Curt G. Joa, Inc. recently received a patent for its automatic cuff defect correction system, the latest addition to its family of waste minimization technology.

First developed in 2007, Joa's waste minimization technologies are rooted in TRIZ methodology, or the theory of inventive problem solving. These proprietary Joa technologies allow manufacturers to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

“The development of our waste stream management technologies has been a continuous effort over the last decade,” says Curt G. Joa, Inc. president Gene Kiela II. “We filed our first patent in this field in 2007. Since then, our continuous improvement initiatives allow us to claim that our machine platforms have the lowest ramp-up cost of any available hygiene converting equipment in the world.”

Joa's newest waste minimization technology identifies, prevents and corrects defects in the cuff section of the product construction, including cuff folding and elastics. This responsive technology enables correction without stopping the machine, preventing rejected products associated with shut down and ramp up.

Joa's waste minimization technologies also include:

• Individually rejecting spliced materials before combined to form an end product
• ADL Inversion correction
• Stretch material auto rethread
• Low-cost ramp-up waste, through process stream management