Apparatus for turning a pliable member of an article moving along a machine direction

An apparatus for turning a pliable web member laterally extending from a precursor structure, having a longitudinal axis, as the precursor structure is conveyed along a machine direction, comprising:

• a conveyor system adapted to convey the precursor structure along the machine direction at a conveyor speed;
• a member turning system situated alongside the conveyer system in a position to contact the pliable member, the member turning system comprising:
• first and second rotating pulleys situated at first and second locations alongside the conveyor system, the second pulley situated downstream of the first pulley, the first and second pulleys having respective first and second axes of rotation transverse to the machine direction,
• a flexible first belt engaged about the first and second pulleys in a twisted configuration, the flexible belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface engaging the first and second pulleys as the belt cycles about the first and second pulleys, wherein the outer surface twists as the belt moves from engagement with the first pulley to engagement with the second pulley, the belt and a portion of the outer surface defining an operative twisting moving surface between the first and second pulleys, the operative twisting moving surface having a receiving location and a release location;
• and
• a motor in operable connection with the first belt and driving the first belt so that it cycles about the first and second pulleys at a speed coordinated with the conveyor speed;
• wherein the pliable web member has a free width, and the first belt has a belt width, and the belt width is less than the free width:
• wherein the first pulley, the first belt and the receiving location are situated at an upstream location relative the conveyor in a position to receive at least a portion of the pliable web member in a first orientation relative the precursor structure as the precursor structure is conveyed in the machine direction;
• the second pulley, the first belt and the release location are situated at a downstream location relative the conveyor in a position to place and release the portion of the pliable web member in a second orientation relative the precursor structure;
• and wherein the first and second pulleys and the first belt are situated such that, the portion of the pliable web member may remain in continuous contact with said operative twisting moving surface as said precursor structure is conveyed in the machine direction by said conveyor, until said portion of the pliable member reaches said release location.