Abstract:
Provided are methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products. The invention is a means of conveying the web or diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 62/010,773 filed 11 Jun. 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a method and apparatus for rapidly and accurately transporting a discrete article or a web of material. This invention is not limited to its preferred use, carrying components of a disposable diaper or sheet of paper; but instead the methods and apparatus&#39; of the present invention may be used in wide ranging applications. 
         [0003]    Generally, diapers comprise an absorbent insert or patch and a chassis, which, when the diaper is worn, supports the insert proximate a wearer&#39;s body. Additionally, diapers may include other various patches, such as tape tab patches, reusable fasteners and the like. The raw materials used in forming a representative insert are typically cellulose pulp, tissue paper, poly, nonwoven web, acquisition, and elastic, although application specific materials are sometimes utilized. Usually, most of the insert raw materials are provided in roll form, and unwound and applied in continuously fed fashion. 
         [0004]    In the creation of a diaper, multiple roll-fed web processes are typically utilized. To create an absorbent insert, the cellulose pulp is unwound from the provided raw material roll and de-bonded by a pulp mill. Discrete pulp cores are created using a vacuum forming assembly and placed on a continuous tissue web. Optionally, super-absorbent powder may be added to the pulp core. The tissue web is wrapped around the pulp core. The wrapped core is debulked by proceeding through a calender unit, which at least partially compresses the core, thereby increasing its density and structural integrity. After debulking, the tissue-wrapped core is passed through a segregation or knife unit, where individual wrapped cores are cut. The cut cores are conveyed, at the proper pitch, or spacing, to a boundary compression unit. 
         [0005]    While the insert cores are being formed, other insert components are being prepared to be presented to the boundary compression unit. For instance, the poly sheet is prepared to receive a cut core. Like the cellulose pulp, poly sheet material is usually provided in roll form. The poly sheet is fed through a splicer and accumulator, coated with an adhesive in a predetermined pattern, and then presented to the boundary compression unit. In addition to the poly sheet, which may form the bottom of the insert, a two-ply top sheet may also be formed in parallel to the core formation. Representative plies are an acquisition layer web material and a nonwoven web material, both of which are fed from material parent rolls, through a solicer and accumulator. The plies are coated with adhesive, adhered together, cut to size, and presented to the boundary compression unit. Therefore, at the boundary compression unit, three components are provided for assembly: the poly bottom sheet, the core, and the two-ply top sheet. 
         [0006]    A representative boundary compression unit includes a profiled die roller and a smooth platen roller. When all three insert components are provided to the boundary compression unit, the nip of the rollers properly compresses the boundary of the insert. Thus, provided at the output of the boundary compression unit is a string of interconnected diaper inserts. The diaper inserts are then separated by an insert knife assembly and properly oriented, such as disclosed in co-pending U.S. Application No. 61/426,891, owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. At this point, the completed insert is ready for placement on a diaper chassis. 
         [0007]    A representative diaper chassis comprises nonwoven web material and support structure. The diaper support structure is generally elastic and may include leg elastic, waistband elastic and belly band elastic. The support structure is usually sandwiched between layers of the nonwoven web material, which is fed from material rolls, through splicers and accumulators. The chassis may also be provided with several patches, besides the absorbent insert. Representative patches include adhesive tape tabs and resealable closures. 
         [0008]    The process utilizes two main carrier webs; a nonwoven web which forms an inner liner web, and an outer web that forms an outwardly facing layer in the finished diaper. In a representative chassis process, the nonwoven web is slit at a slitter station by rotary knives along three lines, thereby forming four webs. One of the lines is on approximately the centerline of the web and the other two lines are parallel to and spaced a short distance from the centerline. The effect of such slitting is twofold; first, to separate the nonwoven web into two inner diaper liners. One liner will become the inside of the front of the diaper, and the second liner will become the inside of the back of that garment. Second, two separate, relatively narrow strips are formed that may be subsequently used to cover and entrap portions of the leg-hole elastics. The strips can be separated physically by an angularly disposed spreader roll and aligned laterally with their downstream target positions on the inner edges of the formed liners. This is also done with turn bars upon entrance to the process. 
         [0009]    After the nonwoven web is slit, an adhesive is applied to the liners in a predetermined pattern in preparation to receive leg-hole elastic. The leg-hole elastic is applied to the liners and then covered with the narrow strips previously separated from the nonwoven web. Adhesive is applied to the outer web, which is then combined with the assembled inner webs having elastic thereon, thereby forming the diaper chassis. Next, after the elastic members have been sandwiched between the inner and outer webs, an adhesive is applied to the chassis. The chassis is now ready to receive an insert. 
