Abstract: An elastic laminate of a necked, or otherwise inherently stretchable, and perforated nonwoven web layer and an unperforated elastic film layer and methods of making the laminate are disclosed. An elastic laminate according to the present invention may utilize both the stretch gained from the necking, as well as providing increased ability of the necked nonwoven to stretch due to the perforations, cumulatively resulting in high stretch of the elastic laminate in one or more directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of placing elasticized areas in a nonwoven web construction such as may be suitable for the waistbands or leg openings of disposable absorbent pant garments, cuffs on sleeves of medical garments, or the like. A web, or webs, of extendible nonwoven material which make up the substrate for the elasticized area are printed with an elastic adhesive in its fluid or semi-fluid and untensioned state to provide a tensioning force against distension of the web during wearing of the garment for conformable, well fitting, elasticized cuff areas and may further be used to reinforce biaxially extendible web components such as the backsheet web.

Abstract: A process for making a pants-type diaper without generation of waste material. The pants-type diaper is composed of a body fluid absorbent pad member curved in a U-shape, a front waist member and a rear waist member extending around front and rear waist-halves, respectively. The front and rear waist members are obtained by feeding first and second elastic members in parallel to each other in a machine direction so as to describe substantially sinusoidal curves, respectively, securing these elastic members to one surface of a web fed in the machine direction and then transversely bisecting the web between the first and second elastic members. The first and second elastic members are symmetric to each other about a center line bisecting the web but phase-shifted with respect to each other in the machine direction by half a cycle of the substantially sinusoidal curve.

Abstract: In a film deposition apparatus which deposition a film through SWP-CVD, a substrate holder on which a substrate is to be placed is provided with cooling means, thereby inhibiting occurrence of an increase in the temperature of the substrate, which would otherwise be caused during deposition of a film. A coolant passage is formed in the substrate holders, and coolant delivered from a chiller is circulated through the coolant passage, thereby cooling the substrate holder. Further, grooves are formed in the surface of a cooling holder where a substrate is to be placed, and the substrate is cooled by a helium gas by causing the helium gas to flow through the grooves.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bonded optical disc includes the steps of coating a solution on a substrate, heating the coated solution and the substrate to thereby form a recording layer on the substrate, and adhering a dummy substrate to the recording layer, wherein the dummy substrate is also heated.

Abstract: A method of constructing a filter screen is described. This involves forming a polymer support frame including therein a plurality of substantially similarly sized rectilinear apertures, defined by an integral rectilinear matrix of wire reinforced struts of polymer material. An upper edge of each strut is ridged and an upper surface of each boundary of the support frame provided with a plurality of ridges. One or more woven wirecloths are fitted over the ridges and tensioned. The wirecloths are secured in place by heating at least the ridges so as to soften the polymer material sufficiently to allow the wirecloths to penetrate crests of the ridges and upon cooling to remain embedded therein. This maintains tension in the wirecloths after cooling. The wires in one of the wirecloths are preferably tensioned differently from those in the other, so that different tensions exist in the wires of the two cloths after bonding to the frame.

Abstract: A cross-laminate web is formed of two oriented films, the films being arranged so that the main direction of orientation of the first film (A) generally follows the longitudinal direction (D) of the web and the main direction of the second film (B) is perpendicular (F) to that direction. The coefficient of elasticity of the material of the first film, in an unoriented state, is at least 115% lower than that of the material of the second film, and the heat shrinkability of the first film is greater than that of the second film. Bags formed from the cross-laminate have heat seals with improved shock peel strength.

Abstract: An extensible laminate having improved set and hysteresis is disclosed. The extensible laminate includes an extensible nonwoven web laminated to an elastomeric sheet that have been mechanically stretched in the cross direction after lamination. A method for making the extensible laminate includes laminating an extensible nonwoven web to an elastomeric sheet to form a laminate and mechanically stretching the laminate in a cross direction by at least about 50 percent.

Abstract: A one-step method of making a necked-bonded laminate, wherein the layers of the laminate are formed and laminated within the same process. The method includes forming a nonwoven web, necking the nonwoven web, and immediately feeding the nonwoven web into a laminator where an elastomeric film is laminated to the nonwoven web. The elastomeric film may also be formed during the process prior to being fed into the laminator. Additionally, more than one nonwoven web may be formed and laminated to the elastomeric film during the process. The invention further includes apparatus for carrying out the one-step method.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article having a liquid permeable surface layer, a backing sheet, and an absorbent layer interposed between the surface layer and the backing sheet. The surface layer includes a liquid permeable base and a layer of continuous filaments extending substantially in one direction and disposed on the surface of the base. The continuous filament layer is fixed to the base at a plurality of fixing portions which are spaced apart in the filament extending direction by a given pitch, to thereby form loop portions of the continuous filaments between adjacent fixing portions. The loop portions are raised toward the surface side.

