US 12,268,578 B2
Method of manufacturing an exudate management layer for use in an absorbent article
David J. Nickel, Menasha, WI (US); Matthew D. Woods, Winneconne, WI (US); Tom Porter, Conway, AR (US); and Todd M. Ake, Conway, AR (US)
Assigned to Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
Appl. No. 17/041,208
Filed by Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 29, 2018, PCT No. PCT/US2018/025035
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 24, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/190517, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 3, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0030601 A1, Feb. 4, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 13/15 (2006.01); A61F 13/47 (2006.01); A61F 13/472 (2006.01); A61F 13/511 (2006.01); A61F 13/537 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/15617 (2013.01) [A61F 13/15699 (2013.01); A61F 13/15723 (2013.01); A61F 13/15739 (2013.01); A61F 13/4704 (2013.01); A61F 13/472 (2013.01); A61F 13/51104 (2013.01); A61F 13/5376 (2013.01); A61F 2013/53765 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of manufacturing an exudate management layer having a first component and a second component, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing an apparatus for forming the exudate management layer, the apparatus comprising:
i. a cutting roller having an exterior surface upon which are positioned a pair of first cutting tools extending in a cross-machine direction of the cutting roller and a second cutting tool positioned between and separating the pair of first cutting tools wherein the second cutting tool has a shape different than a shape of the first cutting tools, wherein the cutting roller is associated with a first vacuum system and an air blowing system;
ii. an anvil roller; and
iii. a transfer roller associated with a second vacuum system;
b) providing a base material to the apparatus;
c) partitioning the base material into at least a first exudate management layer pre-form and a second exudate management layer pre-form;
d) partitioning the base material within the first exudate management layer pre-form to delineate a first portion of the base material that will form a perimeter of an opening within the first component and to delineate a second portion of the base material that will form the second component;
e) placing the second portion of the base material that will form the second component of the exudate management layer into an overlapping configuration with a third portion of the base material that will form a section of the first component of the exudate management layer;
f) transitioning the base material to the transfer roller; and
g) separating the first exudate management layer pre-form from the second exudate management layer pre-form to form the exudate management layer.