Method of folding pant-like disposable absorbent garments in chute

Abstract

A method of folding a pant-like disposable absorbent garment includes providing a garment defining first and second waist side regions, a waist center region positioned therebetween, and a crotch region longitudinally below the waist center region. In particular embodiments, the method further includes folding the garment along a transversely extending fold line so as to bring the crotch region into superposed relation with the waist center region; providing a chute having a floor and first and second side walls; urging the garment into the chute; and, while the garment is in the chute, folding the garment along longitudinally extending first and second fold lines so as to position the first and second waist side regions over the waist center region. The first and second fold lines are adjacent the first and second side walls, respectively.

Description

Background technique [0001] People rely on disposable absorbent garments in their everyday lives, including items such as adult incontinence products, enuresis pants, training pants and diapers. Many manufacturers have sought to better meet the needs of users of these products. For certain products such as adult incontinence underwear and enuresis briefs, it is important that these garments look and feel as much as possible "regular" underwear to provide a better sense of normalcy to the wearer suffering from incontinence or enuresis. Furthermore, buyers and users of these products are often embarrassed about their ailments and about having to purchase products to address their ailments. [0002] Currently, the most common method used to obtain incontinence and enuresis underwear is to purchase multiple garments packaged in bags. Typically, the garment is folded in some way to better fit within the package. Uniform folding of garments is important for several reasons. Firs...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Non-uniform folding of garments can create bulging or uneven stacks of folded garments which can hinder automated packaging operations

Second, bulging or spiky stacks of folded garments can create unevenly bulging post-fill packages, which can destabilize the package on the retail shelf and may give consumers a perception of quality as a problem

Third, consumers are left with a negative impression of quality when a haphazardly folded garment is removed from the package

Indeed, poor and haphazard folding can in some cases affect the performance of the absorbent garment by creating folds or tears in the absorbent core in the wrong place

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