Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus includes a frame movable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The apparatus includes a cutting roll. The cutting roll is rotatably connected with the frame and configured to rotate about a first longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes an anvil roll. The anvil roll is rotatably connected with the frame and is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis. The apparatus includes a first stationary member adapted to prevent movement of the frame in the first direction. The apparatus also includes a second stationary member connected with the frame. The second stationary member has a first configuration that prevents movement of the frame in the second direction. The second stationary member has a second configuration that allows movement of the frame in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading a spool, including a core and a web of material, on a loading apparatus and unwinding the web material from the core of the spool. The loading apparatus may include a mandrel adapted to be received by the core. The mandrel may include a tubular side wall having an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, and an aperture. A gripping member may be telescopically received within the aperture. The gripping member may be configured to move radially outward to press against the core. Likewise, the gripping member may be configured to move radially inward to release the core. The loading apparatus may be configured to associate with an unwind apparatus. The unwind apparatus allows the loading apparatus to rotate about a central longitudinal axis. As the unwind apparatus rotates, the web of material may be unwound from the core of the spool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of transferring discrete articles from a transfer assembly to an apparatus comprising a head. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a first rotation axis and a transfer member. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the first rotation axis and maintaining a transfer surface of the transfer member at a substantially constant minimum distance away from a surface of the head at a point of discrete article transfer. The transfer surface is moved at a first substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The method further comprises rotating the head of the apparatus about a second rotation axis. The surface of the head is moved at a second substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The second tangential velocity of the head is greater than the first tangential velocity of the transfer surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles between a transfer assembly and an apparatus comprising a head. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a first rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member of the transfer assembly about the first rotation axis at a substantially constant angular velocity, maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from a surface of the head at a point of discrete article transfer, and rotating the head of the apparatus about a second rotation axis at a plurality of angular velocities. A first angular velocity of the head is substantially constant at the point of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: A rotary cutting apparatus is configured to rotate about a first longitudinal axis. The cutting roll includes a cutting member. The apparatus includes an anvil roll that is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis. The anvil roll is positioned relative to the cutting roll such that the first longitudinal axis is substantially parallel with the second longitudinal axis. The anvil roll includes an outer circumferential surface. The second longitudinal axis is selectively movable between a first position and a second position relative to the first longitudinal axis. In the first position, a first minimum distance is defined between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis. In the second position, a second minimum distance is defined between the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, and wherein the second minimum distance is greater than the first minimum distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of transferring discrete articles from a transfer assembly to an apparatus comprising a head. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a first rotation axis and a transfer member. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the first rotation axis and maintaining a transfer surface of the transfer member at a substantially constant minimum distance away from a surface of the head at a point of discrete article transfer. The transfer surface is moved at a first substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The method further comprises rotating the head of the apparatus about a second rotation axis. The surface of the head is moved at a second substantially constant tangential velocity at the point of discrete article transfer. The second tangential velocity of the head is greater than the first tangential velocity of the transfer surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles between a transfer assembly and an apparatus comprising a head. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a first rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member of the transfer assembly about the first rotation axis at a substantially constant angular velocity, maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from a surface of the head at a point of discrete article transfer, and rotating the head of the apparatus about a second rotation axis at a plurality of angular velocities. A first angular velocity of the head is substantially constant at the point of discrete article transfer.

Abstract: A carrier member is configured to convey one or more webs and to receive a discrete absorbent article from a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a transfer member having a transfer surface. The transfer surface is configured to engage the discrete article. The carrier member comprises a body and a resilient member positioned on the body. The resilient member has a Shore A hardness of between about 20 and about 50.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading a spool, including a core and a web of material, on a loading apparatus and unwinding the web material from the core of the spool. The loading apparatus may include a mandrel adapted to be received by the core. The mandrel may include a tubular side wall having an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, and an aperture. A gripping member may be telescopically received within the aperture. The gripping member may be configured to move radially outward to press against the core. Likewise, the gripping member may be configured to move radially inward to release the core. The loading apparatus may be configured to associate with an unwind apparatus. The unwind apparatus allows the loading apparatus to rotate about a central longitudinal axis. As the unwind apparatus rotates, the web of material may be unwound from the core of the spool.

Abstract: A carrier member is configured to receive a discrete article from a transfer assembly. The carrier member includes a cylindrical roll having a receiving surface and a resilient member connected with the receiving surface. The resilient member has a plurality of intermittently spaced first voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and a plurality of intermittently spaced second voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a second radial distance from the axis of rotation. The first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance. Each first void is separated from each second void.

Abstract: A carrier member is configured to receive a discrete article from a transfer assembly. The carrier member includes a cylindrical roll having a receiving surface and a resilient member connected with the receiving surface. The resilient member has a plurality of intermittently spaced first voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and a plurality of intermittently spaced second voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a second radial distance from the axis of rotation. The first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance. Each first void is separated from each second void.