The Procter Gamble Company

Daniel Jon Amundson

Charles Phillip Miller

Jose Mauricio Berrizbeitia

Jon Kevin McLaughlin

Patrick John Healey

James Jay Benner

Stoyan Lokar

Jason Lee DeBruler

Michael S Kolodesh

Paul Anthony Kawka

Andrew Price Palmer

Mark Edward Southman

The present disclosure relates to converting lines for manufacturing absorbent articles, and more particularly, to converting lines having modular process equipment modules and converting mechanisms reconfigurable for making different absorbent articles.

Reconfigurable converting line for fabricating absorbent articles

The present disclosure relates to converting lines for manufacturing absorbent articles. The converting lines include a plurality of process equipment converting modules connected with each other along a machine direction (MD). Adjacent converting modules may be releasably connectable to each other with converting module couplers. The converting modules may also have substantially identical dimensions, wherein each converting module defines the same or substantially the same MD length, CD width, and height. The converting modules may also be sized to be received within a standard shipping container. The converting lines may includes a plurality of accessory service modules supported by respective converting modules and connected with each other along the machine directions. The accessory service modules may also be adapted to be received within standard shipping containers. Adjacent accessory service modules may be releasably connected to each other with accessory module couplers, which may include quick-disconnect couplers.

Modular converting line for fabricating absorbent articles

Systems and methods for registering a web to an on-line pitched unit operation.

System and methods for registering a controlled web to a pitched unit operation

A new machine control method and system for registering pre-produced webs into a converting line producing disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, pull-ups, feminine hygiene articles or a component thereof. The pre-produced webs can include a multiplicity of pre-produced objects spaced on the web at a pitch interval in the web direction. The pre-produced web being manipulated in order for the pre-produced object of the web to be registered in relation to a target position. The present invention includes five embodiments, where the first embodiment is expressed as a generic claim. The first embodiment includes a closed-loop feedback registration system; the second and third embodiments, in addition, include an open-loop feedforward control system; the fourth and fifth embodiments, in addition, include an automatic phasing system. In addition, the third embodiment uses a machine vision system to recognize any element of a complex pre-produced object (e.g., colorful graphics).

Method and system for registering pre-produced webs with variable pitch length

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Daniel Jon Amundson