US 6,982,052 B2 | ||
Process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed fibrous layers | ||
Susan J. Daniels, Neenah, Wis. (US); David W. Heyn, Neenah, Wis. (US); Derek Paul Murphy, Menasha, Wis. (US); and Michael Barth Venturino, Appleton, Wis. (US) | ||
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, Wis. (US) | ||
Filed on Sep. 26, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/255,660. | ||
Prior Publication US 2004/0061263 A1, Apr. 01, 2004 | ||
Int. Cl. B29C 59/00 (2006.01); B29C 59/02 (2006.01); B29C 69/00 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 264—101 | 46 Claims |
1. Apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed fibrous layers, said apparatus comprising:
first and second substantially discrete forming chambers,
a foraminous forming surface movable through said first and second forming chambers along a forming path length,
a first fiber feed mechanism for introducing a fibrous material into said first forming chamber,
a first vacuum source in communication with said first forming chamber for drawing said fibrous material in said first forming
chamber onto said forming surface to form a first layer on said forming surface,
a first removing and directing mechanism for removing a portion of said first layer and directing the portion removed back
into said first forming chamber,
a second fiber feed mechanism for introducing a fibrous material into said second forming chamber, and
a second vacuum source in communication with said second forming chamber for drawing said fibrous material in said second
forming chamber onto said forming surface to form a second layer on said forming surface superimposed on said first layer.
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