Abstract:
An elastic netting like product is carried between two outer layers of material, such as nonwoven or non-stretch material, which are bonded together at the open areas of the netting like structure. The resulting laminate allows for the outer layers of the laminate to be directly bonded to each other without the stretch engine material being introduced into the bond.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/069,111, filed 12 Mar. 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a laminated material formed for use in consumer products. Consumer products such as disposable hygiene products, cleaning products, non-hygienic applications, such as shoe protectors, form fitting dust covers, soft-fruit protectors, or any number of consumer products where an elastomeric characteristic is desired could employ the disclosed laminate. This invention also relates to methods and apparatuses for processing components of disposable hygiene products. More specifically, the invention relates to manufacturing a stretchable, preferably breathable laminate that is bonded at a plurality of bond sites. 
     Generally, diapers comprise an absorbent insert or patch and a chassis, which, when the diaper is worn, supports the insert proximate a wearer&#39;s body. Additionally, diapers may include other various patches, such as tape tab patches, reusable fasteners and the like. The raw materials used in forming a representative insert are typically cellulose pulp, tissue paper, poly, nonwoven web, acquisition, and elastic, although application specific materials are sometimes utilized. Usually, most of the insert raw materials are provided in roll form, and unwound and applied in assembly line fashion. 
     In the creation of a diaper, multiple roll-fed web processes are typically utilized. To create an absorbent insert, the cellulose pulp is unwound from the provided raw material roll and pulverized by a pulp mill. Discrete pulp cores are formed by a core forming assembly and placed on a continuous tissue web. Optionally, super-absorbent powder may be added to the pulp core. The tissue web is wrapped around the pulp core. The wrapped core is debulked by proceeding through a colander unit, which at least partially compresses the core, thereby increasing its density and structural integrity. After debulking, the tissue-wrapped core is passed through a segregation or knife unit, where individual wrapped cores are cut. The cut cores are conveyed, at the proper pitch, or spacing, to a boundary compression unit. 
     While the insert cores are being formed, other insert components are being prepared to be presented to the boundary compression unit. For instance, the poly sheet is prepared to receive a cut core. Like the cellulose pulp, poly sheet material is usually provided in roll form. The poly sheet is fed through a splicer and accumulator, coated with an adhesive in a predetermined pattern, and then presented to the boundary compression unit. In addition to the poly sheet, which may form the bottom of the insert, a two-ply top sheet may also be formed in parallel to the core formation. Representative plies are an acquisition web material and a nonwoven web material, both of which are fed from material rolls, through a splicer and accumulator. The plies are coated with adhesive, adhered together, cut to size, and presented to the boundary compression unit. Therefore, at the boundary compression unit, three components are provided for assembly: the poly bottom sheet, the core, and the two-ply top sheet. 
     A representative diaper chassis comprises nonwoven web material and support structure. The diaper support structure is generally elastic and may include leg elastic, waistband elastic and belly band elastic. The support structure is usually sandwiched between layers of the nonwoven web material, which is fed from material rolls, through splicers and accumulators. The chassis may also be provided with several patches, besides the absorbent insert. Representative patches include adhesive tape tabs, acquisition layer, ears, frontal tape, graphic appliqué, poly barrier, and resealable closures. 
     The process utilizes two main carrier webs; a nonwoven web which forms an inner liner web, and an outer web that forms an outwardly facing layer in the finished diaper. In a representative chassis process, the nonwoven web is slit at a slitter station by rotary knives along three lines, thereby forming four webs. One of the lines is on approximately the centerline of the web and the other two lines are parallel to and spaced a short distance from the centerline. The effect of such slicing is twofold; first, to separate the nonwoven web into two inner diaper liners. One liner will become the inside of the front of the diaper, and the second liner will become the inside of the back of that garment. Second, two separate, relatively narrow strips are formed that may be subsequently used to cover and entrap portions of the leg-hole elastics. The strips can be separated physically by an angularly disposed spreader roll and aligned laterally with their downstream target positions on the inner edges of the formed liners. 
     After the nonwoven web is sliced, an adhesive is applied to the liners in a predetermined pattern in preparation to receive leg-hole elastic. The leg-hole elastic is applied to the liners and then covered with the narrow strips previously separated from the nonwoven web. Adhesive is applied to the outer web, which is then combined with the assembled inner webs having elastic thereon, thereby forming the diaper chassis. Next, after the elastic members have been sandwiched between the inner and outer webs, an adhesive is applied to the chassis. The chassis is now ready to receive an insert. 
