Abstract: A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus includes a cutter mechanism to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the discrete articles from a web receiving location to an article placement location. The transfer mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis, a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis, and a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location.

Abstract: A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus includes a cutter mechanism to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the discrete articles from a web receiving location to an article placement location. The transfer mechanism includes a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis, a carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis, and a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the carriage units including a puck operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location.

Abstract: A method for reorienting discrete hygiene products for packaging includes providing discrete products traveling in a machine direction and all in a first orientation to a product turner and placer comprising a plurality of pucks rotatable about a central axis, with each puck also rotatable about a spin axis. The method also includes receiving a discrete product on each puck, transferring the discrete products via the pucks from a pick-up location to a drop-off location, and depositing the discrete products from the pucks onto a conveyor at the drop-off location, the discrete products deposited so as to be spaced apart on the conveyor. In transferring and depositing the discrete products, the rotation of each of the pucks is selectively controlled about its spin axis to reorient each of the discrete products for depositing onto the conveyor, with each of a direction and an amount of the rotation being selectively controlled.