Abstract: The method for splicing together first (10) and second (20) webs of pre-creased laminated packaging material for manufacturing sealed packages of pourable food products in a form, fill and seal type packaging machine, includes the steps of holding an end portion (18) of a first web (10), with its inner surface (14) oriented in a predetermined direction. An end portion (28) of a second web (20) is cut to form an undercut surface (29). The undercut surface (29) of the second web (20) is superimposed onto the end portion (18) of the first web (10), with the outer surface (27) of the second web (20) in contact with the inner surface (14) of the first web (10). The undercut surface (29) of the second web (20) is then bonded to the end portion (18) of said first web (10). At the splice (30), the inner surface (14) of the first web (10) and the inner surface (24) of the second web (20) together define an integral, continuous inner surface (14, 24).

Abstract: A process for making an elastically stretchable composite sheet that includes an elastically stretchable web and inelastically stretchable web that are bonded together at a plurality of bonding spots. This stock web is stretched in a Y-direction and succeedingly contracted to obtain a composite sheet. The bonding spots are arranged so that each pair of the bonding spots lying adjacent to each other in a Y-direction at least partially overlap each other as one of these adjacent bonding spots is translated in the Y-direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembly of extensible composite webs and web sausages, and personal care articles manufactured from such webs. The invention comprises fabricating a resiliently extensible web by bringing together and securing to each other as discrete elements, intervening web substrate elements between resiliently stretchable elastic elements. Securement between elastic elements and web substrate elements is defined by alternating zones of securement and non-securement along a length of the web substrate. The invention comprises deactivating elastic elements in the non-securement zones thereby to retract elastic strands in the non-securement zones without retracting the corresponding web or webs in such non-securement zones, and correspondingly, to distinguish the securement zones as relatively more resiliently stretchable and the non-securement zones as relatively less resiliently stretchable.

Abstract: A laundry-durable stretchable composite fabric, based on two nonwoven outer layers and a pre-stretched inner layer of elastomeric fibers of at least 400 decitex and at least eight threadlines/inch, and having a flat surface appearance, is provided.

Abstract: Curled decorative grasses and methods for producing same are disclosed wherein the curled decorative grasses have improved bulk and simulate Spanish moss in color and appearance.

Abstract: Methods for forming decorative grass possessing a unique optical effect from a sheet of laminated optical effect material. The decorative grass has a curl or a crimp set therein to enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the decorative grass and to provide greater volume of the decorative grass for a given weight of decorative grass.

Abstract: A process for placement of indicator elements in a disposable wearing article includes a step in which indication sheets each having the pair of indicator elements are placed on an outer web, a step in which the indication sheets are joined to the outer web, a step in which the outer web is cut together with the indication sheet to obtain first and second outer webs, a step in which the first and second outer webs are separated from each other, a step in which an inner web is placed upon and joined to the first and second outer webs to obtain a composite web, a step in which a liquid-absorbent panels are joined onto the inner web and a step in which the composite web and the panel are cut together to obtain individual articles.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for products, for example, an absorbent article such as infant training pants, in which the mechanical fastening system is a hook-and-loop type fastening system on the garment in which the loop material is a nonwoven material laminate which has been post bonded after the laminate has been constructed.

Abstract: A method of producing an elasticized member having two different degrees of stretch, to be used in an absorbent product. The method involves stretching an elastic member by a first amount and securing part of it in the stretched condition to an inelastic web, while a second portion of the elastic member is stretched by a second amount and secured in the stretched position to the first web or to a second web. Differentially stretched products produced by the method can be used to provide advantages in terms of material savings and elasticity effects in absorbent products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stable material having enhanced extensibility and a method for making the same. A tensioning force is applied to a neckable material to neck the material. The necked material is then subjected to mechanical stabilization to provide a stabilized extensible necked material. The stabilized extensible necked material is easily extended in a direction parallel to the direction necking.

Abstract: A two-sided lamination process controlling curl caused by memory in laminate material, such as polyester, polypropylene, or nylon. The method involves matching or aligning the grain orientation of a top laminate sheet or film with the grain orientation of a bottom laminate sheet or film. The method includes selecting laminating films from the same position on the stretched or oriented web for the top and bottom laminating films. To achieve opposing forces, opposite sides of the web from a particular web position are coated with thermally activated adhesive to form the top and bottom laminating materials or supply rolls. Rolls of the two types of laminating material are then fed concurrently to a laminator to coat opposite sides of a substrate with laminate films with grain orientation or memory that creates substantially equal bending forces but in opposite directions.

