US4551191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for uniformly distributing discrete particles on a moving porous web
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1984-06-29
•
Granted: 1985-11-05
•
Expires: 2004-06-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention comprises method and apparatus for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web so that the particles occupy less than 100% of the predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web. The method preferably comprises the steps of (a) entraining the particles into a moving gaseous stream; (b) passing the gaseous stream through a conduit having a discharge end with a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface and oriented so as to discharge the gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the moving porous web; (c) mixing the particles entrained in the gaseous stream inside the conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of the particles, as measured across the width of the nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) discharging the gaseous stream containing the uniformly distributed entrained particles from the conduit adjacent the predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of the moving porous web; and (e) maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of the moving porous web at a level lower than that adjacent the uppermost surface of the web in an area coinciding in width to the predetermined portion of the web, said area being located near the nozzle exit of the conduit, whereby the bulk of the uniformly distributed particles entrained in the discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited onto the predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of the moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in the gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said porous web.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald W. Kock
- 👤 John A. Esposito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:29
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B15/00; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/53; A61F13/534; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15617; A61F13/15642; A61F13/1565; A61F13/15658; B05; B05D; B05D1/00; B05D1/02; B05D1/12; A61F13/539; A61F2013/15821; A61F2013/530481; A61F2013/53051; A61F2013/53445; A61F2013/5395; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1023; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1712; Y10T156/1737
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said method comprising the steps of: (a) entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (b) passing said gaseous stream through a conduit having a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (c) mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity; and (e) maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
291 words
A method for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said method comprising the steps of: (a) entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (b) passing said gaseous stream through a conduit having a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (c) mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity; and (e) maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein undergo a change of direction of approximately 90° as they pass through said conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the velocity of said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein increases during their passage through said conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said increased velocity results from a decrease in cross-sectional flow area, as measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow, said decrease in flow area occurring between the inlet to said conduit and the nozzle exit of said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second velocity of said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein is greater than said first velocity of said moving porous web, as measured at the nozzle exit of said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web is subatmospheric.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of recycling particles which are not deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas contained in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein mixing of said particles entrained in said gaseous stream while said particles are inside said conduit is carried out as said particles strike the walls of said conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said moving porous web comprises a three-dimensional absorbent batt and the particles deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web become entangled in the lattice of said web.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said moving porous web comprises a paper tissue ply.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said moving porous web comprises a nonwoven material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of superposing a second web on said first moving porous web after said particles have been substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of first moving porous web.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12, including the step of three-dimensionally embossing said first and second webs to secure them to one another and fix the position of said uniformly distributed particles therebetween.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of feeding a uniform stream of particles into said moving gaseous stream.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said uniform stream is provided by means of a rotating auger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particles are entrained in said moving gaseous stream by means of an eductor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the width of said nozzle exit corresponds to the width of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web onto which said particles are deposited and is in vertical alignment with said predetermined portion of said web.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said discrete particles are comprised of superabsorbent polymer and are on the average greater in size than the pores in said moving porous web.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of vibrating said conduit as said gaseous stream and the particles entrained therein pass through said conduit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particles are substantially uniformly distributed onto the predetermined portion of said moving porous web so that they occupy less than 50% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the width of said predetermined portion of said moving porous web comprises the entire width of said web.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
314 words
A method for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding said particles in a substantially uniform stream to the inlet of a gas eductor; (b) entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (c) passing said gaseous stream through a conduit having a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (e) discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity which is greater than said first velocity; and (f) maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
314 words
