Apparatus for forming a substrate
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsStephen A. Marrano, Charles W. Colman, Kyle Krautkramer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims16
An apparatus for forming a substrate, the apparatus comprising:
- a first pump configured for pumping a first fluid supply, the first fluid supply comprising a liquid;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component maintained in a dry environment;
- and
- an outlet conduit;
- an eductor in fluid communication with the outlet conduit of the component feed system and with the first fluid supply, the eductor comprising:
- a first inlet in fluid communication with the supply of the component, the first inlet comprising a first inlet axis;
- a second inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid supply, the second inlet being on a side of the eductor and configured to provide an annular-shaped fluid protection around the supply of the component and prevent the supply of the component from sticking on an internal surface of the eductor;
- and
- a discharge, the discharge configured for transferring a resultant slurry comprising the first fluid supply and the supply of the component, the discharge comprising a discharge axis, the discharge axis being co-axial with the first inlet axis;
- a headbox in fluid communication with the resultant slurry;
- 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, the first fluid supply comprising a liquid;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component maintained in a dry environment;
- and
- an outlet conduit;
- an eductor comprising:
- a first inlet in fluid communication with the supply of the component from the outlet conduit, the first inlet comprising a first inlet axis;
- a second inlet in fluid communication with the first fluid supply, the second inlet being on a side of the eductor and configured to provide an annular-shaped fluid protection around entry of the supply of the component from the outlet conduit in the eductor as it is entrained in the first fluid supply in the eductor;
- and
- a discharge comprising a discharge axis, the discharge axis being co-axial with the first inlet axis;
- a headbox comprising at least one flow section including an inlet being in fluid communication with the discharge of the eductor and configured to receive a resultant slurry comprising the first 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 foam, the first foam comprising water and a surfactant;
- a component feed system comprising:
- a component supply area for receiving a supply of a component maintained in a dry environment, wherein the component is a particulate;
- and
- an outlet conduit;
- an eductor in fluid communication with the outlet conduit of the component feed system and with the first foam, the eductor comprising:
- a first inlet in fluid communication with the supply of the component, the first inlet comprising a first inlet axis;
- a second inlet in fluid communication with the first foam, the second inlet being on a side of the eductor that does not include the first inlet, the second inlet configured to provide an annular-shaped fluid protection around the supply of the component and prevent the supply of the component from sticking on an internal surface of the eductor;
- and
- a discharge;
- a headbox in fluid communication with the discharge of the eductor, wherein a resultant slurry comprises the first foam 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.