Curt G. Joa, Inc.

Alan J Rabe

Robert E Andrews

Jeffrey Wayne Fritz

Adam D DeNoble

Christopher J Nelson

Gottfried Jason Hohm

Sean P Follen

Darren Horness

Christopher A Schwartz

Tyler W Pagel

Brian G Jankuski

Chris Lee Nelson

Brian R Krueger

Brian G Januski

Darren R Horness

Jeffrey W Fritz

Adam D De Noble

Christopher J Schwartz

Adam D Denoble

Chris J Nelson

The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.

Methods and apparatus for forming disposable products at high speeds with small machine footprint

Apparatus and methods are provided to minimize waste and improve quality and production in web processing operations. The apparatus and methods provide defect detection both before and after application of component patches to a traveling web to create a product. Web defect detection may be provided by way of at least one visual inspection station located upstream from the patch applicator. Patch defect detection may be accomplished by way of a visual inspection station located proximate the patch applicator. If defects are detected in either the traveling web or the component patch prior to patch application, patch application may be prevented until both a satisfactory web and patch are provided. If defects are detected after patch application, the resulting product may be culled. Furthermore, the apparatus may be provided with diagnostic software to warn against extant or imminent machine complications.

Apparatus and method for minimizing waste and improving quality and production in web processing operations

Growing community of inventors

Howards Grove, WI, United States of America

Alan J Rabe