Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Jeffrey Joseph Samida

Daniel Hoo

Chris Lee Heikkinen

David Andrae Justmann

David James Van Eperen

Paul Gordon Klemp

Jack Lee Couillard

Chinmay Suresh Betrabet

Lorry F Sallee

Mark John Beitz

Robin Kurt Nason

Richard Francis Keller

Donald LeRoy Smith

Raymond Gerard St Louis

Douglas Paul Rammer

Jeffery R Cottingham

Robert Thomas Cimini

James Melvin Gaestel

Joseph Conrad Burriss

Barbara Jean Wink

Craig Steven Brennecke

Jeffrey Ray Cottingham

A distinctive method and apparatus for forming an article includes a moving of at least one first strand of material, such as strand (,), along an appointed machine-direction (,). The at least one first strand of material is attached to a base layer of material (,) to provide a substrate composite (,), and a laminate layer (,) can be placed adjacent the at least one first strand of material to provide a laminate composite web (,). In a particular aspect, at least one second strand of material, such as strand (,), can be moved along its appointed machine-direction, and the at least one second strand of material can be attached to the base layer (,). In another aspect, an appointed portion of the base layer (,) can be folded to substantially enclose the at least one second strand (,) with the base layer material. Alternatively or additionally, an appointed portion of the base layer (,) can be folded to substantially enclose the at least one first strand (,) and the laminate layer (,) with the base layer material. In a further aspect, at least one of the strands of material can be divided of into a plurality of strand segments to provide a substantially nongathering section of at least one of the strands.

Process for manufacturing an elastic article

An improved apparatus and method for effecting an operation on at least one continuously moving substrate web is disclosed. In particular, the apparatus includes a patterned anvil roll which includes a plurality of projections arranged in a predetermined pattern for effecting an operation on the web such as, for example, bonding, cutting, embossing, perforating and the like. The anvil roll includes recesses between the projections and resilient release material located in the recesses to improve the release of the substrate web from the anvil roll.

Patterned anvil-roll

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for intermittently bonding a substrate web in fabricating a blank subassembly for an absorbent article. The invention comprises ultrasonic bonding apparatus including an anvil roll, a substrate web thereon, and at least one rotary ultrasonic horn. The substrate web can comprise at least first and second layers of material. The rotary ultrasonic horn, in combination with the anvil roll, ultrasonically bonds intermittent segments of the first and second layers of the substrate web to each other. Such intermittent bonds can comprise end seals for the absorbent articles. The ultrasonic horn and anvil roll are periodically separated from each other to provide the intermittent bonding of the substrate web. An actuator apparatus periodically moves the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn from engaging contact with each other preventing bond formation. The actuator apparatus can include a cam mechanism moving one of the anvil roll and ultrasonic horn from engaging contact with the other during rotation of the rotary ultrasonic horn. The cam mechanism can create a physical gap between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll. The cam mechanism moves either the ultrasonic horn and the anvil roll toward the other of the ultrasonic horn and anvil roll at a velocity of no more than about 80 millimeters/second to prevent bounce or impact loading when the horn and anvil roll are in engaging contact. The anvil roll comprises a substrate-receiving surface generally moving the substrate web through the nip at a surface speed of at least 300 meters per minute. The ultrasonic system generally creates bonds between the first and second layers of the substrate web at least about 600 times per minute.

Methods and apparatus for intermittent rotary ultrasonic bonding system

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for fabricating a web or consolidating web precursor material in fabricating a web. The invention comprises ultrasonic bonding apparatus including an anvil roll receiving web materials thereon and receiving first and second rotary ultrasonic horns. The rotary ultrasonic horns, in combination with the anvil roll, ultrasonically bond segments of e.g. first and second webs to each other. Third and fourth rotary ultrasonic horns spaced about the circumference of the anvil roll, in combination with the anvil roll, ultrasonically bond other segments of the webs to each other. The full widths of the webs can be ultrasonically bonded using the rotary ultrasonic horns. An outer surface of the anvil roll preferably carries a bonding pattern defining the locations where bonding of the webs occurs. Additional e.g. third and fourth webs can be bonded by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. Such bonding can occur after first and second webs have been bonded to each other by first and second rotary ultrasonic horns. In some instances, the third and fourth rotary ultrasonic horns can ultrasonically bond portions of the first and second webs that have already been bonded together by one or both of the first and second rotary ultrasonic horns. In other embodiments, multiple repeat bonding of substantially the same segment of the web can occur. In still other embodiments, a batt of bondable material such as fibers can be consolidated by ultrasonic bonding with rotary ultrasonic horns to form a unitary web. The apparatus can operate at web speeds greater than 1000 feet minute.

Methods and apparatus for a full width ultrasonic bonding device

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Jeffrey Joseph Samida