MX2008007533A

MX2008007533A - Apparatus and method for making pre-fastened absorbent undergarments

Info

Publication number: MX2008007533A
Application number: MXMX/A/2008/007533A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Lee Popp Robert; L Couillard Jack
Original assignee: L Couillard Jack; Kimberlyclark Worldwide Inc; Lee Popp Robert
Priority date: 2005-12-15
Filing date: 2008-06-11
Publication date: 2008-09-02

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.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING ABSORBENT INTERIOR CLOTHES SUBJECTED PRIOR TO Background The present invention relates generally to the apparatus and methods for making pre-assembled or pre-fastened absorbent undergarments, and more particularly to the apparatus and methods for engaging cooperating fastening components of preabsorbed absorbent undergarments during the manufacture of such apparels. interiors Absorbent undergarments have numerous applications including, without limitation, diapers, training underpants, and adult incontinence products. A typical absorbent underwear is formed as a composite structure that includes an absorbent assembly disposed between the liquid-permeable body-side liner and an outer cover. These components can be combined with other materials and features such as elastic materials and containment structures to form a product that is specifically suited for their intended purposes. A number of such undergarments include fastening components that are intended for make sure together (for example, of previous fixation) during the manufacture of the garment in such a way that the product is packed in its ready-to-use, pre-assembled form.

As an example, conventional child training underpants have a central absorbent frame and front and rear side panels that extend laterally away from the frame adjacent the longitudinally opposite ends thereof. Each of the front and rear side panels has a fastening component thereof, such as a hook and loop fastener. During the manufacture of the training underpants, the central absorbent frame is initially formed generally flat and then folded over so that the front and rear side panels face each other. The respective fastening components of the front and rear side panels are then aligned and engaged with one another for the pre-clamping of the training underpants in their fully assembled three-dimensional form.

However, existing techniques to make conventional absorbent underwear such as the underpants described above or other clothes pre-fastening interiors in which the fastening components are previously held together during manufacturing in some unsuitable aspects. In particular, typical manufacturing processes are carried out at high speeds, such as to make 250 or more absorbent inner garments of previous fastening per minute. A sometimes limiting factor is that the folding of the underwear while the garment is being moved along the direction to the machine at high speed requires reciprocal movement of the bending device in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the fabric of the underwear moves. This can result in inconsistent location of the fold line along which the garment is folded. Commonly used processes also require multiple stations along the manufacturing apparatus, such as a station in which the garment is folded and a separate station in which the side panels are subsequently fastened together. Specifically, multiple stations must be used to prevent any of the bending and hooking devices of the manufacturing line from being discarded within the interior of the previous fastening garment, thereby inhibiting further movement of the garment along the line .

For this purpose, Japanese open patent application number 7-205943, discloses a bending device in which multiple pairs of suction bending means are provided on a rotating drum, with each pair of suction bending means being capable of both the folding of an absorbent garment and the joining of the lateral edges of the garment together. In particularAs the drum rotates a respective pair of bending means by suction is in an open configuration in which the bending means are placed flat, or tangent to the drum to rotate. In this configuration, a garment that has been cut from a fabric of such garments is sucked flat on the pair of bending means by suction. With further rotation of the drum, the adhesive is applied to the side edges of the garment. Further rotation of the drum causes the pair of suction bending means to bend inwardly from one another while the garment is being sucked into the respective bending means. The garment is therefore folded in half to join the ends of the garment together. The edges of the garment contact one another such that the adhesive holds the edges together in what is commonly referred to as a breech seam. Finally, the drum is rotated to a position in which the means for bending by suction are again opened, where the suction of one of the means of bent is diminished such that the folded garment is held only by the other bending means and then transferred to a conveyor for further processing.

While such a bending device is intended to increase the processing speed for making bent garments, buttock seams are generally undesirable because they present an unfinished appearance. More desirable is what is commonly referred to as a lap seam in which the side edges of the garment at one end thereby overlap and are engaged with the side edges of the garment at the opposite end of the garment. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,779,831 describes an apparatus that grasps a split underwear in four locations and folds the garment in half. The gripped portions of the undergarments are then folded in towards each other. As a result, the parts of the underwear adjacent to the gripped portions overlap one another and are joined together by an ultrasonic bonding device. However, the parts of the underwear that are joined together are unattached (e.g., the overlapping portions adjacent to the gripped portions) and are therefore not positively held in opposite relation. There is a risk that the movement of Appliance or other surrounding conditions may cause the parts to be joined to become misaligned, bent or similar and result in a less than desired joint.

Also, while several other devices and processes for forming lap seams are known to those skilled in the art, such apparatuses and processes typically require that the lap seam be formed to be driven in another than the same station where the lap is folded. of the garment occurs. As such, additional processing apparatus and time are necessary to make such a lap seam.

Synthesis In accordance with an embodiment of the apparatus for mechanically fastening an absorbent underwear to reconfigure partially assembled underwear, an unbuttoned configuration to a pre-fastened configuration during the initial fabrication thereof, such an apparatus generally comprises a powered transport device. to move in a transport direction. A longitudinal folding device transported by the transport device in the transport direction is movable relative to the transport device between a open configuration in which the longitudinal folding device receives an absorbent undergarment in its partially assembled configuration, and a closed configuration in which the absorbent underwear is folded longitudinally by the bending device. A first transverse bending device carried by the conveying device in the transport direction is operable to bend the first fastening part of the underwear relative to the bending device and generally to the second fastening part and to a second bending device. transverse carried by the transport device in the direction of transport and operable to bend the second underwear fastening portions relative to the bending device and generally towards the first underwear fastening part for generally the opposite relationship between the first and second fastening parts to facilitate the hooking in the middle. A separate retaining member from the longitudinal bending device and a transverse bending device is carried by the transport device in the transport direction. The retention member is positioned relative to the longitudinal bending device and the transverse bending devices for interposition within the bending device in the closed configuration thereof. The member of The retainer has a work surface and is operable to pull against said work surface at least one of the first fastening portions and the second fastening portions of the underwear while the garment is moved by the transport device. in the transport direction.

In an embodiment of a method for mechanically forming a preabsorbed absorbent underwear during the initial manufacture of the underwear, an absorbent underwear is partially assembled to have a configuration in which the underwear is generally unfolded and the first and second underwear Fastening parts are unfastened. The absorbent underwear is transported in a transport direction and folded lengthwise such that the first and second end regions of the underwear are generally opposite in relation to one another. The step of longitudinal bending is performed while conveying the partially folded garment in the transport direction. A first fastening part of the underwear is urged to fold towards the second fastening part and towards the work surface of a retaining member, with its first urging step being carried out while transporting the underwear and the fastening member. retention in the direction of transport. The retaining member is operated to pull against and retain the first fastening part, with this step being made while transporting the underwear and the retaining member in the transport direction. A second fastening part of the underwear is urged to fold towards the first fastening part retained on the working surface of the retaining member for the overlap relationship between the first and second fastening portions to thereby facilitate fastening engagement in the middle while retaining the first clamping portion on the work surface of the retention member. This second urging step is performed while transporting the garment and the retention member in the transport direction.

In another embodiment of a method of mechanically forming an absorbent underwear prior to the initial manufacture of the underwear, an absorbent underwear is partially assembled to have a configuration in which the underwear is generally unfolded and the first and second underwear. Underwear fastening parts are unfastened. Underwear is transported in a transport direction. The absorbent underwear is folded lengthwise of such The first and second end regions of the underwear are in generally opposite relationship with each other, with this longitudinal bending step being made while conveying the partially folded garment in the transport direction. A first fastening part of the underwear is bent towards a second fastening part while transporting the underwear in the direction of transport. Substantially the entire second fastening part is retained on a transverse bending device while moving the transverse bending device relative to the first fastening part to a position in which the transverse bending device is in generally opposite relationship with the first fastening part with the second fastening part retained on the transverse bending device and disposed between the transverse bending device and the first fastening part such that the second fastening part engages the first fastening part.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an incorporation of the absorbent underwear in the form of a pair of underpants for children with a system of securing the shown training underpants fastened on one side of the training pants and unzipping on the opposite side of the training underpants; Figure 2 is a bottom-plane view of the training underpants of Figure 1 in a flat, unfolded and unclamped condition to show the surface of the training underpants facing away from the wearer; Figure 3 is a view of the upper plane of the training underpants in its flat, unfolded and unclamped condition to show the surface of the training underpants facing the user, with portions of the training underpants being cut to reveal the underlying characteristics; Figure 4 is a schematic view of a set system for making absorbent undergarments as the training underpants of Figures 1-3; Figure 5 is a schematic view of a part of an assembly or tissue that moves continuously from the undergarments at a location along the assembly system of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the lateral elevation of an embodiment of the fastening apparatus for bending and previously securing the absorbent undergarments during the initial manufacture thereof; Figure 7 is the section taken in the plane of line 7-7 of Figure 7, with the absorbent underwear omitted; Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective of a part of the fastening apparatus of Figure 6 including a longitudinal bending device, transverse bending devices and retention members; Figure 9 is an end view of the longitudinal bending device, transverse bending devices and retention members of the clamping apparatus, with the longitudinal bending device in a configuration folded and an absorbent garment being folded by the bending device; Figure 10 is an end view similar to that of Figure 9 with a pair of transverse bending devices operating in a blow mode to bend the lateral fastening portions of the underwear onto the retaining members; Figure 11 is an end view similar to that of Figure 9 with a pair of opposed transverse bending devices in a bent configuration for bending to the opposite lateral clamping portions of the underwear on the retention members; Y Figure 12 is an end view similar to that of Figure 9 with the underwear in its pre-fastened configuration.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts by all the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used to make a variety of absorbent undergarments including, without limitation, diapers, training underpants, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, medical garments, other personal care garments. or health care, swimming shorts, athletic clothing, underpants and shorts, and the like. For ease of explanation, the methods and apparatuses of the present invention are hereinafter particularly described in connection with making the appraising underpants for children, Generally indicated as 20 in Figure 1. In particular, the methods and apparatus will be described. in terms of those for making the self-holding disposable training underpants similar to the underpants described in the application published in PCT number WO 00/37009, published on June 29, 2000 by AL Fletcher et al., the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The training underpants 20 can also be constructed using the methods and apparatus described in United States of America Patent Number 4,940,464 issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel et al .; and the patent of the States United States of America number 5,766,389 issued June 16, 1998 to Brandon and others, the descriptions of which are also incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to the time to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1, the training underpants 20 are illustrated in a partially fastened condition and comprise an absorbent frame 32 t of a fastening system 80. The absorbent frame 32 has a region of Front waist 22 (widely, a first longitudinal end region) a rear waist region 24 (broadly a second longitudinal end region), and a crotch region 26 (broadly, a central region) extending between and interconnecting the front waist regions and rear, an inner surface 28 facing the user, and an outer surface 30 that is opposite the inner surface and faces away from the user. With further reference to Figures 2 and 3, the absorbent frame 32 has a pair of laterally opposite side edges 36, and a pair of longitudinally opposite waist edges, respectively designated front waist edge 38 and rear waist edge 39. The region of front waist 22 is contiguous with the front waist edge 38, and the region of Rear waist 24 is contiguous with the rear waist edge 39.

The illustrated absorbent frame 32 comprises a composite structure 33 that when placed flat can be rectangular or of any desired shape, and has a pair of laterally opposite side side panels 34 and a pair of laterally opposed rear side panels 134 extending outwardly. thereof. The composite structure 33 and the side panels 34 and 134 may comprise two or more separate elements, as shown in Figure 1, or they may be integrally formed. The integrally formed side panels 34, 134 and the composite structure 33 may comprise at least some common materials, such as the side-to-body liner, the fin composite, the outer cover, other materials and / or combinations thereof, and / or can define a one-piece elastic, capable of stretching, or of underpants unable to stretch. The illustrated composite structure 33 comprises an outer cover 40, a body-side liner 42 (Figures 1 and 3) which are connected to the outer cover in an overlying relationship, an absorbent assembly 44 (Figure 3) which is located between the outer cover and the side-to-body liner, and a pair of containment fins 46 (Figure 3). The Illustrated composite structure 33 has opposite ends 45 forming portions of the front and rear waist edges 38 and 39, and opposite side edges 47 forming portions of the side edges 36 of the absorbent frame 32 (Figures 2 and 3). By reference, the arrows 48 and 49 describe the orientation of the longitudinal axis and the lateral axis, respectively, of the training underpants 20.

With the training underpants 20 in the closed position as partially illustrated in Figure 1, the front and rear side panels 34, 134 are secured together to define a three-dimensional underpants configuration having a waist opening 50, a pair of leg openings 52 and an interior space 53. The front waist region 22 comprises the portion of the training underpants 20 which, when worn, are placed on the front of the wearer while the rear waist region 24 comprises the part of the training underpants that, when worn, are placed on the back of the user. The crotch region 26 of the training underpants 20 comprises the portion of the training underpants 20 which, when worn, is placed between the wearer's legs and covers the lower torso of the wearer. The front and rear side panels 34, and 134, comprise the parts of the Underpants 20, which, when worn, are placed on the user's hips. The waist edges 38 and 39 of the absorbent frame 32 are configured to surround the wearer's waist when worn and together define the waist opening 50 (Figure 1). The sides of the side edges 36 in the crotch region 26 generally define the leg openings 52.

The absorbent frame 32 is configured to contain and / or absorb any exudates discharged from the user. For example, the absorbent frame 32 desirably even though it does not necessarily have a pair of containment fins 46 (Figure 3) that are configured to provide a barrier to the transverse flow of body exudates. An elastic fin member 53 (Figure 3) can operatively be attached to each containment fin 46 in any suitable manner as is well known in the art. The elasticized containment fins 46 define an unbonded edge that assumes an upright configuration in at least the crotch region 26 of the training underpants 20 to form a seal against the wearer's body. The containment fins 46 may be located along the side edges 36 of the absorbent frame 32, and may extend longitudinally along the entire length of the frame absorbent or may only extend partially along the length of the absorbent shell. Suitable constructions and arrangements for containment fins 46 are generally well known to those skilled in the art and are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,704,116 issued November 3, 1987 to Enloe, which is incorporated herein. by reference.

To further improve the containment and (the absorption of the body exudates, the training underpants 20 desirably even though they do not necessarily include a front waist elastic member 54, a rear waist elastic member 56, and leg elastic members 58, as they are known to those skilled in the art, the elastic waist members 54 and 56 can operatively be attached to the outer cover 40 and / or the side-to-body liner 42 along the opposite waist edges 38 and 39, and may extend over part of or all of the waist edges.The elastic leg members 58 may be operatively attached to the outer cover 40 and / or the side-to-body liner 42 along the opposite side edges 36 and placed in the body. the crotch region 26 of the training pants 20. The elastic leg members 58 can longitudinally aligning along each side edge 47 of the structure of compound 33.

The elastic fin members 53, the elastic waist members 54 and 56, and the elastic leg members 58 can be formed of any suitable elastic material. As is well known to those skilled in the art, suitable elastic materials include sheets, threads or ribbons of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic elastomeric polymers. The elastic materials can stretch and adhere to a substrate, adhere to a folded substrate, or adhere to a substrate and then stretch or shrink, for example, with the application of heat, such that the elastic constrictive forces are imparted to the substrate.

The outer cover 40 suitably comprises a material that is substantially impermeable to liquid, and may be elastic, capable of stretching or being unable to stretch. The outer cover 40 may be a single layer of liquid impermeable material, but desirably comprises a multilayer laminated structure in which at least one of the layers is impermeable to the liquid. For example, outer cover 40 may include a permeable outer layer to the liquid and an inner layer impervious to the liquid that are properly joined together by a laminated adhesive, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or the like. Suitable laminated adhesives can be applied continuously or intermittently as drops, a spray, parallel swirls, or the like. The liquid permeable outer layer can be any suitable material and desirably one that provides a texture generally of the fabric type. The inner layer of the outer cover 40 can be both impermeable to liquid and vapor, or it can be impermeable to the liquid and permeable to vapor. The inner layer can be made of a thin plastic film, even when other flexible liquid impervious materials can also be used. The inner layer, or the outer cover impermeable to the liquid 40 when it is a single layer, prevents the waste material from wetting the articles, such as the bed covers and the clothes, as well as the user and the caregiver.

The fluid-permeable body side liner 42 is illustrated as the overlying outer cover 40 and the absorbent assembly 40, and may need not have the same dimensions as the outer cover 40. The side-to-body liner 42 is desirably docile, Soft to the touch, and non-irritating to the child's skin. In addition, the lining of the body 42 may be less hydrophilic than absorbent assembly 44, to present a relatively dry surface to the user and allow the liquid to readily penetrate through its thickness. Alternatively, the body side liner 42 may be more hydrophilic or may have essentially the same affinity for moisture as the absorbent assembly 44 to present a relatively wet surface to the user to increase the feeling of being wet. This feeling of humidity can be useful as a learning aid. The hydrophilic / hydrophobic properties can be varied through the length, width and depth of the side-to-body liner 42 and of the absorbent assembly 44 to achieve the desired moisture sensation or filtration performance.

The body side liner 42 can be made from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (e.g., wood or cotton fibers), a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films, or the like. Various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the side-to-body lining 42. For example, the side-to-body lining can be composed of a meltblown fabric or bonded with fiber yarn. polyolefin. The side-to-body lining can also be a carded and bonded fabric composed of natural and / or synthetic fibers. The body-side liner may be composed of a substantially hydrophobic material, and the hydrophobic material may, optionally, be treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. The outer cover 40, the side-to-body liner 42 and other materials used to build the underpants may comprise elastomeric or non-elastomeric materials.

The absorbent assembly 44 (Figure 3) is placed between the outer cover 40 and the side-to-body liner 42, which can be joined together by any suitable materials such as adhesives, ultrasonic bonds, thermal bonds, or the like. The absorbent assembly 44 can be any structure that is generally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the child's skin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids and certain body wastes, and can be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and of a wide variety of liquid absorbing materials, commonly used in the art. For example, the absorbent assembly 44 may suitably comprise a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulose fluff fabric, mixed with particles of a high-absorbency material commonly known as super absorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent assembly 44 comprises a cellulose fluff matrix, such as wood pulp fluff, and super absorbent hydrogel formation particles. The wood pulp fluff can be interchanged with meltblown, synthetic, polymeric fibers or short-cut homophilic bicomponent synthetic fibers and natural fibers. The super absorbent particles can be substantially homogeneous mixed with hydrophilic fibers or they can be uniformly mixed. The lint and the super absorbent particles may also be selectively placed in desired areas of the absorbent assembly 44 to better contain and absorb exudates from the body. The concentration of the super absorbent particles may also vary through the thickness of the absorbent assembly 44. Alternatively, the absorbent assembly 44 may comprise a laminate of fibrous fabrics and super absorbent material or other suitable means for maintaining a super absorbent material in a localized area.

