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WO2025078135A1 - Procédé et appareil de fabrication d'un article absorbant comportant une barrière transversale - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil de fabrication d'un article absorbant comportant une barrière transversale Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025078135A1
WO2025078135A1 PCT/EP2024/076549 EP2024076549W WO2025078135A1 WO 2025078135 A1 WO2025078135 A1 WO 2025078135A1 EP 2024076549 W EP2024076549 W EP 2024076549W WO 2025078135 A1 WO2025078135 A1 WO 2025078135A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
absorbent insert
transversal
absorbent
folded
adhesive
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2024/076549
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jacob Philip HORNE
Markus FRANSEN
Lukas PSCHYKLENK
Michiel BUYSSE
Dirk Iffland
Original Assignee
Ontex Bv
Ontex Group Nv
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP23214625.8A external-priority patent/EP4431071A1/fr
Application filed by Ontex Bv, Ontex Group Nv filed Critical Ontex Bv
Publication of WO2025078135A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025078135A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies
    • A61F13/494—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies characterised by edge leakage prevention means
    • A61F13/49406—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region
    • A61F13/49446—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the crotch region the edge leakage prevention means being an impermeable sheet or impermeable part of a sheet placed on or under the top sheet
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A61F13/15699—Forming webs by bringing together several webs, e.g. by laminating or folding several webs, with or without additional treatment of the webs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/15577—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
    • A61F13/15707—Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
    • A61F13/15747—Folding; Pleating; Coiling; Stacking; Packaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies
    • A61F13/494—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies characterised by edge leakage prevention means
    • A61F13/49466—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies characterised by edge leakage prevention means the edge leakage prevention means being at the waist region
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies
    • A61F13/496—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers, nappies in the form of pants or briefs

Definitions

  • absorbent core The function of the absorbent core is to absorb and retain the exudates for a prolonged amount of time, for example overnight for a diaper, minimize re-wet to keep the wearer dry and avoid soiling of clothes or bed sheets.
  • absorbent material a blend of comminuted wood pulp (also referred to as fluff pulp and/or cellulose fibers) with superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in particulate form, also called absorbent gelling materials (AGM), see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,151 ,092 (Buell).
  • the nonwoven that is generally hydrophobic may be sufficient to capture solids but is less effective to capture larger amounts of liquid exudates (particularly under pressure such as when a baby is moving and/or application of sudden pressure such as sitting/dropping on the floor on its buttocks); secondly it limits the positioning thereof to a closer position at the waist edge which is less effective in providing a barrier since it is positioned further away from the core and to position it closer to the core and away from the waist edge would require a significant increase in length of the nonwoven which adds significant waste and cost; thirdly applying the multiple folds at different positions of the same component and especially further elasticizing the region when/if desired may add significant process complexity particularly at high speeds.
  • the disclosure relates to an absorbent article for personal hygiene, preferably a disposable pant, comprising: a front panel preferably substantially transversely extending; a back panel preferably substantially transversely extending; and an absorbent insert, preferably substantially longitudinally extending, joined to each of said front and back panels, said absorbent insert comprising front and back transversal edges and left and right longitudinal edges connecting the front and back transversal edges to form a perimeter thereof and generally wherein the left and right longitudinal edges extend substantially along the longitudinal axis y and are oppositely disposed such that said longitudinal axis y extends therebetween, and the front and back transversal edges extend substantially along the transversal axis x, and typically substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis y, and are oppositely disposed such that said transverse axis x extends therebetween).
  • the front and back panels are joined together to define a pair of side seams, and at least a portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof comprises a transversal waist barrier comprising a substantially liquid impermeable film layer.
  • Said folding step can occur directly after, meaning sequentially after, or subsequentially, the joining step, or the present disclosure encompasses embodiments with additional steps occurring between said joining step and said folding step, for example a step where adhesive is intermittently applied onto a portion of the absorbent insert, a step where said absorbent insert is conveyed downstream from said joining step to said folding step.
  • the present disclosure also encompasses embodiments where the joining step and the folding step are partially concurrent, for example, the absorbent insert is started to be folded even though the absorbent insert is not entirely joined to the front and/or back panels.
  • said folding step is carried out by static folding where a static element, i.e.
  • an actuated folding blade or folding rail moves or is actuated to fold a portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself.
  • the method preferably comprises a step such as statically folding a portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself, preferably in the shape of a substantially ll-fold, to form transversal waist barrier(s).
  • the method further comprising the steps of folding an outer nonwoven layer of the front and/or back panels over the folded absorbent insert and joining said folded outer nonwoven layer directly or indirectly to the folded absorbent insert.
  • these said steps occur later, or after, said folding step, meaning after a portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof is folded onto itself and prior to the step where said front and back panels are joined together along a pair of oppositely disposed side seams.
  • the method further comprising the step of arranging an elastic material over the folded portion of the folded absorbent insert prior to step of folding an outer nonwoven layer of the front and/or back panels over the folded absorbent insert.
  • the elastic material is arranged such that said elastic material is sandwiched between the absorbent insert and the outer nonwoven layer.
  • the absorbent insert comprises a backsheet and eventually an outer cover on the garment facing surface of the absorbent core, the elastic material being sandwiched between the backsheet and the outer nonwoven layer or the elastic material being sandwiched between the outer cover and the outer nonwoven layer or the elastic material being sandwiched between the backsheet and outer cover and the outer nonwoven layer e.g. in cases where the outer cover is transversally shorter than the backsheet.
  • the elastic material is directly or indirectly joined to the backsheet, preferably by adhesive, and sandwiched between the backsheet and/or outer cover and the outer nonwoven layer.
  • this said step occurs following, or after, said folding step, meaning after a portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof is folded onto itself.
  • the method further comprising the step of intermittently applying adhesive, preferably in the machine direction, onto said portion of the absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges.
  • the method further comprising the step of compressing the folded portion of the folded absorbent insert once the outer nonwoven layer has been joined directly or indirectly to the folded absorbent insert.
  • the method further comprising the step of mechanically bonding the folded transversal edge of the absorbent insert once the transversal waist barrier(s) has been formed.
  • the disclosure relates to an apparatus for the manufacture of an absorbent article according to a method as described herein wherein the apparatus comprises:
  • the folding unit is arranged downstream of the conveying device conveying the front and/or back panels and joining the absorbent insert to said front and/or back panels, and upstream of bonding unit joining said front and back panels together along a pair of oppositely disposed side seams.
