Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Arch D Morgan

Tanakon Ungpiyakul

Gene M Gregory

Daniel J Vander Heiden

Terry G Hayes

Christopher J Sheleski

William S Pomplun

Laurie Couture-Dorschner

Douglas J Marver

Timothy J Ketenhofen

Thomas Douglas C

A distinctive apparatus and method for selectively providing predetermined segments of web material comprises a supplying mechanism for providing the web material. A first sensing mechanism detects a reference marker on the web material to generate at least one reference marker datum which is associated with a selected web segment. A separating mechanism includes a sensor mechanism for providing at least one separation datum, and divides the web material along a separation region during a production of the web segment. A phase regulating mechanism controls a relative phasing between the reference marker detected by the first sensing mechanism and the dividing by the separating mechanism. The phasing is conducted with respect to a set reference value. An assembling mechanism places the web segment onto a substrate, and a second sensing mechanism separately detects a location of the separation region relative to the reference marker to generate at least one location datum which is in correspondence with the separation datum. A location correlating mechanism generates at least one comparison datum associated with a web segment, and a data processing mechanism evaluates the comparison datum to generate an updated set reference value. A reference regulating mechanism selectively adjusts the phase regulating mechanism to incorporate the updated set reference value.

Method and apparatus for controlling the cutting and placement of

The present invention provides an apparatus for examining a moving web composed of an interconnected plurality of articles to determine a location of a selected component thereof. The apparatus includes an indicating mechanism for providing marker data corresponding to the presence of a selected article. A metering mechanism generates gauge data corresponding to selected incremental lengths along the article in the movement direction of the web. A designating mechanism provides reference data corresponding to a selected reference point on the article, and a locating mechanism detects position data corresponding to a position of a selected component of the article. An evaluating mechanism processes the reference data, location data and gauge data to determine a spaced distance between the component and the reference point. A comparator mechanism determines a difference between the spaced distance and a predetermined acceptance spacing range, and a culling mechanism designates selected articles for which the spaced distance is outside of the acceptance spacing range.

Method and apparatus for detecting the placement of components on

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Arch D Morgan