Patent Description:
A process line for manufacturing absorbent articles, namely disposable hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or incontinence pants comprises several stations to carry out different steps. Some of these steps require vacuum to ensure the suction or the blowing of components of the absorbent articles, e.g. maintaining absorbent core onto a drum or depositing a cut-out onto a web. Providing vacuum at different stations implies using a sophisticated air circulation system as well as an air filtering system. The manufacturing of absorbent articles implies using absorbent material such as fluff and/or superabsorbent particles, which often get suctioned into the air circulation system and into the air filtering system. Because of this suction of absorbent material, the filtering media often get clogged up and needs to be replaced too often.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> disclose such air filtering systems, yet can be further improved.

The disclosure thereto aims to provide an apparatus and method which ensures an efficient and reliable filtering of the pressurized air present in a process line to manufacture absorbent articles.

The present disclosure provides a filtering apparatus for filtering air from an absorbent articles manufacturing process line, said filtering apparatus comprising:.

According to the disclosure, the motor device comprises a driving mean and the cylindrical drum comprises the corresponding driven mean arranged at the periphery of one of the longitudinal ends of the cylindrical drum, the driving mean actuating the driven mean and cylindrical drum,.

In other words, the motor device comprises an actuator comprising at least one male or female rotation member, i.e. the driving mean(s), and the cylindrical drum comprises the corresponding, or complementary, female or male rotation member, i.e. the driven mean(s), for driving engagement therewith, the male or female rotation member(s) of the cylindrical drum being arranged at the periphery of one of the longitudinal ends of the cylindrical drum and the male or female rotation member of the actuator actuating the male or female rotation member of the cylindrical drum.

According to an embodiment, the driving mean comprises a geared plate and the driven mean comprises a ring gear, the teeth of the geared plate engaging the teeth of the ring gear.

According to an embodiment, at least one nozzles is arranged between about <NUM>,<NUM> and about <NUM>,<NUM> distant of the filtering media, preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and about <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and about <NUM>,<NUM>, even more preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM>, distant of the filtering media.

According to an embodiment, two or more nozzles are not aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum.

According to an embodiment, the filtering apparatus comprises a valve to guide the air through the first outlet or through the second outlet.

According to an embodiment, the filtering apparatus comprises a frame comprising a plurality of struts to carry the support structure.

All of these embodiments mentioned above can be taken individually or in combination.

The disclosure also pertains to a method for filtering and recycling absorbent material from an absorbent articles manufacturing process line using a filtering apparatus as described above.

The disclosure also pertains to the use of a filtering apparatus as described above to filter the air coming from a process line and recycle the absorbent material in said air.

Further embodiments are described below and in the claims.

The drawings and figures are illustrative in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals in which:.

The present disclosure concerns an improved apparatus and method for unwinding a web material.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the disclosure, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

"About" as used herein referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/-<NUM>% or less, preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, even more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less, and still more preferably +/-<NUM>% or less of and from the specified value, in so far such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed disclosure.

"Absorbent article" refers to devices that absorb and contain liquid, and more specifically, refers to devices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles include but are not limited to diapers, adult incontinence briefs, training pants, tampons, diaper holders and liners, pantiliners, sanitary napkins and the like, as well as surgical bandages and sponges. Disposable absorbent articles comprise a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core positioned and held between the topsheet and the backsheet. The absorbent article, or absorbent assembly, may also include other components, such as liquid wicking layers, liquid intake layers, liquid distribution layers, transfer layers, barrier layers, wrapping layers and the like, as well as combinations thereof.

"Absorbent material" as used herein refers to the material constituting the absorbent core of the absorbent article. Examples of commonly occurring absorbent materials are cellulosic fluff pulp, tissue layers, highly absorbent polymers or superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP), absorbent foam materials, absorbent nonwoven materials or the like. It is common to combine cellulosic fluff pulp with superabsorbent polymers in an absorbent material.

The term "cellulosic" is meant to include any material having cellulose as a major constituent, and specifically comprising at least <NUM> percent by weight cellulose or a cellulose derivative. Thus, the term includes cotton, typical wood pulps, nonwoody cellulosic fibers, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, rayon, thermomechanical wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, debonded chemical wood pulp, milkweed, or bacterial cellulose.

