There is provided an additive manufacturing system and method for creating a seamless fabric and/or foam product comprising different properties in different designated sections along the fabric and/or foam product. The system and method comprising depositing polymer liquid droplets via a precise liquid placement (PLP) head, depositing polymer liquid droplets via a high-volume-low-resolution head, and controlling operation of the precise liquid placement (PLP) head and of the high-volume-low-resolution head, thereby controlling the different properties of the seamless fabric and/or foam product, via a computerized control system.
B29C 70/30 - Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or coreShaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
B29C 37/00 - Component parts, details, accessories or auxiliary operations, not covered by group or
B29C 70/12 - Fibrous reinforcements only characterised by the structure of fibrous reinforcements using fibres of short length, e.g. in the form of a mat
B29C 70/54 - Component parts, details or accessoriesAuxiliary operations
B29C 70/88 - Shaping composites, i.e. plastics material comprising reinforcements, fillers or preformed parts, e.g. inserts characterised primarily by possessing specific properties, e.g. electrically conductive or locally reinforced
B29K 105/04 - Condition, form or state of moulded material cellular or porous
B29K 105/12 - Condition, form or state of moulded material containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts of short lengths, e.g. chopped filaments, staple fibres or bristles
2.
LIQUID POLYMER SPRAYED SHEET WITH FUSED LAYERS AND VARIABLE RATIO OF POLYMERS DROPLETS AND ENTRAPPED BUBBLES
A sheet is provided, the sheet including at least two polymeric layers including a bottom layer and a top layer, wherein the at least two polymeric layers are sprayed, wherein the at least two polymeric layers are seamlessly fused across the entire area of the sheet, creating a seamless, one piece sheet, and wherein at least one polymeric layer of the sheet contains gas bubbles. An article including the sheet is also provided.
C08J 9/00 - Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materialsAfter-treatment thereof
C08J 9/12 - Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materialsAfter-treatment thereof using blowing gases generated by a previously added blowing agent by a physical blowing agent
C08J 9/30 - Working-up of macromolecular substances to porous or cellular articles or materialsAfter-treatment thereof by mixing gases into liquid compositions or plastisols, e.g. frothing with air
C08J 9/34 - Chemical features in the manufacture of articles consisting of a foamed macromolecular core and a macromolecular surface layer having a higher density than the core
B29C 41/08 - Coating a former, core or other substrate by spraying or fluidisation, e.g. spraying powder
3.
ARTICLES AND METHODS FOR IMPROVED TRANSFER OF BODILY FLUIDS
A method is provided to accelerate transfer of released body fluids from a body through a treated textile fabric to promote dryness of a skin of the body, the method comprising providing a treated textile fabric facing the body fluids to be transferred, wherein the treated textile fabric includes a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is positioned facing towards the body fluids and the second surface is positioned facing away from the body fluids, wherein the treated textile fabric is structured with a plurality of pores so to allow a passage of a liquid from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the first surface is coated with a graphene material such that a permeation flux of the first surface is greater than a permeation flux of the second surface.
B32B 5/02 - Layered products characterised by the non-homogeneity or physical structure of a layer characterised by structural features of a layer comprising fibres or filaments
D06M 11/74 - Treating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with carbon or graphiteTreating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with carbidesTreating fibres, threads, yarns, fabrics or fibrous goods made from such materials, with inorganic substances or complexes thereofSuch treatment combined with mechanical treatment, e.g. mercerising with carbon or compounds thereof with graphitic acids or their salts
4.
A PRODUCT OR SHEET, COMBINED WITH A MESH OR MESHES
A composite sheet is provided, where the composite sheet has a bottom surface and an upper surface and includes: (a) at least one layer of interconnected polymer droplets, and (b) at least one mesh having a bottom surface and an upper surface, wherein the at least one mesh is embedded into at least a part of the at least one layer of interconnected polymer droplets such that the polymer droplets surround and hold at least a part of said bottom and upper surfaces of the at least one mesh.
D06N 3/00 - Artificial leather, oilcloth, or like material obtained by covering fibrous webs with macromolecular material, e.g. resins, rubber or derivatives thereof
D06M 23/16 - Processes for the non-uniform application of treating agents, e.g. one-sided treatmentDifferential treatment
An apparatus for flocking a curved article (10) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flocking machine (100) having a curved mesh (101) with a plurality of sectors, the curved mesh being constructed to conform to the curve of a curved object to be flocked. The curved object also includes a plurality of sectors, and is placed at a distance from the curved mesh such that a constant gap (102) is provided between each sector on the curved object and the corresponding sector of the curved mesh.