Abstract: In a method of forming a composite web structure that is finishable to form a disposable absorbent garment, a topsheet assembly is formed having a pair of longitudinally-extending, elasticized leg cuffs. The topsheet assembly is then applied on a core assembly to create a first web structure assembly. A backsheet assembly is also formed which includes a backsheet material, and this backsheet assembly is applied on the first web structure assembly to form a second web structure assembly. Then, the second web structure assembly is cut at one or more locations to form the finishable composite web structure. The step of forming a topsheet assembly generally includes providing two webs of topsheet material and two webs of elastic material; applying each web of elastic material onto one of the webs of topsheet material to form two subsequent webs; and folding each of the subsequent webs about the elastic material to create an assembly having elasticized leg cuffs.

Abstract: A method of producing basic starting material for the manufacture of fastener tabs comprises the steps of: stretching a first sheet of elastic material in a first direction; applying a second and a third sheet of material onto respective opposite sides of the first sheet; fastening the three material sheets together in at least two mutually separated zones that extend parallel with each other in one direction perpendicular to the first direction; dividing the first sheet in each region between two zones along a line that lies between the zones, whereby the first sheet in each region between the zones contracts to a non-stretched state, and thereafter fastening the sheets together in each region between the zones.

Abstract: Steered vacuum-assisted laminating apparatus and methods of using the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum-assisted laminator for applying large format films to substrates where lamination pressure is generated at least partially by a vacuum drawn in a vacuum cavity. The apparatus also includes a steering system to control the vertical position the laminator and a vehicle to move the laminator along the substrate in a desired direction.

Abstract: A composite structural material suitable, for example, as a replacement for wooden boards, is disclosed. It comprises a dimensionally stable core material ensheathed in a dimensionally stable, laminar covering that is adherent to the core material. The laminar covering is comprised of at least one layer of parallel cords bonded to at least one layer of a rigidified web material selected from the group consisting of paper and cloth. Suitable core materials include polyurethane foam, optionally filled with granulated rubber and/or expandable polymer beads. The parallel cords preferably are supplied in the form of a strip of polyester cloth, as the warp cords thereof. The web material preferably is kraft paper that is rigidified with an epoxy resin.

Abstract: A process for producing an elastic composite film having a textile surface including at least one unwinding fibrous web being irreversibly extended at right angles to its direction of transport. The increase in the width of the fibrous web due to transverse extension is formed into foldlets by pulling tension acting in the direction of transport of the fibrous web. The fibrous web, which is under pulling tension and modified by transverse extension, is applied atop a transversely elastic film web of a thermoplastic elastomer and is adhered or welded thereto at contact sites which are spaced apart at right angles to the direction of transport of the webs.

Abstract: Curled decorative grasses and methods for producing same are disclosed wherein the curled decorative grasses have improved bulk and simulate Spanish moss in color and appearance.

Abstract: Laminates of thermoplastic films and nonwoven fibrous webs are made at high speeds on the order of about 700 fpm to about 1200 fpm. Bond strengths of film and nonwoven laminates are effectively controlled to make breathable laminates at high speeds. Air cooling devices cause the air to flow substantially parallel to the extruded plastic web during drawdown and provide a plurality of cooling air vortices to effectively cool the web. Film gauge control is also achieved by the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for applying a web component (42) to a moving substrate (44). The process aspect includes a delivering of the web component (42) to a rotatable applicator wheel (58). The applicator wheel has an entry surface-region (114), an exit surface-region (116), a transport surface-region (118), and an applicator wheel diameter (112). The web component (42) is contacted onto the entry surface-region (114) of the applicator wheel (58), and the applicator wheel is rotated to move the web component along a substantially circumferential, applicator path along the transport surface-region (118) of the applicator wheel. The applicator wheel (58) is oscillated about a pivot axis (102) which is spaced from the moving substrate (44) by a pivot distance (100), and the web component (42) is operatively applied from the exit surface-region (116) of the applicator wheel (58) onto the moving substrate (44) to provide a desired curved web configuration.

Abstract: A method of applying leg elastics to absorbent garments involves optimizing the spacing between multiple elastic members. The elastic members are bonded to a substrate with variable spacing along the length of the leg opening. More particularly, narrower spacing is provided in the crotch area, thereby providing higher gasketing pressure, while wider spacing is provided in areas outside the crotch area for lower gasketing pressure and greater comfort. Alternatively, narrower spacing can be applied to the back portion of the leg, with medium spacing in the crotch area and wider spacing in the front portion or the leg, or conversely, wider spacing in the back portion with medium spacing in the crotch area and narrower spacing in the front portion, depending on the wearer's needs. The resulting garments have optimized comfort, fit and containment about the leg openings.

