Abstract: Elasticized absorbent articles containing weakened elasticized portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method comprises applying a first amount of adhesive to a first portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, applying a second amount of adhesive to a second portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, covering the elastic strand with either the first surface of the first web of material or a first surface of a second web of material to form an elasticized web. The elasticized web comprises a heavy bonding region and a light bonding region, wherein the heavy bonding region comprises a greater area density of adhesive than the light bond region. Finally, the method may further comprise partially weakening the waist panel elastic strand at least at one location within the second region.

Abstract: An applicator for applying adhesive to a moving web has a housing with an interior chamber, an inlet and a discharge port. The inlet and discharge port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber. A rotor is disposed within the interior chamber of the housing. The rotor has a body and a nonlinear channel extending about at least a portion of the body. The nonlinear channel is selectively positionable for fluid communication with the inlet and the discharge port of the housing such that adhesive flowing into the housing through the inlet flows through and is directed by the nonlinear channel to the discharge port in the housing. The rotor is rotatable relative to the housing to change the position of the nonlinear channel relative to the discharge port and thereby change the location from which adhesive flows from the discharge port.

Abstract: An applicator for applying adhesive to a moving web has a housing with an interior chamber, an inlet and a discharge port. The inlet and discharge port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber. A rotor is disposed within the interior chamber of the housing. The rotor has a body and a nonlinear channel extending about at least a portion of the body. The nonlinear channel is selectively positionable for fluid communication with the inlet and the discharge port of the housing such that adhesive flowing into the housing through the inlet flows through and is directed by the nonlinear channel to the discharge port in the housing. The rotor is rotatable relative to the housing to change the position of the nonlinear channel relative to the discharge port and thereby change the location from which adhesive flows from the discharge port.

Abstract: Elasticized absorbent articles containing weakened elasticized portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method comprises applying a first amount of adhesive to a first portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, applying a second amount of adhesive to a second portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, covering the elastic strand with either the first surface of the first web of material or a first surface of a second web of material to form an elasticized web. The elasticized web comprises a heavy bonding region and a light bonding region, wherein the heavy bonding region comprises a greater area density of adhesive than the light bond region. Finally, the method may further comprise partially weakening the waist panel elastic strand at least at one location within the second region.

Abstract: An applicator for applying adhesive to a moving web has a housing with an interior chamber, an inlet and a discharge port. The inlet and discharge port are in fluid communication with the interior chamber. A rotor is disposed within the interior chamber of the housing. The rotor has a body and a nonlinear channel extending about at least a portion of the body. The nonlinear channel is selectively positionable for fluid communication with the inlet and the discharge port of the housing such that adhesive flowing into the housing through the inlet flows through and is directed by the nonlinear channel to the discharge port in the housing. The rotor is rotatable relative to the housing to change the position of the nonlinear channel relative to the discharge port and thereby change the location from which adhesive flows from the discharge port.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding products includes a conveying member adapted to convey the product, an oscillating member disposed adjacent the conveying member, and a folding roll disposed adjacent the conveying member and the oscillating member. The oscillating member is adapted to grasp and lift a first portion of the product from the conveying member while the product is being conveyed by the conveying member. The oscillating member is moveable in a first direction away from the conveying member and in a second direction toward the conveying member. The folding roll is adapted to receive the first portion of the product from the oscillating member and to place the first portion of the product into engagement with a second portion of the product such that the product is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a product includes a receiving roll having a first direction of rotation. The receiving roll is adapted to selectively hold first and second portions of the product. A folding roll of the apparatus has a second direction of rotation that is opposite from the first direction of rotation. The folding roll is adapted to selectively hold the first portion of the product thereto. An oscillating member is adapted to transfer the first portion of the product from the receiving roll to the folding roll. The oscillating member is configured to move in both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a product having a first portion and a second portion has a receiving roll with a drive assembly for rotating the receiving roll at variable surface speeds in a first direction of rotation. The receiving roll is adapted to selectively hold the first and second portions of the product thereto. A folding roll has a drive assembly for rotating the folding roll at variable surface speeds in a second, opposite direction of rotation. The folding roll is adapted to selectively hold the first portion of the product thereto. An oscillating member is adapted to transfer the first portion of the product from the receiving roll to the folding roll. The oscillating member has a drive assembly for moving the oscillating member at variable surface speeds in both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding products includes a conveying member adapted to convey the product, an oscillating member disposed adjacent the conveying member, and a folding roll disposed adjacent the conveying member and the oscillating member. The oscillating member is adapted to grasp and lift a first portion of the product from the conveying member while the product is being conveyed by the conveying member. The oscillating member is moveable in a first direction away from the conveying member and in a second direction toward the conveying member. The folding roll is adapted to receive the first portion of the product from the oscillating member and to place the first portion of the product into engagement with a second portion of the product such that the product is in a folded configuration.

