Methods and Apparatus for Making Elastic Laminates
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsDarrell Ian Brown, John Andrew Strasmeier
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Abstract
Aspects of methods and apparatuses herein relate to making elastic laminates, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for applying fluids onto elastic material positioned on an advancing substrate. The elastic material may be in various forms, such as for example, elastic strands, ribbons, and/or panels. Particular embodiments of the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to elastic material positioned on an advancing substrate.
Claims20
A method for applying adhesive discharged from a slot die applicator to a substrate and an elastic material, the slot die applicator including a slot opening, a first lip, and a second lip, the slot opening located between the first lip and the second lip;
- wherein the substrate has a first surface disposed opposite of a second surface and an unconstrained caliper, Hs, and wherein the elastic material has a maximum thickness, Et, the method comprising the steps of:
- stretching the elastic material;
- positioning the elastic material on the second surface of the substrate;
- engaging the substrate with a substrate carrier, the substrate carrier comprising:
- a non-compliant support surface and a pattern element, the pattern element including a pattern surface, the substrate carrier positioned adjacent the slot die applicator to define a minimum distance, Hg, between the pattern surface of the pattern element and the first lip and the second lip of the slot die applicator that is less than the sum of the unconstrained caliper, Hs, of the substrate and the maximum thickness, Et, of the elastic material;
- intermittently deflecting a first portion of the pattern surface toward the non-compliant support surface by advancing the substrate and the elastic material between the pattern element and the first lip, the slot opening, and the second lip of the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier;
- and
- discharging adhesive from the slot opening of the slot die applicator onto the elastic material.
A method for applying adhesive discharged from a slot die applicator to a substrate and an elastic material, the slot die applicator including a slot opening, a first lip, and a second lip, the slot opening located between the first lip and the second lip of the slot die applicator;
- wherein the substrate has a first surface disposed opposite of a second surface and an unconstrained caliper, Hs, and wherein the elastic material has a maximum thickness, Et, the method comprising the steps of:
- stretching the elastic material;
- engaging the substrate with a substrate carrier, the substrate carrier comprising:
- a pattern element including a pattern surface, the substrate carrier positioned adjacent the slot die applicator to define a minimum distance, Hg, between the pattern surface of the pattern element and the first lip and the second lip that is less than the sum of the unconstrained caliper, Hs, of the substrate and the maximum thickness, Et, of the elastic material;
- intermittently deflecting a first portion of the pattern surface away from the slot die applicator by advancing the substrate and the elastic material between the pattern element and the first lip, the slot opening, and the second lip of the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier;
- and
- discharging adhesive from the slot opening of the slot die applicator onto the elastic material.
A method for making an elastic laminate, the method comprising the steps of:
- advancing a substrate, the substrate comprising a first surface disposed opposite of a second surface;
- stretching the elastic material;
- engaging the substrate with a substrate carrier, the substrate carrier comprising:
- a pattern element including a pattern surface, the substrate carrier positioned adjacent the slot die applicator to define a minimum distance, Hg, between the pattern surface of the pattern element and the first lip and the second lip of the slot die applicator that is less than the sum of the unconstrained caliper, Hs, of the substrate and the maximum thickness, Et, of the elastic material;
- advancing the second surface of the substrate and the elastic material past the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier;
- intermittently deflecting a first portion of the pattern surface away from the slot die applicator by advancing the substrate and the elastic material between the pattern element and the first lip, the slot opening, and the second lip of the slot die applicator while the first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier;
- and
- discharging adhesive from the slot opening of the slot die applicator onto the elastic material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.