         [0010]    In diapers it is preferable to contain elastics around the leg region in a cuff to contain exudates for securely within the diaper. Typically, strands of elastic are held by a non-woven layer that is folded over itself and contains the elastics within the overlap of the non-woven material. The non-woven is typically folded by use of a plow system which captures the elastics within a pocket, which is then sealed to ensure that the elastics remain in the cuff. 
         [0011]    Most products require some longitudinal folding. It can be combined with elastic strands to make a cuff. It can be used to overwrap a stiff edge to soften the feel of the product. It can also be used to convert the final product into a smaller form to improve the packaging. 
         [0012]    To assemble the final diaper product, the insert must be combined with the chassis. The placement of the insert onto the chassis occurs on a placement drum or at a patch applicator. The inserts are provided to the chassis on the placement drum at a desired pitch or spacing. The generally flat chassis/insert combination is then folded so that the inner webs face each other, and the combination is trimmed. A sealer bonds the webs at appropriate locations prior to individual diapers being cut from the folded and sealed webs. 
         [0013]    Roll-fed web processes typically use splicers and accumulators to assist in providing continuous webs during web processing operations. A first web is fed from a supply wheel (the expiring roll) into the manufacturing process. As the material from the expiring roll is depleted, it is necessary to splice the leading edge of a second web from a standby roll to the first web on the expiring roll in a manner that will not cause interruption of the web supply to a web consuming or utilizing device. 
         [0014]    In a splicing system, a web accumulation dancer system may be employed, in which an accumulator collects a substantial length of the first web. By using an accumulator, the material being fed into the process can continue, yet the trailing end of the material can be stopped or slowed for a short time interval so that it can be spliced to leading edge of the new supply roll. The leading portion of the expiring roll remains supplied continuously to the web-utilizing device. The accumulator continues to feed the web utilization process while the expiring roll is stopped and the new web on a standby roll can be spliced to the end of the expiring roll. 
         [0015]    In this manner, the device has a constant web supply being paid out from the accumulator, while the stopped web material in the accumulator can be spliced to the standby roll. 
         [0016]    Some diaper forming techniques are disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/925,033 which is incorporated herein by reference. As described therein, a process wherein a rotary knife or die, with one or more cutting edges, turns against and in coordination with a corresponding cylinder to create preferably trapezoidal ears. Ear material is slit into two lanes, one for a left side of a diaper and the other for a right side of a diaper. Fastening tapes are applied to both the right and the left ear webs. The ear material is then die cut with a nested pattern on a synchronized vacuum anvil. 
         [0017]    The resulting discrete ear pieces however, due to the trapezoidal pattern of the ears, alternate between a correct orientation and an incorrect (reversed) orientation. The reversed ear is required to be rotated 180° into the correct orientation such that the ears and associated tape present a left ear and a right ear on the diaper. 
         [0018]    To accomplish the reversal of the ear pattern, discrete ear pieces are picked up at the nested ear pitch by an ear turner assembly that will expand to a pitch large enough for ears to be unnested and allow clearance for every other ear to be rotated. The rotated ears are then unnested and into the correct orientation. 
         [0019]    Two ear turner assemblies can be provided, to rotate every other ear applied to the right side of the product, and every other ear applied to the left side of the product. In this manner, for a single product, one of the two ears will have been rotated 180°. 
         [0020]    Continual improvements and competitive pressures have incrementally increased the operational speeds of disposable diaper converters. As speeds increased, the mechanical integrity and operational capabilities of the applicators had to be improved accordingly. 
         [0021]    One such sought improvement is to minimize reliance on vacuum conveyors to transport either continuous webs of material or discrete components of disposable products. The current process uses high vacuum levels and a lot of air flow to hold the substrate to the belt or transporting pucks. This process holds and transfers sufficiently, but has high cost to acquire this vacuum and high cost for noise abatement. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Provided are methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products. The invention is a means of conveying the web or diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others. 
         [0023]    Clamping of components or webs is disclosed where it may only be necessary to grip portions of the nonwoven perhaps on the edges, or what would ultimately be the four corners of the diaper. This can be done with clamps affixed to conveying belts gripping the corners. It can also be done with tabs penetrating slots cut into a nonwoven early in the process. These tabs can be affixed to the belts or on transfer rolls. 
         [0024]    Also disclosed is a method of preworking the nonwoven with intermeshing gears so that the nonwoven takes on a texture, and has more 3D loft so that the switchable surface described below can grip it more readily. The nonwoven can also be preheated to soften it and make it easier for gripping with smooth as well as rough surfaces. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, a switchable surface is disclosed. In this embodiment, a surface grips a nonwoven from below, but can be switched off so that the surface does not grip the non-woven during periods of desired transport of the non-woven to another belt or roller. 
         [0026]    A system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a conveyor comprising a material surface for moving a web material along a transfer path, wherein the material surface sufficiently frictionally engages the web material to convey the material along the transfer path without using a vacuum drawn through the material surface. The web material may be nonwoven web material, and the material surface may include a sand texture, hook material from a hook-and-loop fastener arrangement, and/or a plurality of spikes protruding from the material surface. 
         [0027]    According to another embodiment of a system according to the present invention, it may include a conveyor comprising a material surface for moving a web material along a transfer path and a plurality of holes formed through the material surface, the plurality of holes in fluid communication with a cavity. A fan may be included for drawing air out of the cavity to cause air to flow through the holes and into the cavity. Preferably, the fan is driven by the conveyor. 
         [0028]    An embodiment of a method according to the present invention includes the step of frictionally conveying a web material along a transfer path. Additionally or alternatively, a passive Venturi draw may be created whereby the conveyor drives a fan to cause a web material to hold to a material surface for conveyance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1-6  generally represent a prior art apparatus and method of conveying and handing off articles by providing high speed vacuum porting to selected vacuum pattern areas on a rotating cylindrical roll. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic side view of a prior art process. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a prior art ear forming web including an individual ear detached from the web. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a prior art anvil roll. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a prior art anvil roll. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the prior art anvil roll. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the prior art anvil roll, showing an endface of the anvil, and a vacuum manifold pattern applied to vacuum holes disposed on the endface of the anvil. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a conveyor belt with forward and rearward facing retractable spikes. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a conveyor belt with forward facing retractable spikes. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a Venturi effect enabled belt, with downward blades carried by a conveyor. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of a drum with vanes. 
           [0040]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a conveyor drum capable of a passive Venturi draw. 
           [0041]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fan plate according to the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 13  is an elevation view of the plate of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of a non-woven web material. 
           [0045]      FIG. 15A  is a close-up view of the nonwoven material of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  is a side elevation view of a material conveyor belt. 
           [0047]      FIGS. 16A-16D  are close-up side elevation views of optional coatings applied to the belt of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0048]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 1-6  generally describe a rotating anvil using vacuum to hold discrete pieces on a moving web, in the prior art. High speed vacuum is also used in a similar manner to transport discrete pieces and entire webs on flat conveyors through the manufacturing process. The present invention relates to transporting discrete pieces and entire webs through both rotation and flat conveyance by minimizing the vacuum usage shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and on prior art flat vacuum conveyors (not shown). 
         [0050]    Referring to the drawings there is seen in  FIG. 1  a diagrammatic illustration of a prior art process for applying tabs to webs in a diaper making process. This prior art method of affixing the segments  12  to the web  10 , with a different anvil, the new anvil  114  described below. Web  10  is a composite material used in formation of diapers which is generally formed of various layers of material such as plastic back sheets, absorbent pads and nonwoven topsheets. A series of ears  12  are applied to web  10 . In the illustrated process a rotatable vacuum anvil  14  is used to supply the ears  12  to web  10 . Anvil  14  has internally reduced air pressure or vacuum (not shown), and a plurality of openings  24  are provided through its surface to enable suction of the Lab segments  12  against the anvil surface  14 . A web of the ear tab forming material  16  is fed by rollers  20  and  22  against the anvil surface  14  where it is cut into segments by a rotary knife  18 . 
         [0051]    In the prior art, the surface of the anvil roll  14  has vacuum holes  24  on its smooth surface. In a typical configuration of a slip-and-cut applicator, there is a pattern of vacuum holes  24  distributed to evenly draw the entering web onto the surface of anvil  14  and thence into the cut point where the knife edge  18  engages the anvil  14 . 
