Packaging apparatus and method for preventing separation of package seals

摘要

A packaging apparatus for sealing spaced groups of absorbent articles intermediate layers of a continuous wrapper is provided. The apparatus comprises a wrapper sealing apparatus for thermally bonding the layers; a wrapper seal cutting apparatus positioned downstream from the wrapper sealing apparatus for cutting the continuous wrapper to form individual packages of grouped absorbent articles; and a web support apparatus for preventing separation of the wrapper seals intermediate the wrapper sealing apparatus and the wrapper seal cutting apparatus. The web support apparatus comprises a plurality of wrapper support members supporting the wrapper layers intermediate the sealing apparatus and the cutting apparatus.