AU714623B2 - Disposable garment and related manufacturing equipment and methods - Google Patents

Description

-I

S F Ref: 386265D3

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

9 €o o o9 Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

401 North Lake Street Neenah Wisconsin 54956 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Gregory John Rajala, Steven Craig Gehling, Paul Daniel Suke Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Disposable Garment and Related Manufacturing Equipment and Methods Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5845 DISPOSABLE GARMENT AND RELATED MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT AND METHODS This invention relates to undergarments in general, and more specifically to women's disposable undergarments having an absorbent layer or fluid repellent region or both to be used with a woman's normal feminine care protection during her menstrual period.

Regular undergarments in current use are made of cotton and/or synthetic materials. The cotton and synthetic panties typically do not offer barrier protection. Often the synthetic panties have a cotton lined crotch to absorb vaginal discharges or perspiration. The absorbent/barrier properties of regular undergarments are minimal such that any vaginal discharge and/or S heavy perspiration may strike through onto outer clothing (i.e.

9• .liquid penetrates from the interior to the exterior of the undergarment.) *.9 Z6" Panty liners and feminine care sanitary napkins or pads used with regular undergarments have polyethylene backings that provide some barrier properties inhibiting liquid strike through.

However, if the vaginal discharge extends to the sides or the ends of the pads it can leak or seep around an edge of the pad and onto the undergarment. Such leakage can stain the undergarment. Depending upon the amount of leakage, liquid may strike through or go around the undergarment and stain outer clothing and/or bedding. Women with heavy liquid flows may use one or more maxi pads, double pads and/or tampons alone, or in eeee•2 combination, and change these pads and tampons frequently to prevent embarrassing, messy leakage around the edges of the pads S and/or staining of outer clothing. In some cases, during their heaviest flow days, some women will restrict their activities and stay home.

Many women experience some leakage of menses from their pads to their undergarments. This varies from being limited to a small number of pads leaking onto only the undergarment during light flow to more prevalent leakage onto the wearer's outer clothing on pads worn during heavy flow. Normally this leakage occurs at the side of the pad, although end leakage is also a problem.

-2- Placement of maxi pads and overnight pads in the crotch of regular undergarments shows that, at best, the pads lay on the leg elastic and, at worst, overhang the leg elastics. This causes side leakage onto the undergarment and possibly onto outer clothing. Typical leakage from the pad is caused by poor fit of the pad to the body, improper positioning of the pad by the user and lack of absorbency. Leakage from the undergarment onto the other clothing is typically due to incompatibility between the pad width and the undergarment crotch width and/or lack of barrier properties in the undergarment material around the edge portion of the pad.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein a method of placing and securing an elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment assemblies, wherein said garment assemblies are disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies, each garment-type assembly having S 15 at least one opening, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment assembly

•••OO

S* into a nip; feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment .assembly into the nip; applying adhesive on the second web ahead of the nip; supplying elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; feeding the elastic to a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with o respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, and thus receiving the elastic, and feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip, and driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web S 30 adjacent the nip along a path as shown in FIGURE 13, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path corresponding to an edge of the opening, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment assemblies.

Preferably, the method includes directing the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

Preferably, the method includes disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

Preferably, the method includes disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

fN:\L1BLL102326:KEH -2A- Preferably, the method includes cutting the opening, and thereby creating the edge of the opening which corresponds in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path generally parallel to the opening across the transverse dimension of the garment assembly.

There is further disclosed herein a method of placing and securing an elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment assemblies, wherein said garment assemblies are disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies, each garment-type assembly having at least one opening, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment assembly into a nip; feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment assembly into the nip; S(c) applying adhesive on the second web ahead of the nip; o° supplying elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; feeding the elastic to a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with °.oo respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, a and thus receiving the elastic, and feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip, and driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and S thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip in accordance with the equation: Y. i :Y Y nlexp L/(dN) 1-exp-L(dN) :-0.00 where

X

n elastic guide position at the present step, Yn elastic position on product web at the present step, Yn- elastic position on product web at the previous step, L the length of one product repeat in the machine direction, d the distance from the nip to the elastic guide, and N total number of divisions per product repeat, wherein points X. are the points the elastic guide must take in order for the elastic to end up at the points Yn on the product web, and thus causing the elastic to follow a [N:\LIBLL102326:KEH -2Bpath corresponding to an edge of the opening, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment assemblies.

Preferably, the method includes directing the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

Preferably, the method includes disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

Preferably, the method includes disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

Preferably, the method includes cutting the opening, and thereby creating the edge of the opening which corresponds in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path generally parallel to the opening across the transverse dimension of the garment assembly.

There is further disclosed herein apparatus for placing and securing elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment Is subassemblies longitudinally along the web, the garment subassemblies to be separated from the web, each garment having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion *909 connecting the front and the back portions, a waist opening and leg openings, the length 9 of a given garment subassembly, front-to-back, in the continuous web being disposed o-.o transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: first and second rolls comprising a nip, for joining elements of the garment subassemblies; first feed apparatus for feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment subassembly into the nip; 9 a second feed apparatus for feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment subassembly into the nip; .9 an adhesive applicator for placing adhesive on the second web; a supply of elastic for supplying the elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; 3o a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, for receiving the elastic, for feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and for controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and a transverse driver for maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip and for driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip in accordance with the equation: [N:XLIBLL2326:KEH -2C- Xn Yn Yn-lexp-L/(dN) 1-exp-L/(dN) where Xn elastic guide position at the present step, Yn elastic position on product web at the present step, Yn-1 elastic position on product web at the previous step, L the length of one product repeat in the machine direction, d the distance from the nip to the elastic guide, and N total number of divisions per product repeat, wherein points X n are the points the elastic guide must take in order for the elastic to end up at the points Yn on the product web, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path on the second web corresponding to edges of the leg openings, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment subassemblies.

S 12 Preferably, the lateral guide being positioned to direct the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

13 Preferably, the lateral guide being disposed within one inch of the nip.

15 13 Preferably, the lateral guide being disposed within one inch of the nip.

14 Preferably, the lateral guide being disposed within one inch of the nip.

Preferably, the apparatus includes a cutter for cutting the leg openings, and thereby creating the edges of the leg openings which correspond in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path on the subassembly 20 parallel to the leg openings across the transverse dimension of the garment subassembly to a locus at least adjacent the crotch.

oo 9 O 9 .9 0 9 9 9.