Abstract: A method of making a double layer capacitor consists of the steps of: impregnating each of a plurality of carbon preforms with a metal; forming a plurality of current collector foils, each of the plurality of current collector foils having a tab portion and a paddle portion; forming a plurality of electrodes by positioning one of the plurality of carbon preforms against respective paddle portions of each of the plurality of current collector foils, wherein each of the plurality of electrodes comprises one of the plurality of current collector foils and one of the plurality of carbon preforms; stacking each of the plurality of electrodes such that tab portions of adjacent ones of the plurality of current collector foils are offset, thereby forming an electrode stack; interposing respective porous separator portions between each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the porous separator portions function as electrical insulators between the adjacent ones of the plurality of electrodes preventing electrical sh

Abstract: Methods of forming decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter possessing a unique optical effect from a laminated sheet of optical effect material. The decorative elements have a curl or a crimp set therein to enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the decorative elements and to provide greater volume of the decorative elements for a given weight of decorative elements.

Abstract: A method of producing a creep resistant composite elastic material wherein an elastic fibrous web is bonded to at least one gatherable layer to form a composite elastic material is provided. By passing the composite elastic material into a nip formed between an anvil calender roller and a point un-bonded calender roller, wherein the point un-bonded calender roller has recessed areas in the surface of said roller, a material which is creep resistant, dimensionally stable, and has inherent latency, is formed.

Abstract: A method of securing an elastic band having an elastic and a meltable material film to an article includes the steps of extending the article on a workbench, positioning the elastic band on the article, activating the meltable material layer, pressing the elastic band on the article, and cutting the article along with an edge of the elastic band. The method preferably further includes the step of heat-pressing the secured elastic band. An apparatus for performing the method includes an axis, a roller mounted on the axis, a cutter having a blade, and a pipe supplying a hot air toward an area of the article on which the elastic band is positioned. The roller and the cutter are freely rotational with respect to the axis. When the article is in contact with the roller, a movement of the appratus or the article makes the roller and the cutter rotate. With this configuration, it is possible to more efficiently secure the elastic band to the article, and the cutting and the securing are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of applying curved leg elastics to absorbent garments involves stretching and wrapping an elastic ribbon about a curved side of a puck. A portion of the elastic ribbon is simultaneously folded onto a top surface of the puck. The puck is attached to a rotating device that rotates the puck into alignment with a substrate. The substrate is then bonded to the portion of the elastic ribbon in its stretched position on the puck, thereby forming a finished seam. The resulting absorbent garments have gasket-like leg openings with improved comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: Thermoplastic film, microporous film, and laminates thereof, are made at high speeds on the order of about 500 fpm to about 1200 fpm. Bond strengths of film and nonwoven laminates are effectively controlled by air cooling devices which cause the air to flow substantially parallel to the extruded web during drawdown and provide a plurality of cooling air vortices to effectively cool the web. Film gauge control is also achieved by the method.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bonded optical disc includes the steps of coating a solution on a substrate, heating the coated solution and the substrate to thereby form a recording layer on the substrate, and adhering a dummy substrate to the recording layer, wherein the dummy substrate is also heated.

Abstract: An absorbent article having both outwardly extending and upwardly extending side cuffs is disclosed. The article has a perimeter defined at least in part by a pair of oppositely disposed ends and oppositely disposed sides that extend substantially between the ends. A pair of side flanges extends from a proximal portion adjacent an absorbent structure to a distal portion proximate one of the article sides. Each side flange has a base element, an outer zone disposed adjacent the perimeter and an inner zone disposed between the outer zone and the absorbent structure. There is an elastically extensible element having a width sufficient to span at least the inner zone and a portion of the outer zone, a thickness, and a length. Each elastically extensible element is laminated to the cover material to form a cuff laminate. Each cuff laminate is attached to the base element of the side flange in the outer zone, but each is unattached to the base layer in the inner zone.

