Abstract: A warming dispenser includes a housing having a compartment. The compartment holds a plurality of sheets. A heating device is located adjacent the plurality of sheets. A micro power source is connected to the heating device to generate energy from a fuel source, wherein the heating device uses the energy to warm at least one of the sheets. The micropower source may be, for example, a micro fuel cell adapted to deliver electricity for resistive heating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for unfolding and dispensing diapers. The system includes a dispenser and a folded diaper that is within the dispenser. The folded diaper includes a first longitudinal fold that is between a main portion and a first side portion and a second longitudinal fold that is between the main portion and a second side portion. The dispenser includes a first projection that unfolds the first longitudinal fold as the diaper is removed from the dispenser and a second projection that unfolds the second longitudinal fold as the diaper is removed from the dispenser. The system may make it easier for care givers to perform multiple diaper changes per day.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that includes a plurality of disposable absorbent products where at least one of the disposable absorbent products includes a tag. The system further includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and plays media based on the identity of the tags. In another form, the system includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and provides information relating to one other product based on the identity of the tags. In still another form, the present invention relates to a method that includes marking a plurality of disposable absorbent products (e.g., diapers) with a tag, and providing a reader that plays media based on the identity of the tags.

Abstract: Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.

Abstract: A warming dispenser includes a housing having a compartment. The compartment holds a plurality of sheets. A heating device is located adjacent the plurality of sheets. A micro power source is connected to the heating device to generate energy from a fuel source, wherein the heating device uses the energy to warm at least one of the sheets. The micropower source may be, for example, a micro fuel cell adapted to deliver electricity for resistive heating.

Abstract: Communication between machines in an event-based manufacturing system. In an event-based manufacturing system, material-specific data obtained for a material produced during a first manufacturing operation is used to govern a second manufacturing operation to decrease the likelihood of at least a delay event, a waste event, or poor quality of the product.

Abstract: Providing quality management and intelligent manufacturing with labels and smart tags in event-based product manufacturing. Some of the disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer-readable media for storing, during a process, data associated with a material. Also disclosed are a method of collecting, storing, and reporting machine productivity, waste, and delay information on an event basis in a manufacturing system, a method of capturing and storing material history, a method of automating tracking of positions of components used in a process and correlating portions of a component with production problems, an improved inventory management system, and a method of tracking and recording actions of specific operators of a process performed by a machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for unfolding and dispensing diapers. The system includes a dispenser and a folded diaper that is within the dispenser. The dispenser engages the diaper to unfold the diaper as the diaper is removed from the dispenser. The method includes grasping a folded diaper that is at least partially within a dispenser and removing the folded diaper from the dispenser such that the dispenser unfolds the diaper. The system and method may make it easier for care givers to perform multiple diaper changes per day.

Abstract: A data integrity module and method for evaluating data in a process information database. A neural network generates statistical patterns for specifying patterns for the data being evaluated. A fuzzy expert rules base specifies rules for evaluating the data. A processor, responsive to the rules base and the statistical patterns, identifies suspect data in the process information database by evaluating the data according to the rules base and the statistical patterns. A modification system modifies the suspect data in the process information database.

Abstract: Analyzing an event chronology record to permit identification of periods of a production sequence that correspond to a high probability of failure. Systems and methods include receiving an event chronology for a particular machine in the production sequence and for a particular time interval. A reliability analysis system accesses process flow information to determine whether a particular event in the event chronology is related to a subsequent adverse event within a predefined event window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system that includes a plurality of disposable absorbent products where at least one of the disposable absorbent products includes a tag. The system further includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and plays media based on the identity of the tags. In another form, the system includes a reader that identifies the tags on the plurality of disposable absorbent products and provides information relating to one other product based on the identity of the tags. In still another form, the present invention relates to a method that includes marking a plurality of disposable absorbent products (e.g., diapers) with a tag, and providing a reader that plays media based on the identity of the tags.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: A testing processor executes a plurality of test steps of an assembly test on successive units. A server informs the testing processor of a sampling frequency for each test step. The testing processor only executes those test steps whose sampling frequencies indicate that they are to be run on a particular unit. Upon detecting a failure associated with a particular test step, the server may inform the testing processor to adjust the sampling frequency of the particular test step such that the particular test step is to be executed on every subsequent unit to be tested. Upon receiving no further failures associated with the particular test step for a given number of units, the server may notify the testing processor to adjust the sampling frequency of the particular test step such that it need not be executed for every subsequent unit to be tested.