Elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product and an apparatus and method for making said elastic composite structure
AssigneeCurt G. Joa, Inc.
InventorsCory D. Veldman, David E. Schuette, Jeffrey W. Fritz, Brenton A. Rabe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for disposable sanitary products involves manufacturing the elastic composite structure with an elasticized leg and leg cuff region in a manner that minimizes or eliminates the use of consumable adhesives. The elastic composite structure includes pairs of leg bonds and cuff bonds that are formed without adhesive and anchor respective leg and cuff elastic threads in position relative to facing web layers. The leg bonds and cuff bonds are formed using one or more anvils that include discrete raised projections.
Claims7
An apparatus for forming an elastic composite structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a first plurality of rollers configured to guide a first portion of a combined web assembly in a machine direction, the first portion of the combined web assembly comprising:
- a first web layer comprising a cuff elastic portion and a cuff foldover portion;
- and
- a plurality of cuff elastics positioned between the cuff elastic portion and the cuff foldover portion;
- a first bonding apparatus having a first horn and anvil configured to bond the cuff elastic portion to the cuff foldover portion absent adhesive via a plurality of cuff bonds that restrain the plurality of cuff elastics relative to the first web layer;
- a second plurality of rollers configured to guide a second portion of the combined web assembly in a machine direction, the second portion of the combined web assembly comprising:
- a first leg elastic portion of the first web layer;
- a second web layer comprising a second leg elastic portion;
- and
- a plurality of leg elastics positioned between the leg elastic portion of the first web layer and the leg elastic portion of the second web layer;
- a second bonding apparatus having a second horn and anvil configured to bond the leg elastic portion of the first web layer,
- wherein the leg elastic portion of the second web layer is absent adhesive via a plurality of leg bonds that restrain the plurality of leg elastics relative to the first and second web layers;
- and
- a folding apparatus configured to fold the cuff foldover portion over the cuff elastic portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.