  • the apparatus further comprises a transfer device for transferring absorbent inserts assembled beforehand, said transfer device, or transfer unit, comprising a plurality of transfer heads arranged on a support wheel with both the support wheel and the transfer heads being configured to respectively rotate around a respective axis.
  • said conveying device is arranged downstream of the transfer device so that the conveying device can collect or receive or pick up the absorbent insert or in other words, the transfer device can deposit each absorbent insert onto the conveying device conveying the front and/or back panels.
  • the transfer device is an apparatus that is configured to turn and repitch the discrete absorbent inserts assembled beforehand, turn the discrete absorbent inserts, or merely transfer the discrete absorbent inserts between a pick-up location and a drop-off location.
  • the conveying device extends in the vertical direction, said apparatus extending in a machine direction, a cross-direction and a vertical direction.
  • a conveying device preferably a conveyor belt, for conveying an absorbent insert
  • the pressing blade is shorter in length, with respect to the machine direction.
  • the adhesive is applied in swirls or in a uniform application.
  • a pressure roller is arranged to press the folded transversal edge of the absorbent insert, said pressure roller being arranged downstream of the folding unit and upstream an elastic depositing unit or station, where a second elastic material, e.g. one or more elastic strands, is deposited onto the backsheet or the outer cover of the absorbent insert at the region that has been folded over
  • the folding unit comprises an adjustable mechanism to adjust the distance between the pressing blade and the static element with respect to the cross direction and/or vertical direction.
  • FIG. 2 is a top planar view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of an isolated component, the folding blade, of the apparatus of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 10A is a top planar view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure prior to the folding of the portion of said absorbent insert proximal to the back transversal edge thereof.
  • FIG. 11 is a top planar view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 13 is a top planar view of a first conveying device conveying front and back panels and absorbent inserts according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating different steps in the method.
  • the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself also specifically disclosed.
  • % by weight refers to the relative weight of the respective component based on the overall weight of the formulation.
  • Front and “rear or back” of the absorbent article as used herein typically refer for the “front” end of the article is that which is most proximal to the front of the subject when worn, the “rear or back” end of the article is that which is most proximal to the rear or back of the subject when worn.
  • the term “absorbent article” refers to disposable devices such as infant or adult diapers or pads, pants, training pants, and the like which are placed against or in proximity to the body of the wearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from the body.
  • these articles comprise a topsheet, backsheet, an absorbent core and optionally an acquisition system (which may be comprised of one or several layers) and typically other components, with the absorbent core normally placed between the backsheet and the acquisition system or topsheet.
  • absorbent articles of the disclosure will be further illustrated in the below description and in the Figures, though all embodiments described herein may equally be applied onto absorbent articles in the form of pants (or even in the form of feminine hygiene articles such as menstrual pants and/or slips/panties). None in this description should be however considered limiting the scope of the claims unless explicitly indicated otherwise. Unless indicated otherwise, the description refers to the dry article, i.e. before use and conditioned at least 24 hours at 21° C.+/-2° C. and 50+/-20% Relative Humidity (RH).
  • RH Relative Humidity
  • joined or “associated” or “bonded” or “attached”, as used herein, encompasses configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.
  • the terms further include embodiments in which a pocket or other connector is formed in or attached to an area of the absorbent article.
  • these terms include configurations in which the elements are removably, or non-removably, joined, bonded, or attached. For example, wherein an element is described as “joined” within the configuration, it may be either removably joined or non-removably joined unless otherwise specified or evident from the context.
  • absorbent articles herein are for personal hygiene, preferably in the form of a pant, the absorbent article comprising: a substantially transversely extending front panel (2); a substantially transversely extending back panel (3); and a substantially longitudinally extending absorbent insert (4) joined to each of said front and back panels (2, 3), said absorbent insert (4) comprising front and back transversal edges and left and right longitudinal edges connecting the front and back transversal edges to form a perimeter thereof (generally wherein the left and right longitudinal edges extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis y and are oppositely disposed such that said longitudinal axis y extends therebetween, and the front and back transversal edges extend substantially parallel to the transversal axis x, and typically substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis y, and are oppositely disposed such that said transverse axis x extends therebetween); wherein the front and back panels (2, 3) are joined together to define a pair of side seams, and
  • the backsheet (7) is breathable.
  • Breathable backsheet herein typically means that it comprises micro-openings sized to allow at least some water vapour to permeate through the backsheet that typically comprises a film such as a polyethylene (PE) film.
  • PE polyethylene
  • the backsheet (7) may be joined to the topsheet (6), the absorbent core (8) or any other element of the absorbent article by any attachment means known in the art.
  • Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to means for joining the topsheet to other elements of the article.
  • the attachment means may include a uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have been found to be satisfactory are manufactured by H. B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn, and marketed as HL-1620 and HL 1358-XZP.
  • the attachment means may comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means as are known in the art.
  • the absorbent core (8) of the absorbent article may comprise one or more core layers.
  • the absorbent article may comprise an acquisition distribution system, which will typically consist of one or more layers. Most typically, the layers are arranged above the core layer. Hence, a number of layers can be arranged between the topsheet and the backsheet. The skilled person will usually have no difficulty in distinguishing between these layers.
  • a core layer can be identified as being a layer which is generally less permeable than a layer forming part of the acquisition-/distribution-system.
  • Permeability generally refers to the quality of a porous material that causes it to a lower liquid or gases to pass through it.
  • the layers of the acquisition distribution system should generally be more permeable than the layers of the core system as these layers are meant to distribute liquid to the absorbent core, where the liquid is ultimately stored.
  • the at least portion of said absorbent insert (4) proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof comprises one or more folds forming the transversal waist barrier(s) (5), preferably wherein said fold is substantially U-shaped.
  • fold of the absorbent insert allows to form a liquid impermeable barrier to exudates, and particularly the U-shape (vs other shapes) allows to form a maximised pocket for exudate collection with the minimum use of material.
  • the elastic material (11), such as the plurality of elastic strands, is/are deactivated in an area of overlap of the absorbent insert (4) when viewed in a planar direction.