[N:\LIBLL02326:KEH waist portion ata second edge of the garment blank subassembly opposite the first edge, the front and back body portions, in combination, defining opposing third and fourth side edges of the garment blank subassembly. The garment blank subassembly has a length extending between the first and second edges, and a width extending between the third and fourth edges. Each of the third and fourth back leg edge portions has a first angular portion extending generally along a line forming an acute angle with an imaginary centerline extending between the first and second edges, and a second arcuate portion having a third end at the respective first angular portion and a fourth end connecting the respective back leg edge portion to the respective one of the fifth and sixth crotch edge portions. The garment blank subassembly, when laid out flat, comprises a first operative layer, generally extending functionally from the first edge through the crotch to the second edge; a second layer secured to the first layer; and one or more threads of elastic between and secured to the first and second layers, and extending S continuously from a first locus adjacent the third side edge, as a first section, along the width of the garment blank subassembly, toward the first edge at an acute angle with the centerline and generally following the third back leg edge portion toward the crotch, as a second section across the crotch, and as a third section along the width of the garment blank subassembly and away from the first edge at an acute angle with bos the centerline and generally following the fourth back leg edge portion, to a second locus adjacent the fourth side edge.

S Preferably, the first and third sections of elastic are stretched when the garment blank subassembly is laid out flat, and the second section of elastic is substantially relaxed.

In preferred embodiments, the elastic extends across the crotch between the two fourth ends of the second arcuate portions and parallel to the second edge of the garment blank subassembly.

In some embodiments, it is preferred that the second section of elastic be disposed and secured between the first and second layers.

Typically, the second layer comprises a body side liner having a front layer element secured to the front portion of the first layer, and a back layer element secured to the back portion of the first layer, with an unsecured space disposed between the front layer element and the back layer element, the unsecured space generally corresponding with the crotch portion of the garment blank subassembly, the second section of elastic preferably being disposed in the unsecured space, between the front and back layer elements of the first layer.

The term "unsecured space" may include an area where the front layer element and the back layer element of the second layer may or may not be contiguous and which at least a portion of the front and/or back layer elements remain unsecured to the first layer or an area on the first layer between the front layer element and the back layer element which lacks a second layer.

0* The unsecured areas do not include those zones typically formed between swirls or lines of adhesive but rather block zones *e lacking adhesive or other bonding applications.

Further to preferred embodiments, each of the first and second front leg edge portions has a first longitudinal portion extending generally along the width of the garment blank subassembly and a second arcuate portion having a first end at 2 the respective first longitudinal portion and a second end connecting the respective front leg edge portion to the S respective one of the fifth and sixth crotch edge portions, the garment blank subassembly including a separate thread of elastic S. S between and secured to the first and second layers and extending from a third locus adjacent the third side edge, as a fourth section of elastic, along the width of the garment blank 0 subassembly, generally following the first front leg edge portion S along the first longitudinal portion and along at least part of the respective first arcuate portion, away from the first edge, to the crotch, as a fifth section across the crotch, and as a sixth section along at least part of the respective second arcuate portion of the respective front leg edge portion, toward the first edge and generally following the second front leg edge portion along the second longitudinal portion to a fourth locus adjacent the fourth side edge.

Preferably, a second and optionally additional threads of elastic follow a path generally parallel to the path followed by the first thread of elastic. Additional threads of elastic may be disposed along the fifth and sixth crotch edge portions.

According to a further aspect, the invention comprehends a garment blank subassembly wherein each of the first and second front leg edge portions has a longitudinal portion extending generally along the width of the garment blank subassembly and a first arcuate portion having a first end at the respective first longitudinal portion and a second end connecting the respective front leg edge portion to the respective one of the fifth and sixth crotch edge portions, and wherein one or more threads of elastic are disposed between and secured to the first and second layers, and extend continuously from a first locus adjacent the third side edge, as a first section, along the width of the garment blank subassembly, generally following the first front Sleg edge portion along its first longitudinal portion and along S at least part of the respective first arcuate portion, away from the first edge, toward the crotch, as a second section across the crotch, and as a third section along at least part of the respective first arcuate portion, toward the first edge and generally following the second front leg edge portion along the second longitudinal portion to a locus adjacent the fourth side edge. The elastic generally extends across the crotch between 4 g4 the second ends of the first arcuate portions and the first edge of the garment blank subassembly. The first and third sections S. of elastic are typically stretched when the garment blank Ssubassembly is laid out flat, the second section of elastic being relaxed.

S. In some embodiments, the second section of threads of elastic, which has been described as extending across the crotch at either 4* or both of the front and back leg edge portions, is cut or portions of the threads are cut such that the second section, or portions of it, extend from one or both of the respective first and third sections, generally at the crotch. In such instance, the length of the second section, in its essentially relaxed state, may be shorter than the distance separating the first and third sections.

According to another aspect, the invention comprehends a disposable garment adapted to receive a primary absorbent, the primary absorbent having a liquid permeable inner sheet to be disposed against the user's body, a liquid impermeable outer sheet, and an absorbent member disposed therebetween. The disposable garment comprises an outer cover having front and back body portions connected by a crotch portion, the crotch portion, when laid out flat, having a length, and at any given point along the length, and a width, the front and back body portions being connected together to form a waist opening and first and second leg openings; and an absorbent composite associated with the crotch portion. The outer cover of the garment comprises a first outer layer. A second inner layer is in contact with the first outer layer. One or more continuous threads of elastic is disposed between, and secured to, the first and second layers.

First and second sections of the elastic extend along the first and second leg openings, thereby to form puckers about the first and second leg openings at edges thereof. A third section of the elastic extends across the crotch in an essentially relaxed state, such that the width of the crotch portion in the assembly Ir corresponds generally to the width of the crotch portion when the crotch portion is laid out flat.

Preferably, the second inner layer has first and second sides, *26. the elastic is disposed on the first side of the second inner layer, and the absorbent composite is disposed on the second side of the second inner layer.

Also preferably, the first and second sections of the elastic are ':S9 separated from the absorbent composite by the second inner layer, with the third section of elastic being disposed between the 6*.6 Sfirst and second layers.

21

S

In some embodiments, the second layer comprises a body side liner having a front layer element secured to the front portion of the first layer, and a back layer element secured to the back portion of the first layer, and including an unsecured space between the front layer element and the back layer element, with the third section of elastic disposed in the unsecured space between the front and back portions of the first layer.

Preferably, the elastic defines a first path of traverse across the garment, and the garment includes at least a second thread of elastic following a second path generally parallel to the first path.

Preferably, the combination of the elastics circumscribe substantial portions of, and potentially encircle the first and second leg openings, at the corresponding edges of the leg openings, thereby providing substantially continuous expansible puckering about the leg openings.

