The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 05, 2000
James Leslie White, Menasha, WI (US);
Chris Lee Heikkinen, Menasha, WI (US);
Robert Thomas Cimini, Appleton, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a distinctive method and apparatus ( ) for forming an article which includes one or more selectively configured strands of material. In particular aspects, the invention can provide a method and apparatus for wrapping a strand of material with selected filaments, and desirably, the filaments can be adhesive filaments. The technique of the invention can include a moving of a strand of material ( ) at a selected speed along an appointed machine-direction ( ). At least a first, substantially continuous filament ( ) can be directed onto the strand of material ( ) along a corresponding, oscillating filament path ( ) to form a first plurality of filament threads ( ) which extend from opposed lateral side regions ( ) of the strand of material ( ). In particular aspects, at least a second, substantially continuous filament ( ) can be directed onto the strand of material ( ) along a corresponding, oscillating filament path ( ) to form a second plurality of filament threads ( ) which extend from opposed lateral side regions ( ) of the strand of material ( ). Additionally, at least one air stream ( ), and desirably a plurality of air streams are directed to operatively wrap the filament threads ( ) around their corresponding strand of material ( ).