Apparatus for the production of absorbent materials

Apparatus for the production of absorbent materials from an essentially dry preparation of fibers and an essentially dry preparation of a powdered, heat activatable compound for said fibers, said apparatus comprising a drum having a top, a bottom and walls defining a cavity of said drum;

• said top of said drum having a first at least one opening through which said fibers can be introduced;
• said top of said drum having a second at least one opening through which said heat activatable compound can be introduced;
• dividing means being located between said first and said second openings, said dividing means extending toward said bottom of said drum;
• electrical charging means being provided on said wall of said drum at a position below said first at least one opening and above the lowest extent of said dividing means;
• means for introducing gas under pressure being provided on said wall of said drum at a position below said first at least one opening and above the lowest extent of said dividing means;
• means to disperse said heat activatable compound and said fibers to form a dispersion when said heat activatable compound falls below the lowest extent of said dividing means;
• said bottom of said drum defining an opening through which said dispersion can pass;
• a fine mesh conveyor being located beneath said bottom of said drum to collect said dispersion;
• collecting means being disposed beneath said conveyor to collect any excess heat activatable compound falling through said conveyor;
• means to heat said dispersion after collection on said conveyor;
• and
• means to compress said dispersion after collection on said conveyor.