According to a further aspect, the invention comprehends apparatus for placing and securing one or more threads of elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment or other garment subassemblies longitudinally a along the web, the subassemblies to be separated from the web.

Regarding garments, each garment has a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion connecting the front and the back portions, a waist opening and leg openings, the length of a given garment subassembly, front-to-back, in the continuous web being Sdisposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies through the apparatus. Given the foregoing product descriptions, the apparatus comprises first and second rolls comprising a nip, for joining elements of the 0;.50, garment subassemblies; first means such as unwind, drive, and ai guide apparatus, for feeding first and second webs comprising corresponding first and second layers of the garment subassembly into the nip; an adhesive applicator for placing adhesive on the 99 second web; a supply of elastic, for example including unwind and drive apparatus, for supplying one or more threads of elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; a lateral guide, S• disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web 0* within 25.4 mm (one inch) of the nip and adjacent the second web, for receiving the elastic, for feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and for controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and a transverse driver for maintaining the lateral guide within the 25.4 mm (one inch) of the nip and for driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path on the second web corresponding to edges of the leg openings, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment subassemblies.

Preferably, the lateral guide is disposed within 12.7 mm inch) of the nip, and is positioned to direct the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

The apparatus preferably includes a cutter for cutting the leg openings, and thereby creating the edges of the leg openings which correspond in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path on the subassembly parallel to the leg openings across the transverse dimension of the garment subassembly to a locus at least adjacent the crotch.

S.

S According to yet another aspect, the invention comprehends a method of placing and securing an elastic thread between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of 4 garment-type assemblies or subassemblies, each garment-type assembly or subassembly having at least one opening. The method comprises the steps of feeding first and second webs comprising corresponding first and second layers of the garment-type assembly into a nip; applying adhesive on the second web ahead of the nip; supplying one or more threads of elastic for use at the •e nip and in contact with the adhesive; feeding the elastic to a O lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web within 25.4 mm (one inch) of the nip and adjacent the S.a second web, and thus receiving the elastic, and feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the thread enters the nip; and maintaining the lateral guide within 50.8 mm a* (two inch) of the nip, and driving the lateral guide in a S transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path corresponding to an edge of the opening, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment-type assemblies or subassemblies.

The method preferably includes disposing the lateral guide within 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) of the nip, preferably directing the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip, and cutting the opening, and thereby creating the edge of the opening which corresponds in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that once the opening is cut, the previously-incorporated elastic follows a path generally parallel to the opening across the transverse dimension of the garmenttype assembly or subassembly.

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a garment subassembly relating to an garment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the garment subassembly of Fig. 1, including the secondary absorbent in the crotch.

Fig. 3 is a cross section of the garment subassembly taken at 3-3 *of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the garment subassembly taken at 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a disposable garment of the invention.

S

Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged cut-away views of a fragment of the subassembly of Fig. 1, showing detail of the cross-crotch S" elastics.

35. Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of an equipment layout for 0 o •fabricating and otherwise processing the subassemblies of the invention.

Figs. 9 and 10 are pictorial views of the nip area of the elevation shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing the relative transverse positioning of the front and back leg elastics along the advancing web while the outer cover layer and body side layer are being joined.

Fig. 12 is a plan view as in Fig. 11, showing an alternate pattern for the elastic threads.

Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the elastic guide movement required to attain a given pattern in the final product for various guide to nip distances.

The following detailed description is made in the context of an article including a disposable garment, and corresponding garment subassemblies, for holding a sanitary pad in place as a primary absorbent during use of the garment. It is readily apparent, however, that the garments made using the present invention can be employed with other disposable sanitary articles, such as feminine tampons, incontinent garments, diapers, training pants, and the like.

The garment subassembly 10 of Fig. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the two-layer garment subassembly prior to incorporation of the secondary absorbent. The garment S subassembly of Fig. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the finished garment including all elements, but before the final steps of assembling the composite to form the garment structure.

Fig. 5 shows the finally-assembled disposable garment structure.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, the garment subassembly 10 has an outer cover layer 12 generally defining the overall length "Ll" and width "W1" of the subassembly, and at least one body side layer(s) 14 secured to the outer cover layer 12 to cover adhesively applied components. The garment subassembly generally includes a front body portion 16 terminating at a front 35 waist portion 18 as a first edge of the subassembly, a back body 0* oo portion 20 terminating at a back waist portion 22 as a second edge of the subassembly, and a crotch portion 24.

Advantageously, the body side layer 14 includes a front layer element 19 generally overlying and secured to the outer cover layer 12 on the front body portion 16, and a back layer element 21 generally overlying and secured to the outer cover layer 12 on the back body portion 20. A unsecured space 23 separates the front layer element 19 from the back layer element 21.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, for assembling the subassembly of Fig. 2 to form an garment 25 as in Fig. 5, a first side edge 26 of front body portion 16 is assembled with a first side edge 28 of the back body portion 20 to form a first side seal Similarly, a second side edge 32 of the front body portion 16 is assembled with a second side edge 34 of the back body portion to form a second side seal 36. The waist portions 18, 22 when assembled form a waist opening 38 for putting on and taking off the garment 25. The waist opening 38 is surrounded at least in part by a waist elastic 40. The waist elastic 40 is stretched and attached to the waist portions 18, 22 in the stretched state..

The waist elastic 40 is released after attachment to produce waist folds or pleats 42 to allow expansion of the waist opening 38 so that the garment 25 can fit various sizes of people.

Because users of this invention generally prefer a brief style garment, the front waist portion 18 preferably comes as high as the navel and is level around the wearer's waist. Having the garment at this height provides a snug fit. Alternative garment S styles include bikini regular leg cut or french leg cut) and hipster regular leg cut or french leg cut).

Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, the front body portion 16, the back body portion 20, and the crotch portion 24, in combination, form left and right leg openings 44 and 46, respectively, which are generally circular or oval in shape in the finally assembled .3Q. garment 25. The leg openings 44 and 46 are formed by cutting 0* S away portions of the outer cover layer 12, and corresponding portions if any of body side layer 14. Each leg opening 44, 46 is surrounded at least in part by a back leg elastic 48, a front *:leg elastic 50, and a crotch elastic 51 between the back leg 35 elastic 48 and the front leg elastic 50. Each of the respective O elastics 48, 50, 51 is adjacent the respective one of the edges 52 of the corresponding leg openings 44, 46. The front and back leg elastics 48, 50 are secured between the outer cover layer 12 and the body side layer 14 by adhesive 55. The crotch elastics 51 are secured to outer cover layer 12 by adhesive 55. The elastics 48, 50, 51 are in the stretched state when secured to the outer cover layer 12. Accordingly, when the elastics 48, 51, the outer cover layer 12 and the body side layer 14 are released after the elastics 48, 50, 51 are secured to the outer cover layer 12, the elastics 48, 50, 51 produce leg folds or pleats 54 at the edges 52 of the leg openings 44, 46 to allow expansion of the leg openings 44, 46 to fit various sizes of legs. Between the front body portion 16 and the back body portion 20 in generally the crotch portion 24 of the garment an unsecure area is created. The unsecured area can be substantially unsecured or relatively unsecured in comparison to the attachment of the front and back portions to the first layer.