Abstract: A ribbon applicator configured to guide ribbon to a web includes a support structure and a cantilever arm supported by the support structure. The cantilever arm is moveable through a range of motion relative to the support structure. A guide roller guides the ribbon onto the web. The guide roller is pivotally mounted on the cantilever arm for pivotal movement of the guide roller with respect to the cantilever arm.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three dimensional disposable panty, subassemblies of the panty, and an apparatus and methods for making the panty and subassemblies. The panty is designed to hold a primary absorbent sanitary pad. The panty may have elasticized leg and waist openings and be stretchable about the hip and stomach regions of a user. the panty provides backup protection to control egress of fluids that leak or seep around or through the primary sanitary pad. The panty includes a secondary absorbent positioned in the crotch area and extending into the body of the disposable panty, front and back, and preferably over the leg elastics to trap, inside the panty, leakage from the primary absorbent, and to prevent strike through onto e.g. outer clothing and bed linen.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding products has a conveying member configured to hold a first portion and a second portion of the product and to release the first portion while continuing to hold the second portion. The conveying member is configured to convey the product at a conveying speed. A folding assembly is disposed adjacent the conveying member. The folding assembly is configured to receive the first portion of the product from the conveying member while moving generally at the conveying speed, to decelerate relative to the conveying member while holding the first portion thereto thereby causing the product to fold about the fold axis, and to place the first portion of the product into contact with the second portion such that the first portion overlies the second portion.

Abstract: A vacuum roll has an inner cylinder defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber is fluidly connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum thereto. An outer cylinder is rotatable about the inner cylinder and has a plurality of apertures therein. An actuator is configured to move the inner cylinder between a first position and a second position. The vacuum roll has a first vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the first position and a second vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the second position.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a medicated tampon assembly having a tampon body, the method including applying a formulation including a therapeutic agent to a substrate to produce a plurality of dosage forms; separating one of the dosage forms from the substrate; and coupling one of the dosage forms to the tampon body. A medicated tampon assembly is provided including a dosage form including a formulation including a therapeutic agent; a substrate portion separated from a substrate, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the dosage form; and a tampon body having a distal end, wherein the substrate portion is coupled to the distal end of the tampon body.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a product includes a receiving roll having a first direction of rotation. The receiving roll is adapted to selectively hold first and second portions of the product. A folding roll of the apparatus has a second direction of rotation that is opposite from the first direction of rotation. The folding roll is adapted to selectively hold the first portion of the product thereto. An oscillating member is adapted to transfer the first portion of the product from the receiving roll to the folding roll. The oscillating member is configured to move in both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a product having a first portion and a second portion has a receiving roll with a drive assembly for rotating the receiving roll at variable surface speeds in a first direction of rotation. The receiving roll is adapted to selectively hold the first and second portions of the product thereto. A folding roll has a drive assembly for rotating the folding roll at variable surface speeds in a second, opposite direction of rotation. The folding roll is adapted to selectively hold the first portion of the product thereto. An oscillating member is adapted to transfer the first portion of the product from the receiving roll to the folding roll. The oscillating member has a drive assembly for moving the oscillating member at variable surface speeds in both the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A vacuum roll has an inner cylinder defining an interior chamber. The interior chamber is fluidly connected to a vacuum source for applying a vacuum thereto. An outer cylinder is rotatable about the inner cylinder and has a plurality of apertures therein. An actuator is configured to move the inner cylinder between a first position and a second position. The vacuum roll has a first vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the first position and a second vacuum profile with the inner cylinder in the second position.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite garment web is disclosed. The method can include attaching elastic members to an elastomeric web, and optionally covering the elastic members with a covering web. One or more of the elastic members define an oscillating pattern. The method embodiment further comprises longitudinally slitting the composite chassis web to split it into body panel webs, and thereafter a bridging panel, such as an absorbent composite, is attached to the body panel webs to bridge the gap therebetween. During the slitting operation, one, both, or none of the elastic members may be slit by the slitter. If a covering panel is present, it may be slit by the slitter. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a plurality of pant-like disposable absorbent garments.

Abstract: A ribbon applicator configured to guide ribbon to a web includes a support structure and a cantilever arm supported by the support structure. The cantilever arm is moveable through a range of motion relative to the support structure. A guide roller guides the ribbon onto the web. The guide roller is pivotally mounted on the cantilever arm for pivotal movement of the guide roller with respect to the cantilever arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding products has a conveying member configured to hold a first portion and a second portion of the product and to release the first portion while continuing to hold the second portion. The conveying member is configured to convey the product at a conveying speed. A folding assembly is disposed adjacent the conveying member. The folding assembly is configured to receive the first portion of the product from the conveying member while moving generally at the conveying speed, to decelerate relative to the conveying member while holding the first portion thereto thereby causing the product to fold about the fold axis, and to place the first portion of the product into contact with the second portion such that the first portion overlies the second portion.