Abstract: A softened unperforated film and a perforated die which is generally cylindrical in movement are brought into contact and exposed, in a predetermined region, to a pressure gradient oriented radially of the die. The pressure gradient causes the local penetration of the film into the holes of the die and the consequent perforation of the film itself. The movement of the die is supported in a rigid manner solely upstream and downstream of the predetermined region in the common direction of movement of the film and the die. The die itself is subjected to a pulling action, along its generatrices at least close to the predetermined region.

Abstract: Apparatus for the dry defibration of sheets of wood pulp cellulose and like materials comprises a tubular casing to which the sheets to be defibrated are fed substantially radially and a cylindrical rotor rotatably mounted within the casing substantially coaxially of the casing itself. The rotor has external teeth for impinging on the material to be defibrated. The rotor is constituted by a plurality of externally toothed discs and spacer members connected together in a pack in an arrangement in which the spacer members alternate with toothed discs. The general plane of each disc is at a predetermined angle to planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor whereby, during rotation, the periphery of each disc describes a respective substantially cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A supply source of continuous elastic web and a support for the fixing of elastic elements are provided. On the support, which is normally constituted by a rotary drum, there are located at least one clamping element fixed to the support itself and a further clamping element which is movable relative to the fixed element between first and second positions. The distance between the fixed element and the movable element in the second position is less than the distance between the two elements in the first position and is substantially equal to the length of the tensioned elastic elements which it is desired to form. The free end of the continuous elastic web is clamped in the movable clamping element when this element is in its first position.

Abstract: A diaper comprises an outer sheet of waterproof plastic material having a deformed recess area between the sides and ends thereof which forms a pad receiving cavity which is bordered by marginal areas on each side and end. The cavity is about an inch deep and includes a bottom which is advantageously provided with corrugations or pleats which facilitate its expansion or distortion during wearing. An absorbent pad is disposed in the cavity, and a moisture holding strip of plastic material overlies at least a part of the marginal area on each side of the cavity and at least a portion of each side of the pad. The strip is welded to the marginal areas, and as a feature of the construction the plastic is stretched relative to the outer sheet and held in a stretched condition during welding so as to impart some resilient characteristics to the area which is adapted to be engaged around the legs of the wearer.