Suitable super absorbent materials can be selected from polymers and natural, synthetic, and modified natural materials. The super absorbent materials they may be inorganic materials, such as silica gels, or organic compounds, such as crosslinked polymers, for example, neutralized sodium polyacrylic acid. Typically, a super absorbent material is capable of absorbing at least about 15 times its weight in water, and desirably is capable of absorbing more than about 25 times its weight in water. As a general rule, the super absorbent material is present in the absorbent assembly 44 in an amount from 0 to about 99 percent by weight based on the total weight of the absorbent assembly. The absorbent assembly 44 may or may not be wrapped or encompassed by any suitable tissue wrapping that can help maintain the integrity and / or shape of the absorbent assembly.

The absorbent frame 32 may also incorporate other materials designed primarily to receive, temporarily store, and / or transport liquid along the surface mutually facing the absorbent assembly 44, thereby maximizing the absorbent capacity of the absorbent assembly. A suitable material is referred to as the emergence layer (not shown) and can be located adjacent the absorbent structure 44 (eg, between the absorbent structure and the liner 42) and attached to various components of the article 20 such as the absorbent structure and / or the lining of side to body 42 by methods known in the art, such as by adhesive, ultrasonic or thermal bonding. The emergence delivery layer helps decelerate and diffuse liquid surges or discharges that can be quickly introduced into the absorbent structure 44. Desirably, the emergence delivery layer can quickly accept and temporarily hold the liquid before releasing the liquid into the storage or retention portions of the absorbent structure 44. Examples of suitable emergence administration layers are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,486,166; and 5,490,846. Other suitable emergence administration materials are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,820,973. All descriptions of these patents are incorporated by reference herein.

As previously noted, the front and rear side panels 34 and 134 are disposed on opposite sides laterally of the absorbent frame 32 in a longitudinally spaced relationship with one another. The front side panels 34 can permanently be attached along seams 66 to the composite structure 33 of the absorbent frame 32 in respective front and rear waist regions 22 and 24. More particularly, as best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the front side panels 34 can permanently attach and extend transversely outwardly beyond the side edges 47 of the composite structure 33 in the front waist region 22, and the rear side panels 134 can be permanently attached a and extended transversely outwardly beyond the side edges of the composite structure in the rear waist region 24. The side panels 34 and 134 may be joined to the structure of the composite 33 using bonding means known to those skilled in the art. such as adhesive, thermal or ultrasonic bonding. Alternatively, the side panels 34 and 134 may be formed as an integral part of a component of the structure of the composite 33. For example, the side panels may comprise a generally wider part of the outer cover 40, the side-to-body liner 42 , and / or another component of the absorbent frame 32. The front and rear side panels 34 and 134 may be permanently attached together or releasably engaged with each other as illustrated in the fastening system 80.

The side panels 34, 134 may, but need not, comprise an elastic material capable of stretching in a direction generally parallel to the axis cross section 49 of the training underpants 20. Suitable elastic materials, as well as a process of incorporating elastic side panels into training underpants, are described in the following United States of America patents numbers: 4,940,464, issued July 10, 1990 to Van Gompel and others; 5,224,405, granted on July 6, 1993 to Pohjola; 5,104,116 granted on April 14, 1992 to Pohjola; and 5,046,272 issued September 10, 1991 to Vogt et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In particular embodiments, the elastic material comprises a thermal drawn laminate (STL), a tie-in laminate (NBL), a reversible tapered laminate, or a laminate bonded with stretch SBL). Methods for making such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,663,220 issued May 5, 1987 to Wisneski et al.; 5,226,992 issued on July 13, 1993 to Morman; and European Patent Application number EP 0 217 032, published April 8, 1987 in the name of Taylor et al .; all of which are incorporated here by reference. Alternatively, the side panel material may comprise other woven or nonwoven materials, such as those described above as being suitable for the outer shell 40 or the side-to-body liner 42; composed of pre-tension mechanically; or materials capable of stretching but inelastic.

The illustrated underpants 20 include the restraint system 80 for securing the training underpants in a respectable manner around the wearer's waist. The illustrated fastening system 80 includes first fastening components 84 adapted for resilient engagement to the corresponding second fastening components 82. In one embodiment, a surface of each of the first fastening components 84 comprises a plurality of fastening elements. that are projected from that surface. The engaging elements of the first fastening elements 84 are adapted to repeatedly engage and disengage the elements of the second fastening components 82.

The fastening components 84, 82 may comprise separate elements attached to the side panels 34, 134, or may be integrally formed with the side panels. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the term "fastening component" includes separate components that function as fasteners, and regions of materials such as side panels that function as fasteners In addition, a single material can define multiple fastening components to the extent that different regions of the material function as separate fasteners. The fastening components 84, 82 can be located on the side panels 34, 134, between the side panels such as on the absorbent frame, or a combination of the two. The fastening components 84, 82 may comprise any suitable restraining fasteners for the absorbent articles, such as adhesive fasteners, cohesive fasteners, mechanical fasteners, or the like. In particular embodiments, the fastening components comprise mechanical fasteners for improved performance. Suitable mechanical fastening elements can be provided by interlocking materials of geometric shapes, such as hooks, curls, bulbs, mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on rods, male and female pairing components, buckles, snaps, or the like .

In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastening components 84 comprise hook fasteners and the second fastening components 82 comprise complementary crimping fasteners. In another particular embodiment, the first fastening components 84 comprise crimped fasteners and the second fastening components. clamping 82 comprise complementary hook fasteners. Alternatively, the fastening components 84, 82 may comprise interlock fasteners of similar surface, adhesive or cohesive fasteners, such as an adhesive fastener and an adhesive-receptive positioning area or material; or similar. Although the training underpants 20 illustrated in Figure 1 show the rear side panels 134 overlapping the front side panels 34, the training underpants 20 can instead be configured in such a way that the front side panels overlap the rear side panels. .

With particular reference to Figure 3, the fastening components 82 are disposed on the inner surface 28 of the rear side panels 134. The fastening components 82 are suitably positioned along the laterally outer edges of the rear side panels 134 and Widely define laterally spaced the second clamping portions in the rear end region or second 24 of the underpants 20. With particular reference to Figure 2, the second clamping components 84 are disposed on the outer surface 30 of the front side panels 34. The second fastening components 84 are sized by size to receive the first fastening components 82 and are suitably positioned along the outer edges of the front side panels 34 to broadly define the lateral spacing of the first fastening portions in the front or first end region 22 of the underpants 20. It is understood that the clamping components 82, 84 may also extend laterally outward beyond the outer edges of the side panels 134, 34. Where the first fastening components 82 comprise crimped fasteners disposed on the inner surface 28 and the second fastening components 84 comprise fasteners Hook disposed on the outer surface 30, the first fastening components on the outer surface 30, the first fastening components can be sized larger than the second fastening components to ensure coverage of the hooks facing outwards. As used herein, the term "fastening part" is intended to broadly refer to those portions of the garment that are overlapped with and engaged with each other to form the previous fastening configuration (eg, three dimensions of ready-to-wear). of the underpants 20.

The fastening components 84, 82 can be adhered to the respective side panels 34, 134 by any means known to those skilled in the art such as adhesive joints, ultrasonic joints or thermal joints. The fastening components 84, 82 may comprise separate fastening elements or different regions of an integral material. For example, the training underpants 20 may include an integral second fastening material disposed in the front waist region 22 for connecting restratably to the first fastening components 82 in two or more different regions, which define the second fastening components. 84 (Figure 1). In a particular embodiment, the fastening components 82, 84 may comprise integral parts of the waist regions 24, 22. For example, one of the elastomeric front or rear side panels 34, 134 may function as the second fastening component 84 in which may comprise a material that is capable of releasable engagement with the fastening components 82 disposed in the opposite waist region.

When engaged, the illustrated fastening components 82, 84 (and more suitably the first and second fastening portions) of the briefs 20 define releasable latching seams 88 (Figure 1). For the hook seams 88 located at the user's sides, it can be particularly desirable for the transverse distance between the fastening components 82 of the rear side panels 134 to be substantially equal to the transverse distance between the fastening components 84 of the front side panel 134. The transverse distance between a set of fastening components 82, 84 is measured parallel to the transverse axis 49 between the longitudinal centerlines of the fastening component, measured with the side panels 34, 134 in an unstretched condition. Alternatively, the lateral spacing between the clamping components 82 may be greater than the lateral spacing between the clamping components 84. It is also contemplated that the clamping components 82 (and / or clamping components 84) may not be laterally opposite one. to the other, or may only partially oppose one another laterally, such as being slid longitudinally, without departing from the scope of this invention.

