Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and is configured to radially traverse based on the process product pitch of the substrate assembly. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. The manifolds may heat fluid and release the same onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. Fluid may be passed to the manifolds onto which the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion of the substrate assembly are disposed. The manifolds may heat the fluid and the heated fluid may be released onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses configured to bond elastic laminates together between a rotating drum and anvil. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member. As such, a first elastic laminate and a second elastics laminate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating drum. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to partially melt substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates. As the drum rotates, the press member shifts radially outward from the drum wherein a length, L, of the pattern surface extends in the cross direction across a plurality of elastic strands of first and/or second elastic laminates. And the partially melted portion of the substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates and the plurality of elastic strands are then bonded together by being compressed between the pattern surface and the anvil roll.

Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling disposable pant diapers having contoured elastic belts. During the assembly process, opposing end regions of chassis are connected with the elastic belts in the form of first and second continuous elastic laminates. The chassis are then folded to place the elastic laminates into a facing relationship. The inner longitudinal edges of one or both the elastic laminates are then cut to define a contoured shape. Discrete pieces of trim material may be removed from one or both the elastic laminates, and the first and second continuous elastic laminates are cut in the cross direction to form discrete pant diapers. In some configurations, a single knife both removes the trim material and cuts the elastic laminates in cross direction. And in some configurations, a first knife removes the trim material and a second knife cuts the elastic laminates in cross direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses configured to bond elastic laminates together between a rotating drum and anvil. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member. As such, a first elastic laminate and a second elastics laminate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating drum. A fluid is heated to a temperature sufficient to partially melt substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates. As the drum rotates, the press member shifts radially outward from the drum wherein a length, L, of the pattern surface extends in the cross direction across a plurality of elastic strands of first and/or second elastic laminates. And the partially melted portion of the substrate layers of the first and second elastic laminates and the plurality of elastic strands are then bonded together by being compressed between the pattern surface and the anvil roll.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling disposable pant diapers having contoured elastic belts. During the assembly process, opposing end regions of chassis are connected with the elastic belts in the form of first and second continuous elastic laminates. The chassis are then folded to place the elastic laminates into a facing relationship. The inner longitudinal edges of one or both the elastic laminates are then cut to define a contoured shape. Discrete pieces of trim material may be removed from one or both the elastic laminates, and the first and second continuous elastic laminates are cut in the cross direction to form discrete pant diapers. In some configurations, a single knife both removes the trim material and cuts the elastic laminates in cross direction. And in some configurations, a first knife removes the trim material and a second knife cuts the elastic laminates in cross direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a drum that rotates about an axis and rotating an anvil roll that rotates about an axis of rotation. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member, the press member having an outer surface. The anvil roll includes a compliant outer circumferential surface. First and second substrates are advanced in a machine direction onto the drum. The fluid nozzle moves radially outward and a jet of heated fluid may be directed onto the substrates. The fluid nozzle retracts radially inward and the press member may be shifted radially outward. The substrates may be compressed between the press member and the anvil roll such that the press member deforms the compliant outer circumferential surface of the anvil roll.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating and transferring a discrete article. The rotation apparatus may include a rib portion defining a longitudinal rib axis. A head assembly may be positioned adjacent to the rib portion. The head assembly may include a transfer member. The transfer member may define a longitudinal transfer axis. A support member extending from the transfer member toward the rib portion may rotate about the longitudinal transfer axis. A first follower and a second follower may be operatively engaged with the support member. The first follower may include a first follower outer surface defining a first longitudinal follower axis and the second follower may include a second follower outer surface defining a second longitudinal follower axis. The first follower and the second follower may be positioned such that the first longitudinal follower axis and the second longitudinal follower axis intersect the longitudinal rib axis.

Abstract: A method for dynamically modifying a characteristic for an electronic device. The method includes activating by a processor a first profile having a first characteristic setting and a first state for an input/output (IO) device. Once the first profile is activated, receiving an input by a sensor and communicating the input to the processor. The method then includes activating by the processor a second profile having a second characteristic setting and a second state for the IO device. The second profile modifies a component of the IO device to include a second characteristic setting and a second state.

Abstract: Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Abstract: A method includes rotating a drum about an axis and an anvil roll about an axis of rotation. The drum includes a fluid nozzle and a press member, the press member having an outer surface. The anvil roll includes a compliant outer circumferential surface. One or more substrates are advanced in a machine direction onto the drum. The fluid nozzle moves radially outward and a jet of heated fluid may be directed onto the substrates. The fluid nozzle retracts radially inward and the press member may be shifted radially outward. The substrates may be compressed between the press member and the anvil roll such that the press member deforms the compliant outer circumferential surface of the anvil roll.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve methods and apparatuses for cutting and removing trim from an advancing substrate. Particular embodiments of the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein provide for removal of continuous lengths of trim, and in some embodiments, discrete pieces of trim from an advancing substrate.

Abstract: A system for measuring a device under test (DUT) includes a computing device and a measurement device that measures an electrical or physical parameter of the DUT. The computing device receives and stores measurement data in a DUT record associated with the DUT. The computing device further obtains a first image of the DUT, displays the first image as a reference image with a first reference frame, receives a live image of the DUT from an image sensor, and displays the live image with a second reference frame that corresponds to the first reference frame. A cursor on the live image moves according to movement of the image sensor relative to the DUT. A second image of the DUT is obtained, wherein the second image is substantially aligned with the reference image based on an alignment of the cursor with the second reference frame. The second image is stored in the DUT record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may be advanced in a machine direction at a first velocity toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and include a support surface between each of a first and a second member. The first member and the second member may be separated by a repitch angle. The second member may be repositioned such that the first member and the second member are separated by a product angle. The first member may receive a leading portion and second member may receive a trailing portion of the substrate assembly and each member may rotate at the first velocity. The leading portion and the trailing portion are separated by a product arc length, which may be equal to a process product pitch. The substrate assembly may then undergo one or more processes such as bonding, cutting, and/or scoring.

Abstract: A method for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance at a first velocity toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and include a support surface between a first member and a second member. The first and second members may rotate at the first velocity and may be separated by an initial angle. The first member may receive a leading portion and the second member may receive a trailing portion of the substrate assembly. The first member may decelerate to a second velocity, and, subsequently, the second member may decelerate to the second velocity. The first member and the second member may be separated by a process angle, which may be different than the initial angle. A central portion of the substrate assembly may be relaxed while the leading and trailing portion may be held at a process tension. The substrate assembly may then undergo one or more processes.

Abstract: A method for mechanically deforming, such as by bonding, a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may be advanced at first velocity toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate at a second velocity, which is less than or equal to the first velocity. The bonder apparatus may include a support surface and a process assembly. The substrate assembly may be contracted prior to advancing onto the bonder apparatus. A first process assembly may receive a leading portion of the substrate assembly and a subsequent process assembly may receive a trailing portion. The leading portion and the trailing portion define a product arc length, which is less than or equal to a process product pitch. One or more processes may be performed on the substrate assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.