B05B 7/14 - Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas designed for spraying particulate materials
B05C 19/00 - Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces
B05B 5/08 - Plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects
A method for providing a design on a moulded product during the product manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes applying pigments onto at least a portion of a surface of a mould in a pre-determined design, and forming or curing a product on the surface of the mould so that pigments transfer onto the surface or into the polymeric product during forming or curing. The transfer of the pigments results in the creation of the colouring design on the product.
An apparatus for producing a non-woven product is disclosed. The apparatus is located substantially within an enclosure and includes a mold or former and at least two moveable material application heads. A controller controls various elements located within or connected to the enclosure. The footprint of the enclosure is smaller than 2m x 2m.
B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns
D04H 1/00 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
D04H 1/58 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
D04H 1/70 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
9.
AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A NONWOVEN PRODUCT IN A NON-INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT
An apparatus for producing a non-woven product is disclosed. The apparatus is located substantially within an enclosure and includes a mold or former and at least two moveable material application heads. A controller controls various elements located within or connected to the enclosure. The footprint of the enclosure is smaller than 2m x 2m.
D04H 1/00 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
D04H 1/58 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives
D04H 1/70 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
D01G 21/00 - Combinations of machines, apparatus, or processes, e.g. for continuous processing
D01G 25/00 - Lap-forming devices not integral with machines specified above
B29C 70/38 - Automated lay-up, e.g. using robots, laying filaments according to predetermined patterns
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
10.
Apparatus for producing a nonwoven product in a non-industrial environment
An apparatus for producing a non-woven product is disclosed. The apparatus is located substantially within an enclosure and includes a mold or former and at least two moveable material application heads. A controller controls various elements located within or connected to the enclosure. The footprint of the enclosure is smaller than 2 m×2 m.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
D04H 1/00 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres
D04H 1/70 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres
D04H 1/655 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres from fleeces or layers composed of fibres without existing or potential cohesive properties by applying, incorporating or activating chemical or thermoplastic bonding agents, e.g. adhesives the bonding agent being applied in wet state, e.g. chemical agents in dispersions or solutions characterised by the apparatus for applying bonding agents
11.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN FLOCKING FIBERS AND FLOCKED OBJECTS
A method and apparatus for adjusting the relative longitudinal movement between flocked fibers and an object to be flocked is disclosed. Fibers move along a curved or arcuate path (203) which includes both vertical and horizontal movement of the fibers from a flocking machine (200) to the object to be flocked. The method improves the flocking process quality and increases production speed and output.
A method and apparatus for adjusting the relative movement between flocked fibers and an object to be flocked is disclosed. Fibers move along a curved or arcuate path which includes both vertical and horizontal movement of the fibers from a flocking machine to the object to be flocked. The method improves the flocking process quality and increases production speed and output.
A method and apparatus for managing different traffic speeds of carriages (15) moving along a closed-loop track (10) is disclosed. The closed-loop track has at least four different speed zones (11, 12, 13, 14), which include a slow speed zone (11), a fast speed zone (12), an acceleration zone (13, 14), and a deceleration zone (14, 13). A computerized control system (17) monitors and controls the movement of the carriages along the different speed zones of the closed loops track, so different traffic speeds are maintained along the closed loop track, simultaneously, with no collisions.
B65G 35/06 - Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path
B65G 35/08 - Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for comprising trains of unconnected load-carriers, e.g. belt sections, movable in a path, e.g. a closed path, adapted to contact each other and to be propelled by means arranged to engage each load-carrier in turn
B65G 54/02 - Non-mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for electrostatic, electric, or magnetic
14.
Method and apparatus for changing carriage speed on a closed-loop track
A method and apparatus for managing different traffic speeds of carriages moving along a closed-loop track is disclosed. The closed-loop track has at least four different speed zones, which include a slow speed zone, a fast speed zone, an acceleration zone, and a deceleration zone. A computerized control system monitors and controls the movement of the carriages along the different speed zones of the closed loops track, so different traffic speeds are maintained along the closed loop track, simultaneously, with no collisions.
An all direction stretchable dressing article is disclosed. The article includes a first surface, a second surface, at least one layer of ail directions stretchable polymer, and at least one layer of fibers affixed to at least a part of the polymer layer. The article farther includes at least one type of curative material embedded or associated with at least one of the polymer layer or the fiber layer.
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic sheets and products having two or more zone having different material features and performance. The products can he comprised of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material of different types over different zones of a workpiece former or conveyor belt.
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic sheets and products having two or more zone having different material features and performance. The products can he comprised of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material of different types over different zones of a workpiece former or conveyor belt.