The front body portion 16 may be divided into a front upper portion 56 and a front lower portion 58. Similarly, the back body portion 20 may be divided into a back upper portion 60 and a back lower portion 62. The upper portions 56 and 60 are preferably designed to include body elastics 64 which readily stretch to allow the wearer to put on the garment 25 and then readily contract to resume the normal release state of the body elastics 64. This ensures a close or snug fit to different body sizes and forms. A number of body elastics 64 are positioned on fee both the front and the back portions 56, 60, respectively, at S positions between the waist opening 38 and the leg openings 44, 46, so that the garment 25 has a good fit, particularly around •2 the body.

The lower body portions 58, 62 generally do not require the spaced elastics as in the upper body portions 56, 60, although the elastics may be used.

430 The width of the crotch portion 24 between the left and right crotch elastics 51 should be wide enough to accommodate laying the primary absorbent 66 between the edges 52 without having the primary absorbent 66 obstruct the crotch elastics 51. This allows the crotch elastics 51 to contract and draw up the sides of the crotch 24 about the primary absorbent, to thus accommodate *the thickness of the primary absorbent 66, and to give surface area within the crotch portion 24 of the garment 25, adjacent edges 52, to contain leakage from the primary absorbent 66.

The width of the crotch portion 24 between the elastics 51 should not be so wide as to seem bulky or uncomfortable. A suitable width is at least about 70 mm (2.75 inches) between the crotch elastics. Width of crotch portion 24 is advantageously from about 76 mm (3 inches) to about 89 mm (3.5 inches). Preferably, the width is about 76 mm (3 inches).

Preferably, the crotch elastics 51 are from about 10 mm (0.375 inch) to about 16 mm (0.625 inch) wide. More preferably, the width is about 13 mm (0.5 inch). Preferably, ruffle material on the edge of the leg openings 44, 46 outside the leg elastics 48, and crotch elastics 51 is less than about 6 mm More preferably, the ruffle material is less than about 3 mm (0.125 inch). It is most desirable to eliminate any ruffle material from the edges of the leg openings 44, 46, as illustrated in Fig. .5 5 9r

S.

S S The overall width of the crotch portion 24 includes the width between the left and right crotch elastics 51, the width of the crotch elastics, and any ruffle material outside the crotch elastics 51 to the edges 52 of the leg openings 44, 46.

Preferably, the overall width of the crotch portion 24 should be at least about 102 mm (4 inches).

Fig. 2 shows the garment subassembly 10 of Fig. 1 with a secondary absorbent 68 secured in the crotch portion 24, over the outer cover layer 12 and parts of the front and back layer elements 19, 21 of the body side layer 14. The width of the secondary absorbent 68 is sized in relation to the width of the crotch portion 24. Preferably, the width of the secondary absorbent 68 is at least the width of the crotch portion 24 between the crotch elastics 51. More preferably, the width of the secondary absorbent 68 is equivalent to the overall width of the crotch portion 24.

0..

S The secondary absorbent 68 should have sufficient capacity to absorb any flow or seepage of body fluid around or through the primary absorbent 66. The secondary absorbent 68 should preferably have a capacity and thickness substantially less than that of the primary absorbent 66, thus providing a nonbulky and flexible fit. The secondary absorbent 68 should have a total capacity of about one-half the capacity of the primary absorbent 66. Preferably, the secondary absorbent 68 should have a total capacity of at least about 3 grams and not more than 6 grams.

More preferably, the total capacity of the secondary absorbent 68 should be from about 4 grams to about 6 grams. However, the basis weight of, or the type of, the secondary absorbent 68 should be selected to provide resistance to flexibility of less than around 400 grams, as measured by INDA Standard Test method IST 90.3-92 Standard Test Method for Handle-O-Meter Stiffness of Nonwoven Fabrics.

The secondary absorbent 68 has a low stiffness. The low stiffness allows the absorbent and its barrier to remain attached to the conformable outer cover layer 12 and the body side layer 14 which conform to a wide range of body sizes and shapes.

Preferably, the secondary absorbent 68 has a stiffness of less than 400 grams along any axis tested, more preferably less than 300 grams along any axis and less than 100 grams along the axis parallel to the waist opening 38. The secondary absorbent 68 2 alone will have a stiffness of less than 250 grams and preferably 4 0 less than 100 grams along any axis and more preferably less than 75 grams along the axis parallel to the waist opening.

0 004000 S, The overall length of the secondary absorbent 68 should be adequate to extend beyond the ends of the primary absorbent 66, in order to be properly positioned to receive liquid which flows or seeps around the edges of the primary absorbent 66. This overall length is typically at least about 382 mm (15 inches) thus extending beyond the crotch portion 24 along the longitudinal centerline A-A of the subassembly 10. The length should be in the range of about 382 mm (15 inches) to about 484 mm (19 inches). Preferably, the length of the secondary S absorbent 68 is about 433 mm (17 inches) 0e 000 The width of the secondary absorbent 68 beyond the crotch portion 24 should be at least as wide as the width of the crotch portion S 24. The width of the secondary absorbent 68 may be narrowed S beyond the crotch portion 24 but may thus compromise the containment of liquid flowing or seeping from the primary absorbent 66. More preferably, the width outside the crotch portion 24 is wider than in the crotch portion 24, and is from about 127 mm (5 inches) to about 306 mm (12 inches), alternatively from about 140 mm (5.5 inches) to about 191 mm inches). Preferably, the width is about 165 mm (6.5 inches).

Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the waist elastics 40, the body elastics 64, and the leg elastics 48, 50, are generally covered by the front and back layer elements 19, 21 of the body side layer 14.

Both outer cover layer 12 and body side layer 14 are compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the outer cover layer 12 can be made applies equally to the material of the body side layer 14.

The outer cover layer 12 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness.

Outer cover layer 12 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The outer cover layer 12 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like.

A suitable outer cover layer 12 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.

