Apparatus and methods for selectively controlling a spray of liquid to form a distinct pattern
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsRobert Lee Popp, Michael Lee Barlament, Larry Dean Primeau
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for selectively applying a liquid on a surface in a selected pattern and position on the surface. The apparatus and methods include programmable devices that individually control a plurality of nozzles wherein each nozzle has its own separate liquid supply source.
Claims17
A method of spraying a liquid in a plurality of patterns on a moving surface, comprising the steps of:
- moving a surface having a plurality of references thereon,
- supplying a plurality of sources of liquid,
- providing a plurality of spray devices in fluid communication with respective ones of the plurality of sources of liquid,
- individually controlling each spray device to spray the liquid at the moving surface to form a plurality of patterns on the moving surface relative to respective ones of the references,
- sensing the position of a pattern relative to its respective reference,
- generating a position signal in response to the sensed position of the pattern relative to its respective reference,
- processing the position signal according to a preprogrammed instruction,
- generating a correction signal when the pattern is out of position relative to its reference, and
- adjusting the control of selected ones of the spray devices to correctly position a subsequent pattern relative to its reference.
A method of spraying a liquid in a pattern on a surface, comprising the steps of:
- supplying a source of liquid,
- providing a surface,
- providing a prescribed location on the surface,
- forming a spray of the liquid in a pattern relative to the prescribed location on the surface,
- sensing the position of the pattern relative to the prescribed location,
- generating a position signal in response to the sensed position of the pattern relative to the prescribed location,
- processing the position signal according to a preprogrammed instruction,
- generating a correction signal when the pattern is out of position relative to the prescribed location, and
- adjusting the spray of liquid in response to the correction signal to position a subsequent pattern relative to its prescribed location.
A method of spraying a liquid in a plurality of patterns on a moving surface, comprising the steps of:
- moving a surface having a plurality of references thereon,
- directing a plurality of sprays of a liquid at the moving surface, and
- individually controlling each spray of liquid independently of the other sprays of liquid to form a plurality of patterns relative to respective ones of the references on the moving surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.