Manufacturing facility for hygiene products, especially adult or baby diapers

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing plant for hygiene products, in particular adult or baby diapers, with several processing stations configured to produce a first product format.

[0002] A variety of manufacturing systems for hygiene products are known from the state of the art. Hygiene products are understood to be absorbent bodies used close to the body, in particular adult or baby diapers, incontinence pads and pants, sanitary napkins, panty liners, or similar. Hygiene products have in common that they have a fluid-absorbing core enclosed by a body-facing material layer (topsheet) and a body-removing material layer (backsheet). Attached to this central part are lateral fastening elements (ears or wings), which serve to secure the hygiene product to the body.

[0003] For the manufacture of hygiene products, in particular adult or baby diapers, production systems with several processing stations are used, including in particular a feeding device for strip material for the backsheet, a feeding device for strip material for the topsheet, a feeding device for strip material for the lateral fastening elements, a device for forming the liquid-absorbing core and placing it on the strip material for the backsheet, etc. In the known production systems, the individual layers are brought together one after the other and usually bonded to one another in a material-to-material manner (by gluing, ultrasonic sealing, etc.), whereby a product strand, hereinafter also referred to as a fixed layer structure, is created, which is cut to length and folded at predetermined intervals to produce individual products.The individual processing stations are arranged one after the other in the direction of production in a production line, which, due to the large number of processing stations, is either very long or has two floors.

[0004] Such production systems are generally suitable for producing hygiene products of a specific type, such as adult diapers, in different sizes. However, to switch from one diaper size to another of the same type (so-called format change), it is necessary to shut down the production line and convert several of the processing stations. For example, the size of the side fasteners differs between the different sizes of adult diapers. The distance between the front fasteners (front ears) and the back fasteners (back ears) also differs between the different diaper sizes. The sizes of the backsheet, topsheet, and / or fluid-absorbing core may also differ between diaper sizes.The consequence is that when changing formats, for example, the knife shaft for cutting the lateral fastening elements must be replaced with one of a different size (the knife shaft diameter for sizes S and M, for example, is 150 mm, while the knife shaft diameter for sizes L and XL is 210 mm). During the replacement process, the gap between the knife shaft and any underlying transfer roller of the acceleration system, through which the respective strip material runs in the direction of production, must also be readjusted to avoid any functional disadvantages. It is also necessary to replace and readjust the system for accelerating and thus spacing the individual lateral fastening elements.The same applies to a collecting drum, on which the strip material for the topsheet, equipped with lateral fastening elements, is combined with the strip material for the backsheet, equipped with cores. The gap between a pressure roller that interacts with the collecting drum to press the layer structure together also needs to be readjusted.

[0005] A format change therefore leads to relatively long downtimes of the production line and also requires a large number of adjustments, each of which is prone to errors and can initially lead to a relatively large amount of scrap when the production line is restarted after a format change.

[0006] Independently of the foregoing, it is known from the prior art, for example from EP 1 251 813 B1, to construct manufacturing systems for hygiene products in a modular manner so that certain processing stations can be removed from the production line as a whole for maintenance or repair purposes. Another system is known from WO01 / 56524.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to simplify a format change in a production plant for hygiene products of the type mentioned above.

[0008] The previously derived and demonstrated problem is solved by a production plant having the features of claim 1.

[0009] The proposed production plant for hygiene products has several processing stations for producing a first product format and several corresponding processing stations for producing a second product format. The processing stations for the first product format are combined in a first format change module and the processing stations for the second product format are combined in a separate second format change module. For example, adult diapers in sizes S and M can be produced using the processing stations for the first product format, and adult diapers in sizes L and XL can be produced using the processing stations for the second product format. The format change modules each form a functional unit that can be integrated into a production line of the production plant to produce the respective product format.In other words, the first format change module is integrated into the production line to produce the first product format, whereas the second format change module is integrated into the production line instead of the first format change module to produce the second product format. The production line and the format change modules together form the production plant.

