Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a joined resealable absorbent article
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorClifford Theodore PAPSDORF
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method including: forming a first fold line; forming a second fold line to define a first segment of a first outer region extending between a first cut edge and the second fold line and to define a second segment extending between the first fold line and the second fold line; positioning a first surface of the first segment into a facing relationship with a first surface of the second segment; unfolding the first outer region to position the second surface of the first segment into a facing relationship with a first surface of an adjacent second outer region; and refastenably connecting the second surface of the first segment of the first outer region with the first surface of the second outer region.
Claims20
A method of assembling absorbent articles, the method comprising steps of:
- advancing a first elastic laminate in a machine direction, the first elastic laminate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface;
- advancing a second elastic laminate in the machine direction, the second elastic laminate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, the second elastic laminate separated from the first elastic laminate in a cross direction;
- connecting opposing end portions of a chassis with the first surface of the first elastic laminate and the first surface of the second elastic laminate;
- folding the chassis around a folding axis by about 180 degrees to position the first surface of the second elastic laminate into a facing relationship with the first surface of the first elastic laminate;
- cutting the first and second elastic laminates together in the cross direction to define a first cut edge of the first elastic laminate and a second cut edge of the second elastic laminate;
- forming a first fold line in the first elastic laminate, wherein the first fold line extends in the cross direction;
- forming a second fold line in the first elastic laminate, wherein the second fold line extends in the cross direction to define a first segment of the first outer region extending between the first cut edge and the second fold line and to define a second segment extending between the first fold line and the second fold line;
- positioning the first surface of the first segment into a facing relationship with the first surface of the second segment;
- unfolding the first elastic laminate along the first fold line to position the second surface of the first segment of the first elastic laminate into a facing relationship with the first surface of the second elastic laminate adjacent the second cut edge;
- and
- refastenably connecting the second surface of the first segment of the first elastic laminate with the first surface of the second elastic laminate adjacent the second cut edge.
An apparatus for forming a refastenable connection between a first elastic laminate and a second elastic laminate, the apparatus comprising:
- a drum adapted to rotate about an axis, the drum comprising an outer circumferential surface;
- a folding mechanism adjacent the outer circumferential surface, the folding mechanism comprising a first folding member comprising a first holding surface and a second folding member comprising a second holding surface, the first folding member and the second folding member pivotally connected with the drum and pivotal between a first position and a second position, wherein the first holding surface and the second holding surface are generally aligned with the outer circumferential surface of the drum in the first position, and wherein the first holding surface and the second holding surface are retracted radially inward from the outer circumferential surface of the drum in the second position;
- and
- an anvil positioned circumferentially between the first folding member and the second folding member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.