Process and apparatus for fluffing a cleaning implement
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsGavin John Broad, Mark Mason Hargett, Richard Matthew Giachetto, Patrick John Healey
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Abstract
A method of and apparatus for fluffing a cleaning article. The cleaning article has a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a layered construction. The apparatus and process spray a fluid blast onto the article, disrupting the tow fibers. The fluid may be air and causes different fibers to react so as to increase the volume of the cleaning article.
Claims9
A process for fluffing a duster, said process comprising the steps of providing a duster having a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material joined in face to face relationship to form a laminate;
- moving said duster relative to at least one fluid nozzle and in proximity of said nozzle;
- blowing fluid through at least one nozzle onto said duster, to cause movement of the tow fibers and thereby fluff said duster and
- further comprising the step of determining said size of said duster during said process of fluffing, and selectively operating said at least one fluid nozzle in response to said determination of said duster size.
A process for de-densifying a laminate, said process comprising the steps of
- providing a continuous laminate having a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material joined in face to face relationship;
- moving said duster relative a bank of nozzles, said bank of nozzles comprising a first plurality of nozzles and a second plurality of nozzles, and said step of moving said laminate comprises the step of moving said laminate in a direction past said first plurality and said second plurality of nozzles, wherein at least one of said nozzles is selectively operable to blow air on said laminate as desired;
- and
- blowing fluid through at least one said nozzle onto said duster, to cause movement of the tow fibers and thereby fluff said laminate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.