Method and apparatus for advancing and folding an absorbent article

A method of folding an absorbent article comprising:

• rotating a drum about a central longitudinal drum axis, wherein the drum comprises a fluid chamber and an outer circumferential drum surface;
• rotating a carrier member, at least a portion of the carrier member being disposed on a portion of the outer circumferential drum surface, wherein the carrier member defines a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to be disposed over the fluid chamber of the drum;
• positioning a central body portion of the absorbent article on the carrier member;
• holding the central body portion of the absorbent article against the carrier member;
• advancing the absorbent article on the drum about the central longitudinal drum axis creating a centrifugal force on the absorbent article, wherein a first end region of a belt on the absorbent article is deflected in a first direction away from and at an angle α to the central longitudinal drum axis and a second end region of the belt is deflected in the first direction away from and at an angle α to the central longitudinal drum axis, and wherein the angle α is from 30 degrees to 135 degrees;
• pushing the first end region toward the central body portion of the absorbent article such that the first end region is disposed on the central body portion;
• and
• pushing the second end region of the belt toward the central body portion of the absorbent article such that the second end region is disposed on a portion of the first end region to form a folded absorbent article;
• wherein pushing the first end region and second end region toward the central body portion is accomplished at least in part by the combination of positive pressure applying air nozzles separate and distinct from the plurality of apertures and a stationary plow, wherein at least one of pushing the first end region toward the central body portion or pushing the second end region toward the central body portion occurs while the absorbent article is proximate to the outer circumferential drum surface and the carrier member is disposed on the portion of the outer circumferential drum surface.