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US 2013/0156536 A1Published application
Apparatus And Process For Providing Arrays Of Absorbent Articles In Varying Orientations For Packaging
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsMichael Jan Dowiasch, Thomas Luebcke, Andre Josephine Karel De Saert, Hilde Cloostermams
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Abstract
Apparatus for producing arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations, and a methods for forming alternating arrays of absorbent articles, suitable to be operated at a high speed, are provided.
Claims15
A process of forming arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations comprising the steps of:
- (a) advancing absorbent articles along a predetermined path;
- (b) diverting a first plurality of absorbent articles to a first path and diverting a second plurality of absorbent articles to a second path, wherein the first path and the second path have a different direction from each other;
- (c) providing the first plurality of absorbent articles and the second plurality of absorbent articles to a stacker adapted to receive absorbent articles from the first path and the second path;
- (d) forming an array of absorbent articles from the first plurality of absorbent articles and the second plurality of absorbent articles in the stacker, wherein at least one of the absorbent articles has a first orientation and at least one of the absorbent articles has a second orientation within the array, the first orientation and the second orientation being different from each other;
- (e) advancing the array of absorbent articles along a third path, wherein the third path has a direction different from the direction of the first path and the second path.
2 more elements
A process of diverting absorbent articles comprising the steps of:
- (a) advancing the absorbent articles along a predetermined path;
- (b) diverting the absorbent articles, wherein a first plurality of absorbent articles is routed to a first path and a second plurality of absorbent articles is routed to a second path, wherein the first path and the second path have a direction different from each other,
- wherein the first path and the second path define substantially diverging directions along a first distance onto a guide roll, and wherein from the guide roll, the first path and the second path define substantially convergent directions along a second distance.
A process of forming arrays of absorbent articles with varying orientations comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a stacker, the stacker comprising a plurality of paddles placed at equal distances for receiving the absorbent articles;
- (b) opening up two neighboring paddles by bending outwardly at least one of the paddle;
- (c) introducing the absorbent articles delivered from two substantially opposite directions onto the stacker;
- d) stopping the absorbent article by an infeed plate, wherein the infeed plate is:
- i) pivoting, or
- ii) comprising a first and second part, the first and second part sliding up and down, or back and forth,
- (e) closing the neighboring paddles by straightening at least one paddle relative of its neighbor;
- and
- (f) forming an array of absorbent articles by repeating steps (b) through (e).
6 more elements
An apparatus for forming arrays of absorbent articles comprising:
- a conveyor for advancing the absorbent articles;
- a diverter for diverting the absorbent articles to route a first plurality of absorbent articles to a first path and a second plurality of absorbent articles to a second path, wherein the first path and the second path have a direction different from each other;
- a stacker for receiving the first plurality of absorbent articles and the second plurality of absorbent articles delivered from the first and second path, wherein the stacker is adapted to form an array of absorbent articles from the first plurality of absorbent articles and the second plurality of absorbent articles, such that one or more than one of the absorbent articles has a first orientation and one or more than one of the absorbent articles has a second orientation within the array, the first and second orientations being different from each other, a conveyor for advancing the array of absorbent articles along a third path, wherein the third path has a direction different from the direction of the first and second paths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.