Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Keith Gervaise Bellin

Donald Joseph Sanders

Lee Patrick Garvey

Rob David Everett

Mark Charles Jacobs

Karl R Dehn

Donald J Sanders

Lisette Marie Curtin

A method and apparatus for enveloping a series of absorbent cores with a fluid-permeable layer includes a first web supplying mechanism for providing a first layer of fluid-permeable material, and a depositing mechanism for positioning a series of absorbent cores on the first layer. Each of the absorbent cores defines a periphery thereof and includes superabsorbent material therein. A second web supplying means provides a second layer of fluid-permeable material to sandwich the absorbent cores between the first and second layers. A sealing mechanism secures the first layer to the second layer along an attachment region thereof which is located adjacent to at least a pair of side edge regions of the absorbent cores. The attachment region is constructed to substantially prevent movement of superabsorbent material from the absorbent cores through the attachment region. A separating mechanism removes selected regions of the first and second layers which are located adjacent to the attachment region and are spaced from the absorbent cores.

Method and apparatus for sealing absorbent materials in an absorbent

An apparatus for forming at least one elasticized flap section on a substantially continuous web comprises a web supplying mechanism for delivering a moving, substantially continuous web having first and second, oppositely-facing major surfaces, and having first and second side edges. An elastic supplying mechanism delivers at least one elastic member into contact with the web, and an attaching mechanism secures the elastic member to the web. A first folding mechanism bends the web along a primary foldline located inboard from the first side edge of the web to define at least one primary panel portion of the web. The folding mechanism operably moves the primary panel portion to overlie the first major web surface with the elastic member located between the primary panel portion and the first major web surface. A second folding mechanism bends the web along a flap foldline, which is located substantially inboard from the primary foldline and substantially inboard from the elastic member, to define at least one flap panel portion of the web. The second folding mechanism moves the flap panel portion to overlie the second major surface of the web. A third folding mechanism bends a selected marginal section of the primary panel portion to move the marginal section away from its overlying position relative to the first major web surface.

Method and apparatus for making elasticized containment flaps

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Green Bay, WI, United States of America

Keith Gervaise Bellin