US 5,716,478 AGranted

Apparatus and method for applying discrete parts onto a moving web

AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

InventorsJudson Lamar Boothe, Peter James Krautkramer, Gary Alan Krueger

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An apparatus and method for severing an elastic web traveling at a first speed into discrete parts and applying the parts onto a product web of interconnected disposable absorbent articles traveling at a second speed are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of transfer segments which are configured to rotate about a common first axis. The apparatus also includes a drive ring which is configured to rotate about a second axis which is offset from the first axis of the transfer segments. A plurality of coupler arms are pivotally connected to the drive ring. As the drive ring is rotated, a cam end of each of the coupler arms is guided along a curvilinear path and a crank end of each of the coupler arms slidably engages a respective transfer segment thereby pivoting the coupler arms about the pivot points and rotating the transfer segments at a variable speed. The offset crank motion of the drive ring and the pivoting of the coupler arms independently varies an effective drive radius of each transfer segment to provide the desired variable speed.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method for severing an elongated elastic web traveling at a first speed into discrete elongated elastic parts and applying said elongated elastic parts in a spaced apart relationship onto a product web of interconnected disposable absorbent articles traveling at a second speed, said method comprising the steps of:

a) supplying said elongated elastic web at said first speed and said product web at said second speed;
b) severing said elongated elastic web into said discrete elongated elastic parts;
c) rotating a plurality of transfer segments about a common first axis at a variable speed wherein said step of rotating includes the steps of:
i) providing a drive ring which is rotatable about a second axis which is offset from said first axis;
ii) providing a plurality of coupler arms each of which is pivotally connected to said drive ring about a respective pivot point which is located radially outward from said second axis wherein each of said coupler arms includes a cam end which is configured to follow a predetermined curvilinear path and a crank end which is slidably connected to a respective one of said transfer segments;
and
iii) rotating said drive ring about said second axis thereby guiding said cam end along said curvilinear path and slidably engaging said crank end with said respective transfer segment to pivot each of said coupler arms about said respective pivot points to independently vary an effective drive radius of each of said transfer segments and rotate said transfer segments at said variable speed;
d) transferring each of said discrete elongated elastic parts onto an outer surface of said respective transfer segment while said respective transfer segment is rotating at a first surface speed which is substantially equal to said first speed of said elongated elastic web;
and
e) applying each of said elongated elastic parts onto said product web while said respective transfer segment is rotating at a second surface speed which is substantially equal to said second speed of said product web.

7 more elements

A method for severing a first substrate web traveling at a first speed into discrete parts and applying said discrete parts onto a second substrate web traveling at a second speed, said method comprising the steps of:

a) supplying said first substrate web at said first speed and said second substrate web at said second speed;
b) severing said first substrate web into said discrete parts;
c) rotating at least one transfer segment about a first axis at a variable speed wherein said step of rotating includes the steps of:
i) providing a drive ring which is rotatable about a second axis which is offset from said first axis;
ii) providing a coupler arm which is pivotally connected to said drive ring about a pivot point located radially outward from said second axis wherein said coupler arm includes a cam end which is configured to follow a predetermined curvilinear path and a crank end which is slidably connected to said transfer segment;
and
iii) rotating said drive ring about said second axis thereby guiding said cam end along said curvilinear path and slidably engaging said crank end with said transfer segment to pivot said coupler arm about said pivot point to selectively vary an effective drive radius of said transfer segment and rotate said transfer segment at said variable speed;
d) transferring said discrete parts onto an outer surface of said transfer segment while said transfer segment is rotating at a first surface speed;
and
e) applying said discrete parts onto said second substrate web while said transfer segment is rotating at a second surface speed.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/544,370Filed 17 Oct 1995
Granted: 10 Feb 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

F16H 35/02
Gearings or mechanisms with other special functional features: for conveying rotary motion with cyclically varying velocity ratio
A61F 13/15593
Of babies' napkins, e.g. diapers: having elastic ribbons fixed thereto; Devices for applying the ribbons
A61F 13/15756
Apparatus or processes for manufacturing: applying tabs, strips, tapes, loops; Knotting the ends of pads
B65H 2301/33216
Kinetic therefor: about an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement and to the surface of material