A method for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said method comprising the steps of: (a) feeding said particles in a substantially uniform stream to the inlet of a gas eductor; (b) entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (c) passing said gaseous stream through a conduit having a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (e) discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity which is greater than said first velocity; and (f) maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein undergo a change of direction of approximately 90° as they pass through said conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the velocity of said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein increases during their passage through said conduit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said increased velocity results from a decrease in cross-sectional flow area, as measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow, said decrease in flow area occurring between the inlet to said conduit and the nozzle exit of said conduit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said second velocity of said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein is at least twice said first velocity of said moving porous web, as measured at the nozzle exit of said conduit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web is subatmospheric.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 22 including the step of recycling particles which are not deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas contained in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 22 wherein mixing of said particles entrained in said gaseous stream while said particles are inside said conduit is carried out as said particles strike the walls of said conduit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said moving porous web comprises a three-dimensional absorbent batt and the particles deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web become entangled in the lattice of said web.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said moving porous web comprises a paper tissue ply.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said moving porous web comprises a nonwoven material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22, including the step of superposing a second web on said first moving porous web after said particles have been substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of first moving porous web.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 33, including the step of three-dimensionally embossing said first and second webs to secure them to one another and fix the position of said uniformly distributed particles therebetween.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said uniform stream is provided by means of a rotating auger.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the width of said nozzle exit corresponds to the width of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web onto which said particles are deposited and is in vertical alignment with said predetermined portion of said web.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said discrete particles are comprises of superabsorbent polymer and are on the average greater in size than the pores in said moving porous web.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 22 including the step of vibrating said conduit as said gaseous stream and the particles entrained therein pass through said conduit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said particles are substantially uniformly distributed onto the predetermined portion of said moving porous web so that they occupy less than 50% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the width of said predetermined portion of said moving porous web comprises the entire width of said web.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for feeding said particles in a substantially uniform stream to the inlet of a gas eductor; (b) means for entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (c) conduit means for passing said gaseous stream through a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) means for mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (e) nozzle exit means at the discharge end of said conduit means for discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity which is greater than said first velocity; and (f) means for maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
331 words
An apparatus for substantially uniformly distributing a layer of discrete particles along a predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of a moving porous web traveling at a first velocity so that said particles occupy less than 100% of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving web, said apparatus comprising: (a) means for feeding said particles in a substantially uniform stream to the inlet of a gas eductor; (b) means for entraining said particles in a moving gaseous stream; (c) conduit means for passing said gaseous stream through a nozzle exit positioned adjacent the uppermost surface of and oriented so as to discharge said gaseous stream containing said entrained particles in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (d) means for mixing said particles entrained in said gaseous stream inside said conduit to provide a substantially uniform distribution of said particles, as measured across the width of said nozzle exit of said conduit in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of said moving porous web; (e) nozzle exit means at the discharge end of said conduit means for discharging said gaseous stream containing said uniformly distributed entrained particles from said conduit adjacent said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web at a second velocity which is greater than said first velocity; and (f) means for maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a level below the fluid pressure adjacent the uppermost surface of said moving porous web in an area coinciding in width to said predetermined portion of said web and located near the nozzle exit of said conduit, whereby the uniformly distributed particles entrained in said discharged gaseous stream are substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said conduit means causes said gaseous stream and said particles entrained therein to undergo a change of direction of approximately 90° as they pass through said conduit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said conduit means exhibits a decrease in cross-sectional flow area, as measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of flow, between its inlet end and its nozzle exit end.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 43 including means for maintaining the fluid pressure adjacent the lowermost surface of said moving porous web at a subatmospheric level.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 41 including means for recycling particles which are not deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web as the bulk of the gas contained in said gaseous stream is drawn from the uppermost to the lowermost surface of said web.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 41, including means for superposing another web on said first moving porous web after said particles have been substantially uniformly deposited on said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of first moving porous web.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 46, including means for three-dimensionally embossing said first and second webs to secure them to one another and fix the position of said uniformly distributed particles therebetween.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said means for feeding said uniform stream of particles comprises a rotating auger.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the width of said nozzle exit corresponds to the width of said predetermined portion of the uppermost surface of said moving porous web onto which said particles are deposited and is in vertical alignment with said predetermined portion of said web.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 41 including means for vibrating said conduit as said gaseous stream and the particles entrained therein pass through said conduit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |