Multiple path bonding

Details Multiple path bonding Multiple path bonding

1999-05-27

2001-02-06

Sells, James (Department: 1734)

Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture

Methods

Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

C156S227000, C156S308400

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183576

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to processing involving the bonding together of two or more items or sections of a single item and, more particularly, to bond processing using multiple paths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Disposable absorbent pant-like garments for use as a child's training pants, adult incontinence garment and the like have grown in popularity and use. For example, Van Gompel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,464, issued Jul. 10, 1990, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses such garments and the manufacture thereof.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of one embodiment of such a garment or pant, generally designated by the reference numeral
10
, as it would appear on a wearer indicated in dash lines. The garment
10
generally comprises a waste containment section
12
and two side panels
14
and
16
, respectively, defining a waist opening
20
and a pair of leg openings
22
and
24
, respectively. More particularly, the side panel
14
is composed of a pair of stretchable side members
26
and
30
bonded together along or to form a seam
32
. Similarly, the side panel
16
is composed of a pair of stretchable side members
36
and
40
bonded together along or to form a seam
42
.
Various bonding techniques are available to effect bonding of such members or other member materials to form such side seams or the like. For example, one bonding technique which has found growing application involves the application of ultrasonic energy. For example, Neuwirth et al., U.S. Pat. 5,096,532, issued Mar. 17, 1992 and Ehlert, U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,403, issued May 5, 1992, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, generally relate to ultrasonic rotary horns useful in such processing.
While various techniques are available for the bonding together of side members or the like, typically such bonding techniques involve or require prolonged bonding or dwell times in order to better ensure the formation and maintenance of proper and effective bonding of the side members. For example, bond strength is generally a function of dwell time, with correspondingly increased dwell times generally resulting in improved or stronger bond formation. As will be appreciated, such prolonged bond processing times can dramatically limit the rate at which such garments can be processed through a conventional process machinery line.
Thus, there is a need and a demand for processing improvements effective to avoid or minimize the rate limiting effects of bonding on the manufacturing line processing of such associated products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object of the invention is to provide an improved process for the bonding of a series of pieces each to itself.
A more specific objective of the invention is to overcome one or more of the problems described above.
The general object of the invention can be attained, at least in part, through a high speed process for bonding a series of pieces each to itself. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, such a process involves splitting a supplied series of pieces to be bonded into first and second subseries of pieces to be bonded. The first subseries of pieces to be bonded are subsequently bonded to form a first series of bonded pieces. Similarly, the second subseries of pieces to be bonded are bonded to form a second series of bonded pieces.
The prior art generally fails to provide methods or processing techniques which provide desirably prolonged or extended dwell times, such as may be desired for at least certain types of bonding, in the context of high speed manufacture or processing. More particularly, the prior art generally fails to provide such desirably prolonged or extended dwell times relative to such bond formation via the application of ultrasonic or thermal energy or the like.
The invention further comprehends a continuous high speed process for ultrasonic bonding a series of pieces each to itself. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, such a process involves alternatingly splitting a series of pieces to be bonded into first and second subseries of pieces to be bonded. Members of the first subseries of pieces to be bonded are folded into bonding relative position. Members of the second subseries of pieces to be bonded are folded into bonding relative position. The folded first subseries of pieces to be bonded are ultrasonically bonded to form a first series of bonded pieces. The folded second subseries of pieces to be bonded are ultrasonically bonded to form a second series of bonded pieces.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a process for side seam bonding of a disposable pant-like garment for absorbing human discharge. The process involves supplying a series of planar garment precursor pieces to be bonded. The series of pieces to be bonded is alternatingly split into first and second subseries of pieces to be bonded. The members of the first and second subseries of pieces to be bonded are folded into bonding relative position. The folded members of the first subseries of pieces to be bonded are sequentially ultrasonically bonded to form a first series of bonded pieces and the folded members of the second subseries of pieces to be bonded are sequentially ultrasonically bonded to form a second series of bonded pieces in a manner wherein a folded member of the first subseries of pieces to be bonded and a folded member of the second subseries of pieces to be bonded are bonded substantially simultaneously.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4940464 (1990-07-01), Van Gompel et al.
patent: 5096532 (1992-03-01), Neuwirth et al.
patent: 5110403 (1992-05-01), Ehlert
patent: 5440764 (1995-08-01), Matsushita
patent: 5711832 (1998-01-01), Glaug et al.
patent: 5817199 (1998-10-01), Brennecke et al.
patent: 5961758 (1999-10-01), Honegger
patent: 97/47265 (1997-12-01), None

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