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: The present invention relates to a method for bonding a component, such as a bushing, into a part, such as a panel. The method broadly comprises attaching a vacuum chamber to a surface of the part, seating the component into a slot in the part, and applying an adhesive material about a circumference of the component while drawing a vacuum in the vacuum chamber to allow the adhesive material to flow between the part and the component.

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking a perforation of a moving web includes a web conveyor adapted to move a web in a machine direction, wherein the web has at least one perforation, and at least one breaking member moveable between a first position and a second position. The at least one breaking member is adapted to be positioned remote from the at least one perforation at the first position and is adapted to be positioned adjacent the at least one perforation at the second position. A tensioning device is adapted to sufficiently tension the web against the at least one breaking member such that the at least one perforation is broken. A system and method for breaking a perforation of a moving web is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brush for cleaning toilet bowls and the like. The brush has a permanent handle and can be used with a replaceable/disposable brush head that is flushable after use. The brush is a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to both bind them together into a stack. There is a longitudinal slit in the rear of the brush head to create left and right rear attachment tabs. A wand provides a remote system for clamping and unclamping the brush head. The wand has a jaw whose mouth has two wedge shaped teeth that are offset from each other to clamp the corresponding tabs while driving the tabs in opposite directions in the jaw.

Abstract: A brush including removable plates with tines that can be inserted into a complementary handle. The plates, made up of tines connected to a manifold at one end, are retained by the handle. Removable flat plates can be of a unitary construction and can be rolled, stacked or folded upon one another to form layers of tines. The plates are designed to be easily separated from a brush after use to allow for cleaning or replacement. The plates may also be interconnected by a set of hinges. The tines may include a plurality of flutes or ribs that increase the surface area of the tines and aid in increasing liquid retention when the brush is being used. After use, the individual plates can be removed from the handle and easily cleaned.

Abstract: A support system for cleaning mini blinds includes a pair of end supports and an intermediate support, each support having a back portion and a lower portion extending at right angles for supporting the spine of the mini blind. A pair of suction cups is affixed to each back portion for securing the back portion to a smooth surface. An alignment indicia is provided on the back portions for aiding in horizontal alignment of the supports. The two end supports each include a side portion and a front portion for restricting movement of the spine of the supported mini blind.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hose includes the step of extruding a tube assembly comprising (i) a first inner non-foamed layer, (ii) a first outer non-foamed layer positioned around the first inner non-foamed layer, and (iii) a first foamed layer interposed between the first inner non-foamed layer and the first outer non-foamed layer. The method further includes the step of positioning a textile reinforcement on the tube assembly. Additionally, the method includes the step of extruding a cover assembly over the textile reinforcement, the cover assembly comprising (i) a second inner non-foamed layer, (ii) a second outer non-foamed layer positioned around the second inner non-foamed layer, and (iii) a second foamed layer interposed between the second inner non-foamed layer and the second outer non-foamed layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treating machine which comprises a frame (1) and an undercarriage (2, 3) to enable the machine to move over a surface (S). A head (5) is supported by the frame and includes a drive motor (13) and a tool (6) for directly contacting, scrubbing or treating said surface (S). The tool is rotatably drivable by means of the motor. Cardanic drive and coupling means (16) is connected to the tool (6) in a rotationally fixed manner on one end and connected to the drive motor (13) on the other end. Support and spring means (8, 9, 17) for the tool (6), are forcing the tool (6) against the surface (S) with an controlled uneven pressure distribution around the circumference of the tool (6).

Abstract: The present invention relates to tufted goods comprising a greige good having fibers tufted into a primary backing, a precoat which is adhered to the back surface of the greige good, and a flexible film which is laminated to the back surface of the precoat. The flexible film is treated via corona-discharge prior to being laminated to the precoat. This invention also relates to a process for producing tufted goods. This process comprises treating a flexible film via corona-discharge, contacting the treated flexible film with the uncured or partially cured back surface of a precoated greige good, and curing the article. Optional embodiments of this invention include having a foam layer between the precoat and the flexible film, or having a foam layer on the back surface of the flexible film. An alternate embodiment of this invention comprises substituting a foam layer for the precoat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a decorative panel cover and to a method of manufacturing a decorative panel cover. The invention provides a method of manufacturing a decorative panel comprising the steps of molding a first cover material to produce a first molded cover. Molding a second cover material to produce a second molded cover. A seam is formed when the first molded cover is attached to the second molded cover. In order to further enhance the aesthetic look of the decorative panel cover, topstitching is applied to one side of the seam.

Abstract: In a cleaning device (9) comprising a cleaning portion (10) having a cleaning surface (13) and an opposing surface opposite the cleaning surface (13), a support arm (11) having a handle portion (16), and a pivot (12) for pivotally supporting the support arm (11) on the opposing surface, the cleaning surface (13) of the cleaning portion (16) comprises an adhesive surface (17) and a cleaning cloth surface (18), and wherein the adhesive surface (17) and the cleaning cloth surface (18) can individually come into surface contact with a surface to be cleaned, and a stopper (19) for restricting movement of the handle portion (16) relative to the pivot (12), wherein the cleaning cloth surface (18) can contact wherein the surface to be cleaned when the support arm (11) is tilted within a predetermined angle range relative to the surface having the pivot (12), and the adhesive surface (17) can contact the surface to be cleaned when the support arm (11) is tilted beyond the predetermined angle range relative to the surf

