|Publication number||US6915621 B2|
|Application number||US 10/272,422|
|Publication date||Jul 12, 2005|
|Filing date||Oct 16, 2002|
|Priority date||Oct 16, 2002|
|Also published as||US20040077474|
|Publication number||10272422, 272422, US 6915621 B2, US 6915621B2, US-B2-6915621, US6915621 B2, US6915621B2|
|Inventors||Moshe Saraf, Stephen L. Nunn, Thomas P. Keenan, Scott D. Dobslaw, Dale J. Fischer, Daniel J. Heuer, James J. Hlaban, Michael K. Lewis, Richard W. Kubalek|
|Original Assignee||Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (31), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (8), Classifications (20), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The invention relates generally to a method and system for wrapping pads and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for wrapping feminine protection pads.
This invention is especially suited for the commercial manufacture of pads of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,392, entitled “Interlabial Pad”, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,403, entitled “Method and Pad Allowing Improved Placement of Catamenial Device”, both of which are assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The pads described in these patents generally comprise a lamination of a layer of absorbent material (e.g., a blend of fibers, including cotton fibers) disposed between two cover layers, one of which is fluid pervious and faces the body when the pad is in use, and the other of which is typically fluid impervious. The pad is small compared to other feminine protection products and must be manufactured to relatively close tolerances. These size and tolerance requirements pose challenges to the efficient and economic production of this product on a commercial scale.
The apparatus and methods of the invention provide for the efficient and economic wrapping of pads, including but not limited to relatively small pads (e.g., interlabial pads) of the type described above which require relatively tight manufacturing tolerances. Such apparatus and methods have several aspects.
In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for wrapping pads. The apparatus includes a forming device over which a web of flexible wrapping material is adapted to be pulled in tension. The forming device includes first and second folding members having angled folding edges adapted for contact by respective opposite side margins of the web as the web is pulled past the folding edges, a web guide for guiding the web toward the folding edges, and an opening between the web guide and the folding edges adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. The apparatus also includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, for placement on the web as it is pulled past the forming device so that the pads move with the web over the opening and past the folding edges of the forming device. The apparatus further includes a device for applying a force to the pads to force the pads against the central portion of the web as the pads move across the opening, the force being sufficient to cup the web to position the pads for travel past the first and second folding members with concurrent folding of the side margins of the web by respective folding edges to form a tube around the pads.
In another aspect, the invention is a method of wrapping pads. The method includes pulling a web of flexible wrapping material past a forming device having folding edges adapted for contact by respective opposite side margins of the web as the web is pulled past the folding edges, a web guide for guiding the web toward the folding edges, and an opening between the web guide and the folding edges adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. The method further comprises placing a series of pads, one after another, on the web as the web is pulled so that the pads move with the web across the opening and past the folding edges of the forming device. The method also includes applying a force to the pads to force them against the central portion of the web as the pads move across the opening, the force being sufficient to cup the web to position the pads and central portion of the web for travel past the first and second folding members with concurrent folding of the side margins of the web by respective folding edges to form a tube around the pads.
Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
Corresponding reference numbers and characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In general, the pad comprises an absorbent layer or “core” 5 laminated between first and second outer layers 7 and 9. The absorbent layer is preferably a blend of fibers, at least one of which is absorbent. By way of example, the fibers may comprise a blend of cotton fibers providing the requisite absorbency and rayon fibers providing resilience to the pad, with the cotton/rayon blend ratio preferably ranging from 90/10 to about 50/50, more preferably 80/20 to 55/45, and still more preferably about 60/40. Other fibers and blend ratios can also be used. Superabsorbent materials may also be included, as will be understood by those skilled in this field. The thickness of the absorbent layer will also vary, but preferably is in the range of from about 0.025 in. to about 1.5 in., and more preferably from about 0.05 in. to about 0.5 in., and even more preferably about 0.08 in. (approximately 2 mm. for low capacity interlabial pads).
The first outer layer 7 (sometimes referred to as the “cover” or body-side layer since it faces the body when the pad is in use) is a fluid-pervious layer which may comprise a suitable polymer, such as polypropylene BCW, having a basis weight of 22 g/m2. The second outer layer (sometimes referred to as a “baffle” layer) may comprise polyethylene film, for example, having a thickness of 0.75-1.0 mil. Pads having other laminated configurations, including those where the baffle layer is fluid-pervious, are also contemplated. In any event, the lamination is sealed around the periphery of the pad, as indicated at 11.
For purposes of the description, the apparatus of the invention has a machine-direction MD which extends generally in the direction of motion of the machine, a lateral cross-direction CD which extends transversely to the machine direction, and a z-direction Z. As used herein, the machine-direction MD is the direction along which a particular component or material is transported lengthwise along and through a particular, local position of the apparatus. The cross-direction CD lies generally within the plane of the material being transported through the process, and is transverse to the local machine-direction MD. The z-direction Z is aligned substantially perpendicular to both the machine-direction MD and the cross-direction CD, and extends generally along a depth-wise, thickness dimension of the material.
The first weighing apparatus 41 is operable to deliver successive weighed-out quantities of first fibers, such as cotton fibers. The particular unit shown in
The weigh hopper 77 is equipped with a suitable device 83 for measuring the weight of fibers in the hopper. When a quantity of fibers having a predetermined weight is received in the hopper (e.g., 1120 grams of cotton fibers), a door 85 above the hopper closes to prevent further fibers from entering the weigher until after it has unloaded. When the door is closed, fibers delivered from the conveyor 73 accumulate temporarily in a holding chamber 87 above the weigh hopper 77. At the appropriate time, the weigh hopper opens to deliver a quantity of fibers of predetermined weight onto a conveyor 91 (e.g., an endless belt conveyor) positioned below, after which the door 85 above the weigher opens to admit more fibers into the weigh hopper to repeat the cycle.
