Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

Abstract: A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

Abstract: A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a strip guide for laterally shifting a longitudinally moving strip material as it enters a joining mechanism that urges the strip material into contact with a moving sheet material, the strip guide comprising a surface over which the strip material passes longitudinally, the surface defining a U-shape.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in an elastic longitudinal material being applied to a sheet material in continuous fashion. The system may include a continuous supply of the sheet material; a continuous supply of the elastic longitudinal material; first and second feed rollers having a feed nip therebetween through which the elastic longitudinal material passes longitudinally, and downstream first and second joining rollers having a joining nip therebetween through which the sheet material and the elastic longitudinal material pass. The linear velocity of the circumferential surface of at least one of the first or second feed rollers is controlled relative to the linear velocity of the circumferential surface of at least one of the first or second joining rollers, to regulate longitudinal strain in the elastic longitudinal material.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a strip guide for laterally shifting a longitudinally moving strip material as it enters a joining mechanism that urges the strip material into contact with a moving sheet material, the strip guide comprising a surface over which the strip material passes longitudinally, the surface defining a U-shape.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of a system for laterally shifting a longitudinally moving strip material as it enters a joining mechanism that urges the strip material into contact with a moving sheet material. The system may include a continuous supply of the strip material longitudinally moving in a downstream direction toward and into the joining mechanism, an electric motor having a drive shaft; and a strip guide arm connected to the drive shaft and situated upstream of the joining mechanism, the strip guide arm having a downstream strip retainer that slidably retains the strip material on the strip guide arm at a downstream location on the strip guide arm.

Abstract: A new machine control method and system for registering pro-produced webs into a converting line producing disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, pants, feminine hygiene articles or a component thereof. The pre-produced web can include a multiplicity of pre-produced objects spaced on the web at a pitch interval in the web direction. The pre-produced web being manipulated in order for the pre-produced object of the web to be registered in relation to a target position constant. The present invention includes three embodiments, where the first embodiment is expressed as a generic claim. The first embodiment includes a closed-loop feedback registration system; the second and third embodiments, in addition, include an open-loop feedforward phasing system. In addition, the third embodiment uses a machine vision system to recognize any element of a complex pre-produced object (e.g., colorful graphics).

Abstract: A new machine control method and system for registering pre-produced webs into a converting line producing disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, pull-ups, feminine hygiene articles or a component thereof. The pre-produced webs can include a multiplicity of pre-produced objects spaced on the web at a pitch interval in the web direction. The pre-produced web being manipulated in order for the pre-produced object of the web to be registered in relation to a target position constant. The present invention includes three embodiments, where the first embodiment is expressed as a generic claim. The first embodiment includes a closed-loop feedback registration system; the second and third embodiments, in addition, include an open-loop feedforward phasing system. In addition, the third embodiment uses a machine vision system to recognize any element of a complex pre-produced object (e.g., colorful graphics).