Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: Efficient high speed methods for making garments with fastening components include positioning first fastening components on one surface of a product assemblage on opposite sides of a machine center line at selected first cross machine direction locations. In particular embodiments, second fastening components are positioned on another surface of the product assemblage on opposite sides of the machine center line at selected second cross machine direction locations. The product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices disposed at selected cross machine direction locations to bond the fastening components to opposite surfaces of the product assemblage. In other embodiments, the product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices subsequent to positioning the first fastening components.

Abstract: Efficient high speed methods for making garments with fastening components include positioning first fastening components on one surface of a product assemblage on opposite sides of a machine center line at selected first cross machine direction locations. In particular embodiments, second fastening components are positioned on another surface of the product assemblage on opposite sides of the machine center line at selected second cross machine direction locations. The product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices disposed at selected cross machine direction locations to bond the fastening components to opposite surfaces of the product assemblage. In other embodiments, the product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices subsequent to positioning the first fastening components.

Abstract: Efficient high speed methods for making garments with fastening components include positioning first fastening components on one surface of a product assemblage on opposite sides of a machine center line at selected first cross machine direction locations. In particular embodiments, second fastening components are positioned on another surface of the product assemblage on opposite sides of the machine center line at selected second cross machine direction locations. The product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices disposed at selected cross machine direction locations to bond the fastening components to opposite surfaces of the product assemblage. In other embodiments, the product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices subsequent to positioning the first fastening components.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: A method of tucking a pair of side panels into a body portion of a pant-like garment in which the tucking distance can be controlled. The garment is positioned between a pair of consecutive stacker finger units. Vacuum applied through fingers on the stacker finger units holds the garment in place. A distance between the pair of stacker finger units is increased to open the garment. While the garment is in an open position, either a mechanical device or fluid streams can be used to tuck the side panels into the body portion of the garment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effecting ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing workpiece segments, in a nip defined by a rotary ultrasonic horn and rotary anvil roll. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises support structure comprising anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus. A closed loop control apparatus is connected to one or both of the anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus. The closed loop control apparatus comprises a programmable logic controller, a load cell, and an adjustor. Information output from the load cell triggers the closed loop control apparatus through the programmable logic computer and the adjustor to move one or both of the anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus toward or away from the other in dynamic response to the information output from the load cell, thereby regulating pressure in the nip with ongoing real-time adjustments to distance between the anvil support apparatus and the horn support apparatus.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing absorbent article workpiece segments, in a bonding nip. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus, horn support apparatus, closure apparatus, a load cell support member, and a load cell. The ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll collectively are mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll can be brought together, via the closure apparatus, to define the nip therebetween. The load cell is mounted to the load cell support member such that force representative of force exerted on the anvil roll at the nip is detected by the load cell. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes outputting information from the load cell and adjusting force in the nip in response to the information received from the load cell.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip. The work piece segments are up to about 0.25 inch thick. The apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus supporting an anvil, and horn support apparatus supporting an ultrasonic horn. The ultrasonic horn and anvil are collectively mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and anvil can be brought together to define the nip. The frame, anvil support apparatus, and horn support apparatus collectively are sufficiently rigid that the horn and anvil can be brought together with interference levels of about 0.000 to about 0.008 inch at a raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in work piece segments passing through the nip. The method comprehends bringing a back-up roll, mounted above the ultrasonic horn, into engagement with the ultrasonic horn, to directly support the horn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a novel ramped anvil roll for cooperating with a rotary ultrasonic horn and creating ultrasonic bonds in a work piece passing between the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn. A relatively smaller radius portion of the anvil roll extends about a first portion of the circumference, and a relatively larger-radius raised bonding element extends about a second portion of the circumference. An outer surface at at least one of a front and rear end portion of the raised bonding element defines a transition gradient between the raised operating surface and the relatively smaller radius portion. The transition gradient defines a modified sinusoidally-shaped curved loading surface including an inflection locus, the curved loading surface representing a relatively constantly changing angle as measured against respective radii of the anvil roll in combination with advancing along the corresponding portion of the circumference.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: Bonding apparatus and methods for creating up to full-width ultrasonic bonds in an advancing web. The bonding apparatus comprises a first nip, defined by, in combination, a first set of bonding elements comprising a first rotary ultrasonic horn and a first rotary anvil, and first engagement apparatus bringing the first horn and first anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other. The first horn and anvil being supported from support structure and rotating in common with each other thereby to convey the web through the first nip. The bonding apparatus also comprises a second nip, defined by a second set of bonding elements comprising second separate and distinct horn and anvil, and second engagement apparatus bringing the second horn and second anvil into effective bonding engagement with each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for effecting ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing workpiece segments, in a nip defined by a rotary ultrasonic horn and rotary anvil roll. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises support structure comprising anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus. A closed loop control apparatus is connected to one or both of the anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus. The closed loop control apparatus comprises a programmable logic controller, a load cell, and an adjustor. Information output from the load cell triggers the closed loop control apparatus through the programmable logic computer and the adjustor to move one or both of the anvil support apparatus and horn support apparatus toward or away from the other in dynamic response to the information output from the load cell, thereby regulating pressure in the nip with ongoing real-time adjustments to distance between the anvil support apparatus and the horn support apparatus.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing absorbent article workpiece segments, in a bonding nip. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus, horn support apparatus, closure apparatus, a load cell support member, and a load cell. The ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll collectively are mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll can be brought together, via the closure apparatus, to define the nip therebetween. The load cell is mounted to the load cell support member such that force representative of force exerted on the anvil roll at the nip is detected by the load cell. In preferred embodiments, the invention includes outputting information from the load cell and adjusting force in the nip in response to the information received from the load cell.

Abstract: This invention pertains to apparatus and methods for intermittently creating ultrasonic bonds in sequentially advancing work piece segments, in a nip. The work piece segments are up to about 0.25 inch thick. The apparatus comprises a frame, anvil support apparatus supporting an anvil, and horn support apparatus supporting an ultrasonic horn. The ultrasonic horn and anvil are collectively mounted and configured such that the ultrasonic horn and anvil can be brought together to define the nip. The frame, anvil support apparatus, and horn support apparatus collectively are sufficiently rigid that the horn and anvil can be brought together with interference levels of about 0.000 to about 0.008 inch at a raised bonding portion in combination with defining sufficient nip pressure to develop ultrasonic bonds in work piece segments passing through the nip. The method comprehends bringing a back-up roll, mounted above the ultrasonic horn, into engagement with the ultrasonic horn, to directly support the horn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a novel ramped anvil roll for cooperating with a rotary ultrasonic horn and creating ultrasonic bonds in a work piece passing between the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn. A relatively smaller radius portion of the anvil roll extends about a first portion of the circumference, and a relatively larger-radius raised bonding element extends about a second portion of the circumference. An outer surface at at least one of a front and rear end portion of the raised bonding element defines a transition gradient between the raised operating surface and the relatively smaller radius portion. The transition gradient defines a modified sinusoidally-shaped curved loading surface including an inflection locus, the curved loading surface representing a relatively constantly changing angle as measured against respective radii of the anvil roll in combination with advancing along the corresponding portion of the circumference.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: Efficient high speed methods for making garments with fastening components include positioning first fastening components on one surface of a product assemblage on opposite sides of a machine center line at selected first cross machine direction locations. In particular embodiments, second fastening components are positioned on another surface of the product assemblage on opposite sides of the machine center line at selected second cross machine direction locations. The product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices disposed at selected cross machine direction locations to bond the fastening components to opposite surfaces of the product assemblage. In other embodiments, the product assemblage can be processed through bonding devices subsequent to positioning the first fastening components.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.