Patents by Inventor Thomas HEEGE
Thomas HEEGE has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240148563Abstract: The current invention concerns a forming pocket (10), suitable for forming moulded absorbent material deposit structures to be used as absorbent core for absorbent articles, the forming pocket (10), extending in a longitudinal, transversal and vertical direction (L,T,V), comprises: a grid structure (12) comprising a first set of grid members (18) and a second set of grid members (20), each set of grid members (18,20) comprising a plurality of plates (19,21), each plate (19,21) comprising a plurality of slits (22,26), a supporting frame (30) encasing said grid structure (12), said supporting frame (30) comprising a first set of frame elements (32) forming two opposite longitudinal walls (32) of the supporting frame (30) and a second set of frame elements (34) forming two opposite transversal walls of the supporting frame; a mesh substrate (40) arranged on said upper surface of the grid structure (12), and an insert (48) arranged on the upper surface of the mesh substrate (40), wherein the insert (48) is couType: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2023Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Michael HOCHHAUSEN, Thomas HEEGE
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Patent number: 11938010Abstract: An absorbent core comprising substantially continuous zones of one or more high fluid distribution structures and discontinuous zones of fluid absorption structures surrounding the one or more high fluid distribution structures, wherein the one or more high fluid distribution structures are arranged to distribute fluid across the absorbent core at a speed that is faster than the speed of fluid distribution across the absorbent core by said discontinuous fluid absorption structures, and wherein said continuous zones extend along a path that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter of the core, said portion of the perimeter of the core comprising at least a portion of the sides of the core and one of the ends of the core.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NVInventors: Ainas Weber, Manfred Breu, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
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Publication number: 20240041669Abstract: The present disclosure invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (100) comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet (10), a liquid-impervious backsheet (20) and an absorbent assembly (30) between the topsheet (10) and the backsheet (20). The absorbent assembly (30) comprises an absorbent core (40), an upper core wrap (50) and a lower core wrap (60). The absorbent core (40) comprises at least two cavities (70) free of absorbent material wherein the upper core wrap (50) and the lower core wrap (60) are permanently attached to each other, said cavities (70) being interconnected via at least one connecting line (80) comprising absorbent material. The absorbent core (40) has a first basis weight in the zone out of the cavities (70) and the connecting lines (80) and a second basis weight in the connecting lines (80), the first basis weight being greater than the second basis weight. in the cavities (70).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Karen ROETS, Christel MAILINGER, Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20240016666Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a process line (62) for manufacturing absorbent articles comprising a plurality of assembly modules (64), the process line (62) comprising at least one channel (70) fluidically connecting at least one assembly module (64) and a main pump (38), said main pump being arranged downstream, with respect to the airflow, of said assembly module (64) wherein at least one booster pump (72) is arranged between an assembly module (64) and said main pump (38), said at least one channel (70) fluidically connecting said assembly module (64), booster pump (72) and main pump (38).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventor: Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20240001277Abstract: The current disclosure concerns a filtering apparatus (10) for filtering the air from an absorbent articles manufacturing process line, said filtering apparatus (10) comprising a. a housing (36) comprising one or more inlets (12); b. a filtering media 14 arranged downstream with respect to the airflow of the one or more air inlets (12); c. a support structure (16) comprising a cylindrical drum (18) comprising a first and second longitudinal ends (49,60), the filtering media (14) being secured to said cylindrical drum (18); d. a motor device (52) to rotate the cylindrical drum (18); and e. a first pump (38). According to the disclosure, the motor device (52) comprises a driving mean (56) and the cylindrical drum (18) comprises the corresponding driven mean (50) arranged at the periphery of one of the longitudinal ends (49,60) of the cylindrical drum (18), the driving mean (56) actuating the driven mean and cylindrical drum (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventor: Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20230329921Abstract: The current invention concerns a transfer head (24) configured for the transfer of a pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). According to the invention, the transfer head (24) comprises a support module (28) comprising a vacuum manifold, and a core module (30) comprising an elastic mean (32). The current invention also concerns a method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The current invention also concerns an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article using said method of transferring pad (6) from a pick-up location (26) to a drop-off location (62). The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing an absorbent articles using said method of transferring pad (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2021Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Christian ADAMS, Thomas HEEGE
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Patent number: 11752047Abstract: An absorbent core comprising substantially continuous zones of one or more high fluid distribution structures and discontinuous zones of fluid absorption structures surrounding the one or more high fluid distribution structures, wherein the one or more high fluid distribution structures are arranged to distribute fluid across the absorbent core at a speed that is faster than the speed of fluid distribution across the absorbent core by said discontinuous fluid absorption structures, and wherein said continuous zones extend along a path that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter of the core, said portion of the perimeter of the core comprising at least a portion of the sides of the core and one of the ends of the core.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NVInventors: Ainas Weber, Manfred Breu, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
