Conveying or transporting substrates with little or no added vacuum

Abstract

Provided are methods and apparatus for transporting either an entire web or discrete components of disposable products. The invention is a means of conveying the web or diaper components down the machine using mechanical forces to grip the nonwoven web and transfer it from one belt or roll to another without or reducing added vacuum. There is a carrier nonwoven web that goes down the length of the machine and other substrates are added on top of this. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to provide sufficient gripping to allow transport of diaper components through the fabrication process. Securing and releasing forces are supplied so that the components can be retained at some points and released at others.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a conveyor comprising a material surface for moving a web material along a transfer path,   wherein the material surface sufficiently frictionally engages the web material to convey the material along the transfer path without using a vacuum drawn through the material surface.   
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the web material comprises nonwoven web material. 
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the material surface comprises a sand texture. 
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the material surface comprises a hook material from a hook-and-loop fastener arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the material surface comprises a plurality of spikes protruding therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising:
 a conveyor comprising a material surface for moving a web material along a transfer path;   a plurality of holes formed through the material surface, the plurality of holes in fluid communication with a cavity; and   a fan for drawing air out of the cavity to cause air to flow through the holes and into the cavity,   wherein the fan is driven by the conveyor.   
     
     
         7 . A method comprising the step of:
 frictionally conveying a web material along a transfer path.