Patent ID: 6404910
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method of using an imaging system in a manufacturing operation wherein the manufacturing operation produces an ongoing stream of discrete absorbent article work pieces and products made therefrom, effective to absorb body fluids, the method producing such absorbent articles from a continuous web, and comprising:(a) operating an imaging system collecting visual images in the manufacturing operation and thereby collecting discrete real-time visual images showing full lengths and full widths of respective ones of the work pieces, at a rate of at least 50 images per minute, and providing an ongoing visual image display of a pattern of such images representing at least one of a work piece or a product, or a process condition, associated with the manufacturing operation; (b) selecting one or more triggering events, planned or unplanned, related to the manufacturing operation; (c) upon occurrence of any one of the triggering events, continuing the ongoing visual display of successive images of successive work pieces being processed while automatically concurrently sending data representing a limited number set of full length and full width such real-time visual images so collected, to a memory storage device; and (d) after a respective said work piece, or product, or respective process condition, which caused the occurrence of the triggering event, has left the manufacturing operation, analyzing the data representing the limited number of images so collected.