Patent ID: 8221380
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing shaped articles, garments for being worn on the lower torso of a wearer, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing articles comprising at least one closed hoop structure, and at least a primary and a secondary web material; wherein manufacturing being performed on a high speed manufacturing equipment comprising: (b) preparing a pre-cursor blank comprising a centre piece comprising said primary web, said centre piece consisting of a centre region, and a front and a rear region extending longitudinally from said centre region, said pre-cursor blank further comprising side portions extending laterally outwardly of both sides of said centre region, said side portions comprising said secondary web, thusly forming a Plus-shaped precursor blank; (c) transferring said pre-cursor blank to said parallel treatment unit comprising said treatment sections, each treatment section comprising said treatment head; (d) temporarily attaching said centre region of said precursor blank to the surface of said centre plate of said treatment head which is out- or upwardly facing, and said front and rear regions to the longitudinal extension plates of said treatment head, whilst these are in an upwardly folded position essentially aligned with said centre plate; (e) separating said primary web into individual pieces, before or after having formed said precursor blank; (f) pivoting the outward front or rear ends of said longitudinal extension plates downwardly away from said surface of said parallel treatment unit whilst said front and rear regions of said blank remain attached thereto; (g) folding said side portions of said pre-cursor blank downwardly, so as to bring the side margins of said front and rear regions and the side margins of the side portions into an adjacent or overlapping positioning; (h) connecting respective side margins, thereby forming a closed article comprising a hoop; (i) optionally further treating the article; and (j) removing the article from the parallel treatment unit.