Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.

Abstract: A continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment wherein the fabric is cut, defining openings that serve as arm holes in the finished garment. A portion of the fabric is folded back above the openings, defining shoulder straps. The camisole garment has a body seam that may be refastenable or non-refastenable.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a continuous web in a continuous processing operation wherein the web incorporates therein one or more stretched elastic-type elements having retractive forces active in the cross-machine direction, and limiting shrinkage of the web in the cross-machine direction to no more than about 5%. Shrinkage in the width dimension is controlled using methods including transporting the web on a sequence of rolls having on their outer working surfaces protuberances which interact with edges of openings in the web, inhibiting lateral movement of elements defining the edges of the openings, and thereby stabilizing the web in the width dimension.

Abstract: This invention pertains to methods for use in constructing a garment including a stretched elastic. Specifically, the invention contemplates incorporating stretched elastic into a continuous web, including one or more segments which exert retractive forces in directions counterproductive to the function of either the web, the garment, or both, and nullifying that portion of the stretched elastic which would be counterproductive. The elastics may be cut at appropriate loci. The stretch may be intermittently reduced or eliminated on one or more selected ones of the elastics as the elastics are incorporated into the web. A special coating may be used on the processing rolls to maintain the width dimension of the web at loci disposed after incorporation of elastic stretched across the transverse dimension of the web. Transverse bonds may be formed on the web using a rotary carrying drum, and energy application devices which rotate with the drum, to increase bond forming time.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus for use in constructing a garment including a stretched elastic. Specifically, the invention contemplates incorporating stretched elastic into a continuous web, including one or more segments which exert retractive forces in directions counterproductive to the function of either the web, the garment, or both, and nullifying that portion of the stretched elastic which would be counterproductive. The elastics may be cut at appropriate loci. The stretch may be intermittently reduced or eliminated on one or more selected ones of the elastics as the elastics are incorporated into the web. A special coating may be used on the processing rolls to maintain the width dimension of the web at loci disposed after incorporation of elastic stretched across the transverse dimension of the web. Transverse bonds may be formed on the web using a rotary carrying drum, and energy application devices which rotate with the drum, to increase bond forming time.