US Patent No: 5,167,897

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

Method for incrementally stretching a zero strain stretch laminate web to impart elasticity thereto

3 Status Updates

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)
 

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for incrementally stretching "zero strain" stretch laminate webs to impart elasticity thereto in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. The "zero strain" stretch laminate material is formed of at least two plies of material which are either intermittently or substantially continuously secured to one another along at least a portion of their coextensive surfaces while in a substantially untensioned ("zero strain") condition. One of the plies is stretchable and elastomeric, while the second ply is elongatable, but not necessarily elastomeric. The second ply will, upon stretching of the laminate, be at least to a degree permanently elongated so that, upon release of the applied tensile forces, it will not return to its original undistorted configuration. This results in z-direction bulking of the laminate web when the applied tension is released as well as subsequent elastic extensibility in the direction of initial stretching, at least up to the point of initial stretching. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the opposed peripheral edge portions of the laminate web to be incrementally stretched are subjected to restraint to substantially prevent inwardly directed slippage or contraction thereof in a direction parallel to the direction of stretching. This maximizes the effectiveness of the incremental web stretching operation by forcing the "zero strain" stretch laminate web to undergo the fullest possible degree of elongation during the incremental stretching operation.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

Related Publications

Loading Related Publications... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddressTotal Patents
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANYCINCINNATI, OH10354

International Classification(s)

  • [Classification Symbol]
  • [Patents Count]

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Benson, Douglas H West Harrison, IN 15 796
Richardson, James W Cincinnati, OH 7 710
Sabatelli, David A Cleves, OH 4 225
Vinnage, Jr William R Cincinnati, OH 5 448
Weber, Gerald M Loveland, OH 6 653

Cited Art

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. (10)
4,578,133 Method and apparatus for applying discrete strips to a web of material 55 1984
4,556,596 Method for adhering tensioned elastic strips to a flexible base material and article produced therefrom 22 1984
4,652,487 Gathered fibrous nonwoven elastic web 113 1985
4,657,802 Composite nonwoven elastic web 256 1985
4,720,415 Composite elastomeric material and process for making the same 397 1985
4,675,016 Method for adhering curved tensioned elastic strips to a gatherable base material and the article produced 43 1985
4,606,964 Bulked web composite and method of making the same 196 1985
4,692,368 Elastic spunlaced polyester-meltblown polyetherurethane laminate 98 1986
4,725,473 Cloth-like, liquid impervious composite material and method for making the same 130 1986
4,981,747 Composite elastic material including a reversibly necked material 249 1988
 
BIAX FIBERFILM (3)
4,368,565 Grooved roller assembly for laterally stretching film 59 1978
4,223,059 Process and product thereof for stretching a non-woven web of an orientable polymeric fiber 98 1978
4,251,585 Product and process for stretching a tubularly formed sheet of orientable thermoplastic material 23 1978
 
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (3)
4,209,563 Method for making random laid bonded continuous filament cloth 171 1978
4,342,314 Resilient plastic web exhibiting fiber-like properties 361 1980
4,517,714 Nonwoven fabric barrier layer 54 1982
 
H.B. FULLER LICENSING & FINANCING, INC. (2)
4,418,123 Extrudable self-adhering elastic and method of employing same 137 1981
4,543,099 Method for imparting elastic properties to a flexible substrate 97 1982
 
MOBIL OIL CORPORATION (2)
4,464,815 Multidirectional orientation apparatus 12 1982
4,475,971 Method for forming strong cross-laminated films 27 1983
 
PARAGON TRADE BRANDS, INC. (2)
4,337,771 Conformable disposable diaper having reinforced portions 75 1979
4,297,157 Method for application of elastic to articles 39 1980
 
W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC. (2)
4,194,041 Waterproof laminate 269 1978
4,443,511 Elastomeric waterproof laminate 135 1982
 
BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC. (1)
4,446,189 Textured nonwoven textile fabric laminate and process of making said 74 1983
 
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, THE (1)
4,525,407 Elastic composites 147 1983
 
CORBIERE S.A. (1)
4,660,261 Process for giving relief in several directions to a textile cloth 7 1985
 
FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD. (1)
4,952,363 Method of drawing film 2 1989
 
JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
4,333,782 Method of making laminated structures having gathered and ungathered marginal portions 74 1980
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION (1)
4,741,944 Wet wipe and wipe dispensing arrangement 103 1986
 
LOWHURST; HARVEY G. (1)
4,351,872 Unidirectional stretch mesh laminate and method 27 1979
 
MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY (1)
4,857,067 Disposable diaper having shirred ears 156 1988
 
RIEGEL TEXTILE CORPORATION (1)
4,239,578 Apparatus for inserting elastic strips during the manufacture of elastic leg disposable diapers 70 1979
 
SABEE PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
4,223,063 Pattern drawing of webs, and product produced thereby 37 1979
 
SMITH AND NEPHEW ASSOCIATED COMPANIES LIMITED (1)
4,414,970 Elastic bandages 63 1981
 
STANDARD OIL COMPANY (INDIANA) (1)
4,368,233 Coated woven and non-woven polyolefin articles 17 1980
 
SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD. (1)
4,277,429 Production of asymmetric porous film materials 38 1979
 
TUFF SPUN FABRICS, INC. (1)
4,834,741 Diaper with waist band elastic 131 1987
 
TUFF SPUN PRODUCTS, INC. (1)
4,813,946 Method and apparatus for forming and transporting elastic ribbons 18 1985
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (1)
4,629,525 Method and apparatus for preparing a high strength sheet material 43 1983