Alternatively, the outer cover layer 12 is derived from a spunbonded web. In preferred embodiments, the outer cover layer 12 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wireweave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 8.6 kg (19 pounds) as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cycle abrasion rating of Sas measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such *spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, GA. The outer cover layer 12 has a weight of from about 10.2 g/m 2 (0.3 oz. per square yard (osy)) to about 67.8 g/m 2 osy), preferably about 23.7 g/m 2 (0.7 osy).

The position and shape of the leg openings 44, 46 are important to avoid tightness in the crotch and groin area of the wearer, to obtain adequate buttocks coverage, and to prevent the garment from tilting forward, e.g. tilting such that the front waist edge 18 dips lower in relationship to the back waist edge 22. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the most preferred design for leg fit and buttocks coverage. The shape of the curve across the top of the leg is important. If the curve is too deep, the garment 25 will shift downward and backward resulting in a short front waist, increased back length and bagginess in the seat of the garment This would cause the garment 25 to appear tilted when worn as evidenced by an unevenness around the waist of the wearer.

Thus the majority of the edge 70 of the front portion of each leg opening 44, 46 is defined by a straight section 72 having a length "L2" at least about 70% of the length "L3" of the entire edge 70. The straight section 72 should form an angle with the centerline A-A of between about 750 and about 1000, and most preferably about 900. The essentially perpendicular angle formed between the centerline A-A and the front leg opening is measured using a line extending through the end points of the elastic sections.

With the garment subassembly 10 laid out flat as in Fig. 2, the majority of the edge 74 of the back portion of each leg opening 44, 46 is defined by a straight section 76 having a length "L4" ':at least about 70% of the length "L5" of the entire edge 74. The S straight section 76 forms an acute angle with the longitudinal 2. centerline A-A of the subassembly 10. More preferably, the S straight section 76 of the edge 74 forms an acute angle a with the centerline A-A of the garment 25 of between about 500 and 650 and most preferably about 600. The acute angle is measured using a line extending through the end points of the elastic sections.

The majority of the edge 78 of the crotch portion 24 of each leg opening 44, 46 is defined by a straight section 80 having a length Preferably, the straight sections 80 are straight for at least about 70% of the entire lengths "L7" of the respective edges 78.

S: Referring to Fig.l, each back leg edge portion 74 includes an arcuate section "Al" extending from one end 81 of the respective straight section 76 to a second end 82, thus connecting the respective back leg edge portion 74 to the back end of edge 78 of the respective crotch portion 24.

Each front leg edge portion 70 includes an arcuate section "A2" extending from one end 84 of the respective straight section 72 to a second end 86 connecting the respective front leg edge portion 70 to the front end of edge 78 of the respective crotch portion 24.

The shape of the arcuate section "A2" at the inner groin area is important. If the arc is too shallow, tightness may be experienced at the inner groin area.

The preferred narrow crotch width reduces coverage of the buttocks. To compensate for such reduction, the arcuate section "Al" is preferably adjusted toward back waist portion 22, such that the end 82 of the arcuate section "Al" should be positioned slightly forward of centerline B-B as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The waist, back leg, front leg and body elastics 40, 48, 50, 64 respectively are attached to the garment subassembly i0, generally between the outer cover layer 12 and the body side layer 14, using apparatus and processes described hereinafter.

S Materials suitable for use as the elastics include a wide variety, but not limited to, of elastic threads, yarn rubber, flat rubber as bands), elastic tape, film-type rubber, polyurethane, and, tape-like elastomer, or foam polyurethane or formed elastic scrim. Each elastic may be unitary, multipart, or composite in construction. Threads or ribbons, where used, may Sbe multiple and may be applied as a composite. The elastomerics '36 used in the elastics may be latent and nonlatent.

Waist elastic 40 is typically about 13 mm (0.5 inch) wide. The S elastic may comprise threads, ribbons, a film, or composite. The threads or ribbons may be multiple and may be applied as a composite. Preferably, the waist elastic is threads, more Spreferably four threads are used as the elastic and the threads are spaced about 4.3 mm (0.17 inch) apart. The threads may be made of any suitable elastomeric material. One suitable material is spandex such as LycraO threads available from Dupont located in Wilmington, Delaware. Preferably, suitable waist elastics include threads having a total decitex (g/1000m) of about 3760 for 13 mm (0.5 inch) wide elastic. The decitex may vary for each element of elastics. Adhesive 55 is used to bond the elastic between the outer cover layer 12 and the body side layer 14. A suitable adhesive includes, for example Findley H2096 hot melt adhesive, available from Findley Adhesives, Milwaukee,

WI.

The leg elastics 48, 50, and crotch elastic 51, including -multiple threads in each, are typically about 13 mm (0.5 inch) wide. The elastic may comprise threads, ribbons, a film or composite. The threads, ribbons, etc., may be multiple and may be applied as a composite. The front leg elastics 50 and the crotch elastics 51 may be threads, preferably numbering three threads which are spaced about 1.27 to about 12.7 mm (about 0.05 to about 0.50 inch), preferably about 2.54 to about 5.08 mm (about 0.10 to about 0.20 inch), more preferably about 4.3 mm (0.17 inch) apart. Back leg elastics numbering up to six threads may have a width of about 19 mm (0.75 inch) and a thread spacing of about 1.27 to about 19.05 mm (about 0.05 to about 0.75 inch), preferably about 2.54 to about 5.08 mm (about 0.10 to about 0.20 inch), more preferably of about 3.8 mm (0.15 inch) apart. The threads may be made of any suitable elastomeric material. One suitable material is spandex such as Lycra® threads available S: from Dupont, Wilmington, Delaware. Preferably, suitable leg elastics include threads having a total decitex (g/1000m) of 2-S. about 3760 for a 13 mm (0.5 inch) wide elastic. The decitex may vary for each element of elastics. Adhesive 55 is used to bond the several elastics 48, 50 to the outer cover layer 12, the body side layer 14, and the support sheet 53.

