Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying discrete portions (10) of a web material onto a receiving web (7) comprising: a primary axis of rotation and an attachment zone to an average radial distance, R1, from the primary axis of rotation; transfer elements (6) rotatable about the axis, the transfer elements receiving a second web (2) at a radial distance, R2, from the primary axis wherein the radial distance R1, is greater than the radial distance R2; a means for displacing the transfer elements (6) so that the second web (2) is moved immediately adjacent to the attachment zone; and an attachment surface (10) rotatable about the primary axis and through the attachment zone, for transporting the receiving web (7) about the primary axis, whereby discrete portions (10) of the second web (2) are attached to the receiving web (7) in the attachment zone, forming a composite web comprising the receiving web (7) and discrete portions (10) of the second web (2).

Abstract: The present invention is a disposable absorbent article having a backsheet, and a fecal management member joined to the backsheet. The fecal management member includes a backing and a sheet of fibers. The sheet of fibers have anchor portions in the backing at spaced bonding locations and have arcuate portions of the sheet projecting from the backing between bonding locations. The arcuate portions include a surface coating agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing cut pieces from a first moving web and associating the cut pieces with a second, faster-moving carrier web. A vacuum roll is provided and cooperates with an adjacent cutter roll to enable transverse cuts to be made in the first web material. A vacuum manifold is provided and contacts the end wall surface of the vacuum roll to provide vacuum to apertures provided in the outer periphery of the vacuum roll. The vacuum roll and the vacuum manifold have spiral-like ports and slots to provide communication between a source of vacuum and the periphery of the vacuum roll at predetermined points in the path of rotation of the vacuum roll.

Abstract: The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of means for forming web loops (101), each means for forming web loops being positioned between adjacent web support plates (20), wherein each of the web support surfaces lies in an arc, the arcs lying around the circumference of a circular path, and wherein the web support surfaces and means for forming web loops (101) are rotatably mounted about the axis of the circular path. In a prefered embodiment of the invention, the means for forming web loops (101) is provided by rotatably driving the web support plates (20) around the circular path with a circumferential velocity, wherein the circumferential velocity is varied between a minimum circumferential velocity and a maximum circumferential velocity so that the distance between adjacent web support plates (20) varies between a minimum distance and a maximum distance.

Abstract: A device and a method for producing a batch of products having a multiplicity of interfolded, generally rectangular sheets including wet wipes, from a limited amount of a web material, at a high production speed and in efficiently used floor space.

Abstract: A flexible manufacturing system including at least one module, a operational unit mounted to said at least one module and a local controller operatively connected to the operational unit. The local controller is adapted to control the operational unit. The at least one module and the local controller together are capable of operating in a standalone operation or of integration into a flexible manufacturing system. The local controller is further adapted to receive a reference signal from the flexible manufacturing system and to synchronize the operational unit to the flexible manufacturing system when the at least one module is connected to the flexible manufacturing line.

Abstract: A method for producing a batch of products having a multiplicity of interfolded, generally rectangular sheets including wet wipes, from a limited amount of a web material, at a high production speed and in efficiently used floor space.

Abstract: A method for making a longitudinal fold in a web, including the steps of: (1) providing a web-supporting device; (2) providing a folding belt disposed adjacent to a first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device; (3) providing the web which is superimposed onto a web-contacting surface of the web-supporting device such that a first longitudinal edge of the web extends laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the web-supporting device and at least partially onto the folding belt; and (4) folding the first longitudinal fold of the web by twisting the folding belt around its longitudinal axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of rotation of the folding belt extends parallel to the longitudinal fold line of the web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a continuous web of material with an entry point of a machine that utilizes the web as a source material. The web may include pre-processed materials that may be thicker than conventional webs and/or have uneven thickness, and/or are susceptible to excessive compression forces and/or tensions which may be found in ordinary straight-wound rolls. Such pre-processed materials may be wound in traverse-wound rolls or festooned into a container forming a web source structure which is wider than the web width. The web is pulled from such web source structure by the machine through a series of guides which include surfaces having various properties and shapes to create tensions in the web and to align the web with the entry point of the machine.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a pair of barrier leg cuffs and a pair of side panels is provided. The barrier leg cuffs are disposed along opposing sides of an absorbent core and the side panels are disposed outboard of the barrier leg cuffs along opposing sides of the absorbent article. The barrier leg cuffs are integrally formed with the side panels from a single nonwoven ply.

