Apparatus and process for converting asymmetrically nested absorbent webs

A method for making an absorbent article, said method including:

• a delivering of a first contoured web-strip from a first production supply of contoured web-strip material, said first contoured web-strip presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during the delivering of said first contoured web-strip;
• and
• a delivering of at least a second contoured web-strip from a second production supply of contoured web-strip material, said second contoured web-strip also presenting said primary production sequence of side edge contours during the delivering of said second contoured web-strip;
• wherein
• said first and second contoured web-strips have been produced from a web of absorbent material;
• said web of absorbent material has been divided to provide at least two web-strips having a substantially nested configuration, each said web-strip having a pair of laterally opposed, contoured side edges with alternating, concave and convex side edge portions;
• a first web-strip has been configured to provide a first orientation which presents a first sequence of side edge contours in said first production supply;
• at least a second web-strip has been configured to provide a longitudinally reversed orientation which presents a different, substantially reversed sequence of side edge contours in said second production supply;
• and
• said web-strips have been separately stored to provide said first production supply of contoured web-strip material, and at least said second production supply of contoured web-strip material.

A method for making an absorbent article, said method including:

• a delivering of a first contoured web-strip from a first production supply of contoured web-strip material, said first contoured web-strip presenting a primary production sequence of side edge contours during the delivering of said first contoured web-strip;
• a delivering of at least a second contoured web-strip from a second production supply of contoured web-strip material, said second contoured web-strip also presenting said primary production sequence of side edge contours during the delivering of said second contoured web-strip;
• an operative joining of a leading-end portion of said second contoured web-strip to a trailing-end portion said first contoured web-strip to provide a continuing base web;
• and
• a joining of a plurality of pledget members of absorbent material onto a major surface of said base web;
• wherein
• said first and second contoured web-strips have been produced from a web of absorbent material;
• said web of absorbent material has been divided to provide at least two web-strips having a substantially nested configuration, each said web-strip having a pair of laterally opposed, contoured side edges with alternating, concave and convex side edge portions;
• said concave side edge portions have been configured to be non-symmetric with respect to a longitudinal direction of said base web;
• a first web-strip has been configured to provide a first orientation which presents a first sequence of side edge contours in said first production supply;
• at least a second web-strip has been configured to provide a longitudinally reversed orientation which presents a different, substantially reversed sequence of side edge contours in said second production supply;
• and
• said web-strips have been separately stored to provide said first production supply of contoured web-strip material, and at least said second production supply of contoured web-strip material.