Abstract: A method of reversing direction of an article is disclosed by engaging an article with a first belt to move the article in a first direction; disengaging the article from the first belt; and then engaging the article with a second belt to move the article in a second direction. An apparatus to reverse direction of an article is also disclosed by a first belt rotating in a first direction; a second belt rotating in a second direction; the first belt engaging an article at a first time while the second belt is disengaged with the article, the first belt disengaging the article at a second time, and the second belt engaging the article at a third time while the first belt is disengaged with the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material, for example, placement of tape tabs on a running web of disposable undergarments. A pair of wheels each has a protuberance come in contact with the running web of material, which comes in contact with an infeeding tape web. The invention allows placement of tape tabs at asymmetrical spacings, where placement of the tape from contact of the first wheel and protuberance may not be equally or centrally spaced from placement of the tape by the second wheel and protuberance.

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: This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. Ears, or wings, are placed on a running web of disposable diapers. Because these webs are often asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the principle of slipping over the surface of a moving vacuum roll, the webs may float from side to side or otherwise be drawn out of square by asymmetrical forces. A vacuum groove is provided on a vacuum roll to counter these effects. Alternatively, a ridge with vacuum about the ridge is provided, also to pull a machine direction line of material into the groove or over the ridge, thereby giving the web some degree of cross-directional stability.

Abstract: A vacuum wheel for securing and retaining various sizes of stretchable film is disclosed. The outer surface of the vacuum wheel includes an advantageous pattern of vacuum openings and vacuum slots, wherein the vacuum slots provide vacuum communication between at least two of the vacuum openings. A preferred embodiment provides a chevron or zig-zag shaped pattern of vacuum openings and vacuum slots configured to provide improved vacuum holding strength.

Abstract: This invention proposes a new, improved method and apparatus for applying web segments to a traveling web. These web segments, sometimes called ears or wings, may be asymmetrical or otherwise incompatible with the usual slip-and-cut method. The asymmetrical shape may have differing web tensions which can cause the web segments to be improperly engaged with the vacuum holes on an anvil roll. The present invention utilizes both circumferential rows of vacuum holes and an additional pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes. The circumferential rows of vacuum holes are activated consecutively by vacuum commutation, however, the pattern of ear retaining vacuum holes are activated simultaneously to counter the effects of differing web tensions on the ear portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web of material when the tape tabs are moving at a non-parallel angle to the web of material. An anvil that carries the tape tabs moves at a perpendicular or other non-parallel angle to the web. The invention allows placement of the tape tabs at different arrangements, such as the tape tabs running parallel to the web of material. A wheel with a protuberance located near the web contacts the web to press the web down and adhere a tape tap to the moving web.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor, for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. Further, the invention allows for apparatus to match the velocity of both the first and second transfer points, even if these velocities are not the same. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.

Abstract: A method of forming a lap seam for a disposable undergarment is disclosed. The method involves the steps of providing a continuous web of material, folding the material, cutting the material into individual undergarment blanks, folding the edges of the individual blanks, and sealing the edges. The method preferably employs undergarment blanks that are asymmetrical in shape.

