Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate web comprising of high glass transition polymer fibers. The fibers are spun at low to moderate speeds and have a relative crystallinity of from 10% to 75% of the maximum achievable crystallinity. The intermediate web is a low crystallinity web that exhibits shrinkage of more than 30% and elongation to break of more than 80% at high strain rates. This web can be heat treated to reduce shrinkage to less than 15% while the web is capable of at least about 60% elongation at a strain rate of at least about 50 second−1.

Abstract: A multi-layered stretched resin film comprises a base layer (A) comprising more than 90 wt % of a polyolefinic resin and less than 10 wt % of an inorganic fine powder and/or an organic filler; and an amorphous resin-containing layer (B), comprising 0 to 85 wt % of a second polyolefinic resin, which may be the same or different than the first polyolefinic resin, and 15 to 100 wt % of an amorphous resin. The amorphous resin-containing layer (B) is disposed on at least one side of the base layer (A), and has a porosity of 5% or less. Such multi-layered stretched resin films are resistant to waving or curling caused by exposure to the vehicle component of offset printing inks during offset printing, and therefore have excellent printing properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a single-use, disposable absorbent laminate containing one or more layers of hydrophilic meltspun material bonded to a breathable film. The meltspun fabric layer may include at least one spunbonded fabric, meltblown fabric or other nonwoven fabric that is made hydrophilic prior to bonding to the film. The filaments or microfibers of the spunbonded or meltblown fabrics may contain a hydrophilic additive in or on the filaments or microfibers. The film of the surgical drape remains breathable while enabling the laminate to resist penetration by liquids and viruses.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and administration of medical solutions. The container incorporates a transparent front sheet made from a planar layer of a polymer and an opposing rear sheet. The rear sheet is made from a planar laminate layer. The front and rear sheets are sealed together along a common peripheral edge to form a volume enclosure. The volume enclosure is constructed of materials having high oxygen and moisture barrier properties which allows the container thermoplastic to be stored for extended periods of time without degrading the contents. The volume enclosure is then inflated with a pressurized gas to permanently stretch the front and rear sheets outwardly and to thereby increase the volume capacity of the container. An alternative embodiment of the container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by peelable seals, for containing a diluent and a medicament.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by a pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

Abstract: A placement device, comprising: a guide section for guiding an elastic member; a first nip roll and a second nip roll for pressing together the elastic member and a web; a transfer section capable of transferring the guide section across the web; and an indicating section for indicating a position, wherein when the guide section comes close to the position while moving in a first direction, the transfer section can stop transferring the guide section in response to a signal from the indicating section.

Abstract: A method of making mutually-reinforced elastic strand/film composites and laminates in which film breakage, strand breakage, and strand alignment problems are minimized or avoided. The method includes casting an elastomeric adhesive film onto a chill roll, extruding elastic strands onto the film while the film is on a chill roll, and stretching the film and strand composite. The stretched composite may be laminated between two facing sheets. Additionally, tension in the composite may be controlled through film composition, strand composition, add-on rate, stretching the composite, and combinations of any of these approaches.

Abstract: An automated process is provided that includes loading a blank on a carrier and moving one of the carrier or the blank to more than one of a number of stations. The carrier has at least a portion with a desired shape that provides the blank with a stretched condition. Each station performs an operation on the blank while the blank is mounted on the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a single-use, disposable absorbent laminate containing one or more layers of hydrophilic meltspun material bonded to a breathable film. The meltspun fabric layer may include at least one spunbonded fabric, meltblown fabric or other nonwoven fabric that is made hydrophilic prior to bonding to the film. The filaments or microfibers of the spunbonded or meltblown fabrics may contain a hydrophilic additive in or on the filaments or microfibers. The film of the surgical drape remains breathable while enabling the laminate to resist penetration by liquids and viruses.

