Curt G. Joa, Inc.

Thomas Muhs

Robert E Andrews

Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth

Gottfried Jason Hohm

Sudeep Ingole

Brian Nelson

Ryan M Ferguson

Debra Heus Bowe

Ryan Ferguson

Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.

Apparatus and method for folding

Methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products such as diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this layer, and the machine provides sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.

Apparatus and methods for transporting webs of material

Growing community of inventors

Kiel, WI, United States of America

Thomas Muhs