Abstract: A super absorbent distribution system for homogenous distribution throughout an absorbent core is disclosed. A super absorbent material is injected into a stream of absorbent fluff at an opposite direction to that of the stream of absorbent fluff. The super absorbent is blasted into the peak and outer surface of a cone shaped super absorbent barrier. The oncoming absorbent fluff also contends with a similarly shaped absorbent fluff barrier. The super absorbent material slows down as it hits the super absorbent barrier and oncoming fluff, then stops, then reverses direction and flows with the absorbent fluff as a homogenous distribution of super absorbent material and absorbent fluff. The combination of super absorbent material and absorbent fluff may encounter baffle members to further distribute the super absorbent material and absorbent fluff.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring articles such as absorbent cores or disposable diaper chassis components from a rotary mechanism, such as a pad turner, to a linear mechanism, such as a conveyor for further processing. The invention provides a device for picking an article from the outside of a toroidal surface, thence extending transversely under tension the article to be transferred so that at the point of deposition the article is held flat and at full length. The device is of particular benefit where an article to be transferred is subject to internally biasing elastic forces.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web, for example, for placement of fastening tabs on a running web of disposable diapers. The invention provides a cutting roll positioned to cut segments from a continuous infeeding web of tape material against a rotating anvil. The anvil, which is traveling at a speed equal to or very close to that of the infeeding tape web, carries the tape segments to a point on its tangency where a higher-speed traveling diaper web most nearly approaches, at which point the traveling diaper web is displaced slightly toward the anvil by means of a protuberance acting against the web. This movement causes it to come into contact with the next available tape segment, which becomes adhered to the higher-speed traveling web. This process provides for operation at higher speeds, higher efficiencies, greater flexibility and lower noise levels than previous processes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus related to a workstation adjacent to a traveling web including a device for intermittently performing an operation affecting the web. An important application involves ultrasonically welding multiple layers of a traveling web. First and second rollers on opposite sides of the workstation are simultaneously shifted in a direction counter to the machine direction each time a bonding force is applied. The overall running speed in the machine remains at a constant velocity due to the resultant festooning effect and thus the dwell time for bonding is increased. Thus the effective operating speed of processed having finite limits may be increased at least 33%. The first and second rollers are eccentrically rotationally mounted, respectively, on third and fourth hollow rollers which are provided with eccentrically positioned hollow cylindrical openings which, in turn, are mounted, respectively, on shafts positioned perpendicularly to the machine direction.

Abstract: A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such diapers. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying undesirable crotch-region elastic strands prior to lamination or combining of the remaining inner liner with a complementary outer layer backsheet.

Abstract: A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such diapers. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying undesirable crotch-region elastic strands prior to lamination or combining of the remaining inner liner with a complementary outer layer backsheet.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web, for example, for placement of fastening tabs on a running web of disposable diapers. The invention provides a cutting roll positioned to cut segments from a continuous infeeding web of tape material against a rotating anvil. The anvil, which is traveling at a speed equal to or very close to that of the infeeding tape web, carries the tape segments to a point on its tangency where a higher-speed traveling diaper web most nearly approaches, at which point the traveling diaper web is displaced slightly toward the anvil by means of a protuberance acting against the web. This movement causes it to come into contact with the next available tape segment, which becomes adhered to the higher-speed traveling web. This process provides for operation at higher speeds, higher efficiencies, greater flexibility and lower noise levels than previous processes.

Abstract: A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such diapers. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying undesirable crotch-region elastic strands prior to lamination or combining of the remaining inner liner with a complementary outer layer backsheet.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web, for example, for placement of fastening tabs on a running web of disposable diapers. The invention provides a cutting roll positioned to cut segments from a continuous infeeding web of tape material against a rotating anvil. The anvil, which is traveling at a speed equal to or very close to that of the infeeding tape web, carries the tape segments to a point on its tangency where a higher-speed traveling diaper web most nearly approaches, at which point the traveling diaper web is displaced slightly toward the anvil by means of a protuberance acting against the web. This movement causes it to come into contact with the next available tape segment, which becomes adhered to the higher-speed traveling web. This process provides for operation at higher speeds, higher efficiencies, greater flexibility and lower noise levels than previous processes.

Abstract: A pants-type diaper, is provided which is equipped with leg-hole elastics which effectively encircle the leg-holes without traversing the crotch region. Also provided are methods for producing such diapers. Typical products of this type are provided with an outer laminate, formed of an inner liner material and an outer backsheet material between which the leg-hole elastics are disposed. The invention provides for the removal of a strip of inner liner material carrying undesirable crotch-region elastic strands prior to lamination or combining of the remaining inner liner with a complementary outer layer backsheet.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for applying tape tabs to a traveling web, for example, for placement of fastening tabs on a running web of disposable diapers. The invention provides a cutting roll positioned to cut segments from a continuous infeeding web of tape material against a rotating anvil. The anvil, which is traveling at a speed equal to or very close to that of the infeeding tape web, carries the tape segments to a point on its tangency where a higher-speed traveling diaper web most nearly approaches, at which point the traveling diaper web is displaced slightly toward the anvil by means of a protuberance acting against the web. This movement causes it to come into contact with the next available tape segment, which becomes adhered to the higher-speed traveling web. This process provides for operation at higher speeds, higher efficiencies, greater flexibility and lower noise levels than previous processes.