# US 2013/0153365 A1 · Apparatus And Method For Rotatably Conveying And Applying Discrete Parts To A Substrate > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0153365 A1 - Document ID: US20130153365A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/332,234 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. - Inventors: Adam N. Schoultz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153365A1 ## CPC - B65G 35/06: comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32) - A61F 13/15756: {Applying tabs, strips, tapes, loops; Knotting the ends of pads} - A61F 13/15764: {Transferring, feeding or handling devices; Drives} - B65G 47/244: by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane - B65G 47/248: by turning over or inverting them (B65G47/244 takes precedence) - B65H 29/241: {Suction devices} - B65H 2301/33216: about an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement and to the surface of material - B65H 2406/3454: performing oscillating movement during rotation - B65H 2801/57: Diaper manufacture - Y10T 156/133: Delivering cut part to indefinite or running length web - Y10T 156/1734: Means bringing articles into association with web - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts to a substrate in a configuration which is offset from the centerline of the supply feed of discrete parts is disclosed as well as the related process. Such an apparatus and process are suitable for use in the production of products where one or more components of the product must be spatially shifted from their incoming location relative to the movement of the assembly line to a second position which is offset from its incoming location and orientation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a rotation means defining a rotation axis, said rotation means having a first direction of rotation about said rotation axis such that said plurality of parts can be applied to said substrate; a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance; and a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot about said longitudinal transfer arm axis so that each of said transfer pucks is pivotal between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said transfer pucks has a leading edge and a leading radius and a trailing edge and trailing radius wherein said trailing radius of one transfer puck is substantially equal to the leading radius of an adjacent transfer puck. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transfer arm offset distance is substantially equal to said transfer puck offset distance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of transfer arms have a transfer arm adjustment means which permits selective adjustment of said transfer arm offset distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of transfer pucks have a transfer puck adjustment means which permits selective adjustment of said transfer puck offset distance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of said plurality of transfer pucks rotate in one direction and a second portion of said plurality of transfer pucks rotate in a second and different direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of said plurality of transfer pucks have a first position which is different from a second portion of said plurality of transfer pucks. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of said plurality of transfer pucks have a second position which is different from a second portion of said plurality of transfer pucks. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of said plurality of transfer arms have a transfer arm offset distance which is different from a second portion of said plurality of transfer arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a first portion of said plurality of transfer pucks have a transfer puck offset distance which is different from a second portion of said plurality of transfer pucks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 where said transfer arm offset distance is from about 1 to about 70 millimeters. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 where said transfer puck offset distance is from about 1 to about 70 millimeters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said plurality of transfer arms are attached to at least a portion of said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point along one of said longitudinal puck axis or said lateral puck axis. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a rotation means; said apparatus defining a rotation axis; a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance; and a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate at said second position which is offset from said first position. ### Claim 15 An apparatus for conveying a plurality of parts and applying said parts to a substrate, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of transfer arms each having a longitudinal transfer arm axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of transfer arms being attached to a rotation means in a radial pattern about said rotation means, said rotation means having a rotation axis; each of said proximal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said rotation means in such a manner that said longitudinal transfer arm axis is offset from said rotation axis by a transfer arm offset distance; and a plurality of transfer pucks adapted to convey said parts to said substrate, each of said transfer pucks having a longitudinal puck axis and a lateral puck axis which intersect at a center point on each of said plurality of transfer pucks, said distal ends of said transfer arms being attached to said transfer pucks at a location which is offset from said center point by a transfer puck offset distance, each of said transfer pucks being configured to pivot between a first position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to receive said parts and a second position wherein said transfer pucks are oriented to apply said parts to said substrate at said second position which is offset from said first position. ### Claim 16 A method of applying a plurality parts to a moving substrate comprising: feeding a plurality of parts at a first position into a conveying and transfer process along a supply centerline; rotating said plurality of parts to a second position which is offset from said supply centerline; and depositing said plurality of parts in said second position onto said moving substrate. ### Claim 17 A method of applying a plurality parts to a moving substrate comprising: feeding a plurality of parts at a first position into a conveying and transfer process along a supply centerline; transferring said plurality of parts to a conveying and transfer apparatus; rotating said plurality of parts while attached to said conveying and transfer apparatus to a second position which is offset from said supply centerline; and depositing said plurality of parts in said second position onto said moving substrate.