Abstract: A method of making a flangeless seam for a disposable article including the following steps: A first member of the disposable article is provided. An electromagnetic field responsive member is provided on the first member. The first member is folded about the electromagnetic field responsive member providing opposing first proximal and first distal portions of the first member, the electromagnetic field responsive member being disposed at least partially between the opposing first proximal and first distal portions. A second member of the disposable article is provided in a folded configuration juxtaposed at least a portion of the first member to form a laminate including the first member and the second member. An electromagnetic field is applied across at least a portion of the laminate to heat the electromagnetic field responsive member to a temperature which joins at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for longitudinally pleating a moving lamina. The apparatus features a curved axis roll having a stationary axis circumscribed by a rotating sleeve with a plurality of circumferentially oriented grooves in the rotating sleeve. The pleats are produced by the intermeshing of the lamina with the grooves of the rotating sleeve. Preferably a complementary curved axis roll having lands which interdigitate with the grooves of the first roll is used in conjunction with the first curved axis roll.The apparatus preferably further comprises a third curved axis roll disposed upstream of the first curved axis roll to substantially equalize the paths of travel of any points on the moving lamina by compensating for differences in the paths of travel between the edges and centerline of the lamina.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of forming, from a single column of fibers, an airlaid fibrous web having a multiplicity of components.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of forming airlaid fibrous webs having a multiplicity of layers and/or discrete particles of absorbent gelling material dispersed through at least a portion of the web. The apparatus is of the type which includes a laydown drum having a foraminous forming element, a primary vacuum chamber, and a dusting layer vacuum chamber; a primary hood; and a dusting layer hood. The dusting layer of fibers formed on the laydown drum acts to block the passage of particles or fibers entrained in a first fiber stream which is airlaid over the dusting layer so as to minimize equipment plugging problems and the loss of particles or fibers through the foraminous forming element. The primary vacuum chamber of the laydown drum preferably spans the primary hood and a portion of the dusting layer hood so that the dusting layer is not sheared off, damaged, or destroyed as the laydown drum rotates to the position where the first fiber stream is deposited over the dusting layer.

Abstract: Airlaid fibrous webs having a primary layer having discrete particles of absorbent gelling material dispersed through at least a portion of the web airlaid over a dusting layer of essentially hydrophilic fiber material. The dusting layer acts to block the passage of particles injected in the stream of fibers forming the primary layer so as to minimize equipment plugging problems and the loss of particles or fibers through the foraminous forming element and to provide a more efficient absorbent core.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of providing a multiplicity of streams of air-entrained fibers. The apparatus is of the type which includes a splitting member having multiple ports disposed in and along the surface of the splitting member; a first conduit duct in communication with a first port for directing a column of air past a first port to cause a portion of the column of fibers to split off and be drawn into the first conduit duct; and a second conduit duct in communication with a second port for directing a column of air past a second port to cause a second portion of the column of fibers to split off and be drawn into the second conduit duct.

Abstract: Apparatus for and methods of forming, from a single column of fibers, an airlaid fibrous web having a multiplicity of components.