Apparatus and method for conveying absorbent articles

摘要

An apparatus and method for conveying absorbent articles may utilize a conveyor including a vacuum source in fluid connection with a deck. The deck may include a channel. The conveyor may include a belt having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and an aperture. The second surface of the belt may be in facing relationship with the deck such that the aperture is aligned with the channel. A first row of angled teeth and a second row of angled teeth may be connected with the second surface of the belt. The first row of angled teeth and the second row of angled teeth mesh with a first gear member and a second gear member, respectively. The first and second gear members may be attached to an axle member such that the first gear member and the second gear member rotate with the axle member to advance the belt.

主权项

1. A method for conveying absorbent articles, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a conveyor comprising a deck and a belt, the deck including a channel, and the belt including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a row of apertures, wherein the second surface is in a facing relationship with the deck; drawing air through the channel with a vacuum source; placing an absorbent article on the first surface of the belt; meshing angled teeth of a first gear member with a first row of angled teeth connected with the second surface of the belt, and meshing angled teeth of a second gear member with a second row of angled teeth connected with the second surface of the belt, wherein at least one of the first gear member and the second gear member are slidably engaged with an axle member; advancing the belt in a machine direction, wherein the at least one of the first gear member and the second gear member slidably engaged with the axle member is allowed to slide along the axle member in a cross direction that is substantially orthogonal to the machine direction while the belt is advanced in the machine direction; aligning the row of apertures with the channel by moving the belt in the cross direction; and holding the absorbent article onto the belt by drawing air through the row of apertures.