[0010] A key finding here is that downtime during a format change can be significantly reduced by providing multiple format-dependent processing stations, each of which combines multiple format-dependent processing stations and is interchangeable as a whole. With the proposed production system, it is no longer necessary to modify individual processing stations, for example, by installing a different knife shaft, or to make adjustments, such as adjusting gaps within individual processing stations or spacing between processing stations, since a corresponding, fully configured format change module is already available for the format change.This also allows the second format change module, which is located outside the production line, to be optimally maintained, repaired, adjusted and / or tested while the first format change module is still integrated into the production line and corresponding hygiene products of the first product format are being produced. This means that the production line only needs to be shut down for the time it takes to replace the first format change module with the second. The production line can be restarted immediately after the replacement and can immediately produce hygiene products of the second product format. Since the second format change module was already optimally adjusted before it was integrated into the production line, subsequent adjustment work for readjustment during start-up of the production line is also eliminated, which also significantly reduces the risk of corresponding material waste.

[0011] It should be noted that the format change modules proposed for integration into the production line, of which more than two can be provided in principle, do not necessarily have to include all format-dependent processing stations of the production line. For example, a core forming device for producing and forming the liquid-absorbing cores and placing them on the strip material of the distal layer (backsheet) can be arranged independently of the respective format change module, with all other format-dependent processing stations that would have required conversion according to the state of the art preferably being combined in a single format change module. Accordingly, the core forming device must be converted separately for the purpose of the format change. However, it has been shown that the core forming device in particular can be replaced and adjusted relatively easily.The advantage of not integrating the core forming device into a respective format change module is that the individual format change modules have smaller dimensions and a lower weight, making them easier to handle.

[0012] It has been found that the most time-consuming work during a format change is required in the cutting device for the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products and in the layer-joining device, which joins the body-side layer (topsheet) and the body-removal layer (backsheet), and any additional layers connected thereto. Accordingly, the design of the production system according to claim 1 provides that the format-change modules each comprise both the cutting device for the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products and the layer-joining device. The layer-joining device comprises, in particular, a collecting drum (claim 2) and a pressure roller (claim 3).

[0013] In addition, in the embodiment according to claim 4, the first and second format change module in the section between the cutting device and the layer joining device can also have a handling device which serves to accelerate the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products in the production direction and / or to rotate individual fastening elements or intermediate products in order to adapt their orientation for the subsequent joining to the strip material of the body-side layer.

[0014] The respective format change module can also have, as a processing station for the respective product format, a first feed device for strip material for the lateral fastening elements and / or a second feed device for strip material for the body-side layer and / or a third feed device for strip material for the body-removable layer and / or a fourth feed device for cross strips as well as a corresponding cutting device for the cross strips and / or a transfer device for the layer structure to subsequent processing stations (claim 5).

[0015] Further processing stations of the production plant, which in particular are not part of the respective format change module, are defined in claims 6 to 10.

[0016] In the embodiment of the proposed production line according to claim 11, the respective format change module has a module frame into which the corresponding format-dependent processing stations are installed. The format change modules of the proposed production line can also have, in particular on the module frame, movement units with which the format change modules can be moved relative to the rest of the production line as a whole, as well as additionally or alternatively a coupling unit for detachably connecting (coupling) them to the rest of the production line (claim 12).

[0017] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and developing the proposed production facility. In this regard, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a hygiene product that can be produced with the proposed production plant, Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a production process for a hygiene product according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a schematic representation of an alternative manufacturing process for a hygiene product according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4a) a schematic side view of a production plant for producing a hygiene product according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 4b) a schematic plan view of the production plant according to Fig. 4a ) and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the structure of format change modules for the production line according to Fig. 4a ) and b).

[0018] Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of a hygiene product 2, here exemplified in the form of an adult diaper 3, which can be manufactured with a proposed production plant 1.

[0019] The hygiene product 2 essentially consists of a multi-layered central part 46 (chassis) and lateral fastening elements 15a (back ears) attached in a rear section and lateral fastening elements 15b (front ears) attached in a front section.