  • the deactivation is preferably achieved by cutting of the elastic strands such as to render the deactivated region of the panel(s) (2, 3) substantially inelastic and regions neighbouring said deactivated region and comprising said elastic strands being elastic.
  • the absorbent core (8) of the absorbent insert (4) is positioned within the deactivated region such that it substantially does not overlap the elastic strands (11).
  • this allows for improved core integrity as risks of core collapse due to excessive tension from the stretched elastics when the article is worn is limited.
  • the transversal waist barrier(s) (5) is elastic, preferably comprising an elastic material selected from the group consisting of an elastic film and one or more elastic strands.
  • an elastic material selected from the group consisting of an elastic film and one or more elastic strands.
  • the tensile stress (N/m) of the entirety of the front and back panels (2, 3), respectively, may be profiled in order to provide the functional benefits of the present disclosure, such as ease of stretch and application, while also maintaining certain force during wear, to prevent the article from sagging after loading.
  • the tensile stress may be adjusted by one or more of the following methods; 1) elongation rate of the elastic strands (11); 2) density (dtex) of the elastic strands (11); 3) longitudinal pitch of multiple elastic strands (11); and 4) effective length of elasticity of the elastic strands (11) in the transverse direction.
  • elongation “0% elongation” is meant the original length of the elastic member.
  • one or more second elastic strands (12) are comprised directly or indirectly between the outer nonwoven layer (10) and the backsheet (7), preferably between a body-facing surface of the outer nonwoven layer (10) and a garment-facing surface of the backsheet (7).
  • An example of an indirect elastic arrangement is the presence of an outer cover layer (7’) as described herein (that would generally be interposed between the backsheet (7) and the one or more second elastic strands (12)), and an example of a direct elastic arrangement is the absence of an outer cover layer (7’) as described herein.
  • this arrangement allows for a simple yet effective elastification of the barrier(s) permitting optimal gasketing effects.
  • the absorbent core (8) comprises absorbent material selected from the group consisting of superabsorbent polymer particles and/or fibers; and cellulose fibers, preferably wherein said absorbent material is enclosed within a core wrap comprising top and bottom core wrap layers being a same nonwoven layer folded to sandwich the absorbent material therein or distinct nonwoven layers joined together to sandwich the absorbent material therein.
  • the superabsorbent polymer particles and/or fibers may be comprised in an amount of greater than 50%wt, preferably greater than 60%wt, even more preferably greater than 70%wt, most preferably from 75% to 100%wt, by total weight of absorbent material.
  • the backsheet (7) comprises a further outer cover layer (7’) on a garmentfacing surface thereof, preferably wherein said outer cover layer (7’) comprising one or more nonwoven layers, and/or wherein the backsheet (7) comprises a further outer cover layer (7’) that is shorter in the longitudinal direction (generally parallel to the longitudinal axis y) than the topsheet (6) and/or backsheet (7) such that at least a portion of an overlap length between the absorbent insert (4) and the panel (2, 3) is free of said outer cover layer (7’) and preferably wherein the backsheet (7) is directly joined to, or is in contact with, the panel (2, 3) in said portion of an overlap length between the absorbent insert (4) and the panel (2, 3) free of said outer cover layer (7’).
  • this allows for improved softness in areas where needed and yet allow for material savings thus permitting both reduced cost and waste.
  • the outer cover provides for softness to the touch to the care giver yet, as selected, it limits stress build-up particularly in embodiments with reduced length in the longitudinal direction as described above. Indeed without wishing to be bound by theory, stress build-up in the transition region corresponding to the terminal edge of the outer cover may result in a higher risk of tearing in the absorbent insert to panel joint.
  • the waist barrier(s) (5) extends from 5% to 50%, preferably from 10% to 40%, even more preferably from 15% to 30%, of the total folded length (TFL) of the outer nonwoven layer (10) along the longitudinal axis (y).
  • this may allow formation of a sufficiently large pocket yet avoid excessive resizing of the absorbent insert that may add cost and waste.
  • the absorbent article further comprising a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs (105) positioned along left and right longitudinal edges of the absorbent insert (4), and wherein the transversal waist barrier(s) (5) is positioned above said cuffs such that said barrier(s) (5) is closer to a wearer’s skin than said cuffs; preferably wherein the cuffs are joined to a body-facing surface of the topsheet (6) and wherein each of said cuffs is folded and joined to itself on a body-facing surface thereof at a joining position (JP) corresponding to the transversal waist barrier(s) (5), preferably said joints or joining positions (JP) extending along a lengthwise portion of, and being substantially adjacent to, the left and/or right longitudinal edges of the absorbent insert (4).
  • this reduces risk of leakage multidirectionally and prevents leakage to seep through between the transversal barrier and cuffs unlike when otherwise arranged.
  • a portion of the absorbent insert proximal (typically adjacent) to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof may be folded onto itself and the fold (as described in embodiments herein) has a length (L) in a longitudinal direction running substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis (y), and wherein said absorbent insert (4) further comprises a pair of longitudinally extending cuffs 105 positioned along left and right longitudinal edges thereof and joined thereto along a tack-down length (LT) extending from a position proximal (preferably adjacent) to at least the back transversal edge to a tackdown terminal position longitudinally displaced therefrom along said longitudinal axis (y), and wherein the tack-down length (LT) is less than or equal to about 2L, preferably said cuffs 105 being joined to a body-facing surface of the topsheet (6).
  • LT tack-down length
  • the back and/or front transversal edge typically coincides with a terminal edge (TE) of the transversal waist barrier (5) forming a pocket opening.
  • the transversal waist barrier (5) comprises one or more second elastic strands (12) positioned at a distance (d) from a terminal edge (TE) of the transversal waist barrier (5) forming a pocket opening, and wherein the distance between the elastic closest to said terminal edge is less than about 0.6L, preferably from 0.15L to 0.5L, even more preferably from 0.20 to 0.45L.
  • this permits the transversal barrier to more easily standup and make a seal with the wearer’s skin and preferably yet be sufficiently displaced from the terminal edge to minimize risk of elastic exposure to the skin of a wearer.
  • the thickness of the absorbent insert (4) in an overlap area of said waist barrier (5) is less than the remaining thickness of said absorbent insert (4) (e.g. in areas other than the overlap area); and/or wherein the amount of absorbent material in in an overlap area of said waist barrier (5) is less (preferably at least 5%wt less, preferably at least 10%wt less, even more preferably at least 15%wt less, even more preferably at least 20%wt less) than the amount of absorbent material in other areas of said absorbent insert.
