Abstract: Continuous edge folds of a top sheet in disposable products prepare the top sheet for placement/attachment of discrete side panels to the folded-over portion of top-sheets oriented so that the side panels lay on top of the top-sheet without any further folding steps required. Later, a back sheet can be added and back sheet edges then folded over to cover edges of top-sheet/side panel sandwich.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to allow for short length adhesive application in the machine direction. These short length adhesive applications can be used in creation of pocket style rear waistband feces containment features onto running webs for use in diaper manufacturing. Different configurations of adhesive and patch applications can be employed to create the pockets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with zero waste ear formation and attaching the ears to a running chassis web. A cut/slip operation is performed on an incoming web carried by a transfer drum, and the cut/slip pieces are further divided and next separated by a second transfer drum and bonded to incoming webs.

Abstract: A diaper fastener strip has a first zone coated with a release material and a coat of adhesive over the release material and a second zone coated only with adhesive. The part of the strip having the second solely adhesive coated zone is adhered tenaciously to the margin of the fluid impermeable outer backing sheet of a diaper. The part of the strip having the first release material plus adhesive coated zone is folded over the diaper margin to contact the adhesive with the margin of the inner fluid permeable sheet of the diaper. When the strip is unfolded the adhesive transfers from the release material in the first zone to said inner sheet margin and becomes exposed for securing the diaper on a body. An alternative strip has said adhesive coated second zone adhered to the backing sheet and two consecutive zones next to it.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting bales of wood pulp sheets to fluff. There is a non-rotating horizontal bed plate having a port through which the cutter tips of a cutting mill project from below. A cylindrical casing is journalled on its lower rim for rotation above said bed plate about a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the bed plate. Sets of guide means are mounted to the interior of the casing. Each guide means set holds a bale such that the bales are prevented from centrifuging radially outwardly but can settle on the bed plate. The guide means are located so they keep all portions of the areas of the bales offset or radially spaced from the casing axis in which case the bales are driven in an orbital path as they are swept over the cutting mill.

Abstract: A succession of pads such as disposable diapers, all folded in the same direction originally, are received in an oscillating conveyor which directs alternate pads into separate lanes. The first lane has orbiting paddles for receiving pads folded in their original direction and for inverting them to reverse their fold direction. A conveyor transports the inverted pads to a collection table. The second lane has cooperating conveyor belts for transporting pads, having their folded edges in the original orientation, to the collection table for being stacked on top of a coincidentally arriving inverted pad from the first lane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for attaching elastic bands to a web comprised of absorbent articles such as diapers which are fabricated to lie transversely of the length of a continuous fabrication line. The bands are stretched in a direction transverse to the fabrication line and are attached to the web in their stretched condition and are maintained in stretched condition transversely to the web until the article is fabricated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of recovering filler from a sanitary pad. The pad typically has a film backing and a cover sheet and filler therebetween. Such a pad is laid out flat and advanced through a cutter which opens up the cover to expose the filler. The filler is sucked from the pad for salvage and the film backing is discarded.

Abstract: Apparatus for use with a pad stacking and packing machine for diapers or the like includes means for tipping vertical pad stacks on end and grouping two stacks together in a horizontal row or group of pads, with the group discharged as a unit into a shipping container. In one embodiment a conveyor with a vertical run and curved run picks up the pad stacks and turns them on edge and carries them to a grouping station where the stacks are accumulated into a group and the group is laterally discharged into a shipping container. In another embodiment, a turret which rotates about a horizontal axis receives the diapers in magazines arranged around the turret. The vertical and compressed stacks of diapers coming off the stack forming machine are loaded into the magazines at one position of the turret and the turret is rotated 90.degree. to position the pads on edge at the container loading station.

Abstract: A disposable diaper with an absorbent pad that is both narrower and shorter than the diaper back sheet has plural folds formed in opposing end margins of the back sheet overlapping the ends of the absorbent pad to reduce the length of the folded diaper to the approximate length of the absorbent pad without shortening the waistband, thereby stiffening the ends of the folded diaper, expediting the handling and packaging thereof, and reducing the size of the packages therefor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for folding first and second end flaps of a sanitary pad, such as a disposable diaper, against the pad. The pad is advanced in one direction with the first flap disposed at the front end of the pad and the second flap disposed at the rear end of the pad. The first flap is allowed to drop into a conveyor gap and the conveyor wipes this flap over a folding element beyond the gap, thus to fold the first flap back against the pad. The pad is then turned end-for-end, desirably by conveying it around a vertical curve, thus to invert the pad and to dispose the second flap at the end of the pad which is now its front end with respect to said one direction. The second flap is now folded back against the pad desirably by advancing it again in said first direction and wiping it against a folding bar over which it is draped in the course of its inversion.