Abstract: The process according to the present invention provides to perform, initially, on the surface of a stretchable film (F) to be reinforced, a plurality of microdamaging (ML) and to join thereafter the microdamaged film (F) with longitudinal reinforcing strips (S), pre-stretched and edged; said edgings are formed by folding inwardly the strip edges, causing thus a further stretching of the strips and a consequent increase of their mechanical resistance.

Abstract: Articles of apparel and the method of making the same which include a shaped body portion that will allow water vapor due to perspiration to transpire through the article but will prevent water from external sources from reaching the wearer's extremities. The articles of apparel include a body portion that is of three-ply construction with the inside and outside plies being stretch and return and constructed from a meeting yam having a stretchable components and the intermediate ply being made from an elastomeric polyurethane film. The three plies are uniquely bonded together using a specially formulated, waterproof powdered adhesive having a particle size of between about 200 and about 300 microns. The adhesive is melted at a closely controlled temperature to securely bond together the stretch and return fabric components and the elastomeric polyurethane film components to form a finished article.

Abstract: A tool and method for bonding two carpet pieces by use of a vacuum which forces air to move upwardly through the carpet and to cool the hot glue adhesive. The invention goes beyond providing a uniquely strong bond by leveling the carpets on both sides of the bond seam. Thus it also has the ability to bond a thin side of carpet with a thicker side of carpet because of leveling of the carpet on both sides of the bond seam thus hiding the seam more perfectly (many times when a carpet manufacturer shears a carpet one side will be thicker than the other side). Alternately, thin carpets may be bonded without risk of having a weak bond. When several carpets are bonded together with multiple seams, the carpet may be stretched more than conventionally bonded carpets due to the great strength of bonds made in accordance with this invention. All species of the invention enjoy a substantial savings in time needed for seaming.

Abstract: The invention comprises an absorbent garment and a method for making an absorbent garment. An absorbent garment is provided comprising elastic side belts attached at an angle to the main body of the garment to provide a better fit to the user. Adjustment strips preferably are affixed to the elastic side belts and to the main body of the garment to allow the user to repeatedly adjust the garment while the garment is being worn. A method for making the absorbent garment also is disclosed.

Abstract: Improved polarized materials are formed from dry powder blends of materials that demonstrate piezoelectric properties. Specifically, at least one nylon and at least one vinylidene containing polymer are mixed together to form a blended polarized material. Single-layered and multi-layered films including the blended polarized material, as well as methods for their manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent article (1) having a liquid-retentive absorbing layer (2), a liquid-impermeable leakproof layer (3), and standing gathers (4) on each side thereof which have an elastically extensible portion (40) coming into planar contact with the wearer's skin while worn, wherein the elastically extensible portion (40) is made of a sheet (44) and at least one elastic member (45), the elastic member (45) being fixed to the sheet (44) discretely in the longitudinal direction thereof in their stretched state, and the parts of the sheet where the elastic member (45) is not fixed are raised by contraction of the elastic member (45) to form a plurality of hollow ridges (43) on the side of the elastically extensible portion (40) to be brought into contact with the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for securing a fragile wafer (16) to a wafer tape (26) secured taut across a wafer frame (24). A gentle point force (72) is provided by a roller wheel (36) mounted on a rotatable arm (30) to securely adhere the wafer tape (26) to the backside of the wafer (16). Preferably, a spiral pattern (70) is formed by the rotating roller (36) to secure the wafer tape (26) to the wafer (16) to avoid forming air bubbles or creases between the wafer tape and wafer. The method and apparatus is especially suitable for securely adhering fragile wafers to wafer tape that are to be subsequently broken along kerfs.

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: 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: Lamellar, fibre-reinforced plastic strips can be used to reinforce a linearly expanded or flat construction part having a support function against any bending stress to which it is exposed. The strips are usually applied to the construction from the outside, or from the inside in the case of hollow structures, and fixed by an adhesive. The lamellar strips are pretensed with a tensioning device, treated with adhesive in a pretensed state, and then moved to the area to be treated together with the tension device. The tension device is provisionally fixed to the construction with displaceable fixing devices and pressed against said construction. Thereafter the lamellar strips are pressed against the construction by means of an air bag or air hose until the adhesive has hardened.