         [0052]    IL can be seen from  FIG. 1  that in the prior art, the infeed of the ear tab forming material  16  can be at a first speed (with individual ears  12  spaced together), after which the individual ears gain speed to the speed of the anvil  14 . Typical infeed speeds could be 120 mm/product for the infeed, while anvil speeds could be 450 mm/product on the anvil. This transition from the slower first speed to the quicker second speed takes place at the cut point, the ear tab forming material  16  slipping on the anvil  14  until cut. However, immediately at the transition cut point  18  from the slower speed to the faster speed, it is desired to place vacuum on the ears because centrifugal force would try to throw the ears off of the vacuum anvil  14 . 
         [0053]    A continuous ear forming web  16  is provided to the system. The web  16  is comprised of two portions,  12   a  and  12   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Segment  12   a  is more specifically referred to as the tab section of the ear  12 , segment  12   b  is the ribbon section of the ear  12 . The ear forming material  16  is cut into individual ears  12  by the rotary knife  18  as shown in  FIG. 1 , along lines such as the dashed lines shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of an anvil roll  114  of the prior art is shown carrying ear forming material  16  (and later, an ear  12 ) in phantom. The anvil roll  114  is preferably formed with two vacuum portions  116  separated by a center groove portion  118 . The vacuum portions  116  are preferably mirror images of each other. The anvil roll  114  is symmetrical about a center plane through its circumference. Each vacuum portion  116  contains several circumferential rows of circular vacuum holes  24 . Each vacuum portion  116  may also contain a circumferential groove  120  with an additional circumferential row of vacuum holes  24  located in the circumferential groove  120 . 
         [0055]    The preferred embodiment of the anvil roll  114  of the prior art is also formed with two diametrically opposed anvil pockets  122  and two diametrically opposed pairs of ear retaining portions  124 . The ear retaining portions can be created as inserts, with different vacuum patterns applied as the user deems necessary. Each anvil pocket  122  is a groove which extends across the face of the entire anvil roll  114 . One ear retaining portion  124  is located on each of the vacuum portions  116 . Each ear retaining portion  124  has an ear vacuum hole pattern  126  made of a plurality of vacuum holes  24  located at or near the surface of the anvil roll  144 . The preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3  is a plurality of rows of vacuum holes  24 , each row having a plurality of vacuum holes  24 , although more or less than those configurations or patterns shown can be used. 
         [0056]    In operation, two webs of ear material  16  are carried by the anvil  114 . One web of ear material  16  is located on each vacuum portion  116 . A single ear  12  is cut from the ear web  16  when the rotary knife  18  engages the anvil roll  114  at the anvil pocket  122 . Immediately after a single ear  12  is cut from the ear web  16 , the single ear  12  is located on the ear retaining portion  124 , particularly the tab portion  12   a  of the ear  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . At this point the vacuum in the ear retaining portion  124  has been engaged to secure the single ear  12  to the anvil roll  114 . As the anvil roll  114  rotates the vacuum is released at a predetermined location so that the single ear  12  can be applied to the diaper web  10 . Because this configuration has two vacuum portions  116 , a pair of two ears  12  is cut each time the rotary knife  18  engages the anvil roll  114 . This allows for two pair of ears  12  to be cut with each revolution of the anvil roll  114 . Shown in dotted line in  FIG. 3  is a vacuum slot  128 , described below. 
         [0057]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the anvil  114  is shown. The anvil  114  will be described in relation to its endface and its outer surface, the outer surface that surface shown on  FIG. 3  and the endface the two ends of the anvil  114 . 
         [0058]    The vacuum slot  128  contains a plurality of vacuum holes  24  that allow commutation of the vacuum to the entire ear vacuum hole pattern  126 , allowing the pattern  126  to be activated simultaneously, as opposed to each of the rows that comprise the vacuum of vacuum holes  24  being enabled one at a time. The vacuum pattern  126  is activated utilizing drilled ports  28  that communicate the vacuum from the slot  128  to the individual holes  24  of the pattern  126 . It should be noted that the pattern  126  can also be provided with a depressed slot configuration so that it too is all simultaneously enabled with vacuum. 
         [0059]    The remaining vacuum holes  24  provided on the anvil roll  114  are enabled sequentially, by known vacuum commutation method utilizing cross drilled ports  28 . 
