Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

Steven L Schnasse

Robert Lee Popp

Jack Lee Couillard

Henry Louis Carbone, Ii

Kent Allan Franklin

Tim G Dollevoet

Brian Robert Vogt

Jesse Paul Sorenson

Clinton David Clark

Matthew Lee Koele

Kurt Garrett Krupka

David Albert Maxton

Archie Dodds Morgan

David James Van Eperen

Joseph J Gimenez

Bradley M Marohl

Michael William Protheroe

David Michael Clemens

Rodney Steele Gardinier

David Michael Lehner

Steven James Langolf

Henry L Carbone Ii

Henry L Ii Carbone

Clinton D Clark

Michael W Protheroe

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 of tucking a pair of refastenable side seams into a body portion of a pant-like garment in which the fold locations can be controlled and the likelihood of creases occurring in the fastening components is reduced or eliminated. The garment is positioned either on one vacuum conveyor or between an upper vacuum conveyor and a lower vacuum conveyor. Vacuum zones from the conveyors hold the garment in place. While the garment is held by the vacuum zones, the refastenable side seams are pushed between the front and back regions toward one another with the fastening components being placed in a flat configuration.

Method of tucking refastenable side seams

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Steven L Schnasse