CURT G. JOA, INC.

A pant folding machine is configured to fold an intermediate pant product having first and second faces and formed by continuous webs of first and second waistband materials and cores. The machine includes a frame; an inlet roller configured to receive the intermediate pant product in an unfolded state; a folding apparatus; and an outlet roller configured to receive the intermediate pant product in the folded state. The folding apparatus includes a center board and first and second side boards. The boards are arranged such that the center board engages the first face of the intermediate pant product and each of the first and second side boards engages the second face of the intermediate pant product and, as the intermediate pant product is drawn along the boards, the intermediate pant product is folded by the boards to transition from the unfolded state to the folded state.

An apparatus for executing a method of manufacturing multi-piece closed-back isolation garments ( 410 ) includes machinery for creating discrete torso web pieces ( 412 ) from a continuous torso web, combining the discrete torso pieces with a continuous shoulder web ( 414 ) having neck openings ( 444 ) therein, and cutting the combined torso and shoulder web structure to form the isolation garments. The isolation garments may be used as protection from potentially hazardous or unclean materials in a variety of different environments.

An apparatus and method for manufacturing an elastic composite structure for an absorbent sanitary product includes at least one structure that guides web layers in a machine direction, an elastic thread combiner that combines a plurality of elastic threads to form a combined elastic thread assembly, and a bonding unit. The bonding unit bonds the web layers together via a bond pattern that includes bond lines that each have at least one pair of adjacent bonds, which anchor the combined elastic thread assembly within a passage defined by a pair of adjacent bonds in each of the plurality of bond lines. The passage is narrower than the combined elastic thread assembly in a non-tensioned state and wider than one of the plurality of elastic threads in a non-tensioned state.

An apparatus for forming and applying a pleated core wrap includes a feeding mechanism configured to feed a continuous web of material in a machine direction and a pleating unit configured to form one or more continuous folds in the continuous web of material, so as to form a continuous pleated web of material with a portion of the web of material overlapped in a cross-machine direction. A core-forming drum receives the continuous pleated web of material, the core-forming drum including at least one depression provided on an outer circumferential surface thereof, the depression having a floor having one or more inserts protruding radially outward therefrom. A vacuum system provided a vacuum to the depression that is communicated through the floor to suction the continuous pleated web of material down into the depression, with regions of the continuous pleated web of material separating upon being suctioned down into the depression.

An apparatus for executing a method of manufacturing multi-piece open-back isolation garments ( 10 ) includes machinery for creating discrete torso web pieces ( 12 ) from a continuous torso web, combining the discrete torso pieces with a continuous shoulder web ( 14 ), and cutting the combined torso and shoulder web structure to form the isolation garments. The isolation garments may be used as protection from potentially hazardous or unclean materials in a variety of different environments.

An apparatus which makes an absorbent insert for an absorbent product includes a die cutting unit which die cuts at least one channel in an assembly that includes an absorbent core material within at least one web. The core material and the at least one web are adhesively secured together. Methods of making same are also provided.

A roller apparatus for treating at least one web passing through the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a pattern roller in the form of a first cylindrical body mounted for rotation around an elongate axis (A) of the first cylindrical body, and an anvil roller in the form of a second cylindrical body mounted for rotation around an elongate axis (B) of the second cylindrical body. The pattern and anvil rollers are located adjacent each other to define a nip between outer cylindrical surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies. The first and second cylindrical bodies are configured to rotate, in use, in opposite directions to each other so as to draw the at least one web through the nip defined between the outer cylindrical surfaces of the first and second cylindrical bodies. The outer cylindrical surface of the first cylindrical body defines a raised profile section having a predetermined shape that extends both widthwise and circumferentially of the first cylindrical body. The pattern roller incorporates an elongate cartridge heater extending widthwise along the elongate axis (A) of the first cylindrical body. The cartridge heater defines at least two outer zones located widthwise on opposite sides of a centrally located middle zone. The cartridge heater is configured to generate, in use, more heat in the outer zones than in the middle zone.

An apparatus includes a transfer mechanism that transfers discrete articles to a receiving member. The transfer mechanism includes a plurality of transfer pucks that carry discrete articles thereon. Each of the transfer pucks includes a puck body with an article carrying surface having vacuum holes formed therein to retain the discrete article thereon via a vacuum. The article carrying surface includes a central region and at least one side region adjacent the central region, the side region aligned lengthwise along the puck body. Each of the transfer pucks also includes one or more resilient puck inserts positioned about a portion of a perimeter of the transfer puck, with each puck insert engaged with the puck body in a respective side region. The puck inserts are sized to protrude above the article carrying surface and are depressible inward toward the article carrying surface upon an application of force thereto.

Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.

Absorbent garments are made by applying a refastenable material to a continuous panel web, folding the panel web, cutting the folded panel web into discrete folded panels, and aligning the folded panels with perforations in a continuous elasticized waist web. Discrete folded patches are coupled to the elastic web via the refastenable material and the perforation cuts are broken to form a continuous waistband. Absorbent cores are coupled between the continuous waistband and a second continuous waistband, which are cut to form the absorbent garments. The manufacturing apparatus includes a perforation cutter that forms perforation cuts in a continuous waist web comprising elastic elements positioned between facing web layers, a panel applicator that cuts a folded panel web into discrete panels and attaches the discrete panels to the waist web about the perforation cut. A breakage system separates the waist web at the perforation cuts and unfolds the discrete panels.