The second weighing apparatus 43 is essentially identical to the first weighing apparatus 41 and is operated to discharge successive weighed-out quantities of second fibers. Each of these quantities (e.g., 480 grams of rayon fibers) is combined with a weighed-out quantity of the first fibers. This may be accomplished in a variety of manners, as by dumping a quantity of second fibers directly on a pile of first fibers as the latter pile is conveyed beneath the weigher of the second unit. The combined quantities are then conveyed by the conveyor 91 (
A large cylindric beater roll 105 having an axial dimension generally corresponding to the full width of the conveyor 91 (e.g., 24 in.) is mounted for rotation in the housing 97 upstream from the conveyor 91 and feed roll 101. A multiplicity of pins or teeth 107 are mounted on the outer surface of the roll, each pin being threaded in a mounting block 109 secured to the roll. Preferably, the pins 107 are arranged in a number of parallel rows extending along the outer surface of the roll in an axial direction. (For example, a beater roll having a diameter of 24 in. may have 12 rows of pins mounted at equal angular intervals around the roll.) A cut-off blade 111 is mounted adjacent the outlet of the housing and extends the full axial length of the roll closely adjacent the tips of the pins (e.g., the clearance may be about 0.02 to 0.05 in.).
The beater roll 105 is rotated at relatively high speed (e.g., about 750 rpm) by a suitable motor and drive train (not shown). Fibers fed toward the roll 105 by the conveyor 91 and feed roll 101 are pulled and combed at high speed by the pins 107 and carried to the outlet of the housing 97 where they are drawn into the air duct 49 and entrained in the air stream generated by the pneumatic conveyor system. The cut-off blade 111 assists in the removal of fibers from the roll 105. The high-speed pulling and combing action on the fibers, combined with the pneumatic conveyance of the fibers from the outlet of the machine, further separates (“open”) and mixes the fibers, as will be understood by those skilled in this field.
The air duct 49 conveys the fibers from the blend opener 47 to the air separator 51 by means of a high-speed air stream generated by a first transfer fan 115 located downstream from the separator (see FIG. 6). In one embodiment, for example, the air moves at a velocity in the range of 2500-4000 FPM and at a flow rate of 1300-3500 CFM. As shown in
The inlet and outlet sections 123, 127 of the housing 121 are configured to direct the air stream entering the inlet along a path 137 which turns a corner, e.g., a 90° corner at the junction of the inlet and outlet sections in a preferred embodiment. As a result of this change in direction, many of the heavier fibers are moved by centrifugal force toward the outside of the turn and continue on to the fiber outlet 133. A rotary air lock 144 at the fiber outlet 133 substantially inhibits the flow of air through the outlet while allowing for the passage of such fibers, thus “separating” the fibers from the air. Similar to a revolving door, the air lock 144 comprises a central hub 145 and a plurality of sealing arms 147 extending radially out from the hub which wipe against a wall 151 defining the outlet 133 to substantially seal against the passage of air. In the preferred embodiment, the air lock 144 is motor driven at a speed which may be varied to meet the fiber feed requirements of the system. As the air lock rotates, it sweeps fibers deposited between the arms 147 through the outlet 133.
Because the flow of air through the fiber outlet 133 is substantially blocked by the rotary air lock 144, essentially all of the air entering pneumatic distributor 51 exits through the air outlet 131. A screen 155 is mounted in the housing 121 adjacent this air outlet 131 to catch the larger fibers while permitting small fibers or “fines” to pass through the air outlet to an air duct 157 which leads to the fines collector 57, which may be of any suitable construction, such as a Model AF-2 bag filter sold by Fiber Controls® Corporation of Gastonia, N.C. The mesh size of the screen 155 can vary, depending on the desired characteristics of the final product, but preferably the openings in the screen have a maximum dimension of about 0.125 in. Fibers collected on the screen are removed by a rotatable blade 161 mounted in the housing 121. The blade carries the fibers away from screen and delivers them back to the air stream for transport to the fiber outlet 133.
A damper 165 in the air duct 157 connected to the fines collector 57 is movable between an open position, as shown, for permitting air flow through the air outlet 131 to the collector, and a closed position for blocking the flow of air through the air outlet. It will be noted in this regard that if the pneumatic conveyor system comprises multiple air separators and associated equipment, there may be occasions where a particular unit(s) is not needed, in which case the damper 165 can be closed to block the flow of air through that particular separator. The first transfer fan 115 is mounted in the air duct 157 between the air separator 51 and the fines collector 57.
A plurality of fluted nip rolls (e.g., three such rolls 181, 183, 185 are shown in
As the clothing roll 191 rotates at high speed past the feed rolls 187, the clothing on the roll functions to further open the fibers and to transport them to the outlet 175 of the machine, where the fibers are drawn up and through the outlet. A cut-off blade 201 mounted adjacent the outlet has an edge positioned closely adjacent the roll 191 for substantially preventing fibers from being carried by the clothing roll past the outlet 175. A similar blade 205 is mounted with its tip end adjacent the upper feed roll 187 for preventing build-up of fibers on the feed roll. Air flows into the housing 171 through an air inlet 207.
A fiber-level sensor (e.g., photocell), not shown, is mounted in the housing 171 of the fine opener 55 for controlling the level of fiber delivered to the inlet 173. In the event the fibers back up to a level considered excessive, the sensor is operable to signal the upstream weighing apparatus 41, 43 and blend opener 47 to stop further delivery of fibers until the level of fibers drops below a predetermined level (e.g. the level of the sensor), after which the upstream equipment is signaled to resume operation. Other sensing devices operating in different manners may be used.
The housing has an upper section 229 which includes an upper chute 231 for holding a supply of fibers delivered through the inlet 225, and a lower section 233. One wall 237 of the upper chute 231 is perforated (e.g., the wall may be a screen of fine mesh) to permit the escape of incoming air from the chute. The level of fiber in the upper chute 231 is controlled by suitable means, such as a pressure switch 241 adjacent the inlet operable to signal a shutoff of the upstream equipment (e.g., weighing apparatus 41, 43, blend opener 47 and fine opener 55) in the event the air pressure in the upper housing section 229 exceeds a predetermined pressure, indicating that the upper chute 231 is full, and to signal activation of the upstream equipment when the pressure falls below a predetermined pressure, indicating that the supply of fiber in the upper chute has fallen to a level requiring replenishment.
