Abstract: A method for forming an absorbent core. The method includes the steps of forming and compressing an absorbent core, followed by passing the absorbent core through a subsequent nip between two rolls. At least one of the rolls has a surface including an elastic material, such that the hard-spot number of the absorbent core is reduced. Also, a device for forming absorbent cores as well as absorbent cores produced using the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel, each of the mat-forming wheels having a series of moulds along its peripheral surface, air-laying means for supplying air-entrained fibrous material to the moulds, suction means maintaining the formed core elements in their moulds during a part of the path of the moulds on the respective mat-forming wheel and means for transferring a core element on the second mat-forming wheel onto a core element on the first mat-forming wheel while the latter core element still is maintained in its mould, at least the air-laying means associated with the second mat-forming wheel having means for supplying a mixture of air-entrained fibrous material and discrete particles. The two mat-forming wheels form a nip between each other that the second core element will abut the first core element before transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel. Means are also provided for applying a first and second web of casing material onto the peripheral surface of the first and second mat-forming wheel, respectively, for providing a third web of casing material into the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, for applying an adhesive coating on both sides of the third web, the mat-forming wheels being so positioned that the formed core elements on the respective first and second mat-forming wheels will abut the third web when passing the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, and for pressing together the portions of the three webs located outside the contour of the core element, containing the first and second core element, whereby the air-laid core elements will encapsulated in casing material. Also, a method for forming air-laid absorbent cores.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel, means for transferring a core element on the first mat-forming wheel onto a core element on the second mat-forming wheel while the latter core element still is maintained in its mold. The apparatus has means for applying a protective layer to the bottom of each mold of the second mat-forming wheel, means for applying a web of casing material on the peripheral surface of the first mat-forming wheel, means for guiding said web of casing material onto the periphery of the second mat-forming wheel, and means for changing the synchronization of the mat-forming wheels in order to control the time at which the leading edge of a mold on one of the mat-forming wheels passes the nip. A method of producing cores with different sizes without change of molds.

Abstract: A method for forming an absorbent core. The method includes the steps of forming and compressing an absorbent core, followed by passing the absorbent core through a subsequent nip between two rolls. At least one of the rolls has a surface including an elastic material, such that the hard-spot number of the absorbent core is reduced. Also, a device for forming absorbent cores as well as absorbent cores produced using the method.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes at least one liquid-permeable layer material (105) and an absorbent structure (106), the absorbent structure (106) having the ability to expand on wetting, which entails that the absorbent structure (106) displays a first volume in dry condition and a second volume in completely expanded wet condition, the second volume being greater than the first volume. The liquid-permeable layer material (105) encloses the absorbent structure (106) so that the absorbent structure (106) is prevented from reaching complete expansion during wetting.

Abstract: A mat-forming wheel for forming air-laid absorbent cores for sanitary absorbent articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence protectors and the like, said wheel having a series of moulds along its peripheral surface, each mould having up-standing walls and a bottom. The up-standing walls of the mould are formed in an element of a flexible material, which element is releasably attached to a foraminous substrate of rigid material, which runs along the whole circumference of the mat-forming wheel.

