| abstract |
The present invention provides a distinctive process and apparatus ( 20 ) for forming an article. The technique of the invention includes a providing of a first panel layer ( 22 ), and a positioning of a second panel layer ( 28 ) onto the first panel layer ( 22 ). An inboard portion ( 24 ) of the first panel layer ( 22 ) is attached to an inboard portion ( 30 ) of the second panel layer ( 28 ), and a side region ( 36 ) of a tab web ( 34 ) is attached to the inboard portion ( 24, 30 ) of at least one of the first and second panel layers ( 22, 28 ) to provide a first assembly web ( 48 ). A fastening mechanism ( 40 ) is attached to the tab web ( 34 ), and an outboard portion ( 26, 32 ) of at least one of the first and second panel layers ( 22, 28 ) is folded to provide a folded layer ( 44 ) and a protruding layer ( 46 ). A protruding layer portion ( 56 ) of a panel assembly ( 50 ) is attached to a first waistband portion ( 62 ) of an article segment ( 60 ), and the article segment ( 60 ) is transversely folded to provide a folded article segment. A folded layer portion ( 44 ) of the panel assembly ( 50 ) can then be attached a second waistband portion ( 64 ) of the folded article segment. |