Abstract: A method of applying leg elastics to absorbent garments involves optimizing the spacing between multiple elastic members. The elastic members are bonded to a substrate with variable spacing along the length of the leg opening. More particularly, narrower spacing is provided in the crotch area, thereby providing higher gasketing pressure, while wider spacing is provided in areas outside the crotch area for lower gasketing pressure and greater comfort. Alternatively, narrower spacing can be applied to the back portion of the leg, with medium spacing in the crotch area and wider spacing in the front portion or the leg, or conversely, wider spacing in the back portion with medium spacing in the crotch area and narrower spacing in the front portion, depending on the wearer's needs. The resulting garments have optimized comfort, fit and containment about the leg openings.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing self-adhering footwear including the steps of a) cleaning at least an upper surface portion of the mat with MEK solvent; b) applying a first adhesive to the cleaned surface; c) applying a second adhesive to the cleaned surface; d) applying and smoothing a fabric layer while the second adhesive is still wet; e) applying three light coats of the second adhesive to an upper surface of the fabric allowing adequate drying time between each successive coat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an elastomeric nonwoven laminate including a plurality of elastic strands joined to a nonwoven web in a controlled distribution is provided. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a plurality of elastic strands onto a cooled surface of a rotating drum, which transports the strands in parallel alignment to a nip formed between two rollers rotating about parallel axis. The drum transfers the plurality of strands to the nip in a controlled distribution where it is bonded with the nonwoven.

Abstract: Pieces are cut out from a sheet material by means of an installation comprising a cutting-out table (12) receiving the sheet material (30) from a loading station (12), and an unloading station (16) for unloading cut-out pieces. A flexible sealing film (32) is brought onto the sheet material upstream from the cutting-out table, and it is applied by establishing suction at the surface of the cutting-out table. After cutting-out, at least the skeleton (32?) of the sealing film is separated at the downstream end of the cutting-out table in order to be recovered. The recovery is preformed by automatic winding-up outside the unloading station, it being possible to deposit fastenings on the sealing film so that they straddle the cutting-out lines, or else said recovery is performed by sucking up the fragments of sealing film by means of a rotary member bearing against the sheet material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing reinforced tags using a press is disclosed which includes providing a continuously moving web of tag material. A web of reinforcing material is also provided and die cut into reinforcing patches. The reinforcing material has a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. A first portion of the patches is adhered to a first major surface of the continuously moving web of tag material so it extends beyond said first major surface. A second portion of the patches is contacted with a stationary curved surface which folds the patches as they move along the folder so that the second portion is folded around an edge of the tag material and adheres to a second major surface of the web of tag material. A hole is then cut in each tag unit at a location such that it extends through the patch at a point where it is adhered to two major surfaces of each tag unit. The web of tag material is then cut into the individual tag units.

Abstract: A trim component includes a foam backing layer and a foam pad insert laminated between a cover material and a substrate. The foam pad insert provides an area of enhanced cushioning, and has smoothly tapered edges to ensure a smooth surface contour without a visible edge transition on the cover material. The foam pad insert has a lower melting temperature than the foam backing layer, both of which are thermoplastics. A foam pad insert is positioned and fixed on the back surface of the foam backing layer. A substrate material is heated and then laminated and molded with the foam and the cover material. The heat from the substrate partially softens and melts the foam backing layer and the foam pad insert. The partially melted foam pad insert is viscously deformed to form the tapered edges, as dictated by the smoothly varying mold gap spacing of the forming tools.

Abstract: A dual-laminate honeycomb panel permits the use of two or more different materials to form a single panel. In this manner, a retractable covering for an architectural opening may be formed that has a different appearance depending upon which side of the panel is being viewed. The resultant panel is formed by attaching a plurality of elongated precursor tubular cells, wherein each precursor tubular cell itself comprises two strips of material attached to one another.

Abstract: A turn-up device (40) for making a molded body of an airspring on a mechanical drum having expandable end portions. The device (40) comprises a support member (42), a plurality of turning arms (44) pivotally mounted to the support member (42), and a sleeve (46) resiliently mounted to the support member (42). The turning arms (44) are movable between radially inner and outer positions and are biased to the radially inner position. The sleeve (46) is movable relative to the arms (44) between a position whereat it holds the arms (44) in the radially outer position and a position whereat it releases the arms (44) so that they can be biased to the radially inner position. The airspring can be used in a large vehicle wheel suspension (i.e., a bus or a truck) and/or can be used to manipulate the lift axle of, for example, a large dump truck.

Abstract: A joining pin (3.2) with which two parts (1 and 2) made from a porous material, particularly wood or a wood-like material, are to be joined together, is anchored in the porous material at predetermined anchoring points (31, 33). For this purpose, a bore (4.2) with a closed inner end (41) is made in the parts (1 and 2). The shape of this bore (4.2) is so matched to the joining pin (3.2) that it can be introduced substantially without force expenditure into the bore and is positionable in a first position. At least one predetermined anchoring point (31, 33) between the joining pin (3.2) and the wall of the bore (4.2) is formed when pressure is built up by pressing the joining pin (3.2) with a pressing force (F) more deeply into the bore to a second position. Energy is supplied in a planned manner to the joining pin (3.2) so that at the predetermined anchoring points (31, 33) the thermoplastic material of the joining pin (3.2) is plasticized.