Abstract: A body waste disposable article adapted to receive feces and/or urine discharged thereon, the article having a body fluids absorbent means above which an opening is formed by a surrounding wall partially covering the body fluids absorbent means and surrounding the opening. The article is longitudinally composed of a front end, a rear end and an intermediate region extending between these two ends. The article is configured so as to have the largest width in its intermediate region.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for manufacturing large PTFE parts by compression molding followed by sintering. The method comprises layering modified and unmodified PTFE in a mold, and compressing the layers to form a preform part. Once the preform parts are formed, they are assembled such that the areas of preform parts which are to be bonded together are the modified PTFE sections. The parts are then sintered and the modified PTFE sections bond together creating a strong, durable, bond.

Abstract: Disclosed is a registration system and a method useful for controlling and correcting the phase and position of simultaneously advancing webs having pre-printed objects spaced at a pitch length characterized by small but significant pitch variation to a target web. Also disclosed are consumer products, such as disposable absorbent articles including the preprinted objects which were previously included in the webs phased before combining with a target web by utilizing the instant registration system. The pre-printed objects may include pre-printed, pre-bonded, pre-applied, pre-cut, or pre-glued objects or elements of disposable absorbent articles or registration marks produced on a separate independent process not control-linked to the instant registration method. The registration marks may be visible or normally invisible to the human eye.

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 stretch label attaching device for attaching a stretch label on a good, including an adapter supporting the label from the inside thereof and has an opening into which the good is inserted; an adapter support member configured to support a lower portion of the adapter and has an opening into which the good is inserted; and an adapter fixing member configured to fix the lower portion of the adapter together with the adapter support member. A method for attaching a stretch label on a good including setting a stretch label on the adapter mentioned above; inserting the good into the openings of the adapter and adapter support member while extending the label at a ratio not greater than 5%; and releasing the stretch label attaching device from the good while holding the label, to attach the label to the predetermined position of the good.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a composite sheet by joining a second web made of thermoplastic synthetic fiber and capable of inelastic extension to at least one surface of a first web capable of elastic stretch and contraction in an intermittent manner. The process involves a step of extending the first web and a step of allowing the first web to retract, and a step of joining a second web to the second web while in a retracted state are included.

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: A method for manufacturing an absorbent article comprising the steps of continuously feeding out a long, extensible, continuous member (5) from a predetermined position, cutting the continuous member (5) into lengths (P1) each equivalent to a length of one sheet of the absorbent article at a predetermined position, and fixedly arranging the cut continuous member at a predetermined position of the absorbent article, wherein a predetermined pattern is preliminarily printed on the continuous member (5) at a printing pitch shorter than the cutting length (P1) of the continuous member, and the speed for feeding out is controlled such that the predetermined pattern is located at a predetermined part of the cut continuous member, thereby obtaining the absorbent article in which the predetermined pattern is arranged at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method is provided for altering residual stresses in a fiber-metal-laminate structure. At least a first fiber laminate substrate layer having first and second surfaces is provided. At least a first outer metallic laminate layer having third and fourth surfaces is provided, and the first and fourth surface is provided, and the first and fourth surfaces are bonded together. The third surface is peened, such that the at least first fiber laminate substrate layer is subjected to residual tensile stresses and the at least first outer metallic laminate layer is subjected to residual compression stresses. Peening defines a peened region that extends from the third surface into the at least first outer metallic laminate layer a finite distance that is closer to the third surface than the fourth surface.

Abstract: A method for making a bulky web. A web is fed in a first direction. The web is subjected to incremental stretching in a direction perpendicular to the first direction to provide a bulky web. The bulky web is then stabilized to provide a stabilized bulked web, Optionally, the bulky web may be gathered after it has been subjected to incremental stretching.

Abstract: A method of producing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material including the steps of extruding a first material to form a first extrudate, and extruding a second PTFE material to form a second extrudate, wherein the first PTFE material is more expandable than the second PTFE material. A stack is formed from at least one layer of the first extrudate and at least one layer of the second extrudate, and the stack is expanded and sintered to form the article.

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 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: A process for producing a chip, comprising the steps of: setting an object to be diced on a pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for producing chip comprising at least one layer of shrinkable film, an expansible film and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer for setting the object; fixing edges of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheet for producing chip; dicing the object into chips, and shrinking the shrinkable film to thereby expand chip spacings. In the process for producing small chips such as semiconductor chips, chip spacings can be expanded without the need to conduct the conventional expansion step.

