Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for imparting a first line of weakness and a second line of weakness into one or more layers of an advancing substrate, such as a belt assembly. The first line of weakness is coincident with the second line of weakness. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. A first surface of the belt assembly may be acted on by a first laser beam that operatively engages a first scan head and a second surface of the belt assembly may be acted on by a second laser beam that operatively engages a second scan head. A trim removal member may be used to separate the first and second lines of weakness forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for imparting a line of weakness into one or more layers of an advancing substrate. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The belt assembly may be rotated on a process member about a longitudinal axis of rotation. The process member may advance the belt assembly to a first laser source. The first laser source imparts a line of weakness into the belt assembly. A trim removal member may be used to separate the line of weakness forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Abstract: A rotary drum apparatus comprises a drum that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a first set of first shell segments having a first number of first shell segments. Each first shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first shell segments combine to form a continuous first outer circumferential surface defining a maximum radial distance from the axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a second set of second shell segments having a second number of second shell segments. Each second shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the second shell segments combine to form a continuous second outer circumferential surface located within 10% of the maximum radial distance. The first number of first shell segments is greater than the second number of second shell segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for imparting a line of weakness into one or more layers of an advancing substrate and separating the substrate along the line of weakness to form a separation edge. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The belt assembly may be rotated on a process member about a longitudinal axis of rotation. The process member may advance the belt assembly to one or more ultra short pulse laser sources. The ultra short pulse laser source imparts a line of weakness into the belt assembly. A trim removal member may be used to separate the line of weakness forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for imparting a line of perforation into one or more layers of an advancing substrate and separating the substrate along the line of perforation to form a separation edge. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The belt assembly may be rotated on a process member about a longitudinal axis of rotation. The process member may advance the belt assembly to one or more ultra short pulse laser sources. The ultra short pulse laser source imparts a line of perforation into the belt assembly. A trim removal member may be used to separate the line of perforation forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for imparting a cut line into one or more layers of an advancing substrate. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The belt assembly may be rotated on a process member about a longitudinal axis of rotation. The process member may advance the belt assembly to one or more ultra short pulse laser sources. The ultra short pulse laser source imparts a cut line into the belt assembly. A trim removal member may be used to separate the cut line forming a trim portion and a cut edge or separation edge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for monitoring substrates advancing along a converting apparatus in a machine direction. The apparatus may include an analyzer connected with a line scan camera through a communication network. The analyzer may be configured as a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or a graphical processing unit. In addition, the line scan camera may include a linear array of pixel data and define a linear field of view, wherein the line scan camera is arranged such that the linear field of view extends in the machine direction. The apparatus may further include an illumination source that illuminates the linear field of view. In operation, the substrate is advanced in the machine direction such that a portion of the substrate advances through the linear field of view. In turn, the apparatus may be configured to perform various monitoring and/or control functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for imparting a first line of weakness and a second line of weakness into one or more layers of an advancing substrate, such as a belt assembly. The first line of weakness is coincident with the second line of weakness. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. A first surface of the belt assembly may be acted on by a first laser beam that operatively engages a first scan head and a second surface of the belt assembly may be acted on by a second laser beam that operatively engages a second scan head. A trim removal member may be used to separate the first and second lines of weakness forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling absorbent articles, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for imparting a line of weakness into one or more layers of an advancing substrate. The advancing substrate may be a belt assembly including an outer layer, an inner layer, and one or more elastic strands disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The belt assembly may be rotated on a process member about a longitudinal axis of rotation. The process member may advance the belt assembly to a first laser source. The first laser source imparts a line of weakness into the belt assembly. A trim removal member may be used to separate the line of weakness forming a trim portion and a separation edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for monitoring substrates advancing along a converting apparatus in a machine direction. The apparatus may include an analyzer connected with a line scan camera through a communication network. The analyzer may be configured as a field programmable gate array, an application specific integrated circuit, or a graphical processing unit. In addition, the line scan camera may include a linear array of pixel data and define a linear field of view, wherein the line scan camera is arranged such that the linear field of view extends in the machine direction. The apparatus may further include an illumination source that illuminates the linear field of view. In operation, the substrate is advanced in the machine direction such that a portion of the substrate advances through the linear field of view. In turn, the apparatus may be configured to perform various monitoring and/or control functions.

Abstract: A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Abstract: A rotary drum apparatus comprises a drum that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a first set of first shell segments having a first number of first shell segments. Each first shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first shell segments combine to form a continuous first outer circumferential surface defining a maximum radial distance from the axis of rotation. The apparatus comprises a second set of second shell segments having a second number of second shell segments. Each second shell segment is releasably connectable with the drum and has an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the second shell segments combine to form a continuous second outer circumferential surface located within 10% of the maximum radial distance. The first number of first shell segments is greater than the second number of second shell segments.

Abstract: A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a batt of particulate material which may be used in an absorbent article. The apparatus may include a vacuum zone, an air impermeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone, and an air permeable fence zone adjacent to the vacuum zone. The air permeable fence zone may comprise an ambient air entry conduit in communication with an ambient air exit port. The method may include providing a laydown drum and a first web of material, positioning the first web of material substantially adjacent to the laydown drum, generating a vacuum through the laydown drum, depositing particulate matter onto the first web of material, and rotating the laydown drum.