Inventors:
Julius J. Molnar - Amherst OH
Ernest J. Fena - Rocky River OH
David W. Folden - Delmont PA
Douglas A. Schneider - Lorain OH
Richard A. Becker - Lorain OH
Charles L. Fimmen - Elyria OH
David M. Selestak - Avon OH
Robert Shlapak - Wakeman OH
Assignee:
Nordson Corporation - Westlake OH
International Classification:
D04H 170
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming a non-woven pad of fibrous material is provided in which highly moisture-absorbent particles and fibers of thermoplastic material are intermixed with the fibrous material throughout one or more predetermined portions of the thickness of the non-woven pad while maintaining other portions of the thickness of the pad substantially free of highly moisture-absorbent particles and/or thermoplastic fiber material. The non-woven pad is formed on one side of a conveyor moving through a forming chamber which has a duct connected to a source of vacuum operable to draw fibrous material injected into the chamber onto the conveyor. One dispenser discharges the highly moisture-absorbent material at a predetermined location relative to the fibrous material being drawn onto the conveyor, and at least one other dispenser discharges the thermoplastic fiber material into the chamber at a location to intermix the thermoplastic fiber material with the fibrous material and highly moisture-absorbent material being drawn onto the conveyor at the predetermined location, and/or to intermix the thermoplastic fiber materials with the fibrous material in areas of the thickness of the non-woven pad on one or both sides of the highly moisture-absorbent material.