Process and apparatus for assembly of garments
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsGerald L. Rabe, Joseph R. Alberts, Joseph Daniel Coenen, Edward A. Drezdzon, II, Thomas David Ehlert, Donald Merlin Fries, Richard M. Konetzke, James Frederick Roth, Robert Eugene Vogt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims57
A method of making a three-dimensional garment, comprising the steps of:
- loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- partially expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- loading a garment shell onto the expandable/retractable process loop fixture over the insert;
- expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- attaching a waist area of the garment shell to the waist area of the insert;
- retracting the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- and
- removing the garment from the expandable/retractable process loop fixture.
A method of making a three-dimensional garment, comprising the steps of:
- partially expanding an expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- loading a garment shell onto the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- attaching an elastic member to a waist area of the garment shell on the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- retracting the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- and
- removing the garment from the expandable/retractable process loop fixture.
Apparatus for making a three-dimensional garment, comprising:
- at least one expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- a process loop about which the at least one expandable/retractable process loop fixture is transported;
- a garment shell-loading station adjacent the process loop;
- a waist band bonding device adjacent the process loop;
- an expand station adjacent the process loop;
- and
- a retract station adjacent the process loop.
A method of making a three-dimensional garment, comprising the steps of:
- loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- loading a garment shell onto the expandable/retractable process loop fixture over the insert;
- expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- attaching a waist area of the garment shell to the waist area of the insert;
- trimming a portion of the waist area of the garment shell;
- retracting the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- and
- removing the garment from the expandable/retractable process loop fixture.
A method of making a three-dimensional garment, comprising the steps of:
- loading an insert onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- loading a garment shell onto the expandable/retractable process loop fixture over the insert;
- expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- attaching a waist area of the garment shell to the waist area of the insert;
- trimming a portion of the waist area of the insert;
- retracting the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- and
- removing the garment from the expandable/retractable process loop fixture.
A method of making a three-dimensional garment, comprising the steps of:
- loading a garment shell onto an expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- expanding the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- attaching an elastic member to a waist area of the garment shell on the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- trimming a portion of the waist area of the garment shell;
- retracting the expandable/retractable process loop fixture;
- and
- removing the garment from the expandable/retractable process loop fixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.