Abstract: An absorbent article can have a target acquisition region which is the region of the absorbent article wherein initial acquisition of body exudates from the wearer of the absorbent article should occur. To identify the target acquisition region for the wearer of the absorbent article, the target acquisition region is defined by and bounded by a perimeter formed of individual embossment points. To provide the wearer of the absorbent article with the knowledge that the absorbent article will be able to capture and store their body exudates, the absorbent article has a second perimeter formed of individual embossment points positioned between the perimeter defining the target acquisition region and the edge of the absorbent core. A minimum distance between an embossment point of the first perimeter and an embossment point of the second perimeter is at least 6 mm.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a trough having a floor and first and second side walls; placing the waist center region in the trough; and, while the garment is in the trough, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions, respectively, over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a trough having a floor and first and second side walls; placing the waist center region in the trough; and, while the garment is in the trough, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions, respectively, over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting articles with multiple elements to determine if the elements are properly located, which includes pinching at least a portion of the article including at least some of the elements at an inspection station; irradiating the pinched portions of the article and elements at the inspection station with a radiation source; and capturing an image of the pinched, irradiated elements and article with an image capturing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which determine the location of one component on an article relative to a datum position on the article at a first location in the manufacturing process and then subsequently locating the datum position on the article at a second location in the manufacturing process and determining if the distance from another component to the datum position. The location of two components relative to one another can be determined by comparing their positions relative to the datum position. In a manufacturing process for producing articles such as children's training pants, cameras and a radiation source can be utilized to determine the positions of fastening components on the training pants when they are hidden within the pants.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making and inspecting pre-fastened articles, such as disposable training pants, having at least two generally flexible elements capable of connection with each other during initial assembly of the article, the elements are arranged in overlapping relationship with each other and connected together to define an engagement seam of the article. The article is arranged to define an interior space thereof whereby the interior space is bounded in part by the engagement seam. The elements are irradiated at the engagement seam by a radiation source within the interior space of the article and an image of the irradiated engagement seam is captured by an image capturing device. In one embodiment, the image capturing device is positioned within the interior space of the article and the radiation source is either within the interior space or exterior of the article.

Abstract: A system and process for inspecting an underlying edge of a composite article, such as a disposable absorbent article. The article has first and second panels in at least partially opposed, overlapping engagement with each other. The process and system determine whether the panels of the article are present and/or properly positioned. Also disclosed is a process and system for detecting whether one or more components are present and/or properly positioned in the composite article by use of infrared radiation. Also disclosed is a process and system for defining a window in an image of the article, scanning the defined window to determine a position of the edge and redefining the window in the event that the edge is not located within the defined window during scanning of the defined window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding garments is suitable for use with garments having discrete mechanical fastening components and suitable for the manufacture of prefastened and refastenable garments. The garments or other discrete articles define leading and trailing halves with opposed side panels. A chassis portion and side panels of the garments can be controlled during folding by providing a three piece vacuum puck design and/or a channeled transfer plate as well as a layer of air under the leading side panels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting articles with multiple elements to determine if the elements are properly located, which includes pinching at least a portion of the article including at least some of the elements at an inspection station; irradiating the pinched portions of the article and elements at the inspection station with a radiation source; and capturing an image of the pinched, irradiated elements and article with an image capturing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding garments is suitable for use with garments having discrete mechanical fastening components and suitable for the manufacture of prefastened and refastenable garments. The garments or other discrete articles define leading and trailing halves with opposed side panels. A chassis portion and side panels of the garments can be controlled during folding by providing a three piece vacuum puck design and/or a channeled transfer plate as well as a layer of air under the leading side panels.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making and inspecting pre-fastened articles, such as disposable training pants, having at least two generally flexible elements capable of connection with each other during initial assembly of the article, the elements are arranged in overlapping relationship with each other and connected together to define an engagement seam of the article. The article is arranged to define an interior space thereof whereby the interior space is bounded in part by the engagement seam. The elements are irradiated at the engagement seam by a radiation source within the interior space of the article and an image of the irradiated engagement seam is captured by an image capturing device. In one embodiment, the image capturing device is positioned within the interior space of the article and the radiation source is either within the interior space or exterior of the article.

Abstract: A system and process for inspecting an underlying edge of a composite article, such as a disposable absorbent article. The article has first and second panels in at least partially opposed, overlapping engagement with each other. The process and system determine whether the panels of the article are present and/or properly positioned. Also disclosed is a process and system for detecting whether one or more components are present and/or properly positioned in the composite article by use of infrared radiation. Also disclosed is a process and system for defining a window in an image of the article, scanning the defined window to determine a position of the edge and redefining the window in the event that the edge is not located within the defined window during scanning of the defined window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which determine the location of one component on an article relative to a datum position on the article at a first location in the manufacturing process and then subsequently locating the datum position on the article at a second location in the manufacturing process and determining if the distance from another component to the datum position. The location of two components relative to one another can be determined by comparing their positions relative to the datum position. In a manufacturing process for producing articles such as children's training pants, cameras and a radiation source can be utilized to determine the positions of fastening components on the training pants when they are hidden within the pants.