[0020] The middle part 46 has an upper layer 16 (topsheet) facing the body during intended use, and a lower layer 17 (backsheet) facing away from the body during intended use. Between the band material 16 forming the topsheet and the band material 17 forming the backsheet, the hygiene product 2 has a liquid-absorbing core 20 and preferably a liquid acquisition and / or distribution layer 23. A pressing region 44 is provided around the core 20, in which the layers of the middle part 46 are pressed together.

[0021] At the edges of the central part 46 facing the fastening elements 15a and 15b, the topsheet 16 is provided on both long sides with flap-shaped leak protection 24 (upstanding cuffs), which serve to retain liquid when properly applied. Furthermore, elastic longitudinal bands 25 and elastic transverse bands 26 are provided in the central part 46 to ensure an optimal fit of the hygiene product 2 on the user's body.

[0022] The lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b are here and preferably fixed between the strip material 16 of the top sheet and the strip material 17 of the back sheet in a connection area 45, which can be achieved by means of hot gluing, ultrasonic sealing, and / or hot stamping. The rear lateral fastening elements 15a also have fastening strips 42, in particular in the form of adhesive and / or hook-and-loop strips. For certain product sizes, a frontal fastening surface 43 (frontal tape), which can be designed as an adhesive and / or hook-and-loop strip, can be provided on the central part 46 for fastening purposes, in particular for interaction with one of the fastening strips 42.

[0023] The previously based on Fig. 1 The hygiene product 2 described as an example or the corresponding layer structure 18 can be produced in a production plant 1 as described for example in the Figuren 4a), 4b ) and 5 is shown.

[0024] An exemplary manufacturing process is shown in two alternative embodiments in the Fig. 2 and 3 shown.

[0025] The proposed production system 1 has a plurality of processing stations 4 to 12, 4' to 12', and 27 to 30. Of these, processing stations 4 to 12 and 4' to 12' are each format-dependent processing stations, i.e., processing stations designed to produce a specific product format (a specific product size) and are replaced during a format change. Processing stations 27 to 30, on the other hand, are format-independent and therefore do not need to be replaced during a format change.

[0026] The processing stations 4 to 12, which are configured to produce a first product format, are combined in a first format change module 13, and the processing stations 4' to 12' are combined in a second, separate format change module 13'. The first format change module 13 and the second format change module 13' can be alternately integrated into a production line 14 of the production plant 1, depending on the product format to be produced. If hygiene products 2 of the first product format are to be produced, the first format change module 13 is integrated into the production line 14, and the second format change module 13' is arranged outside the production line 14. In the opposite case, if the second product format is to be produced, the first format change module 13 is exchanged for the second format change module 13'.

[0027] The two format change modules 13 and 13' have, in particular, the same structure, i.e., they have corresponding processing stations or the same types of processing stations. However, the size of the corresponding processing stations, the distances between adjacent corresponding processing stations, and / or the component spacing within the corresponding processing stations differ between the two format change modules 13 and 13' in order to be able to produce the desired different product formats. The first product format can, for example, be adult diapers 3 in sizes S and M, and the second product format can be adult diapers 3 in sizes L and XL.The dimensions of a hygiene product 2 in size S and a hygiene product 2 in size M may differ slightly, but the differences are so small that no, or at least no significant, changes are required within the format change module 13. The same applies to the differences in the dimensions of sizes L and XL, which also require no, or at least no significant, changes in the format change module 13'. For the lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b, the overall lengths for sizes S and M differ by, for example, 40 mm, and for sizes L and XL by only, for example, 15 mm, which does not require replacement of the format change module 13 or 13', whereas for sizes M and L the overall lengths may differ by, for example, 90 mm, which then requires replacement of the format change module 13 or 13'.

[0028] The format change modules 13 and 13', as well as any other corresponding format change modules not shown here, are fully functional when integrated into the production line 14. In particular, it is only necessary to connect the respective integrated format change module 13 or 13' electrically, pneumatically, and / or hydraulically. The respective format change module 13 or 13' is fully functional even when not integrated into the production line 14, so that a functional test can be performed at any time, even outside the production line.