By the terms "particle", "particles", "particulate", "particulates" and the like, it is meant that the material is generally in the form of discrete units. The units can comprise granules, powders, spheres, pulverized materials or the like, as well as combinations thereof. The particles can have any desired shape such as, for example, cubic, rod-like, polyhedral, spherical or semi-spherical, rounded or semi-rounded, angular, irregular, etc. Shapes having a large greatest dimension/smallest dimension ratio, like needles, flakes and fibers, are also contemplated for inclusion herein. The terms "particle" or "particulate" may also include an agglomeration comprising more than one individual particle, particulate or the like. Additionally, a particle, particulate or any desired agglomeration thereof may be composed of more than one type of material.

The term "polymer" generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as, for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the material. These configurations include, but are not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.

"Pulp", "cellulosic fluff" or "fluff" refers to a material made up of cellulose fibers. The fibers can be either natural or synthetic, or a combination thereof. The material is typically lightweight and has absorbent properties.

The terms "superabsorbent" or "high absorbency" refer to materials that are capable of absorbing at least <NUM> times their own weight in liquid. Superabsorbent materials suitable for use in the present disclosure are known to those skilled in the art, and may be in any operative form, such as particulate form, fibers and mixtures thereof. Generally stated, the "superabsorbent material" can be a water-swellable, organic or inorganic, generally water-insoluble, hydrogel-forming polymeric absorbent material, which is capable of absorbing at least about <NUM>, suitably about <NUM>, and possibly about <NUM> times or more its weight in physiological saline (e.g. saline with <NUM> wt % NaCl). The superabsorbent material may be biodegradable or bipolar.

"Comprise," "comprising," and "comprises" and "comprised of" as used herein are synonymous with "include", "including", "includes" or "contain", "containing", "contains" and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.

The terms "downstream" and "upstream" as used herein are with respect to the airflow stream, meaning that the airflow goes from an upstream position to a downstream position.

The terms "air filtering apparatus" and "filtering apparatus" refer to the same apparatus, similarly as "inlet" and "air inlet" reefing to the same inlet.

The terms "height", "bottom", "ceiling", "ground" are all in reference to the apparatus and its components once installed and in a functioning state.

The term "nonwoven fabric" means a sheet material having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in a regular manner such as occurs with knitting or weaving processes. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, and bonded carded web processes.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration only of specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilised and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With regard to these non-limiting examples, the described apparatus and method makes it possible to effectively and efficiently filter air coming from an absorbent article manufacturing process line and to recycle the absorbent material scattered in said process line.

<FIG> illustrates a filtering apparatus <NUM>, or air filtering installation, for filtering the air coming from a process line configured to manufacture absorbent articles such as diapers, incontinence or training pants, sanitary napkins, underpads for example, and recycling the absorbent material present in said air. The filtering apparatus <NUM> for filtering air from an absorbent articles manufacturing process line, said filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises:.

According to the disclosure, the motor device <NUM> comprises a driving mean <NUM> and the cylindrical drum <NUM> comprises the corresponding driven mean <NUM> arranged at the periphery of one of the longitudinal ends <NUM>,<NUM> of the cylindrical drum <NUM>, the driving mean <NUM> actuating the driven mean and cylindrical drum <NUM>.

The air filtering apparatus <NUM> preferably comprises a plurality of inlets <NUM> or air inlets, for example five air inlets <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The disclosure is not limited to this number of inlets <NUM>. The filtering apparatus <NUM> may comprise two, three, four, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more inlets <NUM>.

The filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises a support structure <NUM> to carry, support or maintain, the filtering media <NUM> in a steady position, the filtering media <NUM>. For example, the support structure <NUM> comprises a cylindrical drum <NUM> elongated, or extending, in a longitudinal direction and comprising a grid <NUM>, latticework or mesh <NUM> or in other words a weblike pattern or construction <NUM> that can retain the filtering media <NUM> while being air-permeable. The mesh <NUM> defines the lateral surface of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The cylindrical drum <NUM> can further comprise a central shaft <NUM> around which the cylindrical drum <NUM> rotates and optionally several reinforcements <NUM> such as rods, or arms, linking the central shaft <NUM> to the cylindrical drum <NUM> or bridging two diametrically opposed points of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The reinforcements <NUM> can extend in the radial direction and/or in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The filtering media <NUM> is fastened, or secured, onto the support structure <NUM>. The filtering media <NUM> can for example comprise a zipper system <NUM> comprising a slider connecting two transversal ends of the filtering media <NUM> around the cylindrical drum <NUM>, the transversal ends comprising two rows of teeth that are designed to interlock thereby joining the transversal ends together around the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The filtering media <NUM> can also be fastened onto the cylindrical drum <NUM> with straps <NUM> and corresponding buckles <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the air filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises here five straps <NUM> to further secure the filtering media <NUM> to the cylindrical drum <NUM> in addition of the zipper <NUM>.

The central shaft <NUM> when present can extend along the entire length of the cylindrical drum <NUM>, or as illustrated in <FIG>, the central shaft can extend along a portion of the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum <NUM>.

The filtering apparatus <NUM> may also comprise a frame <NUM> to maintain the support structure <NUM>. The frame <NUM>, or space frame, comprises a plurality of struts and/or reinforcements such as rods or arms forming a truss-like structure to carry and support the support structure <NUM>, in particular the cylindrical drum <NUM>.

The air filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises at least one nozzle <NUM>, for example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more nozzles <NUM>, here five nozzles are illustrated in <FIG>. The one or more nozzles <NUM> are linked through ducts <NUM> to a pump <NUM>, that will be referenced as the recycling pump <NUM> henceforth, enabling a suction of air and absorbent material contained in said air. The plurality of nozzles <NUM> are arranged in close proximity to the filtering media <NUM>. More precisely, the recycling pump <NUM> is arranged and configured to suck up a portion, meaning not the entirety, of the air incoming in the housing <NUM>.

Each nozzle <NUM> comprises an inlet which is preferably convergent with respect to the airflow direction where the cross section of the nozzle is narrowing down, or decreasing, from a greater cross section to a lesser cross section in the direction of the flow. By being convergent and in close proximity of the filtering media <NUM>, the surface of suction of the nozzle <NUM> is greater thereby increasing the amount of absorbent material to be suctioned by the recycling pump <NUM>. In other words, the greater cross section <NUM> of the nozzle is closest to the filtering media <NUM> whereas the lesser cross section of the nozzle <NUM> is closest to the duct <NUM> with respect to the airflow direction.

The air filtering apparatus <NUM> also comprises a housing <NUM> defining an inner volume with a set of walls, for example four walls and a ground wall and ceiling wall and optionally partition walls within said inner volume. The filtering media <NUM>, support structure <NUM>, nozzles <NUM> and frame <NUM> are arranged at least partially within said inner volume. The housing <NUM> enables to contain the air to be filtered within said inner volume and directs the airflow to pass through the filtering media <NUM>. The air filtering apparatus <NUM> also comprises a pump <NUM>, that will be referenced as the main pump <NUM> henceforth, enabling a suction of air and absorbent material contained within said air. The main pump <NUM> is preferably arranged downstream of the filtering media <NUM> with respect to the airflow. The main pump <NUM> comprises an inlet that is in fluidic connection with the inner volume defined by the housing <NUM> and an outlet that is arranged outside, or in the exterior of, the housing <NUM>, or at least in fluidic connection with the exterior of the housing.

The main pump <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM> are both means for moving fluids, in this case air. The main pump <NUM> can be referenced as the first pump <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM> can be reference as the second pump <NUM>. The present disclosure is not limited to the nature of these pumps. They can be selected from and not limited to centrifugal pumps such as centrifugal fans, axial-flow pumps, diaphragm pumps, impeller pumps, screw pumps, booster pumps, canned motor pump, circulator pumps, single or multistage pumps and turbine pumps. The main pump <NUM> is the pump ensuring the vacuum in the absorbent articles manufacturing process line and has preferably a higher volume flow rate, or air capacity, then the recycling pump <NUM>. In other words, the main pump <NUM> enables a greater flow than the recycling pump <NUM>, i.e. the flow of air passing through the main pump <NUM> is greater than the flow passing through the recycling pump <NUM>. The volume flow rate, or air capacity, of the main pump <NUM> is at least ten times greater than the air capacity of the recycling pump <NUM>. Preferably, the volume flow rate, or air capacity, of the main pump <NUM> is at least twenty times, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> times greater than the air capacity of the recycling pump <NUM>. For example, the recycling pump <NUM> has a volume flow rate of about <NUM><NUM>/h whereas the main pump <NUM> has a volume flow rate between about <NUM><NUM><NUM>/h and about <NUM><NUM><NUM>/h. The main pump <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM> are preferably of the same nature, for example, the main pump <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM> are both centrifugal fans. Alternatively the main pump <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM> can be of different nature. For instance, given that the main pump <NUM> is destined to move air and the recycling pump <NUM> is destined to move air and absorbent material, the recycling pump can have specific seals and a impeller adapted to avoid clogging. Given that the main pump <NUM> has a greater air capacity than the recycling pump <NUM>, the main pump <NUM> will suck in the majority of the air incoming in the housing <NUM> and the recycling pump <NUM>, through the nozzle will suck a lesser portion of that air than the main pump <NUM>. In other words, given the arrangement and the air capacities of the pumps <NUM>,<NUM>, the majority of the air incoming in the housing <NUM> flows through the main pump <NUM> and a minority of that incoming air flows through the recycling pump <NUM>.

Following the airflow, the air coming from the process line and containing absorbent material such as cellulosic fibers e.g. fluff and/or superabsorbent particles, enters the filtering apparatus <NUM>, namely enters within the inner volume defined by the housing <NUM> through the one or more air inlets <NUM>. The air then passes through the filtering media <NUM> and is then extracted from the inner volume by the main pump <NUM>. The filtering media <NUM> filters the air so that the absorbent material (cellulosic fibers and/or SAP) contained in the air is retained within, or on the surface of, the filtering media <NUM>.

The one or more nozzles <NUM> being placed in close proximity to the filtering media <NUM> enable to extract said absorbent material from the filtering media <NUM>. The recycling pump <NUM> comprises one inlet that is linked one or more nozzles <NUM> and a first and second outlets <NUM>,<NUM>. The first outlet <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the inner volume defined by the housing <NUM>. In other words, the recycling pump <NUM> can re-inject the air and absorbent material within the air filtering apparatus <NUM> and ensure a re-filtering of the air. The second outlet <NUM> is in fluidic connection with the process line, namely with the absorbent core forming part of the process line where the recycled absorbent material can be re-used and arranged within an absorbent article. The recycling pump <NUM> or outlet duct of said pump <NUM> preferably comprises a valve <NUM> to guide the air through one outlet or the other. When the process line for manufacturing absorbent articles is running, the valve <NUM> guides the air and absorbent material towards the second outlet <NUM> to recycle the absorbent material whereas if the process line is temporarily stopped, the valve <NUM> guides the air and absorbent material toward the first outlet <NUM> to refilter the air and ensure a closed air loop. The valve <NUM> is preferably a three-port valve such as a three-way ball valves come with a L- shaped fluid passageways inside the rotor. The valve <NUM> also comprises an actuator <NUM> to control the direction of the airflow, preferably the valve <NUM> comprises an electromechanical actuators such as an electric motor or solenoid to enable an automatic control or a remote control. For instance, when the process line is temporarily stopped, it can send, or emit, an electronic signal <NUM> to the actuator <NUM> to orientate the airflow towards the first outlet <NUM> and housing <NUM>.

The airflow and apparatus <NUM> are schematically illustrated in <FIG>. The air APL coming from the process line <NUM> in which absorbent articles are manufactured is conveyed towards filtering apparatus <NUM> and enters the inner volume of the housing via the inlet(s) <NUM>, here via two inlets. At this point, the air APL contains an average amount of absorbent material. The air is then filtered, air AF, and is conveyed towards the exterior by the main pump <NUM>. This filtered air AF contains none or an infinitesimal amount of absorbent material. Alternatively, the recycled absorbent material is suctioned by the nozzles and recycling pump <NUM> and the recycled air AR is either sent back to the absorbent articles manufacturing process line <NUM> via the second outlet <NUM> or sent back to the filtering media <NUM> via the first outlet <NUM>. The recycled absorbent material-laden air AR contains an average or greater amount of absorbent material.

The housing <NUM> can comprise one or more transparent, or see-through, panels <NUM> to avoid installing electric lighting in the housing <NUM>.

In order to ensure an efficient filtering of the air and recycling of the absorbent material, it is preferable that the air filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises an actuation mean for the filtering media <NUM> so that the nozzles <NUM> can extract the absorbent material on the entire surface of the filtering media <NUM> and not just on specific portions. Actuating the nozzles <NUM> is undesired as it would be more complicated because of the ducts <NUM> and the frame <NUM>.

The filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises a motor device <NUM> to actuate the support structure <NUM>, namely the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The air filtering apparatus <NUM> may comprise a motor directly engaging the central saft <NUM> and inducing a rotary motion on the shaft <NUM> and thereby on the cylindrical drum <NUM> given the reinforcements <NUM> linking the central shaft <NUM> to the cylindrical drum <NUM>. While simple to implement, there is a significant loss of torque as the driving force is applied on the central shaft <NUM> meaning at a distance from the main body of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises a motor device <NUM> directly engaging the cylindrical drum <NUM> and inducing a rotary motion directly on the cylindrical drum <NUM> and not at a distance.

For this, the filtering device <NUM> comprises a driving mean and a driven mean engaging one another and arranged at the periphery of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the cylindrical drum <NUM> comprises at one of its longitudinal ends a ring gear <NUM>, or annular gear, with the teeth being extending radially inwards or radially outwards of the ring gear <NUM>, here inwards. The air filtering apparatus <NUM> comprises a motor device <NUM> to actuate the ring gear <NUM> and induce a rotary motion to the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The motor device <NUM> comprises a motor <NUM>, such as an electric motor, driving in rotation, for example with a shaft, a geared plate <NUM>, or pinion, which is engaging the teeth of the ring gear <NUM>. The motor <NUM> actuates the plate <NUM> which in turns transmit this rotary motion to the ring gear <NUM> and cylindrical drum <NUM>. The torque and power supplied by the motor <NUM> is directly transmitted to the main body of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The disclosure is not limited to this type of transmission. For instance the motor device can be selected from and not limited to a spur gear system, a worm drive, a belt transmission or an epicyclic gearing or planetary gearing. Similarly, the disclosure is not limited to these shapes, the gears can be selected from and not limited to spur gears, bevel gears, crown gears, spiral bevel gears, helical gears or herringbone gears. The present disclosure encompasses embodiments where elements such as gaskets are arranged between the cylindrical drum <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM>. In other words, when saying that the motor device <NUM> is directly engaging the cylindrical drum <NUM> and inducing a rotary motion directly on the cylindrical drum <NUM>, it encompasses embodiments where additional elements such as gaskets or additional gears are arranged between the motor device <NUM> and the cylindrical drum <NUM>. With such an arrangement, the torque of the motor device <NUM> is directly transmitted to the cylindrical drum <NUM>, more precisely to the main body and lateral face of the cylindrical drum <NUM>, thereby reducing torque loss and the cylindrical drum <NUM> can be rotated with more power. In other words, by connecting the motor device <NUM> directly to the cylindrical drum <NUM>, the needed torque to induce a rotation of said cylindrical drum <NUM> is minimized. Another way to say it, the torque is used or applied where it's really needed meaning on the outer surface of the cylindrical drum <NUM>, i.e. a direct force flow. The geared plate <NUM> being stiff and stable, it makes the transfer of torque and inducing a rotation of said drum more precise.

Given that the cylindrical drum <NUM> can be rotated with more power, it is possible to approach the nozzle(s) <NUM> closer to the surface of the filtering media <NUM>. Conventional nozzles are usually placed about <NUM>,<NUM> distant of the filtering media's <NUM> surface, but because of the better torque and driving force of the motor device <NUM> onto the cylindrical drum <NUM>, it is possible to arrange the nozzles <NUM> between about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM> remote from the filtering media's <NUM> surface, preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and about <NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and about <NUM>,<NUM>, even more preferably between about <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM>, distant of the filtering media <NUM>. The vacuum, or suction, induced by recycling pump <NUM> will not affect the rotation of the cylindrical drum <NUM> at these distances.

With the nozzles <NUM> being placed closer of the filtering media <NUM>, the absorbent material is thereby extracted and recycled more efficiently. This ensures not only saving in raw material, but also increases the longevity of the filtering media <NUM> as it gets clogged less often.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the nozzles <NUM> are not arranged at the same height, with respect to the cylindrical drum <NUM> in a functioning, or filtering, position. In other words, two or more nozzles <NUM> are not aligned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical drum <NUM> i.e. with respect to the axis of the central shaft <NUM>. The nozzles <NUM> and the vacuum induced by the recycling pump <NUM> is thereby spread out, meaning not at one single rotational position, or not at one vertical position, which has a lesser impact on the rotational movement of the cylindrical drum <NUM>. The nozzles <NUM> can also be brought closer to the filtering media <NUM>, between about <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, preferably between <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> thanks to this arrangement of nozzles <NUM> having a lesser impact on the rotation of the drum <NUM>. Furthermore, absorbent material arrives to the air filtering apparatus in different amounts at different times, for example if there's a malfunction in the process line. Having the nozzles arranged at different height enables to better handle the different arrivals of absorbent material, as it will not reach the same longitudinal portions of the cylindrical drum <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is preferable that the nozzles are arranged on a same side or half of the cylindrical drum, this is mainly to simplify the ducts <NUM> and pump <NUM> arrangement.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the motor device <NUM> is elevated by a platform <NUM> for example here a plate that is bolted to the frame <NUM> or its reinforcement struts. The cylindrical drum <NUM>, being actuated in rotation, is preferably elevated and maintained above the ground, by the frame <NUM> structure, hence the motor device <NUM> actuating said cylindrical drum <NUM> is also preferably elevated.