  • said overlap area further overlapping with the front and/or back panels respectively.
  • this allows for a larger pocket for exudate collection that synergistically cooperates with the overlapping front and/or back belts.
  • the present disclosure also encompasses embodiments with additional steps occurring between said joining step and said folding step, for example a step where adhesive is intermittently applied onto a portion of the absorbent insert 4, a step where said absorbent insert 4 is conveyed, or transported, downstream, for example in the machine direction, from said joining step to said folding step.
  • the present disclosure also encompasses embodiments where the joining step and the folding step are partially concurrent, for example, the portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges is starting to be fold onto itself even though the absorbent insert 4 is not entirely joined to the front and/or back panels 2,3.
  • the joining step enables a stabilisation of the absorbent insert 4 before the portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof is folded onto itself.
  • the absorbent insert 4 is stabilized and the portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof can be folded onto itself more easily.
  • the present disclosure pertains to a method for the manufacture of an absorbent article 1 comprising the steps of: providing a back panel 3; providing an absorbent insert 4 comprising front and back transversal edges and left and right longitudinal edges connecting the front and back transversal edges to form a perimeter thereof; joining said absorbent insert 4 to said back panel 3; providing a front panel 2; joining the absorbent insert 4 to the front panel 2; folding a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself, preferably in the shape of a substantially ll-fold, to form transversal waist barrier(s) 5 and joining said front and back panels 2, 3 together along a pair of oppositely disposed side seams.
  • the step of joining the absorbent insert 4 to said front and/or back panels 2,3 precedes the step of folding a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself.
  • said folding step is carried out by static folding where a static element, i.e. a stator or a stationary element such as a stationary rail or rod or plate or blade, deflects a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself.
  • the folding is step is preferably done by passive folding meaning that the folding is done with a moving element, i.e. the absorbent insert 4, being folded by an unmoving, or immobile or fixed element, e.g. a rail or a rod or a blade.
  • a mobile element e.g. an actuated rail or rod or folding blade, moves or is actuated to fold a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself.
  • the method further comprises the steps of folding an outer nonwoven layer 10 of the front and/or back panels 2, 3 over the folded absorbent insert 4 and/or an inner nonwoven layer 9 and joining said folded outer nonwoven layer 10 directly or indirectly to the folded absorbent insert 4.
  • this allows to prevent irritation or discomfort to the wearer as explained hereinabove whilst avoiding the use of added components/materials/elements whilst maintaining a simple and cost-effective production process.
  • the method further comprises the step of arranging an elastic material 12 over the folded portion of the folded absorbent insert 4 prior to step of folding an outer nonwoven layer 10 of the front and/or back panels 2, 3 over the folded absorbent insert 4.
  • this allows the transversal barrier(s) 5 to stand more upright.
  • the method further comprises the step of intermittently applying adhesive onto said portion of the absorbent insert proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges.
  • the adhesive can be applied in a uniform application, meaning in an uniform coating, or in swirls or in overlapping spirals.
  • the adhesive can also be applied randomly meaning the fibers of the adhesive material are applied and arranged in a random configuration.
  • the adhesive can be applied using a spray nozzle in a spray nozzle application or the adhesive can be applied using a slot nozzle in a slot nozzle application or the adhesive can be applied using a roller in a roller application or the adhesive can be applied using a track applicator in a track application.
  • the adhesive is applied in a uniform spray application using a spray nozzle as such nozzles deliver consistent hot melt adhesive spray coatings, producing uniform patterns and repeatable bonds.
  • the adhesive is applied in joining zones 70 or bonding zones that will be described hereunder.
  • the joining or bonding zones 70 comprises at least one area where the adhesive or mechanical bonding means is/are applied.
  • FIG. 10A which represents an absorbent article 1 prior to the folding of a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edges thereof onto itself
  • the adhesive is applied in a pattern 71 on a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge.
  • FIG. 10B illustrates the same absorbent article 1 after the folding step where the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge is folded thereof onto itself.
  • the adhesive can also be applied in such pattern 71 to one portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front transversal edge.
  • the adhesive can be applied in such pattern 71 to both portions of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and back transversal edges.
  • the pattern 71 of adhesive comprises the two portions or two areas of adhesive 70, meaning two joining zones, as described hereabove, meaning the area 70 at the transversal extremities of the transversal edge, or in other words, the corners of the absorbent insert 4, or also the portions where the back transversal edge and longitudinal edges of the absorbent insert 4 connect as illustrated in FIG. 10A.
  • the pattern 71 of adhesive further comprises a further area 72 of adhesive extending transversally connecting the two areas 70 and an area free of adhesive 73, said area free of adhesive 73 is arranged between the transversal edge of the absorbent insert 4 and the further area 72 of adhesive with respect to the longitudinal direction (y) and arranged between the two areas 70 at the corners with respect to the transversal direction (x).
  • the pattern 71 of adhesive comprise a U-shaped pattern with two areas 70 corresponding to the upper branches of the U, said areas 70 being connected by a further area 72 corresponding to the lower branch of the U.
  • the pattern 71 of adhesive can comprise a H-shaped pattern with two areas 70 corresponding to the side branches of the H, said areas 70 being connected by a further area 72 corresponding to the middle branch of the H.
  • the pattern of adhesive can comprise two areas 70 at the corners and a further area 72 of adhesive which extend only partially along the transversal axis (x) and does not connect the two areas 70 while still defining an area free of adhesive 73 as described above.
  • the further area 72 can comprise a gap free of adhesive.
  • the pattern 71 of adhesive can comprise two areas 70 that are L shaped in facing relationship or in mirror relationship, said L-shaped areas being arranged at each corner.
  • the method can comprise a mechanical bonding step where the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge is folded thereof onto itself and then mechanically bonded.
  • the method comprises a step where the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge is glued to the absorbent insert 4 and/or a step where the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge is mechanically bonded to the absorbent insert 4.
  • adhesive is intermittently or continuously applied to a central portion 18 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge, then said portion is folded thereof onto itself, then the folded portion is mechanically bonded in portions 19 arranged at the lateral portion, meaning at each longitudinal ends, of said portion proximal to the transversal edge, e.g. by ultrasonic welding, to further secure the transversal waist barrier 5, the unbonded portion 23 serving as the transversal barrier 5.
