A system for handling sheets of flexible material. The system comprises a first roller (5.2) which comprises a plurality of first releasable connectors (3.2) and a second roller (5.3) which comprises a plurality of second releasable connectors. The system further comprises an array of third releasable connectors (2.1) which is displaceable between at least the first and second rollers (5.2, 5.3). The first, second and third releasable connectors releasably attach to a sheet of flexible material in use.

A device for applying segments of absorbent articles includes a cutting station for cutting a continuous web into segments and an applicator station for applying each segment on a respective absorbent article. A plurality of carrier units, each includes a pad for retaining and transferring a segment from the cutting station to the applicator station. The pad fully rotates about a main axis to transfer the segment from the cutting station to the applicator station and return to the cutting station and, from the cutting station to the applicator station, rotates at least 90° about its axis of rotation to orient the segment transverse to the feed direction of the absorbent article. A first movement member moves one or more first carrier units about the main axis and a second movement member moves one or more second carrier units separately from the first carrier units about the main axis.

A unit for applying first and second tabs, obtained from first and second webs, to a chassis web includes an applicator drum rotatable about an axis and including a main body. A plurality of carriers is movable between a lowered position close to the axis and a raised position away from the axis, each including a suction portion. A first carrier first suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. A second carrier includes second suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. The first suction portions alternate with the second non-suction portions and the first non-suction portions alternate with the second suction portions. A first system holds the first web on the applicator drum upstream of a cutting device. A second system holds the second web on the drum upstream of the cutting device.

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for uncut material detection while lifting from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material. The apparatus comprises a structured energy source and a structured energy sensor. The structured energy can be used to detect undesired lifting of a peripheral portion of the flexible material resulting from the presence of uncut material.

A system for handling sheets of flexible material. The system comprises a first roller (5.2) which comprises a plurality of first releasable connectors (3.2) and a second roller (5.3) which comprises a plurality of second releasable connectors. The system further comprises an array of third releasable connectors (2.1) which is displaceable between at least the first and second rollers (5.2, 5.3). The first, second and third releasable connectors releasably attach to a sheet of flexible material in use.

A device for applying segments of absorbent articles includes a cutting station for cutting a continuous web into segments and an applicator station for applying each segment on a respective absorbent article. A plurality of carrier units, each includes a pad for retaining and transferring a segment from the cutting station to the applicator station. The pad fully rotates about a main axis to transfer the segment from the cutting station to the applicator station and return to the cutting station and, from the cutting station to the applicator station, rotates at least 90 about its axis of rotation to orient the segment transverse to the feed direction of the absorbent article. A first movement member moves one or more first carrier units about the main axis and a second movement member moves one or more second carrier units separately from the first carrier units about the main axis.

The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus that separates and efficiently captures from an automated cutting table select pieces of thin, flexible material in an orderly manner which prevents damage to the selected piece while preventing the undesired lifting or movement of the surrounding material. The apparatus comprises a pick head assembly including a cylinder with a plurality of orifices that communicates with the selected piece to maintain contact between the selected piece and the cylindrical surface while the selected piece is being removed.

The invention relates to a removal device for removing flexible material parts, to a method for removing flexible material parts, and to a production facility comprising a conveyor device and a removal device. In order to provide a removal device for removing and moving one or more flexible material parts, a method for removing material parts from a conveyor device, and a production facility comprising a conveyor device and a removal device, a removal device for removing at least one pliable material part from a conveyor device is proposed, comprising: at least one winding device including a receiver which is movable to a removal position via the conveyor device and is configured to contact a region of the flexible material part to be removed and receive the flexible material part to be removed from the conveyor device and wind up the same about the receiver, wherein, after winding up the material part to be removed, the orientation of the winding device or the receiver can be pivoted and the winding device can be moved to a depositing position, wherein the winding device is configured to convey the material part wound up about the receiver to a transport container at the depositing position and deposit the wound material part in the wound-up state.

A sheet delivery system includes: an end section detector which detects a position of an end section of a sheet; an end section conveying apparatus which holds the end section of the sheet and which conveys the end section of the sheet to a joining unit; a roll driving motor which rotationally drives a standby-side original material roll around a central axis thereof; and a suction roller which is capable of coming into rolling contact with an outer peripheral surface of the standby-side original material roll, and which includes an outer peripheral surface capable of suctioning the end section of the sheet in order to separate the end section of the sheet from the standby-side original material roll. The end section detector is attached at a position which enables detection of the end section of the sheet separated from the standby-side original material roll by the suction roller.

A media feeding system comprises a driver configured to rotate a media roll in a first direction; a vacuum roller positioned in a media feed path and configured to rotate in the first direction; and a media end detecting sensor positioned in the media feed path, the media end detecting sensor being configured to detect a leading edge of the media; wherein the driver rotates the media roll in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the sensor detecting the leading end of the media.