A method of pleating a fabric, the method comprising pleating the fabric with a first pleating process to create a first set of pleats in the fabric along a first axis; pleating the fabric with a second pleating process to create a second set of pleats in the fabric along a second axis different to the first axis, wherein the second set of pleats are pleated over the first set of pleats, and wherein the first set of pleats is a set of in-plane pleats lying substantially in the plane of the fabric and the second set of pleats is a set of out-of-plane pleats which stand out of the plane of the fabric.

An automated method is provided for forming pleats in a textile product in a production line. The method includes conveying a web of the textile product on a conveyor in the production line. The web is folded using a folding board at a folding station in the production line. The method includes removing heat from the folding board. The automated method can allow for high speed folding of the textile product without damaging the textile product from heat caused by friction between the web of textile product and the folding board.

An automated method is provided for forming pleats in a textile product in a production line. The method includes conveying a web of the textile product on a conveyor in the production line. The web is folded using a folding board at a folding station in the production line. The method includes removing heat from the folding board. The automated method can allow for high speed folding of the textile product without damaging the textile product from heat caused by friction between the web of textile product and the folding board.

An absorbent article having a lateral direction, a vertical direction, and a front-rear direction that are orthogonal to each other is provided. The absorbent article includes: a first sheet-like member; a second sheet-like member; elastic members that are inserted along the lateral direction between a pair of mutually-opposing facing surfaces of the first sheet-like member and that are spaced apart in the vertical direction; joining portions that join the pair of mutually-opposing facing surfaces and that are spaced part in the lateral direction and in the vertical direction; and side-seal sections disposed at each lateral end portion of the absorbent article. The joining portions are formed on two sides of the elastic members in the vertical direction so that the elastic members are sandwiched and pressed between the joining portions on the two sides.

A wrinkled filament nonwoven fabric according to the present invention has a structure in which thermoplastic resin filaments are arrayed lengthwise and crosswise, and includes a plurality of first wrinkles arranged in parallel and a plurality of second wrinkles arranged in parallel, each of the plurality of second wrinkles intersecting at least one of the plurality of first wrinkles. Continuous production of the wrinkled filament nonwoven fabric according to the present invention is relatively easy.

A creasing device for preparing creased fabric strips includes an upper housing member and a lower housing member joined together by a hinge assembly. The housing members have a pair of opposed guide surfaces and at least one creasing ridge adjacent to one of the guide surfaces. The housing members can be rotated with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The creasing device has a latch assembly that secures the housing members together in the closed position. A method of preparing creased fabric strips with the creasing device includes disposing a folded first end of a fabric strip in the device; drawing the fabric strip over the creasing ridge to impart a longitudinal crease in the fabric strip; and extending the fold from the folded first end along a length of the fabric strip as it is passed through the device.

A creasing device for preparing creased fabric strips includes an upper housing member and a lower housing member joined together by a hinge assembly. The housing members have a pair of opposed guide surfaces and at least one creasing ridge adjacent to one of the guide surfaces. The housing members can be rotated with respect to each other from an open position to a closed position. The creasing device has a latch assembly that secures the housing members together in the closed position. A method of preparing creased fabric strips with the creasing device includes disposing a folded first end of a fabric strip in the device; drawing the fabric strip over the creasing ridge to impart a longitudinal crease in the fabric strip; and extending the fold from the folded first end along a length of the fabric strip as it is passed through the device.

A preparation method of a composite non-woven fabric by pleating to enhance stretchability, includes unwinding an upper layer of non-woven fabric and a stretch film, and adjusting them in position; pleating the adjusted upper layer of non-woven fabric along a cross direction (CD) or machine direction (MD) through an upper pleating mechanism, and aligning the pleated upper layer of non-woven fabric with the stretch film; feeding the upper layer of non-woven fabric and the stretch film aligned with each other into a first laminating device, and laminating a contact surface between the bottom of the pleat and the stretch film to obtain a double-layer stretch non-woven fabric material; and rewinding the laminated stretch material after tension adjustment and alignment. The method produces not only a CD- or MD-stretch material but also a four-way stretch material; by adding a pleated design to the non-woven fabric.

A preparation method of a composite non-woven fabric by pleating to enhance stretchability, includes unwinding an upper layer of non-woven fabric and a stretch film, and adjusting them in position; pleating the adjusted upper layer of non-woven fabric along a cross direction (CD) or machine direction (MD) through an upper pleating mechanism, and aligning the pleated upper layer of non-woven fabric with the stretch film; feeding the upper layer of non-woven fabric and the stretch film aligned with each other into a first laminating device, and laminating a contact surface between the bottom of the pleat and the stretch film to obtain a double-layer stretch non-woven fabric material; and rewinding the laminated stretch material after tension adjustment and alignment. The method produces not only a CD- or MD-stretch material but also a four-way stretch material; by adding a pleated design to the non-woven fabric.

A non-woven fabric with elasticity in warp direction and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, including: a feeding step, feeding the non-woven fabric into a location between the difference gears and suction gears in an overfeeding manner; a wave forming step, entering the non-woven fabric to a location between the differential gears and the suction gears, thereby forming wavy folds; a fixing step, providing a suction force through suction holes of the suction gears to make the non-woven fabric closely fit outer surfaces of the suction gears, and fix the wavy folds; a press-flattening step, press-flattening the wavy folds; a preheating step, heating the non-woven fabric to soften it; a broadening step, stretching the non-woven fabric in a weft direction and making it be oriented, and straightening the wavy folds at the same time; a stabilizing step; and a cooling step, cooling the non-woven fabric to set it.