CA1187391A - Method and apparatus for continuously attaching elastic strands to disposable absorbent products - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for continuously attaching elastic strands to disposable absorbent productsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1187391A CA1187391A CA000412940A CA412940A CA1187391A CA 1187391 A CA1187391 A CA 1187391A CA 000412940 A CA000412940 A CA 000412940A CA 412940 A CA412940 A CA 412940A CA 1187391 A CA1187391 A CA 1187391A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- web
- ribbon
- stretched
- elastic ribbon
- elastic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY
ATTACHING ELASTIC STRANDS TO DISPOSABLE
ABSORBENT PRODUCTS
ABSTRACT
In this invention, a continuous elastic ribbon is fed to a diaper assembly station in a stretched condition while, at the same time, an adhesive is continuously applied to the elastic ribbon. Simultaneously, absorbent batts, as well as webs of moisture-impervious backsheet material and moisture-pervious top-sheet material are fed to the diaper assembly station.
Further, and simultaneously, while the webs are traveling to the assembly station, a release medium is applied to one of the said webs in selected areas thereof in a manner so as to overlie pre-determined, isolated portions of said stretched, elastic ribbon. At the assembly station, the stretched elastic ribbon is adhered to the moisture-impervious backsheet web along por-tions of the elastic ribbon which intervene the selected areas of the web where the release medium is located. After the ad-hesive has set up, the stretched elastic ribbon adheres to the moisture impervious backsheet between the release medium, and the elastic is severed in its unadhered areas, whereupon the unadhered portions become relaxed and inactive without af-fecting the functionality of the adhered portions in the ultimate assemblage.
ATTACHING ELASTIC STRANDS TO DISPOSABLE
ABSORBENT PRODUCTS
ABSTRACT
In this invention, a continuous elastic ribbon is fed to a diaper assembly station in a stretched condition while, at the same time, an adhesive is continuously applied to the elastic ribbon. Simultaneously, absorbent batts, as well as webs of moisture-impervious backsheet material and moisture-pervious top-sheet material are fed to the diaper assembly station.
Further, and simultaneously, while the webs are traveling to the assembly station, a release medium is applied to one of the said webs in selected areas thereof in a manner so as to overlie pre-determined, isolated portions of said stretched, elastic ribbon. At the assembly station, the stretched elastic ribbon is adhered to the moisture-impervious backsheet web along por-tions of the elastic ribbon which intervene the selected areas of the web where the release medium is located. After the ad-hesive has set up, the stretched elastic ribbon adheres to the moisture impervious backsheet between the release medium, and the elastic is severed in its unadhered areas, whereupon the unadhered portions become relaxed and inactive without af-fecting the functionality of the adhered portions in the ultimate assemblage.
Description
~ 73~3~ , .. I
¦ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in the art how to secure an elastic ¦ ribbon in a stretched condition to continuously moving webs of ¦ material used in garment manufacture as~ for instance, to apply an elasticized waistband to underwear, pantyhose, blouses, ¦ pants, and the like~ Originally, this-~as done by sewing or by ¦ adhesiveIy securing the stretched elastic band in one form or . ¦ another to the garment~
More recently, the use of such a stretched, elastic band ¦ for securing a disposable baby diaper securely in place around the le~s of the baby has been shown in issued patents ¦ UOS. patent ~3,860,003, which issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, show,s one form of such "CONTRACTIBLE SIDE PORTIONS FOR
DISPOSABLE DIAPER~
Additionally, U.S. patent #4,081,301, which issued to Huel on March 28, 1978, teaches the METHOD AND APPARATVS FOR CONTIN-UOUSLY ATTACHING DISCREET, STRETCHED ELA5TIC ST~ANDS.TO PRE-DETERMINE ISOLATED PORTIONS OF DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT PRODUCTS~
. The prior art fails, however, to teach how the elastic bands may be applied to the product by continuous applica~ion of ad~
I without having to u , hesive to the elastic ribbon or, alternatively,Jheat-act~vated, adhesive coatiny on the elasti.c ribbon, said heat-activated, adhesive coating being only selectively activated.
'3 !