A feed roll 245 is rotatably mounted in the lower section 233 of the housing immediately below the upper chute 231 to feed fibers from the upper chute 231 to a beater roll 247. The fiber is fed past the feed roll 245 through a gap 251 (
The level of fibers in the lower accumulation chute 263 is controlled by suitable means, such as a pair of upper and lower sensors, e.g., upper and lower photo cells indicated at 285 and 287, respectively, in FIG. 11. The upper photo cell 285 is operable to signal a shutoff of the upstream equipment (e.g., weigh apparatus 41, 43, blend opener 47 and fine opener 55) in the event the height of the column of fibers in the lower chute 263 exceeds a predetermined height, indicating that the lower chute is full. The lower photo cell 287 is operable to signal activation of the upstream equipment when the height of the column falls below a predetermined level, indicating that the need for additional fibers. The upper and lower sensors 285, 287 are preferably closely spaced for maintaining the height of the fiber column relatively constant so that the density of fibers discharged from the chute is substantially uniform.
Fibers in the lower chute 263 are fed through the outlet 227 by feed means comprising, in one embodiment, a pair of compression rolls 291 defining a compression nip 293 immediately adjacent the outlet of the housing. These compression rolls 291 preferably function to compress the fibers into a continuous mat or layer 295 of blended fibers which is discharged through the outlet 227 for delivery to the fiber forming section 27 of the system.
Apparatus generally designated 311 is provided at the fiberizing station 303 for breaking up the incoming layer 295 into individual fibers, a process which may be referred to as “fiberizing”. As illustrated, this fiberizing apparatus 311 comprises a feed mechanism including a feed roll 315 spaced from a guide surface 317 (
The feed roll 315 is carried by a pair of levers 325 (only one shown in FIG. 14), each of which has a pivot connection 327 with the machine frame for adjusting the size of the gap 319. Preferably, the gap is set to be less than the thickness of the incoming layer 295 (e.g., 0.012 in. compared to about 2.5 in.) so that the layer of fibers is compressed and fed forward to the fiberizing roll 321 at a controlled rate of speed (e.g., 6 fpm). The feed roll 315 is preferably driven by a variable speed DC motor 329 (FIG. 13). The fiberizing roll 321 preferably rotates in a direction opposite the rotational direction of the feed roll 315, and the teeth on the roll 321 function to break up or “fiberize” the layer 295 into small tufts and individual fibers. The fiberizing roll is preferably driven by an AC motor 333 at a constant, relatively high speed (e.g., 1800 to 2400 rpm).
The fiber forming section 27 also includes a conveyor 335 (
It will be understood that a fiberizing mechanism other than a roll with teeth (e.g., lickerin roll 321) could be used without departing from the scope of this invention. Any mechanism (e.g., a rotary hammer mill) can be used, provided it is capable of breaking up the layer 295 into separate fibers for reformation on the reforming conveyor 337 in substantially random orientation.
As viewed in
The airway has a throat 371 which is adjustable in size to regulate the flow of air to the air chamber, adjustment being effected by means such as a movable sabre bar 373 or other suitable device. Seals are provided to prevent the drawing of air into the air chamber 347, including sealing strips 375 along the sides of the door, the top edge of the door, and strips along the bottom edges of the door and rear wall (FIG. 14). The vacuum fan should be sized to generate a relatively high-speed stream of air through the air chamber 347 sufficient to direct fibers from the fiberizing roll 321 onto the reforming conveyor 335 to form a layer of blended fiber of suitable thickness and density.
The reformed layer 343 may be formed on a conveyor other than an endless belt. For example, the reformed layer could be deposited or “air laid” on a rotatable vacuum drum of the type well known in the art for producing air formed fibrous webs.
The breaking up or disintegration of the layer 295 of fibers by the fiberizing roll 321 and deposit of the fibers as a reformed layer 343 on the reforming conveyor 335 tends to randomize the orientation of the fibers, resulting in good tensional strength of the final product in all directions and more uniform wicking and distribution of bodily fluid in all directions away from the location of impingement on the fibers. Further, reforming the layer 295 at an angle (e.g., 90°) which is transverse to the machine direction MD of feed to the fiberizer 321 tends to average any cross sectional variations in the layer.
As best illustrated in
By way of example, the initial layer may have a width of about 40 in. and a thickness of about 2.5-3.0 in., and the speed at which the initial layer is fed to the fiberizing roll may be 5-8 fpm. On the other hand, the reformed layer may have a width of about 3 in. and a height of about 0.5 in., and the reforming conveyor 335 may run at a speed of 370 fpm. The speed of the reforming conveyor is preferably adjustable. Fiber dust is removed from the reforming conveyor by a cleaner 385 mounted at a location upstream from a belt drive roll. In one embodiment, the cleaner comprises an air jet which is operable to blow fibers off the conveyor and a vacuum pick-up (not shown) opposite the air jet. Other cleaning mechanisms may be used. The endless belt of the conveyor 335 is maintained under tension by a conventional tensioning device indicated at 389.
The door 351 at the front of the air chamber 347 may be opened to access the reforming conveyor 537 and associated equipment. During normal operation, however, the door 351 is held in its closed position by a pair of locking pins 393. An additional security system, generally designated 395 in
After the fibers are reformed on the reforming conveyor 335 as a preferably narrower layer, the reformed layer 343 is compressed to a final thickness. Preferably, compression occurs in two stages. In a first stage, the reformed layer is lightly compressed by a compression conveyor 401 positioned above the reforming conveyor 335 downstream from the air chamber 347 (FIGS. 15-17). The compression conveyor 401 is preferably an endless belt having a lower reach spaced from the forming surface 337 of the reforming conveyor 335 by a distance sufficient to lightly compress the incoming layer 343 of fibers. The vertical position of the compression conveyor 401 is preferably adjustable to vary the size of the gap between the two belts and thus the magnitude of the compressive forces applied to the layer, as needed.