Abstract: A method for making absorbent pads for various absorbent articles is provided. A strip of the absorbent web material is conveyed along a machine direction, the absorbent web material having a generally first constant cross-direction width and generally first uniform basis weight. Longitudinally defined portions of the web material are stretched in the cross direction so as to define longitudinal sections having a wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight alternately spaced between longitudinally extending sections of the web material having a lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight. The web is released eventually cut in a cross direction into individual absorbent pads such that each pad has a crotch section corresponding to the longitudinal section having the lesser cross-direction width and greater basis weight and at least one of a front section and back section corresponding to the wider cross-direction width and decreased basis weight.

Abstract: The apparatus for sticking a tape onto a semiconductor wafer comprises a winding tape roll for winding a tape wound around a tape roll, a taper roller having a diameter which is tapered or reduced toward both ends thereof, a wafer table mounting thereon a semiconductor wafer which is taken out from a wafer carrier station and positioning the wafer thereon, an orientation flat cutter and a circumferential cutter.

Abstract: A method for the automated, series application of a self-adhering protective film to a surface portion of vehicle body includes (1) readying of a film piece, pulled off from a supply roll, in a readying station in a stretched-out, fold-free state by at least one holding element; and (2) pulled off the film piece to the desired length from the supply roll, cutting off the film piece and holding on opposite edges, with the fold-free stretched-out state being retained and being transferred into the application station. The next film piece, which is pulled behind by the film piece is held stretched out in the fold-free state by the at least one holding element of the readying station. The film piece is applied to the body by lowering it in a positionally correct manner, by the at least one application robot, onto an associated surface portion of the body and is pressed onto the portion in a fold-free and bubble-free manner.

Abstract: A method for producing a wearing article of the present invention includes the steps of: supplying an elastic member; stretching the elastic member; placing the stretched elastic member so that the elastic member spreads across a plurality of first webs divided in a transport direction; making a part of a second web loose in the transport direction while transporting the second web, thereby forming a loose portion; placing the first webs, on which the elastic member is disposed, on non-loose portions before and after the loose portion of the second web; and cutting the elastic member between adjacent first webs of the plurality of first webs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a film-fabric composite (includinng a film-fabric laminate) wherein the fabric is characterized as having improved tensile elongation (without rupture). In particular, the invention pertains to a method of making a film-fabric laminate having structual elastic-like behavior wherein the fabric is a nonwoven thermally bonded fabric characterized as having improved high strain rate tensile elongation and comprises a plurality of fibers comprised of at least one polypropylene polymer and at least one ethylene polymer, wherein the method comprises stretching the laminate at a high strain rate. The improved farbic is characterized by higher high strain rate tensile properties and a broader bond window which is also shifted to substantially lower temperatures with regard to maximum tensile properties.

Abstract: A flexible, vapor permeable, liquid impermeable composite fabric comprising a ultraviolet light stabilized and thermally stabilized microporous-formable polyolefin barrier layer extrusion laminated to an ultra-violet light stabilized and thermally stabilized polyolefin nonwoven fabric, the composite of which has been incrementally stretched to induce sufficient moisture vapor transmission characteristics while maintaining adequate resistance to water penetration, and methods of making the composite. This composite may be further laminated to one or more layers of either woven or nonwoven materials offering strength and environmental resistance characteristics sufficient for various outdoor applications including covers and building construction products. Embodiments of the above mentioned components have been shown to offer improved liquid resistance, environmental stability, and abrasion resistance as compared to existing commercially available materials.

Abstract: Breathable materials comprise a low-elongation fabric layer and a microporous coating thereon. The microporous coating comprises a crystalline polymer composition and a filler. The materials are suitable for use in various applications including housewrap and other construction embodiments. Methods of making a breathable material comprise extrusion coating a low-elongation fabric layer with a composition comprising a crystalline polymer composition and a filler to form a coating on the low-elongation fabric layer, and incrementally stretching the coated nonwoven layer to render the coating microporous.

