Methods and apparatuses for tucking side panels of absorbent articles

摘要

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to tucking opposing side panels into a chassis of a diaper pant. The apparatuses and methods may utilize one or more conveyors that advance the chassis along a machine direction. Each conveyor may have a vacuum zone that applies a vacuum force to hold the chassis. The chassis may be positioned between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone. The conveyors may apply opposing vacuum forces to hold the first waist region apart from the second waist region while the chassis advances in the machine direction toward a tucking device. The vacuum forces are then removed from the waist regions as the tucking device pushes the side panels toward each other. Pushing the side panels toward each other causes the inner surfaces of the waist regions to simultaneously move toward each other.

主权项

1. A method for tucking first and second opposing side panels into a chassis of a diaper pant, the chassis including an inner surface and an outer surface, the chassis having longitudinally opposing first and second waist regions, longitudinally opposing first and second waist end edges disposed in the first and second waist regions adjacent to the respective waist end edges, and a crotch region longitudinally intermediate of the first and second waist regions, the first and second side panels connecting the first waist region with the second waist region to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the chassis between a first conveyor having a first vacuum zone and a second conveyor having a second vacuum zone; applying a first vacuum force from the first vacuum zone to the first waist region and applying a second vacuum force from the second vacuum zone to the second waist region; holding the first waist region of the chassis apart from the second waist region of the chassis using opposing vacuum forces from the first and second vacuum zones; advancing the chassis in a machine direction with the first and second conveyors; removing the first vacuum force from the first waist region and removing the second vacuum force from the second waist region; and pushing the first side panel and the second side panel a distance laterally inward toward each other while the first vacuum force and the second vacuum force are removed from the first and second waist regions.