Abstract: A panel positioning system can be used to position side panels during manufacture of a pant. As a pant is transported in a machine direction, the panel positioning system moves a pant side panel in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The panel positioning system can comprise a drive mechanism, a positioning mechanism operatively connected to the drive mechanism, and a head connected to the positioning mechanism. The drive mechanism and the positioning mechanism can cause the head to move in an orbital profile and contact the side panel. The orbital profile can lie in a plane generally perpendicular to a pant transport plane or in a plane oblique to a pant transport plane.

Abstract: New processes and apparatus for forming lap seams and making prefastened disposable absorbent articles are disclosed. The apparatus can include an interior folding mechanism adapted to position a first panel in an interior position and an exterior folding mechanism adapted to position a second panel in an exterior position relative to the interior position. The interior folding mechanism can include a mandrel defining a curved peripheral surface and an interior forming shoulder in proximity to the mandrel. A fluid pressure device can establish an air flow between the mandrel and the interior forming shoulder. The forming shoulder can modify the direction of the air flow as the first panel travels in a machine direction to increasingly fold the panel over the curved peripheral surface.

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 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: A process for making prefastened and refastenable garments includes providing a plurality of discrete articles with mating fastening components disposed in the waist regions. First fastening components are separated from one another by an initial transverse distance. The waist region containing the first fastening components is modified to transversely displace these fastening components to a post displacement distance that is not equal to the initial distance. The process allows for convenient alignment of the fastening components to form refastenable seams.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. The air press has an air plenum and a vacuum collection device, each on opposite sides of two support fabrics that sandwich the paper web. There are cross machine sealing blade(s) that impinge upon the support fabrics and is opposed on the other side of the support fabrics by a sealing member formed of deformable material. The air plenum and vacuum collection device are movable relative to one another so that the sealing blade and deformable sealing member form a seal in the operating position of the air press.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering.

Abstract: A tissue sheet is made using a modified wet pressing process employing an integrally sealed air press. After initial formation and conventional vacuum dewatering, the wet web is conformed to the surface contour of a relatively coarse fabric to give the web a textured surface. By creating a pressure differential across the web of at least 30 inches of mercury and an air stream through the web of at least 500 SCFM/in.sup.2, the air press noncompressively dewaters the wet web to a consistency of about 30 to about 40 percent prior to a Yankee dryer. The web is dried to substantially preserve its three-dimensional, throughdried-like texture. The resulting web has an exceptionally high degree of bulk and absorbency not previously found in wet-pressed products.

Abstract: An air press for noncompressively dewatering a wet web to consistency levels not previously thought possible at industrially useful speeds without thermal dewatering. Side seal members are positioned beyond the lateral edges of the wet web and support fabrics. These seals flex into sealing contact with the opposite sealing contact surfaces upon exposure to the presurized fluid of the air press.