Abstract: A method for manufacturing absorbent articles comprises delivering a continuous web assembly including a backsheet material, a liquid permeable bodyside liner material, and an absorbent structure interposed between the backsheet material and the bodyside liner material, the web assembly having a body-facing side and a garment-facing side; attaching a discrete segment of first waist elastic material to the body-facing side of the web assembly; attaching a discrete segment of second waist elastic material to the garment-facing side of the web assembly such that the web assembly is interposed between the discrete segments of first and second waist elastic materials; and cutting the web assembly to form a plurality of absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous drawing of fibers in the form of coiled fiber loops (e.g., polygonal or serpentine loops). The successive fiber loops are continuously laid on receiving ends of a plurality of conveyer-drawing members (CDM) [e.g., rotating threaded spindles (54) or circulating endless chains (80) and (108)] disposed about a central axis and diverged from this axis. Coiled fiber loops are conveyed along the central axis and simultaneously drawn by enlarging a circumference of the fiber loops by the CDM. The leading fiber loops are continuously taken off at delivery ends of the CDM and conveyed from the drawing apparatus at an outlet speed. Heat chambers (11) and (148) envelop at least the most part of CDM. The process can operate at low drawing speed and long drawing time typical for lab-scale experiments and equal or higher outlet speed and throughput typical for commercial drawing processes.

Abstract: A tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke which is to be converted into a rod-like filler of a filter rod is conveyed along an elongated path first through a stretching or tensioning zone where the filaments are stretched and the tow is converted into a relatively wide flat web, thereupon along a relaxing portion of the path wherein the tensioning action upon the filaments is reduced, thereupon along a third portion wherein at least one side of the running web is contacted by droplets of an atomized plasticizer, and thereafter along a fourth portion of the path wherein the web is gathered by reducing its width so that it more closely resembles a rod which is thereupon draped into a web of cigarette paper or other suitable wrapping material. A wind tunnel surrounds at least one portion of the path to confine at least one stream of air which is caused to flow in the direction of advancement of the tow. A tunnel can surround the stretching zone, the relaxing and/or the fourth portion of the path.

Abstract: It comprises a bowl (2) driven positively in rotation and a guide finger (3) which is spaced from the bowl (2) and is mounted on an arm (6) articulated relative to a support (7) mounted on the frame of the machine.The shaft (8) supporting the bowl (2) is equipped with a drive roller (12) which, in the working position, bears against a drive shaft extending over the entire length of the machine and common to all the workstations which the latter comprises.The articulated arm (6) is associated with means which, on the one hand, hold the drive roller (12) in bearing contact, with adjustable pressure, against the drive shaft during normal operation and, on the other hand, are neutralized when the articulated arm is moved away from said drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing multifilament threads with at least one hot-air module 6 for drawing or relaxing the thread Y. To manufacture multifilaments with particularly high strength and to avoid the problems of the bearings of the rollers 9, 10 in the hot-air modules 6, at least one apparatus is provided for screening the hot stream of air from the rollers 9, 10, 10' of the or each hot-air module 6. Such apparatus may, for example, take the form of divider sheets 12. To facilitate the introduction of the thread Y into the hot-air module 6, it may be furthermore provided according to the invention that two rows of rollers 9, 10 facing each other are arranged in the or each hot-air module 6, at least the rollers 10 of one row being arranged in the direction of the rollers 9 of the other row and movable beyond these so that a meander-shaped arrangement of the thread Y can be achieved automatically in the hot-air modules 6.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the spin-drawing, on multiple ends, of thermoplastic filament yarns on at least two pairs of godets (1, 2 and 1', 2'), their axes of rotation (7 and 8) are arranged skew with respect to each other in such a way that the axis of rotation (8) of the one godet (2) is arranged to be able to pivot within a plane (12) and the plane (12) forms an angle (.beta.) of 10.degree.-60.degree. with the plane (10). The arrangement according to the invention makes it possible for the first time to spin and simultaneously draw in an integrated manner on multiple ends.

Abstract: A fiber drawing process and apparatus in which the fibers are drawn in small increments by passing the fibers in multiple wraps over on rotatably mounted spaced apart spindles having discrete circumferential microterraced surfaces which support the fiber. The terraced surfaces are parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindles and each microterraced surface having a continually increasing radius. The number of microterraces is equal to or less than the number of wraps of the fiber about the spindle. Cylindrical rolls in tandem with the microterraced spindles permit fine adjustments of the draw ratios.

Abstract: In processes of the production of thermoplastic polymer yarns, a process for controlling slippage of yarn on rolls across which there is a tension change. The yarn is advanced along pairs of rolls with the yarn contacting the rolls in successive wraps. At least one of the rolls is driven and has a changing diameter as the yarn advances between at least two of the successive wraps. The wraps contact the contact areas on the surface of the driven roll to each define a total wrap angle for the wrap. The number of wraps is selected and the diameter of the driven roll at the contact areas is selected to increase or decrease the tension while preventing a wrap angle in creep for any one of the wraps from being greater than about 90% of the total wrap angle for the wrap.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for applying an elastic strand to disposable diapers. It uses canted, spindle-equipped wheels for engaging an elastic strand, moving the elastic strand into a sinuous configuration and stretching the strand. Stripping belts apply the strand to a diaper component.

Abstract: A fiber drawing process and apparatus in which the fibers are drawn in small increments by passing the fibers in multiple wraps over on rotatably mounted spaced apart spindles having discrete circumferential microterraced surfaces which support the fiber. The terraced sufaces are parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindles and each microterraced surface having a continually increasing radius. The number of microterraces is equal to or less than the number of wraps of the fiber about the spindle. Cylindrical rolls in tandem with the microterraced spindles permit fine adjustments of the draw ratios.

Abstract: An arrangement for stretching thermoplastic fibers of synthetic polymers, particularly polypropylene, polyester or polyamide, for producing high strength yarns,comprises a delivery mechanism for delivering fibers, a stretching mechanism for stretching fibers, and a plurality of heated rollers arranged between the delivery mechanism and the stretching mechanism for deviating the fibers and means for applying to the fibers a force which is opposite to a direction of movement of the fibers, none of the rollers being driven and at least one of said rollers is provided with a brake, the fibers passing around the rollers without slippage.

Abstract: A fiber drawing process and apparatus in which the fibers are drawn in small increments by passing the fibers in multiple wraps over on rotatably mounted spaced apart spindles having discrete circumferential microterraced surfaces which support the fiber. The terraced surfaces are parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindles and each microterraced surface having a continually increasing radius. The number of microterraces is equal to or less than the number of wraps of the fiber about the spindle. Cylindrical rolls in tandem with the microterraced spindles permit fine adjustments of the draw ratios.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stretching of fastener stock. The stock is of stretchable material and is engaged by members which are spaced apart at an angle and rotate at substantially the same peripheral speed in different planes to stretch the portion of the stock that extends between the members.

Abstract: In combination, a drawing apparatus and a crimping apparatus. The drawing apparatus comprises integral first and second draw rolls, with attendant separator rolls, and a draw pin. The final draw roll is fluted around its peripheral surface. The draw rolls are driven from the same source as the crimp feed rolls, and in order to control yarn tension at the crimp feed rolls a variable drive means is provided for the draw rolls, to alter their speed with regard to the speed of the feed rolls. A yarn heater is positioned between the final draw roll and the crimp feed rolls, or in the alternative, between the final draw roll and its separator roll.