Method and Apparatus for Controlling and Advancing an Absorbent Article

A method for advancing an absorbent article, the method comprising:

• advancing an absorbent article in a machine direction wherein the absorbent article comprising a belt including first end region and a second end region separated by a central region;
• advancing the absorbent article on to a transfer apparatus, wherein the transfer apparatus comprises a frame and a transfer member rotatably connected with the frame, wherein the transfer member includes a receiving surface, wherein the receiving surface comprises a first group of apertures and a second group of apertures;
• advancing an absorbent article onto the receiving surface of the transfer member, wherein the first group of apertures holds the central portion and the second end region of the absorbent article to the receiving surface;
• rotating the frame about a first axis of rotation to advance the absorbent article in the machine direction;
• moving the first end region of the absorbent article with centrifugal force such that the first end region extends away from the receiving surface;
• applying a positive air pressure from a fluid supply member such that the positive air pressure engages the first end region, wherein the first end region is guided to the receiving surface;
• and
• activating the second group of apertures such that the first end region is held to the receiving surface.

A method of transferring discrete absorbent articles, the method comprising:

• advancing an absorbent article in a machine direction, wherein the absorbent article comprising a belt including first end region and a second end region separated by a central region, and wherein the first end region comprises a waist region fold;
• transferring the absorbent article to a transfer apparatus, the transfer apparatus comprising a transfer member connected with a frame, the transfer member having a receiving surface, wherein the receiving surface defines a first group of apertures, a second group of apertures, and a third group of apertures positioned between the first group of apertures and the second group of apertures, wherein a fluid supply member is located adjacent to the transfer apparatus;
• activating the first group of apertures such that the central region and the second end region of the absorbent article is held to the receiving surface;
• deactivating the third group of apertures;
• unfolding the waist region fold of the first end region;
• rotating the frame about a first axis of rotation, wherein the first end region is free to move with respect to the receiving surface;
• unfolding the waist region fold as the frame rotates about the first axis of rotation;
• applying a positive air pressure from the fluid supply member such that the positive air pressure engages the first end region, wherein the first end region is guided to the receiving surface;
• and
• activating the second group of apertures such that the first end region is held to the receiving surface.