In the second stage, the layer 343 is more severely compressed by a de-bulking module, generally designated 405 in FIG. 17. In one embodiment, this module 405 comprises a pair of pressure rolls having hardened surfaces, the lower pressure roll 407 being mounted in fixed position and the upper roll 409 being vertically movable relative to the lower roll, as permitted by a power cylinder 411 mounted above the upper roll. The power cylinder exerts a downward force (e.g., 2400 lbs) on bearing blocks 415 at the ends of the upper roll to hold the blocks down against fixed stops (not shown) which maintain a gap of predetermined size between the pressure rolls unless the compressive force exerted by the rolls 407, 409 on the layer 343 exceeds a predetermined force, in which event the upper roll 409 will yield in an upward direction. The size of the gap at the nip of the rolls 407, 409 can be adjusted by changing the position of the fixed stops. The compressive force exerted by the pressure rolls is preferably sufficient to compress the layer 343 to a final thickness (e.g., 0.08 in. for an interlabial pad) which is substantially the same as the thickness of the absorbent layer of the final product (e.g., layer 5 of pad 1). As thus compressed, the layer 343 is conveyed, preferably as a continuous integral web 417 (
A conveyor (e.g., an endless belt conveyor 447 including a belt tensioning device 449) receives the blended-fiber web 417 at the entry end of the pad-making section, which is the left end as viewed in
The anvil roll 453 is preferably vertically movable relative to the knife roll 451 in the same manner as described above in regard to the upper pressure roll 409, a power cylinder 461 being provided for this purpose. The cylinder exerts a downward force on bearing blocks of the anvil roll 453 to hold the blocks down against fixed stops (not shown) and thus maintain the size of the gap (if any) at the first cutting nip CN1 unless the compressive force exerted by the rolls 451, 453 on the web 417 exceeds a predetermined force, in which event the upper roll will yield in an upward direction. The size of the gap can be adjusted by changing the position of the fixed stops, as will be understood by those skilled in this field.
After the web 417 has been cut to form the absorbent bodies (e.g., cores 5), it is desirable to maintain the bodies in precise position as they are transported through the pad-making section 31, so that the various components of the final pads (e.g., pads 1) are in substantially precise registration. To this end, the knife roll 451 is a vacuum roll comprising a cylindric body 465 (see
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The depth of the pocket 553 can be controlled by placing one or more perforated inserts of predetermined thickness in the pocket. Like the knife roll 451 at the first cutting station 431, the lower sealing roll 541 is also formed (e.g., machined) to have a series of axial and radial vacuum passages 557, 559 therein to create vacuum openings 561 in the outer surface 551 of the roll. Also like the knife roll 451, vacuum boxes 565 are mounted adjacent opposite ends of the lower sealing roll 541 and are connected by air ducts 567 to the vacuum system for generating a vacuum at the vacuum openings 561 on the roll 541.
In the embodiment shown in
Apparatus for feeding the cover web 7W for lamination with the absorbent bodies is shown in FIG. 18. This apparatus comprises the unwind supply roll 425 of cover web 7W material, corresponding to the cover layer 7 of a final pad (e.g., pad 1), mounted on a shaft 575 driven by a variable speed motor (not shown). The speed of the motor is controlled so that the rate at which web 7W is fed from roll 425 closely matches the rate at which the blended-fiber web 417 is fed to the pad-making section 31. One aspect of this feed control involves a sensing device 581 downstream from the unwind roll 425 for sensing a change in web tension due, for example, to the decrease in roll diameter as web is fed from the roll, and for signaling the motor to speed up or slow down to maintain a substantially uniform tension in the web corresponding to the desired speed. In one embodiment, the sensing device 581 comprises a dancer bar 583 pivoted on the frame of the machine, a dancer roll 585 rotatable on the bar and in contact with the web 7W, and a potentiometer (not shown) for sensing movement of the bar as a result of changes in web tension. Other sensing devices can be used. The cover web 7W is directed by a series of idler rolls 589 to the lower sealing roll 541 where it is pulled through the second transfer nip TN2.
As the web is pulled through the nip, absorbent bodies 5 are transferred from the first transfer cylinder 485 to the lower sealing roll 541 in a position overlying the cover web 7W to laminate the absorbent bodies on the web and thus form a lamination. The cover web 7W is of an air and fluid-pervious material, so that both the web and the absorbent bodies are subject to the vacuum force applied by the vacuum openings 561 in the sealing roll 541 to hold the web and bodies in precise position on the lower sealing roll (see FIG. 19). Further, the pockets 553 in the outer surface 551 of the lower sealing roll 541 are positioned for receiving the absorbent bodies as they are transferred from the first transfer cylinder 485, the end result being that the cover web and absorbent bodies are held by the vacuum of the lower sealing roll in the pockets and held in this laminated condition for conveyance to the sealing nip SN.
Apparatus for feeding a baffle web 9W for lamination with the cover web 7W and absorbent bodies 5 is also shown in FIG. 18. This apparatus comprises the second unwind supply roll 427 of baffle web material 9W, corresponding to the baffle layer 9 of a final pad (assuming a baffle layer is included), mounted on a shaft 591 driven by a variable speed motor (not shown). The operation and control of this motor is similar to that of the first unwind roll 425 described above and will not be repeated. A web tension sensing device 595 similar to device 581 is provided downstream from the second unwind roll 427. A series of idler rolls 599 direct the baffle web 9W past an applicator 601 which functions, in one embodiment, to apply (e.g., spray) a suitable adhesive (e.g., hot-melt adhesive) to a face of the web 9W to be applied to the absorbent bodies 5 and at locations generally corresponding to the peripheral seal 11 of the final pad, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Other types of applicators, adhesives and/or sealing methods may be suitable. Additional idler rolls downstream from the applicator 601 direct the baffle web 9W to the sealing nip SN defined by the sealing rolls 541, 543, where the baffle web is applied over the face of each absorbent body 5 opposite the cover web 7W, with the adhesive on the baffle web facing the lower sealing roll.
