Abstract: The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40), such as a labial pad, configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for blending fibers. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises blending apparatus for blending fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent, and for conveying the blended fibers to a fiber collection station. A first weighing apparatus weighs out a first quantity of first fibers at a first weigh station. A second weighing apparatus weighs out a quantity of second fibers at a second weigh station. The first and second quantities of fibers are conveyed to a blend opener having a beater roll rotatable in the blend opener. The beater roll opens and mixes the fibers. The fibers are entrained in an air stream by a pneumatic conveyor system and conveyed to a fine opener. The fine opener has a rotatable clothing roll to further open and mix the fibers. The pneumatic conveyor system is operable to separate fiber fines from longer fibers and to deliver the longer fibers to said fine opener.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. The apparatus includes a blending apparatus that weighs and blends fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent. The blended fibers are conveyed through a chute to a fiber collection station. At the fiber collection station, collecting and feeding apparatus collects the blended fibers and feeds them to a forming apparatus that forms the blended fibers into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus that cuts fluid-absorbent bodies in the blended-fiber web and laminates the bodies with at least one continuous cover web to form a laminated web. The laminated web is fed to a sealing and cutting apparatus to make the pads. Folding apparatus is provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending outward from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for wrapping pads. A web of flexible wrapping material is adapted to be pulled in tension over a forming device. The forming device has first and second folding members having angled folding edges adapted for contact by respective opposite side margins of the web as the web is pulled past the folding edges. A web guide guides the web toward the folding edges. An opening between the web guide and the folding edges is adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. A series of pads are conveyed by a conveyor, one after another, and placed on the web as it is pulled past the forming device so that the pads move with the web over the opening and past the folding edges of the forming device. A surface applies a force to the pads to force the pads against the central portion of the web as the pads move across said opening.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. Fibers made of different materials are blended and formed into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus. A first cutting apparatus at a first cutting station cuts the blended-fiber web as it is fed through a first cutting nip to form individual bodies in the web arranged in predetermined positions relative to one another. A first rotatable vacuum transfer cylinder conveys the bodies from the first cutting station toward a sealing roll while maintaining the bodies in their predetermined positions relative to one another. The sealing apparatus laminates a cover web with the bodies at a sealing nip to form a sealed laminated web. A second cutting apparatus at a second cutting station cuts the sealed laminated web to form pads. Folding apparatus may be provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. The apparatus includes a blending apparatus that weighs and blends fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent. The blended fibers are conveyed through a chute to a fiber collection station. At the fiber collection station, collecting and feeding apparatus collects the blended fibers and feeds them to a forming apparatus that forms the blended fibers into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus that cuts fluid-absorbent bodies in the blended-fiber web and laminates the bodies with at least one continuous cover web to form a laminated web. The laminated web is fed to a sealing and cutting apparatus to make the pads. Folding apparatus is provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. Fibers made of different materials are blended and formed into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus. A first cutting apparatus at a first cutting station cuts the blended-fiber web as it is fed through a first cutting nip to form individual fiber bodies in the web arranged in predetermined positions relative to one another. A first rotatable vacuum transfer cylinder conveys the fiber bodies from the first cutting station toward a sealing apparatus while maintaining the bodies in their predetermined positions relative to one another. The sealing apparatus laminates a cover web with the fiber bodies at a sealing nip to form a sealed laminated web. A second cutting apparatus at a second cutting station cuts the sealed laminated web to form pads. Folding apparatus may be provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for blending fibers. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises blending apparatus for blending fibers of different materials, at least one of which is absorbent, and for conveying the blended fibers to a fiber collection station. A first weighing apparatus weighs out a first quantity of first fibers at a first weigh station. A second weighing apparatus weighs out a quantity of second fibers at a second weigh station. The first and second quantities of fibers are conveyed to a blend opener having a beater roll rotatable in the blend opener. The beater roll opens and mixes the fibers. The fibers are entrained in an air stream by a pneumatic conveyor system and conveyed to a fine opener. The fine opener has a rotatable clothing roll to further open and mix the fibers. The pneumatic conveyor system is operable to separate fiber fines from longer fibers and to deliver the longer fibers to said fine opener.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and apparatus for wrapping pads. A web of flexible wrapping material is adapted to be pulled in tension over a forming device. The forming device has first and second folding members having angled folding edges adapted for contact by respective opposite side margins of the web as the web is pulled past the folding edges. A web guide guides the web toward the folding edges. An opening between the web guide and the folding edges is adapted to be spanned by a central portion of the web as the web is pulled past the forming device. A series of pads are conveyed by a conveyor, one after another, and placed on the web as it is pulled past the forming device so that the pads move with the web over the opening and past the folding edges of the forming device. A surface applies a force to the pads to force the pads against the central portion of the web as the pads move across said opening.

Abstract: The invention is directed to method and system for folding pads. In one aspect, the system includes a conveyor for conveying a series of pads, one after another, to a folding station. A folding apparatus at the folding station folds each pad along said major axis as the pad is conveyed in a forward direction. The folding apparatus includes a hold-down member adapted to contact a center section of each pad extending generally parallel to said major axis as the pad is conveyed forward. The folding apparatus also includes a pair of folders on opposite sides of the hold-down member adapted to contact side sections of the pad on opposite sides of said major axis as the pad is fed forward and as it is held down by the hold-down member to fold the side sections of the pad to positions facing one another. The pads may be used as feminine protection pads.

Abstract: The invention is directed a method and system for forming a layer of blended fibers into a continuous web. In one aspect, the apparatus includes blending apparatus for blending first and second fibers. The blended fibers are conveyed to a fiber collection station. A collecting and feeding apparatus at the fiber collection station has a feed chute that receives the blended fibers and an outlet for discharging the fibers. An accumulation chute between the inlet and outlet accumulates a column of the blended fibers. Fibers from the column are fed through the outlet as an initial layer of blended fibers to a forming station. A fiberizing apparatus at the forming station breaks up the initial layer into individual fibers. The individual fibers are deposited on a reforming conveyor as a reformed layer of blended fibers. The layer of blended fibers can be used in making absorbent pads, such as feminine protection pads.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40), such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both, and has at least one notch (100) generally formed in the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has at least one tab (94) extending outward from the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40) such as a labial pad configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The labial pad may be worn by human females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection or both, and has at least one notch (100) generally formed in the periphery thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article (40), such as a labial pad, configured for disposition within the vestibule (42) of a female wearer. The absorbent article (40) may be worn by females for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, and has a finger-receiving area of dimensions sufficient to receive at least a portion of at least one finger of the female wearer.