Method and Apparatus for Attaching Components to Absorbent Articles

An apparatus for applying discrete components of a first substrate to target areas of a second substrate, the apparatus comprising:

• a programmable servo motor having a shaft, wherein the shaft continuously rotates at a variable angular velocity in a single direction, wherein the servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase, wherein the shaft is constrained to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position in a first time in the first phase, and wherein the shaft is constrained to rotate from the second angular position to the first angular position in a second time in the second phase;
• a crank member connected with the shaft;
• a connector link connected with the crank member;
• and
• a tamper member connected with the connector link, the tamper member positioned proximate to the second substrate in line with a discrete component of the first substrate, wherein when the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace the target area of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

A method for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• rotating a drum about an axis of rotation, the drum having an outer circumferential surface;
• advancing the first substrate onto the outer circumferential surface of the drum;
• advancing the second substrate proximate to the outer circumferential surface of the drum, the second substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface comprises a target area;
• cutting the first substrate into discrete components on the outer circumferential surface of the drum, the discrete components having a first surface and an opposing second surface;
• continuously rotating a shaft of a motor at a variable angular velocity in a single direction, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase, wherein the shaft is constrained to rotate from a first angular position to a second angular position in a first time in the first phase, wherein the shaft is constrained to rotate from the second angular position to the first angular position in a second time in the second phase;
• shifting a tamper member from a first position to a second position toward the second substrate and the outer circumferential surface of the drum as the shaft of the motor rotates in the first phase;
• displacing the second substrate such that the target area contacts the first surface of a discrete component on the drum;
• and
• shifting the tamper member from the second position to the first position as the shaft of the motor rotates in the second phase.