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: The method and apparatus of the present invention prevents the formation of pin-holes during stretching of strip laminates in the cross-machine direction (CD). Pin-holes are prevented by creating slack areas (10a) along the length of the laminate (10) where the edges of the non-woven strips (14) meet with the polymer film (12), pressing the slack areas (10a) into the interdigital stretching rollers (26) without stretching the slack areas (10a), and stretching the remainder of the laminate (10) in a typical manner. The slack areas (10a) are formed prior to interdigitation by, for example, formation of a furrow, a fold or a corrugation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for preparing a microporous laminated sheet, which allows a stable breath ability of microporous film to be maintained while making an adhesion of the microporous film excellent. Also, a method of preparing the microporous laminated sheet using the system and a microporous laminated sheet prepared thereby are disclosed. The preparing system includes an adhesive-applying section serving to apply an adhesive in the linear or lattice shape on the microporous film.

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 and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.

Abstract: Non-embossed film products permeable to moisture vapor and which act as barriers to liquid are made by a high speed method. The microporous products have high moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTRs) on the order of about 2000 to about 4500 gms/m2/day according to ASTM E96E.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distinctive method and apparatus (20) for forming an article which includes one or more selectively configured strands of material. In particular aspects, the invention can provide a method and apparatus for wrapping a strand of material with a selected filament, and desirably, the filament can be an adhesive filament. The technique of the invention can include a moving of a strand of material (22) at a selected speed along an appointed machine-direction (34). A substantially continuous filament (24) can be directed onto the strand of material (22) along an oscillating filament path (26) to form a plurality of filament threads (28) extending from opposed lateral side regions (30) of the strand of material (22). An air stream (32) is directed to operatively wrap the filament threads (28) around the strand of material (22).

Abstract: A method of making a microporous laminate sheet having a first film layer and a second layer. The first film layer includes a pore initiator and is bonded to the second layer in order to form a laminate sheet. The laminate sheet is then stretched using at least one CD intermeshing stretcher and at least one MDO stretching unit. Methods of making a microporous film is well as a microporous film laminate are also provided, along with an apparatus for stretching a film or laminate.

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: An elastically stretchable composite sheet that includes an elastic layer and an inelastic layer formed with stretchable fibers having a relatively small diameter and bonded to at least one surface of the elastic layer. In the inelastic layer bonded to the elastic layer is formed with thermoplastic synthetic fiber, at least 80% by weight of stretchable fibers includes thermoplastic synthetic fiber containing lubricant of 0.1˜5.0% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of fabricating an absorbent article. In one method of the invention, combination containment flaps and leg cuffs are formed on a common substrate. A plurality of elastomeric elements are included in the combination article to assist in forming containment flaps. Discrete leg cuff pieces are applied to the substrate at longitudinally spaced locations. In some embodiments, a cutting device slits the substrate substantially along a center line extending the length of the substrate, forming two continuous substrate portions. A glue gun applies adhesive to the substrate portion. The substrate portions are folded lengthwise, using the adhesive to form integral containment flaps and leg cuffs in a composite substrate. The composite substrate is secured to an absorbent article web sausage in forming absorbent articles. In another embodiment, the substrate is a first substrate which supports elastomeric elements used in forming leg cuffs and containment flaps.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrode assembly for an electric double layer capacitor having an electrode layer comprising a carbonaceous material and a first binder, formed on at least one side of a metal current collector foil, which comprises the following steps A to D: Step A: a step of coating an electroconductive adhesive comprising an electroconductive powder, a second binder and a solvent, on at least one side of a metal current collector foil; Step B: a step of drying the metal current collector foil coated with the electroconductive adhesive to remove at least a part of the solvent and to form an electroconductive bonding layer; Step C: a step of preparing a formed product of sheet shape comprising the carbonaceous material and the first binder; and Step D: a step of placing the formed product of sheet shape on the electroconductive bonding layer to form a laminate comprising the metal current collector foil and the formed product of sheet shape, and rolling the laminate to reduce the thickness o

