Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for changing the speed of discrete components (22) can include a first rotatable drive member (32), and at least a second rotatable drive member (42) which is substantially coaxial with the first drive member (32). A first servo motor (34) is connected to rotate the first drive member (32), and at least a second servo motor (34) is connected to rotate the second drive member (42). A first transfer puck (36) is driven by the first rotatable drive member (32), and at least a second transfer puck (46) is driven by the second rotatable drive member (42). A first electronic drive (38) is connected to the first servo motor (34), and is configured to selectively move the first transfer puck (36) at a first, pick up speed (V1) and at least a second, deposit speed (V2). At least a second electronic drive (48) is connected to the second servo motor (44), and is configured to selectively move the second transfer puck (46) at the first pick up speed and at the second deposit speed (V2).

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one fit panel, a pair a primary fasteners and an integral waist size adjustment mechanism. The fit panel is located in one of the waist regions of the absorbent chassis and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the fit panel and are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to provide the disposable absorbent article. The waist size adjustment mechanism may include a secondary fastener tab which is integral with the fit panel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20) can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) that is operatively joined to an isolation member (42) which has high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and an automated drive (130) can be connected to an actuator (110), or other transfer device, to automatically adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). An electronic processor (128) can be configured to monitor an intermittent gap force detected from an output provided by a force sensor (126), and can provide a drive signal to the automated drive (130) to thereby adjust the horn-anvil gap (106) to operatively maintain a target, gap force value.

Abstract: A ultrasonic processing method and apparatus (20), can include a rotatable, ultrasonic horn member (28) operatively joined to a first isolation member (42) and a second isolation member (44). In a particular aspect, the first and second isolation members (42, 44) can exhibit high rigidity. A rotatable anvil member (86) can be cooperatively positioned to provide a selected horn-anvil gap (106), and the anvil member (86) can be located in a horizontally offset and vertically overlapping arrangement relative to the horn member (28). An actuator (110) or other transfer device can selectively adjust the horn-anvil gap (106). Additionally, an ultrasonic exciter (82) can connect to the horn member (28), and can provide an operative amount of ultrasonic energy to the horn member (28).

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: A prefastened, refastenable, disposable absorbent article includes an absorbent chassis, at least one stretch panel, and a pair a primary fasteners. The absorbent chassis defines a pair of longitudinally opposed end edges and a pair of laterally opposed side edges. The stretch panel is located in one of the waist regions and defines a waist edge, a pair of laterally opposed outboard edges which are located laterally beyond the side edges of the absorbent chassis, and an inward edge which is located longitudinally inward from the waist edge. The pair of primary fasteners are located on the laterally opposed outboard edges of the stretch panel and are releasably prefastened to an opposite waist region of the absorbent chassis to releasably engage a front waist region to a rear waist region to provide the prefastened disposable absorbent article.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A machine and process are disclosed for bonding an elastic member to a moving substrate web while the elastic member is in an un-stretched condition. The machine provides for upwardly folding a moving substrate web along a longitudinal centerline while maintaining the side edge regions of the web in a flat un-folded or un-gather condition. An elastic member is applied to the moving web while the elastic member is un-stretched, applying the first and second end regions of the elastic member to the respective first and second side edge regions of the moving web. The end regions of the elastic member are next bonded to the side edges of the web, leaving the remainder of the elastic member un-bonded to the web. The web is then un-folded or un-gathered to its first normal width, stretching the bonded elastic member. At least a portion of the remainder of the elastic member previously un-bonded to the web is then bonded to the web, and the stretched elastic member is allowed to relax.

Abstract: A machine and process are disclosed for bonding an elastic member to a moving substrate web while the elastic member is in an un-stretched condition. The machine provides for upwardly folding a moving substrate web along a longitudinal centerline while maintaining the side edge regions of the web in a flat un-folded or un-gather condition. An elastic member is applied to the moving web while the elastic member is un-stretched, applying the first and second end regions of the elastic member to the respective first and second side edge regions of the moving web. The end regions of the elastic member are next bonded to the side edges of the web, leaving the remainder of the elastic member un-bonded to the web. The web is then un-folded or un-gathered to its first normal width, stretching the bonded elastic member. At least a portion of the remainder of the elastic member previously un-bonded to the web is then bonded to the web, and the stretched elastic member is allowed to relax.

Abstract: A machine and process are disclosed for bonding an elastic member to a moving substrate web while the elastic member is in an un-stretched condition. The machine provides for upwardly folding a moving substrate web along a longitudinal centerline while maintaining the side edge regions of the web in a flat un-folded or un-gather condition. An elastic member is applied to the moving web while the elastic member is un-stretched, applying the first and second end regions of the elastic member to the respective first and second side edge regions of the moving web. The end regions of the elastic member are next bonded to the side edges of the web, leaving the remainder of the elastic member un-bonded to the web. The web is then un-folded or un-gathered to its first normal width, stretching the bonded elastic member. At least a portion of the remainder of the elastic member previously un-bonded to the web is then bonded to the web, and the stretched elastic member is allowed to relax.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combination roller, a machine and process for cutting workpieces from a web moving at a first speed and depositing them on and bonding them to a substrate web moving at a second speed with the functions of cutting, transferring, and bonding all carried out on a single roller. The reduction in roller mass achieved by this roller and machine design permits driving the combination roller at variable speeds by means of a servomotor and servomotor controller. The resulting machine permits electronic rather than machine grade changes as the machine and process are used to produce products having different configurations.

Abstract: A method of making a prefastened disposable absorbent article includes providing a continuous web of interconnected absorbent articles and releasably attaching a pair of opposed side panels to one of the waist regions on each of the absorbent articles. Each of the opposed side panels includes a primary fastener which releasably engages the one waist region to provide the releasable attachment. Each of the side panels also defines side portions which extend laterally outward beyond the side edges of the absorbent article in the one waist region. The continuous web is selectively cut into discrete absorbent articles which are then folded about a fold line extending in a lateral direction through the crotch region of the article thereby positioning the waist regions of the article in a facing relationship. The method further includes securing the side portions of the side panels to the side edges of the absorbent article in the opposite waist region to provide the prefastened absorbent article.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles which include an outer cover, an absorbent chassis and a stretch band and methods of making the same are described. The stretch band is incorporated into the article by providing a waist panel which includes a pair of primary fasteners attached to a first surface on opposed side margins of the waist panel. The stretch band is attached to the second surface of the waist panel. The stretch band includes a pair of secondary fasteners on opposite end portions of the stretch band which are releasably engaged with the second surface of the waist panel. The second surface of the waist panel may then be attached to an inner surface of the outer cover such that the stretch band is slidably contained between the outer cover and the waist panel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved fastening tape for use on a disposable absorbent garment. The fastening tape comprises a first substrate and an interlocking material attached to said first substrate. The interlocking material extends the entire width of the fastening tape, and the interlocking material is longitudinally spaced from both transverse edges of the fastening tape. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing the fastening tape. The process involves providing a continuous length of an interlocking material having a width and traveling in a first direction. The interlocking material is attached to a first substrate to form a composite. The composite is then cut along a second direction to form fastening tapes suitable for attachment on a disposable absorbent garment. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.