[0029] In the Figuren 4a), 4b ) and 5 In the embodiment shown, all format change modules 13 and 13' each have the following processing stations or types of processing stations: a cutting device 4, 4', in particular with at least one knife shaft and a corresponding counter shaft or a corresponding counter knife, configured to shape lateral fastening elements 15a, 15b of the hygiene product 2 or of intermediate products 15 from which the lateral fastening elements 15a, 15b are produced, a layer connecting device 5, 5' configured to bring together at least one strip material 16 forming a body-side layer, a strip material 17 forming the distal layer and the lateral fastening elements 15a, 15b or intermediate products 15 and connect them to form a fixed layer structure 18, wherein the lateral fastening elements 15a, 15b or intermediate products 15 are bonded to the strip material 16 forming the body-side layer and / or the strip material 17 forming the distal layer, in particular in a material-to-material manner, preferably by applying hot glue, ultrasonic sealing and / or hot stamping,are non-positively and / or positively connectable, and preferably a handling device 6, 6' configured to accelerate intermediate products 15, from which lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b are formed, in the production direction P, for example using a transfer roller from which the respective products / elements 15, 15a, 15b are picked up, and in particular to space them apart from one another in the production direction P and / or to rotate every second of the intermediate products 15 by in particular 180°, and / or a first feed device 7, 7' configured to feed strip material 22 for the lateral fastening elements 15a, 15b or intermediate products 15, in particular in the form of two strip material strands 22a, 22b, to the cutting device 4, 4' and / or a second feed device 8, 8' configured to feed the strip material 16 forming the body-side layer to the layer connecting device 5, 5',wherein the band material 16 forming the body-side layer is provided, in particular, with at least one fluid absorption and distribution layer 23 and / or with a leakage protection 24 and / or with an intermediate layer and / or a third feeding device 9, 9' configured to feed the band material 17 forming the distal layer to the layer connecting device 5, 5', wherein the band material 17 forming the distal layer is provided, in particular, with fluid-absorbing cores 20 and / or with elastic longitudinal bands 25, and / or a fourth feeding device 10, 10' configured to feed elastic transverse bands 26 and, in particular, a cutting device 11, 11' configured to cut the elastic transverse bands 26 and / or a transfer device 12, 12' configured to transfer the fixed layer structure 18 to a further processing station 27, 28, ...33, which, in particular is not part of the respective format change module 13, 13'. ,

[0030] In addition to the aforementioned format-dependent processing stations 4 to 12 or 4' to 12', one or more of the following additional processing stations are also provided as part of the remaining production line 14: a first folding device 27 configured for longitudinally folding the fixed layer structure 18, and / or a cutting-to-length device 28 configured for cutting the fixed layer structure 18, and / or a second folding device 29 configured for transversely folding individual products 34 produced from the fixed layer structure 18, and / or a stacking device 30 configured for stacking and in particular packaging individual products 34 produced from the fixed layer structure 18.

[0031] The aforementioned additional processing stations 27 to 30 are arranged behind the receiving section for the format change modules 13 and 13' in the production direction P. In contrast, one or more of the following additional processing stations are arranged in front of the receiving section for the format change modules 13 and 13' in relation to the production direction P: a first supply device 31 which is configured to feed strip material 22 for the intermediate products 15, from which the fastening elements 15a and 15b are formed, to the respective format change module 13 or 13' and in particular to the first feed device 7 or 7' of the respective format change module 13 or 13', wherein the first supply device 31 comprises in particular a longitudinal cutting device 35 for cutting the strip material 22 into two separate strip material strands 22a and 22b, and / or a second supply device 32 which is configured to feed material 16 forming the body-side layer to the respective format change module 13 or 13' and in particular to the second feed device 8 or 8' of the respective format change module 13 or13', wherein the second provision device 32 comprises in particular a layering device 36 for bringing together the strip material 16 forming the body-side layer and a fluid absorption and distribution layer 23 (acquisition layer) and / or a leakage protection 24 (upstanding cuffs) and / or an intermediate layer, and / or a third provision device 33 which is configured to feed strip material 17 forming the distal layer to the respective format change module 13 or 13' and in particular to the third feed device 9, 9' of the respective format change module 13 or 13', wherein the third provision device 33 comprises in particular a core forming device 37 which is configured to produce and form fluid-absorbing cores 20 and to place the cores 20 onto the strip material 17 forming the distal layer.

