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:
Jan. 29, 2008
Filed:
Dec. 15, 2005
Jack L. Couillard, Menasha, WI (US);
Robert Lee Popp, Hortonville, WI (US);
Jack L. Couillard, Menasha, WI (US);
Robert Lee Popp, Hortonville, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc., Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening a partially assembled absorbent undergarment during manufacture, a longitudinal folding device is carried by a transport device and moveable between an open configuration in which it receives a partially assembled undergarment, and a closed configuration in which the undergarment is folded longitudinally by the folding device. A first transverse folding device folds a first fastening portion of the undergarment relative to the folding device and generally toward a second fastening portion, and a second transverse folding device carried by the transport device folds the second fastening portion relative to the folding device and generally toward the first fastening portion to facilitate engagement therebetween. A separate retention member is carried by the transport device and draws at least one of the first and second fastening portions against the retention member while the garment is moved by the transport device.