Abstract: A method for producing a stretch-thinned elastic article having dimensional stability over time and at elevated temperatures in which a thermoplastic block copolymer is melt-processed into a stretchable article such as a film or fiber. The article is then conditioned at an elevated temperature greater than or equal to a glass transition temperature (Tg) of a hard phase of the thermoplastic block copolymer. The article is stretch-thinned at the elevated temperature to a desired percentage stretch, forming a stretch-thinned article, after which it is cooled to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the hard phase of the thermoplastic block copolymer. Films produced by this method are suitable for use in durable and disposable articles including personal care articles such as diapers, incontinence wear, training pants, and feminine care articles, as well as wound dressings, wipes, towels, napkins, and protective apparel.

Abstract: A method for sealing a container comprising a cup and lid is disclosed. The cup has a lip with a raised sealing bead along its length. During sealing, the raised sealing bead compresses, thereby stretching the adhesive layer on the lower portion of the lid out of the way and forming a direct welded seal with the heat-resistant layer of the lid. The adhesive to either side of the sealing bead forms an adhesive seal between the lid and the remaining portion of the lip. This type of double seal is particularly effective in forming a durable, consistent seal when product is present on the lip of the container. The welded seal is also well suited to situations when the cup may be warped or the sealing bead is otherwise caused to be higher along some portion of its length than along other portions.

Abstract: Hot-melt adhesive compositions of atactic polypropylene and isotactic polypropylene are particularly suitable for bonding non-woven elastic composites. A selected amount of isotactic polypropylene is blended with a selected amount of atactic polypropylene to prepare an adhesive composition having one or more performance properties (e.g., bond strength) that are superior to the performance properties of conventional hot-melt adhesives.

Abstract: In a method and device for applying a thread to a moving substrate, a thread is continuously dispensed to a pick-up point adjacent to the point of contact of two rotating wheels (2, 3) that are inclined towards each other. The peripheries of the wheels have fingers (7) which hook the thread and move it to one side or the other as the wheels rotate, and then deposit the thread extended between the fingers 180° from the pick-up point. Long spaces between the fingers (7) on one wheel or the other make it possible to lay the thread longitudinally (8b) or in a long diagonal line instead of merely in a lateral zigzag pattern. The method and device may be used to make an absorbent article, such as a diaper.

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: 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: The invention relates to methods of fabricating absorbent articles. In a method of the invention, a bodyside liner, an absorbent core, and an outer cover are joined to form an absorbent article web sausage. Leg cut-outs are cut on opposing sides of the web sausage, and a waist opening is cut in a central region of the web sausage. Adhesive is applied to one of (i) a waist piece material and (ii) the web sausage about the waist opening; and also to one of (iii) extensible leg cuff material and (iv) the web sausage adjacent the leg cut-outs. A waist piece is severed from waist piece material, and is placed. over the waist opening and secured to the web sausage. Leg cuffs are severed from the leg cuff material, and are placed over the leg cutouts and secured to the web sausage. The waist piece and leg cut-outs are preferably stretched to a dimension representing about 5% to about 95% of stretch-to-stop dimensions when bonded to the web sausage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relatively soft, largely planar, though three-dimensional product, obtainable by means of an embossing tool for converting a relatively soft, planar starting product as a result of embossing to the extent that an embossing pattern exists which comprises a plurality of “hinged parallelograms” that are limited by lines of compressed material such that when tractive forces are applied, this hinged parallelogram structure behaves like a pantograph and a secondary bulk is superimposed as a result of a stretching process on the primary bulk produced by the embossing.

Abstract: A method of coating core having a metal surface with a uniform thickness, smooth, thin layer of fluorinated polymer calls for inserting the core into a sleeve of the polymer. The sleeve has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the core so that the sleeve stretches to form a skin-tight fit over the core upon insertion. The assembly of sleeve and core is then subjected, in sequence, to aging under vacuum at a temperature below the softening point of the polymer prior, heating to a temperature above the softening point, and cooling below the softening point to thermally bond the fluorinated polymer to the metal surface. A firm bond is achieved without additional adhesive components or etching of the surface. A fuser roll for suitable for electrophotographic copy machine service can be prepared by this method without the need for a separate, post-bonding burnishing step to smooth the exposed surface of the fluorinated polymer layer.

