Patent ID: 6443935
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: A61F,D04H

Abstract:
A method of applying thread to a moving substrate web for making a disposable absorbent product having two waist portions and an intervening crotch portion, the method comprising the steps of:rotating peripheries of two elements, which are inclined towards each other, through a first position where the two rotating peripheries are closest and a second position where the two rotating peripheries are farthest apart, each of the two rotating peripheries having plural elements projecting therefrom that pass through the first and second positions as the two peripheries rotate, one of the rotating peripheries having at least two of the projecting elements pass through the first position consecutively before one of the projecting elements from the other of the rotating peripheries passes through the first position; moving the substrate web relative to the second position; directing a thread to the first position and engaging the thread sequentially with each of the plural projecting elements as the plural projecting elements pass through the first position; routing respective first portions of the thread laterally across the substrate web at each of the two waist portions by movement away from the first position of a pair of the projecting elements, one from each of the two rotating peripheries, that engage ends of the respective first portions of the thread; routing a second portion of the thread longitudinally on the substrate web through the crotch portion by movement away from the first position of the at least two projecting elements on the one of the rotating peripheries, the at least two projecting elements engaging ends of the second portion of the thread; and transferring and fixing said first and second thread portions to the moving substrate web.