Figure 4 generally illustrates an embodiment of a suitable assembly system, generally indicated as 100, for assembling into a continuous fabric of absorbent undergarments to be subsequently cut into discreet undergarments such as the training underpants 20 of Figures 1-3. , and then of previous Clamping joints in their fully assembled configuration for prior clamping. The various components of the training underpants 20 can be secured together in the set system 100 by any means known to those skilled in the art, for example, bonding by adhesive, thermal and / or ultrasonic. Certain garment manufacturing equipment that is readily known and understood in the art, includes mounting frames and structures, ultrasonic and adhesive bonding devices, transport transmitters, transfer rolls, guide rolls, tension rolls, and the like, which are well known in the art and have not been illustrated in Figure 4. As an example, suitable absorbent supply mechanisms, unwound fabrics, transmitter systems, recording systems, pulse systems, control systems, and the like, are described in FIG. U.S. Patent No. 5,766,389 issued June 16, 1998 to Brandon et al., the entire description of which is incorporated herein by reference.

With particular reference to the set system 100 illustrated in Figure 4, a continuous supply of material 104 that is used to form the side-to-body liner 42 is provided from a supply source 106. The supply source 106 may comprise for example any standard winder mechanism, which generally includes a pair of spindles, a scallop assembly, and a dancer roller to provide the side-to-body lining material 104 at desired speeds and stresses. Various components may be arranged on and / or attached to the material of the liner 104 as the material moves in a direction to the machine identified by the arrow 108. In particular, an emergence layer may be provided at an application station 110 and arranged on and / or joining the lining material from side to body 104. The emergence layer may comprise any continuous fabric or continuous sheets. Additionally, a containment fin module 112 can be provided downstream from the supply source 106 to attach the pre-assembled containment fins to the side-to-body liner material 104. As several components are added into the set 100 system , and a continuously assembled moving product 113 is formed.

A plurality of absorbent assemblies 114 may be provided from an appropriate source of supply 115. The source of supply 115 may be any conventional mechanism for supplying the absorbent assemblies 114. Generally, a conventional source of supply may include a crushing mill to form the fluff fibers and, if desired, to provide a confinement for mixing the super absorbent material with the fluff fibers, and then deposit the fluff and the super absorbent material into a forming drum having a desired absorbent design. The individual absorbent assemblies 114 can be intermittently deposited on the continuously moving side-to-body lining material 104, one for each pair of training underpants. The position of the absorbent assemblies 114 can be recorded with the position of the emergence material, if employed. The absorbent assemblies 114 can be attached to one or more other components using adhesives or other suitable means. Alternatively, the composite absorbent materials can be supplied in the conversion process from compressed rolls or packings, such as scalloped bales.

The continuous woven material 116 used to form the side panels 34, 134 may provide by suitable supply sources 117. The supply sources 117 may comprise one or more standard winding mechanisms. The material of the side panel 116 can be cut into individual strips 118 and placed partially on the material of the side-to-body lining 104 using a device applicator 120. In the cross-machine direction, the individual strips 118 desirably extend laterally outwardly from side-to-body liner material 104. (see Figures 4 and 7) and overlap the material of the lining from the side to the body by an amount such as about 2 or more centimeters to allow the attachment of the lining strips from the side to the body and / or the material of the lining. containment fin.

In the machine direction 108, the position of the strips 118 can be recorded relative to the absorbent assemblies 114 such that the assembled product 113 can be cut between the absorbent assemblies with each strip 118 of the material of the side panel 116 forming both a front side panel 34 and a rear side panel 134 of consecutive underpants.

A suitable applicator device 120 is described in the patents of the United States of America numbers 5,104,116 granted on April 14, 1992, and 5,224,405 granted on July 6, 1993 both of Pohjola, which are incorporated herein by reference. The applicator device 120 may comprise a cutting assembly 122 and a transfer roller capable of rotating 124. The cutting assembly 122 employs a knife roller capable of rotating 126 and a vacuum anvil roller capable of rotating 128 to cut individual strips. 118 from the continuous side panel material 116. The strips 118 cut by a knife on the knife roller 126 can be held on the anvil roller 128 by vacuum and transferred to the transfer roller 124.

The transfer roller 124 capable of rotating may comprise a plurality of vacuum gathers capable of rotating 130. The vacuum gathers 130 receive the strips 118 of material 116 from the cutting assembly 122 and rotate and transfer the strips to the lining material of the same. side to body continuously in motion 104. When the strips 118 are placed as desired in relation to the liner material from side to body 104, the strips are released from the gathers 130 by quenching the gap in the gathers. The gathers 130 can continue to rotate toward the cutting assembly 122 to receive other strips. As described by Van Gompel et al., The material 116 used to form the side panels may alternatively be provided in continuous form and pressurized fluid jets or a rotary matrix cutter which may be employed to cut the material to form leg openings 52 of the underwear. Still alternatively, the side panels 34, 134 of the training underpants 20 can be provided by body-side lining portions 42, outer cover 40 and / or other underpants components.

A continuous supply of material 140 used to form the outer cover 40 can be provided from a supply roll 142 or other suitable source. The material of the outer cover 140 can be transported on a laminating roller 144 and taped to the materials of the side-to-body lining 104. The absorbent assemblies 114 are thus interleaved between the continuous materials 104 and 140. The inner portions of the strips 118 of the Side panel material 116 can also be arranged between the side-to-body liner material 104 and the material of the outer shell 140. Alternative configurations for joining the material of the side panel 116 are described by Van Gompel et al. Various components such as leg elastics 58 or waist elastics 54 and 56 can be attached to the material of the outer cover 140 at an application station 146 before joining the side-to-body liner and the materials of the outer cover 104 and 140. Alternatively, the leg elastics or the waist elastics can initially be attached to the lining material from the side to the body 104 or other material.

Bonding devices 148 such as ultrasonic bonding devices can be used down from the roll laminator 144 will link the liner material from side to body 104, side panel material 116 and outer cover material 140. For example, these materials may be transported between an ultrasonic rotary horn and an anvil roller. Suitable Rotary ultrasonic horns are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,110,403 issued to Ehlert, which is incorporated herein by reference. The joining devices 148 may otherwise be thermal, pressure, or adhesive bonding devices as are well known.

The assembly of the continuously moving product 113 then proceeds to a fastener applying station 150 where the fastening components 82, 84 are attached to the strips 118 of the side panel material 116. The location of the fastening components in the composite is a function in part of the configuration of the assembly system 100. As illustrated in Figure 4, the assembly system 100 is configured in such a way that the upward view surface of the product assembly 113 will become the exterior surface 30. of the underpants 20 and the downward facing surface which will become the inner surface 28. Furthermore, the illustrated set system 100 is configured to produce partially assembled underpants of learning that the front waist region 22 of a front garment connected to the rear waist region 24 of a tail garment. Nevertheless, it is understood that the set system 100 can alternatively employ any combination of different orientations. For example, the upward facing surface of the product assembly 113 may form the inner surface 28 of the finished garments. Additionally or alternatively, the rear waist region 24 of a front garment can be connected to the front waist region 22 of the glued garment, or the garments can be arranged in a front facing / backward facing relationship. Still alternatively, the assembly system 100 may be constructed as a cross machine machine direction wherein the longitudinal axis 48 of each garment may be perpendicular in the machine direction 108 during part or all of the assembly process.

The locations of the fastening components 82, 84 in this embodiment are best illustrated in Figure 5, which shows a part of the product assembly 113 moving in the direction of the arrow 108 immediately followed by the application station of the fastener 150. Each individual strip 118 of the side panel material 116 defines a leading edge 152, a tail edge 154, a distal edge 156, and an inner edge 158. A dotted line 159 illustrates the location in which the product assembly 113 can subsequently be cut to provide discreet partially assembled training underpants. Based on the illustrated orientation of the continuously assembled moving product 113, the first fastening components 82 can be attached to the lower part of the strips 118 and the second fastening components 84 can be attached to the upper part of the strips. Additionally, the first clamping components 82 can be disposed relatively close to the tail edge 154 and the second clamping components 84 can be disposed relatively closer to the leading edge 152. The first clamping components 82 can be spaced in the machine direction 108. from the second clamping component 84 in such a way that the cutting line 159 passes in the middle.

Referring again to Figure 4, the continuous fabrics of a second fastener material 160 used to form the second fastening components 84 may be provided from the supply rolls 162 or other suitable sources. The second fastener materials 160 can be cut into individual second fasteners 84 by cutting assemblies 164 or other suitable devices. The Illustrated cutting assemblies 164 include rotatable knife rollers 166, spin able vacuum anvil rollers 167, and rotatable backing rollers 168. Second continuous fastening materials 160 may be cut by blades on knife rollers 166 , held in the vacuum cutting rolls 167, and adhered on the upper surfaces of the strips 118 of the side panel material 116. Likewise, the continuous fabrics of the first fastening material 170 used to form the first fastening components 82 can be provided from the supply rollers 172 or other suitable sources. The first fastening materials 170 can be cut into individual first fastening components by cutting assemblies 174 or other suitable devices. Illustrated cutting assemblies 174 include rotating knife rollers 176, rotatable anvil rollers 177, and rotatable backing rollers 178. The first continuous fastening materials 170 can be cut by blades on rollers of knife 176, maintained on the anvil rollers 177 under vacuum, and adhered on the lower sides of the strips 118 of the material of the side panel 116.