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: Laminated elastic webs are manufactured in a pre-stretched condition using a laminating machine. A conveyor system located downstream of the laminating machine conveys the laminated elastic webs to packaging machines (e.g. reject splicers and festooners). The conveyor system operates at speeds proportionally less than the line speed of the laminating machine so that the laminated elastic web relaxes from its stretched condition, and becomes fully or almost fully relaxed and gathered before packaging. Sufficient relaxation is important before packaging so that the laminated elastic web does not set in stretched form while packaged, or alternatively relax further while packaged to create dead space within the packaging container. The conveyor system preferably includes an inclined conveyor belt followed by a multi-lane air conveyor. Each lane of the air conveyor gently transports one of several laminated elastic webs from the belt conveyor to the respective packaging machine.

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 for flattening non-flat areas of screening material of a screen assembly, the non-flat areas of screening material between lines of glue gluing together a plurality of layers of screening material, the plurality of glued-together layers of screening material secured to a frame, the method including mounting the screen assembly on a vibratory separator, the vibratory separator located in an environment at an ambient temperature, vibrating the screen assembly with the vibratory separator for a period of time, feeding material to be treated onto the screen assembly, the material to be treated at a material temperature above the ambient temperature, the period of time of such a temporal length and the material temperature of such a temperature to effect flattening of the non-flat areas of screening material.

Abstract: The process in accordance with the invention for producing a three-dimensional surface structure in a paper poster or paper photograph is used especially for the plastic reproduction of paintings. A paper poster or paper photograph is thereby placed face down onto a structured matrix and fixed, the paper poster or paper photograph being equal in size to or smaller than the matrix. A canvas is then adhered onto the back surface of the poster or photograph and the resulting stack of layers cold pressed. After the pressing, the structured laminate of paper poster or paper photograph and adhered canvas is then removed from the matrix, mounted under tension onto a frame, and sealed. In the preferred embodiment, the matrix is an imprint of the original painting and the paper poster is a print of the original painting in the original size.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for constructing a rotatable sleeve device. The rotatable sleeve device includes a sleeve disposed about a container, preferable positioned and held in place by at least one surface contour. In one embodiment, the sleeve is made of a rigid, but flexible material. The sleeve is formed with expansion joints such that the joints allow the sleeve to expand over the surface contour of the container in order to position the sleeve about the container or to remove the sleeve from the container. The rotatable sleeve further includes at least one transparent region which permits viewing of an underlying subset of indicia disposed on an inner label or directly on the container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a spunbonded fabric from thermobonded crimped bicomponent fibers. The bicomponent fibers each consist of two plastic materials with different properties. The inventive method comprises three steps: in the first step, the uncrimped fibers spun from the two plastic materials are detached and drawn. In the second step, the fibers are placed on a perforated belt and thermobonded.

Abstract: apparatus for repairing or refurbishing a filter screen (of the type defined in the specification) is described. The apparatus comprises a tray for accommodating a filter screen frame from which worn wirecloth has been stripped. Wirecloth stretching means surrounds the tray which includes attachment means for securing to edges of a sheet of wirecloth laid over an upper surface of the frame in the tray. Tensioning means is provided for exerting tension on the wirecloth in at least two mutually different directions so as to stretch it over the frame, and heating means is provided for heating the frame to soften the uppermost edges of a matrix of struts and periphery of the frame. Forcing means serves to force the wirecloth into the softened edges such that after cooling, the wirecloth remains bonded to the frame. Thereafter the wirecloth can be trimmed back to the edges of the frame.

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 method of constructing a frame (10) for a filtering screen from a polymer material is described in which a wire frame reinforcement is wholly encapsulated during the frame moulding process so that two parallel spaced apart wires extend through each of the intersecting orthogonal ribs (14, 16) which define the open area of the frame (10) across which the wire-cloths (158, 159) are stretched. The surfaces of the frame (10) in which the wirecloths (158, 159) are embedded are formed with ridges (22, 30, 32) and the crests of the latter extend to different heights. The crest are softened by heating during the manufacturing process and the wirecloths (158, 159) stretched over the frame (10) are forced into the softened crests after which the assembly is allowed to cool and cure. The frame (10) is re-usable by stripping wirecloths (158, 159) from the top of the frame (10) and fitting fresh wirecloths over the plastics material and heating the regions which are to encapsulate the fresh wirecloth.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment. The process is carried out by loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture. A waist elastic member can be bonded to a waist area of the insert. A garment shell can be applied over the insert and the waist elastic member. A waist area of the garment shell can be attached to the waist elastic member and to the waist area of the insert.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for high speed manufacture of a composite sheet material, which includes a cylindrical cam-driven strand-traverse guide that can loop strands around pins projecting from a pair of advancing pin conveyors which can transfer the strands to the surface of a moving sheet, are provided. When the strands are elastic, the elastic composite sheet material made by this process and apparatus are useful in elastic components of disposable diapers, adult incontinence articles and other garments.