Abstract: Multi-ply tissue product is bonded by an adhesive spray whose position is controlled so that the web path distance between the spray application and the location where the webs are forced together permits sprayed adhesive to partially but not completely set during travel over that web path distance at operating web speeds. Typically, the web path distance between the nozzle and the location is more than 140 inches. The webs are positioned one in back of the other and each is unwound onto its own carrier roll, with the spray positioned between the carrier rolls.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the manufacture of a spunbonded fabric consisting of thermobonded curled bicomponent fibers where the bicomponent fibers consist of two plastic materials with different properties. The process according to the invention consist of three steps: the fibers spun from the two plastic materials are drawn off uncurled and stretched in a first step. In a second step the fibers are placed on a sieve belt and thermobonded. In a third step the bicomponent fibers of the obtained nonwoven fabric are finally curled by lengthwise and/or transverse stretching and heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing pressure sensitive adhesive tear tape for use in tearing an overwrap material includes providing a web of a polymeric material which is biaxially-oriented, slitting the web into a plurality of side by side continuous tapes, drawing each continuous tape longitudinally to effect additional longitudinal orientation of the tape and winding each tape into a separate spool. In a second separate process, the tapes side by side are unwound and passed through a printing line where a coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the first tape surface and a coating of a release agent is applied to the second tape surface to provide a release action relative to the adhesive. Each continuous tape with the adhesive coating thereon is wound into a respective cylindrical tape spools for supply to the packaging line.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a decorative boards, which boards includes a decorative layer, wherein a decor sheet is placed as a surface layer on a base layer and bonded thereto by pressing under elevated temperature and pressure. The decor sheet is cut to a predetermined format from a web, the cut being arranged on a fixed position related to possible repetition frequency of a decor pattern of the web. The decor sheet is then accurately placed on a base layer with a predetermined format. The decor sheet is spot welded to the base layer. A number of such base layers with attached decor sheets are then, one after the other, fed in between the belts of a continuous laminate press, optionally together with an uppermost wear layer. The base layers, the decor sheets and possibly the optional wear layer is then laminated together under heat and pressure in the laminate press.

Abstract: Specific nonwoven fabrics having a good hand, high strength both wet and dry, and very high absorbency are useful for disposable health care and commercial bedding material. These fabrics are composed of randomly entangled natural and synthetic fibers interconnected so that the individual fibers are held in place to form a coherent, stable, strong fabric having a high absorption capacity. The fabrics are cut and converted to the desired dimensions. Bottom coverings can include elastic strips that can be fastened for a close fit to beds, cribs, gurneys and the like, regardless of shape.

Abstract: The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus (10) comprising a plurality of means for forming web loops (101), each means for forming web loops being positioned between adjacent web support plates (20), wherein each of the web support surfaces lies in an arc, the arcs lying around the circumference of a circular path, and wherein the web support surfaces and means for forming web loops (101) are rotatably mounted about the axis of the circular path. In a prefered embodiment of the invention, the means for forming web loops (101) is provided by rotatably driving the web support plates (20) around the circular path with a circumferential velocity, wherein the circumferential velocity is varied between a minimum circumferential velocity and a maximum circumferential velocity so that the distance between adjacent web support plates (20) varies between a minimum distance and a maximum distance.

Abstract: Redetachable, self-adhesive device having a plate, the sides and/or front side of which have fastening means, if appropriate, and the rear side of which has a strip of an adhesive film which is adhesive on both sides and is adhesively attached in such a way that one end of the adhesive film protrudes beyond the plate as a grip, the adhesive film being of such a kind that the adhesive bond achieved with it can be released again by pulling in the direction of the bonding plane, stretching the strip, characterized in that the rear side of the plate (1) has laterally alongside the adhesively attached adhesive film (5) spacers (3A, 3B), the height of which is less than the thickness of the adhesive film (5).

Abstract: A composite web including an elastically stretchable web and an inelastically stretchable web bonded together is stretched on a course defined between at least two nip roll pairs to obtain an elastically stretchable composite sheet. The composite web is brought into contact with a peripheral surface of at least one roll of each nip roll pair over an area of the peripheral surface defined by a quadrant of this roll's circular cross section.