Process and apparatus for printing assembled absorbent articles with custom graphics

摘要

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for printing graphics on absorbent articles. Printing systems according to the present disclosure may include a carrier apparatus that transports individual absorbent articles past a printing station, which prints a custom graphic on the absorbent articles. The carrier apparatus may include a hook member connected with an endless belt. The printing system may also include a pressing apparatus positioned adjacent the endless belt. During operation, an absorbent article may be positioned on a hook member, and the endless belt conveys the absorbent article in the machine direction past the printing station. As the absorbent article advances toward the printing station, the pressing apparatus compresses and flattens the absorbent article against the hook member to help provide a relatively flat, smooth surface on the absorbent article to be printed. The printing station then prints a graphic on the advancing article.

主权项

1. A method for producing customized absorbent articles, each absorbent article comprising a chassis including a first surface and an opposing second surface, the chassis having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a first end region longitudinally opposed to a second end region, and a central region longitudinally intermediate of the first and second end regions, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a carrier comprising an endless belt; placing a chassis of an absorbent article on the endless belt; advancing the endless belt and the absorbent article in a machine direction; pressing the advancing absorbent article against the endless belt; increasing the surface energy of the second surface of the chassis; printing a graphic on the second surface of the advancing absorbent article; and removing the absorbent article from the endless belt.