US 2014/0112751 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Changing the Orientation of an Absorbent Article

Abstract

The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein operate to change the orientation of an absorbent article. The apparatus includes a transfer apparatus having a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The method includes advancing an absorbent article in a machine direction. The absorbent article is defined by a longitudinal centerline intersected by a lateral centerline at a center. The method includes rotating the absorbent article from a first orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in a cross direction to a second orientation where the longitudinal centerline extends in the machine direction. The method includes shifting the absorbent article such that the center of the absorbent article shifts from a first cross-directional position to a second cross-directional position. The steps of rotating the absorbent article and shifting the absorbent article may occur concurrently.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for changing the orientation of an absorbent article, the absorbent article defining a longitudinal centerline that intersects a lateral centerline at a center of the absorbent article, the method comprising the steps of:

advancing the absorbent article in a first direction, wherein the absorbent article is oriented such that the longitudinal centerline extends in a second direction that is different from the first direction;
rotating the absorbent article about an axis of rotation such that the longitudinal centerline extends in the first direction, wherein the axis of rotation is offset from the center of the absorbent article;
and
shifting the absorbent article such that the center of the absorbent article shifts in the second direction.

1 more element

An apparatus for changing the orientation of an absorbent article, the apparatus comprising:

a frame defining a first axis of rotation, wherein the frame is configured to rotate about the first axis of rotation;
and
a transfer member rotatably connected with the frame, wherein the transfer member defines a second axis of rotation, wherein the transfer member is configured to rotate about the second axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is orthogonal to the second axis of rotation, wherein the transfer member comprises a receiving surface located on an end of the transfer member most distal from the first axis of rotation, wherein the receiving surface is defined by a first centerline and a second centerline that intersect at a center, wherein the center of the receiving surface is offset from the second axis of rotation, wherein the transfer member is selectively rotatable from a first position to a second position,
in the first position, the first centerline extends in a first direction and the second centerline extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and
in the second position, the first centerline extends in the second direction and the second centerline extends in the first direction.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and Apparatus for Changing the Orientation of an Absorbent Article

Life of this patent

Method and Apparatus for Changing the Orientation of an Absorbent Article

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20