Abstract: A closing aid for a luggage compartment flap is described, which closing aid comprises an actuating element, a movement element and a connecting element. The actuating element is integrated in a locking mechanism of the luggage compartment flap. The connecting element connects the actuating element to the movement element and transmits a movement of the actuating element to the movement element such that the luggage compartment flap fastened to the movement element is moved at least part of the way from an open position to a closed position. A luggage compartment and a vehicle having a closing aid of this type are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. Aspects of the methods for assembling elastomeric laminates may utilize elastic strands supplied from beams that may be joined with first and second substrates, and may be configured to carry out various types of operations, such as bonding and splicing operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to printing graphics onto advancing substrates in diaper converting lines, wherein first graphics having relatively low print resolutions and second graphics having relatively high print resolutions may be both printed onto advancing substrates. During the assembly process, localized speed variances may be imparted to the advancing substrates to achieve the different print resolutions. In some configurations, first graphics with relatively low print resolutions may be printed onto the substrate while advancing at relatively high speeds, and second graphics with relatively high print resolutions may be printed onto portions of the substrate that have been temporarily stopped or slowed to relatively slow speed. The printed substrates may then be incorporated into assembled diapers so as place the graphics in desired positions on the diapers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for mechanically bonding substrates together. The apparatuses may include a pattern roll including a pattern element protruding radially outward. The pattern element includes a pattern surface and includes one or more channels adjacent the pattern surface. The pattern roll may be positioned adjacent an anvil roll to define a nip between the pattern surface and the anvil roll, wherein the pattern roll is biased toward the anvil roll to define a nip pressure between pattern surface and the anvil roll. As substrates advance between the pattern roll and anvil roll, the substrates are compressed between the anvil roll and the pattern surface to form a discrete bond region between the first and second substrates. As such, during the bonding process, some yielded substrate material flows from under the pattern surface and into the channel to form a channel grommet region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for making elastomeric laminates that may be used as components of absorbent articles. During assembly of the elastomeric laminate, elastic material may be advanced and stretched in a machine direction and joined with either or both first and second substrates advancing in the machine direction. The apparatuses according to the present disclosure may be configured with a plurality of spools, wherein each spool comprises a single elastic strand wound onto a core. The elastic strands are unwound from respective spools by rotating the spools about the cores. Neighboring elastic strands may be spaced or separated from each other at a desired distance in a cross direction by advancing the elastic strands through a strand guide that may comprise a plurality of tines or reeds. The assembled elastomeric laminate may then be accumulated by being wound onto a roll or festooned in a container.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Product Hip-to-Waist Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 1.1 and a Product Waist-to-Crotch Silhouette from about 0.8 to about 2.0 to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for sealing absorbent cores of disposable diaper pants during the assembly process. The diaper pants may include a chassis connected with a ring-like elastic belt. Aspects of the assembly methods involve bonding a continuous length of absorbent cores between a continuous topsheet substrate and a continuous backsheet substrate advancing in a machine direction. The combined continuous topsheet substrate, continuous backsheet substrate, and continuous length of absorbent cores are then cut along a cross direction to create discrete chassis, wherein the topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core of each chassis have equal longitudinal lengths. The discrete chassis are then deposited onto a first continuous elastic laminate and a second continuous elastic laminate. Opposing end regions of the absorbent cores may then be sealed by positioning a sealing layer across the topsheets of the chassis.

Abstract: Methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates are provided. The methods and tooling for forming performance zones in substrates may be for use on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or very fine (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: Three-dimensional laminates and methods for making the same are provided. The three-dimensional laminates may be apertured and may have welds between various substrates. The three-dimensional laminates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example, as topsheets, as topsheets and acquisition layers, or as outer cover materials, for example. The three-dimensional laminates may be produced on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: Three-dimensional laminates and methods for making the same are provided. The three-dimensional laminates may be apertured and may have welds between various substrates. The three-dimensional laminates may be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers and pants, for example, as topsheets, as topsheets and acquisition layers, or as outer cover materials, for example. The three-dimensional laminates may be produced on an absorbent article manufacturing line.