Abstract: The invention provides a process comprising the steps of: feeding a web into a web transfer apparatus (1) at a first speed (V1); cutting a web portion (101) off the web (100); and accelerating the web portion (101) to the speed (V2) of a receiving web (200), separating the web portion (101) into at least a first web portion (102) and a second web portion (103) by means of at least a second cut; moving the web portions (102, 103) relative to each other so that they are spaced apart; and applying each of the spaced apart web portions (102, 103) to the receiving web (200).

Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins and the like comprising a reusable fastening device. The reusable fastening device comprises a first end a second end member, and a suspension member. Both end members are releasably engageable with the suspension member and releasably engageable with the disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a web, such as a web of interconnected disposable absorbent articles. The web is fed in a first direction to an activation system which includes a central disc and at least one outer disc. The central disc has a top surface and a pair of opposing side surfaces. The side surfaces of the central disc have activation tools located thereon while the outer disc includes complementary activation tools, The web is folded about the central disc such that a first zone of the web is positioned adjacent the top surface and a second zone of the web is positioned adjacent one of the side surfaces. The activation tool of the outer disc is then engaged with the activation tool of the central disc. The activation tool of the outer disc is then disengaged from the activation tool of the central disc. The activated web is then removed from the central disc.

Abstract: A garment or undergarment, such as an absorbent article, having a first region, a second region opposed to the first region and a garment material extending through at least a portion of the first region. The garment material has a surface wherein at least a portion of the surface has been mechanically modified to form a plurality of surface protrusions integrally from the garment material. The garment further includes a landing zone having a plurality of fibrous loops located at least partially in the second waist region and adapted to engage with the surface protrusions of the first region to provide a closure mechanism for holding the first region and the second region in an overlapping configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a means of reproducibly and consistently folding the ear panels on disposable absorbent articles in order to simplify and accelerate the diaper opening process for the user, reduce the risk of potential injury to the end user and wearer caused by clipped ear panels, and create for packaging purposes, a more aesthetically satisfying arrangement in the disposable diaper pack. In another aspect of the invention, a method for the making of a disposable absorbent diaper, which incorporates the folding of the ear panels, is outlined.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an expandable component. The expandable component comprises a compressed, resilient element disposed within an air impermeable envelope. The compressed element provides the absorbent article with a thin, low bulk profile prior to use of the disposable absorbent article, thereby reducing shipping and storage space. The user may open the impervious envelope, thereby permitting entry of air into the envelope and expansion of the compressed element. In one embodiment the expandable component is a spacer for maintaining fecal void space in a disposable diaper. Alternatively, the expandable component can provide displacement of the topsheet relative to the backsheet along the longitudinal centerline of a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for assessing disposable absorbent articles with regard to their impact on skin aeration by measuring relative humidity values in a mannequin test set up.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article comprises a liquid previous topsheet; a liquid impervious backsheet combined with the topsheet; an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet; and a barrier cuff having a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge being joined to the topsheet and the distal edge being away from the top surface of the topsheet. The barrier cuff comprises a single layer web having a water resistance value of at least 150 mm H2O, and an average bending force value of less than about 25 mg cm2/cm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotary apparatus suitable for processing and working a web or sheet of materials such as plastic films, non-woven substrates, metal foils, paper, diaper cores and the like. Such apparatus includes counter-rotating anvil and tool rolls through which the web or sheet of material to be worked is fed. The tool roll includes at least one processing tool for working the web or sheet of material. The force of the tool on the web or sheet being worked is regulated by a force applied to the processing tool or the anvil surface of the anvil roll by a force-transmitting chamber which includes a fluid. The force applied is adjusted by altering the pressure of the fluid within the force-transmitting chamber.

Abstract: A faecal management device. The device has a bag. The bag has an aperture defining a plane and allowing the entry of faecal material. The bag is constructed of two pieces of material joined at a seam, which may lie in a plane parallel that of the aperture. This two-piece construction advantageously allows for a bag geometry which is not long or narrow, thus providing increased comfort for the active wearer.