Apparatus for turning a pliable member of an article moving along a machine direction

Abstract

An apparatus for turning a pliable member extending from an article moving along a machine direction is disclosed. The apparatus may include a conveyor system adapted to convey the article along the machine direction, and a member turning system situated alongside the conveyor system in a position to contact the pliable member. The member turning system may include first and second pulleys at first and second locations alongside the conveyor system and having axes of rotation transverse to the machine direction, and a flexible belt engaged about the first and second pulleys in a twisted configuration. The flexible belt may define an operative twisting moving surface between the first and second pulleys that engages the pliable member and turns it as the article moves along the machine direction.

1 . An apparatus for turning a pliable web member laterally extending from a precursor structure, having a longitudinal axis, as the precursor structure is conveyed along a machine direction, comprising:
 a conveyor system adapted to convey the precursor structure along the machine direction at a conveyor speed;   a member turning system situated alongside the conveyer system in a position to contact the pliable member, the member turning system comprising:
 first and second rotating pulleys situated at first and second locations alongside the conveyor system, the second pulley situated downstream of the first pulley, the first and second pulleys having respective first and second axes of rotation transverse to the machine direction, 
 a flexible first belt engaged about the first and second pulleys in a twisted configuration, the flexible belt having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface engaging the first and second pulleys as the belt cycles about the first and second pulleys, wherein the outer surface twists as the belt moves from engagement with the first pulley to engagement with the second pulley, the belt and a portion of the outer surface defining an operative twisting moving surface between the first and second pulleys, the operative twisting moving surface having a receiving location and a release location; and 
 a motor in operable connection with the first belt and driving the first belt so that it cycles about the first and second pulleys at a speed coordinated with the conveyor speed; 
   wherein the pliable web member has a free width, and the first belt has a belt width, and the belt width is less than the free width:   wherein the first pulley, the first belt and the receiving location are situated at an upstream location relative the conveyor in a position to receive at least a portion of the pliable web member in a first orientation relative the precursor structure as the precursor structure is conveyed in the machine direction; the second pulley, the first belt and the release location are situated at a downstream location relative the conveyor in a position to place and release the portion of the pliable web member in a second orientation relative the precursor structure; and wherein the first and second pulleys and the first belt are situated such that, the portion of the pliable web member may remain in continuous contact with said operative twisting moving surface as said precursor structure is conveyed in the machine direction by said conveyor, until said portion of the pliable member reaches said release location.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first belt further comprises a plurality of vacuum ports along its length, extending from the outer surface through the belt to the inner surface; and the apparatus further comprises a vacuum plenum situated between the first and second pulleys and in fluid communication with the inner surface of the belt and a portion of the plurality of vacuum ports corresponding with the operative twisting moving surface; and a vacuum pump mechanism operably connected to the vacuum plenum and operable to draw a vacuum in the vacuum plenum, and thereby draw air through said vacuum ports from said operative twisting moving surface to said belt inner surface and into the vacuum plenum. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first belt further comprises hook components disposed on the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible second belt in a twisted configuration and disposed in a facing relationship with the operative twisting moving surface of the first belt. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second pulleys rotate about respective first and second axes of rotation that are substantially perpendicular to the machine direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second pulleys rotate about respective first and second axes of rotation and each axis of rotation forms an angle that is greater than 0 degrees, with a plane perpendicular to the machine direction. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the precursor structure moves along an axis of travel parallel with the machine direction, and the first belt has a first longitudinal axis position on the first pulley and a second longitudinal axis position on the second pulley, wherein the second longitudinal axis position is nearer the axis of travel than the first longitudinal axis position, and whereby the first belt shifts laterally as it moves from the first pulley to the second pulley. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising at least first and second guiding rollers having first and second circumferential surfaces in contact with the first belt on opposing sides thereof, said first and second circumferential surfaces being laterally offset relative the axis of travel and each other. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the precursor structure is compressible between first and second opposing broadest surfaces and has a thickness PC between the broadest surfaces when operably disposed in the conveyor system, and the broadest surfaces move in the machine direction along first and second planes defined by the paths of travel of the broadest surfaces; wherein the first and second planes are separated by distance equal to thickness PC; wherein the first and second rollers have first and second radii r 1  and r 2 , respectively; and wherein the first belt has a belt thickness BT. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first axis of rotation is parallel with the first plane, and is disposed a distance D 1  from the first plane, and distance D 1  satisfies the following expression:
   ( r 1+ BT )≧ D 1≧ r 1.
 
 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the second axis of rotation is parallel with the second plane, and is disposed a distance D 2  from the second plane, and distance D 2  satisfies the following expression:
   ( r 2+ BT )≧ D 2≧ r 2.
 
 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the second axis of rotation is parallel with the second plane, and is disposed a distance D 2  from the second plane, and distance D 2  satisfies the following expression:
     D 2<( r 2+ BT ). 
 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the second axis of rotation is parallel with the first plane, and is disposed a distance D 3  from the first plane, and distance D 3  satisfies the following expression:
   ( PC+r 2+ BT )> D 3 >( r 2+ BT ). 
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the first axis of rotation is parallel with the first plane, and is disposed a distance D 1  from the first plane, and distance D 1  satisfies the following expression:
   ( r 1+ BT )≧ D 1≧ r 1; and
 
 
       the second axis of rotation is parallel with the first plane, and is disposed a distance D 3  from the first plane, and distance D 3  satisfies the following expression:
   ( PC+r 2+ BT )> D 3>( r 2+ BT ). 
 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first belt compresses the precursor structure at the release location. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conveyor system further comprises a pair of facing conveyor belts grasping and conveying the precursor structure in the machine direction. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the precursor structure is a precursor to pant-like absorbent article. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the pliable web member is a stretch laminate material extending laterally from the precursor structure.