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Publication number: 20230240913Abstract: An absorbent article comprising: a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and backsheet, wherein the absorbent core comprises an absorbent material, said absorbent material comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymers, and wherein said absorbent material is contained within at least one core wrap substrate enclosing said absorbent material therein, wherein the absorbent core further comprises an intermediate layer positioned between a top layer of said core wrap and a bottom layer of said core wrap such that said absorbent material is disposed between said top layer and said intermediate layer and/or between said bottom layer and said intermediate layer, and wherein said top layer, said bottom layer, and said intermediate layer are joined together to form one or more channel forming areas substantially free of said absorbent material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2021Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Ainas WEBER, Stefanie PANNWITT, Martín GRANADO, Norbert GARAJ, Christina LAMBERTZ, Christel MAILINGER, Thomas HEEGE, Björn INGENFELD
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Patent number: 11712378Abstract: An absorbent core comprising a front portion; a back portion; a middle portion positioned between the front portion and the back portion; and a longitudinal axis extending along a length of said core and crossing said front, middle and back portions, the absorbent core having a width extending perpendicular to said length and a perimeter comprising at least two opposing ends and at least two opposing sides positioned between said ends wherein the absorbent core comprises one or more channels having a first shape when the absorbent core is in dry state and a second shape when the absorbent core is in wet state and wherein said first and second shapes are different.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NVInventors: Ainas Weber, Manfred Breu, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
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Patent number: 11679040Abstract: The present disclosure invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (100) comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet (10), a liquid-impervious backsheet (20) and an absorbent assembly (30) between the topsheet (10) and the backsheet (20). The absorbent assembly (30) comprises an absorbent core (40), an upper core wrap (50) and a lower core wrap (60). The absorbent core (40) comprises at least two cavities (70) free of absorbent material wherein the upper core wrap (50) and the lower core wrap (60) are permanently attached to each other, said cavities (70) being interconnected via at least one connecting line (80) comprising absorbent material. The absorbent core (40) has a first basis weight in the zone out of the cavities (70) and the connecting lines (80) and a second basis weight in the connecting lines (80), the first basis weight being greater than the second basis weight. in the cavities (70).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NVInventors: Karen Roets, Christel Mailinger, Thomas Heege
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Publication number: 20230149224Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent core (1) for an absorbent article, comprising absorbent material and a continuous channel (4) substantially free of said absorbent material. Said channel (4) comprises at least (i) one longitudinally extending central section (41) coincident with the longitudinal center line (LCL), (ii) four longitudinally extending lateral sections (42), (iii) four diagonally extending diagonal sections (43), and (iv) one transversally extending ending section (44, 44?). A continuous channel made of at least these essential channel sections provides fast absorption, good liquid distribution throughout the entire core, improved fit and comfort and minimizes the risk of leakage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2021Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Nathalie VAN SANDE, Dries COBBAERT, Christina LAMBERTZ, Norbert GARAJ, Björn INGENFELD, Karen ROETS, Thomas HEEGE, Ainas WEBER, Stefanie PANNWITT
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Publication number: 20230081440Abstract: The present disclosure invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (100) comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet (10), a liquid-impervious backsheet (20) and an absorbent assembly (30) between the topsheet (10) and the backsheet (20). The absorbent assembly (30) comprises an absorbent core (40), an upper core wrap (50) and a lower core wrap (60). The absorbent core (40) comprises at least two cavities (70) free of absorbent material wherein the upper core wrap (50) and the lower core wrap (60) are permanently attached to each other, said cavities (70) being interconnected via at least one connecting line (80) comprising absorbent material. The absorbent core (40) has a first basis weight in the zone out of the cavities (70) and the connecting lines (80) and a second basis weight in the connecting lines (80), the first basis weight being greater than the second basis weight. in the cavities (70).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Karen ROETS, Christel MAILINGER, Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20230081149Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds typically in the form of pockets, each mold comprising an insert therein, wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert such that a suction zone is formed in areas neighboring said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. optionally further selectively removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Ainas WEBER, Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20220388799Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of guiding a web with a shifting path of the web to a substantially constant centration point. It comprises the steps of providing a web with a shifting path of the web from a source of the web, measuring upstream of said centration point, the position and/or orientation of said web by a sensor arrangement, and guiding said web to said centration point in accordance to the measurement results. The present invention advantageously relates to operations in the manufacturing of absorbent articles such as unwinding web rolls that are wound in a shifted manner, in particular spirally wound web rolls, and removing web from containers of loose web material. The invention also relates to a device for the execution of the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventor: Thomas HEEGE
