Abstract: A bonding and slitting device is adapted to form fin seams in absorbent articles having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front waist region and the back waist region. The device includes a first bonding member and a second bonding member having a contact element configured to cooperate with the first bonding member to bond the front region of the chassis to the back region to define the fin seams. A slitter is configured to simultaneously act on material outboard of the bonds from both the front and back regions of the chassis.

Abstract: A method of forming a web includes directing a first discrete segment at a first speed to a first pick-up location. The first discrete segment is transferred from the first pick-up location to an application location using a first segment transfer device. A second discrete segment is directed to at a second speed to a second pick-up location. The second discrete segment is transferred from the second pick-up location to the application location using a second segment transfer device. The first and second discrete segments are attached to each other at the application location to form a web.

Abstract: A method of forming a web includes directing a first discrete segment at a first speed to a first pick-up location. The first discrete segment is transferred from the first pick-up location to an application location using a first segment transfer device. A second discrete segment is directed to at a second speed to a second pick-up location. The second discrete segment is transferred from the second pick-up location to the application location using a second segment transfer device. The first and second discrete segments are attached to each other at the application location to form a web.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching discrete segments together to form a continuous web include a first segment transfer device adapted to receive a first continuous web at a first pick-up location and to release a first discrete segment cut from the first web at an application location. The first segment transfer device has a first speed profile. A second segment transfer device is adapted to receive a second continuous web at a second pick-up location and to release a second discrete segment cut from the second web at the application location such that the second discrete segment is attached to the first discrete segment. The second segment transfer device has a second speed profile that is different than the first speed profile.

Abstract: A bonding and slitting device is adapted to form fin seams in absorbent articles having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region extending between the front waist region and the back waist region. The device includes a first bonding member and a second bonding member having a contact element configured to cooperate with the first bonding member to bond the front region of the chassis to the back region to define the fin seams. A slitter is configured to simultaneously act on material outboard of the bonds from both the front and back regions of the chassis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing absorbent articles includes folding each of the absorbent articles about a fold line generally bisecting the article such that front and back waist regions of the articles are positioned in facing relationship, and simultaneously bonding and one of trimming and weakening the front and back waist regions adjacent each opposing side edge of the article to form a pair of fin seams. A bonding and slitting device adapted to form fin seams in absorbent articles includes a first bonding member; and a second bonding member having a contact element configured to cooperate with the first bonding member to bond a front region of the article to the back region to define the fin seams, and a slitter configured to simultaneously act on material outboard of the bonds from both the front and back regions of the article.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing absorbent articles includes folding each of the absorbent articles about a fold line generally bisecting the article such that front and back waist regions of the articles are positioned in facing relationship, and simultaneously bonding and one of trimming and weakening the front and back waist regions adjacent each opposing side edge of the article to form a pair of fin seams. A bonding and slitting device adapted to form fin seams in absorbent articles includes a first bonding member; and a second bonding member having a contact element configured to cooperate with the first bonding member to bond a front region of the article to the back region to define the fin seams, and a slitter configured to simultaneously act on material outboard of the bonds from both the front and back regions of the article.

Abstract: Apparatus for separately conveying a plurality of discrete parts from a web and applying each of the discrete parts to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer pucks and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each of the transfer pucks such that a plurality of pairs of discrete parts is applied to the web. Each applied pair of discrete parts includes a first discrete part and a second discrete part spaced a first distance from the first discrete part, wherein adjacent pairs of discrete pairs are spaced a second distance that is different from the first distance.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching discrete segments together to form a continuous web include a first segment transfer device adapted to receive a first continuous web at a first pick-up location and to release a first discrete segment cut from the first web at an application location. The first segment transfer device has a first speed profile. A second segment transfer device is adapted to receive a second continuous web at a second pick-up location and to release a second discrete segment cut from the second web at the application location such that the second discrete segment is attached to the first discrete segment. The second segment transfer device has a second speed profile that is different than the first speed profile.

Abstract: Apparatus for separately conveying a plurality of discrete parts from a web and applying each of the discrete parts to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer pucks and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each of the transfer pucks such that a plurality of pairs of discrete parts is applied to the web. Each applied pair of discrete parts includes a first discrete part and a second discrete part spaced a first distance from the first discrete part, wherein adjacent pairs of discrete pairs are spaced a second distance that is different from the first distance.