Methods and Apparatuses for Conveying Absorbent Articles in a Converting Line

Abstract

The apparatuses and methods herein may be configured to transport articles in the form of continuous lengths of substrates having thicknesses that varies along a machine direction and/or cross direction. The conveyance apparatuses may be configured to include a first carrier and second carrier, wherein each carrier includes an endless belt positioned adjacent to the other so as to define a nip region between the endless belts, the nip region extending in a machine direction and a cross direction. The carriers may also include compliant rollers in rolling contact with the endless belts. Each compliant roller may be elastomeric and adapted to provide a reaction force normal to the endless belt along the machine and/or cross direction of the nip region. As such, the compliant rollers help maintain and hold the endless belts in contact with both relatively thin and thick areas of the substrate advancing through the nip region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for conveying absorbent articles, the apparatus comprising:
 a first carrier comprising:
 a first endless belt having a first surface and an opposing second surface; 
 a first plurality of compliant rollers, each compliant roller having a hub member, a rim member surrounding the hub member, and an intermediate member connecting the hub member with the rim member; and 
 wherein the rims of the first plurality of rollers are in rolling contact with the second surface of the first endless belt; 
   a second carrier comprising a second endless belt having a first surface and an opposing second surface; and   wherein the first carrier is positioned adjacent the second carrier to define a nip region between first surface of the first endless belt and the first surface of the second endless belt, the nip region having a length extending in a machine direction and a width extending in a cross direction.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second carrier further comprises a second plurality of compliant rollers, each roller having a hub member, a rim member surrounding the hub member, and an intermediate member connecting the hub member with the rim member; and
 wherein the rims of the second plurality of rollers are in rolling contact with the second surface of the second endless belt.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the intermediate members of the first and second pluralities of compliant rollers comprises a plurality of spoke members. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first endless belt and the second endless belt along the machine direction length and the cross direction width of the nip region is variable to conform with the thickness of an article advancing through the nip. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of compliant rollers are arranged along the machine direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of compliant rollers are arranged along the cross direction.