According to one aspect of the presen-t invention there is provided a method of continuously attaching selected lengths of elastic ribbon to isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web of interconnected articles to impart an elasticized character to predetermined isolated portions of -the article while preserving the substantially inelastic character of the article in areas where the ribbon is unattached to the web. The method includes the steps of feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stre-tched condition and continuously applying adhesive to the attached elastic ribbon along the length of the ribbon while the stretched elasti~ ribbon is being fed to the assembly sta,ion. A web of interconnected articles made with webs of substantially inelastic materials is fed to the assembly station, and a release medium is applied to spaced, intermittent portions of one of the substantially inelastic webs. The stretched, inelastic strand is adhered to the predetermined isolated portions of one of the webs in areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto. The elastic ribbon is maintained in a stretched condition at least until the adhesive se-ts up, and the elastic ribbon is cut transversely in an area which is not adhered to the web, thereby forming se~ered, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each length of stretched, elastic ribbon adhered to the web. The severed, unadhered ends of the elastic ribbon are allowed to relax and contract to their unstre-tched s-tate so that the unadhered ends do not impart an elas-ticized character -to the web nor do they interfere with the function of the pab/ ' 73~3~
elas-ticized portion o;E the web to which the selectea lengths of the elastic ribbon are adhered.
Another aspec-t of the invention resides in an apparatus for continuously attaching selected len~ths of elastic ribbons to predetermined, isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web to impart an elasticized character thereto while preserving the substan-tially inelastic character of the weD in areas where the ribbon is unattached -to the web. The apparatus includes means for feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretched condition with means for continuously applying adhesive to the elastic ribbon at predetermined intervals along the length of the ribbon while the stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to the assembly station. The apparatuS also has means for feeding a web of substantially inelastic material to the assembly station with means being provided for applying a rel.ease medium to intermittent portions of one of the webs. Means is provicled for adhering -the stretchec~
ribbon to predetermined isolated portions of one of the webs in the areas which do not have a release medium applied thereto and means for maintaining the elastic ribbon in a stretched condition at least un-til the adhesive sets up. The apparatus has means for cutting the elastic ribbon transversely in the area which is not adhered to the web so as to form severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each selec-ted length of stretched elastic ribbon adherecl to the web.
- 3a -ab/' 7~
In a specific example of the invention a disposable baby diaper or, in larger form, a disposable absorbent pad for an ambulatory incontinent adult, is manufactured in apparatus and by a process where a web of pervious top cover stock of selected shape is supplied to a similarly-designed impervious web of plastic-backing shee-t. Between -the -two webs, a plurality of absorbent batts or pads are disposed, in spaced relation.
Furthermore, in selected portions along the side edges of the webs, generally adjacent to the aforementioned bat-ts, stre-tched elastic strands are secured to one or - 3b -h /
I
¦ both of the webs, while in the stretched condition, by an adhe-sive which is continuously a~plied to the full length of the stretched elastic band. At se~ected areas of the elastic band, a release medium is interposed between the adhesive and adjacent web so that the adhesive secures the elastic strands to a web only in selected portions. ~hus the web is separated from khose portions of the elastic strand where the elastic strand is not adhered to either of the webs, permitting the unadhered elastic portions to snap back and become relaxed, and also permitting the elastic ribbon in the area attached to the web to contract or gather until the elastic ribbon in that area is relaxedO
With the above and other ob~ects in view, further informatio¦~
~and a better understa~ding o~-the present invention may be achieved by referring to the following detailed description^
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of illustratingthe invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings a form thereof which is at present preferred, although it is to be understood ~hat the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists ca~
be variously arranged and organized, and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organizations of the instrumenkalities as herein shown and described.
In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate ¦
like parts.
3~
FIG. 1 is a simpliEied top plan view of a diaper assembly line, illustratin~ the absorbent p~ds, the stretched elastic bands, the release medium, and the severing stations.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, on a stylized and enlarged scale, indicating how the release medium intervenes one of the inelastic webs and the stretched elastic strand.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing another form of release strip which can provide the intermittent adhering of a stretched strand to an inelastic web when utilizing a continuously applied strip of adhesive.
FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of a disposable absorbent pad showing how the continuous strip of adhesive secures portions of the stretched elastic strand to the body of the garment while yet not securing the elastic strand to other portions of the garment.
U.S. Patents 3,806,003 and ~4,081,301 disclose a form of disposable diaper and a me-thod and apparatus for manufacturing one form thereof wherein the diaper has elasticall~-contractible flexible side portions. It is apparent, however, to those who are skilled in the art and have studied the aforementioned two patents, that the process and apparatus for making the product are extremely complicated because the adhesive for securing the stretched pab/,,~
elastic ribbon to the inelastic web material must be either inter ¦ mittently applied to the stretched, elastic ribbon; or, conversel , ¦ if use is made of an elastic ribbon having an heat-activatable ¦ adhesive coating on at least ~e.-side thereof, such adhesively ¦ coated ribbon must be inte~mittently activated to provide a prod-¦ uct shown in the patent #3,860,003~
¦ In my invention, the process and apparatus are substantially ¦ simplified because the adhesive can be continuously applied to ¦ the stretched elastic ribbon, without the need for any selective activation of a ribbon containing heat-activatable adhesive~
Referring now to FIG. 1, Iha~illustrated a continuous web ¦ 10 of inelastic material such as nonwoven cover stock, the kind l well known ln the construction of disposable baby diapers, sani--¦ tary napkins, and the like. This web 10 has portions (along theside thereof) removedj as at 11, to form a shaped or."hour-glass' configurationO The wider ends 12 of the pads are, during the ¦ construction of the pad, connected to each other along the line 13, and it is only after the entire pad has been assembled that a suitable cu~off knife (not shown) separates the pad along the ¦ severing line 1 3 0 Generally ad;acent each of the narrowportions of the web, there is a batt or mat 14 of absorbent material which, in its preferred form, ls a comminuted cellulose fluff-like material.
I ~73~ , l ~ owever, it is to be understood that this batt 14 may be made of I
l crepe wadding, absorbent tissue, hydrophyllic foam, or any similar ¦ absorbent materialO
On each side of the web 10, between the batt 14 and the narrowed edge 11, I have secured a stretched elastic strand lSo ¦ This strand is applied to the web at the assembly station 16, ¦ in a stre'tched conditio'n and in a manner clearly disclosed in U. S. patent 4,081,301.
¦ In order to hold the elastic strand 15 iII position, I apply ¦
¦ a narrow line of glue 17 to one side of the strand 15 by means of the adhe~ive applicator 18, a~ is shown more clearly in FIGo 2 ¦ It is preferred that the strip of adhesive 17 be qui~e narro~
so as to b~ retained completely on the top of the elastic strand 15 without flowing over the sides of said stran'd.
In order to complete the assembly of the pad, I provide an impervious web 19 which is brought to the assembly station 16 in ¦ the manner shown in FIG. 2~ This impervious web l9 ~hich may be .
a polyethylene plastic sheet') travels around a ~uide roll 20, so as to overlie the previously described assembly of nonwoven we~, elastic strand~ batt and adhesiveO
Referring now to FIGo 2, I have illustrated 'how there is applied to one side of the impervious web 19 a release medium 21 which prevents the adhesive from sticking to it or to the ¦ impervious web 19.
~ 7~
¦ This rel~ase medium may be in the form of short strips of release ¦ payer, or a continuous strip of release paper having slits or apertures therein) or may be a release medium applied as one of ¦ the surface components of the impervious web material l9.
In any event, the release medium is selectively and inter-¦ mittently applied to selected portions of the web 19 in such a ¦ timed relationship that the release medium does not overlie the ¦ adhe3ively-coated elastic strand in the area adjacent the batt. 14 ¦ This is clearly shown in FIGo 2 where the thickne~s of the releas ¦ medium has been exaggerated so that~ structure is illustrated ¦ whereby the adhesive 17 is Xept out of contact with the imperviou.
¦ backing sheet l9 in the pad-end areas.120 ~
The release medium may be any form of well-known release paper which may be a ~pecially-treated densified Kraft paper or glassine, or other types of paper well Xnown in the.manufacture of transfer adhesive~, pe~l-of~ labelsO and ~he like~ This re ¦ lea~e medium may be provided fro~ rolls (not shown) whi~h unwind as shown at 22 in FIG. 2~ It may be applied in either 3hort ¦ sections, as shown in FXGURE5 1 and 2~ or may be a continuous .
¦ s~rip as shown at 23 in FIG~ 3.
In the event th~ the continuou~ strip of release medium i~ preferredO as at 23, FIGURE 3, I form intermittent apertures 24 therein, and it is through these apertures 24 that the adhe-sive can interconnect the elastic strand 15 to the impervious ¦ web 1 .
. .
t3~ 1 ~ here tha release medlum overl.ies the adhe~ive, such as in the area generally indicated a~. 25 in FIG~ 3, the adhesive does not come in contact with the imperviou~ backing strip and che elastic ~trand i~ free ~o ~snap back~ when ~evered along the cutting line 13~
However, where the aperture~ 24 are di~po ed, the adhe~ive can secure the ela~tic strand 15 to the impervious web 19.
