Absorbent pads and process therefor
AssigneeMcNeil-PPC, Inc.
InventorNels J. Lauritzen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuous process for manufacturing absorbent pads is disclosed which comprises providing a fibrous web material and applying a fluid absorbent cover and a fluid impermeable barrier layer thereto in situ. In preferred embodiments, the pads are securable to fluid-protected surfaces by means of an adhesive on the barrier layer's outer surface.
Claims27
A method of manufacturing a plurality of absorbent pads, each of which is comprised of a plurality of components, in a continuous production process wherein at least a portion of said components are formed in situ, comprising the steps of:
- providing a continuous length of fibrous web material having at least first and second surfaces, said continuous length of fibrous web material being sufficiently long to form a plurality of said absorbent pads;
- continuously printing a film forming polymer onto said first surface of said fibrous web material in a pattern having open areas and so as to form and bond a fluid permeable cover having fluid directing channels and fluid retaining reservoirs directly onto said first surface of said fibrous web material and so as to bond said cover to said fibrous web material without the use of adhesives;
- continuously curing said fluid permeable cover after said cover has been applied to said fibrous web material;
- continuously forming and immediately thereafter applying a fluid impermeable barrier layer directly upon said second surface of said fibrous web material so as to bond said barrier layer to said fibrous web material without the use of adhesives;
- and
- repeatedly cutting said fibrous web material having said absorbent cover and barrier layer applied thereto so as to form a plurality of absorbent pads.
The method of claim i further comprising the steps of:
- orienting said fibrous web material so that said first surface faces upward and said second surface faces downward prior to said application of said fluid permeable cover;
- and
- inverting said fibrous web material so that said second surface faces upward and said first surface faces downward prior to said application of said barrier layer.
The method of claim i wherein the step of providing a fibrous web material comprises the steps of:
- continuously blending hi-component fibers and pulp in situ to form a non-woven web;
- and
- continuously stabilizing said non-woven web and then immediately thereafter applying said fluid impermeable cover.
A method of manufacturing a plurality of absorbent pads in a continuous production process, comprising the steps of:
- providing a continuous length of fibrous web material having at least first and second surfaces, said continuous length of fibrous web material being sufficiently long to form a plurality of said absorbent pads;
- continuously forming in situ a fluid permeable cover and continuously applying said fluid permeable cover thus formed to said first surface of said fibrous web material;
- continuously curing said fluid permeable cover after said cover has been applied to said fibrous web material;
- continuously and directly extruding a fluid impermeable barrier layer in situ onto said second surface of said fibrous web material;
- and
- repeatedly cutting said fibrous web material having absorbent cover and barrier layer applied thereto so as to form a plurality of absorbent pads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.