Curt G. Joa, Inc.

David Edward Schuette

Jeffrey Wayne Fritz

Justin Marshall Lafferty

Joram L McClurg

Robert E Andrews

Daniel A Peterson

Jon Allen Pelland

Cory D Veldman

Todd A Humphrey

Brenton A Rabe

Joram L Mcclurg

Robert Earl Andrews

Lafferty Justin M

Feff W Fritz

An elastic composite structure includes a first web layer comprising a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion; a second web layer comprising a first portion and a second portion; and a plurality of elastic threads. The first portion of the first web layer is folded over and overlaps the second portion of the first web layer. The folded first portion of the first web layer is directly bonded to one of the second portion of the first web layer and the first portion of the second web layer. A first portion of the plurality of elastic threads is constrained between the folded first portion of the first web layer and the second portion of the first web layer absent adhesive. The third portion is directly bonded to the second portion of the second web layer and traps a second portion of the plurality of elastic threads therebetween.

Elastic entrapment with waist cap bonding

A machine and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for disposable sanitary products involves manufacturing the elastic composite structure with an elasticized leg and leg cuff region in a manner that minimizes or eliminates the use of consumable adhesives. The elastic composite structure includes pairs of leg bonds and cuff bonds that are formed without adhesive and anchor respective leg and cuff elastic threads in position relative to facing web layers. The leg bonds and cuff bonds are formed using one or more anvils that include discrete raised projections.

Elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product and an apparatus and method for making said elastic composite structure

An apparatus and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes a bonding unit configured to bond a first web layer to a second web layer via a bond pattern that includes at least one bond line having at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The bonding unit secures an elastic thread within a passage defined by the at least one pair of adjacent bonds. The passage has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the elastic thread in a non-tensioned state.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product

An apparatus for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes an anvil with weld pattern comprising at least one anchoring region and at least one deactivating region. The anchoring region includes anchoring welds that form anchoring bonds that fuse facing web layers and anchor elastic thread(s) in position relative to the facing web layers. The deactivating region includes a break bar constructed to sever the thread(s). A method of manufacturing the elastic composite structure includes positioning a tensioned elastic thread between web layers, fusing the web layers to form an anchored zone that includes anchoring bonds that fuse the web layers and anchor the tensioned elastic thread therebetween, and cutting the thread to form a deactivated zone between adjacent portions of the anchored zone that is free of tensioned threads. The method further includes fusing the web layers within the deactivated zone.

A system and method for controlling the speed of both a continuous web and a bonding apparatus is provided in order to effectuate stronger bonds in the web. The bonding system includes a velocity changing device for increasing and decreasing a velocity of the web in a machine direction, an anvil and a corresponding ultrasonic horn that interact to form ultrasonic bonds on the web, and an anvil actuator configured to control a movement of the anvil. A control system is also included in the bonding system for controlling operation of the anvil actuator the velocity changing device, with the control system programmed to decrease a moving velocity of the web from a feed velocity to a bonding velocity as the web passes between the anvil and the ultrasonic horn and control movement of the anvil to synchronize the movement of the anvil with the moving velocity of the web.

Method and apparatus for improved ultrasonic bonding

An apparatus and method for leveling a bonding device and anvil in an assembly via a closed-loop control system is provided. The assembly includes an anvil, a bonding device positioned adjacent the anvil and configured to interact with the anvil to form the bonds on the web, and an actuator that enables adjustment of an orientation between the bonding device and the anvil. The assembly also includes a closed-loop control system configured to control operation of the actuator, with the closed-loop control system configured to monitor an operational parameter of the assembly indicative of interaction of the bonding device with the anvil, determine whether the bonding device is parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil based on the operational parameter, and when the bonding device is not parallel or substantially parallel with the anvil, cause the actuator to adjust the orientation between the bonding device and the anvil.

Closed-loop adjustment system and method for gap control and leveling of ultrasonic devices

An apparatus and method for applying discrete segments to a continuous web includes feeding a first continuous web to a roller, the first continuous web comprising one or more layers, feeding a second continuous web to a vacuum anvil, cutting the first continuous web into a plurality of discrete segments via interaction of the roller with at least one cutting element selectively positionable adjacent the roller, transferring each of the plurality of discrete segments from the roller onto the second continuous web at a first location and via a vacuum pressure from the vacuum anvil, and bonding each of the plurality of discrete segments to the second continuous web at a second location downstream from the first location in a machine direction, each of the plurality of discrete segments bonded to the second continuous web via interaction of the vacuum anvil with a bonding device positioned at the second location.

Apparatus and method for application of discrete material segments to running web material

A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

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Kiel, WI, United States of America

David Edward Schuette