Patent ID: 8591686

Claim:
A method of making absorbent articles having side seams, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a web into discrete blanks; transferring the blanks onto folding mechanisms disposed on a wheel rotating around a rotation axis, wherein each folding mechanism comprises: a first follower member movably connected with a 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, and a second follower member connected with the carrier arm and movably connected with a second track, wherein the first track comprises a curved portion and a straight portion and wherein the second track comprises a curved portion and a straight portion; moving the distal end portion of the first follower member in a first orbit path about the rotation axis in correspondence with a first circumferential shape defined by the first track; and actuating the folding mechanisms to fold the blanks by moving the second follower member relative to the first follower member in correspondence with a relative radial distance between the first track and the second track.