The Procter Gamble Company

The Procter & Gamble Plaza

Paul Anthony Kawka

Stephen Michael Varga

Bradley Edward Walsh

Aitzaz Ahmad

David Carlton Ordway

Uwe Schneider

Jason Lee DeBruler

Andrew Price Palmer

Jon Kevin McLaughlin

Terry Howard Thomas

Gary Dean LaVon

Joseph Allen Eckstein

Darrell Ian Brown

Paul Philip Thomas

Kevin Michael Smith

Mark Mason Hargett

Raymond Scott Hamilton

Charles Phillip Miller

Daniel Jon Amundson

Don Randell Greer

Gary Dean Lavon

Jason Lee Debruler

Jon Kevin Mclaughlin

A method for inspecting absorbent articles is provided. The inspection is performed using an inspection algorithm generated with a convolutional neural network having convolutional neural network parameters. The convolutional neural network parameters are generated by a training algorithm. Based on the inspection, characteristics of the absorbent articles, such as defects, can be identified. Absorbent articles having identified characteristics can be rejected, or other actions can be taken.

Systems and methods for inspecting absorbent articles on a converting line

A method for reducing the effects of variations in an unwinding, convolutely wound roll of web material is disclosed. The method utilizes the steps of: a. selecting a reference objective relating to a downstream operation, b. choosing at least one feedback device correlated to the reference objective, c. collecting process data from the at least one feedback device at different positions within a time-varying operation cycle for at least one operation cycle at a learning speed, d. calculating an error as the difference between the collected process data from step (c) and a reference signal related to the selected reference objective, e. generating a correction signal based upon the calculated error from step (d) and, f. applying the correction signal to the actuator during a succeeding time-varying operation cycle.

Method for reducing the effects of parent roll variations during unwinding

Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.

System and method for high-speed continuous application of a strip material to a moving sheet-like substrate material

Apparatus and method for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

Method and apparatus for attaching components to absorbent articles

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for controlling the relative placement of advancing substrates and discrete components in diaper converting lines. The diapers may each include a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. In controlling the relative placement of these elements during the assembly process, a controller may change the machine direction speed and/or position of certain elements and cross direction speed and/or position of other elements such as the advancing substrates and components in order to help achieve proper placement and orientation. During the assembly process, the registration features are detected, and a controller may change the machine direction speeds of the advancing elastic laminates and/or chassis and/or may change the cross directional and/or machine direction position of the advancing elastic laminates and/or chassis.

Apparatuses and methods for making absorbent articles

An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

Method and apparatus for transferring a discrete substrate

An apparatus for applying discrete components of a first substrate to a second substrate includes a programmable servo motor having a shaft. The servo motor is programmed to rotate the shaft in a first phase and a second phase at a variable angular velocity in a single direction. The apparatus also includes a crank member connected with the shaft, a connector link connected with the crank member, and a tamper member connected with the connector link. When the shaft rotates in the first phase, the tamper member travels from a first position to a second position to displace a selected portion of the second substrate into contact with the discrete component.

A first substrate advances in the first direction and a second substrate advances in the second direction. The first substrate advances onto an outer circumferential surface of a drum in a stretched state. The first substrate may be cut into discrete lengths of elastic substrate. The drum may be configured with vacuum to hold the discrete length of elastic substrate in a stretched state. The second substrate may advance in the second direction by a conveyor. The conveyor includes a roller having a curved outer surface that deforms the second substrate so as to define a curve in the first direction. A tamper apparatus intermittently displaces a deformed portion of the second substrate into contact with a discrete length of elastic substrate on the outer circumferential surface of the drum. The discrete length of elastic substrate bonds with the second substrate and is removed from the drum.

Method and apparatus for attaching elastic components to absorbent articles

A method for dwelling a portion of a web is disclosed. A web can be conveyed at a first velocity by an apparatus comprising a first traversing guide and a second traversing guide operatively connected in a fixed spatial relationship. The first traversing guide and the second traversing guide can be moveable from a start position in a substantially linear path. The first traversing guide and the second traversing guide can be moved in a first direction at a second velocity equal to about one half the first velocity for a dwell time. One or more processing stations can bond the at least two layers of the web. The first traversing guide and the second traversing guide can be accelerated and decelerated in a second direction opposite the first direction until the first traversing guide and the second traversing guide are returned to the start position in a return time.

Method for providing a localized dwell in an advancing web

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

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Guilford, IN, United States of America

Paul Anthony Kawka