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:
Nov. 04, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 11, 2002
Gary Mack Reynolds, Neenah, WI (US);
Robert Eugene Vogt, Neenah, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to methods of fabricating an absorbent article. In one method of the invention, combination containment flaps and leg cuffs are formed on a common substrate. A plurality of elastomeric elements are included in the combination article to assist in forming containment flaps. Discrete leg cuff pieces are applied to the substrate at longitudinally spaced locations. In some embodiments, a cutting device slits the substrate substantially along a center line extending the length of the substrate, forming two continuous substrate portions. A glue gun applies adhesive to the substrate portion. The substrate portions are folded lengthwise, using the adhesive to form integral containment flaps and leg cuffs in a composite substrate. The composite substrate is secured to an absorbent article web sausage in forming absorbent articles. In another embodiment, the substrate is a first substrate which supports elastomeric elements used in forming leg cuffs and containment flaps. The first substrate is secured to a second substrate, thus forming a base structure, with the elastomeric elements between the first and second substrates. A bodyside liner and an absorbent core are added on one side of the base structure, and an outer cover is added on the second side, to form a web sausage. In both embodiments the web sausage is cut transversely at spaced locations along the length of the web sausage, to form absorbent articles.