Abstract: A method includes rotating a drum about an axis and an anvil roll about an axis of rotation. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member, the press member having an outer surface. The anvil roll includes a compliant outer circumferential surface. One or more substrates are advanced in a machine direction onto the drum. The fluid nozzle moves radially outward and a jet of heated fluid may be directed onto the substrates. The fluid nozzle retracts radially inward and the press member may be shifted radially outward. The substrates may be compressed between the press member and the anvil roll such that the press member deforms the compliant outer circumferential surface of the anvil roll.

Abstract: A method for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance at a first velocity toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and include a support surface between a first member and a second member. The first and second members may rotate at the first velocity and may be separated by an initial angle. The first member may receive a leading portion and the second member may receive a trailing portion of the substrate assembly. The first member may decelerate to a second velocity, and, subsequently, the second member may decelerate to the second velocity. The first member and the second member may be separated by a process angle, which may be different than the initial angle. A central portion of the substrate assembly may be relaxed while the leading and trailing portion may be held at a process tension. The substrate assembly may then undergo one or more processes.

Abstract: A converting apparatus operates to transfer a folded absorbent article from a first carrier apparatus to a second carrier apparatus. The converting apparatus includes a transfer apparatus and a guide member located adjacent to the transfer apparatus, forming a gap there between. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member defines a receiving surface and the guide member defines a guide surface. The guide surface converges toward the receiving surface. The frame advances the absorbent article in a machine direction through the gap. While advancing absorbent article advances through the gap, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The guide member includes side seam tuckers that are adapted to tuck the side seams of the absorbent article.

Abstract: The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein operate to change the orientation of an absorbent article. The apparatus includes a transfer apparatus having a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The method includes advancing an absorbent article in a machine direction. The absorbent article is defined by a longitudinal centerline intersected by a lateral centerline at a center. The method includes rotating the absorbent article from a first orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in a cross direction to a second orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in the machine direction. The method includes shifting the absorbent article such that the center of the absorbent article shifts from a first cross-directional position to a second cross-directional position. The steps of rotating the absorbent article and shifting the absorbent article may occur concurrently.

Abstract: Methods of using computer based models for simulating the physical behavior of bodily exudates with absorbent articles.

Abstract: An apparatus with a rotatable arm for unwinding a strand by taking it off of the side of a wound package.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the preparation of oxygenated, unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, such as derivatives of furfural or hydroxymethyl furfural produced by aldol condensation with a ketone or a ketoester, as well as methods of deoxidatively reducing those compounds with hydrogen under acidic conditions to provide saturated hydrocarbons useful as fuels.

Abstract: The product efficacy apparatus includes a roller having an outer surface and a test bed having a test surface. The roller may be affixed to a rotatable shaft having opposing end regions. The shaft may be rotatably connected to an arm at each end of the end regions of the shaft. Each arm is pivotally connected to a drive member that is rollingly connected to a stationary track. In operation, a cleaning product may be affixed to the outer surface of the roller. A controlled insult may be applied to the test surface. The arms pivot toward the test surface in order to direct the cleaning product on the outer surface of the roller into contact with the test surface. The drive members direct the roller over the controlled insult. The shaft rotates the roller over the test surface and the arms pivot the roller away from the test surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations, and a methods for forming alternating arrays of absorbent articles, suitable to be operated at a high speed, are provided.

Abstract: An absorbent product comprises a seal along one or more edges. The seal may be formed using a cohesive or selective adhesive. The seal prevents contamination of the wearer-facing surface of an individual absorbent product without requiring an overwrap or other individual unit packaging. The absorbent product may also comprise one or more removable trim regions for sealing and shaping the absorbent product.