Method and Apparatus for Making an Absorbent Structure Comprising Channels

A method for making an absorbent core, the method comprising steps of:

• rotating a first drum and a second drum in opposite directions, the first drum positioned proximate the second drum to define a nip therebetween, the first drum and the second drum each comprising a mating strip;
• advancing a first supporting sheet on the rotating first drum;
• depositing absorbent material on the first supporting sheet while advancing on the first drum except in a region corresponding to the mating strip to form an absorbent structure comprising a channel between absorbent regions, the channel being substantially free of absorbent material;
• advancing a second supporting sheet on the rotating second drum;
• applying adhesive to at least one of the first supporting and the second supporting sheet;
• combining the absorbent structure and the supporting sheet at the nip;
• and
• bonding the channel of the absorbent structure together with the second supporting sheet with the adhesive by advancing the combined absorbent structure and second supporting sheet between a bonding roll and the mating strip of the first drum or the second drum, wherein pressure is applied to an area of the first supporting sheet and the second supporting sheet that is narrower and shorter than the channels.

A method for making an absorbent core, the method comprising steps of:

• rotating a first drum and a second drum in opposite directions, the first drum positioned proximate the second drum to define a nip therebetween, the first drum and the second drum each comprising a mating strip;
• advancing a first supporting sheet on the rotating first drum;
• depositing absorbent material on the first supporting sheet while advancing on the first drum except in a region corresponding to the mating strip to form a first absorbent structure comprising a channel between absorbent regions, the channel being substantially free of absorbent material;
• advancing a second supporting sheet on the rotating second drum;
• depositing absorbent material on the second supporting sheet while advancing on the second drum except in a region corresponding to the mating strip to form a second absorbent structure comprising a channel between absorbent regions, the channel being substantially free of absorbent material;
• applying adhesive to at least one of the first supporting and the second supporting sheet;
• combining the first absorbent structure and the second absorbent structure at the nip;
• and
• bonding the channel of the first absorbent structure together with the channel of the second absorbent structure with the adhesive by advancing the combined first and second absorbent structures between the mating strip of the first drum and a plurality of bonding rolls or a belt.