Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberly-clark Wordwide, Inc.

Jerry L Hameister

Joseph Daniel Coenen

Kelly D Farmer

Ross Thomas Kaufman

Michael Lee Lohoff

Jason Kyle Sieck

Craig R Roble

Greg Rajala

Katherine M Nackers

Julia R Selden

Brian K Rhodes

Elasticated materials and articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. A method may comprise advancing first and second substrate materials and a stretched elastomeric strand in the machine direction. The method may further comprise advancing the first and the second substrate materials with the elastomeric strand positioned therebetween to a bonding apparatus. The bonding apparatus may comprise first and second elements forming a bonding nip. The method may further comprise oscillating the strand in a cross-machine direction and advancing the first and second substrate materials, and the strand, through the bonding nip and bonding the first and second substrate materials together with at least first and second bonds. The first and second bonds may be disposed on opposite sides of the strand and spaced apart a distance less than its un-tensioned diameter, and the first and second bonds may be located along an arcuate portion of the strand.

Elastic laminates with curved elastics and methods for manufacturing

Elasticated materials and absorbent articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an elasticated material may comprise a first layer bonded to a second layer by first bonds and second bonds. A plurality of elastomeric strands may extend between the first layer and the second layer. A first bond and a second bond are disposed on opposite sides of a first strand and are separated by a longitudinal distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the first strand, and a third bond and a fourth bond are disposed on opposite sides of a second strand and are separated by a longitudinal distance less than an un-tensioned diameter of the second strand. The first bond forms a first angle with respect to the first strand, the third bond forms a second angle with respect to the second strand, and the first angle is different than the second angle.

Elasticated materials with directional stretch properties

Exemplary wearable articles including regions with differing visual patterns are disclosed. In one embodiment, an article may comprise an elasticated front chassis region and an elasticated front waistband region, a rear region, a crotch region, and an absorbent body disposed at least partially within the crotch region. The front chassis and front waistband regions may comprise a plurality of elastomeric strands disposed between a first material and a material and are bonded together by a plurality of discrete bonds, at least some of which entrap the strands. The strands of the front chassis region are spaced apart a first distance, while the strands of the front waistband region are spaced apart a second distance, with the second distance being less than the first distance.

Absorbent articles with visually different chassis and waistbands

An energy apparatus can be configured for providing energy to an item being transferred over a rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can include a first energy mechanism configured to be fixedly coupled to the rotatable drum and rotate with the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can also include a second energy mechanism configured to rotate around a circumference of the rotatable drum. The energy apparatus can additionally include a translation system coupled to the second energy mechanism and configured to move the second energy mechanism to an end position that allows the second energy mechanism and the first energy mechanism to provide energy to the item while there is no relative motion between the first energy mechanism and the second energy mechanism. Methods of providing energy to an item utilizing an energy apparatus are also disclosed.

Energy apparatus and methods of providing energy to an item

Elasticated materials and absorbent articles comprising elasticated materials are disclosed. In an embodiment, an elasticated material can comprise a first web material, a second web material bonded to the first web material, and a plurality of elastomeric strands extending in a lateral direction and disposed between the first and second web materials. The material may comprise a pair of bonds disposed on opposite sides of an elastomeric strand and spaced apart across the elastomeric strand a distance less than an untensioned diameter of the elastomeric strand of the plurality of elastomeric strands. Additionally, the elasticated material may exhibit a first amount of elongation in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction at a given tension along a first length of the elasticated material and a second amount of elongation in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction at the given tension along a second length of the elasticated material.

Growing community of inventors

Neenah, WI, United States of America

Jerry L Hameister