         [0060]    The vacuum slot  128  is provided at a first radius R 1  on the anvil roll  114 , the remaining vacuum holes provided at a different R 2 . The differing radii R 1  and R 2  allow two vacuum manifolds (not shown) to communicate each at a different radius, R 1  or R 2 , thus selectively applying vacuum to the anvil. 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view of the anvil roll  114  of the prior art is shown. In this embodiment, the slot  128  has been placed at R 2 . It is appreciated that the slot  128  communicating with the pattern  126  can be placed at either R 1  or R 2 , and the remaining vacuum holes  24  communicating with drilled ports  28  can be interchanged at either R 1  or R 2 . For machining purposes, it is likely preferable to place the slot  128  communicating with the pattern at R 2  for simplicity in machining. 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a side view of the anvil roll  114  is shown, showing the endface of the anvil, or the circular portion of the cylindrical body  114 . The ear web  16  is shown infeeding to the anvil  114 , where it is then cut with the rotary knife  18 . It is desired to apply the vacuum to the pattern  126  simultaneously with the knife cut. 
         [0063]    The range of vacuum application may be provided for with a manifold (not shown) that continuously applies vacuum to vacuum patterns V 1  and V 2 . Vacuum pattern V 1  is at R 1 , Vacuum pattern V 2  is at R 2 . Vacuum pattern V 1  applies vacuum to the slot  128  each time the slot  128  rotates through the vacuum pattern V 1  provided on the manifold. When the slot  128  is in communication with V 1 , vacuum is applied to vacuum holes  24  associated in the slot  128  on the endface of the anvil for commutation to the pattern  126  on the outer surface of the anvil  114 . When the slot  128  is not in communication with V 1 , the vacuum to the pattern  126  is turned off. 
         [0064]    Vacuum pattern V 2  is applied to the vacuum holes  24  disposed on the endface of the anvil  114  and the associated circumferential ribbon vacuum hole pattern on the outer surface of the anvil  114  throughout V 2 . As each successive vacuum hole  24  rotates through V 2 , the vacuum is on. As each successive vacuum hole  24  leaves V 2 , its vacuum is turned off. 
         [0065]    From the center of the endface, a radius extending to the contact point of the knife  18  with the anvil roll  114  can be extended, and as the anvil roll rotates through angle B as shown, the rotation of the ear  12  will be from the knife point to the transfer point TP. It is throughout this angle B that vacuum is desired across the pattern  126  and onto the ear  12 . To accomplish this, a smaller angle C has vacuum applied to it. The angle C can be expressed mathematically as the angle B minus twice the width  128 ′ of the slot  128 . This is because pattern  126  is placed in communication with the slot  128 , the slot  128  communicates vacuum simultaneously to the pattern  126 . Therefore, the leading edge of the ear  12  and the trailing edge of the ear  12  will receive vacuum at the same time. Therefore, the user must allow the leading edge of the ear  12  to pass by the knife  18  the desired length of the ear  12  prior to engaging the vacuum onto the ear  12 . Similarly, prior to arriving at the transfer point TP, the vacuum will have to be released on both the leading and trailing edges of the ear  12  simultaneously, allowing the ear  12  to continue on its downstream path. 
         [0066]    An angle A, larger than angle B, is provided to define V 2 , as it is desired to draw the web  16  into contact with the anvil both prior to and during cutting by the knife  18 . 
         [0067]    Many of the same transport functions are accomplished by the present invention using conveyance techniques accomplished without vacuum or with minimal assisted vacuum. Both flat and rotational conveyance are contemplated in the description below. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , retractable spikes  202  and  204  above a belt can grip in both directions ( 202  slanted to the right, machine direction, forward; and  204  slanted to the left, reverse) and retract when needed, through a belt  200  or cylinder wall. 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an alternate embodiment is shown with unidirectional spikes  202 , slanted to the right, machine direction, forward. 
         [0070]    In lieu or in addition to spikes, a mechanical grip can be accomplished by using either a hook fastener (such as the hook component of a hook and loop fastening system) (see  FIG. 16B ) or rough sandpaper (see  FIG. 16A ), which both can grip well and release provided the nonwoven is pulled upward when leaving these surfaces. Additionally, other surfaces such as thermal spray applied texture, shot peening texture, knurling, and Electric discharge machining (EDM) surface features can also provide a mechanical grip of sufficient strength. As can be seen in  FIG. 15 , a nonwoven material generally has a fuzzy finish, which may be frictionally engaged with such exemplary surfaces as metallic-fiber impregnated material (see  FIG. 16C ) or elastomeric resin coating (see  FIG. 16D ). 
