A method of inspecting and removing or repositioning products (14) on a moving conveyor (12) is described, including the step of moving an inspection and handling system (10) to a first location, wherein the inspection and handling system (10) includes a robot system (30) with an end effector (50), and wherein the inspection and handling system (10) is positionable relative to a camera system adjacent to the first location of the inspection and handling system (10). The method may further includes steps of conveying products (14) until they are adjacent to the camera and inspection and handling system (10), visually inspecting the products (14) and identifying a first unacceptable product (14), relaying a location of the first unacceptable product (14) to the robot system (30), moving the end effector (50) to remove the product (14) from the conveyor (12), and depositing the product (14) at a different location from the location from which it was removed.

A method of inspecting and removing or repositioning products (14) on a moving conveyor (12) is described, including the step of moving an inspection and handling system (10) to a first location, wherein the inspection and handling system (10) includes a robot system (30) with an end effector (50), and wherein the inspection and handling system (10) is positionable relative to a camera system adjacent to the first location of the inspection and handling system (10). The method may further includes steps of conveying products (14) until they are adjacent to the camera and inspection and handling system (10), visually inspecting the products (14) and identifying a first unacceptable product (14), relaying a location of the first unacceptable product (14) to the robot system (30), moving the end effector (50) to remove the product (14) from the conveyor (12), and depositing the product (14) at a different location from the location from which it was removed.

The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

The present disclosure relates to assembling, advancing, reorienting, and/or transferring stretched elastic parts during the assembly of absorbent articles. As described herein, a transfer assembly reorients a stretched elastic part from a first orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally parallel to the machine direction, to a second orientation, wherein the direction of stretch is generally perpendicular to the machine direction. The reoriented elastic part is then transferred to a carrier while maintaining the stretched condition of the elastic part. The orientation and/or configuration of vacuum apertures in a carrier surface relative to the direction of stretch of the elastic part and relative to the machine direction helps to prevent the elastic part from contracting, while at the same time helps to allow the elastic part to slide off the carrier surface without snagging and/or sticking to aperture perimeter edges.

A slip conveyor (10) including a plurality of conveyor trays (11) that convey product (34) in the downstream direction (12). Each tray (11) is of a tubular construction and has at least one aperture (20) through which product is delivered upon angular movement of the tray (11) about its longitudinal axis.

A motor driven roller support assembly includes a motorized roller having a cylindrical outer surface that is configured to rotate, a support frame within which the roller is mounted, and a roller support connected to the support frame and engaging the outer surface of the motorized roller. The roller support may include a pair of support wheels for contacting the outer surface of the motorized roller, and include a pivot whereby the roller support is moveable relative to the support frame. The assembly may be integrated with a transfer conveyor, such as a right angle transfer having transfer blades that include belts driven by the motorized roller. The roller support engages the motorized roller in a direction that is generally opposite from the direction in which the belts engage the motorized roller to thereby counteract forces imparted by the belts on the motorized roller.

An apparatus for detecting misplaced units in a moving carrier tape having a plurality of pockets with units positioned therein. The apparatus includes a displaceable assembly having a head portion positioned above the carrier tape that is adapted to deflect in response to engagement with a misplaced unit in one of the plurality of pockets.

A loose component supply device provided with component supply apparatus that stores multiple components, frame to which the component supply apparatus is detachably attached, claw member for locking the component supply apparatus to the frame, and a component support member that supports multiple component in a scattered state, the components having been ejected from an entrance of the component supply apparatus that is attached to the frame; the locking of the component supply apparatus to the frame is released by an operator grasping grip of the component supply apparatus. The component supply apparatus is swung, and with the swinging linking mechanism is operated such that shutter rotates downwards. That is, with the releasing of the locking of the component supply apparatus, the entrance of the component supply apparatus is covered by the shutter.

An article supply device has: a transport part that transports transported objects, and a movable block. The movable block is provided with a storage part that can store one of the transported objects in a reception position that communicates with a downstream end of the transport part. The movable block is capable of reciprocal movement in a direction that intersects the reception direction of the transported object. At one end of the reciprocal movement, the storage part is in the reception position. At the other end of the reciprocal movement, the storage part is in a dispensation or retrieval position from which the transported object can be dispensed or retrieved.

A sorting device for articles has at least two main conveyor lines, each conveying consecutively arranged articles, at least two feeder devices, which respectively feed the articles to one of the main conveyor lines, at least two recognition devices for detecting a sorting destination for each article, a plurality of sorting outlets arranged at the end of each main conveyor line, each assigned to sorting destinations, and to which the articles are transported. The sorting device further has at least two connecting conveyor lines, each branching off the main conveyor lines at branch points, by way of which the articles can be conveyed from one main conveyor line to another main conveyor line. The articles can be temporarily stored in a storage device, which feeds temporarily stored articles to one of the main conveyor lines in the direction of conveyance before at least one of the branch points.