US 11,737,930 B2
Configurable single transfer insert placement method and apparatus
Lloyd F. Kreif, Sheboygan Falls, WI (US); Darren Horness, Sheboygan, WI (US); Brian Nelson, Sheboygan, WI (US); Collin M. Heinz, Plymouth, WI (US); and Kevin D. Blank, Port Washington, WI (US)
Assigned to CURT G. JOA, INC., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US)
Filed by Curt G. Joa, Inc., Sheboygan Falls, WI (US)
Filed on Feb. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/803,183.
Prior Publication US 2021/0267812 A1, Sep. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 13/15 (2006.01); B65H 39/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/15764 (2013.01) [B65H 39/14 (2013.01); A61F 13/15723 (2013.01); B65G 2201/02 (2013.01); B65H 2301/33216 (2013.01); B65H 2801/57 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.