It is further to bè appreciated that instead of applying the release medium in the form o~'release paper, either inter-mittently as shown in FIGo 1 and 2 or as a slotted strip shown at ~IG~RE 3, I may apply a release fluid such as ~eflon spray or the like, to the impervicus backing web, in selected areas, which will then overlie the adhesive-coated elastic strand in the¦
end portions 12 of the assembled p~d. This likewise will permit ¦
the ends of the stretched elastic strand to "snap back" when ~he ¦
cutting is done along the severing line 13.
Thus it can be seen that I hav~provided a process and appara tus which enables a stre~ched elastic strand to be secured to a supporting web in such a manner that.portions of said strand are ~ree to "snap back" when the tension of the strand is released, and that all of this simplified procedure can be accomplished without the need for intermittent applications of adhesive or without the nee'd for intermittent activation oE an adhesivel~
coated elastic str2nd.
*Trade mark '. 9 . , I
'7;~
It is furthermore to be understood that my present inven-¦ tion may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or special attributes; and it is, therefore, ¦ desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respect ¦ as illustrative and, therefore, not restrictive, reference being ¦ made to ~he appended Claims rather than to the ~oregoing des-¦ cription to indicate the scope of the invention.
¦ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in the art how to secure an elastic ¦ ribbon in a stretched condition to continuously moving webs of ¦ material used in garment manufacture as~ for instance, to apply an elasticized waistband to underwear, pantyhose, blouses, ¦ pants, and the like~ Originally, this-~as done by sewing or by ¦ adhesiveIy securing the stretched elastic band in one form or . ¦ another to the garment~
More recently, the use of such a stretched, elastic band ¦ for securing a disposable baby diaper securely in place around the le~s of the baby has been shown in issued patents ¦ UOS. patent ~3,860,003, which issued to Buell on January 14, 1975, show,s one form of such "CONTRACTIBLE SIDE PORTIONS FOR
DISPOSABLE DIAPER~
Additionally, U.S. patent #4,081,301, which issued to Huel on March 28, 1978, teaches the METHOD AND APPARATVS FOR CONTIN-UOUSLY ATTACHING DISCREET, STRETCHED ELA5TIC ST~ANDS.TO PRE-DETERMINE ISOLATED PORTIONS OF DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT PRODUCTS~
. The prior art fails, however, to teach how the elastic bands may be applied to the product by continuous applica~ion of ad~
I without having to u , hesive to the elastic ribbon or, alternatively,Jheat-act~vated, adhesive coatiny on the elasti.c ribbon, said heat-activated, adhesive coating being only selectively activated.
'3 !
According to one aspect of the presen-t invention there is provided a method of continuously attaching selected lengths of elastic ribbon to isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web of interconnected articles to impart an elasticized character to predetermined isolated portions of -the article while preserving the substantially inelastic character of the article in areas where the ribbon is unattached to the web. The method includes the steps of feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stre-tched condition and continuously applying adhesive to the attached elastic ribbon along the length of the ribbon while the stretched elasti~ ribbon is being fed to the assembly sta,ion. A web of interconnected articles made with webs of substantially inelastic materials is fed to the assembly station, and a release medium is applied to spaced, intermittent portions of one of the substantially inelastic webs. The stretched, inelastic strand is adhered to the predetermined isolated portions of one of the webs in areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto. The elastic ribbon is maintained in a stretched condition at least until the adhesive se-ts up, and the elastic ribbon is cut transversely in an area which is not adhered to the web, thereby forming se~ered, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each length of stretched, elastic ribbon adhered to the web. The severed, unadhered ends of the elastic ribbon are allowed to relax and contract to their unstre-tched s-tate so that the unadhered ends do not impart an elas-ticized character -to the web nor do they interfere with the function of the pab/ ' 73~3~
elas-ticized portion o;E the web to which the selectea lengths of the elastic ribbon are adhered.
Another aspec-t of the invention resides in an apparatus for continuously attaching selected len~ths of elastic ribbons to predetermined, isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web to impart an elasticized character thereto while preserving the substan-tially inelastic character of the weD in areas where the ribbon is unattached -to the web. The apparatus includes means for feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretched condition with means for continuously applying adhesive to the elastic ribbon at predetermined intervals along the length of the ribbon while the stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to the assembly station. The apparatuS also has means for feeding a web of substantially inelastic material to the assembly station with means being provided for applying a rel.ease medium to intermittent portions of one of the webs. Means is provicled for adhering -the stretchec~
ribbon to predetermined isolated portions of one of the webs in the areas which do not have a release medium applied thereto and means for maintaining the elastic ribbon in a stretched condition at least un-til the adhesive sets up. The apparatus has means for cutting the elastic ribbon transversely in the area which is not adhered to the web so as to form severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each selec-ted length of stretched elastic ribbon adherecl to the web.
