Method and apparatus for making pads

摘要

The invention is directed to method and apparatus for making pads, such as interlabial pads. Fibers made of different materials are blended and formed into a continuous blended-fiber web. The blended-fiber web is fed to a pad-making apparatus. A first cutting apparatus at a first cutting station cuts the blended-fiber web as it is fed through a first cutting nip to form individual fiber bodies in the web arranged in predetermined positions relative to one another. A first rotatable vacuum transfer cylinder conveys the fiber bodies from the first cutting station toward a sealing apparatus while maintaining the bodies in their predetermined positions relative to one another. The sealing apparatus laminates a cover web with the fiber bodies at a sealing nip to form a sealed laminated web. A second cutting apparatus at a second cutting station cuts the sealed laminated web to form pads. Folding apparatus may be provided for folding each pad along a major axis thereof.