Patent US4761258A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4761258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controlled formation of light and heavy fluff zones
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-10
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Granted: 1988-08-02
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Expires: 2005-12-10
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an improved apparatus for forming a fibrous web, and includes a fibrous supply mechanism for providing fibers of web material. The fibers are deposited onto a foraminous web forming layer which may optionally have a pocket recess formed therein. A foraminous spacing mechanism supports the web forming layer while allowing a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from the web forming layer. A gas flow regulating layer has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough, and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with the foraminous spacing means. The regulating layer provides a selected pattern of gas flow through the web forming layer. The regulating layer, the foraminous spacing mechanism and the gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form an installable and replaceable assembly, and a flow forcing mechanism provides a flow of gas through the web forming layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth M. Enloe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/15577; A61F13/15617; A61F13/15658
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for forming a fibrous web, comprising: a. a foraminous web forming layer for receiving a deposit of fibers of web material thereon; b. foraminous spacing means for supporting said web forming layer while allowing a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from said web forming layer; and c. a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with said foraminous spacing means, for providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer, wherein said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form a replaceable, web forming assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for forming a fibrous web, comprising: a. a foraminous web forming layer for receiving a deposit of fibers of web material thereon; b. foraminous spacing means for supporting said web forming layer while allowing a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from said web forming layer; and c. a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with said foraminous spacing means, for providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer, wherein said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form a replaceable, web forming assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said foraminous web forming layer has a pocket recess formed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said gas flow regulating layer has an opening configured to skirt around selected edges of the pocket recess in said web forming layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said pocket recess in said web forming layer is contoured to have a selected cross-sectional shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said foraminous web forming layer has a pocket recess formed therein and said foraminous spacing means has a contoured edge portion which accommodates the positioning of the pocket recess of said web forming layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising transport means for moving said web forming layer, said spacing means and said flow regulating layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said foraminous web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form an assembly which is installable onto an outside portion of said transport means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said transport means is comprised of a rotatable drum which is connected to move said web forming layer, said spacer means and said regulating layer upon a peripheral rim section of said drum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said transport means is comprised of an endless belt mechanism upon which said web forming layer, said spacer means and said regulating layer move.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: fiber supply means for providing said fibers of web material; and flow forcing means for providing a flow of gas through said web forming layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said foraminous spacing means comprises: a. a hardware cloth mesh which is located downstream and adjacent to said web forming layer; and b. a spacer sheet member, which is located downstream and adjacent to said hardware cloth mesh and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein further comprising baffle means for directing said fibers of web material toward selected areas of said foraminous web forming layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said baffle means is configured to direct a greater amount of said web material fibers toward a center portion of said foraminous web forming layer than toward marginal edge portions thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a web shaping means for leveling a top free surface of said formed fibrous web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein said shaping means is comprised of a scarfing roll.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said gas flow regulating layer is comprised of layer of material having a selected areal pattern of tapered holes formed therethrough, wherein said tapered holes are positioned with the smaller sized opening portions thereof facing toward said web forming layer.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for forming a fibrous web, comprising the steps of: a. depositing fibers of web material on a foraminous web forming layer by impinging a stream of gas-extrained fibers on said web forming layer while passing the gas component of said stream through said web forming layer; b. supporting said web forming layer with a foraminous spacing means to reduce distortions in said layer while depositing said fibers and while allowing a substantially unrestricted flow of said gas through said spacing means; and c. allowing said gas to flow through a gas flow regulating layer, of which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with said supported web forming layer, thereby providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer; d. said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer being constructed to form a replaceable web forming assembly.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for forming a fibrous web, comprising the steps of: a. depositing fibers of web material on a foraminous web forming layer by impinging a stream of gas-extrained fibers on said web forming layer while passing the gas component of said stream through said web forming layer; b. supporting said web forming layer with a foraminous spacing means to reduce distortions in said layer while depositing said fibers and while allowing a substantially unrestricted flow of said gas through said spacing means; and c. allowing said gas to flow through a gas flow regulating layer, of which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is fixedly positioned in adjacent facing relation with said supported web forming layer, thereby providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer; d. said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer being constructed to form a replaceable web forming assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of moving said web forming layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said supporting step (c) includes the steps of: a. locating a hardware cloth mesh downstream and adjacent to said web forming layer; and b. locating a spacer sheet member having a plurality of openings formed therethrough downstream and adjacent to said hardware cloth mesh.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of directing said fibers of web material toward selected medial areas of said foraminous web forming layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 17, further comprising the step of leveling a top free surface of said formed fibrous web.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said leveling step includes the step of leveling with a scarfing roll.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for forming a fibrous web, comprising: a. a foraminous web forming layer for receiving a deposit of fibers of web material thereon; b. foraminous spacing means for supporting said web forming layer, said spacing means having rounded support edges which minimize an area of contact with said web forming layer and thereby allow a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from said web forming layer; and c. a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is positioned in adjacent facing relation with said foraminous spacing means, for providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer, wherein said web forming layer, said formaminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form a replaceable, web forming assembly.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for forming a fibrous web, comprising: a. a foraminous web forming layer for receiving a deposit of fibers of web material thereon; b. foraminous spacing means for supporting said web forming layer, said spacing means having rounded support edges which minimize an area of contact with said web forming layer and thereby allow a substantially unrestricted gas flow from a region immediately adjacent to and downstream from said web forming layer; and c. a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is positioned in adjacent facing relation with said foraminous spacing means, for providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer, wherein said web forming layer, said formaminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating layer are constructed to form a replaceable, web forming assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 23, further comprising a rotatable drum which is constructed to move said web forming layer, said spacer means and said regulating layer upon a peripheral rim section of said drum.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said foraminous spacing means comprises: a. a hardware cloth mesh which is located downstream and adjacent to said web forming layer; and b. a spacer sheet member, which is located downstream and adjacent to said hardware cloth mesh and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said spacing means comprises a sheet-like, grid member having sufficient thickness to space said web forming layer at an operable distance from said gas flow regulating layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising baffle means for directing a greater amount of said web material fibers toward a center portion of said foraminous web forming layer than toward marginal edge portions thereof.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for forming a fibrous web, comprising the steps of: a. depositing fibers of web material on a foraminous web forming layer by impinging a stream of gas-entrained fibers on said web forming layer while passing the gas component of said stream through said web forming layer; b. supporting said web forming layer with spacing means to reduce distortions of the web forming layer while depositing said fibers, said spacing means having rounded support edges which minimize an area of contact with said web forming layer and thereby allow a substantially unrestricted flow of said gas through said spacing means; and c. allowing said gas to flow through a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is positioned in adjacent facing relation with said supported web forming layer, thereby providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer; d. said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating being constructed to form a replaceable web forming assembly.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for forming a fibrous web, comprising the steps of: a. depositing fibers of web material on a foraminous web forming layer by impinging a stream of gas-entrained fibers on said web forming layer while passing the gas component of said stream through said web forming layer; b. supporting said web forming layer with spacing means to reduce distortions of the web forming layer while depositing said fibers, said spacing means having rounded support edges which minimize an area of contact with said web forming layer and thereby allow a substantially unrestricted flow of said gas through said spacing means; and c. allowing said gas to flow through a gas flow regulating layer, which has a selected pattern of apertures therethrough and is positioned in adjacent facing relation with said supported web forming layer, thereby providing a selected pattern of gas flow through said web forming layer; d. said web forming layer, said foraminous spacing means and said gas flow regulating being constructed to form a replaceable web forming assembly.
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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) | 1991-08-02 | 1992-02-01 | 1992-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-02 | 1996-02-01 | 1996-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-02 | 2000-02-01 | 2000-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |