Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Steven John Shimon

David Albert Maxton

Megan Elizabeth Clemmensen

Chris Alan Pettit

Michael Barth Venturino

Adrienne Rae Loyd

Katie Ann Boland

Daniel Mark Duhm

Matthew Edward Gerstle

Brian L Alberts

Russell Paul George

David J Krysiak

Ruth A McVettie

A process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes providing a plurality of absorbent cores, and embossing at least one fold line into each core, each fold line defining a fold region. The process further includes folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments, and placing the plurality of folded absorbent garments into a container. In particular embodiments, each core can include two transversely opposed absorbent ears. The process can include folding each core along the fold region of each fold line to move each ear closer to a longitudinal centerline of the core to create a plurality of folded absorbent garments. A package of folded absorbent articles is also disclosed.

Process for manufacturing a package of folded absorbent articles, and package made thereby

In a process for making prefastened and refastenable garments, a discrete article is transported in a primary direction of movement. The discrete article can define a leading half comprising first fastening components, a trailing half comprising second fastening components releasably engageable with the first fastening components, and an interconnecting region disposed between and interconnecting the leading and trailing halves. The leading half can be temporarily diverted from the primary direction of movement, while continuing to transport the interconnecting region and the trailing half in the primary direction. After reestablishing movement of the leading half in the primary direction, the leading half can contact a contoured surface, such as a contoured plate or roll. The contact can cause the first fastening components to be transversely displaced toward one another, whereupon the first and second fastening components can be engaged.

Refastenable bonding of garment side panels

A forming receptacle and method for receiving particulate material thereon, and thereby fabricating particulate congregates for use as absorbent cores in personal care absorbent articles is disclosed. The forming receptacle can comprise sheet material defining bottom and side walls of the receptacle. The bottom and side wall have first and second major surfaces and a thickness. The forming receptacle also comprises an array of apertures connecting first and second major surfaces, and further comprises a matrix of sheet material between apertures defining outer perimeters of respective apertures. Respective aperture walls taper from the first major surface toward the second major surface. Aperture walls of adjacent apertures intersect the second major surface without intersecting each other. The array of apertures can be arranged in a series of parallel rows wherein spacing between apertures is substantially constant from row to row. The rows can be displaced laterally such that adjacent apertures in adjacent rows define angles with respect to an imaginary line parallel to the rows. The apertures, measured at a smallest cross-section of opening, can define a composite open area representing at least about 35 percent of the combined areas of the bottom and side walls. Some embodiments introduce a forming drum comprising a plurality of forming receptacles designed and configured to form particulate congregates. The forming drum can comprise mounting structure for mounting the forming drum about an axis of rotation, and a forming receptacle repository extending about a circumference of the forming drum and supported from the mounting structure.

Forming media with enhanced air flow properties

Growing community of inventors

Sherwood, WI, United States of America

Steven John Shimon