# US 9,517,887 B2 · Apparatus and method for conveying absorbent articles

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- Number: US 9,517,887 B2
- Document ID: US9517887B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/549,613
- Filed: 2014-11-21
- Published: 2015-06-11
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-12-05
- Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company
- Inventors: Todd Douglas Lenser
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517887B2

## CPC

- B65G 15/58: with means for holding or retaining the loads in fixed position, e.g. magnetic
- A61F 13/15764: {Transferring, feeding or handling devices; Drives}
- B65G 13/07: having endless driving elements
- B65G 21/2036: {for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface (individual suction grippers B65G17/323)}
- B65G 23/04: Drums, rollers, or wheels {(B65G23/18 takes precedence)}
- B65G 23/06: with projections engaging abutments on belts or chains, e.g. sprocket wheels
- B65H 5/224: {by suction belts (B65H11/005 takes precedence)}
- B65H 29/242: {Suction bands or belts}
- B65H 2403/45: helical gearing
- B65H 2404/251: Details of drive roller
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES

## Abstract

An apparatus and method for conveying absorbent articles may utilize a conveyor including a vacuum source in fluid connection with a deck. The deck may include a channel. The conveyor may also include a belt including a first surface, an opposing second surface, and an aperture. The second surface of the belt may be in facing relationship with the deck such that the aperture is aligned with the channel. A first row of angled teeth and a second row of straight teeth may be connected with the second surface of the belt. The first row of angled teeth and the second row of straight teeth mesh with a first gear member and a second gear member, respectively. The first and second gear members may be attached to an axle member such that the first gear member and the second gear member rotate with the axle member advancing the belt.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for conveying absorbent articles, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a conveyor comprising a deck and a belt, the deck including a channel, and the belt including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a row of apertures, wherein the second surface is in a facing relationship with the deck;
drawing air through the channel with a vacuum source;
placing an absorbent article on the first surface of the belt;
meshing angled teeth of a first gear member with a first row of angled teeth connected with the second surface of the belt, and meshing straight teeth of a second gear member with a second row of straight teeth connected with the second surface of the belt, wherein the first gear member and the second gear member are connected with an axle member;
advancing the belt in a machine direction;
aligning the row of apertures with the channel by moving the belt in a cross direction; and
holding the absorbent article onto the belt by drawing air through the row of apertures;
wherein the method comprises the further step of moving the second row of straight teeth in the cross direction relative to the straight teeth of the second gear member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of conveying absorbent articles of claim 1, further comprising the step of guiding the belt in the machine direction by supporting the second surface of the belt with a shaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of conveying absorbent articles of claim 1, wherein the axle member further comprises a roller configured to support the second surface of the belt as the belt advances in the machine direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of conveying absorbent articles of claim 3, wherein the first gear member and the second gear member are removably attached to the roller.