Apparatus For Reducing Downtime In Web Processes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016130106-A1
Application number	US-201414538849-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 12, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2005
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing downtime in processes utilizing continuous webs as a raw material upon the detection of a defective portion in a continuous web includes a defect detection member. The defect detection member detects the defects in the continuous web while a first engaging member can stop or slow the speed of the continuous web upon the detection of the defective portion. A second engaging member can receive the defective portion and separate the defective portion from the continuous web and can attach non-defective portions together. A storage element can provide a contingent amount of the continuous web to any downstream processes while the continuous web is stopped or slowed by the first engaging member.

First claim

1 . A method of decreasing downtime in absorbent article production lines which utilize a continuous web as a raw material, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a continuous web to a first zone at a first web speed; transporting the continuous web from the first zone to the second zone at the first web speed via a first transferring member; transporting the continuous web from the second zone to a third zone at the first web speed via a second transferring member; storing a contingent amount of the continuous web in a storage member; providing the continuous web to a downstream process processes; inspecting the continuous web in the first zone for defects via a defect detection member, wherein the defect detection member is in communication with a first engaging member and a second engaging member; automatically engaging the first engaging member thereby stopping the continuous web at the second transferring member after detection of a defective portion in the continuous web by the defect detection member; providing the contingent amount of the continuous web from the storage member to the downstream processes; automatically engaging the second engaging member thereby cutting the defective portion of the continuous web from non-defective portions of the continuous web, wherein the second engaging member also attaches the non-defective portions of the continuous web together; and automatically disengaging the first engaging member such that the continuous web from the second transferring member is carried to the third zone at the first web speed or greater.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of automatically disengaging the second engaging member.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first engaging member is disposed adjacent to the second transferring member and wherein the first engaging member comprises a first actuation element and a braking element.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first transferring member comprises a roll that carries the continuous web from the first zone to the second zone.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the second transferring member is downstream of the first transferring member, and wherein the second transferring member comprises a roll that carries the continuous web from the second zone to the third zone.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of: engaging the braking element with the roll of the second transferring member.

7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising the step of: reducing the first web speed in the third zone to a second web speed while the first transferring member continuously carries the continuous web from the first zone to the second zone at the first web speed and carries the defective portion from the first zone to the second zone at the first web speed.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second engaging member is disposed between the first transferring member and the second transferring member, and wherein the second engaging member comprises: a second actuation element, a cutting element, and a nip.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of engaging the cutting element with the nip.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting element and the nip define an open area which is capable of receiving the defective portion of the continuous web and non-defective portions of the continuous web.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the cutting element further comprises a first bonding site, and further comprising the step of engaging the nip and the continuous web and attaching the continuous web proximate to a first end and a second end.

12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the steps of:
heating the first bonding site; and creating a thermal bond in the continuous web.

13 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of applying adhesive to the continuous web such that an adhesive bond is formed when the first bonding site engages the continuous web and the nip.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the cutting element further comprises a second bonding site, and further comprising the steps of:
engaging the nip and the defective portion of the continuous web at the second bonding site; and attaching the defective portion of the continuous web to itself.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a central processing unit communicates with the defect detection member, the first engaging member, and the second engaging member, and further comprising the step of operating the first engaging member and the second engaging member with the central processing unit in a sequence after the detection of the defective portion.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the defect detection member comprises a visual element in communication with the central processing unit.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage member comprises a translational carriage and a stationary carriage, and further comprising the step of moving the translational carriage relative to the stationary carriage.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the continuous web comprises a nonwoven.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the continuous web comprises an elastomeric layer.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Schneider Uwe

Classifications

• B65H35/04

  from or with transverse cutters or perforators · CPC title

• B65H2301/5151

  transversally to feeding direction · CPC title

• B65H21/00

  Apparatus for splicing webs (during web-roll changing B65H19/00) · CPC title

• B65H20/00

  Advancing webs · CPC title

• B65H26/02 Primary

  responsive to presence of irregularities in running webs · CPC title