  • the machine direction MD is the flow direction of an absorbent article and its components being assembled in the process line, e.g. the machine direction MD is the direction in which the absorbent insert 4 is conveyed.
  • upstream and downstream as used herein are with respect to the machine direction MD.
  • coordinate system using longitudinal and transversal axis pertains to the absorbent article 1 alone e.g. when laid flat on a surface
  • coordinate system using machine, cross and vertical directions pertains to the apparatus for manufacturing absorbent article 1 with the absorbent articles 1 and their components being conveyed.
  • a transfer head 24 may pick up a discrete absorbent insert 4 in a pick-up location, turn 90 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the rotation axis of the frame, e.g. about the vertical direction Z, drop off the discrete absorbent insert 4 in a drop-off location, and the turn back to its original position (either in the same direction or an opposite direction) before orbiting back through the pick-up location.
  • the transfer device 22 transfers an absorbent insert 4 extending in the machine direction (MD) and rotates it so that said absorbent insert 4 extends in the cross direction (CD). Meaning before the transfer device 22 the longitudinal axis y of the absorbent insert 4 extends in the machine direction (MD) whereas after the transfer device 22 the longitudinal axis y of the absorbent insert 4 extends in the cross direction (CD).
  • the front and back panels 2,3 are for example conveyed with a gap 102 arranged in between them, in other words, the front and back panels 2,3 are separated by a gap 102 in the cross direction (CD) or in other terms, the front and back panels 2,3 are conveyed in the machine direction (MD) and/or vertical direction (V) and are at a distance of one another with respect to the cross direction (CD).
  • the gap 102 as illustrated in FIG. 4 can correspond for example to the distance separating the front and back panels 2,3 in the absorbent article 1 for example when laid flat on a surface and with respect to the longitudinal axis y.
  • the gap 102 is lesser than the distance defined by the front and back transversal edges of the absorbent insert 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis y.
  • the front and back panels 2,3 are assembled together, meaning as one web, and are cut and separated prior to being joined to the absorbent insert 4 either individually or simultaneously.
  • the front and back panel 2,3 are conveyed towards a first adhesive dispensing device 103 to apply adhesive on the portion of the front and/or back panels 2,3.
  • the first adhesive dispensing device 103 applies adhesive on the portion of the front and/or back panels 2,3 meant to be in contact with the absorbent insert 4.
  • the absorbent article 1 comprises only one transversal barrier 5, either in the front or back
  • the first adhesive dispensing device 103 applies, or dispenses, a greater amount of adhesive onto one panel than onto the other panel.
  • the first adhesive dispensing device 103 preferably applies a greater amount of adhesive onto the front panel 2 than onto the back panel 3, for example as illustrated in FIG.
  • the first adhesive dispensing device 103 comprise at least one nozzle to selectively apply adhesive on both panels 2,3, preferably two nozzles, one for each panel 2,3.
  • the first conveying device 128 extends in the vertical direction, meaning that the front and back panels 2,3 are guided or conveyed in the vertical direction Z, in other words, for this portion of the process the machine direction MD, corresponding to the direction of travel of these two webs 2,3, is in the same direction as the vertical direction Z or in other terms for that portion of the process the machine and vertical directions MD, Z are the same.
  • the first conveying device 128 extends in the vertical direction Z, such arrangement enables to gain space in the process line.
  • the absorbent insert 4 is deposited onto the first conveying device 128, e.g. conveyor belt 128 and onto the front and back panels 2,3 being conveyed by the first conveying device 128.
  • the first conveying device 128 is associated with a negative pressure device such that the front and/or back panels 2,3 and absorbent insert 4 when deposited onto the conveying device 128 are sucked and maintained onto the outer surface of the conveying device 128 by vacuum.
  • the first conveying device 128 comprises vacuum holes on its outer surface, meaning a foraminous outer surface, and the front and back panels 2,3 and absorbent insert 4 are deposited onto said outer surface.
  • adhesive is applied intermittently onto the absorbent insert 4 by the second adhesive dispensing device 104 on at least one portion proximal to a transversal edge, namely the adhesive is applied intermittently on a portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges, meaning on the portion described hereabove to be folded onto itself.
  • the adhesive is applied intermittently on at least one edge arranged at one transversal end of the absorbent insert 4 with respect to the cross-direction CD as illustrated in figure 13.
  • the adhesive can be applied intermittently on one portion of said absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edges.
  • the adhesive is applied in the portion 70 located at the corner of the back transversal edge but is not applied on the portion where the absorbent core 8 extends, meaning when the back transversal edge and the absorbent core are transposed on a same machine direction axis, the adhesive applied is present at the corners but not where the absorbent core 8 extends.
  • the adhesive is applied intermittently on one transversal edge only, preferably the back transversal edge.
  • the adhesive is applied intermittently on both transversal edges. As illustrated in FIG.
  • the adhesive is applied by the second adhesive dispensing device 104.
  • Such application of adhesive may be by various processes such as slot coating, spray coating and other topical applications using a pneumatic, piezo or electromagnetic actuator.
  • the second adhesive dispensing device 104 comprises at least one nozzle, each nozzle, for instance, may comprise a slot coating device or several exit ports and an adhesive flow control device such as electromagnetic valve, e.g. a solenoid valve.
  • the second application of adhesive applied by the second adhesive dispensing device 104 can be applied in a uniform application, meaning in an uniform coating, or in swirls or in overlapping spirals.
  • the adhesive can also be applied randomly meaning the fibers of the adhesive material are applied and arranged in a random configuration.
  • the adhesive can be applied using a spray nozzle in a spray nozzle application or the adhesive can be applied using a slot nozzle in a slot nozzle application or the adhesive can be applied using a roller in a roller application or the adhesive can be applied using a track applicator in a track application.
  • the adhesive is applied in a uniform spray application using a spray nozzle as such nozzles deliver consistent hot melt adhesive spray coatings, producing uniform patterns and repeatable bonds.
  • an adhesive pattern 71 comprising two separate, or distinct or unconnected, areas of adhesive 70, e.g.
  • a spray nozzle may be more adapted.
  • an adhesive pattern 71 comprising a continuous application of adhesive, such as a U-shaped or H shaped pattern, a slot nozzle may be more adapted.