[0032] The layer joining device 5 or 5' of the respective format change module 13 or 13' has a collecting drum 19 configured to combine the strip material 16 forming the body-side layer, which is provided in particular with at least the intermediate products 15 for the lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b, with the strip material 17 forming the body-removable layer, which is provided in particular with at least the liquid-absorbing cores 20. The collecting drum 19 is configured in particular to suck in the strip material 16 forming the topsheet. For this purpose, the collecting drum 19 has, for example, circumferentially arranged openings (not shown) and is in fluid communication with a vacuum generating device (not shown), which is in particular not part of the respective format change module 13 or 13'.

[0033] The layer joining device 5 or 5' here further comprises a pressure roller 21 which interacts with the collecting drum 19 in such a way that the layer structure 18 is pressed together at least in sections between the collecting drum 19 and the pressure roller 21, in particular in a pressure region 44 around the core 20.

[0034] Furthermore, in Fig. 5 It can also be seen that each of the format change modules 13 and 13' here and preferably each has a module frame 37 or 37', into which the processing stations 4 to 12 or 4' to 12' for the respective product format are installed. The module frames 37 and 37' have, in particular, the same dimensions and are provided with a movement unit 38 or 38' in the form of air slide cushions 39 or 39' and a coupling unit 40 or 40' for coupling with corresponding counterparts 41 provided in the production line 14.

[0035] In the Fig. 2 and 3The basic process of manufacturing hygiene products 2 using the proposed production line 1 is shown.

[0036] In the first embodiment ( Fig. 2 ) strip material 22 for the lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b or the previous intermediate product 15 is provided in the form of an endless roll. The strip material 22 is then divided into two strands 22a and 22b by means of a longitudinal cutting device 35, wherein the intermediate products 15 for the lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b are shaped or cut to size in the cutting device 4 or 4', whereby in this variant some offcuts arise (low waste variant) which can be vacuumed off. The intermediate products 15 are then connected in particular in a material-to-material bond to the strip material 16 of the body-side layer (topsheet), for example by means of glue and / or ultrasound and / or embossing, wherein this strip material 16 is then combined with the strip material 17 of the body-removable layer (backsheet), onto which the liquid-absorbing cores 20 were previously placed.The merging takes place on the collecting drum 19, with the resulting layered structure or product strand 18 being pressed together around the cores 20 between the collecting drum 19 and the pressure roller 21. The layered structure 18, which can also incorporate a liquid absorption and / or distribution layer 23 (acquisition layer) as well as elastic longitudinal bands 25 and elastic transverse bands 26, is then cut to size in the cutting device 28, thereby creating an individual product 34. The separation between the individual product 34 and the preceding layered strand 18 runs transversely to the production direction P through the intermediate products 15, whereby the intermediate products 15 are divided into the lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b, which have already been described with reference to FIG. Fig. 1 Before cutting to length, a longitudinal fold and then a cross fold can be carried out (in Fig. 2 not shown). The finished individual products 34 can then be packaged.

[0037] The second embodiment ( Fig. 3 ) differs from the variant in Fig. 2 by cutting the intermediate products 15 for the subsequent lateral fastening elements 15a and 15b without waste (zero waste variant). This requires, after cutting in the cutting device 4 or 4', a rotation of every second intermediate product 15 by 180° about an axis perpendicular to the intermediate product 15 (the axis can also be different, as long as the intermediate product is subsequently aligned like the adjacent intermediate products). The further course of the process is based on Fig. 2 described are identical.

