Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the disk assembly that rotates the bowl assembly and the assemblies rotate at different speeds but in the same direction. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the disk assembly that rotates the bowl assembly and the assemblies rotate at different speeds but in the same direction. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the outer bowl that rotates the outer bowl. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the outer bowl that rotates the outer bowl. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the outer bowl that rotates the outer bowl. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: A product handling system includes a product conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of products. An overhead diverter assembly includes a flighted conveyor situated substantially orthogonal to the product conveyor that includes a flight. A transport containment device is located at least partially below the flighted conveyor. A control system operates the overhead diverter such that the flighted conveyor has a diverting mode and a cassette filling mode. When the flighted conveyor is in the diverting mode, the flight moves in a profiled motion to acquire the product from the product conveyor at a location beneath the overhead diverter and transports the product along the transport containment device.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. A carrier mold comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a body, and two or more prongs, each prong having a proximal base and a distal end; wherein at least one prong is in partial contact with at least one other prong; wherein the inner surface defines an inner cavity for producing a shaped tampon; wherein the inner cavity is structured to define or mirror the desired shape of the shaped tampon; and wherein the shaped tampon has a length and comprises various perimeters along its length. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: An article feed system for aligning and singulating incoming articles includes a rotatable upper rim surface and an article delivery device that delivers articles received by the article delivery device to the upper rim surface. A drive system is operatively connected to the outer bowl that rotates the outer bowl. A guide wall extends upwardly above the upper rim surface that guides the articles travelling along the upper rim surface toward an exit opening in the guide wall. A vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor is at the exit opening in the guide wall. The vertically oriented article engaging-type conveyor includes a moving article engaging surface that is exposed to the exit opening in the guide wall for receiving the articles when they exit the exit opening.

Abstract: A product handling system includes a product conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of products. An overhead diverter assembly includes a flighted conveyor situated substantially orthogonal to the product conveyor that includes a flight. A transport containment device is located at least partially below the flighted conveyor. A control system operates the overhead diverter such that the flighted conveyor has a diverting mode and a cassette filling mode. When the flighted conveyor is in the diverting mode, the flight moves in a profiled motion to acquire the product from the product conveyor at a location beneath the overhead diverter and transports the product along the transport containment device.

Abstract: A system for controlling the strength of seals imparted to workpiece layers by a sealing roll and an anvil roll, the sealing roll and the anvil roll arranged on opposing sides of a conveyed web of workpiece layers, heating elements provided on at least one of the rolls, temperature sensors provided on the at least one of the rolls, and a controller in communication with the sensors and in operable communication with the heating elements. The sealing roll includes a textured sealing surface, the textured sealing surface being divided into a plurality of regions, the texture of a first of the regions being different from a texture of a second of the regions. By controlling the temperature of the respective regions, detrimental effects of anvil wear on the strength of the seal imparted to the workpiece layers may be offset, increasing the service life of rolls.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. A carrier mold comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a body, and two or more prongs, each prong having a proximal base and a distal end; wherein at least one prong is in partial contact with at least one other prong; wherein the inner surface defines an inner cavity for producing a shaped tampon; wherein the inner cavity is structured to define or mirror the desired shape of the shaped tampon; and wherein the shaped tampon has a length and comprises various perimeters along its length. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure by a pushrod the prongs of the carrier mold flex to substantially or partially open one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling the strength of seals imparted to workpiece layers by a sealing roll and an anvil roll, the sealing roll and the anvil roll arranged on opposing sides of a conveyed web of workpiece layers, heating elements provided on at least one of the rolls, temperature sensors provided on the at least one of the rolls, and a controller in communication with the sensors and in operable communication with the heating elements. The sealing roll includes a textured sealing surface, the textured sealing surface being divided into a plurality of regions, the texture of a first of the regions being different from a texture of a second of the regions. By controlling the temperature of the respective regions, detrimental effects of anvil wear on the strength of the seal imparted to the workpiece layers may be offset, increasing the service life of rolls.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure by a pushrod the prongs of the carrier mold flex to substantially or partially open one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.