As the lamination of webs 7W, 9W and absorbent bodies 5 pass through the sealing nip SN (FIG. 19), pressure is applied by the sealing rolls 541, 543 to bring the adhesive on the baffle web 9W into pressure contact with opposing surfaces of the cover web 7W to seal the cover and baffle webs together around each absorbent body 5. If a hot-melt adhesive system is used, the distance between the applicator 601 and the sealing nip SN should be such that, given the speed at which the baffle web 9W is fed forward, the adhesive is sufficiently heated at the sealing nip to form a proper seal. Alternatively, one or both of the sealing rolls 541, 543 may be heated (ultrasonically or otherwise) to form heat seals around the absorbent bodies.
In the preferred embodiment of
The second cutting station 441 includes second cutting apparatus comprising, in one embodiment, a second pair of opposing cutting rolls 607, 609 defining a second cutting nip CN2 where the sealed laminated web 537 is cut to form individual pads (e.g., pads 1). In this particular embodiment, the cutting rolls comprise a lower knife roll 607 and an upper anvil roll 609 similar to the two cutting rolls 451, 453 at the first cutting station 431. Preferably, the knife roll 607 at the second cutting station is a vacuum roll having a construction and operation similar to the first knife roll 451 at the first cutting station, except that as shown in
As shown in
The third transfer cylinder 615 is essentially identical to the first and second transfer cylinders 485, 571 except that the vacuum box 635 (
To maintain the various cutting rolls, sealing rolls, and transfer cylinders in timed relationship with one another, they are preferably driven by a common drive mechanism. This mechanism includes a drive motor and a drive train connecting the motor to the various rolls and cylinders. The drive train may comprise a series of timing belts and pulleys, for example, or a series of gears or other drive elements, as will be understood by those skilled in this field.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the axial length of each of the cutting rolls, sealing rolls and transfer cylinders is sufficient to accommodate only one lane of the absorbent bodies and pads. However, it will be understood that for higher throughput, additional lanes can be established by using wider rolls and cylinders, with accompanying modifications to associated equipment.
The vacuum conveyor 641 for conveying pads 1 to the folding section 33 comprises, in one embodiment (FIG. 30), three endless vacuum belts, namely, a center belt 643 and a pair of side belts 645 trained around rollers 647 to have generally horizontal, generally parallel, generally co-planar upper reaches spaced from one another to define first and second slots S1, S2. (
Pads delivered to the folding station by the conveyor are folded by folding apparatus, generally designated 661. In one embodiment (FIGS. 31 and 32), this apparatus includes a hold-down member comprising a rotatable disc 663 mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis spaced above the vacuum conveyor 641 to define a gap 665 between the peripheral edge of the disk and the upper reach of the center belt 643. The hold-down disk 663 preferably rotates in the same direction as the conveyance of the pads and at about the same speed, and it contacts each pad to hold it down against the center belt 643 as the pad is conveyed through the gap 665 and folded.
The folding apparatus 661 further comprises a plurality of folders comprising, in one embodiment, two folding disks 671 mounted on opposite sides of the hold-down disc for rotation about a horizontal axis spaced below the upper reaches of the belts 643, 645. As shown in
Optionally, adhesive may be applied to each pad 1 at an appropriate location on the pad (e.g., spot 679 in
The applicator 687 is rotatable by a driven shaft 693 to rotate in timed relation to the movement of the pads 1 on the conveyor 641 to apply a small area of adhesive to the upper surface of each pad at an appropriate location as the pad passes beneath the lower edge 691 of the applicator carrying the adhesive (see FIG. 33). Preferably, the speed of the applicator 687 at its upper and lower edges 691 generally corresponds with the speed of conveyor 641. The dispenser 681 can operate intermittently in timed relation to the driven shaft 693 to deliver discrete quantities of adhesive to the upper edge 691 of the applicator 687 as the lower edge is applying glue to a pad below, or the dispenser can operate continuously to deliver a continuous bead of adhesive from the nozzle 683 that is picked up by the upper edge of the applicator as it moves through the bead.
Alternately, the glue dispenser 681 is positioned such that the nozzle 683 for dispensing a metered amount of adhesive is located adjacent (e.g., about a distance less than the diameter of a bead of adhesive) to the pad 1. The dispenser 681 is intermittently actuated to apply adhesive directly to the product. Preferably, a vacuum force holds the pad to a consistent thickness as it passes the nozzle 683 on the conveyor 641. In one embodiment, a glue dispenser commercially available from Nordson Corporation of Westlake, Ohio is used. It will also be understood that adhesive may be applied by applicators which have other shapes and/or which operate in different ways. Operation of the dispenser and applicator is controlled by a sensor (e.g., a photocell 697) upstream from the dispenser 681 for sensing the presence (or lack of presence) of pads.
To accommodate the application of adhesive to the pads 1, the hold-down disk 663 has a series of openings (e.g., notches 701) extending inward from its outer edge at spaced intervals around the disc. The notches 701 are sized and located to permit the side sections 1A, 1B of each pad to contact one another at the location of the adhesive spot 679 during the folding process. The adhesive assists in maintaining each pad in its folded condition prior to wrapping of the pad and after the pad is removed from its wrapper for use.
After the pads 1 are folded, they are conveyed by a suitable conveyor mechanism, generally designated 705, in their folded condition to the packaging section 35 of the machine. In one embodiment (FIG. 34), the conveyor mechanism 705 comprises a pair of endless transport belts 709, 711 having spaced apart reaches defining a gap 713 for receiving pads 1 delivered from the vacuum conveyor 641 at the folding station 33. The gap 713 is sized such that the transport belts apply a compressive force to the pads sufficient to grip and carry them to the packaging section 35. In one embodiment, the belts 709, 711 are twisted 90 degrees so that they receive the folded pads 1 in a generally vertical orientation and then rotate the pads 90 degrees for delivery to the packaging section 35 in a generally horizontal orientation.
