Formation of elasticized portions of disposable garments and other articles
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorsWilliam S. Pomplun, Robert L. Popp, Paul A. Woon, Carl G. Schroth, Robert A. Stevens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for forming an elasticized portion of an article having a thermally-elasticizable strip along a marginal portion in which heated air is directed towards the strip at at least two different angles relative to the plane of the strip and at a velocity sufficient to cause oscillation of the marginal portion bearing the thermally-elasticizable strip; these conditions are maintained for a dwell time long enough to render the strip elastic when cooled to ambient conditions.
Claims15
A method for forming an elasticized marginal portion of an article including the steps of:
- (1) transporting an article along a transport direction, said article having a thermally-elasticizable strip, which defines a predetermined plane and is secured along a marginal portion of the article;
- (2) directing heated air towards the strip with a plurality of louvers, the heated air being at a temperature sufficient to thermally activate the strip to render it elastic, wherein:
- (a) the heated air is directed toward the strip angularly with respect to the plane of the strip,
- (b) the heated air is directed at a first angle with respect to the plane of the strip by supporting a first set of said louvers at a first louver angle,
- (c) the heated air is directed at a second angle with respect to the plane of the strip by supporting a second set of said louvers at a second louver angle,
- (d) said first and second louver angles have opposite inclinations with respect to the plane of the strip,
- (e) said second louver set is located along the transport direction at a position side by side with said first louver set, and
- (f) the heated air has a velocity sufficient to cause oscillation of the marginal portion of the article to which the strip is secured;
- and
- (3) continuting the application of the heated air to the article for a sufficient time to render the strip elastic and cause it to contract and form an elasticized marginal portion of the article.
A method for forming an elasticized marginal portion of an article including the steps of:
- (1) providing an article having a thermally-elasticizable strip which defines a predetermined plane and is secured along a marginal portion of the article;
- (2) transporting said article along a transport direction through a heating chamber having an exit portion and an entrance portion;
- (3) directing heated air towards the strip with a first and a second set of louvers located within said chamber, the heated air being at a temperature sufficient to thermally activate the strip to render it elastic, wherein:
- (a) the heated air is directed toward the strip angularly with respect to the plane of the strip,
- (b) the heated air is directed at a first angle to the plane of the strip by supporting said first set of louvers at a first louver angle;
- (c) the heated air is directed at a second angle to the plane of the strip by supporting said second set of louvers at a second louver angle;
- (d) said first and second louver angles have opposite inclinations with respect to the plane of the strip,
- (e) said second louver set is located along the transport direction at a position side by side with said first louver set, and
- (f) the heated air has a velocity sufficient to cause oscillation of the marginal portion of the article to which the strip is secured;
- (4) continuing the application of the heated air to the article for a sufficient time to render the strip elastic and cause it to contract and form an elasticized marginal portion of the article;
- and
- (5) adjusting a third set of louvers located at said chamber entrance portion and a fourth set of louvers located at said chamber exit portion to direct heated air inwardly relative to said chamber entrance and exit portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.