Dale J Fischer

US Patent:

7758485, Jul 20, 2010

Filed:

Oct 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/272397

Inventors:

Richard W. Kubalek - Appleton WI, US
Thomas P. Keenan - Appleton WI, US
Stephen L. Nunn - Appleton WI, US
Moshe Saraf - Menasha WI, US
Scott D. Dobslaw - Winchester WI, US
Dale J. Fischer - Neenah WI, US
Daniel J. Heuer - Fremont WI, US
James J. Hlaban - Ogdensburg WI, US
Michael K. Lewis - Kaukauna WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Neenah WI

International Classification:

B31B 1/26

US Classification:

493231, 493254, 493397, 493356

Abstract:

The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.

US Patent:

20040077473, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Oct 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/273323

Inventors:

Richard Kubalek - Appleton WI, US
Thomas Keenan - Appleton WI, US
Stephen Nunn - Appleton WI, US
James Hlaban - Ogdensburg WI, US
Daniel Heuer - Fremont WI, US
Dale Fischer - Neenah WI, US
Michael Lewis - Kaukauna WI, US
Scott Dobslaw - Winchester WI, US
Moshe Saraf - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

International Classification:

B31F007/00

US Classification:

493/346000

Abstract:

The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. Fibers made of different materials are blended and formed into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus. A first cutting apparatus at a first cutting station cuts the blended-fiber web as it is fed through a first cutting nip to form individual fiber bodies in the web arranged in predetermined positions relative to one another. A first rotatable vacuum transfer cylinder conveys the fiber bodies from the first cutting station toward a sealing apparatus while maintaining the bodies in their predetermined positions relative to one another. The sealing apparatus laminates a cover web with the fiber bodies at a sealing nip to form a sealed laminated web. A second cutting apparatus at a second cutting station cuts the sealed laminated web to form pads. Folding apparatus may be provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

US Patent:

20040077474, Apr 22, 2004

Filed:

Oct 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/272422

Inventors:

Moshe Saraf - Menasha WI, US
Stephen Nunn - Appleton WI, US
Thomas Keenan - Appleton WI, US
Scott Dobslaw - Winchester WI, US
Dale Fischer - Neenah WI, US
Daniel Heuer - Fremont WI, US
James Hlaban - Ogdensburg WI, US
Michael Lewis - Kaukauna WI, US
Richard Kubalek - Appleton WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

International Classification:

B31F007/00

US Classification:

493/352000

Abstract:

The invention is directed to method and apparatus for wrapping pads. A web of flexible wrapping material is adapted to be pulled in tension over a forming device. The forming device has 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 guides the web toward the folding edges. An opening between the web guide and the folding edges is adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. A series of pads are conveyed by a conveyor, one after another, and placed 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. A surface applies a force to the pads to force the pads against the central portion of the web as the pads move across said opening. The force is 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.

US Patent:

20040110618, Jun 10, 2004

Filed:

Sep 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/674907

Inventors:

Richard Kubalek - Appleton WI, US
Edward Wollangk - Oshkosh WI, US
Thomas Keenan - Appleton WI, US
Stephen Nunn - Appleton WI, US
James Hlaban - Ogdensburg WI, US
Daniel Heuer - Fremont WI, US
Dale Fischer - Neenah WI, US
Michael Lewis - Kaukauna WI, US
Scott Dobslaw - Winchester WI, US
Moshe Saraf - Menasha WI, US

Assignee:

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

International Classification:

B31B001/64

US Classification:

493/189000

Abstract:

The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. Fibers made of different materials are blended and formed into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus. A first cutting apparatus at a first cutting station cuts the blended-fiber web as it is fed through a first cutting nip to form individual bodies in the web arranged in predetermined positions relative to one another. A first rotatable vacuum transfer cylinder conveys the bodies from the first cutting station toward a sealing roll while maintaining the bodies in their predetermined positions relative to one another. The sealing apparatus laminates a cover web with the bodies at a sealing nip to form a sealed laminated web. A second cutting apparatus at a second cutting station cuts the sealed laminated web to form pads. Folding apparatus may be provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.