The present invention methods for manufacturing absorbent articles that involve the placement of absorbent cores having variable absorbency levels on consecutively aligned absorbent articles within the same manufacturing line. Additionally, the present invention also includes the provision of single packages of disposable absorbent articles that contain a first absorbent article having a first absorbency level and a second absorbent article having a second absorbency level, wherein the second absorbency level is higher than the first absorbency level.

A platen and hoop configured to securely hold a garment in place on a platen. The platen and hoop can be used for automated printing of graphics, such as by direct to garment printing (DTG). The hoop has downward extending hoop sidewalls that can surround the platen structure when the hoop is fitted onto the platen. The platen has platen sidewalls that are hinged to a base of the platen, and which rotate upward to hold a fabric workpiece against the hoop sidewalls to securely hold the fabric workpiece during printing. The platen sidewalls can be formed with inward protruding tabs or feet located at their base, and which cause the platen sidewalls to rotate upward when engaged by the hoop sidewalls.

Various examples are provided related to processing and handling of products. In one example, among others, a material product holding system includes a product holding assembly and a structure supporting the product holding assembly, the structure coupled to the positioning assembly. The product holding assembly can include support arms and a positioning assembly that can adjust positioning of the support arms with respect to each other to engage with at least a portion of a product supported by the support arms. In another example, a method include engaging support arms with a surface of at least a portion of a product, the support arms tensioning the product, positioning the support arms to load the product on a workstation, contracting the support arms to remove the tension, processing the product, re-engaging the support arms after completion of the processing, and unloading the product from the workstation.

Disclosed is a pallet for printing on an article of clothing. The pallet includes a mount plate including a first end and a second end and a top plate including a first end and a second end. The second end of the top plate located at the second end of the mount plate. A gap is between the top plate and the mount plate. A collar plate is located on the first end of the mount plate. The first end of the mount plate extends beyond the first end of the top plate to define a space between the top plate and the collar plate.

An automated loading and unloading system for textile printing is disclosed. An example system includes a pallet configured with a label printing portion outside of a frame on an image screen when loaded onto the printing machine. The example system also includes a loading device configured to automatically lift a label area of a textile into position on the label printing portion of the pallet in preparation for a printing operation on the textile. The example system also includes an unloader device configured to automatically remove the label area of the textile from the label printing portion of the pallet following the printing operation on the textile. In an example, a printhead adapter is configured to reach the label printing portion of the pallet for printing on the label area of the textile.

An apparel printing system for printing on regions of tubular fabrics with repeating patterns includes a textile printer having a print head and a tubular platen that includes features on the platen surface to retain and register the tubular fabric on the platen surface during printing.

A platen assembly for printing on face masks which includes a base member having a plurality of jig members mounted thereon. The base member has a top surface and a bottom surface, with its bottom surface operative to attach to a platen holding mechanism of a conventional direct to garment printer. Each of the jig members may be attached to the top surface of the base member and hold a single face mask in such a manner that it can be printed on. Edges of the base member and of each jig member include interface portions which allow portions of the face mask to be selectively threaded through to more effectively keep the face masks in place, being held smooth and taught.

A surface treatment module is positioned within a printing system to treat the surface of three-dimensional objects prior to printing of the objects. The surface treatment module includes an actuator operatively connected to an applicator so operation of the actuator presses a portion of a cleaning membrane against the surfaces of the three-dimensional objects to remove material from the object surfaces and retracts the applicator and cleaning membrane from the object surface before the objects pass by an array of printheads in the printing system for printing.

Disclosed is a pallet for printing on an article of clothing. The pallet includes a mount plate including a first end and a second end and a top plate including a first end and a second end. The second end of the top plate located at the second end of the mount plate. A gap is between the top plate and the mount plate. A collar plate is located on the first end of the mount plate. The first end of the mount plate extends beyond the first end of the top plate to define a space between the top plate and the collar plate.

Disclosed is a pallet for printing on an article of clothing. The pallet includes a mount plate including a first end and a second end and a top plate including a first end and a second end. The second end of the top plate located at the second end of the mount plate. A gap is between the top plate and the mount plate. A collar plate is located on the first end of the mount plate. The first end of the mount plate extends beyond the first end of the top plate to define a space between the top plate and the collar plate.