     To assemble the final diaper product, the insert must be combined with the chassis. The placement of the insert onto the chassis occurs on a placement drum or at a patch applicator. The inserts are provided to the chassis on the placement drum at a desired pitch or spacing. The generally flat chassis/insert combination is then folded so that the inner webs face each other, and the combination is trimmed. A sealer bonds the webs at appropriate locations prior to individual diapers being cut from the folded and sealed webs. 
     Roll-fed web processes typically use splicers and accumulators to assist in providing continuous webs during web processing operations. A first web is fed from a supply wheel (the expiring roll) into the manufacturing process. As the material from the expiring roll is depleted, it is necessary to splice the leading edge of a second web from a standby roll to the first web on the expiring roll in a manner that will not cause interruption of the web supply to a web consuming or utilizing device. 
     In a splicing system, a web accumulation dancer system may be employed, in which an accumulator collects a substantial length of the first web. By using an accumulator, the material being fed into the process can continue, yet the trailing end of the material can be stopped or slowed for a short time interval so that it can be spliced to leading edge of the new supply roll. The leading portion of the expiring roll remains supplied continuously to the web-utilizing device. The accumulator continues to feed the web utilization process while the expiring roll is stopped and the new web on a standby roll can be spliced to the end of the expiring roll. 
     In this manner, the device has a constant web supply being paid out from the accumulator, while the stopped web material in the accumulator can be spliced to the standby roll. Examples of web accumulators include that disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/110,616, which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present application, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an elastic netting like product, such as that produced and commercially available by CONWED, carried between two outer layers of laminate. The open areas of the netting like structure are registered bond points of the anvil roll. 
     This allows the netting to retract between the bond points, pulling the material together in a gathering type fashion, but preferably without introducing the elastic netting product into the bond sites. The netting is applied preferably under tension/elongated prior to bonding the outer layers, and after the outer layers are bonded, the netting is allowed to relax, resulting in a gathering type reaction from the outer layers. 
     The method allows for the outer layers of the laminate to be directly bonded to each other without the stretch engine material being introduced into the bond. Typically the stretch material differs from the outer cover material, making it difficult to bond non-homogeneous layers together, and allowing a strong bond to be created in the absence of a stretch engine. 
     The resulting laminate can be uni-directional or bi-directional in its stretch characteristics, depending on the laminate characteristics desired. Any number of stretching characteristics can be applied to the laminate depending on the webbing itself (e.g., cross strand oriented). Further, different stretch states at the time and point of bonding can be used to impart different stretch directions and conditions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an apparatus for forming a registered stretch laminate; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the laminate formed thereby; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the elastic layer of the present invention in a first stretched state, and, following bonding, a second relaxed state; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a representative elastic layer, with bond sites between the net like fibers of the elastic layer. 
         FIGS. 5-8  are top views of alternate embodiments of an elastic layer. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a schematic view of an apparatus for forming a registered stretch laminate is shown. A blocking isolation s-wrap  30  can be provided for carrying and tensioning elastomeric layer  14 . 
     Elastomeric layer  14  is preferably a net-like material, defined by strands bonded at crossing points between strands. Plastic netting with appropriate elastomeric properties create a stretch-engine that allows materials that are not stretchable to stretch. 
     The integral joints of such a net-like material  14  provide strength to materials and help maintain dimensional stability in products. In addition, the joints create a consistent web for a cleaner and smoother manufacturing process. The web-like structure of such a net-like material  14  is easier to handle than individual strands and requires less down time for strand breaks. Preferably, such a net-like material  14  has stretch properties in at least two dimensions. 
