Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A rolled web product with an alternating winding pattern may be manufactured. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be placed upon a roll by winding in one direction and then back again in a second direction repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be wound in one direction and then back again repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be wound in one direction and then back again repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for winding a web about a central axis and a rotating mandrel to form a roll. A rolled web product with an alternating winding pattern may be manufactured. A feeding mechanism provides a running web to be wound into a roll. A retainer assembly may be configured for holding the web as it is wound upon the rotating mandrel. The retainer assembly may be configured to accommodate oscillating movement of the rotating mandrel between a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. The web may be placed upon a roll by winding in one direction and then back again in a second direction repeatedly to form a roll. Retaining means, such as paddles, may be actuated from an active position in contact with the web to a resting position removed from the roll. Paddles may serve to hold the web upon the outer surface of the roll at the time in which the rotating mandrel is changing rotational direction.

Abstract: This invention pertains to processing continuous webs such as paper, film, composites, and the like, in dynamic continuous processing operations. More particularly, it relates to transferring discrete parts to a continuous web, whether paper, film, composite, or the like. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for taking discrete parts from a source in a taking zone, optionally taking the discrete parts as components of a continuous web, onto a transport head on a transfer assembly, severing the discrete parts from the continuous web if received as part of a continuous web, rotating the transfer assembly about a first axis and correspondingly rotating the transport head about a second axis radial to the first axis, to thereby present the discrete parts to a receiver in a transfer zone, and transferring the discrete parts to the receiver in the transfer zone.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying an elastic material (14) to a backing material (18) includes an applicator assembly (12) for applying a length of elastic material (14) to a bonding template (16), and a bonding template (16) for supporting the length of elastic material (14) relative to the backing material (18) for a bonding operation. Ultrasonic horns (104,106) bond the length of elastic material (14) to the backing material (18). The applicator assembly (12) includes rolls (32,36) for tensioning the elastic material (14) and a vacuum mechanism for selectively retaining the length of tensioned material (14) and releasing the tensioned elastic material (14) to the bonding template (16). A mechanism is provided for transferring the tensioned elastic material (14) from the applicator assembly (12) to the bonding template (16) while maintaining the elastic material (14) in the tensioned condition.

Abstract: Continuous strips of a first material, e.g., elastic strips, are continuously supplied to flexible strip supports in a supply zone while the strip supports are in a linear configuration. The strip supports are carried on respective transfer members which are mounted on a rotatable support so that individual transfer members follow a closed (orbital) path upon rotation of the support. The continuous strips are cut into discrete strips adhered to respective flexible strip supports whose configuration, and that of the discrete strips adhered thereto, is then changed to a desired curvilinear configuration. The transfer members are then brought into transfer contact in a transfer zone with a moving web of second material, which may comprise the backing sheet of a disposable diaper construction, and the curvilinear strips are transferred to the web.

Abstract: Continuous strips of a first material, e.g., elastic strips, are continuously supplied to flexible strip supports in a supply zone while the strip supports are in a linear configuration. The strip supports are carried on respective transfer members which are mounted on a rotatable support so that individual transfer members follow a closed (orbital) path upon rotation of the support. The continuous strips are cut into discrete strips adhered to respective flexible strip supports whose configuration, and that of the discrete strips adhered thereto, is then changed to a desired curvilinear configuration. The transfer members are then brought into transfer contact in a transfer zone with a moving web of second material, which may comprise the backing sheet of a disposable diaper construction, and the curvilinear strips are transferred to the web.