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cites

Patent Info (Count) # Cites Year
 
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (116)
5,628,741 Absorbent article with elastic feature having a prestrained web portion and method for forming same 51 1994
5,580,411 Zero scrap method for manufacturing side panels for absorbent articles 139 1995
5,683,533 Method for manufacturing side panels for disposable articles 28 1996
5,705,013 Method for manufacturing extensible side panels for absorbent articles 60 1996
5,669,897 Absorbent articles providing sustained dynamic fit 104 1996
5,899,895 Disposable absorbent article with extensible side panels 67 1996
5,997,521 Disposable absorbent article with extensible side panels 44 1996
5,700,255 Absorbent article having composite elasticized member 37 1996
6,004,306 Absorbent article with multi-directional extensible side panels 173 1997
6,363,530 Disposable bib 11 1997
6,266,820 Disposable bib having stretchable shoulder extensions 3 1998
6,125,471 Disposable bib having an extensible neck opening 5 1998
6,383,431 Method of modifying a nonwoven fibrous web for use as component of a disposable absorbent article 68 1999
6,114,263 Stable web having enhanced extensibility and method for making same 50 1999
6,443,936 Absorbent article having improved adhesive system to provide flexibility and breathability 15 1999
6,884,494 Laminate web 58 1999
6,551,295 Absorbent structures comprising fluid storage members with improved ability to dewater acquisition/distribution members 5 2000
6,605,172 Method of making a breathable and liquid impermeable web 37 2000
6,713,661 Absorbent articles providing improved fit when wet 5 2000
6,613,954 Dispersible absorbent products and methods of manufacture and use 8 2000
7,087,289 Apertured elastic member 2 2000
7,037,569 Laminate web comprising an apertured layer and method for manufacturing thereof 37 2000
6,878,647 Elastic laminate including nonwoven layer formed from highly-oriented-component fibers and disposable garment employing the same 9 2001
6,670,521 Dispersible absorbent products and methods of manufacture and use 7 2001
6,878,433 Applications for laminate web 24 2001
6,863,960 User-activatible substance delivery system 36 2001
6,830,800 Elastic laminate web 31 2001
6,808,791 Applications for laminate web 45 2001
6,605,070 Absorbent article having selectively changeable size adjustment 17 2001
7,423,003 Fold-resistant cleaning sheet 1 2001
6,652,500 Absorbent article having improved integrity and acquisition 0 2001
7,838,725 Dispersible absorbent products having a multi-layered structure and methods of manufacture and use 0 2002
6,855,223 Method of manufacturing an elasticized composite material 9 2002
7,087,287 Tear resistant porous extensible web 14 2003
6,964,720 Elastomeric nonwoven laminates and process for producing same 10 2003
7,378,565 Breathable and liquid impermeable web and method of making the web 0 2003
7,572,248 Unitary disposable pant-type garment with non-elasticized gap between stretch side panels and absorbent assembly 1 2003
7,028,735 Method and apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 6 2003
7,445,831 Radiation curable low stress relaxation elastomeric materials 1 2003
7,368,027 Method of making an edge fold having substantially uniform gathers for absorbent article 1 2003
7,220,332 Electrical cable 1 2004
7,985,210 Absorbent article comprising a flap handle that aids in the application of said absorbent article 0 2004
7,750,203 Comfortable diaper 4 2004
7,744,576 Thin and dry diaper 3 2004
7,820,875 Disposable absorbent articles being adaptable to wearer's anatomy 0 2004
7,794,441 Dual cuff for a unitary disposable absorbent article being spaced away from backsheet 0 2004
7,222,654 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 12 2004
7,024,939 Method and apparatus for the variable speed ring rolling simulation of substrates 1 2004
7,270,861 Laminated structurally elastic-like film web substrate 7 2004
7,833,212 Disposable absorbent article designed to facilitate an easy change 0 2004
8,070,738 Pant-like disposable garment having improved fastener systems 0 2005
7,887,522 Pull-on wearable article with informational image 0 2005
7,806,880 Pull-on wearable article with informational image 0 2005
8,198,200 Web materials having both plastic and elastic properties 0 2005
8,182,456 Disposable absorbent articles with components having both plastic and elastic properties 1 2005
8,419,701 Absorbent articles with stretch zones comprising slow recovery elastic materials 0 2005
7,905,872 Absorbent articles comprising a slow recovery stretch laminate 1 2005
7,717,893 Absorbent articles comprising a slow recovery elastomer 1 2005
7,211,531 Elastomeric nonwoven laminates and process for producing same 4 2005
7,824,514 Method of producing a stretch laminate 0 2005
7,806,883 Absorbent articles having a breathable stretch laminate 0 2006
8,029,488 Disposable pull-on diaper having a low force, slow recovery elastic waist 1 2006
7,476,288 Method and apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 4 2006
8,304,599 Polymeric film exhibiting improved anti-blocking characteristics and process of making 0 2006
8,158,849 Polymeric film exhibiting improved anti-blocking characteristics and process of making 0 2006
8,083,410 Bag with closeable access zone 0 2006
8,066,687 Side seam for disposable garment 0 2006
7,863,497 Disposable absorbent article designed to facilitate an easy change 0 2006
8,235,963 Disposable wearable absorbent articles with anchoring systems 0 2006
8,319,005 Comfortable diaper 0 2007
7,851,667 Comfortable diaper 0 2007
8,057,450 Absorbent article with sensation member 0 2007
7,389,804 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 3 2007
7,632,257 Disposable absorbent article designed to facilitate an easy intuitive change 3 2007
8,383,878 Absorbent article having a multifunctional containment member 0 2007
8,343,126 Absorbent article having an anchored core assembly 0 2007
8,177,766 Stretch laminate, method of making, and absorbent article 0 2007
7,717,895 Method for application of disposable absorbent articles and providing a kit of a package and disposable absorbent article 0 2007
7,896,858 Absorbent articles comprising graphics 9 2007
8,062,278 Disposable wearable absorbent articles with extensible sides 0 2008
7,901,392 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 1 2008
8,158,846 Breathable and liquid impermeable web and method of making the web 0 2008
7,695,583 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 3 2008
8,017,827 Disposable absorbent article with enhanced absorption properties 0 2008
8,377,024 Outer cover for a disposable absorbent article 0 2008
7,896,641 Apparatus for activating a web 3 2008
7,824,594 Process for activating a web 2 2008
8,323,257 Absorbent articles comprising a slow recovery stretch laminate and method for making the same 1 2008
7,781,527 Fibers and nonwovens comprising polypropylene blends and mixtures 1 2009
8,168,853 Extrusion bonded laminates for absorbent articles 0 2009
8,333,748 Outer cover for a disposable absorbent article 0 2009
8,142,411 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2009
8,172,819 Unitary disposable pant-type garment 0 2009
7,850,809 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 3 2010
8,292,866 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2010
8,128,610 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2010
8,100,878 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 1 2010
8,088,115 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2010
8,088,116 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2010
8,048,051 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2010
8,016,807 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 1 2010
8,388,594 Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film 0 2010
8,231,595 Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film 0 2010
8,226,625 Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film 0 2010
8,226,626 Stretchable laminates of nonwoven web(s) and elastic film 0 2010
8,343,411 Method of producing a web substrate having activated color regions in deformed regions 0 2010
8,187,240 Thin and dry diaper 0 2010
7,960,478 Fibers and nonwovens comprising polypropylene blends and mixtures 0 2010
8,007,614 Elastomeric nonwoven laminates and process for producing same 15 2010
8,062,572 Process for activating a web 1 2010
7,981,231 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 1 2010
8,303,294 Apparatus for activating a web 0 2011
8,114,234 Apparatus for producing elastomeric nonwoven laminates 0 2011
8,276,745 Method and apparatus for transferring articles of different sizes 0 2011
8,425,484 Refastenable absorbent article and a method of applying thereof 0 2011
8,360,231 Method and apparatus for transferring articles of different sizes 0 2012
 
