Kimberly-clark Corporation

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Gene M Gregory

Tanakon Ungpiyakul

Arch D Morgan

Terry G Hayes

Christopher J Sheleski

Daniel J Vander Heiden

James Bennington Stopher

David James VanEperen

Adam Lewis Daniels

Steven Michael Parsons

Kevin Lester Fiedler

The present invention provides a process and apparatus for applying a web component ( ) to a moving substrate ( ). The process aspect includes a delivering of the web component ( ) to a rotatable applicator wheel ( ). The applicator wheel has an entry surface-region ( ), an exit surface-region ( ), a transport surface-region ( ), and an applicator wheel diameter ( ). The web component ( ) is contacted onto the entry surface-region ( ) of the applicator wheel ( ), and the applicator wheel is rotated to move the web component along a substantially circumferential, applicator path along the transport surface-region ( ) of the applicator wheel. The applicator wheel ( ) is oscillated about a pivot axis ( ) which is spaced from the moving substrate ( ) by a pivot distance ( ), and the web component ( ) is operatively applied from the exit surface-region ( ) of the applicator wheel ( ) onto the moving substrate ( ) to provide a desired curved web configuration. In a particular aspect, the applicator wheel diameter ( ) can be at least a selected percentage of the pivot distance ( ).

Method and apparatus for applying a curved component to a moving web

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

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Neenah, WI, United States of America

Gene M Gregory