It is contemplated that other arrangements may be used to attach the fastening components 82, 84 to the material of the side panel 116. For example, the fastening components 82, 84 may be applied to the material of the side panel 116 before joining the material of the side panel. with the material of the lining from the side to the body 104 and / or the material of the outer cover 140; the fastening components can be applied to the lining material from side to body 104 and / or to the material of the outer cover 140, whether side panels 34, 134 are used or not; parts of other components such as the side-to-body liner and / or the outer cover can form one or more fastening components; the separate side panels or integral side panels may themselves form one or more of the fastening components; the clamping components 82, 84 may be joined as pre-engaging compounds or the like without departing from the scope of this invention.

After the fastening components 82, 84 are disposed on strips 118 of the material of the side panel 116, the joining devices 180 such as binders, thermal binders, pressure binders, adhesive binders, or other suitable joining devices can be used to attach the fastening components to the strips. For example, the strips 118 can be transported between an ultrasonic hornRotary and an anvil roller, the devices of which are arranged on each side of the process at the location in the cross-machine direction of the fastening components 82, 84. The strips 118 of the material of the side panel 116 can be trimmed, for example, to provide angled and / or curved portions of the side panel material in the rear waist region 24 (Figures 2 and 3). For this purpose, the assembly system 100 may include a matrix cutting roller 182 and a backing roller 184. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of each strip 118 is cut out from the tail edge 154 (Figure 7) in order of forming the angled and / or curved parts in the rear waist region 24.

With particular reference now to Figure 6, the continuous assembly 113 of the partially assembled training underpants is supplied through the pressure point formed between a cutting roller 187 and an anvil roller 188 for cutting the tissue into discreet training briefs. partially assembled 20 (widely, undergarments). The cutting roller 187 may include one or more hardened flexible steel blades in which the clamping force between the blade on the cutting roller 187 and the anvil roller 188 creates the cut. Cutting roller 187 may have one or more blades depending on the desired distance between cuts. The anvil roller 188 of the illustrated embodiment is suitably a vacuum anvil roller such that the discreet partially assembled training underpants are sucked on the outer surface of the anvil roller after cutting.

Figure 6 particularly illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus, generally indicated as 200, for reconfiguring the partially assembled absorbent undergarments to a folded and pre-fastened configuration in which the undergarments are fully assembled and ready for use, such as underpants of learning 20 of Figure 1. Vacuum anvil roller 188 is suitably located adjacent to clamping apparatus 200 for transferring discrete partially assembled training pants immediately to the apparatus in an unzipped and unfolded condition following cutting. It is understood, however, that the anvil roll 188 need not be an anvil roller under vacuum and can be located distally of the holding apparatus 200, with the discrete training underpants 20 being supplied to the holding apparatus by the conveyor or other suitable transfer devices without departing from the scope of this invention.

Broadly, then, the clamping apparatus 200 receives the discrete partially assembled absorbent undergarments (for example, assembled but otherwise with the fastening components unfastened from each other and the garment unbuttoned) from a source of the partially assembled absorbent clothes. The source of partially assembled absorbent undergarments may comprise the ensemble system 100 and the anvil and cutting rollers 188, 187 previously described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 6, or another suitable assembly system and transfer device.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment the discrete training pants 20 are provided in their longitudinal direction (eg, parallel to the longitudinal axis 48) to the fastening apparatus 200, and in particular to the front end 38 first with the outer cover 40 facing towards down against the holding device. However, it is understood that the discreet inner garments 20 can be supplied longitudinally to the fastening apparatus 200 the rear end 39 first, or they can be provided transversely (eg, the lateral edge 36 first) to the fastening apparatus 200 in a generally stacked arrangement and all over underwear placed in the holding apparatus at the same time without departing from the scope of this invention.

The fastening apparatus 200 of the embodiment illustrated comprises a drum (widely, a transport device), 202 over which one or more of the discrete, partially assembled training underpants 20 are worn during the prior bra underpants. The drum 202 is constructed of suitable frame structure 201 (Figure 6) and is operatively connected to a central shaft 204 which is in turn driven by a suitable drive motor (not shown) for rotation on the shaft axis to define a transport direction in which the drum (widely, the transport device) moves as indicated by the direction arrow in Figure 6. A plurality of longitudinal bending devices, generally indicated as 206, are carried by the drum 202 (for example, ten such longitudinal bending devices are illustrated on the drum of Figure 6) in the transport direction. The number of bending devices 206 may vary depending at least in part on the size of the drum, the size of the underwear to be previously fastened, and the desired speed of the manufacturing line to which the holding apparatus 200 is a part. As will be further described in detail here, each bending device 206 is configured to receive the training underpants partially assembled 20 and holding the training underpants over the longitudinal bending device in such a way that the drum, the longitudinal bending device and the training underpants together move in the transport direction. The longitudinal bending device 206 is also capable of operating to bend the training underpants 20, for example, with the front and rear waist regions 22, 24 of the training underpants in opposite relation to each other, according to the device of Bent is moved in the transport direction.

Each longitudinal folding device 206 of the embodiment suitably illustrated comprises a pair of folding plates 208, 210 that are movable relative to the drum 202 (eg, the transport device) between an open configuration (eg, as illustrated). in the angular positions A, G, H, I, and J in Figure 6) where the plates generally rest in the same plane as each other and oriented generally tangentially relative to the drum and to a closed configuration (eg, as shown in FIG. illustrates in the angular positions D and E in Figure 6) in which the plates are in opposite relation to one another and oriented generally radially relative to the drum. The term longitudinal as used herein in reference to bending device 206, and more particularly to bending plates 208, 210, refer to the direction extending from one end of each bending plate to the opposite end of the bending plate itself. For example, in the open configuration of the longitudinal bending device 206 the longitudinal direction of each bending plate 208, 210 is tangential to the drum 202 and in the closed position of the bending device the longitudinal direction of each bending plate is generally parallel to the drum radius. The terms "transverse" and "lateral" as used herein with reference to the bending device 206 refer to the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the radius of the drum 202, such as parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. The bending plates 208, 210 are suitably disposed adjacent the circumference of the drum 202 in the open configuration of the plates, and are taken out in relation to the circumference of the drum in the closed configuration of the bending device 206.

With reference to Figures 7 and 8, in the illustrated embodiment the longitudinal bending devices 206 are suitably mounted on the frame structure of the drum 202. In particular, for each bending device 206 a connecting member 212 is key to the central axis 204 for rotation about the axis of the rod. A pair of stationary rods 214 are each secured at one end (eg, an inner end radially) to the connecting member 212 and extended radially outwardly thereof. A stationary member 215 is mounted on the opposite ends (eg, radially outer) of the stationary rods 214 and is connected to the frame structure 201 of the drum 202 (FIG. 6) to connect the pulley of the central drive shaft 204. A sliding member 216 is slidably mounted 212 and the stationary member 215 by suitable bearings 218 to allow sliding movement of the sliding member relative to the drum 202. A pair of opposed cam followers 220 is secured to the sliding member. 216 and extends laterally outwardly from the slide member in spaced relationship with one another to receive a cam track 222 in the middle. The cam track 222 extends 360 degrees about the central axis 204 with the distance between the cam track and the axis varying along the 360 degrees of cam path to vary the radial position of the cam member. slide 216 in relation to the central axis for reasons that will be apparent.

A pair of actuating rods 224 are secured at one end of each rod (for example, its inner end radially) to the sliding member 216 in spaced parallel relationship, with the stationary rods 214 for a radial movement in conjunction with the sliding member. The actuating rods 224 are each received through the stationary member 215 and slidably mounted on the stationary member 215 and mounted slidable on the stationary member by suitable bearings 226. At the opposite ends (eg, the outer end radially) of the actuation rods 224 a mounting member 228 is secured for radial movement in conjunction with the slide member 216 and the actuation rods 224 relative to the central axis of the pulse 204, the stationary member 215 and the drum 202. mounting member 228 has a pair of mounting bolts 230, each pair corresponding to a respective one of the longitudinal folding plates 208, 210 for pivotally mounting the folding plates on the mounting member.

Suitable links (not shown) are pivotally connected at one end to respective bolt assemblies 231 (Figure 8) at the outer end of one of the folding plates 208 and pivoted to their opposite end to the stationary structure such as the stationary member 215 or other frame structure 201 of drum 202. Additional links (not shown) are pivotally connected at one end to respective mounting bolts 233 on the outer end of the other folding plate 210 and pivotally connected to its opposite end to the stationary structure such as the stationary member 215 or other frame structure 201 of the drum 202. Accordingly, it will be recognized that the bending plates 208, 210 and the corresponding links between the mounting bolts 231, 233 and the stationary member 215 or other stationary frame structure 201 define a bar link arrangement in which movement of the slide member 216 results in radial movement of the internal ends of the bending plates and the movement of the outer ends of the plates defined by the bar link arrangement.

Each of the longitudinal folding plates 208, 210 is configured to define an interior chamber (not shown) and a porous work surface 250 (Figures 9-12), 252 (for example, the face on which the absorbent underwear 20 is received in the bending device between the inner chamber and the external environmental conditions of the bending plates The inner chamber of each longitudinal bending plate 208, 210 is in fluid communication with a suitable vacuum source (not shown), such as by one or more vacuum hoses (not shown) and suitable inputs 253 (Figure 8) such that the longitudinal bending plates are each operable, and more suitably are separately operable, in a vacuum mode whose vacuum pressure is applied to the inner chamber of the respective bending plate to thereby remove and retain the underwear 20 against the porous work surface 250, 252 of the bending plate.