Abstract: The apparatus for manufacturing wearing articles includes: a pair of nip rolls for nipping a first web and a first elastic member; a first moving section movable in a direction crossing the first web; and a first guide head provided on the first moving section for feeding the first elastic member at a position upstream of a position at which the first web is nipped, wherein the radius of at least one of the pair of nip rolls is about 15 mm to about 35 mm, and a distance D between a plane including axes of the pair of nip rolls and a point at which the first guide head releases the first elastic member is about 30 mm or less.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a laminated, gathered, elastic web. The method includes the steps of feeding a first substrate in a machine direction, feeding a second substrate aligned with the first substrate in the machine direction, and feeding an array of elastomeric strand material between the first and second substrates in such a manner that the elastomeric strand material is stretched in the machine direction and aligned with the first and second substrates. A hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive, such as a styrene-isoprene-styrene based adhesive, is applied to one substrate, and a curable adhesive, such as a polyurethane based adhesive, is applied to the other substrate. Thereafter, the two substrates and the elastomeric strand material are compressed to form a laminate elastic web while maintaining the elastomeric strand material in its stretched state. Machine direction tension is maintained on the laminate until the hot melt adhesive cools and bonds the layers together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of securing an elastic band (13) between two material layers (14) which consist at least partially of meltable material. According to the invention, the elastic band is provided with perforations in the form of holes and/or slots. The band is placed between the two material layers and the layers are bonded together through the perforations by melting or fusing the layers together at locations opposite the perforations. The invention also relates to an elastic band which has been affixed in this manner and to a diaper which includes such a band.

Abstract: A method of applying curved leg elastics to absorbent garments involves stretching and wrapping a pair of elastic ribbons about a first curved surface of a pair of disks. A portion of each of the elastic ribbons folds onto a second surface of each of the disks. The disks are rotated about a point off-center from a center point of the disks. The portions of the elastic ribbons on the second surfaces of the disks are rotated onto a substrate and bonded to the substrate in their stretched positions on the disks, thereby forming finished seams. The resulting absorbent garments have gasket-like leg openings with improved comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: Laminates of thermoplastic films and nonwoven fibrous webs are made at high speeds on the order of about 700 fpm to about 1200 fpm. Bond strengths of film and nonwoven laminates are effectively controlled to make breathable laminates at high speeds. Air cooling devices cause the air to flow substantially parallel to the extruded plastic web during drawdown and provide a plurality of cooling air vortices to effectively cool the web. Film gauge control is also achieved by the method.

Abstract: An additive device which improves the function of a computer mouse. More specifically one that appends to the form of a round, or otherwise characteristically non-axial computer mouse, such that the user is afforded the axial tactile registration (between hand, mouse, and by extension, on-screen cursor) associated with the more commonly produced elongated-type mouse. A thin shell, flexible plastic (or other) material is cast into a generally elongated form, and is at least partially hollow on the underside so as to clip snugly over and onto the body of the circular mouse. The shell is held in place by friction and/or by the use of tapes, either adhesive or hook & eye type. The button(s) of the host circular mouse remain accessible to the hand of the user, either directly or through the provision of extensions built into the additive shell.

Abstract: A method of producing refastenable side seams in an absorbent garment results in an absorbent garment that is adapted to easy application and removal. The refastenable side seams can be produced in a cross direction. Each of the refastenable side seams includes a lap side seam and a standing butt seam. The lap side seam puts the seams under shearing strain during use, as opposed to peel forces.

Abstract: A method of constructing a filter screen is described. This involves forming a polymer support frame including therein a plurality of substantially similarly sized rectilinear apertures, defined by an integral rectilinear matrix of wire reinforced struts of polymer material. An upper edge of each strut is ridged and an upper surface of each boundary of the support frame provided with a plurality of ridges. One or more woven wirecloths are fitted over the ridges and tensioned. The wirecloths are secured in place by heating at least the ridges so as to soften the polymer material sufficiently to allow the wirecloths to penetrate crests of the ridges and upon cooling to remain embedded therein. This maintains tension in the wirecloths after cooling. The wires in one of the wirecloths are preferably tensioned differently from those in the other, so that different tensions exist in the wires of the two cloths after bonding to the frame.

Abstract: Methods of forming decorative elements such as decorative grass and glitter possessing a unique optical effect from a laminated sheet of optical effect material. The decorative elements have a curl or a crimp set therein to enhance the light-reflecting characteristics of the decorative elements and to provide greater volume of the decorative elements for a given weight of decorative elements.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated With a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.

Abstract: Through-the-thickness reinforcement to an uncured laminated composite material is achieved by the use of an impulsive force to drive a rod through the composite material. The small size of the rod helps it provide reinforcement without substantially compromising in-plane mechanical properties. The impulsive force is preferably delivered with a machine that comprises a rod guide for guiding the reinforcing rod into the composite material and a ram with a hardened driving portion face for thrusting the rod along the rod guide.