[0038] Finally, there is another difference between the examples in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 that according to Fig. 2 the fastening strips 42 (e.g. adhesive strips) are attached to the band material 22 before the two individual strands 22a and 22b are produced, whereas according to Fig. 3 first the longitudinal division into the two individual strands 22a and 22b is carried out and only then are the fastening strips 42 attached. Bezugszeichenliste

[0039] 1Production plant 2Hygienic product 3Adult or baby diaper 4, 4'Cutting device for side fasteners 5, 5'Layer joining device 6, 6'Handling device for the side fasteners 7, 7'First feed device for tape material for the side fasteners 8, 8'Second feed device for tape material for the bodyside layer 9, 9'Third feed device for tape material for the distal layer 10, 10'Fourth feed device for cross tapes 11, 11'Cutting device for the cross tapes 12, 12'Transfer device for the layer build-up 13First format change module 13Second format change module 14Production line 15Intermediate products from which side fasteners are produced 15a, 15bSide fasteners 16Tape material for the bodyside layer or topsheet 17Band material for the distal layer or backsheet 18Layer structure, orProduct strand 19Collection drum 20Liquid-absorbing cores 21Pressure roller 22Band material for the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products 22a, 22bBand material strands for the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products 23Liquid acquisition and / or distribution layer (Acquisition / Distribution Layer, ADL) 24Leak protection (Upstanding cuffs) 25Longitudinal bands 26Cross bands 27First folding device for longitudinal folding 28Cutting device for cutting to length 29Second folding device for cross folding 30Stacking device for stacking and in particular packaging 31First supply device for band material for the lateral fastening elements or intermediate products 32Second supply device for band material for the bodyside layer 33Third supply device for band material for the distal layer 34Individual products 35Longitudinal cutting device for Creating the strip material strands for the lateral fastening elements orIntermediate products 36Layering device 37, 37'Module frame 38, 38'Movement unit 39, 39'Air glide cushion 40, 40'Coupling unit 41Counterparts for coupling unit 42Fastening strips (e.g. adhesive strips) 43Frontal fastening surface (frontal tape) 44Pressure area around core 45Connection area between lateral fastening element and body-side and body-removal layer 46Middle part (chassis) PProduction direction.

Claims

1. Production plant (1) for hygiene products (2), in particular adult or baby diapers (2), - comprising a plurality of processing stations (4, 5, ...12) which are configured for producing a first product format and - comprising a plurality of processing stations (4', 5', ...12') which are configured for producing a second product format, wherein the processing stations (4, 5, ...12) for the first product format are combined in a first format change module (13) and the processing stations (4', 5',...12' ) for the second product format are combined in a second format change module (13') and wherein the first format change module (13) and the second format change module (13') can be alternately integrated into a production line (14) of the production plant (1), wherein the first format change module (13) has as processing stations (4, 5) for the first product format and the second format change module (13') has as processing stations (4', 5') for the second product format in each case: - a cutting device (4, 4') configured for forming lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) of the hygiene product (2) or intermediate products (15) from which the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) are created, and - a sheet-connecting device (5, 5') configured for bringing together at least one out of a strip material (16) forming a body-side sheet and a strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet and the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15) and connecting them to form a fixed layered structure (18), wherein the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15) can be connected to the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet and / or the strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet, in particular by being integrally bonded, preferably by means of applying hot glue, ultrasonic sealing and / or stamping, frictionally connected and / or interlockingly connected, wherein the production plant (1) has as a further processing station (27), which does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13'), - a first folding device (27), which is configured for longitudinally folding the fixed layered structure (18), and / or - a cutting-to-length device (28), which is configured for cutting the fixed layered structure (18) to length, and / or - a second folding device (29), which is configured for transversely folding individual products (34) created from the fixed layered structure (18), and / or - a stacking device (30), which is configured for stacking, and in particular packing, individual products (34) created from the fixed layered structure (18).

2. Production plant (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sheet-connecting device (5, 5') has a collecting drum (19), which is configured to bring together the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet, which in particular is provided at least with the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15), with the strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet, which in particular is provided at least with liquid-absorbing cores (20), wherein the collecting drum (19) is in particular configured to draw the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet onto it by suction.