Abstract: Stretch plastic film is formed by extruding suitable plastic material from an annular die as a tubular film, forming the extruded film into a bubble with air entrapped therein by collapsing the tubular film at a predetermined distance from the annular die, causing the temperature of the tubular film when collapsed to be sufficiently high to cause opposite sides of the collapsed film to become bonded together to form a blocked two layer film, and stretching the blocked two layer film to reduce its thickness.

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 pucks. A portion of each of the elastic ribbons is simultaneously folded onto a second surface of each of the pucks. The pucks are attached to a rotating device that rotates the pucks into alignment with a substrate. As the pucks are rotated toward the substrate, the pucks are also oscillated individually toward the substrate. Once the second surfaces of the pucks are aligned parallel to the substrate, the substrate is bonded to the second surface portion of each of the elastic ribbons in their stretched positions on the pucks, thereby forming finished seams. 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: Method and apparatus for producing multi-segmented filaments are provided. In one embodiment a first polymer material is passed into a die, the first polymer material and the die being maintained under predetermined rheological conditions. Next, the first polymer material is extruded through a plurality of die openings in the die, the die openings arranged in a group, the group configured to form at least two elementary filaments. Then, the two elementary filaments are connected to one another by adhesion contact to form a multi-segmented filament. In another embodiment a die for producing multi-segmented filaments is provided. This die comprises a polymer source maintaining a polymer under predetermined rheological conditions.

Abstract: Repeated use of an adhesive-film laminate for bonds which can be redetached without residue by pulling on the laminate in the direction of the bond plane, the laminate employed comprising a) an elastic support with a resilience of at least 50% b) coated on at least one side with a solvent or hot-melt pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive or dispersion pressure-sensitive acrylate adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film made of plastic having at least one mineral additive, wherein capillaries are formed through expansion at phase transition limits between the plastic and the mineral additives. Said film forms a laminate in conjunction with a plastic non-woven fabric, the laminate remaining in an expanded state. The plastic film and non-woven fabric materials display the same or substantially similar plastic expansion characteristics.

Abstract: A surface treatment or mask that inhibits polymer whetting and bonding is applied to all but the mating bond areas of the interface between a substrate and a device. A polymer material is applied to the bond areas of either the substrate or the device. The device is placed onto the substrate such that the polymer material bridges the mating bond areas of both the substrate and the device. As the polymer material is cured, surface tension pulls it into a vertical column defined by the polymer mask defined mating bond areas of the substrate and device and aligns the mating bond areas directly over each other. Once cured, the polymer forms a mechanical bond and, depending upon the polymer material, forms an electrical, thermal and/or optical connection between the substrate and the device.

Abstract: An electrical cable of the present invention comprises a plurality of spaced, parallel flat conductors. Each of the plurality of flat conductors was previously integral with each immediately adjacent flat conductor. A dielectric material is holds the conductors in the spaced, parallel relationship. The dielectric material can be a polymer film, a nonwoven, or other polymer materials such as PTFE, or expanded PTFE. The cable of the present invention is made by providing first and second webs of dielectric materials and a third sheet of conductive material. The first and second web materials are bonded to the third sheet of conductive material in a face-to-face layered relationship thereby forming a bonded laminate. The bonded laminate is then incrementally stretched to separate the sheet of conductive material in to spaced, parallel flat conductors.

Abstract: Mask for fabricating a large sized display panel, wherein a main frame having a plurality of holes is fabricated, and sub-masks are fitted in the holes in the main frame relevant to a size, and forms of patterns to be fabricated, thereby eliminating sagging and shadowing, and being suitable for fabricating large sized, or mass production of panels.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable composite sheet includes an elastically stretchable first web and an inelastically stretchable second web of thermoplastic synthetic resin fiber which is intermittently bonded to the first web in a y-direction. Component fiber of the second web has its cress-section cut in a direction orthogonal to the y-direction defined by a width w and a height h dimensioned to be at a ratio h/w less than 0.5. The composite sheet having such a structure improve its flexibility.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body which includes a backsheet formed of a liquid impermeable sheet, a topsheet formed of a liquid permeable sheet, an absorbent core interposed between the backsheet and the topsheet, and leg gathers disposed along leg holes. Two sets of elastic members are, in a stretched state, bonded to a non-woven fabric along the leg holes. Each set of elastic members is not bonded to the non-woven fabric in a region which traverses a crotch region to extend from one of the leg holes to the other, and is cut in the non-bonded region so that the elastic members snap back toward crossing points where the two sets of the elastic members meet to form tails.