To provide a snug leg fit and to draw up the sides of the crotch :portion 24 to a cradle to receive the primary absorbent 66, the leg elastics 48, 50, and the crotch elastics 51, are elongated when applied to the layers 12 and 14 respectively. Preferably, the leg elastics 48, 50 are applied in multiple segments, with the amount of elongation of each segment while being incorporated into the subassembly 10 being determined according to the position to be occupied by the respective segment. In the case S of only front and back leg elastics 48, 50, the front leg elastics 50 are advantageously elongated less than the back elastics 48. In the case of front elastics 50, back elastics 48, and crotch elastics 51, the front and crotch elastics 50, 51 are preferably elongated less than the back elastics 48. Preferably, the elongation of front and crotch elastics 50, 51 are minimal up to between about 100% to about 300%, preferably depending on the decitex of the elastic threads used to about 150% and the elongation of back elastics 48 along the leg openings 44, 46 are minimal to between about 100% to about 300% and preferably depending on the decitex of the elastic threads used to about 250%. The elongations may vary for separate elements and still be within the overall elongation for the composite of elastic elements. The differing tensions allow easier attachment of the primary absorbent pad 66, less tightness in the groin area, and less bunching of the crotch portion 24 caused by high leg elastic retraction. The back leg elastic 48 is under higher elongation to help keep the seat of the garment from creeping up with movement during use. In certain cases, the elongation of the front and back elastics 48, 50 may be minimal when the outer layer 12 is elastic and the front and back elastics 48, 50 are dimensioned to be that of the minimum size of the wearer.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 6, and 7, the suggested six (back) and three (front) threads of elastic on the respective back and front see 0 leg elastics 48 and 50 are each represented as single element of elastic. The following description of the characteristics and "*"use of the single threads applies to the usual multiple threads suggested above.

The composite of the elastics extending about each of the leg openings 44 and 46 comprises a portion of the back leg elastics 48, a portion of the front leg elastics 50, and one of the left and right crotch elastics 51. Referring specifically to Figs. 1, 6, and 7, the back leg elastic 48 extends, as a first section 48A, from a first locus 92 at or adjacent the edge 28 of the subassembly, width-wise across the subassembly at a substantially consistent acute angle a with the centerline A-A that takes it toward a first edge of the subassembly 10 at front waist portion and generally following the back edge 74 of the leg opening 46 along the straight section 76A and onto the first arcuate section "Al" toward the crotch portion 24, generally terminating in the first arcuate section at or near the crotch portion 24. Back leg elastic 48 extends, as a second section 48B, from the first arcuate section "Al" across the crotch portion 24 to the second arcuate section From the second arcuate section the back leg elastic 48 extends, as a third section 48C, at an acute angle a with the centerline A-A away from the front waist portion 18, and generally following the back edge 74 of the leg opening 44 along the straight section 76B to a second locus 94 at or adjacent edge 34.

In the flat configuration shown for the subassembly in Figs. 1, 6, and 7, sections 48A and 48C are elongated to between about 100% to about 300%, preferably depending on the decitex of the elastic threads used about 250%, while section 48B is substantially relaxed, and under no substantial elongation.

Preferably, section 48B includes a modest amount of slack in the elastic.

The front leg elastic 50 extends, as a first section 50A, from a third locus 96 at or adjacent the side edge 26 of the subassembly width-wise across the subassembly 10 and generally following the front leg edge portion 70 along its longitudinal straight .0'Q section 72A, and onto the first arcuate section "A2" toward the crotch portion 24, generally terminating in the first arcuate section at or near the crotch portion 24. Front leg s elastic 50 extends, as a second section 50B, from the first 4 arcuate section "A2" across the crotch portion 24 to the second arcuate section From the second arcuate section the front leg elastic 50 extends, as a third section 50C, width-wise across the subassembly and generally following the front leg edge portion 70 along its longitudinal straight section 72B to a S fourth locus 98 at or adjacent side edge 32. In the flat 3 configuration shown for the subassembly 10 in Figs. 1, 6, and 7, S:sections 50A and 50C are elongated to between about 100% to about 300%, preferably depending on the decitex of the elastic threads used about 150%, while section 50B is substantially relaxed, and under no substantial elongation. Preferably, section includes a modest amount of slack in the elastic.

95o*5 o :Thus, in the embodiment seen in Fig. 1, the front and rear leg elastics 48, 50 extend across the width W1 of the subassembly as one or more continuous threads.

The crotch elastics 51 extend generally between the back and front leg elastics 48 and 50, with respective ends of the crotch elastics 51 generally being disposed at or near the arcuate sections "Al" and Accordingly, the properties of the elastics about each leg opening 44, 46 result from the combined contributions of the respective back leg section 48A), the respective front leg section 50A), and the respective crotch elastic 51.

The reason for providing leg elastics in multiple sections is at least two-fold. First, using multiple sections of elastics facilitates placing of the elastics on the outer cover layer 12 while maintaining advantageous production speeds. As suggested in Figs. i, 8, and 9, the subassembly of e.g. Fig. 1 is made as a sequence of such subassemblies 10 in a continuous web 100, with the width "Wi" of the subassembly disposed in the "with machine" direction of the processing apparatus. In such arrangement, the front and back waist elastics 40, the front and back body elastics 64, and the front and back leg elastics 48, 50 can all YG be assembled into the subassembly 10 by appropriate continuous feeding of respective continuous threads of elastics into the processing apparatus in the "with machine" direction while the S web 100 continuously advances in the "with machine" direction at

S.

a constant speed.

Given the orientation of the crotch elastics 51 at essentially o to the direction of advance of the web 100, placing the crotch elastics 51 as a portion of a continuous element of either the front or back leg elastics 48, 50 would suggest either (1) momentarily and regularly stopping the advance of the web 100 9. while the crotch elastic 51 is fed into place, or severely slowing the web 100 and severely driving an elastics guide, in a direction transverse to the web 100 in order to apply the crotch elastic 51 while the web 100 was thus slowed. In either scenario, severe stresses would be placed on the respective drive 9 '-apparatus, as well as on the web 100. The invention contemplates, rather, that the crotch elastics 100 are optionally placed in the subassembly 10 as a separate operation placing separate elastics segments, where the crotch elastics segments are first elongated and oriented transverse to the web 100, and are then placed on the web 100 as the web 100 passes the M I

__M

appropriate operating station (not shown) subsequent to placing the leg, body and waist elastics 40, 48, 50, 64 in the subassembly 10, though the sequence of placing the elastics is not critical.

Referring now to Figs. 8-11, a first continuous web, which ultimately becomes cover layer 12, is presented against the assembly roll 102 by turning roll 104. A second continuous web, which ultimately becomes body side layer 14, passes under adhesive applicator 106 and over turning rolls 108 and 110, and is pressed against the assembly roll 102 by turning roll 110.

Elastic threads 112 are fed from a continuous supply 114 of elastic thread, through feed nip 116, through thread guides 118 and sets of guide fingers 120A and 120B, and between cover layer 12 and body side layer 14 at the nip 144 formed by assembly roll 102 and turning roll 110.

4.

*4 .r 4 4* 0.