Abstract: A mat-forming wheel for forming air-laid absorbent cores for sanitary absorbent articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence protectors and the like, said wheel having a series of moulds along its peripheral surface, each mould having up-standing walls and a bottom. The up-standing walls of the mould are formed in an element of a flexible material, which element is releasably attached to a foraminous substrate of rigid material, which runs along the whole circumference of the mat-forming wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel, each of the mat-forming wheels having a series of moulds along its peripheral surface, air-laying means for supplying air-entrained fibrous material to the moulds, suction means maintaining the formed core elements in their moulds during a part of the path of the moulds on the respective mat-forming wheel and means for transferring a core element on the second mat-forming wheel onto a core element on the first mat-forming wheel while the latter core element still is maintained in its mould, at least the air-laying means associated with the second mat-forming wheel having means for supplying a mixture of air-entrained fibrous material and discrete particles. The two mat-forming wheels form a nip between each other that the second core element will abut the first core element before transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel. Means are also provided for applying a first and second web of casing material onto the peripheral surface of the first and second mat-forming wheel, respectively, for providing a third web of casing material into the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, for applying an adhesive coating on both sides of the third web, the mat-forming wheels being so positioned that the formed core elements on the respective first and second mat-forming wheels will abut the third web when passing the nip between the first and second mat-forming wheel, and for pressing together the portions of the three webs located outside the contour of the core element, containing the first and second core element, whereby the air-laid core elements will encapsulated in casing material. Also, a method for forming air-laid absorbent cores.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming air-laid absorbent cores, having a first and second mat-forming wheel, means for transferring a core element on the first mat-forming wheel onto a core element on the second mat-forming wheel while the latter core element still is maintained in its mould. The apparatus has means for applying a protective layer to the bottom of each mould of the second mat-forming wheel, means for applying a web of casing material on the peripheral surface of the first mat-forming wheel, means for guiding said web of casing material onto the periphery of the second mat-forming wheel, and means for changing the synchronization of the mat-forming wheels in order to control the time at which the leading edge of a mould on one of the mat-forming wheels passes the nip. A method of producing cores with different sizes without change of moulds.

Abstract: The invention concerns an absorbent article comprising at least one liquid-permeable layer material (105) and an absorbent structure (106), the absorbent structure (106) having the ability to expand on wetting, which entails that the absorbent structure (106) displays a first volume in dry condition and a second volume in completely expanded wet condition, the second volume being greater than the first volume. The liquid-permeable layer material (105) encloses the absorbent structure (106) so that the absorbent structure (106) is prevented from reaching complete expansion during wetting.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming air-laid fibrous absorbent cores comprises a first supply of air-entrained fibrous material and a first air-laying element connected with the first supply of air-entrained fibrous material and having a movable first perforated forming element for forming a first air-laid component of the absorbent core. Further, a supply of air-entrained fibrous material and discrete particles of absorbent material and a second air-laying element connected with the supply of air-entrained fibrous material and discrete particles is provided. The second air-laying element has a movable second perforated forming element for forming a second air-laid component of the absorbent core comprising a mixture of dispersed fibrous material and discrete particles and the second air-laying element is positioned with respect to the first air-laying element such as to transfer a formed second component from the second forming element onto a formed first component on the first forming element.

Abstract: A method of compressing fibrous bodies which are held in place on a perforated support by means of negative pressure. Each fibrous body to be compressed is arranged on a first support that includes parts with and without perforations. A first compression of the fibrous body is then brought about over the part without perforations. The partly compressed fibrous body is then transferred to a second support which includes perforations in a part covered by compressed portions of the fibrous body and a part without perforations covered by uncompressed portions of the fibrous body. A second compression of the fibrous body is brought about in those portions of the fibrous body which cover the part without perforations of the second support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of compressing fibrous bodies which are held in place on a perforated support (1, 3) by means of negative pressure. According to the invention, each fibrous body to be compressed is first arranged on a first support (1) which comprises parts with (8) and without (7) perforations within the region covered by the fibrous body. A first compression of the fibrous body is then brought about in those portions thereof which cover the part (7) or parts without perforations of the first support (1).

Abstract: An arrangement for fibre-laying on a moving air-permeable conveyor path (2) fibre bodies which are comprised of at least two different layers. The arrangement includes for each fibre layer a succession of air-laying units disposed sequentially in the direction of movement of the conveyor path, wherein each of the units includes elements (6, 7) for passing a stream of air-borne fibres to a region above the moving conveyor path (2), elements (3, 4) for generating a subpressure beneath the air-permeable conveyor path in the proximity of the region in which the stream of air-borne fibres is delivered, and elements (6, 7) for shielding the stream of air-borne fibres from ambient air.