The Procter Gamble Company

Leonard C Hooper

Gerald M Weber

An apparatus for C-folding a running length of a covering web such as a polyethylene ribbon about a longitudinally flexible article such as a running length of a core web for making disposable diapers or a stream of longitudinally spaced discrete core segments of such a core web; i.e., a stream of absorbent cores for disposable diapers. The apparatus effects folding each longitudinal edge portion of a covering web downwardly and inwardly about an adjacent longitudinal edge region of the article as the web and the article are forwarded through the apparatus. Each longitudinal edge portion is so folded intermediate a transverse turning member which it passes under, and an oblique turning edge disposed downstream therefrom and over which it passes; and the longitudinal edge portions of the running web and the adjacent longitudinal edge regions of the article become juxtaposed upon passing over their respective oblique folding edges. This is effected without the surfaces of the edge portions of the covering web being contacted by other members of the apparatus; and without unevenly straining the covering web. Preferably the apparatus also gravitationally applies a longitudinally extending bead of a suitable adhesive on the inner surface of each longitudinal edge portion so that adjacent edge portions and edge regions become adhesively secured together upon being juxtaposed.

Apparatus for C-folding a covering web about a longitudinally flexible

An interconnected web of disposable diapers containing a pair of continuous, stretched strands of elastic aligned generally parallel to the direction of web travel, is folded along its length from a substantially flat condition to produce a C-shaped, transverse cross-section by means of a conventional board and guide folder. The C-folded web is maintained under tension during the longitudinal folding operation to keep the continuous elastic strands in a stretched condition, and the web is cut transverse to the direction of web travel without releasing the tension in either the individual diapers cut from the web or in the advancing web. Means are provided for transversely folding the individual diapers cut from the web about their midpoints while maintaining the elastic strands associated therewith in a stretched condition and the diaper under positive control. Because the advancing web of interconnected diapers is maintained under positive control at all times, the individual diapers severed from the web are cut in register with respect to one another. This is of critical importance in situations where the web of interconnected disposable diapers is comprised of a plurality of discrete, interconnected diaper segments rather than a continuous web of disposable diaper material having a uniform cross-section throughout its length.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Leonard C Hooper