  • the first conveying device 128 can comprise a hole to blow out compressed air to lift said portion 107 or the apparatus 120 can comprise a folding blade 136 with a pressing blade 40 as described hereunder.
  • the folding unit 134 preferably comprises a static element 136, meaning an element that is stationary and does not move such as a rail or a rod or a blade.
  • the folding unit 134 comprises a static element 136 to further force said portion 107 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof to fold onto itself.
  • the static element 136 deviates the portion 107 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof and facilitate and enhance the folding motion so that the portion 107 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof can effectively fold onto itself.
  • the portion 107 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof when starting to be pulled towards the centre of the absorbent insert 4 by the retraction force, or elastic force, induced by the cuffs 105 is further deflected by the static element 136 which further promote or accelerate the folding movement or motion.
  • such static element 136 enables to have a smoother fold and reduces the risks of wrinkles or a gap in the fold.
  • the static element 136 can extend in the machine direction (MD) or the static element 136 can extend in both the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) as illustrated in FIG. 13 or the static element 136 can extend in the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD) and/or vertical direction (Z).
  • the static element 136 extends in both the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD), meaning diagonally with respect to the machine direction (MD).
  • the stator 136 can further promote the deflection of the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof towards the centre and thus the folding of the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof onto itself.
  • the static element 136 extends diagonally, meaning the static element 136 is elongated in a longitudinal axis, said axis defining an angle a with respect to the machine direction (MD), said angle a is comprised between 1 ° and 45°, preferably between 2° and 30°, more preferably between 3° and 15°, 90° corresponding to the cross direction (CD), as illustrated in FIG. 13, the static element 136 extends diagonally with an angle a of 8° with respect to the machine direction (MD).
  • the static element 136 is arranged at a distance from the first conveying device 128 and this distance can be constant or can vary.
  • the distance between the static element 136 and the first conveying device 128 can decrease along the machine direction so that at the downstream portion of the static element 136, the static element 136 and the first conveying device 128 form a nip to ensure a proper folding of the portion 107 of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof onto itself.
  • the static element 136 can comprises for example a folding rail 136, a folding rod 136, a folding plate 136 or a folding blade 136.
  • the folding rail 136 or folding rod 136 as illustrated in FIG.
  • the static element 136 can be a folding rail 136, or rod, meaning a thin straight bar, for example made out of metal, or the static element can be a folding plate 136, meaning a smooth flat piece of material, preferably metal.
  • the folding rail 136, rod or plate can also be curved.
  • the folding rail 136, rod or plate can also be connected to an air-compressor and comprise air-vents or holes on its surface to blow out pressurized air to further promote the folding of the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the back transversal edge thereof onto itself.
  • the folding blade 36 comprises a curve blade 36, said curved blade 36 defines an angle A° that evolves along the machine direction MD, meaning that for a given point in the machine direction MD, the folding blade 36 extends in the vertical and cross directions Z,CD as illustrated in FIG. 8, the two extremities of said blade 36 defining an angle A°, or folding angle A°, since the folding wall, meaning the wall used for folding the absorbent insert 4, of the blade is curved.
  • the angle A° defined by the two extremities of the blade 36 is small, e.g. between 0° and 10°.
  • the angle A° increases along the machine direction MD and is greater than 180° at the downstream portion of the folding blade 36.
  • the support plate 38 is fixed, or removably associated to the folding blade 36. Having a blade 36 with a folding angle A° of 180° is sufficient to fold the absorbent insert 4 onto itself but it can lead to having wrinkles or a gap in the fold. Having a blade 36 with a folding angle A° of 250° or more enables to have a smoother fold and reduces the risks of wrinkles or a gap in the fold, said absorbent insert
  • the folding unit 34 can further comprise a pressing blade 40 arranged at a distance d from the curved blade 36 with respect to the cross-direction CD and/or vertical direction Z as illustrated in FIG. 8. In other words, there is a gap between the curved blade 36 and the pressing blade 40 in the cross-direction CD and/or vertical direction Z.
  • the pressing blade 40 presses vertically against the absorbent insert 4 and maintain said absorbent insert 4 in place, at least vertically.
  • the combination of the curved blade 36 folding the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edge, and the pressing blade 40 pushing the absorbent insert 4 at least vertically, ensures a proper folding of the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edges thereof onto itself, in order words a proper folding of the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edge to form a transversal barrier 5 as described herein.
  • the folding blade 36 deviates the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edge in the cross direction CD and in the vertical direction Z and the pressing blade 40 deviates a portion of the absorbent insert 4, which is more distal to the transversal edge than said portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the transversal edge e.g. in between said portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edge and the centre of absorbent core 8, in the vertical direction Z.
  • the pressing blade 40 at least maintains the absorbent insert 4 in place while the folding blade 36 is folding the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the transversal edge.
  • the pressing blade 40 is preferably shorter in length, with respect to the machine direction MD, than the folding blade 36 so that when the curved blade 36 is folding the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to the front and/or back transversal edge, namely once said portion has been folded by an angle of more than 180°, it folds thereof onto itself, meaning onto the upper surface of the absorbent insert 4, i.e. the topsheet 6.
  • the pressing blade 40 can be a flat plate as illustrated in FIG. 7, or it can be a rod or a cylindric tube.
  • the pressing blade 40 can comprise an anti-adhesive coating to ensure that the absorbent insert 4 when being folded does not adhere onto the pressing blade 40.
  • the pressing blade 40 can also be connected to an air-compressor and comprise air-vents or holes on its surface to blow out pressurized air to ensure that the absorbent insert 4 when being folded does not adhere onto the pressing blade 40.
  • the pressing blade 40 can comprise a sloped portion 42 at the upstream portion of the pressing blade 40 with respect to the machine direction MD as illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the slope portion 42 extends diagonally downward while extending downstream for holding down the absorbent insert 4 and improving the folding as described hereabove.
  • the folded absorbent insert 4 and front and back panels 2,3 are then guided, for example by the first conveying device 128 to an elastic depositing unit or station, where a second elastic material 12, e.g. one or more elastic strands 12, is deposited onto the backsheet 7 or the outer cover 7’ of the absorbent insert 4 at the region that has been folded over.