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC. (41)
5,846,232 Absorbent article containing extensible zones 108 1995
5,853,881 Elastic laminates with improved hysteresis 41 1996
5,789,065 Laminated fabric having cross-directional elasticity and method for producing same 71 1996
5,817,400 Absorbent articles with reduced cross-directional wrinkles 9 1996
5,843,057 Film-nonwoven laminate containing an adhesively-reinforced stretch-thinned film 65 1997
5,948,507 Absorbent articles with reduced cross-directional wrinkles 8 1998
6,682,514 Efficient zoned elastic laminate 9 1999
6,689,115 Absorbent garment with asymmetrical leg elastic spacing 19 2000
6,652,504 Pant-like absorbent garments having curved leak guard flaps 8 2000
6,635,041 Absorbent garment with asymmetrical leg elastic tension 9 2000
6,613,033 Pant-like absorbent garments having curved leg cuffs 7 2000
6,585,841 Method of optimizing spacing between elastic members in applying leg elastics 14 2000
6,569,275 Method of optimizing tension in applying leg elastics 15 2000
6,540,857 Method of applying curved leg elastics using curved pucks 7 2000
6,440,246 Method of applying curved leg elastics using rotating disks 7 2000
6,375,769 Method of applying curved leg elastics using pucks with curved surfaces 28 2000
6,679,869 Absorbent article having an elastic outer cover 10 2000
6,982,231 Elastomeric, breathable laminate with enhanced breathability upon extension 2 2000
6,969,378 Biaxial stretch garment 21 2000
6,914,018 Biaxial stretch, breathable laminate with cloth-like aesthetics and method for making same 6 2000
6,869,424 Stretchable absorbent garment with non-stretchable liner 2 2000
6,702,800 Absorbent garment with transverse and longitudinal stretch 14 2000
7,628,778 Absorbent article with self-forming seals 1 2001
7,608,069 Absorbent article with captured leg elastics 0 2001
6,881,205 Independence of components in absorbent articles 2 2001
6,884,310 Method for making an absorbent article with elastic cuff areas and expandable substrates 0 2001
6,869,494 Method for making a disposable garment having softer waist and leg cuffs 1 2001
6,827,806 Method for making an absorbent article with printed elastomers 12 2001
6,533,879 Method of applying curved leg elastics using pucks with curved surfaces 6 2002
7,175,727 Shaped absorbent pads and associated method for making 3 2002
6,896,843 Method of making a web which is extensible in at least one direction 15 2002
6,881,375 Method of forming a 3-dimensional fiber into a web 7 2002
7,320,948 Extensible laminate having improved stretch properties and method for making same 0 2002
6,808,582 Method of optimizing tension in applying leg elastics 14 2003
7,045,031 Method of optimizing spacing between elastic members in applying leg elastics 8 2003
7,932,196 Microporous stretch thinned film/nonwoven laminates and limited use or disposable product applications 0 2003
7,220,478 Microporous breathable elastic films, methods of making same, and limited use or disposable product applications 3 2003
7,198,742 Apparatus and method for deforming sheet material 4 2003
7,270,723 Microporous breathable elastic film laminates, methods of making same, and limited use or disposable product applications 1 2004
7,651,653 Machine and cross-machine direction elastic materials and methods of making same 1 2004
7,985,209 Wound or surgical dressing 0 2005
 
