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: Curved elastics are applied to both or either the front or rears of a pant type diaper extending near the leg and waist openings. An adhesive pattern is deposited onto a nonwoven sheet, and elastic strands are coupled to the nonwoven sheet. The elastic strands and nonwoven sheet are coupled to another web of ultrasonically bonded elastomeric material and nonwoven, and together the laminate is used as a front or rear portion of a diaper.

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: 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: 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: An apparatus having independently rotating shafts for producing discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding using independently rotating bonding units.

Abstract: A die roll is disclosing have multiple alternating patterns. Cutting edges and non-cutting edges on the die roll are phased with cutting surfaces and relieved areas on the anvil, respectively. Multiple cut profiles are achieved from a single die/anvil combination.

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: An apparatus having independently rotating shafts for producing discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding using independently rotating bonding units.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.

Abstract: A die roll is disclosing have multiple alternating patterns. Cutting edges and non-cutting edges on the die roll are phased with cutting surfaces and relieved areas on the anvil, respectively. Multiple cut profiles are achieved from a single die/anvil combination.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection in deposition of acquisition material, which on current machines frequently flips and is difficult to detect when it has flipped causing manufacturers to scrap thousands of products. Using the present invention, defects are able to be detected by discerning a difference in the appearance from side to side with a vision camera, and an acquisition inverter can flip the material to a correct orientation.

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: 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.