3. Production plant (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the sheet-connecting device (5, 5') has a pressing roller (21), which interacts with the collecting drum (19) in such a way that the layered structure (18) is pressed together, at least in some portions, between the collecting drum (19) and the pressing roller (21), in particular at least around the cores (20).

4. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first format change module (13) has as a processing station (6) for the first product format and the second format change module (13') has as a processing station (6') for the second product format, between the cutting device (4, 4') and the sheet-connecting device (5, 5') with respect to the direction of production (P), in each case a handling device (6, 6'), which is configured to accelerate the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15) in the direction of production (P) and in particular to space them apart in the direction of production (P) and / or to turn individual fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15) by in particular 180°.

5. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first format change module (13) has as processing stations (7, 8, ...12) for the first product format and the second format change module (13') has as processing stations (7', 8',...12') for the second product format in each case: - a first feeding device (7, 7'), configured for feeding strip material (22) for the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15), in particular in the form of two strands of strip material (22a, 22b), to the cutting device (4, 4') and / or - a second feeding device (8, 8'), configured for feeding the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet to the sheet-connecting device (5, 5'), wherein the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet is in particular provided at least with a liquid-absorbing and distributing sheet (23) and / or with a leakage preventer (24) and / or with an intermediate sheet and / or - a third feeding device (9, 9'), configured for feeding the strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet to the sheet-connecting device (5, 5'), wherein the strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet is in particular provided with liquid-absorbing cores (20) and / or with elastic longitudinal strips (25), and / or - a fourth feeding device (10, 10'), configured for feeding elastic transverse strips (26), and also in particular a cutting device (11, 11'), configured for cutting the elastic transverse strips (26) to size, and / or - a transfer device (12, 12'), configured for transferring the fixed layered structure (18) to a further processing station (27, 28, ...33), which in particular does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13').

6. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective further processing station (27, 28, ...30), which does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13'), is arranged downstream of the respective format change module (13, 13') with respect to the direction of production (P) in the state in which it is integrated in the production line (14).

7. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production plant (1) has as a further processing station (31), which does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13'), a first supplying device (31), which is configured for feeding strip material (22) for the lateral fastening elements (15a, 15b) or intermediate products (15) to the respective format change module (13, 13') and in particular to the first feeding device (7, 7') of the respective format change module (13, 13'), wherein the first supplying device (31) in particular comprises a longitudinal-slicing device (35) for slicing the strip material (22) into two separate strands of strip material (22a, 22b).

8. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production plant (1) has as a further processing station (32), which does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13'), a second supplying device (32), which is configured for feeding strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet to the respective format change module (13, 13') and in particular to the second feeding device (8, 8') of the respective format change module (13, 13'), wherein the second supplying device (32) in particular comprises a layering device (36) for bringing together the strip material (16) forming the body-side sheet and a liquid-absorbing and distributing sheet (23) and / or a leakage preventer (24) and / or an intermediate sheet.

9. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the production plant (1) has as a further processing station a third supplying device (33), which is configured for feeding strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet to the respective format change module (13, 13') and in particular to the third feeding device (9, 9') of the respective format change module (13, 13'), wherein the third supplying device (33) in particular comprises a core-forming device (37), which is configured for producing and forming liquid-absorbing cores (20) and placing the cores (20) onto the strip material (17) forming the body-remote sheet.

10. Production plant (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the respective further processing station (31, 32, 33), which does not form part of the respective format change module (13, 13'), is arranged upstream of the respective format change module (13, 13') in the direction of production (P) in the state in which it is integrated in the production line (14).

11. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective format change module (13, 13') has a module frame (37, 37'), in which the processing stations (4, 5, ...12; 4' , 5', ...12') for the respective product format are installed, wherein the module frame (37) of the first format change module (13) in particular has the same dimensions as the module frame (37') of the second format change module (13').

12. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective format change module (13, 13') has a moving unit (38, 38'), which in particular includes transporting rollers or air cushions (39, 39'), and / or a coupling unit (40, 40'), configured for coupling together with corresponding counterparts (41) in the production line (14).