Patent ID: 8225837

Claim:
An apparatus for making absorbent articles having side seams, the apparatus comprising: a wheel adapted to rotate about a rotation axis; a first track defining a first circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis and having a varying distance from the rotation axis, wherein the first track is stationary relative to the wheel; a second track defining a second circumferential shape surrounding the rotation axis and having a varying distance from the rotation axis, wherein the second track is stationary relative to the wheel; a plurality of folding mechanisms disposed on the wheel, each folding mechanism comprising: a first follower member movably connected with the first track, the first follower member having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; a carrier arm pivotally connected with the first follower member; a gripper member connected with the carrier arm; a second follower member connected with the carrier arm and movably connected with the second track; and wherein as the wheel rotates, the distal end portion of the first follower member orbits in a first orbit path about the rotation axis in correspondence with the first circumferential shape; and wherein as the wheel rotates, the second follower member moves relative to the first follower member in correspondence with a relative radial distance between the first track and the second track.