Dry Solid Additive Delivery System for Fibrous Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry solid additive delivery systems for making fibrous structures, such as sanitary tissue products, face issues with mechanical complexity, reliability, contamination, and low throughput due to the use of non-liquid fluids like air, which leads to agglomeration and poor formation quality.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a dry solid additive delivery system with reduced mechanical complexity by strategically placing prime movers between inlets and outlets, utilizing fewer cross flow members, and optimizing the aspect ratio of components to prevent agglomeration, thereby improving the formation and reliability of fibrous structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dry solid additive delivery systems use non-liquid fluids like air to convey fibers, then the system can achieve individualized fiber delivery, but the system suffers from low throughput and high mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic conveying systems using air as the conveying fluid to transport dry solid additives through the system. This allows individualized fiber delivery while maintaining relatively simple system architecture compared to mechanical alternatives, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity
2Ease of operation
If dry solid additive delivery systems use non-liquid fluids like air, then the system can operate with simpler fluid handling, but the system exhibits high mechanical complexity and low throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic principles to convey dry solid additives through ducts and chambers, replacing complex mechanical conveying mechanisms with fluid-based transport. This reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical conveying systems with pneumatic conveying, substituting mechanical motion and force with fluid dynamics to achieve material transport with reduced mechanical complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If existing dry solid additive delivery systems use corrective actions like pinned rollers or rotors to spread fibers, then fiber distribution can be improved, but the system becomes mechanically more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the pneumatic flow and fiber properties themselves to achieve distribution and spreading functions without requiring additional mechanical corrective devices. The fibers naturally distribute through the pneumatic field and forming chamber geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes complex mechanical corrective devices like pinned rollers and rotating spreaders from the system, relying instead on pneumatic flow patterns and chamber design to achieve proper fiber distribution
4Stability of the object's composition
If dry solid additive systems use air as conveying fluid, then the system can maintain dry fiber handling, but the system achieves lower throughput compared to wet systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes pneumatic conveying parameters such as air pressure, flow rate, and velocity to maximize throughput while maintaining dry fiber handling. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves higher productivity without compromising the dry state of fibers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the reliability and quality of fibrous structure formation by reducing mechanical complexity, contamination, and increasing throughput, while maintaining efficient delivery of dry solid additives without the need for corrective actions that increase complexity.
Implementation Method 1
processes in which a non-liquid fluid, such as air, is used to convey dry solid additives, such as fibers
Implementation Method 2
a corrective action, such as a pinned roller or some other method of air and particle redistribution must take place
Data Source
AI summary
An article of manufacture making system for making an article of manufacture containing a plurality of dry solid additives, such as fibers, that utilizes a dry solid additive delivery system including one or more dry solid additive inlets, one or more dry solid additive outlets and one or more prime movers.