US 6,074,333 AGranted

Machine for cutting discrete components of a multi-component workpiece and depositing them with registration on a moving web of material

AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.

InventorsGregory John Rajala, Daniel James Oshefsky, Thomas Raymond Holston

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Abstract

The present invention provides a machine for cutting at least two components of a multi-component workpiece from webs of material which are moving at different speeds relative to one another, and depositing the two cut components on a third web of material moving at yet a different speed. The machine cuts the first component from a moving first web, transfers the cut component to overlie a moving web of second material, and cuts the second component from the second web while the first component overlies and falls, either wholly or partially, within the cut boundaries of the second component. The mated first and second cut components are then transferred by the machine to a web of third material. An optional embossing roller imparts a pattern to the stacked cut first and second components as they pass between the embossing and anvil rollers. The machine is particularly adapted for the manufacture of articles of manufacture such as infant diapers, adult incontinence garments, and personal hygiene napkins in which elements of the napkin must be cut, registered with respect to one another, and affixed to other elements of the article during the manufacturing process.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A machine for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, each of said components having a shape and associated dimensions including a length, a leading and a trailing edge, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a point midway on said longitudinal center line between said leading and said trailing edge;

registering the components with respect to one another;
and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material, said machine comprising:
a) a first cutting and transfer apparatus for cutting first components from a first web of material moving at a first speed and transferring the first component to overly a second web of material moving at a second speed;
b) a second cutting and transfer apparatus for receiving the first components from said first apparatus on said second web of material and for cutting a second component from the second web while said first cut component overlies said second component, and for transferring the first and second cut components to a web of material moving at a third speed;
wherein said first cutting and transfer apparatus and said second cutting and transfer apparatus each comprise a combination die cut and transfer roller and an anvil roller, the combination die cut and transfer roller and anvil roller of each apparatus having cooperating working surfaces for cutting components from webs of material passing therebetween, the working surfaces of the combination die cut and transfer rollers of said first and second cutting and transfer apparatuses being in cooperative working relationship with one another to directly transfer a first component cut by said first cutting and transfer apparatus to overly said second web of material on said second die cut transfer roller prior to a component being cut from said second web by said second cutting and transfer apparatus.

2 more elements

registering the components with respect to one another;
and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material, said machine comprising:
a) a first apparatus comprising a first die cut transfer roller having a first cutter blade, and a first anvil roller, each of said rollers having a working surface, the first cutter blade of said first die cut transfer roller cooperating with the working surface of said first anvil roller to cut components from a first web of material passing therebetween and to transfer said cut components to overly a second web of material;
b) a second apparatus for receiving said first cut components on a second web of material, comprising a second die cut transfer roller having a second cutter blade, and second anvil roller, each of said rollers having a working surface, the second cutter blade of said second die cut transfer roller cooperating with the working surface of said second anvil roller to cut second components from said second web of material passing therebetween while said first cut components overly the second components;
the working surfaces of said first and second die cut transfer rollers being in cooperative working relationship with one another to directly transfer the components cut by said first die cut transfer roller to overly said second web of material on said second die cut transfer roller prior to a component being cut from said second web by said second die cut transfer roller.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.