540* 4S Referring especially to Figs. 9 and 10, thread guides 118 and corresponding sets of guide fingers 120A and 120B are elements of lateral guides 122A and 122B respectively. Each of the lateral guides 122A and 122B is mounted on a transverse slide bar 124 for sliding transverse to the with machine direction of travel of the webs. Each lateral guide 122 is connected to a transverse drive mechanism 136 including linkage arms 128 and 130, vertical drive shaft 132, and a cam follower (not shown). The cam followers follow the corresponding cams inside the respective cam housings.

The cams are linked to the machine drive shaft 140 by drive belt 142. Thus, the cams, and correspondingly the thread guides 118 and the sets of guide fingers 120, move transversely with respect to the with machine direction of the webs as the drive shaft 140 turns. The end result is that rotation of the processing line drive shaft 140 effects transverse motion of the thread guides 118 and the sets of guide fingers 120, as indicated by the arrows 117 in Fig. 10, in cooperation with the design of the cams and cam followers.

Referring to Fig. 8, the guide fingers 120 are positioned close to the nip 144 so that they closely control the transverse positions of the elastics 112 with respect to the webs 12 and 14 as the webs 12 and 14 enter the nip 144 and correspondingly trap the elastics 112 between them, fixing the position of the elastics 112 between them by means of adhesive 55 as shown in Fig. 3. Accordingly, the guide fingers 120 are preferably physically positioned, and provide guidance to the threads of elastic, within 50.8 mm (two inch) of the nip 144. To the extent the fingers 120 can be placed closer to the nip 144, they provide more positive guidance to the elastic 112. By careful design of the guide fingers 120, and by careful control of the positioning of the guide fingers 120 with respect to nip 144, the guide fingers 120 can be advantageously positioned within 50.8 mm (two inches), advantageously within 19.05 mm (0.75 inch) of the line of contact defined at the nip 144 between roll 102 and 110.

Additionally, body elastics 64 and waist elastics 40 can be incorporated at nip 144 in the conventional manner of providing stationary feeds and guides at the nip 144.

The limitation on how close the guide fingers 120 can be placed to the nip is controlled by the ability to design fingers 120 which can affirmatively guide the threads of elastic 112 while avoiding having the fingers 120 themselves drawn into the nip 144. The criticality of urging the fingers 120 as ultimately close as possible to the nip 144 can be attenuated by directing the threads 112 onto the adhesive-coated layer 14 ahead of nip 144, preferably instantaneously ahead of the nip 144, as suggested by the depiction in Fig. 8. By directing the threads of elastic 112 onto layer 14 ahead of the nip 144, the open distance spanned by the threads 112 between the fingers 120 and the adhesive-coated layer 14 is minimized, being held to less than 12.7 mm (0.5 inch), for example 6 mm to 10 mm (0.25-0.375 S inch).

"3V 'b S The transverse movement of the lateral guides 122, and thus 0 fingers 120, as the webs 100, 12, 14 advance along the processing line, creates transverse positioning of the elastics threads 112 with respect to the with machine direction of the advancing webs 12 and 14. Fig. 11 shows the pattern of transverse movement of the sets of guide fingers 120A and 120B relative toz the movement of the web in the with machine direction, along the processing line. In Fig. 11, the sets of fingers 120A and 120B are depicted at several locations along the front and back edges 70, 74 of the leg openings 44, 46, to indicate that it is the positioning of the sets of fingers 120A and 120B, and the dynamic changing of -24that positioning by the drive mechanism 126, that determines the instantaneous transverse location of the elastics 112 in the web at any point and time while the elastics 112 are being placed in the web at nip 144 as shown in Figs. 8-11. Comparing Figs. 1, and 11, it is seen that the set of fingers 120A generally places the threads 112 of the back leg elastics 48 generally parallel to each other in the web, while the set of fingers 120B generally places the threads 112 of the front leg elastics 50 generally parallel to each other in the web, both along their respective portions of the designed paths defining the front 70 and back 74 edges of the leg openings 44 and 46.

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the transverse movement required of guide 122, in order to produce a given elastic thread pattern, given three different guide 122 to nip 144 distances. Fig. 13 illustrates that because of the gap between the elastic guide 122 and the nip 144, the elastic guide 122 movement never matches the required elastic pattern. The curves B, C, and D show that for a given elastic pattern, the guide movement amplitude and rates of change increase and become progressively more tortuous as the distance from the guide 122 to the nip 144 increases. The curves B, C and D of FIGURE 13 define the equation Yn- Y .exp L/(dN) SX n 1- exp-L/(dN) 3t where:

X

n elastic guide position at the present step, 20 Yn elastic position on product web at the present step, Yn-1 elastic position on product web at the previous step, L the length of one product repeat in the machine direction, d the distance from the nip to the elastic guide, and N total number of divisions per product repeat.

The points X n are the points the elastic guide must take in order for the elastic to end up at the points Yn on the product web. Thus the points X n correspond directly to the Spoints of lines B, C, and D at the respective distances of 0.75 inch, 1 inch and 2 inches.

o O Following standard mathematical convention, division is performed as 30 encountered in the above equation. Therefore, L gets divided by d and the quotient 4 gets divided by N. This is the same result as dividing L by the product of d*N.

Large, abrupt changes in guide movement cause shock and vibration and thus are deleterious to machinery. Therefore, it is advantageous to keep the guide 122 as close to the nip 144 as possible.

[N:\LIBLL]02326:KEH -24A- The threads of elastic 112 deviate slightly from their parallel relationships with each other as the elastic threads 112 traverse paths that deviate from the machine width direction, the distance between the threads 112 being generally constant as they emerge from the fingers 120. Such deviations from the parallel, resulting from the cross machine traverse of the elastics, are included herein within the phrase "generally parallel" as respects the relationship of the threads of elastic to each other.

It will be understood that Fig. 11 represents only one garment in the continuous sequence of garment subassemblies 10 contained in the web 100 passing through nip 144. It will also be understood that the web 100 passing though the nip 144 is further acted upon at cutter 146 as shown in Fig. 8 to cut away material from the web 100 in creating the leg openings 44 and 46.

a e0 *ooo

,J

o• be J 8a a C S a a.

[N:\LIBLL]02326:KEH In general, then, webs 12 and 14 are provided as substantially endless rolls from unwind stands (not shown). Web 14 is typically provided as front and back layer elements 19 and 21.