A method and apparatus for producing custom made disposable garments and undergarments for hygiene products are disclosed. The method includes customization of the disposable garment for a consumer. The customization may include use of a consumer's measurements, 3D body scanning data, style, color, design, and decoration preferences, for example. The apparatus includes a manufacturing line having a main program driven manufacturing control processor to convert and apply prerecorded consumer information into production orders to be used on a versatile production line, and to enable a dedicated production process for an individual consumer, as well as a versatile production line specified to produce tailored on demand disposable nonwoven garments and undergarments using the consumer's prerecorded information.
A method for obtaining temporary non-stretchability characteristics, mainly in a machine direction, in a non- woven fabric having any level of stretchability, in order to ease converting is disclosed. The non-stretchability characteristics can be then eliminated in order to restore the original characteristics of the non-woven fabric. This technique allows the formation of final products comprising stretchable non-woven fabrics by converting machines.
A61F 13/15 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators
D04H 5/08 - Non woven fabrics formed of mixtures of relatively short fibres and yarns or like filamentary material of substantial length characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres or yarns
A61F 13/49 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies
20.
Stretchable sheets comprising a variety of layers and zones and methods to produce such products
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic sheets and products having two or more zone having different material features and performance. The products can be comprised of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material of different types over different zones of a workpiece former or conveyor belt.
B05D 1/02 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying
B29C 70/30 - Shaping by lay-up, i.e. applying fibres, tape or broadsheet on a mould, former or coreShaping by spray-up, i.e. spraying of fibres on a mould, former or core
B05D 1/00 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
A hybrid, shape - retaining non woven structure (100) of at least two layers is disclosed. A first functional layer (101) includes an expandable nonwoven sheet having an expansion character allowing for elongation in at least one direction and a second functional layer (102) includes a shape - retaining material. The first functional layer and second functional layer are associated with each other.
B32B 37/14 - Methods or apparatus for laminating, e.g. by curing or by ultrasonic bonding characterised by the properties of the layers
D04H 1/74 - Non-woven fabrics formed wholly or mainly of staple fibres or like relatively short fibres characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of fibres the fibres being orientated, e.g. in parallel
An absorptive pad having a frontward pad section and a rearward pad section of sufficient length to cover the buttocks of a user to thereby control rearward leakage of fluid. The width of the rearward pad section is less than the width of the frontward pad section, and may become increasingly narrower until the rear edge of the absorptive pad. This ergonomic shape of the pad allows for the absorptive pad to feel comfortable to the user while providing adequate protection from rearward leakage. The rear width at the rear edge of the pad may be at least 50 percent narrover than the forward width at the forward edge. The pad may comprise a continuously decreasing width. The length of the pad may be at least 35 cm.
The invention provides methods for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic products comprised principally of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method for producing stretchable products by spraying product material over a workpiece former, and method for creating perforated products by spraying product material over fibres in an upright position. The invention provides methods for making double sided fibre coating of the product and, or to at least coating the product surface on the side facing the wall without the need for removing the product from the wall.
A disposable undergarment with a front opening panel is described. The undergarment includes a waist band having an inner surface, an outer surface, a front side, a back side, a top portion, and a bottom portion, and a panel extending from the bottom portion of the back side of the waist band, the panel having a first end, a front portion, and a back portion. The first end of the panel is secured to the waist band by a suitable securing mechanism. In another embodiment, the waist band includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the waist band is attached to the second end of the waist band by another suitable securing mechanism.
A61F 13/15 - Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the bodySupporting or fastening means thereforTampon applicators
A61F 13/70 - Garments, holders or supports not integral with absorbent pads abdominal enclosing type with openable or removable crotch portion
25.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A PRODUCT USING A BENDABLE MOLD SHELL
A method and apparatus for producing a product using a substantially flat mold shell is provided. A substantially flat mold shell (10) converted from a 3 -dimensional mold (100). The substantially flat mold shell has open ends (12, 14). When the open ends are brought proximate to each other, the substantially flat mold shell has the shape of the 3- dimensional mold. A product having the shape of the 3 -dimensional mold is formed from the substantially flat mold.
The invention provides methods and apparatus for producing flexible, stretchable, and/or elastic products comprised principally of material such as natural elastomers and other synthetic polymers. The method and apparatus for producing stretchable products by spraying product material over a workpiece former, and method and apparatus for creating perforated products by spraying product material over a perforated surface or partly breathable surface, The invention also provides methods and apparatus for making double sided fibre coating of the product and, or to at least coating the product surface on the side facing the wall without the need for removing the product from the wall. The method and apparatus also enable easy removal of the product from the former. Workpiece formers are also provided.
patents