It is readily understood in art that vacuum can be supplied by a vacuum shoe (not shown). While shown in the drawings, a vacuum shoe is a circular chamber supplied with vacuum that is either pressed against a use plate or is maintained in close proximity (eg, within 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters)) to minimize the loss of vacuum The vacuum shoe is stationary and has locks (for example, end caps) on its ends to turn on or off the vacuum. The use plate is attached to the rotation member. As the use plate rotates, holes or slots in its surface enter the vacuum shoe and receive the vacuum or leave the vacuum shoe and have the vacuum off.

The longitudinal bending plates 208, 210 are each of a suitable length such that the work surface 250, 252 is at least as long as, and more appropriately longer than, half the length of the discrete learning underpants 20 where with the reception of the training underpants over the bending device (for example, with the longitudinal axis of the training underpants oriented longitudinally of the plates of bending) a bending plate 210 (widely, a first bending plate and otherwise referred to, here as the front bending plate) pulls against and retains there the front waist region 22 and more appropriately the front half of the training underpants and the other bending plate 208 (broadly, a second bending plate and otherwise referred to as the rear bending plate) is pulled against and retains therein the rear waist region 24 and more suitably the back half of the training underpants. The front and rear bending plates 210, 208 also each have a suitable width to extend laterally above and more suitably laterally outwardly from the absorbent assembly 32 of the underpants to be held in the bending plates. For example, the illustrated front and rear folding plates 210, 208 extend laterally into the portions of the underpants defined by the front and rear side panels 34, 134, but laterally inward from the laterally outer portions of the side panels. 34, 134 and more suitably laterally inward of the fastening portions of the side panels (for example, of the fastening components 84, 82 in the illustrated embodiment). The fastening portions of the side panels 34, 134 therefore suitably extend laterally outward of the front and rear folding plates 210, 208.

Referring now to Figure 8, a first pair of transverse bending devices, generally indicated as 256, are provided adjacent to the front bending plate 210 (eg, first) to facilitate handling of the front side panels 34, and more suitably the fastening portions of the front side panels, during the movement of the underwear 20 in the direction of transport and a second pair of transverse bending devices, generally indicated as 254, is provided adjacent to the back bending plate 208 (for example, the second) to facilitate the handling of the rear side panels 134, and more suitably the fastening portions of the rear side panels, during the movement of the underwear in the transport direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the transverse bending devices 256 associated with the front bending plate 210 comprise a pair of laterally spaced side plates, which they extend longitudinally 260 placed adjacent to, and more adequately secured to, the opposite side sides of the front folding plate. The transverse bending devices 254 associated with the rear bending plate 208 comprise a pair of laterally spaced laterally spaced side plates 258 positioned adjacent to, and more adequately secured to, the opposite side sides of the rear bending plate.

The length of each side plate 258, 260 is suitably longer than the respective side panels 134, 34 of the training underpants 20, but may be less than the full length of the front and rear bending plates 134, 34 of the underpants 20, but may be less than the total length of the back and front bending plates 208, 210. Each side plate 258, 260 has a respective inner chamber (not shown) at least in part and more adequately completely separate from the inner chamber of the respective rear and front bending plate 208, 210. The width of each side plate 258, 260 is suitably sufficient to extend the side plate laterally out of the respective rear and front bending plate 208, 210 up to and more suitably laterally beyond the corresponding rear side panels and fronts 134, 34, more suitably laterally beyond the resurfacing portions of the side panels, and even more appropriately beyond the lateral side edges of the training underpants in the side panels of the training underpants 20 to be previously fastened .

Each side plate 258, 260 also has a porous work surface 262 (Figures 9-12), 264 to provide fluid communication between the interior chamber of the side plate and exterior conditions of the side plate. The inner chamber of each side plate 258, 260 is in fluid communication with a vacuum source (not shown), such as by suitable vacuum hose (not shown) and respective inlets 2654, for operating each of the side plates (for example, the transverse bending devices) in a vacuum mode in which the respective front and rear side panels 34, 134, at least the fastening portions of the front and rear side panels, are pulled against the parts of the front panels. Front and rear side panels are pulled against and retained on the porous work surfaces 262, 264 of the side plates. The vacuum source communicating with the interior chambers of the side plates 258, 260 can be the same as the vacuum source communicating with the interior chambers of the bending plates Rear and front 208, 210, or the vacuum source of the side plates can be separated from the vacuum source for the bending plates. In addition, there may be a vacuum source communicating with each of the side plates 258, 260, or a vacuum source for the side plates secured to the back bending plate 208 and another source of vacuum for the side plates secured to the back plate. front folding plate 210, or a vacuum source for each side plate.

As illustrated in Figure 10, the side plates 260 (widely, transverse bending devices 256) which are secured to the front bending plate 210 are suitably fixed against movement relative to the front bending plate. For example, in an embodiment these side plates 260 can be integrally formed with the front bending plate 210 and have an inner wall (not shown), which separates the interior chambers from the side plates of the inner chamber of the front bending plate. . In another embodiment, these side plates may 260, be formed separate from the front folding plate 210 and secured thereto by any suitable securing technique such as welding, mechanical fastening and the like. The side plates 260 which are secured to the front folding plate 210 are each suitably operable between the previously described vacuum mode and a blow mode in which pressurized gas (e.g., air) is supplied to the interior chamber of the side plate for inward flow through the porous work surface 264 of the plate side. For example, the vacuum source may be operable in reverse to supply air to the inner chamber of the side plates 260, or the vacuum source may be closed or otherwise closed fluid communication with the interior chambers of the side plates and a separate source (not shown) of pressurized gas is operated in fluid communication with the interior chambers of the side plates.

Each side plate 258 secured to the back bending plate 208 is suitably hinged thereto by a respective longitudinally extending hinge member 266 to allow hinge movement of the side plates (broadly, transverse bending devices 254). ) relative to the rear folding plate between a split configuration (Figure 10) in which the working surfaces 262 of the side plates are generally planar with the working surface 250 of the rear folding plate, and a bent configuration ( Figure 11) in which the side plates are bent towards the plate of front bending 210, such as in the range of about 10 to about 100 degrees. In another embodiment, the side plates 258 secured to the rear folding plate 208 can be fixed against relative movement thereto and be operable between the previously described vacuum mode and a blow mode similar to the previously described blowing mode, and the Side plates 260 secured to the front bending plate 210 can be hinged to the front bending plate for movement between a bent and unfolded configuration as previously described.

It is also understood that the side plates 258 secured to the rear folding plate 208 and the side plates 260 secured to the front folding plate 210 can each be fixed against movement relative to the respective one of the rear and front folding plates and be operable in both vacuum and blow modes, or the side plates secured to the back bending plate can be hinged to them and the side plates secured to the front bending plate can be hinged thereto without departing from the scope of this invention. It is further understood that the side plates placed on hinge 258 may be capable of hinge movement and also be operable in both vacuum and blow modes within the scope of the invention.

To facilitate proper alignment of and engagement between the fastening portions (for example, the fastening components 82, 84 in the illustrated embodiment) of the side panels 13434 of the underwear 20, at least one retaining member and more suitably a pair of laterally spaced retainer members 268 are secured to the stationary member 215 (or other frame structure of the drum 202) in each longitudinal folding device 206 for movement with the respective folding device in the transport direction. The retaining members 268 are suitably transversely spaced from one another on opposite sides of the drum 202 generally on the transverse center line between the rear and front folding plates 208, 210 of each bending device 206 and radially extended relative to the drum. . In particular, as seen in Figure 9, the retaining members 268 are located laterally for interposition within the bending device 206, for example between the opposing rear and front bending plates 208 and 210 just laterally inward of the side plates. 258 and 260 in the closed configuration of the bending device 206 but spaced sufficiently to allow the crotch region 26 of the pants 20 to extend transversely between the retaining members. Each retaining member 268 has an interior chamber 269 (FIG. 7) and a porous work surface facing out laterally to provide fluid communication between the interior chamber and the exterior conditions of the retention member.

The inner chamber of each retaining member 268 is in fluid communication with a vacuum source (not shown) such as by a suitable vacuum hose (not shown) and the respective inlets 271 (FIGS. 7 and 8, for the operation of the retaining member in a vacuum mode in which at least one of the front and rear side panels 34 and 134, and more suitably the fastener part thereof is pulled against and retained on the retention member. in figures 6 and 7, the retaining members 268 are dimensioned in length and placed in relation to the rear and front bending plates 208 and 210 so that in the closed position of the bending device 206 (for example in the angular position D in Figure 6) the retention members each extend longitudinally (for example radially in the illustrated embodiment) at a distance sufficient to be aligned with the panels laterals 34 and 134 of the training pants 20. For example, the retaining members 268 illustrated in Figure 6 extend longitudinally lightly outwardly beyond the ends of the folding plates 208 and 210 in the closed configuration of the bending device 206. In the open position of bending device 206 (for example in the angular position G in Figure 6) a free or longitudinally extending end 272 of each of the retaining members 268 is approximately properly level with and more suitably longitudinally down (for example radially inward) of the work surfaces 250 and 252 of the back and front bending plates 208 and 210.