- 3a -ab/' 7~
In a specific example of the invention a disposable baby diaper or, in larger form, a disposable absorbent pad for an ambulatory incontinent adult, is manufactured in apparatus and by a process where a web of pervious top cover stock of selected shape is supplied to a similarly-designed impervious web of plastic-backing shee-t. Between -the -two webs, a plurality of absorbent batts or pads are disposed, in spaced relation.
Furthermore, in selected portions along the side edges of the webs, generally adjacent to the aforementioned bat-ts, stre-tched elastic strands are secured to one or - 3b -h /
I
¦ both of the webs, while in the stretched condition, by an adhe-sive which is continuously a~plied to the full length of the stretched elastic band. At se~ected areas of the elastic band, a release medium is interposed between the adhesive and adjacent web so that the adhesive secures the elastic strands to a web only in selected portions. ~hus the web is separated from khose portions of the elastic strand where the elastic strand is not adhered to either of the webs, permitting the unadhered elastic portions to snap back and become relaxed, and also permitting the elastic ribbon in the area attached to the web to contract or gather until the elastic ribbon in that area is relaxedO
With the above and other ob~ects in view, further informatio¦~
~and a better understa~ding o~-the present invention may be achieved by referring to the following detailed description^
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
For the purpose of illustratingthe invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings a form thereof which is at present preferred, although it is to be understood ~hat the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists ca~
be variously arranged and organized, and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organizations of the instrumenkalities as herein shown and described.
In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate ¦
like parts.
3~
FIG. 1 is a simpliEied top plan view of a diaper assembly line, illustratin~ the absorbent p~ds, the stretched elastic bands, the release medium, and the severing stations.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, on a stylized and enlarged scale, indicating how the release medium intervenes one of the inelastic webs and the stretched elastic strand.
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view showing another form of release strip which can provide the intermittent adhering of a stretched strand to an inelastic web when utilizing a continuously applied strip of adhesive.
FIG. 4 is a top-plan view of a disposable absorbent pad showing how the continuous strip of adhesive secures portions of the stretched elastic strand to the body of the garment while yet not securing the elastic strand to other portions of the garment.
U.S. Patents 3,806,003 and ~4,081,301 disclose a form of disposable diaper and a me-thod and apparatus for manufacturing one form thereof wherein the diaper has elasticall~-contractible flexible side portions. It is apparent, however, to those who are skilled in the art and have studied the aforementioned two patents, that the process and apparatus for making the product are extremely complicated because the adhesive for securing the stretched pab/,,~
elastic ribbon to the inelastic web material must be either inter ¦ mittently applied to the stretched, elastic ribbon; or, conversel , ¦ if use is made of an elastic ribbon having an heat-activatable ¦ adhesive coating on at least ~e.-side thereof, such adhesively ¦ coated ribbon must be inte~mittently activated to provide a prod-¦ uct shown in the patent #3,860,003~
¦ In my invention, the process and apparatus are substantially ¦ simplified because the adhesive can be continuously applied to ¦ the stretched elastic ribbon, without the need for any selective activation of a ribbon containing heat-activatable adhesive~
Referring now to FIG. 1, Iha~illustrated a continuous web ¦ 10 of inelastic material such as nonwoven cover stock, the kind l well known ln the construction of disposable baby diapers, sani--¦ tary napkins, and the like. This web 10 has portions (along theside thereof) removedj as at 11, to form a shaped or."hour-glass' configurationO The wider ends 12 of the pads are, during the ¦ construction of the pad, connected to each other along the line 13, and it is only after the entire pad has been assembled that a suitable cu~off knife (not shown) separates the pad along the ¦ severing line 1 3 0 Generally ad;acent each of the narrowportions of the web, there is a batt or mat 14 of absorbent material which, in its preferred form, ls a comminuted cellulose fluff-like material.
I ~73~ , l ~ owever, it is to be understood that this batt 14 may be made of I
l crepe wadding, absorbent tissue, hydrophyllic foam, or any similar ¦ absorbent materialO
On each side of the web 10, between the batt 14 and the narrowed edge 11, I have secured a stretched elastic strand lSo ¦ This strand is applied to the web at the assembly station 16, ¦ in a stre'tched conditio'n and in a manner clearly disclosed in U. S. patent 4,081,301.
¦ In order to hold the elastic strand 15 iII position, I apply ¦
¦ a narrow line of glue 17 to one side of the strand 15 by means of the adhe~ive applicator 18, a~ is shown more clearly in FIGo 2 ¦ It is preferred that the strip of adhesive 17 be qui~e narro~
so as to b~ retained completely on the top of the elastic strand 15 without flowing over the sides of said stran'd.
In order to complete the assembly of the pad, I provide an impervious web 19 which is brought to the assembly station 16 in ¦ the manner shown in FIG. 2~ This impervious web l9 ~hich may be .
a polyethylene plastic sheet') travels around a ~uide roll 20, so as to overlie the previously described assembly of nonwoven we~, elastic strand~ batt and adhesiveO
Referring now to FIGo 2, I have illustrated 'how there is applied to one side of the impervious web 19 a release medium 21 which prevents the adhesive from sticking to it or to the ¦ impervious web 19.
~ 7~
¦ This rel~ase medium may be in the form of short strips of release ¦ payer, or a continuous strip of release paper having slits or apertures therein) or may be a release medium applied as one of ¦ the surface components of the impervious web material l9.
In any event, the release medium is selectively and inter-¦ mittently applied to selected portions of the web 19 in such a ¦ timed relationship that the release medium does not overlie the ¦ adhe3ively-coated elastic strand in the area adjacent the batt. 14 ¦ This is clearly shown in FIGo 2 where the thickne~s of the releas ¦ medium has been exaggerated so that~ structure is illustrated ¦ whereby the adhesive 17 is Xept out of contact with the imperviou.
¦ backing sheet l9 in the pad-end areas.120 ~
The release medium may be any form of well-known release paper which may be a ~pecially-treated densified Kraft paper or glassine, or other types of paper well Xnown in the.manufacture of transfer adhesive~, pe~l-of~ labelsO and ~he like~ This re ¦ lea~e medium may be provided fro~ rolls (not shown) whi~h unwind as shown at 22 in FIG. 2~ It may be applied in either 3hort ¦ sections, as shown in FXGURE5 1 and 2~ or may be a continuous .
¦ s~rip as shown at 23 in FIG~ 3.
In the event th~ the continuou~ strip of release medium i~ preferredO as at 23, FIGURE 3, I form intermittent apertures 24 therein, and it is through these apertures 24 that the adhe-sive can interconnect the elastic strand 15 to the impervious ¦ web 1 .
. .
t3~ 1 ~ here tha release medlum overl.ies the adhe~ive, such as in the area generally indicated a~. 25 in FIG~ 3, the adhesive does not come in contact with the imperviou~ backing strip and che elastic ~trand i~ free ~o ~snap back~ when ~evered along the cutting line 13~
However, where the aperture~ 24 are di~po ed, the adhe~ive can secure the ela~tic strand 15 to the impervious web 19.
It is further to bè appreciated that instead of applying the release medium in the form o~'release paper, either inter-mittently as shown in FIGo 1 and 2 or as a slotted strip shown at ~IG~RE 3, I may apply a release fluid such as ~eflon spray or the like, to the impervicus backing web, in selected areas, which will then overlie the adhesive-coated elastic strand in the¦
end portions 12 of the assembled p~d. This likewise will permit ¦
the ends of the stretched elastic strand to "snap back" when ~he ¦
cutting is done along the severing line 13.
Thus it can be seen that I hav~provided a process and appara tus which enables a stre~ched elastic strand to be secured to a supporting web in such a manner that.portions of said strand are ~ree to "snap back" when the tension of the strand is released, and that all of this simplified procedure can be accomplished without the need for intermittent applications of adhesive or without the nee'd for intermittent activation oE an adhesivel~
coated elastic str2nd.
*Trade mark '. 9 . , I
'7;~
It is furthermore to be understood that my present inven-¦ tion may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or special attributes; and it is, therefore, ¦ desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respect ¦ as illustrative and, therefore, not restrictive, reference being ¦ made to ~he appended Claims rather than to the ~oregoing des-¦ cription to indicate the scope of the invention.
Claims
Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent are the following:
CLAIM 1: A method for continuously attaching selected lengths of elastic ribbon to isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web of inter-connected articles to impart an elasticized character to pre-determined isolated portions of said articles, while preserving the substantially inelastic character of said articles in areas where said ribbon is un-attached to said web, said method comprising the steps of:
-feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretched condition;
-continuously applying an adhesive to said stretched elastic ribbon along the length of said ribbon while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-feeding a web of inter-connected articles made with webs of substantially inelastic materials to said assembly sta-tion;
-applying a release medium to spaced, intermittent portions of one of said substantially inelastic webs;
-adhering the stretched, elastic strand to pre-determined, isolated portions of one of said webs in areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto;
-maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condi-tion at least until said adhesive sets up;
-cutting said elastic ribbon transversely in an area which is not adhered to said web, thereby forming severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each length of stretched, elastic ribbon adhered to said web;
-and allowing the severed, unadhered ends of said elastic ribbon to relax and contract to their un-stretched state, whereby said unadhered ends do not impart an elasticized character to said web, nor do they interfere with the functioning of the elasticized portion of the web to which the selected lengths of elastic ribbon are adhered.
CLAIM 2: A method of intermittently attaching an elastic ribbon to pre-determined, isolated portions of at least one of a pair of continuously moving, substantially inelastic, super-imposed webs to impart an elasticized character thereto, while preserving the substantially inelastic character thereof in areas where said ribbon is unattached to said web, said method com-prising the steps of: .
-feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in stretched condition, -continuously applying an adhesive on said stretched elastic ribbon, while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-feeding said first and second webs of substantially inelastic material to said assembly station;
-applying a release medium to intermittent spaced por-tions of one of said webs;
-adhering the stretched ribbon to predetermined, selected portions of one of said webs in the areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto;
-applying bands of adhesive to at least one of said webs while said webs are being fed to said assembly station, said bands being registered such that they will ultimately lie at the outside of the area occupier by said stretched elastic ribbon, except in those areas where the band of adhesive may overlie the release medium;
-adhering said second web to the first web at said assembly station in the areas of said band of adhesive;
-maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condi-tion at least until said adhesive on said ribbon sets up;
-cutting said webs into separate articles transversely along the line severing said elastic ribbon in a portion of its length passing through the said release medium in a portion of its length which is not ad-hered to either of said webs; and -allowing the severed, unadhered ends of said elastic ribbon to relax and contract to the unstretched length whereby said unadhered ends do not impart any elasti-cized character to the articles cut from said webs, nor do they interfere with the functioning of elasti-cized portions ofsaid article to which said elastic ribbon is adhered.
CLAIM 3: The process of Claim 1 wherein one of said inelas-tic webs is an impervious sheet and the other of said webs is a pervious sheet.
CLAIM 4: The process of Claim 3 wherein the impervious sheet is polyethylene.
CLAIM 5: process of Claim 3 wherein the pervious web is a nonwoven cover stock material.
CLAIM 6: An apparatus for continuously attaching selected lengths of plastic ribbons to pre-determined isolated portions of a moving substantially inelastic web to impart an elasticized character thereto while preserving a substantially inelastic character of said web in areas where said ribbon is unattached to said web, said apparatus comprising:
-means for feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretchecl condition;
-means for continuously applyiny adhesive to said elastic ribbon at predetermined intervals along the length of said ribbon while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-means for feeding a web of substantially inelastic material to said assembly station;
-means for applying a release medium to intermittent portions of one of said webs;
-means for adhering the stretched ribbon to pre-determined isolated portions of one of said webs in the areas which do not have a release medium applied thereto;
-means for maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condition at least until said adhesive sets up;
-means for cutting said elastic ribbon transversely in an area which is not adhered to said web, thereby forming severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each selected length of stretched elastic ribbon adhered to said web.
CLAIM 7: The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the means for cutting the elastic ribbon severs the web along a line passing through the release medium.
