Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to absorbent articles with front and back waist panels having different stretch characteristics. A first waist panel may be connected with a chassis and positioned in a first waist region, and a second waist panel may be connected with the chassis and positioned in a second waist region. In some configurations, the first waist panel may comprise a first structural feature that is not included in the second waist panel or may comprise a first structural feature is different from a second structural feature included in the second waist panel. As such, the first structural feature provides different stretch characteristics between the first waist panel and the second waist panel.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a first waist region, a second waist region, and a crotch region disposed between the first and second waist regions; and a chassis having a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet. The article also includes a side panel having an ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate. The laminate has an elastomeric layer and a substrate and is joined to the chassis at a chassis attachment bond and positioned in one of the first or second waist regions. The ultrasonically bonded, gathered laminate also includes an ear structural feature comprising a surface modification to the substrate and comprising at least one of the following: embossing, apertures, perforations, slits, melted material or coatings, compressed material, secondary bonds that are disposed apart from a chassis attachment bond, plastic deformation, and folds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ring-like elastic belt having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction comprising: a pair of side seams which join the lateral edges of the front belt and the back belt such that the front fold over and the back fold over cooperatively define a distal edge of the ring-like elastic belt, the side seam made by a hot air bond which at least partially melts material of the elastic laminate, the side seam having continuity of the melted material along the substantial entirety of its longitudinal dimension; wherein the side seam has a Belt Minimum Peel Strength of at least about 6N/25 mm, a Belt Maximum Peel Strength of no more than 18N/25 mm, and a Top Bottom Difference of no more than 15%, according to the measurements herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles, wherein discrete zones of protrusions may be formed on a substrate. In some configurations, the protrusions may be formed as hooks. When forming the discrete zones of protrusions, localized speed variances may be imparted to the advancing substrate to ensure the adequate time to form the protrusions is provided. As such, protrusions may be formed on portions of the substrate that have been temporarily stopped or slowed to relatively slow speeds. The substrates with zones of protrusions may then be incorporated into products, such as assembled absorbent articles, so as to place the protrusions in desired positions on the absorbent articles. As such, the methods and apparatuses herein allow for the use of hook forming techniques on substrates in article manufacturing processes that provide flexibility in such configurations without sacrificing desired manufacturing speeds.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adjusting and maintaining a position of a cutting surface used to create lines of weakness for rolled products. A perforating apparatus includes a housing rotatably supported by a frame, wherein the housing is adapted to rotate about a first axis. A support member including a first cutting surface is rotatably supported by the housing, wherein the support member is adapted to rotate about a second axis offset from the first axis. A roll including a second cutting surface is positioned adjacent the support member, wherein the roll is adapted to rotate about a third axis. The second cutting surface is adapted to contact the first cutting surface as the roll rotates about the third axis. The perforating apparatus is configured such that the functions of adjusting the position of the first cutting surface and holding the first cutting surface in a fixed position are separate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses configured to bond elastic laminates together between a rotating drum and anvil. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member. As such, a first elastic laminate and a second elastics laminate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating drum. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to partially melt substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates. As the drum rotates, the press member shifts radially outward from the drum wherein a length, L, of the pattern surface extends in the cross direction across a plurality of elastic strands of first and/or second elastic laminates. And the partially melted portion of the substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates and the plurality of elastic strands are then bonded together by being compressed between the pattern surface and the anvil roll.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adjusting and maintaining a position of a cutting surface used to create lines of weakness for rolled products. A perforating apparatus includes a housing rotatably supported by a frame, wherein the housing is adapted to rotate about a first axis. A support member including a first cutting surface is rotatably supported by the housing, wherein the support member is adapted to rotate about a second axis offset from the first axis. A roll including a second cutting surface is positioned adjacent the support member, wherein the roll is adapted to rotate about a third axis. The second cutting surface is adapted to contact the first cutting surface as the roll rotates about the third axis. The perforating apparatus is configured such that the functions of adjusting the position of the first cutting surface and holding the first cutting surface in a fixed position are separate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses configured to bond elastic laminates together between a rotating drum and anvil. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member. As such, a first elastic laminate and a second elastics laminate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating drum. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to partially melt substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates. As the drum rotates, the press member shifts radially outward from the drum wherein a length, L, of the pattern surface extends in the cross direction across a plurality of elastic strands of first and/or second elastic laminates. And the partially melted portion of the substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates and the plurality of elastic strands are then bonded together by being compressed between the pattern surface and the anvil roll.

Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to adjusting and maintaining a position of a cutting surface used to create lines of weakness for rolled products. A perforating apparatus includes a housing rotatably supported by a frame, wherein the housing is adapted to rotate about a first axis. A support member including a first cutting surface is rotatably supported by the housing, wherein the support member is adapted to rotate about a second axis offset from the first axis. A roll including a second cutting surface is positioned adjacent the support member, wherein the roll is adapted to rotate about a third axis. The second cutting surface is adapted to contact the first cutting surface as the roll rotates about the third axis. The perforating apparatus is configured such that the functions of adjusting the position of the first cutting surface and holding the first cutting surface in a fixed position are separate.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first and the second waist regions, and a chassis having a topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, and chassis periphery. The chassis periphery has a varying width, Wv.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article may include a first waist region, a second waist region, a crotch region disposed between the first and the second waist regions, and a chassis having a topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, and chassis periphery. The chassis periphery has a varying width, Wv. The varying width Wv has a first maximum width, W1, in the first waist region, a minimum width, Wmin, in the crotch region, and a second maximum width, W2, in the second waist region, wherein W1 is greater than W2.

Abstract: A substrate assembly is mechanically deformed to form various products. In part, the substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus rotates about a longitudinal axis and includes a plurality of manifolds. The plurality of manifolds allow for substrate assemblies including different process product pitches to be processed on a single bonder apparatus.

Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. Fluid may be passed to the manifolds onto which the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion of the substrate assembly are disposed. The manifolds may heat the fluid and the heated fluid may be released onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and is configured to radially traverse based on the process product pitch of the substrate assembly. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. The manifolds may heat fluid and release the same onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses configured to bond elastic laminates together between a rotating drum and anvil. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member. As such, a first elastic laminate and a second elastics laminate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating drum. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to partially melt substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates. As the drum rotates, the press member shifts radially outward from the drum wherein a length, L, of the pattern surface extends in the cross direction across a plurality of elastic strands of first and/or second elastic laminates. And the partially melted portion of the substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates and the plurality of elastic strands are then bonded together by being compressed between the pattern surface and the anvil roll.

Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.