Space 23 separates the elements 19 and 21, and generally corresponds with the central area of the crotch portion 24 and the portion of the web 12 which is cut out to form leg openings 44 and 46. Adhesive 55 is applied to the front and back elements 19 and 21 of web 14 by adhesive applicator 106. Webs 12 and 14 are joined adhesively, with elastic threads being interposed between webs 12 and 14 at nip 144, and with space 23 interposed between the front and back elements 19, 21 of the body side layer 14. The transverse positions of the elastics change according to a pre-set path of transverse movements, driven by the drive shaft 140 which drives and times the several operations along the processing line. The threads of elastic 112, as placed by the guide fingers 120, traverse respective paths that ultimately follow the front and back edges of the leg openings 44 and 46, as defined at cutter 146, in registration with the advance of the 10 web, and accordingly, with the advance of the series of garment subassemblies 10 being defined in the web at nip 144 and cutter 146. The portions of the threads of elastic located along the oooo° S front and back edges 20, 74 of the leg openings 44, 46 are S stretched. The portions traversing the crotch portion are .5 substantially relaxed. The crotch portions 24 of the elastic are separately placed in the subassembly 10 at a later processing station, preferably downstream from the cutter 146.

A second embodiment of the subassembly is illustrated in Fig. 12.

In the second embodiment, the front edge 148 of back layer element 21 is disposed rearwardly of that same edge 148 as depicted in the embodiment of Fig. 11, while the guide fingers 120A traverse the same path as in Fig. 11. Accordingly, as the threads of elastic 112 extend across the crotch portion 24, the threads 112 are guided forwardly of edge 148, into unsecured space 23, and are thus not held between the layers 12 and 14, and are not controlled by the adhesive on layer 14. Rather, the 0 .5 tension is maintained on the threads of elastic 112 across the crotch portion 24, such that the threads 112 retract along the edge 148 of the layer element 21 in a configuration that loosely resembles a rope under tension. The rope or the at least one elastic strand of- the rope is subsequently cut such that the cut portions of the threads 112 retract to positions generally defined by the intersection of the edge 148 of the back layer element and the path of the threads adhesively held between layer and the back layer element. Thus, the at least one cut threads 112 generally include loose intermediate ends 150 after being cut, as shown in Fig. 7.

The front layer element 19 is applied along the back edge of the leg opening in a manner similar to the application of the back layer element 21.

Having thus described the invention in full detail, it will be readily apparent that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A method of placing and securing an elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment assemblies, wherein said garment assemblies are disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies, each garment-type assembly having at least one opening, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment assembly into a nip; feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment assembly into the nip; applying adhesive on the second web ahead of the nip; supplying elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; feeding the elastic to a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, and thus receiving the elastic, and feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip, and driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and 20 thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip along a path as shown in FIGURE 13, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path corresponding to an edge of the opening, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment assemblies.

2. A method as in claim 1 and including directing the elastic onto the 25 adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

3. A method as in claim 1 and including disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

4. A method as in claim 2 and including disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

5. A method as in claim 1 and including cutting the opening, and thereby creating the edge of the opening which corresponds in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path generally parallel to the opening across the transverse dimension of the garment assembly.

6. A method of placing and securing an elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment assemblies, wherein said garment assemblies are disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies, each garment-type assembly having at least one opening, the method comprising the steps of: rN:\LIBLL]02S26:KEH -28- feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment assembly into a nip; feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment assembly into the nip; applying adhesive on the second web ahead of the nip; supplying elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; feeding the elastic to a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, and thus receiving the elastic, and feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip, and driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip in accordance with the equation: X YY Yn-lexp L/(dN) "Xn. 1-exp-L/(dN) 00 where SX n elastic guide position at the present step, Yn elastic position on product web at the present step, Yn-1 elastic position on product web at the previous step, L the length of one product repeat in the machine direction, d the distance from the nip to the elastic guide, and N total number of divisions per product repeat, S0 0 wherein points X. are the points the elastic guide must take in order for the elastic to end up at the points Yn on the product web, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path corresponding to an edge of the opening, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment assemblies.

7. A method as in claim 6 and including directing the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip. 0 30

8. A method as in claim 6 and including disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

9. A method as in claim 7 and including disposing the lateral guide within one inch of the nip.

A method as in claim 6 and including cutting the opening, and thereby creating the edge of the opening which corresponds in registration with the lateral [N:\LiBLLIO2326:KEH -29- positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path generally parallel to the opening across the transverse dimension of the garment assembly.

11. Apparatus for placing and securing elastic between first and second layers of a continuous web in producing a series of garment subassemblies longitudinally along the web, the garment subassemblies to be separated from the web, each garment having a front portion, a back portion, a crotch portion connecting the front and the back portions, a waist opening and leg openings, the length of a given garment subassembly, front-to-back, in the continuous web being disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of advance of the garment subassemblies through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: first and second rolls comprising a nip, for joining elements of the garment subassemblies; first feed apparatus for feeding a first web comprising a first layer of the garment subassembly into the nip; a second feed apparatus for feeding a second web comprising a second layer of the garment subassembly into the nip; an adhesive applicator for placing adhesive on the second web; 2 a supply of elastic for supplying the elastic for use at the nip and in contact with the adhesive; a lateral guide, disposed in a lateral position with respect to the second web within two inches of the nip and adjacent the second web, for receiving the elastic, for feeding the elastic to the nip between the first and second webs, and for controlling the lateral position of the elastic as the elastic enters the nip; and a transverse driver for maintaining the lateral guide within two inches of the nip and for driving the lateral guide in a transverse direction across the width of the second web and thereby changing the lateral position of the lateral guide with respect to the web adjacent the nip in accordance with the equation: S.Yn. Y.-exp L d N X Yn- 1 e "Xn 1exp-L/(dN) *oo•. where S 30. X elastic guide position at the present step, Yn elastic position on product web at the present step, Yn-1 elastic position on product web at the previous step, L the length of one product repeat in the machine direction, d the distance from the nip to the elastic guide, and N total number of divisions per product repeat, [N:\LIBLL102326:KEH wherein points X n are the points the elastic guide must take in order for the elastic to end up at the points Yn on the product web, and thus causing the elastic to follow a path on the second web corresponding to edges of the leg openings, in registration with advance of the respective ones of the series of garment subassemblies.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11, the lateral guide being positioned to direct the elastic onto the adhesive on the second web before the elastic enters the nip.

13. Apparatus as in claim 11, the lateral guide being disposed within one inch of the nip.

14. Apparatus as in claim 12, the lateral guide being disposed within one inch of the nip. Apparatus as in claim 11 and including a cutter for cutting the leg openings, and thereby creating the edges of the leg openings which correspond in registration with the lateral positions of the elastic, such that the elastic follows a path on the subassembly parallel to the leg openings across the transverse dimension of the garment subassembly to a locus at least adjacent the crotch. Dated 17 December, 1998 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 4* S. S* IN:\L1BLL]02326:KEH