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Patent number: 11510823Abstract: The current invention concerns a method and apparatus for stretching and repitching an elastic member for attachment to a moving substrate, the elastic member being stretchable in at least a longitudinal direction and said elastic member in an essential non-stretched condition comprising an initial length along said longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the elastic member in essentially non-stretched condition to a set of repitching members with an initial supply pitch, said set of repitching members comprising at least a first repitching member and a second repitching member, and optionally one or more repitching members arranged between said first and said second repitching member; (2) receiving said elastic members arranged in non-stretched condition between said set of repitching members, whereby the distance between the first and the second repitching member corresponds to the initial length of the elastic member; (3) moving at least said first and said second repitchiType: GrantFiled: March 3, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignees: ONTEX BV, ONTEX GROUP NVInventors: Thomas Heege, Michael Hochhausen
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Publication number: 20220280348Abstract: The current invention concerns an apparatus (100) for shaping the introductory end (172) of a tampon (162), comprising: a carrying pipe (106) for holding the tampon (162); a support wheel (104) that carries a plurality of carrying pipes (106), the support wheel (104) comprising conveying means to transport each carrying pipe (106); and a head-shaping station (108) for shaping the introductory end (172) of the tampon (162); According to the invention, the head-shaping station (108) comprises an ultrasonic device (110). The invention also concerns a method for shaping the introductory end (172) of a tampon (162) using such apparatus (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Thomas HEEGE, Daniel KRAUSE
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Publication number: 20220160550Abstract: A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds, each mold comprising a non-porous insert therein, typically said insert having the inverse shape of said channel(s), wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v. applying a second nonwoven web directly or indirectly over the absorbent material, or folding said first nonwoven web, such to sandwich said absorbent material between upper and lower layers of said nonwoven web(s); vi.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Thomas HEEGE, Ainas WEBER, Christel MAILINGER, Manfred BREU, Detlef VOLLRATH, Alissa IDELSON, Christoph WAGNER
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Publication number: 20220096285Abstract: An absorbent core comprising substantially continuous zones of one or more high fluid distribution structures and discontinuous zones of fluid absorption structures surrounding the one or more high fluid distribution structures, wherein the one or more high fluid distribution structures are arranged to distribute fluid across the absorbent core at a speed that is faster than the speed of fluid distribution across the absorbent core by said discontinuous fluid absorption structures, and wherein said continuous zones extend along a path that is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the perimeter of the core, said portion of the perimeter of the core comprising at least a portion of the sides of the core and one of the ends of the core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Ainas WEBER, Manfred BREU, Christel MAILINGER, Thomas HEEGE
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Publication number: 20210236343Abstract: The current invention concerns a method and apparatus for stretching and repitching an elastic member for attachment to a moving substrate, the elastic member being stretchable in at least a longitudinal direction and said elastic member in an essential non-stretched condition comprising an initial length along said longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the elastic member in essentially non-stretched condition to a set of repitching members with an initial supply pitch, said set of repitching members comprising at least a first repitching member and a second repitching member, and optionally one or more repitching members arranged between said first and said second repitching member; (2) receiving said elastic members arranged in non-stretched condition between said set of repitching members, whereby the distance between the first and the second repitching member corresponds to the initial length of the elastic member; (3) moving at least said first and said second repitchiType: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: ONTEX BVInventors: Thomas HEEGE, Michael HOCHHAUSEN
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Patent number: 10966875Abstract: The current invention concerns a method and apparatus for stretching and repitching an elastic member for attachment to a moving substrate, the elastic member being stretchable in at least a longitudinal direction and said elastic member in an essential non-stretched condition comprising an initial length along said longitudinal direction, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing the elastic member in essentially non-stretched condition to a set of repitching members with an initial supply pitch, said set of repitching members comprising at least a first repitching member and a second repitching member, and optionally one or more repitching members arranged between said first and said second repitching member; (2) receiving said elastic members arranged in non-stretched condition between said set of repitching members, whereby the distance between the first and the second repitching member corresponds to the initial length of the elastic member; (3) moving at least said first and said second repitchiType: GrantFiled: July 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: ONTEX BVInventors: Thomas Heege, Michael Hochhausen