Abstract: A laminate having a layer structure of A/C/B/C/D, which is obtained by coextruding a saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (B) and an adhesive resin (C) on one side of a polypropylene film (A) oriented at least uniaxially, to give a laminate having a layer structure of A/C/B/C, stretching this laminate in the transverse direction, and laminating a heat sealing layer (D) on a surface of the adhesive resin (C) of the laminate, and a production method thereof. The laminate of the present invention is superior in gas barrier property, moisture proof, aromatic proof and the like under particularly high humidity, and particularly when formed into a packaging bag, the packing bag shows superior sealing performance and appearance. Hence, the laminate of the present invention is useful for various packaging applications and as a packaging bag and the like for food and pharmaceutical preparations.

Abstract: An economical method is disclosed for modifying the physical characteristics of a nonwoven fibrous web which involves passing the web between at least one pair of interengaged rolls to incrementally stretch the web, and then withdrawing the incrementally stretched web from between the rolls under tension. A web modified according to the disclosed method has advantageous elongation, extensibility and strength properties, as well as other desirable characteristics. In another aspect, a method is disclosed for forming a composite material by combining a modified nonwoven web with a polymeric film, or an elastic member, which may be liquid impervious yet breathable. In yet other aspect, a method is disclosed for forming a composite material by combining a modified web with a polymeric film which is rendered liquid-impervious yet breathable while the method is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a three layers co-extrusion biaxially oriented polypropylene (hereinafter as BOPP) synthetic paper and transparent film for in-mold label. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for producing a three layers biaxially oriented PP synthetic paper by means of three layers co-extrusion wherein three different PP resin compositions are separately extruded by one primary and two secondary extruders first, and then are co-flowed by a same T-die to form a three layers coating sheet.

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 pucks. A portion of each of the elastic ribbons is simultaneously folded onto a second surface of each of the pucks. The pucks are attached to a rotating device that rotates the pucks into alignment with a substrate. As the pucks are rotated toward the substrate, the pucks are also oscillated individually toward the substrate. Once the second surfaces of the pucks are aligned parallel to the substrate, the substrate is bonded to the second surface portion of each of the elastic ribbons in their stretched positions on the pucks, thereby forming finished seams. The resulting absorbent garments have gasket-like leg openings with improved comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Abstract: An apparatus and high speed process for heating and stretching a film having a bridle mechanism comprising a first heated roll and a second heated roll. The film is stretched as the film is transferred from the first heated roll to the second heated roll which rotates at a speed greater than the speed at which the first heated roll rotates. The film is fed into the bridle mechanism at a rate of about 1,500 fpm to about 2,500 fpm wherein it is stretched to a length that is up to about 450% greater than its initial, pre-stretched length. The increased contact between the large diameter heated rolls and the film and the short draw gap between the two heated rolls result in a highly stretched film having minimal neck-in.

Abstract: Method of applying elastic material or the like to containers or the like wherein the labels are in stretched condition as they are applied to a container, the container being caused to move and/or to spin to wrap the label around it. Also articles so labeled.

Abstract: A process for making an elastically stretchable composite sheet having a relatively low basis weight. An elastically stretchable second web is placed upon a first web comprising stretchable first continuous fibers and these first and second webs are intermittently bonded together at first bond regions to obtained a first composite web which is, in turn, stretched under a plastic deformation of the first continuous fibers and then elastically contracted. Thereafter, the first and second webs are supplementarily bonded together at second bond regions to obtain a second composite web as the elastically stretchable composite sheet.

Abstract: A method for stretching nonwoven sheet material in the cross-machine direction includes coursing a nonwoven sheet material through a deformable nip, the nip being formed between two rotating stretch surfaces having intermeshing peaks and troughs, the surfaces of the peaks and troughs being covered with a deformable material, and contemporaneously pressing the stretch surfaces together while rotating them, such that as the nonwoven material travels through the nip, the nip deforms from an initial flat formation into a convoluted formation.