Configurable Single Transfer Insert Placement Method and Apparatus

Lloyd F. Kreif, Sheboygan Falls, WI; Darren Horness, Sheboygan, WI; Brian Nelson, Sheboygan, WI; Collin M. Heinz, Plymouth, WI; and Kevin D. Blank, Port Washington, WI.
Assigned to Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI.

Filed: 2/27/20
Issued: 8/29/23

A configurable cutting and transfer apparatus comprising: a cutter mechanism having a rotating knife, configured to cut an incoming web of material into a plurality of discrete articles; and a transfer mechanism operable with the cutter mechanism to transfer and rotate the plurality of discrete articles from at least a web receiving location to an article placement location, the transfer mechanism comprising: a drive shaft rotatable about a transfer axis; a carriage plate formed as a ring having a continuous flat radially directed surface about a circumference thereof, the continuous flat surface having a plurality of mounting holes formed therein, the carriage plate mounted to the drive shaft so as to rotate therewith about the transfer axis; a segmented puck wheel comprising a plurality of carriage units securable to, and repositionable on, the carriage plate so as to rotate therewith to travel along a transfer path about the transfer axis from at least the web receiving location to the pad placement location, each of the plurality of carriage units including a puck that is selectively operable to provide a rotating and re-pitching of the articles between the web receiving location and the pad placement location; a barrel cam stationarily situated about the transfer axis and positioned on aside of the carriage plate opposite the segmented puck wheel, the barrel cam having a spincam race therein around a circumference thereof; and wherein a variable number of carriage units are mounted at selectable spacings about the continuous flat surface of the carriage plate via the mounting holes.