A substrate assembly is mechanically deformed to form various products. In part, the substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus rotates about a longitudinal axis and includes a plurality of manifolds. The plurality of manifolds allow for substrate assemblies including different process product pitches to be processed on a single bonder apparatus.

A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and is configured to radially traverse based on the process product pitch of the substrate assembly. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. The manifolds may heat fluid and release the same onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a composite sheet associated with an absorbent article, including: a producing device that produces a substrate sheet by fixing a stretchable sheet to at least low-extensible sheet, the stretchable sheet continuing along a transporting direction, the stretchable sheet being in an extended state in which the stretchable sheet is extended in the transporting direction, the producing is performed while the producing device is transporting the stretchable sheet; a reference-section forming apparatus that forms a physical reference section on the substrate sheet, the substrate sheet being in a first extended state and being transported; a contraction apparatus in which the substrate sheet that has the reference section formed on it contracts until the substrate sheet becomes in a second extended state whose extension ratio is smaller than an extension ratio of the first extended state; and a processing apparatus that performs the certain process to the substrate sheet, the substrate sheet having contracted and being in the second extended state. The contraction apparatus includes: a transport path in which the substrate sheet is transported; a sensor that detects the reference section after the contraction in the contraction apparatus and that outputs a detection signal; and an alteration device that alters a transportation state of the substrate sheet in the transport path so that a position in the substrate sheet for the certain process is located close to a target position for the certain process, the alteration being performed according to the detection signal of the sensor.

A method of joining substrate portions includes positioning the substrate portions such that the substrate portions overlap at an overlap area. The substrate portions each have a melting temperature and an outer surface. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt the substrate portions. A jet of the heated fluid is directed from a fluid orifice onto the substrate portions at the overlap area. The heated fluid penetrates at least one of the outer surfaces of the substrate portions. The substrate portions are at least partially melted using the heated fluid. The substrate portions are compressed using a pressure applying surface adjacent the fluid orifice to join the substrate portions together at the overlap area.

In the present invention, one surface of a belt-shaped sheet laminate (10), in which a plurality of sheets are laminated, is pressed against a support member (21) having a light passage section (27) through which a laser beam (30) can pass, and the belt-shaped sheet laminate (10) is irradiated, from the support member (21) side via the light passage section (27), with a laser beam (30) to cut and fusion-bond the belt-shaped sheet laminate (10), thereby sealed edge sections (4) are formed by fusion-bonding the edge sections of the plurality of sheets.

A method for assembling pre-fastened refastenable absorbent articles includes advancing discrete chassis in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. The chassis defines a first waist region and a longitudinally opposed second waist region separated by a central region. A first web advances in the machine direction and is combined with a discrete fastener component having a refastenable element. The discrete chassis are combined with the first web in the first waist region of the chassis. The second waist region of the discrete chassis is combined with a second web advancing in the machine direction. The chassis are folded and the first and second webs are joined together. The discrete fastener component is permanently connected with the second web. The absorbent article is cut along the discrete fastener component to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable absorbent articles.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating absorbent article having multiple layers, and deformed zones of targeted performance, and colored regions, the method comprising the steps of forming discrete features on at least one layer, printing colored regions on at least one layer, integrating multiple layers to form an absorbent assembly, and cutting the absorbent assembly into individual absorbent articles, wherein the steps are carried out continuously.

The present invention relates to a method for fabricating absorbent article having multiple layers, and deformed zones of targeted performance, and colored regions, the method comprising the steps of forming discrete features on at least one layer, printing colored regions on at least one layer, integrating multiple layers to form an absorbent assembly, and cutting the absorbent assembly into individual absorbent articles, wherein the steps are carried out continuously.

A reusable undergarment is disclosed with a multi-layer gusset assembly that is permanently affixed in the undergarment to absorb liquids excreted by a wearer of the undergarment and is reusable after washing. The panty also includes body fabric, elastic trim, and non-wicking hydrophobic thread that is sewn through the trim, which sandwiches the body fabric and gusset assembly. The trim may be a single piece of fabric with a waterproof finish that is folded widthwise to form a hollow channel that redistributes excess liquid at the edge of the gusset assembly without leaking. In some manufacturing processes, a waterproof finish may be applied to the elastic trim, and the edge of the gusset assembly may be positioned offset from a fold-line of the trim when folded widthwise. The shape and positioning of the gusset assembly may be cone-shaped in some embodiments.

Various embodiments of wirelessly detectable objects to be used in medical procedures are provided. Such may employ ionizing radiation hard wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, all of which retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization dosages of ionizing radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, may retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization temperatures and/or pressures.