The Procter Gamble Company

James Jay Benner

Patrick John Healey

Jose Mauricio Berrizbeitia

Daniel Jon Amundson

Stoyan Lokar

Apparatuses and methods for producing an absorbent article are provided. Generally, the apparatuses and methods allow for continuous delivering of a plurality of web material to downstream equipment during a manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods allow for simultaneously unwinding, splicing, and lamination of multiple rolls of web material rotatably mounted to a frame and delivering the web material to various downstream manufacturing processes.

Systems and methods for continuous delivery of web materials

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

A converting line comprises a first unit at a first region of the converting line and a second unit at a second region of the converting line. The first unit is positioned in series with the second unit. The converting line further comprises a third unit at a third region of the converting line and a fourth unit at a fourth region of the converting line. The first, second, third, and fourth units are configured to each perform at least one function. The third unit is positioned in parallel with the first unit, the second unit, or the fourth unit. The converting line further comprises a controller configured to activate at least one of the units based a received product order. The converting line is configured to produce a first product different from a second product during a single run of the converting line.

Flexible manufacturing systems and methods

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.

Growing community of inventors

Morrow, OH, United States of America

James Jay Benner