The two transport belts 709, 711 have upstream ends trained around a pair of spaced apart generally vertical rollers 717 (
The vertical rollers 717 at the upstream ends of the belts 709, 711 are secured by threaded fasteners 741 received in transversely extending slots 743 in the support plate 719, the fasteners being movable in the slots to allow the spacing between the two belts to be adjusted. A pair of belt guide assemblies, each generally designated 747, maintain the upstream ends of the belts 709, 711 in proper position on their respective vertical rollers 717. In the embodiment shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, this linkage comprises an L-shaped angle bar 755 affixed to the underside of the support plate 719 by a threaded fastener (not shown) received in a slot 757 in a horizontal leg of the angle bar, an upper tubular arm 761 having a pivot connection 763 with a vertical leg of the angle bar, a lower arm 765 having a telescoping fit with respect to the upper arm 761, a locking collar 767 for securing the upper and lower arms in fixed longitudinal and rotational positions relative to one another, and a lever 781 having a pivot connection 783 at its lower end with the lower arm 765 and a pivot connection 785 at its upper end with a roller support 787 on which the guide roller 751 is rotatably mounted. This linkage enables the position of the guide roller 751 to be adjusted in at least three different dimensions, i.e., in a first dimension corresponding to the machine direction MD by using the slot 757 in the angle bar 755 to vary the position of the bar relative to the plate 719; in a second dimension corresponding to the Z direction by pivoting the upper and lower arms 761, 765 about pivot connection 763 to raise and lower the guide roller 751; and in a third dimension by rotating the lower arm 765 on its longitudinal axis relative to the upper arm 761 to swing the guide roller 751 to an angled position in which its axis of rotation is angled relative to a vertical plane.
By using one or more of these adjustments, the guide roller 751 can be positioned to contact its respective belt 709, 711 at any orientation necessary to prevent the belt from “walking” up or down on its respective vertical roller 717 and thus maintain the belt substantially centered on the roller. The spacing between the belts at their downstream ends can be varied by using the slots 735 in brackets 733 to adjust the position of the horizontal rollers 727. The downstream ends of the transport belts are positioned immediately adjacent the packaging section 35 for delivery of the pads to wrapping apparatus, generally designated 801.
The web guide 837 comprises, in the embodiment shown in
As shown in
The wrapping apparatus 801 also preferably includes what may be referred to as a force-applying device which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a relatively short narrow endless belt 875 extending over the forming device 805 generally along the central portion of the web 811.
(The purpose of this belt will be described later.) The belt 875 is supported by a pair of rollers 877, 879, one or both of which are driven to move the belt 875 at the same speed as the web 811 moves past the forming device 805. In the embodiment shown in
This downward force causes the web in the area of the opening 839 to “cup” so that a pocket or depression 905 is formed in the web for cradling the pads (see FIG. 39). The cupping action is preferably accompanied by a resilient deformation or stretching of the web any, in a preferred embodiment, by a resilient compression of the pad, e.g., to a point where the pad has a compressed thickness in the range of 50-100% of the uncompressed thickness of the pad and more preferably about 95% or greater. As a result, the web 811 is tightly wrapped around the pads as the web is pulled past the folding edges 831A, 833A of the folding plates 831, 833 to form the aforementioned tube 815 around the pads. In addition to applying a downward force in Z direction, the friction between the belt 875 and the pads 1 subjects the pads to a pushing force in the machine direction MD to assist in the movement of the pads toward the folding boards.
As illustrated in
Preferably, as shown in
The web guide 837, opening 839 and folding members 831, 833 shown in the drawings can assume other shapes without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, the length and shape of the tongue 861 can vary. Further, the size of the opening 839 can vary, although it is preferred that the opening have a width W in the cross direction CD (transverse to the direction of web travel) about 97% of the width of each of the pads, and a length L in the machine direction MD of about 18% of the length of each pad.
The position of the forming device 805 is preferably adjustable in the machine direction MD, cross direction CD, and Z direction. While this adjustment can be achieved in various ways, one such way is illustrated in FIG. 35. In this particular embodiment, the forming device 805 is mounted on a post 909 affixed at its lower end to a channel 911 extending in the machine direction MD. The channel, in turn, is attached to a cross rail 915 which is supported by a mounting plate 917 with slots 919 fastened to the frame of the machine. The channel and rail 911, 915 are provided with fastener openings to permit adjustment of the forming device in the MD and CD directions, and the slots 919 provide for adjustment of the device in the Z direction. Thus, the position of the forming device can be adjusted in the MD, CD and Z directions, as needed.
In the embodiment shown in
When the spacing between the nozzle 931 and the web 811 is set, a thumbscrew 979 threaded through a bar 981 affixed to the bracket 967 is tightened against the handwheel 975 to lock the screw shaft 971 against rotation until a further adjustment is needed. The bracket 967 holding the mounting block 965 has horizontal slots 985 (
Alternatively, the adhesive gun 927 can be positioned for dispensing adhesive for application to the opposite margin M2 of the web after it has been folded over to a position overlying the pads but before margin M1 has been folded face-to-face with M2. A notch (not shown) may be provided in the lower folding board 833 for this purpose. A portion of this notch extends upstream from the angled folding edge 831A of the upper folding board 831, leaving the folded-over margin M2 of the web exposed for application of an adhesive from the gun 927. After the adhesive is applied, the upper folding board 831 folds the other margin M1 of the web over the underlying margin M2 as the web is pulled past the folding boards.
The web-pulling means 807 for pulling the web 811 past the forming device 805 comprises, in one embodiment (FIGS. 35 and 45), a vacuum conveyor, generally designated 1001, in the form of an endless perforated belt 1003 (the perforations being omitted in
The conveyor 1001 also includes an upper endless compression belt 1027 supported by upstream and downstream rollers 1029 and 1033, respectively. As shown in
Sealing apparatus, generally designated 1100 in
A heating element (not shown) is embedded in the bar for heating the sealing area 1125 of the bar to a temperature sufficient to soften the wrapper material. The rolls 1107, 1109 are driven by suitable drive mechanisms 1131 to rotate in timed and synchronized relation to one another so that the heated sealing jaws 1113 on the two rolls sequentially move into registration with one another and simultaneously contact opposing (e.g., upper and lower) surfaces of the tubular wrapper 815 at intervals spaced along the web to press the surfaces together and form the seal area 1103 between the pads, as will be understood by those skilled in this field. The operation of the heating elements is controlled by temperature sensors embedded in the sealing bars 1121 adjacent the heating elements. Preferably, the sealing areas 1125 of the sealing bars 1121 are textured (e.g., roughened) to mechanically deform the opposing surfaces of the tubular wrapper 815 and thus establish a mechanical bond between the surfaces to hold them together prior to complete cooling of the seal. A supporting surface 1131 is provided immediately upstream of the sealing rolls 1107, 1109 for supporting the tubular wrapper as it enters the nip of the rolls.
The tubular wrapper 815 is pulled between the two sealing rolls 1107, 1109 by suitable means, such as a pair of upper and lower endless belts 1135, 1137 similar to the endless belts 1003, 1027 previously described immediately upstream from the sealing station 1025. These belts 1135, 1137 may also function to feed the sealed wrapper 815 to a cutting station 1041 where cutting apparatus 1043 is provided for cutting the sealed tubular wrapper at the seal areas 1103 to form individual wrapped pads.
The operation of the apparatus described above to carry out the methods of the invention will now be described. Raw fibers (e.g., cotton and rayon) are weighed out and mixed in the desired proportion in the fiber blending section 21 of the system. This process is initiated by loading fibers of one material (e.g., cotton) on the in-feed conveyor 67 of the first weighing apparatus 41 (see
In one embodiment, the unloading is timed so that the downstream weigher 77 unloads its weighed-out batch of fibers directly on top of the batch unloaded by the upstream weigher 77, so that a single pile of fibers containing the correct proportions of fibers is delivered to the blend opener 47 (see FIG. 8). Fibers fed into the blend opener are opened and mixed, to some extent, and then transported through air duct 49 to the air separator 51 (FIG. 9). There, the air and fiber fines are separated from the longer fibers and delivered to the fines collector 57. The longer fibers are conveyed to the rotary air lock 144 which rotates at the necessary speed to feed the longer fibers to the inlet of the fine opener 55 at the desired rate. The fine opener 55 (
The fibers entering the inlet section 229 of the feed chute 221 (
As the fibers pass between these two rolls 291, they are formed into a layer 295 of desired thickness for deposit on the transfer device 301 leading to the forming section 27 of the machine (FIG. 13). The thickness of the layer 295 and the speed at which it is delivered is controlled by the size of the gap 293 between the compression rolls 291 and the speed of the rolls, respectively. For example, the layer 295 may have a thickness of about 2 in. and the rolls may have a surface speed of about 6 fpm. The density of the layer 295 (e.g., weight per unit length) is controlled at least in part by the height of the column of fibers in the accumulation chute 263, the amplitude and frequency of the oscillation of the shaker plate 267, the compressive force applied by the compression rolls 291, and the speed of the rolls 291. Preferably, the density of the fibers discharged from the feed chute 221 is in the range of 0.005-0.16 g/cc, more preferably in the range of 0.010-0.030 g/cc, and even more preferably in the range of 0.013-0.019 g/cc. The layer 295 of blended fibers delivered from the feed chute 221 may be relatively wide, e.g., 40 in. wide, although this dimension may vary considerably. If sufficiently compacted, the layer 295 may be in the form of an integral web capable of independently maintaining its body and shape. However, the layer may also be a thickness of loosely compacted (or non-compacted) fibers combining to form a body the shape of which is not self-sustaining.
The layer 295 of fibers from the feed chute 221 gravitates down the slide 301 (or is conveyed in some other manner, as by an endless conveyor) for delivery to the gap 319 between the feed roll 315 and the adjacent guide surface 317, as shown in FIG. 14. The rotating feed roll 315 serves to feed the layer 295 of blended fibers to the fiberizing roll (e.g., lickerin roll 321) which breaks up the fibers. After this fiberizing operation, the fibers fall and are swept into the inlet of the air chamber 347 where they are air laid onto the forming surface 337 of the conveyor 335 and reformed into a layer 343 having a width generally corresponding to the final width of the absorbent body in the pad (e.g., body 5 in pad 1). As noted previously, the fibers making up this reformed layer 343 are randomly oriented and blended into a substantially homogenous mixture having strength in MD and CD directions, and further having the ability to effectively absorb and distribute fluid deposited on the material. The thickness of the reformed layer 343 is controlled by the speed of the reforming conveyor 335, which is variable, and by the amount of fibers delivered into the air chamber 347 for deposit on the foraminous forming surface 337 of the conveyor.
As thus reformed, the layer 343 is transported to the compression belt 401 where the fibers are lightly compressed, and then to the compression rolls 407, 409 where the fibers are more severely compressed into the aforementioned continuous web 417 of absorbent material having a thickness generally corresponding to the thickness of the absorbent body (e.g., body 5) in the final product (FIG. 17). The compression belt 401 may be eliminated, if not needed. The thickness of the web 417 is controlled primarily by the spacing between the two compression rolls 407, 409. Following compression, the web is conveyed to the pad-making section 31 of the system.
At the pad-making section (FIG. 18), the web 417 is fed in the machine direction MD between the two cutting rolls 451, 453 at the first cutting station 431, where the web is cut to form individual absorbent bodies 5, an exemplary shape of which is illustrated in FIG. 20. The web is then vacuum conveyed by the knife roll 451 to the first transfer nip TN1 where the absorbent bodies are transferred to the first transfer cylinder 485, while maintaining the bodies in precise position relative to one another. The trim (waste material) 491 from the cutting operation is preferably removed after the transfer by means of the vacuum duct 493 for delivery of the trim to a suitable collector, not shown. Meanwhile, the absorbent bodies 5 are vacuum conveyed by the first transfer cylinder 485 to the second transfer nip TN2.
The cover web 7W is also fed from the unwind roll 425 to the second transfer nip TN2, where bodies 5 are successively transferred from the first transfer cylinder 485 to positions on the cover web overlying respective pockets 553 in the sealing roll 541. The bodies 5 and underlying web 7W are drawn by the vacuum openings 561 into the pockets 553 and held in place as they are conveyed to the sealing nip SN. If a baffle web 9W is used, it is combined with the cover web 7W and absorbent bodies 5 at the sealing nip SN, as described previously (FIG. 19), and the sealed laminated web 437 is then vacuum conveyed to the third transfer nip TN3 where it is transferred to the second transfer cylinder 571. The second transfer cylinder 571 vacuum grips the laminated web and conveys it to the fourth transfer nip TN4 where the web 437 is transferred to the lower cutting roll 607 for vacuum conveyance of the web to the second cutting nip CN2 at the second cutting station 441. There, the two cutting rolls 607, 609 cut the laminated web 437 around the absorbent bodies 5 to form individual pads (e.g., pads 1) which are held by the vacuum openings 617 in the lower roll 607 as the web is conveyed to the fifth transfer nip TN5. The pads 1 are transferred at TN5 to the third transfer cylinder 615, which conveys the pads and deposits them on the 3-belt vacuum conveyor 641 in an orientation where the pads preferably lie flat on the conveyor with the baffle layer 9 of the pad facing up (if a baffle layer is used), with the central section of the pad supported by the center belt 643, and with the side sections 1A, 1B of the pad supported by the side belts 645. The trim or waste portion of the web (indicated at 625 in
The vacuum conveyor 641 conveys the pads 1 to the folding section 33 while maintaining the pads in fixed positions relative to one another. At the folding section (
At the packaging section 35, the web 811 of flexible wrapping material is pulled over the forming device 805 by the web-pulling means 807, with the web first advancing over the web guide 837 and then past the folding boards 831, 833 (see FIGS. 36 and 38). As the web 811 is pulled over the forming device, pads 1 are fed from the transport belts 709, 711, one at a time, into the gap 901 between the tongue 861 of the web guide and the overhead belt 875, the latter moving at the same speed as the web. As each pad enters this gap, it is conveyed with the web in the machine direction MD over the opening 839 between the tongue 861 and the folding boards 831, 833. As the pad moves over the opening 839, the downwardly inclined lower reach of the belt 875 applies a force on the pad 1 to press it into the central portion of the web 811, causing the web to cup and, preferably, to stretch somewhat in the cross direction CD, as best illustrated in FIG. 39. This cupping of the web creates a volume in the web, i.e., a depression or groove or pouch 905, to begin the formation of the tubular wrapper 815 around the pad. The force applied to the pad 1 is sufficient to cause the web 811 and underlying central portion of the web to move down to a position where the top of the pad will clear the lower folding board 833. This position can be adjusted by operation of the power cylinder 895 to pivot the belt 879 up or down relative to the folding device 805. As noted previously, other force-applying devices (e.g., an inclined stationary surface) can be used to initiate the formation of the tubular wrapper 815 around the pads.
As the pad 1 and central portion of the web 811 move below the lower folding board 833, the side margins M1, M2 of the web engage respective folding edges 831A, 833A of the folding boards and are folded into face to face relation, as shown in
The tubular wrapper 815 containing the pads 1 is pulled in the machine direction MD by the vacuum belt 1003 (FIG. 45), which in the preferred embodiment provides the primary force for pulling the web 811 over the forming device 805. As the newly-formed tubular wrapper 815 passes between the vacuum belt 1003 and the overhead compression belt 1027, it is subjected to a compressive force to adhere the side margins M1, M2 of the web together to form a longitudinal seam extending the length of the tubular wrapper before the tube is fed between the two sealing rolls 1107, 1109 at the sealing station 1025. As the two sealing rolls rotate, the sealing bars 1121 on the upper roll 1107 move into sequential registration with the sealing bars 1121 on the lower roll 1109 to seal the tube in the seal areas 1103 between the pads (see FIG. 46). The tubular wrapper tube containing the pads is pulled through the sealing station 1025 by the vacuum belt 1137 and compression belt 1135 downstream from the sealing station. These belts also serve to feed the sealed tube to the cutting station 1041 where the cutting rolls 1051, 1053 cut across the tube at the sealed areas 1103 to form individually wrapped pads. As noted previously, further packaging operations can be performed, if desired.
For efficiency, the various sections of the apparatus of the invention should be run at compatible speeds which enable substantially continuous operation (at least 85% of the time) of all sections without interruption. That is, upstream sections should not be run at excessively high speeds which will exceed the capacity of downstream sections, nor at excessively slow speeds which will starve the downstream sections.
While the apparatus and methods have been described in the context of making interlabial pads of the type shown in
When introducing elements of the invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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|U.S. Classification||53/450, 493/356, 53/550, 493/352, 53/578, 493/349|
|International Classification||G01G19/34, A61F13/15, B65B9/22|
|Cooperative Classification||G01G19/34, A61F13/15634, A61F13/47209, A61F13/15747, B65B63/04, B65B9/06|
|European Classification||B65B9/06, B65B63/04, A61F13/15M3C, A61F13/15M6F, G01G19/34|
|Jan 21, 2003||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., WISCONSIN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SARAF, MOSHE;NUNN, STEPHEN L.;KEENAN, THOMAS P.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013674/0130;SIGNING DATES FROM 20021211 TO 20030106
|Jan 12, 2009||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4
|Jan 14, 2013||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 8
|Feb 3, 2015||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC., WISCONSIN
Free format text: NAME CHANGE;ASSIGNOR:KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:034880/0742
Effective date: 20150101