Method and Apparatus for Rotating an Absorbent Article

A method of transferring and rotating discrete substrates, the method comprising:

• advancing a discrete substrate in a machine direction;
• providing a rotation apparatus comprising a rib portion extending radially outward from a mounting surface, the rib portion comprising a first rib surface and a second rib surface opposite the first rib surface, and wherein the rib portion defines a longitudinal rib axis of rotation;
• rotating a head assembly about the longitudinal rib axis, wherein the head assembly is adjacent the rib portion, and wherein the head assembly comprises a transfer member defining a longitudinal transfer axis and a support member associated with a distal end portion of the transfer member;
• rotating the transfer member and the support member about the longitudinal transfer axis;
• associating at least one of a first follower and a second follower with the rib portion, wherein the first follower and the second follower are operatively engaged with a distal end portion of the support member, wherein the first follower comprises a first follower outer surface defining a first longitudinal follower axis and the second follower comprises a second follower outer surface defining a second longitudinal follower axis, and wherein the first follower and the second follower are positioned such that the first longitudinal follower axis and the second longitudinal follower axis intersect the longitudinal rib axis;
• receiving the discrete substrate in a first position on at least a portion of the head assembly;
• and
• rotating a portion of the head assembly such that the discrete substrate is positioned in a second position, wherein the first position is different than the second position.

A rotation apparatus for rotating a discrete article, the rotation apparatus comprising:

• a rib portion extending radially outward from a mounting surface, the rib portion comprising a first rib surface and a second rib surface opposite the first rib surface, wherein the rib portion defines a longitudinal rib axis of rotation, and wherein the rib portion comprises a motion zone and a dwell zone;
• a transfer member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, wherein the transfer member defines a longitudinal transfer axis of rotation;
• a support member extending from the distal end portion of the transfer member toward the rib portion and configured to rotate about the longitudinal transfer axis, the support member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion;
• and
• a first follower and a second follower operatively engaged with the distal end portion of the support member, wherein the first follower comprises a first follower outer surface defining a first longitudinal follower axis and the second follower comprises a second follower outer surface defining a second longitudinal follower axis, and wherein the first follower and the second follower are positioned such that the first longitudinal follower axis and the second longitudinal follower axis intersect the longitudinal rib axis, and
• wherein the transfer member and the support member are configured to rotate about the longitudinal rib axis.