     Net-like material  14  enters a first cross machine direction stretch wheel  34  on one side of the web  14  in the direction of travel, and then a second cross machine direction stretch wheel  36  on the other side of the web  14  in the direction of travel. First, second and third stretch rollers  38 ,  40 , and  42  are provided. In conjunction with the stretch wheels  34  and  36 , and the stretch rollers  38 ,  40  and  42 , the elastomeric layer  14  is stretched in a direction and tension that is user defined based on preference of the elasticity of the lamination  10 . It is noted that stretching can be supplied to elastic layer  14  in any of the cross machine direction, the machine direction, or a combination of both, depending on the desired end result. It is preferred that the elastic layer  14  being carried between non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b  be in a stretched state before the bonding operation takes place. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8  top views of alternate embodiments of an elastic layer  14 , are shown. The stretch engine webbing or net-like material  14  can be made of a non-uniform matrix of strands to vary the stretch characteristics desired. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a stiffer vertical strand material is shown relative to a more pliable strand material in the horizontal orientation. The strand count can be varied across the length or width of the web to increase or decrease stretchability in either direction as desired, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIGS. 7 and 8  show alternate ways of varying the stretch characteristics, including varying distance between strands, varying strand material between the machine and cross-machine direction, varying strand count, varying the density of the weave, and using different bond patterns at different bond points. 
     If these different strand types, for instance stretchy and stiff, are used in cross strands and material direction strands, the stretch characteristics will likewise reflect the strand composition. 
     An ultrasonic bonding station  26  is provided to join the non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b,  with the stretched elastomeric layer  14  sandwiched between the non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b.  Because the elastomeric layer  14  has been stretched, yet the non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b  have not been stretched, when the two layers are joined, the elastomeric layer  14  still will have stored the stretch. In an alternate embodiment, any one, two or three of the elastomeric layer  14  and the non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b  are bonded in a stretched configuration. Alternatively, none of the elastomeric layer  14  and the non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b  are bonded in a stretched configuration. 
     Bonding station  26  can provide any method of bonding such as ultrasonic, thermal pressure, registered adhesive, or any combination thereof, depending on user preference for machine configuration. 
     Non-elastomeric layers  12   a  and  12   b  can be of any suitable material, and they themselves could be a laminate. 
     The resulting laminate can be uni-directional or bi-directional in its stretch characteristics, depending on the laminate characteristics desired. Any number of stretching characteristics can be applied to the laminate depending on the webbing itself (e.g., cross strand oriented). Further, different stretch states at the time and point of bonding can be used to impart different stretch directions and conditions. 
     Next, the elastomeric layer  14  is taken off of tension, which results in a gathering of the elastomeric layer  14  to create the preferred stretchable laminate. 
     In one known type of accumulator, the swinging dancer arm type, there is a set of spaced apart rollers on a swingable dancer arm cooperating with another set of rollers on an arm that may be stationary or swingable. A web is looped back and forth between the sets of rollers on opposed arms in a serpentine fashion. When the swingable arm is swung away from the other arm a substantial length of web is accumulated. During normal running of the web the arms will be urged to their maximum practical separation from each other to accumulate the maximum length of web. If the infeed web is slowed or stopped for a short time the tension in the web urges the arms to the minimum separation position in order to make the accumulated web available to the machine. After infeed to the accumulator is resumed the arms separate again and return to their original position to accumulate and store another length of web. 
     In another known type of accumulator, the linear sliding carriage type, there is a set of rollers mounted on a movable carriage which can run linearly toward or away from a set of corresponding rollers which may either be stationary or similarly slidably mounted. During normal operation of the accumulator, the two sets of rollers will be slid to their maximum practical separation to accumulate the maximum amount of web. If the infeed supply to the web accumulator is slowed or stopped, the rollers will be slid toward each other to allow the stored web to be paid out. As the web infeed is returned to regular operational speed the movable rollers slide back toward the original position to accumulate another length of web. Metering stations  32  can be provided to analyze the speed of the infeed of the layers  12   a  and  12   b,  and to assist in determining how much material remains on infeed rolls. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic view of the laminate formed by the process described above is shown. As can be seen, stretchable net-like material  14  is fed, in a stretched condition, into the bonding station  26  comprising horn  26   a  and anvil  26   b.  At the bonding station  26 , layers  12   a  and  12   b  sandwich the stretched net-like material  14 , and after bonding together layers  12   a  and  12   b,  net-like material  14  is allowed to relax. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a top view of the net-like material  14  is shown in a first stretched state to the left of bonding station  26 , and, following bonding at bonding station  26 , a second relaxed state to the right. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a top view of a net-like material  14  is shown without layers  12   a  and  12   b . In this view, preferably bond sites B are shown between the net like fibers of the net-like material  14 . Any number of bond patterns can be applied, such as geometric shapes such as circles, pyramids, half moons, x-shaped, or combinations of them for different aesthetics and material characteristics as desired. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.