The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a composite structure, preferably for use in an absorbent structure used within the personal hygiene industry, such as for instance feminine hygiene garments, baby diapers and pants and adult incontinence garments. The present invention preferably provides a method and apparatus for depositing and positioning particulate materials in a desired pattern onto a moving carrier layer. The method allows accurate forming of a pattern of particulate material clusters at high production speed having improved attachment properties, with reduced raw material usage and relative low cost. The present invention foresees in the need for improved thin, flexible, lightweight absorbent structure having optimal absorption, distribution and retention.

A pre-lubricated stock sheet and a method and system for making the same are described. The pre-lubricated stock is generally in a coil wound form. The stock sheet can have opposing first and second sheet surfaces joined together by opposing side edges and opposing ends. Typically, the first and second sheet surfaces are substantially smooth and planar, wherein the sheet has 3 mg/foot.sup.2/side to about 200 mg/foot.sup.2/side of a solid lubricant having a melting temperature from about 80 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, the opposing side edges usually are substantially free of the solid lubricant. In some configurations, the stock sheet is an aluminum stock sheet, more particularly an aluminum can stock sheet. Furthermore, the lubricant can be in some configurations a food grade lubricant, that is qualifies a low volatile organic compound under one or more of municipal, state and federal governing authorities.

A system may include: a coating form roller; a metering roller adjacent to the coating form roller; and a sealing chamber. The sealing chamber may include first and second blades that engage with the coating form roller and the metering roller, respectively.

Portable hybrid system for application of any material of drywall compound material, paint material, and texture material by the hybrid system via any of a plurality of material expulsion outlet ports, comprising: a pressurizable hollow tank for carrying material, at least one air compressor for pressurizing the material from the tank, an optionally attachable paint roller subsystem, an optionally attachable paint sprayer subsystem, an optionally attachable drywall compound applicator subsystem, an optionally attachable texture applicator subsystem, and an optionally attachable edge-cutting porous paint pad subsystem, enabling a plurality of workers to apply a given material from a single tank of the material.

Portable hybrid system for application of any material of drywall compound material, paint material, and texture material by the hybrid system via any of a plurality of material expulsion outlet ports, comprising: a pressurizable hollow tank for carrying material, at least one air compressor for pressurizing the material from the tank, an optionally attachable paint roller subsystem, an optionally attachable paint sprayer subsystem, an optionally attachable drywall compound applicator subsystem, an optionally attachable texture applicator subsystem, and an optionally attachable edge-cutting porous paint pad subsystem, enabling a plurality of workers to apply a given material from a single tank of the material.

A system for depositing a fluid on a substrate is disclosed. The system can include a sleeve having a sleeve exit and an inner region and a rotating roll disposed within the inner region. A vascular network can be disposed within the rotating roll, the vascular network being configured for transporting the fluid in predetermined paths from the interior region to the exterior surface through a substantially radial path, the substantially radial path ending at an exit point of a fluid exit, wherein the exit point is associated with a sleeve exit.

An apparatus for providing non-contact application of fluids onto web materials and articles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gravure roll having a hollow rotating shell having a plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface thereof and a stationary cylindrical core having a central bore and a channel disposed therein. A fluid disposed within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface of the hollow rotating shell is removed from the respective cavity by the positive pressure when the positive pressure is fluidly communicated from the central bore through the channel and into the cavity from the surface of the stationary cylindrical core.

An apparatus for providing non-contact application of fluids onto web materials and articles is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gravure roll having a hollow rotating shell having a plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface thereof and a stationary cylindrical core having a central bore and a channel disposed therein. A fluid disposed within a respective cavity of the plurality of cavities disposed within the outer surface of the hollow rotating shell is removed from the respective cavity by the positive pressure when the positive pressure is fluidly communicated from the central bore through the channel and into the cavity from the surface of the stationary cylindrical core.

A system for dosing one or more fluids on a substrate, the system comprising a rotating roll. The rotating roll has a central longitudinal axis, wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis; an exterior surface defining an interior region and substantially surrounding the central longitudinal axis; and a vascular network configured for transporting the one or more fluids in a predetermined path from the interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll.

A system for dosing one or more fluids on a substrate, the system comprising a rotating roll. The rotating roll has a central longitudinal axis, wherein the rotating roll rotates about the central longitudinal axis; an exterior surface defining an interior region and substantially surrounding the central longitudinal axis; and a vascular network configured for transporting the one or more fluids in a predetermined path from the interior region to the exterior surface of the rotating roll.