CLAIM 1: A method for continuously attaching selected lengths of elastic ribbon to isolated portions of a moving, substantially inelastic web of inter-connected articles to impart an elasticized character to pre-determined isolated portions of said articles, while preserving the substantially inelastic character of said articles in areas where said ribbon is un-attached to said web, said method comprising the steps of:
-feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretched condition;
-continuously applying an adhesive to said stretched elastic ribbon along the length of said ribbon while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-feeding a web of inter-connected articles made with webs of substantially inelastic materials to said assembly sta-tion;
-applying a release medium to spaced, intermittent portions of one of said substantially inelastic webs;
-adhering the stretched, elastic strand to pre-determined, isolated portions of one of said webs in areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto;
-maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condi-tion at least until said adhesive sets up;
-cutting said elastic ribbon transversely in an area which is not adhered to said web, thereby forming severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each length of stretched, elastic ribbon adhered to said web;
-and allowing the severed, unadhered ends of said elastic ribbon to relax and contract to their un-stretched state, whereby said unadhered ends do not impart an elasticized character to said web, nor do they interfere with the functioning of the elasticized portion of the web to which the selected lengths of elastic ribbon are adhered.
CLAIM 2: A method of intermittently attaching an elastic ribbon to pre-determined, isolated portions of at least one of a pair of continuously moving, substantially inelastic, super-imposed webs to impart an elasticized character thereto, while preserving the substantially inelastic character thereof in areas where said ribbon is unattached to said web, said method com-prising the steps of: .
-feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in stretched condition, -continuously applying an adhesive on said stretched elastic ribbon, while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-feeding said first and second webs of substantially inelastic material to said assembly station;
-applying a release medium to intermittent spaced por-tions of one of said webs;
-adhering the stretched ribbon to predetermined, selected portions of one of said webs in the areas which do not have the release medium applied thereto;
-applying bands of adhesive to at least one of said webs while said webs are being fed to said assembly station, said bands being registered such that they will ultimately lie at the outside of the area occupier by said stretched elastic ribbon, except in those areas where the band of adhesive may overlie the release medium;
-adhering said second web to the first web at said assembly station in the areas of said band of adhesive;
-maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condi-tion at least until said adhesive on said ribbon sets up;
-cutting said webs into separate articles transversely along the line severing said elastic ribbon in a portion of its length passing through the said release medium in a portion of its length which is not ad-hered to either of said webs; and -allowing the severed, unadhered ends of said elastic ribbon to relax and contract to the unstretched length whereby said unadhered ends do not impart any elasti-cized character to the articles cut from said webs, nor do they interfere with the functioning of elasti-cized portions ofsaid article to which said elastic ribbon is adhered.
CLAIM 3: The process of Claim 1 wherein one of said inelas-tic webs is an impervious sheet and the other of said webs is a pervious sheet.
CLAIM 4: The process of Claim 3 wherein the impervious sheet is polyethylene.
CLAIM 5: process of Claim 3 wherein the pervious web is a nonwoven cover stock material.
CLAIM 6: An apparatus for continuously attaching selected lengths of plastic ribbons to pre-determined isolated portions of a moving substantially inelastic web to impart an elasticized character thereto while preserving a substantially inelastic character of said web in areas where said ribbon is unattached to said web, said apparatus comprising:
-means for feeding an elastic ribbon to an assembly station in a stretchecl condition;
-means for continuously applyiny adhesive to said elastic ribbon at predetermined intervals along the length of said ribbon while said stretched elastic ribbon is being fed to said assembly station;
-means for feeding a web of substantially inelastic material to said assembly station;
-means for applying a release medium to intermittent portions of one of said webs;
-means for adhering the stretched ribbon to pre-determined isolated portions of one of said webs in the areas which do not have a release medium applied thereto;
-means for maintaining said elastic ribbon in a stretched condition at least until said adhesive sets up;
-means for cutting said elastic ribbon transversely in an area which is not adhered to said web, thereby forming severed, unadhered ends of elastic at both ends of each selected length of stretched elastic ribbon adhered to said web.
CLAIM 7: The apparatus of Claim 6 wherein the means for cutting the elastic ribbon severs the web along a line passing through the release medium.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412940A CA1187391A (en) | 1982-10-06 | 1982-10-06 | Method and apparatus for continuously attaching elastic strands to disposable absorbent products |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412940A CA1187391A (en) | 1982-10-06 | 1982-10-06 | Method and apparatus for continuously attaching elastic strands to disposable absorbent products |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1187391A true CA1187391A (en) | 1985-05-21 |
Family
ID=4123731
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000412940A Expired CA1187391A (en) | 1982-10-06 | 1982-10-06 | Method and apparatus for continuously attaching elastic strands to disposable absorbent products |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1187391A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5509915A (en) | 1991-09-11 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid |
-
1982
- 1982-10-06 CA CA000412940A patent/CA1187391A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5509915A (en) | 1991-09-11 | 1996-04-23 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid |
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