Patent ID: 6454690
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An apparatus for manufacturing a pad, said apparatus comprising:a rotatable forming screen, said forming screen having a generally cylindrical surface and at least one outwardly projecting nob, said at least one outwardly projecting nob interiorly positioned on said forming screen whereby said forming screen circumscribes said nob, said forming screen being rotatable at a rate defining a first tangential velocity; a material source positioned adjacent said forming screen whereby a material layer is depositable on said forming screen and said at least one nob is circumscribable by the material layer, the material layer thereby forming the pad and having a first surface disposed in contact with said forming screen and a second surface disposed opposite said first layer; a moveable transfer surface, said transfer surface being engageable with the second surface of the material layer, said transfer surface being moveable in a direction substantially corresponding to the movement of the engageable material layer and at a second velocity, said second velocity being at least as great as said first velocity; a means for attracting the material layer to said transfer surface; and a thrust surface disposed on a trailing edge of said at least one nob, said thrust surface imparting a compressive force on the engageable material layer as said forming screen and said transfer surface respectively move at said first and second velocities, said compressive force including a component vector directed towards said transfer surface.