Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with a contoured leg opening. In this method at least one chip is removed from at least one ear of a disposable product. The chip may be removed from an ear prior to attaching the ear to the chassis web. Alternatively, the chip may be removed from the ear after the ear is attached to the chassis web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing stationary and/or moveable cutting components provide limited interference with web processing operations, such as pad spin and pitch alteration. Heat, laser, fluid, or mechanical cutting operations may be used, including respectively, a heated element (e.g., wire, ribbon, bar, or embossing or perforating element) that may be triggered inductively, water or steam jets, or improved knife/anvil cooperation.

Abstract: There is provided in a preferred embodiment a mounting brace assembly for securing a steering column member to a vehicle cross-support member in a position braced against a vehicle cowl top. The assembly includes a cowl top bracket for engaging the vehicle cowl top, and a mounting base arm extending longitudinally along a base axis from a first axial end portion to a second axial end portion. The base arm includes an anchor flange sized for generally upward mated insertion in at least part of a flange receiving slot. The cowl top bracket is coupled to the base arm proximal to a vehicle forward end, and includes a load transfer portion shaped for juxtaposed abutment with a load bearing portion of the vehicle cowl top. Contact between the cowl top bracket and the vehicle cowl top transfers rotational bearing forces from the assembly towards the vehicle cowl top.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation of a configured laminate of a non-woven material, to which a character strip is applied, the character strip exposed by either heat severing and removal of overlying materials, or intermittent application of overlying materials to leave the desired portions of the character strip exposed. A simultaneously formed core insert is applied to a preformed chassis web.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for folding discrete items such as diapers at high speeds. Discrete items are conveyed in a machine direction toward a pair of vacuum drums rotating in the machine direction and first carrying a top side of a leading edge of the discrete item away from the conveyor, and then carrying a bottom side of the leading edge with a second rotational vacuum drum back towards the conveyor. The diaper fold is created at a contact point with a folding finger which travels rotationally and straight in a fixed orientation about a pair of belts, into and out of contact with the diaper.

Abstract: A pants type disposable undergarment is provided which is equipped with a pre-fastened pull-on pant with a side lap seam formed by the methods of the present invention, and methods for producing such disposable undergarments.

Abstract: An apparatus having independently rotating shafts for producing discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding using independently rotating bonding units.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval.

Abstract: An elastic material is cut, set to a product pitch, stretched a desired amount and applied to a moving target web to create a product with a desired amount of elasticity over a desired area. A vacuum wheel with an aggressive vacuum pattern is used for securing and stretching the stretchable film, the same type of wheel also capable of being used as a trim removal device.

Abstract: A pants type disposable undergarment is provided which is equipped with a pre-fastened pull-on pant with a side lap seam formed by the methods of the present invention, and methods for producing such disposable undergarments.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: A series of elastic break brakes are provided throughout a travel path of elastics in a machine operation. Elastic strands thread through each individual brake mechanism, and if an elastic strand breaks downstream, a natural snap back of the elastic, which ordinarily travels through the system under tension, drives an immediately upstream cam mechanism back, and holds the elastic thread in place at the elastic break brake immediately upstream of the break as to minimize rethreading required downstream of the elastic break brake.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation of a configured laminate of a non-woven material, to which a character strip is applied, the character strip exposed by either heat severing and removal of overlying materials, or intermittent application of overlying materials to leave the desired portions of the character strip exposed. A simultaneously formed core insert is applied to a preformed chassis web.

Abstract: A method for producing disposable undergarments is disclosed. The method generally comprises combining a first layer, comprising an elastic material sandwiched between layers of nonwoven material, and a second layer, comprising a backing material and a graphically printed applied patch of material layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: A web cutting system is provided for use with a single transfer insert placement mechanism having at least one puck for transferring a discrete web and a continuous web feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous web wherein first and second rollers having substantially parallel axes and being aligned with one another form a nip at their juncture, an anvil is attached to one roller, a die is attached to the other roller, a vacuum source is coupled to one of the rollers, a plurality of vacuum apertures is formed in the same roller. One of the rollers is positioned adjacent to the single transfer insert placement mechanism and to the continuous web feeding mechanism. The continuous web is applied to one roller and at least one discrete web is transferred from the puck to the same roller after which a die cutting process of the webs occurs at the nip.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for creation of a configured laminate of a non-woven material, to which a character strip is applied, the character strip exposed by either heat severing and removal of overlying materials, or intermittent application of overlying materials to leave the desired portions of the character strip exposed. A simultaneously formed core insert is applied to a preformed chassis web.

Abstract: An apparatus having independently rotating shafts for producing discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding using independently rotating bonding units.