Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Michael William Protheroe

Robert Lee Popp

Brian Robert Vogt

Kurt Garrett Krupka

David Albert Maxton

Bradley M Marohl

Jack Lee Couillard

Charles Robert Tomsovic

Henry Louis Carbone, Ii

Tim G Dollevoet

Clinton David Clark

Archie Dodds Morgan

Matthew Lee Koele

Joseph J Gimenez

Timothy A Thorson

Thomas Earl Williamson

Steven L Schnasse

Michael John Wanner

Timothy Alan Thorson

In a method and apparatus for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof, the fastening components are arranged by the apparatus in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam. The garment is then mechanically handled by the apparatus to subject the engagement seam to a shear stress to promote increased engagement between the fastening components during initial assembly of the garment.

Apparatus and method for securing engagement between fastening components of pre-fastened garments

In a method and apparatus for making and inspecting pre-fastened articles, such as disposable training pants, having at least two generally flexible elements capable of connection with each other during initial assembly of the article, the elements are arranged in overlapping relationship with each other and connected together to define an engagement seam of the article. The article is arranged to define an interior space thereof whereby the interior space is bounded in part by the engagement seam. The elements are irradiated at the engagement seam by a radiation source within the interior space of the article and an image of the irradiated engagement seam is captured by an image capturing device. In one embodiment, the image capturing device is positioned within the interior space of the article and the radiation source is either within the interior space or exterior of the article.

Apparatus and method for inspecting pre-fastened articles

A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels within fluid flow devices. The side panels can move parallel or perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction while the side panels reside within the fluid flow devices.

Method for positioning garment side panels

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Michael William Protheroe