The cylindrical drum <NUM> comprises a first <NUM> and second <NUM> longitudinal ends. At the first longitudinal end <NUM>, the cylindrical drum <NUM> comprises a mean that can be driven or actuated, in this case a ring gear <NUM> that it can be actuated in rotation by the motor device <NUM>. In other words, the first longitudinal end <NUM> comprises a mean enabling the cylindrical drum <NUM> to be rotated. At the opposite longitudinal end, meaning the second longitudinal end <NUM>, the cylindrical drum <NUM> is preferably closed-off, meaning that an airflow cannot pass through the second longitudinal end <NUM>. The second longitudinal end <NUM> comprises an air-impermeable mean such as a metal plate preventing the air from passing through. The air entering through the inlets <NUM> is deflected by the plate and is forced to flow through the filtering media <NUM> and mesh grid <NUM>. In this embodiment, the filtering media <NUM> is in the shape or form of a rectangular mat of filtering material that is arranged around the cylindrical drum <NUM> and is secured or fastened to said drum <NUM> by the zipper <NUM> and/or straps <NUM>. In other words, the cylindrical drum <NUM> is substantially hollow, not taking into account the reinforcements <NUM> and central shaft <NUM>, and comprises two longitudinal ends defining the bases of the cylinder, one of which is sealed, and a mesh or grid <NUM> defining the lateral face of the cylinder.

The disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, for instance, the second longitudinal end <NUM> can also comprise a mesh or grid and the filtering media <NUM> is in the shape or form of a sleeve of filtering material that is slid onto the cylindrical drum <NUM>.

The one or more inlets <NUM> are preferably arranged in the bottom, with respect to height, of the housing <NUM>. The air coming from the process line contains absorbent material and that absorbent material can accumulate on the floor on the housing <NUM>. By arranging the inlet(s) <NUM> in the bottom, the incoming air can pick up some absorbent material that has accumulated on the floor and convey it to the filtering media <NUM> to be reinjected in the process line via the recycling pump <NUM>.

The filtering media <NUM> is a media filter using a bed of fibrous or porous material such as textile fabric or foam and removes the solid particulate such as the absorbent material from the air. The filtering media <NUM> can for example be composed of paper, foam, woven or nonwoven fabric or cotton.

Claim 1:
Filtering apparatus (<NUM>) for filtering air from an absorbent articles manufacturing process line, said filtering apparatus (<NUM>) comprising
a. a housing (<NUM>) comprising at least one inlet (<NUM>);
b. a filtering media (<NUM>) arranged downstream with respect to the airflow of the at least one inlet (<NUM>);
c. a support structure (<NUM>) comprising a cylindrical drum (<NUM>) comprising a first and second longitudinal end (<NUM>,<NUM>), the filtering media (<NUM>) being secured to said cylindrical drum (<NUM>);
d. a motor device (<NUM>) to rotate the cylindrical drum (<NUM>); and
e. a first pump (<NUM>);
wherein the motor device (<NUM>) comprises a driving mean (<NUM>) and the cylindrical drum (<NUM>) comprises the corresponding driven mean (<NUM>) arranged at the periphery of one of the longitudinal ends (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the cylindrical drum (<NUM>), the driving mean (<NUM>) actuating the driven mean and cylindrical drum (<NUM>),
wherein the filtering apparatus (<NUM>) comprises a second pump (<NUM>) arranged to suck up a lesser portion of the air incoming in the housing (<NUM>) than the first pump (<NUM>),
wherein the filtering apparatus comprises at least one nozzle (<NUM>) arranged in proximity of the filtering media (<NUM>) and at least one duct (<NUM>) linking said nozzle (<NUM>) to the second pump (<NUM>),
characterized in that the second pump (<NUM>) comprise an inlet that is linked to the one or more nozzles (<NUM>) and a first and second outlet (<NUM>,<NUM>), the first outlet (<NUM>) conveying the air toward the filtering media (<NUM>) and the second outlet (<NUM>) conveying the air toward said process line.