Patent ID: 9517887
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: A61F,B65G,B65H

Claim Text:
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.