Method and apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023241561-A1
Application number	US-202117928302-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 28, 2021
Priority date	May 29, 2020
Publication date	Aug 3, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for producing a substrate are described. A method and apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply is also presented. A method can include providing a first fluid supply. The fluid supply can be configured as a foam in some embodiments. The method can also include providing a component feed system and a supply of the component. The method can include introducing the component to a fluid supply in an eductor in some aspects. A resultant slurry including a fluid supply and the component can be transferred through a headbox. The resultant slurry can be dewatered to provide a substrate including the component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for introducing a component into a fluid supply, the method comprising:
providing a component feed system; providing a supply of the component to the component feed system; providing a fluid supply; introducing the component into the fluid supply; and controlling gas entrainment into the fluid supply as the component is introduced into the fluid supply.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein introducing the component into the fluid supply comprises transferring the fluid supply through an eductor.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein controlling gas entrainment into the fluid supply as the component is introduced into the fluid supply comprises sealing the component feed system.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein controlling gas entrainment into the fluid supply as the component is introduced into the fluid supply further comprises controlling air flow into the component feed system.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a housing surrounding the component feed system.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component feed system comprises a bulk solids pump.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the component is a particulate.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the particulate is superabsorbent material.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid supply comprises a foam.

10 . A method for introducing a component into a fluid supply, the method comprising:
providing a component feed system, the component feed system comprising an outlet conduit; providing a supply of the component to the component feed system; providing a fluid supply; transferring the fluid supply through an eductor, the eductor comprising a venturi section; introducing the component into the fluid supply; and controlling a pressure on the component feed system by controlling a position of a distal end of the outlet conduit within the venturi section of the eductor.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing a housing surrounding the component feed system to seal the component feed system.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein controlling the pressure on the component feed system further comprises bleeding in at least some air flow to the component feed system.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the component is superabsorbent material.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the fluid supply comprises a foam, the foam comprising a fluid and a surfactant.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the foam further comprises a plurality of fibers.

16 . An apparatus for introducing a component into a fluid supply, the apparatus comprising:
a component feed system comprising:
a component supply area; and
an outlet conduit configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid supply; and
a fluid control system configured to control entrainment of fluid within the fluid supply downstream of the component feed system.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the fluid control system comprises a housing sealing the component feed system.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the fluid control system further comprises a bleed-in orifice.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the bleed-in orifice is configured to provide air flow into the housing.

20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:
an eductor, the eductor being in fluid communication with the outlet conduit of the component feed system and the fluid supply, wherein the eductor comprises a venturi section, and wherein a distal end of the outlet conduit is disposed within the venturi of the eductor.

21 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the fluid control system is configured to control entrainment of gas within the fluid supply downstream of the component feed system.

Assignees

• Kimberly Clark Co

Inventors

• Marrano Stephen A
• Krautkramer Kyle

Classifications

• B29B7/7461

  Combinations of dissimilar mixers · CPC title

• B29B7/7409

  with supply of gas · CPC title

• B01F35/71

  Feed mechanisms (with proportioning B01F35/80) · CPC title

• D04H1/732

  by fluid current, e.g. air-lay · CPC title

• D04H1/425

  Cellulose series · CPC title