Method and apparatus for applying particulate material to a substrate

1. An apparatus for applying a particulate material to a substrate, comprising:

a particulate suspension assembly defining a chamber for suspending a particulate material within said particulate suspension assembly, said particulate suspension assembly having a first port and a second port;

a conveyor structured and arranged for conveying a substrate into said chamber volume via said first port, through said chamber volume, and out of said chamber volume via said second port;

a fluid delivery tube arranged in flow communication with said chamber for delivering a flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber for suspending a particulate material in said chamber, said pressurized fluid being introduced into said chamber at a selected pressure sufficient to suspend the particulate material within said chamber;

an adhesive applicator for coating a surface of said substrate with an adhesive prior to the entry of said substrate into said chamber;

a fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber;

a porous roll arranged within said chamber, said porous roll having a plurality of pores in an surface thereof, wherein said porous roll is operably coupled to said fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid, whereby said second flow of pressurized fluid is delivered into said porous roll and then said second flow of pressurized fluid passes through said pores of said porous roll into said chamber;

whereby said adhesive is applied to said substrate and said coated substrate is conveyed through said chamber to thereby place said adhesive and said particulate material in communication to thereby adhere said particulate material to said substrate.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said adhesive applicator is structured and arranged to apply said adhesive in a pre-determined pattern to the substrate.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said particulate is selected from the group consisting of fibers, powders, and combinations thereof.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said particulate is a super-absorbent polymer.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said substrate comprises a web of fibrous material.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness less than about 5 mm.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said conveyor is structured and arranged to convey said substrate at a speed of about 200 feet per minute to about 1500 feet per minute.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a length of a path of said substrate within said chamber and a speed of said substrate within said chamber are selected so that said adhesive is exposed to said particulate material for a sufficient length of time to passivate said adhesive.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said fluid delivery tube is arranged in flow communication with said chamber at a location below said substrate.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said porous roll is arranged in surface to surface contact with said substrate to thereby guide said substrate.

11. An apparatus for applying a particulate material to an article of manufacture, comprising:

a particulate suspension assembly defining a chamber for suspending a particulate material within said particulate suspension assembly, said particulate suspension assembly having a first port and a second port;

a belt for supporting a plurality of articles of manufacture;

a conveyor structured and arranged for conveying said belt, with said articles of manufacture arranged thereon, into said chamber volume via said first port, through said chamber volume, and out of said chamber volume via said second port;

a fluid delivery tube arranged in flow communication with said chamber for delivering a flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber for suspending a particulate material in said chamber, said pressurized fluid being introduced into said chamber at a selected pressure sufficient to suspend the particulate material within said chamber;

an adhesive applicator for coating a surface of a layer that forms at least a part of said article of manufacture with an adhesive prior to the entry of said article of manufacture into said chamber;

a fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid into said chamber;

a porous roll arranged within said chamber, said porous roll having a plurality of pores in an surface thereof, wherein said porous roll is operably coupled to said fluid source for delivering a second flow of pressurized fluid, whereby said second flow of pressurized fluid is delivered into said porous roll and then said second flow of pressurized fluid passes through said pores of said porous roll into said chamber;

whereby said adhesive is applied to said layer and said coated article of manufacture is conveyed through said chamber to thereby place said adhesive and said particulate material in communication and thereby adhere said particulate material to said layer.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said plurality of articles of manufacture comprise a plurality of sanitary protection articles.

13. The apparatus according to 11 , wherein said layer of said article of manufacture is one of a backing layer, a transfer layer, cover layer or a layer of an absorbent core.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said an adhesive applicator is structured and arranged to apply said adhesive in a pre-determined pattern.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said particulate is selected from the group consisting of fibers, powders, and combinations thereof.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said particulate is a super-absorbent polymer.