Apparatus for forming controlled density fibrous pads for diapers and the other absorbent products

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings FIG.
1, shows the drum assembly 1 which is created by assembling the pocket modules 2 and the shaft flange assembly 4 used for rotating the pocket assemblies.
The drum flange 3 is shown in side view in FIG.
2 and provides an attachment point for the shaft flange assembly 4.
The modules 2, which are self contained, are attached end-to-end using the concentricity stabilizer 14 of FIGS.
3 & 7, to form the outer surface of the drum 1.
The drum, thus constructed, is self supporting and ready for connection to the drum flange 3 and shaft assembly 4.
This is a very unique and novel construction of which is not anticipated nor described in the prior art.
FIG.
3, an exploded view of the pocket modules, shows the assembly and alignment of the components which comprise the basic pad forming module.
The pad forming module shown in FIG.
3 is constructed from two end rails 12 and two side rails 13 which form the basic structure of the module and to which the remaining module components are attached.
The cross directional airflow control louvers 10 are inserted in radial slots 15 formed in the inner surface of the side rails 13.
The sub-plates 9 are attached to the end and side rails on their outer perimeters.
The forming screen or foraminous layer 7 and the foraminous support layer 8 are held to the end rails by the tilt-lock screen straps 11.
The top plates 6 are attached to the end rail 12 and side rail 13 assembly by screws or other replaceable fastener means which also pass through the subplates 9 thus securing the forming screen or foraminous layer 7 and the foraminous support layer 8.
The modules are then assembled end-to-end using the concentricity stabilizer 14.
The novel concentricity stabilizer 14 acts as both a structural coupling and alignment device and a means for providing a concentric structure with in accepted industrial standards for roundness.
The inner circumferential edge of the sub-plates 9 are off-set from the inner circumferential edge of the top plates by a specific distance which is related to the thickness of the pad to be formed