
- a first surface;
- a second surface, the second surface being opposite from the first surface;
- a width defined in the cross direction that provides a first z-directional layer of the headbox and a second z-directional layer of the headbox;
- a length defined in the machine direction;
- and
- a first cross-directional divider extending away from the first surface of the divider, the first cross-directional divider comprising a cross-directional thickness and a machine-directional length;
- and
- wherein the first cross-directional divider separates a first zone of the headbox from a second zone of the headbox in a cross-directional manner, the first zone and the second zone being in the first z-directional layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.