  • the elastic strand(s) 12 is beforehand coated with adhesive by an adhesive dispensing unit 50 such that when the elastic strand(s) 12 is applied on the backsheet 7 or outer cover 7’ on the portion of the absorbent insert 4 that has been folded thereof onto itself, it remains in place.
  • the adhesive is preferably continuously applied on the elastic strand(s) 12.
  • the elastic strands 12 in any of the embodiments herein may be strand-coated with adhesive prior to joining to one or more layers such as the inner and outer nonwoven layers 9, 10 to form elastic panels 2, 3 and/or the backsheet 7, outer cover 7’ and/or outer nonwoven layer 10 to form the elastic transversal waist barrier(s) 5.
  • the elastic material 12 e.g. the elastic strand(s) 12, is arranged such that said elastic material 12 is sandwiched between the absorbent insert 4 and the outer nonwoven layer 10.
  • the absorbent insert 4 as described herein comprises a backsheet 7 and eventually an outer cover 7' on the garment facing surface of the absorbent core 8.
  • the present disclosure encompasses embodiments where the elastic material 12 is sandwiched between the backsheet 7 and the outer nonwoven layer 10, embodiments where the elastic material 12 is sandwiched between the outer cover 7’ and the outer nonwoven layer 10 or even embodiments where the elastic material 12 is sandwiched between the backsheet 7 and outer cover 7’ and the outer nonwoven layer 10 e.g. in cases where the outer cover T is transversally shorter than the backsheet 7.
  • the elastic material 12 is directly or indirectly joined to the backsheet 7, preferably by adhesive, and sandwiched between the backsheet 7 and/or outer cover T and the outer nonwoven layer 10.
  • the folding step can precede the application of adhesive onto the absorbent insert 4, meaning the folding unit 134 can be arranged upstream of the second adhesive dispensing device since the adhesive is applied at a distance 106 from the transversal edge.
  • the folding step and the application of adhesive onto the absorbent insert 4 are substantially concurrent, meaning carried out at the same time or point with respect to the machine direction (MD).
  • the folded absorbent insert 4 and front and back panels 2,3 are guided from the folding unit 134 to a rotating drum 148 where the folded absorbent insert 4 and front and back panels 2,3 are pivoted, meaning where the machine direction (MD) and the vertical direction (Z) become distinct.
  • the apparatus 120 can comprise one or more pressure roller(s) 146 to secure the fold.
  • the absorbent insert 4 and front and back panels 2,3 can be conveyed toward one or more pressure roller(s) 146 which is arranged to press the folded portion of the absorbent insert 4, meaning the transversal waist barrier(s) 5, thereby securing the fold and eventually securing the glued and/or welded portions together.
  • the pressure roller 146 and the rotating drum 148 can form a nip where the portion of the absorbent insert 4 proximal to front and/or back transversal edge has been folded thereof onto itself passes through.
  • the outer nonwoven layer 10 is then folded over the elastic strand 12, backsheet 7, outer cover 7’ and/or the transversal elastic barrier 5 and by a second folding apparatus 64, in order to form the absorbent article 1 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the apparatus 120 can further comprise an additional adhesive dispensing device 66 to apply adhesive on the portion of the front and/or back panels 2,3 to be folded.
  • the apparatus 120 can further comprise a pressure roller 52 to apply pressure on the transversal edges of the front and/or back panels 2,3 and ensure the structural integrity of the chassis.
  • the folding apparatus 64 can further comprise a railing 68 oriented diagonally with respect to the cross-direction CD toward the centre of absorbent insert 4 to guide and facilitate the folding of the non-deviated portion of the outer nonwoven layer 10, i.e. the transversal edge of the front and/or back panel 2,3 onto the absorbent insert 4, namely onto the transversal barrier 5, backsheet 7 and/or outer cover 7’.
  • the web or absorbent articles 1 is conveyed in this portion of the process by a second conveying device 129 such as a second conveyor belt 129.
  • the belt meaning the front and back panels 2,3 are then cut in the cross-direction CD into individual pieces, each individual piece comprising an absorbent insert 4 with a front and back panel 2,3. Each individual piece is then folded to bring the front and back panels 2,3 in proximity of one another and then associated in side seams to form an individual absorbent article 1 with a transversal barrier 5.
  • the front and back panels 2,3 are joined, or associated, by bonding said panels 2,3 together at a bonding unit.
  • the bonding unit can be selected from and not limited to an adhesive dispensing device, an ultrasonic device or a welding device.
  • the front and back panel 2,3 can be joined first and then cut in the cross direction into individual pieces.
  • the folding blade 36 comprises an extension 56 as illustrated in FIG. 8 where the extension 56 extends beyond the curvature of the blade 36 to ensure that the transversal edge is well folded thereof onto itself.
  • the first conveyor belt 128 and the second conveyor belt 129 can transport the absorbent inserts 4 and front and back panels 2,3 at the same speed to avoid the formation of wrinkles or creases.
  • the first conveying device 128 and the transfer device 22 can also transport the absorbent inserts 4 at matching speed to avoid the formation of wrinkles or creases.
  • the volume flow rate of the main pump is comprised between 20 000 m 3 /h and 50 000 m 3 /h and the volume flow rate of any booster pump is comprised between 100 m 3 /h and 1 000 m 3 /h.
  • the main pump and the booster pump(s) are a mean to move fluid, namely air eventually charged with absorbent material, it can be for example a centrifugal fan.
  • a booster pump is arranged between the first rotating drum 30 and the main pump, since the vacuum force VF(4)3o is preferably greater than the other vacuum forces.
  • the main pump has preferably a higher volume flow rate, or air capacity, then any of the booster pumps.
  • a filtering apparatus is arranged upstream of main pump, with respect to the airflow and a booster pump can have specific seals and an impeller adapted to avoid clogging.
  • a fluid i.e. air eventually loaded with absorbent material, sucked in and expelled by a pump will gain in velocity and in pressure.
  • the booster pumps and the main pump are fluidically connected, with respect of the airflow, the main pump does not need to function at higher power to ensure a good vacuum throughout the manufacturing line and apparatus 120 since the booster pump(s) can ensure some of the vacuum.
  • Such vacuum devices, or pumps are well adapted for this process and can ensure the proper vacuum forces described hereabove.
  • an exhaust hole can be arranged on the surface of the first conveying device 128 so that an air-blowing device can blow out air to push said portion of absorbent insert 4 upwards towards the static element 136.