In operation according to an embodiment of a method for mechanically forming a presumed absorbent undergarment, partially discrete assembled undergarments (eg, training underpants 20) are delivered sequentially from the source of partially assembled undergarments (eg from the assembly system 100, cutter roller 187 and vacuum anvil roller 188 in the illustrated embodiments of Figures 4 and 6) to clamping apparatus 200 generally unfolded and not clamped. The drum 202 of the holding apparatus 200 is continuously driven or rotated about the shaft central 204 so that the multiple longitudinal bending devices 206 on the drum sequentially pass through the vacuum anvil roller 188 to receive the training underpants 20 over the bending devices. In the angular position of the drum identified as angular position A in Figure 6, the longitudinal bending plates 208 and 210 of a longitudinal bending device 206 have just passed the vacuum anvil roller 188 with the bending device 206 in its configuration open, for example, with the bending plates extended and spaced apart and in a generally planar relationship with one another tangentially to the drum 202, and the side plates 258 (broadly, the transverse bending devices 254) secured to the back bending plate 208 in its flat unfolded position with the rear bending plate.

A partially assembled discreet pair of training underpants 20 has been received by the longitudinal folding plates 208 and 210 and the corresponding folding plates and side plates 258 and 260 are each operated in their respective vacuum mode for pulling and holding training underpants 20 on the folding plates and the side plates, with the front waist region 22 and more suitably a front half of the underpants of being pulled against and retained on the work surface 252 of the front folding plate 210, the front side panels 34 and more suitably the fastening portions of the front side panels pulled against and retained on the surfaces 264 of the laterally opposite side plates 260 secured to the front bending plate. The rear waist region 24 and more suitably a rear half of the training pants are pulled against and retained on the work surface 250 of the back bending plate 208 and the rear side panels 134 and more suitably the fastening portions. of the rear side panels are pulled against and retained on the work surfaces 262 of the laterally opposed side plates 258 secured to the back bending plate.

Since the drum 202 further carries the training pants 20 in the transport direction (for example the direction from left to right in the illustrated embodiment) to the angular position indicated in Figure 6, position B, the cam followers 220 follow the variable cam track 222 for pulling the carriage member 216, the actuator rods 224 and the bending device 206 radially inwardly relative to the drum. East movement results in a radially inward movement of the inner ends of the back and front bending plates 208 and 210 to initiate the bending of the longitudinal bending plates (and side plates 258 and 260 which are secured thereto), and therefore the training underpants 20 retained thereon, in relation to the drum 202 towards the closed configuration of the longitudinal folding device. Although not illustrated in the drawings, it is contemplated that a transverse retraction blade (e.g. a rotating or reciprocating retraction blade) spaced from the bending device may contact and push against the crotch region 26 of the breeches be started folding the pants to facilitate the folding of the pants when the pants are folded. However, it is understood that the tucking knife can be omitted without departing from the scope of this invention.

In the angular position C of the drum 202, the folding plates 208 and 210 are further bent inward towards the closed configuration of the longitudinal folding device 206. With further rotation of the drum 202 at an angular position D, the rear folding plates and front 208 and 210 (and therefore the corresponding side plates 258 and 260 secured respectively to the same) are in an opposite relationship with each other in the closed configuration of the bending device 206. Thus, the training pants 20 are folded so that the front and rear waist regions (e.g. the first and second end regions). 22 and 24 of the pants are in an opposite relationship with one another, as are the front and rear side panels 34 and 134 of the training pants.

The side plates 260 (largely the first transverse bending devices 256) which are secured to the front bending plate 210 are then operated in their blowing mode (eg instead of the vacuum mode) to deliver a flow of pressurized gas towards outside through the porous work surfaces 264 of the side plates. The pressurized gas pushes the front side panels 34, and more appropriately the fastening parts (for example the first fastening portions) thereof, for bending inward towards the rear side panels 134, and more adequately the fastening parts (for example the second holding parts) thereof, and on the working surfaces 270 of the retaining members 268 which are operating in their vacuum mode to pull the front side panels (and more particularly the parts of securing the front side panels) against the work surfaces of the retention members as illustrated in Figure 10 for retention thereon. In this manner, the fastening portions (for example the fastening components 84 or the hook fasteners in the illustrated embodiments) on the front side panels 34 face outwardly from the work surfaces 270 of the retaining members 268. With the rotation of the drum 202 at an angular position E in the embodiment of Figure 6, the hinged side panels 258 (largely the second transverse bending devices 254) secured to the rear bending plate 208 are rotated into their bent position for both folding the rear side panels 134 and more adequately the fastening parts (for example the second fastening portions) of the rear side panels, on the work surfaces 270 of the retaining members 268 and more particularly on the folded front side panels 34 (and more suitably the fastening parts, for example the first fastening parts of the front side panels) retained by the retention member. Therefore, the fastening components 82 (for example the curl clips) on the front side panels 134 engage the clamping components in a clamped manner. on the rear side panels 34 to secure the front and rear side panels together.

The operation of the hinged side plates 258 in the vacuum mode is then stopped to allow the separation of the hinged side plates from the rear side panels 134 (and more particularly the fastening portions of the rear side panels) with the rotation of the side plates returning to their initial planar unfolding position with the rear bending plate 208, leaving the front and rear side panels 34 and 134 snapped together and retained on the retention members 268. The vacuum provided by the retention members is understood to be 268 may be sufficient to pull both of the overlapping and hooked front and rear side panels 34 and 134 against the retaining members, or it may be sufficient only to pull an underlying one (for example the rear side panels in the illustrated embodiment) of the side panels against the retention members with the p lateral overlapping struts being maintained by the attachable hitch with the underlying side panel.

The operation of the retention members 268 in their vacuum mode is subsequently stopped (e.g. by turning off the vacuum source or otherwise shutting off fluid communication between the vacuum source and the inner chambers 269 of the retention members), by rotating the drum 202 further into the angular position F. The vacuum to the plate the front folding 210 is also lowered, and more properly stopped, by rotating the drum 202 towards the angular position F. The cam followers 220 follow the cam track 222 to move the sliding member 216, the actuating rods 224 and by both the bending device 206 radially outward, thereby unfolding the rear and front bending plates 208 and 210 towards the open configuration of the bending device. The bent and now pre-bent training briefs 20 are still pulled against and retained on the work surface 250 of the back bending plate 208 as the bending device 206 is moved to its open configuration as illustrated in the angular position F of Figure 6. Fastened side panels 34 and 134 go upwards (eg radially outwards) along the work surfaces 270 of the retaining members 268 until the side panels are outside the free ends 272 retaining members (for example the retention members are no longer within the space 53 of the presumed learning underpants 20). In the angular position G of the drum 202, the bending device 206 is in its fully open configuration, with the bent and bent learning briefs 20 lying generally flat against and held on the work surface 250 of the back bending plate 208.

The drum 202 further rotates to the angular position H in which the folding plates 258 and 260, in the open configuration of the folding device 206, are in a generally opposite relationship with the appropriate transfer device, such as the cash conveyor. Conventional vacuum 274 illustrated in FIG. 6. The vacuum box conveyor 274 pulls the presumed learning underpants 20 out of the folding device 206, the training underpants are transferred downwardly of the bending device for further processing. In one embodiment, the vacuum pressure of the vacuum box conveyor 274 is suitably greater than the retention of the training pants 20 on the front folding plate 208 so as to pull the training pants out of the front folding plate. Alternatively, or additionally, it is understood that the vacuum for the inner chamber of the front bending plate can be decreased or even terminated to further facilitate the transfer of the training underpants 20 to the transfer device 274. In another embodiment, the transfer device 274 may comprise a simple conveyor (eg without vacuum) or another transfer device and the training pants 20 may be transferred onto the conveyor by gravity, or by operating the back bending plate 208 in a blow mode to blow the pressurized gas through the work surface 250 of the back bending plate, thereby pushing the training undercuts outwardly from the bending plate. and on the conveyor or by any other suitable techniques.

The bending plates 208 and 210 suitably remain in the open configuration of the bending device 206 as the drum 202 rotates through the angular positions I and J until the drum has completed a complete 360 ° rotation and returns to the angular position. TO.

When introducing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there is one or more of these elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there are additional elements other than the elements listed. Since various changes can be made to the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

E R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An apparatus for mechanically securing an absorbent undergarment to reconfigure the undergarment from an unclamped and partially assembled configuration to a presumed configuration during the initial fabrication thereof, the absorbent undergarment having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a first portion and a second fastening part longitudinally spaced from and engageable with the corresponding first fastening part to secure the absorbent garment in its presumed configuration, said first and second fastening portions being detached and said inner garment being generally unfolded in said fastening. partially assembled configuration, said undergarment being folded and said first and second fastening portions being engaged with each other in said presumed configuration of the inner garment, said apparatus comprises: a transport device driven to move in a transport direction; a longitudinal bending device carried by the transport device in the transport direction, the longitudinal folding device being moved relative to the transport device between an open configuration in which the longitudinal folding device receives an absorbent undergarment in its partially assembled configuration, and a closed configuration in which the absorbent undergarment is longitudinally folded by the bending device; a first transverse bending device carried by the conveying device in the transport direction and operating to bend the first fastening part of the undergarment relative to the bending device and generally to the second fastening part and a second fastening device. transverse bending carried by the conveying device in the transport direction and operating to bend the second fastening part of the undergarment relative to the bending device and generally towards the first fastening part of the undergarment for a generally opposite relationship between the first and second fastening parts to facilitate engagement therebetween; Y a retaining member separate from the longitudinal bending device and the transverse bending device and carried by the transport device in said conveying direction, said retaining member being positioned in relation to the longitudinal bending device and said transverse bending device for interposition within the bending device in the closed configuration thereof, said member being retention having a work surface and being operable to pull against said work surface at least one of the holding part and the second holding part of the undergarment while the garment is moved by the transport device in the transportation address.

2. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the retention member is fixed against relative movement for the transport device, said longitudinal bending device being moved in relation to said retention member during the movement of the device of transportation in said transport direction.

3. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the working surface of the retaining member comprises a porous work surface, said retaining member having an inner chamber in fluid communication with the porous work surface, the apparatus further comprises a vacuum source in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the retention member, said vacuum source being operated in a vacuum mode of the retention member for pulling toward and retaining on said work surface at least one of the first and second fastening portions of the undergarment.

4. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that each of the first and second transverse bending devices has a porous work surface and an inner chamber in fluid communication with the porous work surface, each bending device transverse being operable in a vacuum mode in which a vacuum is applied to the inner chamber of the transverse bending device to pull against and retain on the working surface of the transverse bending device a respective one of the first fastening part and of the second part of subjection of the undergarment.

5. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the longitudinal bending device comprises the first and second bending plates which can be moved one in relation to another between the open and closed configurations of the bending device, in the closed configuration of the bending device the bending plates being in opposite relation to one another and in the open configuration of the bending device the plates being out of the opposite relation to each other, the retaining member being positioned in relation to the longitudinal bending device and said transverse bending devices for interposition between the first and second bending plates in the closed configuration of the bending device.

6. The apparatus as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that the first transverse bending device is secured to the first bending plate for a joint movement with the first bending plate between the open and closed configurations of the bending device, transverse bending device being secured to the second bending plate for movement in conjunction with the second bending plate between the open and closed configurations of the bending device.

7. The apparatus as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that at least one of the first transverse bending device and the second transverse bending device is operable between said vacuum mode and a blow mode in which the pressurized gas is delivered to the inner chamber of said at least one of said first and second transverse bending devices for exhausting through the porous work surface thereof to thereby push the respective first and second fastening portions of the undergarment away from the work surface and towards the work surface of the retention member.

8. The apparatus as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that at least one of the first transverse bending device and the second transverse bending device is moved during the operation thereof in said vacuum mode in relation to the bending device in the closed configuration of said bending device for bending the respective first and second clamping portion towards the work surface of the retention member.

9. The apparatus as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that said at least one of the first transverse bending device and the second transverse bending device is hinged to the longitudinal bending device for a hinged movement in relation thereto in the closed configuration of the bending device to bend the respective first and second clamping portions towards the work surface of the retention member.

10. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the undergarment has a pair of first fastening portions in a laterally spaced relationship with one another and a pair of second fastening portions in a laterally spaced relationship with each other and in a longitudinally spaced relationship with the first clamping portions, each of the second clamping portions being engageable with a respective one of the first clamping portions to define the presumed configuration of the inner garment, the apparatus comprises a pair of first transverse bending devices spaced laterally from one another and each being operable in the closed configuration of the bending device to bend a respective one of the first clamping portions towards the respective second clamping portions, a pair of second transverse bending devices spaced laterally from each other and each being operable in the closed configuration of the bending device to bend a respective one of the second portions of fastening to the corresponding first fastening parts in an overlapping relationship therewith.

11. The apparatus as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the first transverse bending devices are dimensioned and positioned to extend laterally outwardly beyond the first clamping portions of the undergarment and the second transverse bending devices being dimensioned and positioned to extend laterally outwardly beyond the second securing portions of the undergarment.

12. A method for mechanically forming a presumed absorbent undergarment during the initial manufacture of said undergarment, said absorbent undergarment having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a first longitudinal end region, a second longitudinal end region and a longitudinally central region in the middle and interconnecting the first and second end regions, a first fastening part in said first end region and a second fastening part in said second end region spaced longitudinally from and engagable with the corresponding first fastening part to secure the absorbent undergarment in its presumed configuration, said method comprises: partially assembling the absorbent undergarment to have a configuration in which the lower garment is generally unfolded and the first and second securing parts are removed; transporting the absorbent undergarment in a transport direction; folding the longitudinally absorbent undergarment so that the first and second end regions of the undergarment are generally in an opposite relation to each other, said longitudinal bend step being carried out while conveying said partially assembled garment in the direction Of transport; pushing the first fastening part to bend towards the second fastening part and toward the working surface of a retaining member, said first pushing step being carried out while conveying said inner garment and said retaining member in the direction Of transport; operating the retaining member to pull against and retain thereon the first fastening part, said step of operation being carried out while conveying said inner garment and said retaining member in the transport direction; Y pushing the second fastening part to bend towards the first fastening part retained on the working surface of the retaining member for an overlap relationship between said first and second fastening parts to thereby facilitate fastening engagement therebetween while said first fastening part is retained on the working surface of the retaining member, this second pushing step is carried out while the inner garment and the retaining member is transported in the transport direction.

13. The method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the transport direction in which the garment is transported is arched.

14. The method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the operation step of the Retention member comprises operating the retention member to pull a vacuum over the first clamping portion of the garment.

15. The method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the first pushing step comprises directing the pressurized gas to flow against said first fastening part to push said first fastening part to bend towards the second fastening part. and on the work surface of the retention member.

16. The method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the second pushing step comprises retaining the second clamping portion against a transverse bending device while moving the transverse bending device in relation to the clamping member. retention within a generally opposite relationship with the work surface of the retention member to thereby bend the second clamping portion over the first clamping portion and into contact therewith.

17. The method as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the undergarment has a inner surface and an outer surface, the first pushing step comprises pushing the inner surface of the undergarment of said first holding part to bend towards the second holding part and towards the working surface of the retaining member so that the The inner surface of the undergarment of said first fastening part is pulled against the work surface and retained by the retaining member, the outer surface of the undergarment of said first fastening part facing outwardly from the back. Working surface of the first retaining member, the second pushing step comprises retaining the outer surface of the second holding part against the transverse bending device while moving the transverse bending device in relation to the retaining member for both bend the second fastening part on the first fastening part so that the s The inner surface of the second fastening part is opposite to and engages the outer surface of the first fastening part retained on the retaining member.

18. The method as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the undergarment has an inner surface and an outer surface, the passage of bent comprises retaining the outer surface of the undergarment in essentially the complete first and second end regions of the undergarment including the first and second complete securing portions thereof on the bending device in a generally unfolded configuration of the undercarriage. bent and operating the bending device to move the bending device to a bent configuration in which the first and second end regions of the undergarment are in a generally opposite relationship with one another.

19. A method for mechanically forming a presumed absorbent undergarment during the initial manufacture of said undergarment, said absorbent undergarment having a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, a first longitudinal end region, a second longitudinal end region and a longitudinally central region in the middle and interconnecting the first and second end regions, a first clamping portion in said first end region and a second clamping portion in said second end region spaced longitudinally from and engagable with the corresponding first clamping portion to secure the Absorbent undergarment in its presumed configuration, said method comprises: partially assembling the absorbent undergarment to have a configuration in which the undergarment is generally unfolded and the first and second securing portions are not fastened; transporting the absorbent undergarment in a transport direction; folding the longitudinally absorbent undergarment so that the first and second end regions of the undergarment are generally in a generally opposite relationship with one another, said longitudinal bend step being carried out while conveying said partially assembled undergarment at the transportation address; folding the first fastening part towards the second fastening part while conveying said inner garment in the transport direction; Y retaining essentially the second complete fastening part on a transverse bending device while moving the transverse bending device in relation to the first fastening part to a position in which the transverse bending device is in a generally opposite relationship with the first fastening part with the second fastening part retained on the transverse bending device and placed between the bending device and the first fastening part so that the second fastening part engably engages the first fastening part.

20. The method as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that the undergarment has an inner surface and an outer surface, the bending step comprises retaining the outer surface of the undergarment in essentially the entire first and second end regions. of the undergarment including the first and second complete securing portions thereof on a bending device in a generally unfolded configuration of the bending device and operating the bending device to move the bending device to a bent configuration in which the The first and second end regions of the undergarment are in a generally opposite relationship with one another. SUMMARY In a method and apparatus for mechanically fastening a partially assembled absorbent underwear during manufacture, a longitudinal bending device is carried by a transport device and moves between an open configuration in which it receives a partially assembled undergarment and a configuration closed in which the undergarment is folded longitudinally by the bending device. A first transverse bending device bends a first clamping portion of the undergarment relative to the bending device and generally towards a second clamping portion, and a second transverse bending device carried by the conveying device bends the second clamping portion. in relation to the first bending device and generally towards the first clamping portion to facilitate the engagement between them. A separate retention member is carried by the transport device and pulls at least one of the first and second securing parts against the retention member while the garment is moved by the transport device.