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (13)
6,051,094 Closure system for disposable absorbent article 25 1997
7,037,457 Systems and methods for composite webs with structured discrete polymeric regions 10 2001
6,942,894 Methods for producing composite webs with reinforcing discrete polymeric regions 7 2001
6,715,188 Hinged tab for slot and tab closure systems 3 2002
6,938,309 Zoned stretching of a web 0 2002
6,880,211 Macro closure device for disposable articles 16 2003
7,238,314 Polymer transfer apparatus, methods, and composite webs 3 2003
7,195,729 Composite webs and closure systems 8 2003
7,039,990 Zoned stretching of a web 0 2005
8,034,431 Intermittently bonded fibrous web laminate 0 2006
7,390,451 Composite webs and closure systems 2 2006
7,534,481 Shaped elastic tab laminates 2 2006
7,669,297 Composite webs and closure systems 0 2007
 
SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB (6)
8,052,665 Absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate 2 2004
7,806,884 Absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate 0 2004
8,298,205 Elastic laminate and absorbent article comprising the laminate 0 2006
8,109,916 Absorbent article comprising an elastic laminate 0 2006
8,282,616 Pant-type absorbent article and a method for producing pant-type absorbent articles 0 2006
8,303,561 Method of producing an absorbent garment, and an absorbent garment produced according to the method 0 2007
 
WYETH (5)
6,074,505 Structure and method of forming a laminate structure 18 1996
6,090,234 Elastic laminates and methods for making the same 34 1997
5,906,637 Disposable elastic thermal uniaxial joint wrap 51 1997
5,904,710 Disposable elastic thermal body wrap 50 1997
6,093,663 Structure and method of forming a laminate structure 32 1999
 
UNI-CHARM CORPORATION (3)
6,481,483 Apparatus and process for making elastic composite sheet 8 2000
6,846,376 Process for manufacturing an elastic composite sheet 0 2002
7,824,169 Stretching apparatus for web of thermoplastic synthetic resin 0 2007
 
FIRST QUALITY NONWOVENS, INC. (2)
6,331,268 Nonwoven fabric with high CD elongation and method of making same 5 1999
6,872,274 Method of making nonwoven with non-symmetrical bonding configuration 20 2001
 
TREDEGAR FILM PRODUCTS CORPORATION (2)
6,472,084 Tear-resistant low set elastic film and method of making 8 2000
8,292,865 Absorbent article with double-sided soft and elastic components 0 2002
 
ALLEGIANCE CORPORATION (1)
6,638,605 Intermittently bonded nonwoven disposable surgical laminates 16 1999
 
APLIX (1)
8,318,071 Method for imparting elasticity to a non-woven material/elastomer laminate 0 2007
 
ASSOCIATED HYGIENIC PRODUCTS LLC (1)
7,435,244 Diaper design having zones of reduced stiffness and continuous breathability 6 2003
 
AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION (1)
8,080,198 Elastic diaper component 0 2007
 
CLOPAY PLASTIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. (1)
5,861,074 Method of making an elastic laminated sheet of an incrementally stretched nonwoven fibrous web and elastomeric film 47 1996
 
IRVING PERSONAL CARE LIMITED (1)
7,943,537 Stretch laminate material and methods of making same 0 2007
 
MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY (1)
5,885,908 Anisotropic elastic films 30 1996
 
TEMPUR-PEDIC MANAGEMENT, LLC (1)
8,418,297 Reticulated material body support and method 0 2008
 
OTHER [CHECK PATENT PROFILE FOR ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION] (5)
5,496,429 Method of making an elasticized disposable training pant 34 1993
H1674 Convertible belted diaper 72 1995
H001674 Convertible belted diaper 5 1995
8,440,587 Method of producing color change in a web substrate 0 2010
8,440,043 Absorbent article process and apparatus for intermittently deactivating elastics in elastic laminates 0 2012