Abstract:
A method of forming a nonwoven web via a bydroentangling operation is disclosed. The hydroentangled nonwoven web produces a patterned and imaged nonwoven fabric which is useful in the manufacture of a disposable undergarment and includes the use of an imaging surface (18) during the hydroentangling operation with water jets (22). The nonwoven web included both natural and polymeric fibers therein which are formed into a precursor web (P) prior to the needling operation. Additionally, the nonwoven web was subjected to drying with cans (26) after the hydroentangling operation and was useful in the manufacture of a disposable absorbent underpant by seaming the nonwoven web together.
Abstract:
A panel of a material is transported in operative proximity to an air knife having a nozzle and a curved Coanda surface, such that the panel is folded over the curved Coanda surface as the material is transported in a machine direction. The panel can be folded to a variety of angles and can comprise a refastenable fastening component. Air knives are employed in various methods for folding garment side panels and forming prefastened garments, such as refastenable pants.
Abstract:
A reflective insulating material (1) with sufficient structural integrity to form and maintain a configuration of air ducts (9, 13), boxes and other structures having outer layers of reflective foil (2, 8), multiple inner layers of foam material (4, 6) and a mesh material (5) sandwiched between the layers of foam material, all adhered together by adhesive and heat. The material can be configured end to end and secured by tape (11, 18) to form air ducts (9, 13) or other structures. An optional hook lock (15, 16) is provided to help secure ends when forming substantially circular air ducts (13).
Abstract:
A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.
Abstract:
An energy efficient method and apparatus for manufacturing a biodegradable, compostable, liquid-impermeable lined paper bag for containing wet (i.e. food) wastes by which all adhesives used in the process are cold glues applied without using heat and are applied through an extrusion and/or metering application means. Cellulose film is advantageously used for the paper liner and a dot matrix configuration of adhesive is applied between the cellulose and paper layers to laminate them together. The matrix-defined size of spacings between the points of application of adhesive on the cellulose film is such that both loss of the permeability of the cellulose film to water vapour and oxygen and creation of stress points on the cellulose film are minimized. A second cold glue is applied to the bag bottom section by a matrix of extrusion adhesive guns and programmable controller for activating the guns whereby the guns are activated according to a program of the controller for applying the second adhesive to pre-determined, programmable areas of the bag bottom section.
Abstract:
An energy efficient method and apparatus for manufacturing a biodegradable, compostable, liquid-impermeable lined paper bag for containing wet (i.e. food) wastes by which all adhesives used in the process are cold glues applied without using heat and are applied through an extrusion and/or metering application means. Cellulose film is advantageously used for the paper liner and a dot matrix configuration of adhesive is applied between the cellulose and paper layers to laminate them together. The matrix-defined size of spacings between the points of application of adhesive on the cellulose film is such that both loss of the permeability of the cellulose film to water vapour and oxygen and creation of stress points on the cellulose film are minimized. A second cold glue is applied to the bag bottom section by a matrix of extrusion adhesive guns and programmable controller for activating the guns whereby the guns are activated according to a program of the controller for applying the second adhesive to pre-determined, programmable areas of the bag bottom section.
Abstract:
A method of making a flangeless seam for a disposable article including the following steps: a first member (200) of the disposable article is provided. A conductive member (205) is provided on the first member (200). The first member (200) is folded about the conductive member (205) providing opposing first proximal and first distal portions of the first member (200), the conductive member (205) being disposed at least partially between the opposing first proximal and first distal portions. A second member (202) of the disposable article is provided in a folded configuration juxtaposed at least a portion of the first member to form a laminate including the first member (200) and the second member (202). An electromagnetic field is applied across at least a portion of the laminate to heat the conductive member (205) to a temperature which joins at least a portion of the first member (200) and at least a portion of the second member (202). The resulting seam can be opened to provide the article with a flangeless seam.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of producing reclosable absorbent garments, in particular absorbent pants, and to the absorbent garments obtainable by said method. Starting from a continuous web (1) of absorbent articles attached side-by-side and with a line of weakening (6) arranged between adjacent articles, a first strip (8) comprising releasably attachable material is applied across the line (6) at one edge (25) of the web. A second strip of flexible material is also applied across the line (6) at the other edge (26) of the web. The web is then folded longitudinally to form a series of closed, joined adjacent articles. The adjacent articles are then partially separated at said line (6) but without rupturing said strips (8, 13), so as to provide a free zone (15) between said strips (8, 13) and the adjacent separated edges of each article. The strips (8, 13) are then joined together across the free zone (15) to form a plurality of joined garments. The strips (8, 13) may then be severed so as to form individual garments (27) of the reclosable type, or may remain unsevered and be foreseen with a line of weakening for later separation. Due to the particular method and product features of the invention, an in-line process for making closed, reclosable absorbent garments is achieved.
Abstract:
A liquid absorbent article includes an absorbent core including a liquid absorbent member and a unitary liquid distribution sheet disposed against a surface of the liquid absorbent member. The liquid absorbent member includes a first absorbent layer surface, a second absorbent layer surface, a third absorbent layer surface in contact with the second absorbent layer surface, and a fourth absorbent layer surface. The unitary liquid distribution sheet includes a first distribution layer surface in contact with the first absorbent layer surface of the liquid absorbent member and a second distribution layer surface in contact with the fourth absorbent layer surface of the liquid absorbent member.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are provided for making coated liners and/or tubular devices including such coated liners. A sleeve may be provided that includes an outer first surface and an inner second surface extending between first and second ends thereof, and a hydrophilic or other coating may be applied to the first. The coated sleeve may be cut between the first and second ends to create opposing edges extending between the first and second ends, and the cut sleeve may be reversed such that the coated first surface defines an inner surface and the opposing edges are disposed adjacent one another, thereby providing a coated liner. Optionally, a tubular structure, e.g., one or more reinforcing layers and/or or outer layers may be attached around the coated liner, thereby providing a tubular device including an inner surface with a desired coating.