EDGE SEAL FOR ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND METHOD FOR MAKING

摘要

A disposable diaper comprising a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and backsheet. The topsheet and backsheet define a periphery and longitudinal edges, portions of the longitudinal edges define leg openings when the diaper is worn. The diaper has an edge seal folded about and joined to the longitudinal edges at least at the portions defining leg openings when the diaper is worn.An apparatus for affixing the edge seal onto a portion of a lateral edge of a continuous web has an axis of rotation, and comprises a first web surface disposed at a first radial distance from the axis. An edge seal folder comprising a second web surface is disposed at a second radial distance from the axis, the second radial distance being variable between a first minimum distance and a second maximum distance. At the second maximum distance the second radial distance is substantially equal to the first radial distance. The edge seal folder is adapted to receive edge seal material on the second web surface at the first minimum distance and to fold and affix the edge seal material as a discrete edge seal onto a portion of the lateral edge of the continuous web at the second maximum distance.A method of affixing an edge seal onto a predetermined portion of a lateral edge of a continuous web comprises the steps of: a) providing a first continuous web; b) providing a second continuous web of edge seal material; c) providing an edge seal folder that is translatable radially outward with respect to an axis of rotation between a first minimum distance and a second maximum distance; d) receiving a portion of the second continuous web upon a surface of the edge seal folder; e) cutting off the portion of the second continuous web; f) retaining the portion of the second continuous web upon the surface of said edge seal folder; g) applying adhesive to either of the portion of the second continuous web or the first continuous web in a predetermined location; h) translating the edge seal folder from the first position to the second position; i) folding the portion of the second continuous web about the predetermined portion of the lateral edge of the continuous web; and j) joining the portion of the second continuous web to the predetermined portion of the lateral edge of the continuous web.