Method and apparatus for bundling packages of absorbent articles

A method of bundling primary packages of absorbent articles into secondary packages, the method comprising the steps of:

• advancing a first continuous length of film in a machine direction to a first metering device at a speed, V1;
• advancing the first continuous length of film in the machine direction to a first moving surface at a speed, V2, wherein the V2 is greater than V1, wherein the first continuous length of film stretches between the first metering device and the first moving surface;
• advancing a second continuous length of film in the machine direction to a second metering device at speed, V1;
• advancing the second continuous length of film in the machine direction to a second moving surface at speed, V2, wherein the second continuous length of film stretches between the second metering device and the second moving surface;
• advancing at least two primary packages of absorbent articles in the machine direction between the first continuous length of film and the second continuous length of film, wherein the first continuous length of film is positioned between the primary packages of absorbent articles and the first moving surface, wherein the second continuous length of film is positioned between the primary packages of absorbent articles and the second moving surface, wherein portions of the first continuous length of film and the second continuous length of film extend beyond the primary packages of absorbent articles, and wherein the primary packages are compressed in a first direction, wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the machine direction;
• advancing the at least two primary packages of absorbent article in a second direction while the portions the first continuous length of film and the second continuous length of film that extend beyond the primary packages of absorbent articles are moved towards one another for bonding, wherein the second direction is opposite the machine direction;
• and
• bonding the first and second continuous lengths of film together to form a bonded region while maintaining the first and second continuous lengths of film in the stretched state, wherein the first and second continuous lengths of film form a secondary package surrounding the primary packages of absorbent articles.