Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products such as diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this layer, and the machine provides sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with a contoured leg opening. In this method at least one chip is removed from at least one ear of a disposable product. The chip may be removed from an ear prior to attaching the ear to the chassis web. Alternatively, the chip may be removed from the ear after the ear is attached to the chassis web.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for minimizing waste and improving quality and production in web processing operations in a high speed, small footprint environment. In particular, the invention is directed to aligning cuff webs, affixing no-waste ear webs to the cuff webs, and attaching the combination of back ears and cuff webs to a top sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for minimizing waste and improving quality and production in web processing operations in a high speed, small footprint environment. In particular, the invention is directed to aligning cuff webs, affixing no-waste ear webs to the cuff webs, and attaching the combination of back ears and cuff webs to a top sheet.

Abstract: A variable interference anvil and knife combination is provided to selectively sever elastics in a laminate and preferably not sever the nonwoven portions of the laminate. The distance between the anvil and the knife can be programmatically altered to provide for smaller or larger gaps as processing speeds are changed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of providing a disposable product with a contoured leg opening. In this method at least one chip is removed from at least one ear of a disposable product. The chip may be removed from an ear prior to attaching the ear to the chassis web. Alternatively, the chip may be removed from the ear after the ear is attached to the chassis web.

Abstract: A machine for producing disposable products anticipates when a current run of a product size is coming to an end, and therefore begins loading of material rolls intended for the next product size or code that will be run. An integrated production facility layout automatically orders and stocks raw material based on production plans, and commands a production machine to produce specific products of differing configurations, and automatically loads appropriately sized raw materials into the process.

Abstract: An electronic storage device is coupled with a container capable of holding liquid for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system can be configured with an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. A microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, may be employed for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna. A connector of a secure reader system having a reader is provided to physically couple to a container having an information storing mechanism, for periodically reading information from an information storing mechanism. The connector may draw material from the container simultaneous with the reading.

Abstract: A method of making a breathable, elastic film laminate comprising the steps of stretching an elastic film in a first direction, spot welding at least one nonwoven web to the film while it is stretched, and stretching the film laminate in a second direction to create apertures in the film. Articles derived from the method are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for single transfer insert placement. The apparatus receives continuous web material and cuts a discrete section or pad from the web. The pad is then supported on a single transfer surface. The single transfer surface then may spin the supported pad to a desired angle and provide the pad to a receiving surface at a desired interval. The web material can be cut to different insert lengths and the placement location varied.

Abstract: A variable interference anvil and knife combination is provided to selectively sever elastics in a laminate and preferably not sever the nonwoven portions of the laminate. The distance between the anvil and the knife can be programmatically altered to provide for smaller or larger gaps as processing speeds are changed.

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: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. A first non-elastomeric layer is bonded with an elastomeric layer, and to a second non-elastomeric layer. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection in the elastomeric layer and triggers an unthreading/rethreading sequence. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station. If defects are detected in the elastic layer, the resulting products may be culled.

Abstract: Ventilated vacuum structures such as pucks and rings are disclosed for carrying portions of disposable products during manufacturing. Air flow enters vacuum commutation ports on an article carrying structure from vents nearby, the vents receiving air from a side, a top or an underside of the article carrying structure.

Abstract: A slip-cut mechanism uses static force to hold a material layer onto a preferably smooth rotating drum, and ultrasonic energy bonds discrete pieces of the material layer to second material layer.