  • the two webs of front and back panels 2,3 can be conveyed at same speed or at different speed. If the two webs of front and back panels 2,3 are conveyed at same speed, front and back panels 2,3 will have the same lengths with respect to the transversal direction or machine direction (MD) and the side seams will be arranged at the sides of the wearer. If the two webs of front and back panels 2,3 are conveyed at different speed, e.g. the web of back panel 3 is conveyed faster than the web of front panel 2 then the back panel 3 will be longer than the front panel 2 and the side seams will be more toward the front at the sides of the wearer.
  • MD machine direction
  • an elastic thread(s) 12 is arranged between the absorbent insert 4 and the front panel which is folded onto the elastic thread(s) 12, the first adhesive dispensing device 102 dispenses the same amount of adhesive between the front and back panels 2,3 and the second adhesive dispensing device 104 dispenses the same amount of adhesive between both transversal edges of the absorbent insert 4.
  • Such arrangement also enables to have a transversal waist barrier 5 in the front and in the back.
  • the elastic material 11 sandwiched between the inner nonwoven layer 9 and the outer nonwoven layer 10 and the elastics strands 12 are different.
  • the elastics 11 ,12 can differ in cross-sectional shapes, e.g. round or flat, in dtex, in composition and/or in color.
  • said elastic material 11 and elastic strands 12 can comprise, preferably consist of, the same material.
  • the method and process can comprise the placing of leg cuffs and leg elastics, wetness indicators, etc.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

La présente divulgation concerne un procédé de fabrication d'un article absorbant (1), ledit procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à : • fournir un panneau avant (2) ; • fournir un panneau arrière (3) ; • fournir une garniture absorbante (4) comprenant des bords transversaux avant et arrière et des bords longitudinaux gauche et droit reliant les bords transversaux avant et arrière pour former un périmètre correspondant ; • assembler ladite garniture absorbante (4) auxdits panneaux avant et arrière (2, 3), puis plier une partie de ladite garniture absorbante (4) sur elle-même à proximité de ses bords transversaux avant et/ou arrière, de préférence sous la forme d'un pli sensiblement en U, pour former une ou plusieurs barrières transversales de taille (5) ; et • assembler lesdits panneaux avant et arrière (2, 3) ensemble le long d'une paire de coutures latérales opposées. La présente divulgation se réfère également à un appareil (120) de fabrication d'un article absorbant (1) selon le présent procédé.
PCT/EP2024/076549 2023-10-12 2024-09-20 Procédé et appareil de fabrication d'un article absorbant comportant une barrière transversale WO2025078135A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP23203360 2023-10-12
EP23203360.5 2023-10-12
EP23214625.8A EP4431071A1 (fr) 2023-03-13 2023-12-06 Procédé et appareil pour la fabrication d'un article absorbant à barrière transversale
EP23214625.8 2023-12-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025078135A1 true WO2025078135A1 (fr) 2025-04-17

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US5151092A (en) 1991-06-13 1992-09-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with dynamic elastic waist feature having a predisposed resilient flexural hinge
WO1995016746A1 (fr) 1993-12-13 1995-06-22 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Films permeables a l'air
US5571096A (en) 1995-09-19 1996-11-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having breathable side panels
US5865823A (en) 1996-11-06 1999-02-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet
US5938648A (en) 1997-12-03 1999-08-17 The Procter & Gamble Co. Absorbent articles exhibiting improved internal environmental conditions
US6221460B1 (en) * 1993-12-17 2001-04-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Liquid absorbent material for personal care absorbent articles and the like
US6946585B2 (en) 2000-10-23 2005-09-20 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Absorbent article
US7204830B2 (en) * 2004-04-12 2007-04-17 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable absorbent article with standing barrier cuffs, pocket, and folding guides for separating feces from urine
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WO2012052172A1 (fr) 2010-10-20 2012-04-26 Vynka Bvba Structure absorbante respectueuse de l'environnement
EP2612637A1 (fr) * 2010-09-09 2013-07-10 Zuiko Corporation Procédé et dispositif de production d'articles d'habillement et articles d'habillement
US9789008B2 (en) * 2012-12-21 2017-10-17 Zuiko Corporation Disposable diaper production method and production device
EP3451989B1 (fr) 2016-08-26 2020-07-29 Ontex BVBA Couche avec barrières transversales.
WO2021170027A1 (fr) 2020-02-28 2021-09-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant de type culotte et son procédé de fabrication

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US5151092A (en) 1991-06-13 1992-09-29 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article with dynamic elastic waist feature having a predisposed resilient flexural hinge
WO1995016746A1 (fr) 1993-12-13 1995-06-22 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Films permeables a l'air
US6221460B1 (en) * 1993-12-17 2001-04-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Liquid absorbent material for personal care absorbent articles and the like
US5571096A (en) 1995-09-19 1996-11-05 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having breathable side panels
US5865823A (en) 1996-11-06 1999-02-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Absorbent article having a breathable, fluid impervious backsheet
US5938648A (en) 1997-12-03 1999-08-17 The Procter & Gamble Co. Absorbent articles exhibiting improved internal environmental conditions
US6946585B2 (en) 2000-10-23 2005-09-20 Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. Absorbent article
US7204830B2 (en) * 2004-04-12 2007-04-17 Uni-Charm Corporation Disposable absorbent article with standing barrier cuffs, pocket, and folding guides for separating feces from urine
WO2008155699A1 (fr) 2007-06-18 2008-12-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant jetable formé d'un matériau polymérique particulaire absorbant distribué de manière sensiblement continue et procédé associé
EP2612637A1 (fr) * 2010-09-09 2013-07-10 Zuiko Corporation Procédé et dispositif de production d'articles d'habillement et articles d'habillement
WO2012052172A1 (fr) 2010-10-20 2012-04-26 Vynka Bvba Structure absorbante respectueuse de l'environnement
US9789008B2 (en) * 2012-12-21 2017-10-17 Zuiko Corporation Disposable diaper production method and production device
EP3451989B1 (fr) 2016-08-26 2020-07-29 Ontex BVBA Couche avec barrières transversales.
WO2021170027A1 (fr) 2020-02-28 2021-09-02 The Procter & Gamble Company Article absorbant de type culotte et son procédé de fabrication

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