Abstract: An absorbent article having longitudinal cuffs of improved structure is disclosed. The improved cuffs may be elasticized by a plurality of elastic strands that are substantially greater in number, closer in spacing, lower in pre-strain, and lower in decitex, or any combination of these, as compared with those in conventional articles. This combination of features results in ruffles or gathers of cuff material joined to the elastic strands that are substantially greater in machine-direction frequency and substantially lesser in z-direction amplitude, than those in conventional articles. As a result, the cuff structure lies more closely and evenly against the wearer's skin, has an improved, more cloth-like appearance, provides improved gasketing, and provides improved wearer comfort, as compared with cuff structures in conventional articles. A method for manufacturing articles with such cuff structures, utilizing a warp beam as a supply mechanism, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent articles comprising belts comprising one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate Section-Modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm), resulting in a Product Length-to-Waist Silhouette that is within from about ?0.3 to about 0.3 of the Target Body Length-to-Waist Silhouette to make the article conform better to the body of the wearer at a lower Pressure-Under-Strand, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low Average-Dtex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low Average-Pre-Strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low Pressure Under Strand (less than 1 psi according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test), while providing adequate Section-Modulus (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 100 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. A first beam is rotated to unwind a first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam in the machine direction. The first plurality of elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form the elastomeric laminate. Before the first plurality of elastic strands are completely unwound from the first beam, a second beam is rotated to unwind the second plurality of elastic strands from the second beam. Subsequently, the advancement of the first plurality of elastic strands from the first beam is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first beam to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to absorbent article's chassis that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or low decitex (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand Test in the Method below) under the elastics. The elastics in the chassis may be oriented parallel or transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The methods herein relate to assembling an elastic laminate with a first elastic material and a second elastic material bonded between first and second substrates. During assembly, an elastic laminate may be formed by positioning the first and second substrates in contact with stretched central regions of the first and second elastic materials. The elastic laminates may include two or more bonding regions that may be defined by the various layers or components of the elastic laminate that are laminated or stacked relative to each other. In some configurations, a first plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a first bond density in the first bonding region, and a second plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a second bond density in the second bonding region, wherein the second bond density is not equal to the first bond density.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for assembling elastomeric laminates, wherein elastic material may be stretched and joined with either or both first and second substrates. First spools are rotated to unwind first elastic strands from a first unwinder in a machine direction. The first elastic strands are positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate to form an elastomeric laminate. Before the first elastic strands are completely unwound from the rotating first spools, second spools are rotated to unwind second elastic strands from a second unwinder. Subsequently, the advancement of the first elastic strands from the first unwinder is discontinued. Thus, the elastomeric laminate assembly process may continue uninterrupted while switching from an initially utilized elastic material drawn from the first spools to a subsequently utilized elastic material drawn from the second spools.

Abstract: The methods herein relate to assembling an elastic laminate with a first elastic material and a second elastic material bonded between first and second substrates. During assembly, an elastic laminate may be formed by positioning the first and second substrates in contact with stretched central regions of the first and second elastic materials. The elastic laminates may include two or more bonding regions that may be defined by the various layers or components of the elastic laminate that are laminated or stacked relative to each other. In some configurations, a first plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a first bond density in the first bonding region, and a second plurality of ultrasonic bonds are applied to the elastic laminate to define a second bond density in the second bonding region, wherein the second bond density is not equal to the first bond density.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to one or a combination of an absorbent article's chassis, inner leg cuffs, outer leg cuffs, ear panels, side panels, waistbands, and belts that may comprise one or more pluralities of tightly spaced (less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, and less than 1 mm) and/or very fine (less than 300, less than 200, less than 100 dtex) and/or low strain (less than 300%, less than 200%, less than 100%) elastics to deliver low pressure less than 1 psi (according to the conditions defined by the Pressure-Under-Strand method below) under the elastics, while providing adequate modulus of (between about 2 gf/mm and 15 gf/mm) to make the article easy to apply and to comfortably maintain the article in place on the wearer, even with a loaded core (holding at least 50 mls of liquid), to provide for the advantages described above.