Patent ID: 6915829
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: A61F,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for cutting and placing fastening components on pairs of side panels located on opposite sides of an assemblage in the manufacture of absorbent garments, the pairs of side panels being spaced apart in a machine direction, the apparatus comprising: a vacuum conveyor comprising a continuous belt and rollers mounted for movement of the continuous belt in a circuit, the continuous belt being adapted to support the assemblage on an upper reach thereof, and to locate the side panels on the upper reach as the assemblage is moved by the conveyor belt, and a vacuum plenum located under an upper reach of the conveyor belt for supplying a vacuum pressure adjacent to the upper reach, the conveyor belt being porous for communicating a vacuum pressure through the belt to the side panels; an anvil roll including two wheels mounted in generally opposed relation with the conveyor belt to define transfer nips, the wheels being adapted for rotation about an axis of rotation, each wheel being adapted to receive an end segment of a respective web of fastening component material thereon; a cutter roll mounted for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheels, the cutter roll including a knife periodically engageable with the fastening component material end segment on each wheel when the end segment is on the wheel for severing the fastening components from the web of fastening component material; the wheels being adapted to retain the fastening components thereon and to carry the fastening components to the upper reach of the conveyor belt for placement of the fastening components onto respective side panels.