         [0071]    The spikes  202  and  204  of  FIGS. 7 and 8  could be retracted in a number of ways. When it is desired to transfer the web or film to another belt or roller, the next processing step can be placed above the plane of transport. Considering the forward spike  202  example of  FIG. 8 , the nonwoven would simply lift off the spike if the nonwoven is lifted in an upward direction or takes place at a faster speed than the current step. Alternatively, the bottom end of the spikes  202  and  204  can be attached to another belt (not shown) travelling below the pictured belt. That lower belt can be made to drop down at the point in the process where it is desired to pull the spikes out of the web. The spikes  202  and  204  can be made to decelerate with respect to the upper belt and that forces the forward facing spikes  202  to drop down or out of the nonwoven. Still alternatively, the spiked surface could be mounted on individual segments like tractor treads. This would allow modular replacements if the material becomes worn or damaged. It would also allow fixture of a rough surface (such as hook material as in a hook and loop material) to a belt and avoid delamination from the upper material having a different curvature than the lower belt when it goes up or down in the described process. 
         [0072]    The same principles described above can be applied to cylinders, such as the cylinder of  FIG. 1 . In such an arrangement, an inner cylinder carries the spikes  202  or  204  protruding from it and through an outer shell with holes or slots in it. The angle of the spikes  202  or  204  can be adjusted by changing the relative speed of the inner and outer cylinders. The cylinder could be used for hold and transfer operations by having the inner cylinder comprising several portions of cylinders (i.e. arcs) that can each move independently and allow one portion of the outer cylinder to be gripping the nonwoven while another portion of that cylinder is releasing the nonwoven. 
         [0073]    As applied to a configured belt, holes in the surface for vacuum and the forward flow would take with downward facing blades that drag the air forward. For example, downward facing blades  202  could be applied to a belt  200  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Alternatively, these blades could be made into a chevron shape so that they face downward (not shown), but also have the edges extending ahead of the chevrons apex. The chevron sides can block air from entering laterally, while the space below the belt can be open. The only place to draw replenishing air would be through the vacuum holes in the belt. At sections where it is desired to release the nonwoven, air can be blown vertically from below the belt at those fixed positions to erase any Venturi effect. The same concept can be applied to cylinders with and open center so that the air flow generated by those blades driving the air downward, can be channeled out the sides of the rotating cylinder. To use this technique in a cut and space execution, two outer cylinders within which this bladed cylinder turns can be employed (not shown). The cylinder adjacent to the bladed cylinders can be fixed with holes drilled at locations where holding is needed, and no holes in sections where transfer is needed. An exterior cylinder is drilled with holes provided, and turning at the speed needed to convey the web, 
         [0074]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional side view of a drum  240  with vanes  202  is show. This cylindrical drum  240  is a bladed cylinder revolving in the direction shown at a speed desired to convey the nonwoven. The vanes  202  have the effect of creating a vacuum by allowing air outside the drum  240  to be drawn into the drum  240  through vanes  202  in vane  202  voids not covered by non-woven and thereby create negative pressure within the drum  240  to voids covered by non-woven. Fixed blowers within the cylinder (not shown) direct air outward through the revolving cylinder at the locations where a blow-off is desired. These chevron blades or vanes  240  can also comprise partial blades with segments missing where it is desired to direct the outward air flow so that blower tubes can be positioned very near the revolving inner surface of the cylinder  240 . The concept of providing through vanes  202  would also work in a belt, flat or curved. 
         [0075]    An alternate embodiment  300  is shown in  FIGS. 11-14 . In this embodiment, a conveying drum  302  has a plurality of holes  303  formed through its outer surface, which lead to an internal drum cavity  305 . In conventional systems, a powered vacuum was coupled to such drum cavity  305  to draw air through the holes  303  at predetermined locations about the rotational path of the drum  302 . In this embodiment  300 , however, the air pressure within the cavity  305  is reduced not by an external powered vacuum, but by a fan plate  304  coupled to the non-drive end of the drum  302 . The plate  304  has a plurality of vanes  307  extending outwardly from its axis of rotation  309 , the vanes  307  terminating at open airflow ports  311  about the circumference of the plate  304 . As the drum  302  is rotated, the vanes  307  draw ambient air from within the drum cavity  305  and force it out of the ports  311 . In this fashion, the increased velocity of the moving air inside of the cavity  305  causes the pressure of such air to drop, thereby drawing air into the cavity  305  through the holes  303  from outside of the drum  302 , thereby causing a passive Venturi draw to hold materials to the surface of the drum  302 . While the drum may be driven by a drive shaft  310 , an optional air passage  312 , in communication with the drum cavity  305 , may be provided through at least a portion of the drive shaft  312 . 
         [0076]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention.