Method and device for manufacturing elastic laminate, and disposable absorbent hygiene product including elastic laminate

Abstract

To provide an alternative flexible system for cleaning elastic strands from dust and loose fibers or other contaminants before being coated with an adhesive.SOLUTION: There is provided a method for manufacturing elastic laminates (304, 304', 304'' and 304''') for disposable absorbent hygiene products (1, 101 and 200), the elastic laminates (304, 304', 304'' and 304''') comprising at least a first continuous sheet (301) and at least one elastic strand (303 and 303''). Further, a disposable absorbent hygiene product comprising the elastic laminate manufactured by a device and the method is also disclosed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7b

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an elastic laminate for an absorbent article, the elastic laminate comprising at least a first continuous sheet and at least one elastic strand. The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus and a product made by the method.

Background Art

[0002] Absorbent articles such as diapers or incontinence guards are objects worn adjacent to the body and are used for the containment and absorption of body exudates such as urine, blood, excrement and sweat. Such articles typically are provided with an elastic member in the form of one or more elastic strands. For reasons of manufacturing efficiency and economic benefit, the elastic member is placed in selected regions of the article such as leg openings, waist openings, and standing gathers. The elastic member serves one or more functions such as helping to maintain the article in a fixed position on the wearer, providing the article with an appropriate three-dimensional shape, and helping to seal portions of the article against the skin of the wearer, and thus reducing the risk of leakage.

[0003] Absorbent articles are manufactured in large quantities and at high speeds. A method is thus needed that allows for the incorporation of an elastic member, for example in the form of one or more elastic threads or strands, within or onto other components of the absorbent article during manufacture. The elastic member typically is only placed within specific regions of the absorbent article, but often is supplied in a continuous form (e.g., on a roll), and thus one or more steps of cutting the elastic member typically are required.

[0004] Elastic members are typically attached to other components by a liquid adhesive such as hot melt adhesive. Various dispensing systems have been developed to apply hot melt adhesive onto various components. In one example, the hot melt adhesive is applied to one or more thin elastic threads / strands, and the threads / strands are then applied to a flat nonwoven substrate to form the elasticized portion of a disposable absorbent personal care product. Downstream of the dispensing system, various components (e.g., a flat substrate layer and elastic strands) typically pass through a pressure nip to secure the components together.

[0005] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for softer absorbent articles, which is addressed by using softer materials. However, these softer materials generate dust and loose fibers during manufacturing, which can be problematic. The dust and loose fibers can cause problems during the gluing process of adding hot melt onto the elastic strands. Problems include insufficient glue being applied to the elastic strands and even breakage of the strands.

[0006] Several solutions have been proposed. One such solution involves using a glue nozzle having an outlet through which air can flow, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The outlet is directed towards the elastic strand and impinges on the strand proximate to the upstream inlet into the notch of the nozzle. The air flow discharged from the outlet has a sufficient velocity or magnitude to overcome the force that would otherwise cause particles carried by the strand to enter, pass between, or exit the notch of the nozzle before, during, or after the particles adhere to the strand.

[0007] However, there is still a need for an alternative flexible solution.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] It is desirable to provide an alternative flexible system for cleaning elastic strands from dust and loose fibers or other contaminants before being coated with an adhesive.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing an elastic laminate for a disposable absorbent hygiene product is provided, the elastic laminate comprising at least a first continuous sheet and at least one elastic strand. The method includes advancing the first continuous sheet having a first surface in a machine direction and defining a width in a cross-machine direction, advancing the at least one elastic strand in a stretched state in the machine direction, dispensing a liquid adhesive onto the at least one elastic strand from a nozzle having at least one liquid discharge passage, and ejecting air onto the at least one elastic strand from an air ejection device, the air ejection device being disposed at a predetermined distance upstream from the nozzle for blowing away dust, loose fibers or other contaminants before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the at least one elastic strand.

[0011] Before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the elastic strand, by ejecting air onto the elastic strand from an air ejection device disposed at a predetermined distance upstream from the nozzle, dust and loose fibers or other contaminants can be removed in an efficient manner before the elastic strand enters the nozzle. This reduces the risk of insufficient glue being applied to the elastic strand and also reduces strand breakage. The air used does not need to be heated in certain application examples where the air is applied at a predetermined distance from the nozzle and its liquid discharge passage, so it may be advantageous to have an air ejection device at a predetermined distance from the nozzle. In such exemplary application examples, since no heating device is required to heat the air, this can potentially save costs.

[0012] A first continuous sheet having a first surface in the machine direction and defining a width in the cross-machine direction may be a nonwoven material that, for example, forms a laminate with elastic strands to form leg elastics and / or waist and / or abdominal elastics within an upright gather, absorbent article. In the context of the present disclosure, a "nonwoven fabric" is a manufactured sheet, web, or batt of fibers that are oriented or randomly oriented and joined by friction and / or adhesion and / or cohesion, excluding paper and products that are woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating bindings of yarns or filaments, or felted by wet milling, whether additional requirements are needed or not. The first continuous sheet may advantageously be selected from, for example, spunbond, airlaid, wetlaid, carded, or meltblown nonwovens. The fibers may be made of natural or synthetic materials such as cellulose fibers, regenerated cellulose, polyester fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyethylene fibers, or combinations thereof.

[0013] Commercially available fibers have diameters in the range from less than about 0.001 mm to greater than about 0.2 mm and come in several different forms, short fibers (known as staples or cut), continuous monofilaments (filaments or monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (yarn). Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by many processes such as meltblowing, spunbonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and carding.

[0014] The nonwoven material may be a laminate or combination of several types of nonwoven materials such as spunbond meltblown or spunbond meltblown spunbond type. The nonwoven material may be inelastic. The basis weight of the nonwoven layer is from 5 to 80 g / m 2 , for example, from 10 to 40 g / m 2 , particularly from 10 to 30 g / m 2 and can vary. When the basis weight is 40 g / m 2 or less, sufficient breathability, drapability, and comfort for the product can be obtained. A basis weight of 10 to 30 g / m 2 has been found to provide improved comfort and flexibility to the wearer of the object while providing excellent processability.

[0015] The term "elastic strand" is intended to mean, for example, a thread or strand made of an elastic material such as natural or synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer such as thermoplastic polyurethane or styrene block copolymer or elastane, also known as spandex (polyurethane-polyurea copolymer). The elastic strand may be of the elastane type commercially available under the trade name "LYCRA", but any suitable elastic strand may be used. The strand may have a linear mass density, dtex, of about 80 to 800 dtex.

[0016] The elastic strand is stretched during the manufacturing process. It may be stretched in the range of about 30 to about 300% of the initial non-tension original length, for example, in the range of 70 to 250%, particularly in the range of 100 to 200% of the initial non-tension original length. The elastic strand may be of a type that can withstand at least about 200% elongation without breaking, and thus can be safely used in the manufacturing process without the risk of breakage.

[0017] The liquid adhesive used to coat the strand may be a hot melt adhesive having a thermoplastic property. Any type of known hot melt adhesive may be used, and the hot melt adhesive may be, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin, polyester and / or polyamide, polyurethane, styrene block copolymer, silicone rubber and / or natural soy protein-based adhesive. The adhesive may be non-toxic. The adhesive may be a styrene block copolymer-based hot melt adhesive such as a product similar to the product of the trademark Henkei Dispomelt 5482. Other examples of suitable hot melt adhesives are manufactured, for example, by H. B. Fuller under the product names such as NW1002 or FC8200, and Bostic H4281. The nozzle is an adhesive nozzle. The nozzle and the air ejection device have the same characteristics and advantages as described in connection with the device as further described below.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may also include the step of bonding the at least one elastic strand to the first surface of the first continuous sheet after the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage onto the elastic strand.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the ejection device is a device separate from the nozzle. By having an air ejection device as a separate device, existing manufacturing machines and / or lines can be supplemented. Thus, existing equipment / manufacturing lines may be easily supplemented with an air ejection device. The air ejection device can be used in any machine or manufacturing line and is not by a specific supplier of the machine or a supplier of the nozzle equipment. Further, having another air ejection device provides flexibility to adjust the position of the device and the angle at which air is applied to the elastic strand.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one elastic strand for ejecting the air over at least one elastic strand via the air discharge passage, the at least one air discharge passage comprising a first virtual central axis intersecting the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point, the at least one liquid discharge passage of the nozzle comprising a second virtual central axis intersecting the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a second point, the predetermined distance being between the first point and the second point along the at least one elastic strand, the predetermined distance being between about 150 mm and about 900 mm, particularly between about 150 mm and about 600 mm. For example, if unheated air, such as air not heated by an air heating device, is used, the unheated air can cool the adhesive dispensed onto the nozzle and the elastic strand, so the air ejection device may not be arranged too close to the nozzle. This can lead to poor quality of the adhesive bond in the laminate and may affect the quality of the disposable absorbent hygiene product.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes guiding at least one elastic strand to the nozzle with an elastic strand guide, the elastic strand guide being disposed between the nozzle and the air ejection device. The elastic strand guide guides at least one elastic strand to a desired position within the machine. The elastic strand guide may be a guide roll having a groove on its outer peripheral region. Each elastic strand is disposed within its respective groove. The roll may rotate. The elastic strand guide may also be a plurality of guide rolls that are connected together and rotate independently of each other, each guide roll having one or more grooves for the elastic strand to be disposed therein.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic strand guide is disposed closer to the air ejection device than the nozzle.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects air over the elastic strand guide and over the at least one elastic strand. In this way, dust and / or loose fibers that may be on the elastic strand and on the elastic strand can be cleaned at the same time. This further improves the manufacturing.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects cold air over the at least one elastic strand. Cold air means air that has not been heated. That is, the air has not been intentionally heated by a heating device.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device includes at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the air discharge passage.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects air at an air pressure in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar. Thus, the air coming from each air discharge passage has an air pressure in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar. This gives the air discharged from each air discharge passage a sufficient speed or magnitude to overcome the force that adheres the particles to the strand and removes the particles from the strand.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage, and the at least one air discharge passage is arranged above or below the at least one elastic strand at a predetermined distance for ejecting air over the at least one elastic strand. The at least one air discharge passage comprises a first virtual central axis that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point, and the predetermined distance is measured along the first virtual central axis from the at least one air discharge passage and the first point.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined distance between the at least one air discharge passage and the at least one elastic strand is in the range of 30 to 70 mm. For example, it may be 40 mm. The advantage of having the air discharge passage near the elastic strand is that less air energy (bar) is required to blow away the dust. This also reduces the risk of unwanted air flow around the air ejection device and, in the worst-case scenario, may block other parts of the production line.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage. The at least one air discharge passage comprises a first virtual center line that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point. The first virtual central axis is within an angle with respect to the at least one elastic strand, and the angle is in the range between about 50° and 130°, particularly between 70° and 110°. By blocking the air at an angle with respect to the elastic strand, it is more likely that all dust and scattered fibers or other contaminants will be further removed.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes folding a first continuous sheet to form a first layer fold, and joining the first continuous sheet and the first layer fold. The first layer fold overlaps the at least one elastic strand. By folding the first continuous sheet to form a first layer fold that overlaps the elastic strand, standing gathers can be formed against the absorbent article. In another way, the configuration may form a leg elastic or a waist elastic.

[0031] The edge of the crotch region of the leg region can comprise a leg elastic disposed substantially in the longitudinal direction of the article. The leg elastic can be used to improve the fit and provide an additional leak barrier for the disposable wearable absorbent article.

[0032] The standing gathers extend upwardly substantially around each side edge of the absorbent body at the side portions of the surface sheet. The standing gathers define a barrier or wall at each side edge of the central crotch region of the absorbent article and serve to prevent or retard the lateral flow of body fluid materials such as urine or fluid fecal matter. The standing gathers may proceed longitudinally in the crotch region substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The standing gathers may be elastically gathered at least at its central portion, including elastic strands, providing an excellent means of fitting to prevent leakage. The standing gathers may extend longitudinally over the entire length of the absorbent product. However, it can be seen that the standing gathers may be shorter.

[0033] The purpose of the waist elastic is to provide an excellent fit around the waist of the wearer wearing the article to the absorbent body. The waist elastic is clamped relatively close to the waist edge around the waist opening.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises advancing a second continuous sheet having a first surface in the machine direction, defining a width in the cross-machine direction, and after the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage over the elastic strand, joining the at least one elastic strand between the first surface of the first continuous sheet and the first surface of the second continuous sheet. By having elastic strands disposed between two continuous sheets, front or rear elastics in an open diaper can be manufactured, or leg elastics can be manufactured. In another method, front and / or rear waist panels of a pant diaper with waist elastics and abdominal elastics can be manufactured. The second continuous sheet may be a nonwoven material that may form a laminate for use in the absorbent article, for example, as standing gathers, leg elastics and / or waist and / or abdominal elastics. The definition of the nonwoven material is the same as that of the first continuous sheet.

[0035] The various nonwoven material layers of the elastic laminate may be the same or different materials and may have the same, similar or different basis weights. When different materials are selected, an elasticized laminate having different surface characteristics across the sheet can be obtained. For example, the layers may have different frictional properties or different liquid / vapor permeation properties.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for manufacturing an elastic laminate for a disposable absorbent hygiene product is provided. The elastic laminate comprises at least a first continuous sheet and at least one elastic strand. The apparatus includes a first supply device configured to continuously advance the first continuous sheet having a first surface in the machine direction, a second supply device configured to continuously advance at least one elastic strand in the machine direction in a stretched state, a nozzle having at least one liquid discharge passage for dispensing a liquid adhesive onto the at least one elastic strand, and an air ejection device disposed at a predetermined distance upstream from the nozzle, the air ejection device being adapted to eject air onto the at least one elastic strand before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the at least one elastic strand.

[0037] The apparatus has the same advantages as described above in relation to the method. For example, the definitions provided above for the first continuous sheet, at least the elastic strand and the liquid adhesive also apply to the apparatus described herein. The characteristics, definitions and advantages described below in relation to the apparatus also apply to the method.

[0038] The first supply device may be in the form of a roller for supplying the first continuous sheet. The second supply device may also be in the form of a roller for supplying at least one elastic strand. Further, a tension control device may be used to create the required elastic tension of the elastic strand.

[0039] An air ejection device is a device that ejects air onto an elastic strand to remove dust, loose fibers, and other contaminants that may be present in a manufacturing environment. The air ejection device may comprise one or several air ejection heads connected to a pressurized air source. Each air ejection head may comprise one or more air discharge passages through which the pressurized air passes. The air discharge passages are directed towards the elastic strand. The number of air discharge passages may be the same as the number of elastic strands to be cleaned, and the distance between the air discharge passages may be the same as the distance between the elastic strands to be cleaned. The air ejection device may be, for example, an air knife by Silvent AB in Boras, Sweden, or a device comprising one or several air nozzles connected together to form an air ejection device. An example of an air nozzle that can be used is AIR NOZZLE SILVENT 9002W-S by Silvent AB. However, the air ejection device is not limited to an air knife by Silvent AB or a device comprising one or several air nozzles connected together. Any other suitable air ejection device can be used to remove contaminants such as dust and loose fibers from the elastic strand.

[0040] A nozzle having at least one liquid discharge passage is an adhesive nozzle, i.e., an adhesive nozzle. The nozzle may be a nozzle of a contact dispensing system. Such a system is a slot coating nozzle including one or more grooves configured to be filled with the extruded adhesive. Each individual strand is separately coated by a slot coating device, which may be, for example, a V-slot or a comb slot coating device. By a comb slot or a comb coater, in this case, it means a slot coater prepared with a shim designed in such a way that it can be used as a guiding device for elastic strands. However, the device may also be a V-notch slot coater with and without a guiding device attached for each strand. The adhesive may be arranged as separate bonding points on the elastic strand or, alternatively, may completely cover the elastic strand.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a bonding device configured to bond the at least one elastic strand to the first surface of the first continuous sheet after the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage onto the at least one elastic strand. The bonding device configured to bond the at least one elastic strand to the first surface of the first continuous sheet may take the form of two rolls positioned relative to each other to define a pressure nip that holds the components together as they pass between the two rolls. Alternatively, the bonding device may be one roll and a reversing moving surface that forms a pressure nip.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device is a separate device. By having the air ejection device as a separate device, existing manufacturing machines and / or lines can be supplemented. Thus, existing equipment / manufacturing lines may be easily supplemented with the air ejection device. The air ejection device can be used on any machine and is not dependent on a specific supplier of the machine or a supplier of nozzle equipment. Further, by having a separate air ejection device, it becomes easier to adjust the placement of the device within the machine and the angle at which air is applied to the elastic strand.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air onto the at least one elastic strand via the air discharge passage, the at least one air ejection passage comprising a first virtual central axis that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point, the at least one liquid discharge passage of the nozzle comprising a second virtual central axis that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a second point, the predetermined distance being between the first point and the second point along the at least one elastic strand, the predetermined distance being between about 150 mm and about 900 mm, particularly between about 150 mm and about 600 mm. For example, if air that is not heated by an air heating device is used, relatively cold air may cool the adhesive dispensed onto the nozzle and the elastic strand, which is undesirable, so the air ejection device may not be placed too close to the nozzle. This can lead to poor quality of the adhesive bonds within the laminate and may affect the quality of the disposable absorbent hygiene product.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an elastic strand guide arranged to guide at least one elastic strand to the nozzle, and the elastic strand guide is arranged between the nozzle and the air ejection device. The elastic strand guide guides at least one elastic strand to a desired position within the apparatus. The elastic strand may be in the form of a guide roll having a groove on its outer peripheral region. Each elastic strand is disposed within its respective groove. The roll may rotate. Alternatively, the elastic strand guide may be in the form of several guide rolls that are connected together and rotate independently of each other. Each guide roll has one or more grooves for the elastic strand to be disposed therein.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic strand guide is arranged closer to the air ejection device than the nozzle.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects air over the elastic strand guide and over the at least one elastic strand. In this way, dust, loose fibers, and / or other contaminants can be simultaneously cleaned from the surface of the elastic strand. This further improves the manufacturing.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects cold air over the at least one elastic strand. Cold air means air that is not heated. That is, the air is not intentionally heated by a heating device.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the air discharge passage.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device ejects air at an air pressure in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar. Thus, the air coming from each at least one air discharge passage has an air pressure in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar. This imparts to the air discharged from the air discharge passage a velocity of sufficient magnitude to overcome the forces that adhere the particles to the strands and remove the particles from the strands.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage, and the at least one air discharge passage is disposed above or below the at least one elastic strand at a predetermined distance. The at least one air discharge passage has a first virtual central axis that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point, and the predetermined distance is measured along the first virtual central axis from the at least one air discharge passage and the first point.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the predetermined distance between the air discharge passage and the at least one elastic strand is in the range of 30 to 70 mm. For example, it may be 40 mm.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage for ejecting the air over the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage, and the at least one air discharge passage has a first virtual center line that intersects the at least one elastic strand and its extension line at a first point, and the first virtual central axis is within an angle with respect to the at least one elastic strand, and the angle is in the range between about 50° and 130°, particularly between 70° and 110°. By blocking the air at an angle with respect to the elastic strand, it is more likely that all dust and loose fibers and / or other contaminants are further removed from the surface of the elastic strand.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the air ejection device comprises at least one air discharge passage, and each of the at least one air discharge passage ejects air onto a respective elastic strand. In this way, it is ensured that each elastic strand is cleaned before reaching the nozzle.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a folding device that folds a first continuous sheet to form a first layer fold and directly couples the first continuous sheet and the first layer fold, and the first layer fold overlaps the at least one elastic strand. By folding the first continuous sheet to form a first layer fold that overlaps the elastic strand, standing gathers are formed against the absorbent article. In another way, the configuration may form, for example, leg elastics or waist elastics.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a third supply device that continuously advances a second continuous sheet having a first surface in the machine direction and is configured to define a width in the cross-machine direction, and a bonding device that bonds the at least one elastic strand between the first surface of the first continuous sheet and the first surface of the second continuous sheet after the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage onto the elastic strand. By having elastic strands disposed between two continuous sheets, front or back elastics in an open diaper can be manufactured, or leg elastics can be manufactured. In another way, front and / or back waist panels of a pant diaper with waist elastics and abdominal elastics can be manufactured. The second continuous sheet may be a non-woven material. The definition of the non-woven material is the same as that of the first continuous sheet. The third supply device may be a roller or any other type of device suitable for supplying the second continuous sheet.

[0056] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a disposable absorbent hygiene product comprising an elastic laminate manufactured by the method described above. The disposable absorbent hygiene product, which may also be referred to as a disposable absorbent product or absorbent article, may be a pant-type absorbent article, i.e., a pant diaper, an integral absorbent article, i.e., an open diaper, a belt-type absorbent article, i.e., a belt diaper or a diaper with a belt also referred to as an absorbent pad.

[0057] Generally, all terms used throughout this disclosure are to be interpreted in accordance with their ordinary meaning in the art, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be construed as open references to at least one example of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0058] Other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed disclosure and the drawings. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that different features of the exemplary embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those explicitly described below without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] The above and additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood through the following exemplary and non-limiting detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used for similar elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0060]

Figure 1

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Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 7c

Figure 7d

Figure 7e

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Figure 10

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] All the figures are highly schematic and not necessarily to scale, showing only the parts necessary to clarify the present invention, with other parts omitted or merely presented.

[0062] The various aspects of the disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. However, the exemplary embodiments may take many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0063] For the purposes of the description set forth herein, the terms “rear,” “front,” “longitudinal,” “inner,” “outer,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof relate to the exemplary embodiments as oriented in the drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments may assume various alternative orientations, unless explicitly specified otherwise. Also, it is to be understood that the examples shown in the drawings and described herein are merely exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the dimensions and other physical characteristics disclosed in connection with the exemplary embodiments are not to be construed as limiting, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0064] The disclosure mainly refers to disposable absorbent hygiene products, which means products that are not intended to be laundered after use or restored or reused as absorbent products. By “absorbent product” is meant a product that absorbs or is adapted to absorb body fluids such as urine and / or blood and / or contains solid excreta.

[0065] Absorbent objects / products such as diapers or incontinence guards are objects worn adjacent to the body and are used for containing and absorbing body exudates such as urine, blood, excreta, and sweat. Absorbent hygiene products, also referred to herein as absorbent objects, are disposable products. The term “disposable” is used to describe absorbent products that are generally not intended to be laundered or restored or reused as absorbent products and, for example, are intended to be discarded after a single use and may be configured to be reused, composted, or disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner.

[0066] An "absorbent article / product", also referred to as a disposable absorbent hygiene product or object, refers to a consumer product that absorbs and contains body exudates, and more particularly, a product that is placed on or in proximity to the wearer's body to absorb and contain various exudates discharged from the body. Absorbent articles, also called absorbent objects, include, for example, diapers and incontinence devices. Diapers include, for example, unitary diapers, pant diapers, and belted diapers. Diapers can be for infants, young children, or adults.

[0067] Such objects are typically provided with an elastic member in the form of one or more elastic strands. The elastic member is placed in selected regions of the object, such as leg openings, waist openings, and standing gathers. The elastic member can have several functions. For example, it can help to maintain the object in a fixed position on the wearer, provide the object with an appropriate three-dimensional shape, and / or help to seal portions of the object against the wearer's skin, thus reducing the risk of leakage.

[0068] So-called unitary diapers, also called open diapers, are characterized by including a fastening tab / panel by which the front and rear portions of the diaper are joined when the diaper is placed around the wearer's waist. Unitary diapers can have elastic materials in the front and / or rear regions. They typically also have leg elastic materials and may be provided with standing gathers.

[0069] So-called pants diapers are characterized in that the front and rear portions of the diaper are joined at the waist. This type of diaper is intended to be placed exactly on the wearer like pants, i.e., to be pulled over the wearer's legs. The joining at the waist of the pants diaper can usually be broken open to remove the pants diaper from the wearer so that there is no need to pull the pants down over the wearer's legs and feet to remove the pants diaper. Pants diapers usually have both elastic regions around the leg openings at the waist. There are also pants diapers that can be opened and closed again by means of re-fastening means. Such pants diapers can be opened, for example, to check whether the product is soiled or to adjust the width of the product and then closed again. Pants diapers usually have elastic materials in both the front and rear waist panels in the waist region and the abdominal region. However, only the front or rear region may have an elastic material within the waist and / or abdominal region. Pants diapers also usually have leg elastic materials and may have standing gathers.

[0070] So-called belted diapers / diaper products are characterized by having a belt that is oriented laterally with respect to the diaper body and is integrally attached to the body. The absorbent body is disposed within the body. The belt may have two belt portions that extend to either the rear end or the front end of the body. When applying the belted diaper, the two belt portions are intended to be fastened around the wearer's waist in a first step. The front end or the rear end of the body of the belted diaper is slackened from the belt and suspended between the wearer's legs. When the belt portions are joined together, the absorbent body is guided between the wearer's legs and fastened to the belt. The belt has a securing surface intended to adhere a securing element disposed on the diaper body by its free lateral edge. This type of product is particularly useful for caregivers caring for patients who may have dementia or the like. Another type of belted diaper is in the form of a two-piece product comprising a separate belt and a separate body with an absorbent structure. In use, the belt is fastened around the wearer's waist, and then the body is attached outside the belt by hook and loop elements or tape elements at the corners of the body.

[0071] Belted diapers may have elastic materials in the front and / or rear waist regions. These typically also have leg elastic and may have standing gathers.

[0072] As described above, all three of the diaper types described above may have leg elastics. The leg elastics can be used to improve the fit and provide an extra leakage barrier for disposable absorbent articles. The edges of the crotch region in the leg region can comprise leg elastics disposed substantially in the longitudinal direction of the product. The problems of the leg elastics include improving the fit of the product. Each leg elastic can consist of one or more elastic strands joined to at least one of the layers in the crotch region by gluing, ultrasonic welding, etc. in the expanded state. In another way, each leg elastic can consist of, for example, an elastic ribbon material of a foamed material. Each leg elastic is preferably disposed on the side of the backsheet intended to face away from the wearer during use.

[0073] All three of the diaper types described above may also have a pair of standing gathers that extend substantially upward around each side edge of the absorbent body on the side of the topsheet. Such standing gathers define a barrier or wall at each side edge of the central crotch region of the absorbent article that serves to prevent or retard the lateral flow of body fluid materials such as urine or fluid fecal matter. The standing gathers may run substantially parallel to the longitudinal edges in the crotch region in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The standing gathers may include an elastic material, may include an elastic material such as an elastic strand, thread or ribbon material, and may be elastically gathered at least in the central portion to provide a means for an excellent fit to prevent leakage. The standing gathers may extend in the longitudinal direction L over the entire length of the absorbent article. However, it will be appreciated that the standing gathers may be shorter.

[0074] Any of the three diaper types described above may have a waist elastic. The waist elastic includes at least one elastic material such as an elastic strand, thread, or ribbon material that is clamped to the body at least partially along a waist edge that forms part of the front portion and / or the rear portion. The purpose of the waist elastic is to provide an absorbent product with an excellent fit around the waist of the person wearing the object. The waist elastic is clamped relatively close to the waist edge around the waist opening.

[0075] Another elastic material may be disposed adjacent to the waist elastic within the abdominal region, i.e., the so-called abdominal elastic, and in the direction towards the wearer's back side, i.e., the crotch. The purpose of these elastic components is to contribute to an excellent fit and comfort for the wearer of the object. These are commonly present in so-called pants diapers.

[0076] Other products in which elastic materials can be used may be, for example, disposable absorbent pads that can be placed inside the underwear of the wearer. The disposable absorbent pads can be provided with leg elastics or standing gathers in the same manner as the three types of diapers described herein. Therefore, such disposable absorbent pads will not be further described.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a disposable pants-type absorbent article 1 shown in an assembled and ready-to-use state. The same absorbent article 1 is also shown in FIG. 2, but in a flattened state as seen from above to show its main components.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pant-type absorbent article 1 is in the form of, for example, a pant diaper, a sanitary pant or an incontinence pant adapted for use by a wearer such as an infant, a child or an adult, male or female. The pant-type absorbent article 1 according to FIG. 1 comprises a single-piece body 2 having a front portion 3, a back portion 4 also called the rear portion 4, a crotch portion 5 connecting the front and back portions 3, 4, and a center line 6 (see FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction of the article. The absorbent article 1 has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction.

[0079] The front portion 3 has a waist edge 7, a pair of leg edges 9, 10, and a pair of side edges 11, 12. Further, the back portion 4 has a waist edge 8, a pair of leg edges 13, 14 and a pair of side edges 15, 16.

[0080] As described above, the absorbent article 1 comprises a crotch portion 5 mainly containing an absorber 17 within the crotch portion 5. The absorber 17 may be manufactured separately from the body 2 and inserted and fastened to the body 2 in a suitable manufacturing step.

[0081] The side edges 11, 12 of the front portion 3 are attached to the opposing side edges 15, 16 of the back portion 4 by permanent or re-closable side connections 18, 19 such as side seams, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive fasteners, etc. to at least partially define a waist opening 20 and a pair of leg openings 21, 22.

[0082] A first elastic element in the form of an elastic waist component 23 is fastened to the body 2 at least partially along the waist edges 7, 8 respectively forming part of the front portion 3 and the back portion 3. The purpose of the elastic waist component 23 is to provide an absorbent product 1 with an excellent fit around the waist of the person wearing the article. The elastic waist component 23 is fastened relatively close to the waist edges 7, 8 around the waist opening 20.

[0083] Furthermore, a second elastic element in the form of the elastic leg component 24 is fastened to the body 2 at least partially along the leg edges 9, 10 of the front part 2 for the purpose of providing the absorbent article 1 with an excellent fit around the legs of the wearer who wears the object. The elastic leg component 24 is fastened relatively close to the leg edges 9, 10.

[0084] In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the elastic leg component 24 forms a straight line in the front part 3 and has a curved configuration in the back part 4.

[0085] Furthermore, the first absorber elastic material 25 and the second absorber elastic material 26 are arranged along the crotch part 5. The first absorber elastic material 25 is arranged along the first crotch edge 28, and the second absorber elastic material 26 is arranged along the second crotch edge 29. In particular, the first absorber elastic material 25 and the second absorber elastic material 26 are arranged relatively close to the longitudinal crotch edges 28, 29 and form a second set of leg elastic materials. In a similar manner, the elastic waist component 23 and the elastic leg component 24 are also arranged relatively close to the waist edges 7, 8 and the leg edges 9, 10, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0086] When the elastic leg component 24 and the elastic waist component 23 are fastened at positions close to the leg and waist edges 7, 8, 9, 10, respectively, less non-elasticized web material is available at the leg and waist edges so that fewer frills are created along the edges. A large amount of material at the leg edges may be perceived as uncomfortable by the wearer and may give the wearer the impression that the object is not the same as conventional underwear, which may be undesirable.

[0087] Positioning the elastic leg component 24 closer to the leg edges 9, 10 may also lead to an absorbent object 1 having an improved fit corresponding to the shape of the wearer's legs.

[0088] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the absorbent article 1 comprises a front elastic component 30 and a back elastic component 31, both based on several elastic strands attached to each other at a specific distance in a substantially parallel manner around the article 1, i.e., around the regions of the wearer's abdominal and back sides. The purpose of these elastic components 30, 31 is to contribute to an excellent fit and comfort of the wearer of the article 1. In particular, the configuration of the elastic strands can be adapted to the male and female body structures and the need for an appropriate fit and comfort of the male and female wearers of the article 1.

[0089] These elastic components typically comprise several elastic strands, also called elastic threads, arranged along the waist edge, the leg edges and the two crotch edges.

[0090] The positioning of the elastic strands, as well as the elastic properties of the elastic strands, can be individually adapted to provide a configuration of the back elastic component 31 and the front elastic component 30 that is arranged to fit individually to the male and female body structures, respectively. More precisely, the positioning of the elastic strands refers to the way the strands are arranged geometrically along the absorbent article within the array, as well as the distance between any two adjacent elastic strands.

[0091] The absorbent article 1 comprises a liquid-permeable surface sheet 32, i.e., a sheet intended to face the wearer of the article 1, and a liquid-impermeable back sheet 33, i.e., a sheet arranged to face the clothing worn by the wearer.

[0092] The absorber 17 is arranged between the surface sheet 32 and the back sheet 33.

[0093] The surface sheet 32 and the back sheet 33 may be connected to each other, for example, by adhesive bonding, pasting, or welding by, for example, heat or ultrasonic waves. The surface sheet 32 and / or the back sheet 33 may further be attached to the absorber by any known method such as adhesive or thermal bonding.

[0094] The pant-type absorbent article 1 may also have standing gathers (not shown).

[0095] An exemplary embodiment of a production line for the pant-type absorbent article 1 is schematically shown in FIG. 3. A first continuous sheet 38 of web material is fed longitudinally and divided so as to form a first web cross-section 38a and a second web cross-section 38b. The first web cross-section 38a forms the basis of the back sheet for the front portion 3 of the absorbent article 1 (see FIGS. 1a and 2), and the second web cross-section 38b forms the basis of the back sheet for the back portion 4. Alternatively, the first web cross-section 38a and the second web cross-section 38b are two separate webs.

[0096] A plurality of strips of elastic material are attached to the first and second web cross-sections 38a, 38b in a tensioned state. More precisely, a first strip 39 and a second strip 40 of elastic material form the basis of the elastic waist component 23, and a third strip 41 and a fourth strip 42 of elastic material form the basis of the elastic leg components 24. Also, a fifth strip 43 and a sixth strip 44 of elastic material respectively form the basis of the front elastic component 30 and the back elastic component 31.

[0097] The strips 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 of elastic material are pasted to the continuous sheets 38a, 38b of web material, and the strips are intended to form an elastic laminate, i.e., the elastic web mechanism of the absorbent article 1 as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternative methods of pasting are ultrasonic bonding, welding, embossing, mechanical clamping, etc.

[0098] A method and apparatus for forming an elastic laminate are illustrated and described in FIGS. 7a through 9.

[0099] Next, another continuous sheet 45 of web material, i.e., a second continuous sheet, is provided longitudinally and divided to form a third web cross-section 45a and a fourth web cross-section 45b. The third web cross-section 45b forms the basis of the surface sheet for the front portion 3, and the fourth web cross-section 45b forms the basis of the surface sheet for the back portion 4. In another method, the third web cross-section 45a and the fourth web cross-section 45b are separate webs.

[0100] The third web cross-section 45a and the fourth web cross-section 45b are each joined to the first web cross-section 38a and the second web cross-section 38b to form a laminate product having strips 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 of elastic material sandwiched between the first web cross-section 38a and the third web cross-section 45a and between the second web cross-section 38b and the fourth web cross-section 45b. The attachment of the web cross-sections and the elastic strips is described herein as being done in a continuous step or may be done in a single step.

[0101] Exemplary embodiments of a method and apparatus for manufacturing a laminate product having strips 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 of elastic material sandwiched between the first web cross-section 38a and the third web cross-section 45a and between the second web cross-section 38b and the fourth web cross-section 45b using an adhesive are shown schematically in FIGS. 7a and 7b.

[0102] In order to form the crotch portion 5 (see FIG. 1) with the absorber 17, a third continuous sheet 46 of web material is provided to form the basis of the back sheet for the crotch portion 5. The absorber 17 is then placed on top of the third continuous sheet 46. Also, a seventh strip 47 and an eighth strip 48 of elastic material are also placed on the third sheet 46 of web material. The seventh strip 47 of elastic material forms the basis of the first absorber elastic member 25 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and the eighth strip 48 of elastic material forms the basis of the second absorber elastic member 26.

[0103] Next, a fourth continuous sheet 49 of web material is suitably provided and joined to the third continuous sheet 46 in the same manner as described above with reference to the first web cross-section 38a, the second web cross-section 38b, the third web cross-section 45a, and the fourth web cross-section 45b. During this process, the seventh strip 47 and the eighth strip 48 of elastic material forming the leg elastic member and the absorber 17 are sandwiched between the said third continuous sheet 46 of web material and the said fourth continuous sheet 49 of web material.

[0104] The folding procedure is then carried out to fold the edges of the crotch portion 5 to form crotch edges 28, 29 (see FIG. 1) on the crotch portion. This folding operation is shown in a simplified manner by arrows 50 and 51 in FIG. 3. Similarly, the folding of the front portion 3 and the back portion 4 is shown in FIG. 3 by arrows 53, 54 in a simplified manner.

[0105] An exemplary embodiment of a method and apparatus for manufacturing the leg elastic member of the crotch portion 5 is schematically shown in FIG. 8. However, in FIG. 8, the fourth continuous sheet 49 is not also provided. This may be provided at a later stage or may be added before the folding operation. If added before the folding operation, another adhesive may be required to hold the folded portion in the folded position.

[0106] In another manufacturing step (see Figure 3), the web formed by the third sheet 46 of the web material, the fourth sheet 49 of the web material, and the absorber 17 is cut into individual pieces 52, each of which then forms the leg portion 5 that is subsequently attached to the web formed by the first and second web cross-sections 38a, 38b and the third and fourth web cross-sections 45a, 45b. In this regard, the leg portions 5 bridge the front portion 3 and the back portion 4 and are arranged at a predetermined distance so as to form the basis of the finished absorbent body. As shown in Figure 3, the pieces 52 that form the leg portions 5 are arranged transversely with respect to the web forming the front and back portions.

[0107] The leg portions 5 may be attached to the body using any known fastening technique such as ultrasonic bonding, welding, adhesives, embossing, mechanical clamping, etc. In this way, a complete body is formed with respect to the object 1.

[0108] In a subsequent manufacturing step, the leg openings 55 are cut out from the laminated web material forming the body of the finished absorbent product. The cutting may be performed by any suitable cutting device (not shown in Figure 3) such as rolling cutting using two opposing rollers.

[0109] Next, the first and fourth web cross-sections 38b, 45b are folded to form the final product such that the first web cross-section 38b becomes the back sheet of the body and the fourth web cross-section 45b becomes the surface sheet of the body. Such folding is indicated by the arrow 56 in Figure 3. For example, after welding the side seams, the continuous assembly of the products is cut into individual absorbent objects by a cutting device (not shown in Figure 3).

[0110] Figure 4 shows a so-called integrated absorbent object, i.e., a disposable diaper. It is also called an open diaper. Diapers of that type are characterized by having fastening tabs by which the front and back waist cross-sections of the diaper are attached when the diaper is fastened around the wearer's waist. Figure 4 shows the various components of the disposable diaper 101.

[0111] Diaper 101 is a so-called open-type diaper. Diaper 101 is not joined together at the waist cross-section at the time of sale, but instead is intended to be attached around the wearer's torso and then joined together around the wearer's waist. Such an open-type diaper 101 is widely used for both infant and incontinent adult wearers.

[0112] Open diaper 101 basically has an hourglass shape, showing longitudinal edges 112, 113, front transverse edge 114 and rear transverse edge 115. Open diaper 101 also shows a front edge cross-section 121, a rear end cross-section 122, and a narrower crotch cross-section 123 placed between the end cross-sections 121, 122. Crotch cross-section 123 is intended to be placed in the narrowest area between the wearer's thighs during use.

[0113] When diaper 101 is worn, the front part of crotch cross-section 123 and the front end cross-section 121 basically function as a receiving area for urine, and the rear part of crotch cross-section 123 and the rear end cross-section 122 basically function as a receiving area for feces.

[0114] Diaper 101 includes a liquid-permeable cover layer 102, i.e., a surface sheet, disposed on the surface of diaper 101 intended to face the wearer during use, a back layer 104, i.e., a back sheet, disposed on the surface of the diaper intended to face away from the wearer during use, an absorber 106 surrounded between the surface sheet 102 and the back sheet 104, and side flaps 103 disposed outside the absorber 106.

[0115] The surface sheet 102 of open diaper 101 extends outside the absorber 106 along the entire peripheral surface of the absorber 106. The surface sheet 102 can be made of any material suitable for the purpose.

[0116] The back sheet 104 also extends outside the absorber 106 and has the same extension line as the surface sheet 102.

[0117] The front sheet 102 and the back sheet 104 are connected to each other outside the absorber 106 along the entire circumferential surface of the absorber 106. The front sheet 102 and the back sheet 104 can be connected to each other by a plurality of different means. Examples of such connection means include gluing, heat melting, ultrasonic welding, and the like.

[0118] The elastic component 105 is disposed outside the absorber 106 at these portions of the side flaps 103 of the open diaper 101 that are substantially oriented in the longitudinal direction of the diaper 101. The elastic component 105 is a leg elastic material and has the problem of preventing liquid and excrement from leaking through the longitudinal edges 112, 113 of the open diaper 101, and in this way, together with the surrounding layers, forms an outer liquid barrier 108.

[0119] The elastic component 105 consists of one or more elastic strands applied between the front sheet 102 and the back sheet 104 at least within the crotch cross-section 123 of the diaper 101 in the expanded state. The elastic component 105 is attached to the back sheet 104 and the front sheet 102 by gluing. In another method, ultrasonic welding or the like can be used to attach the elastic component.

[0120] In an alternative embodiment, the elastic component can be disposed on the side of the side flap 103 intended to face the wearer during use, or on the opposite side of the side flap, in which case it is simply naturally attached to the front sheet 102 and the back sheet 104 respectively.

[0121] In an alternative embodiment, the elastic component can be composed of an elastic strip material, for example, a foamed material, an elastic nonwoven fabric, an elastic film, an elastic laminate, or the like.

[0122] To further prevent liquid or feces from leaking through the side edges 112, 113 of the diaper 101, the open diaper 101 is provided with an inner side leakage barrier 124, that is, an upright gather 124.

[0123] Figure 5 shows cross-section A-A of Figure 4 and shows the inner side leakage barrier, i.e., the standing gathers 124. Each standing gather 124 has a first edge region 130 and a second edge region 131 that are free-standing and are attached to at least the backsheet 104 and / or the topsheet 102. The first free-standing edge region 130 extends freely from its proximal end 132. In the crotch region, the proximal end 132 is, in this case, disposed in the inward lateral direction of the leg elastic material 105.

[0124] The inner side leakage barrier, i.e., the standing gathers 124, is provided with an elastic element 134 attached to the inner side leakage barrier 124 in a pre-tensioned state. The elastic element 134 is preferably disposed near the edge of the first free-standing edge region 130. When the pre-tensioned elastic element 134 is released, it contracts together in the first free-standing edge region 130, and the inner side leakage barrier 124 is configured to be lifted away from the topsheet 102 at least within the crotch region 123 of the diaper 101 (see Figure 4), where the side leakage barrier 124 is not folded and is attached to the topsheet 102.

[0125] The elastic element 134 may be a strand, thread or ribbon of elastic material extending in the longitudinal direction L of the diaper. The leg elastic material 105 may also be a strand, thread or ribbon of elastic material extending in the longitudinal direction L. One or more strands, threads or ribbons may be used to form the elastic material within each standing gather 134 and each leg elastic 105.

[0126] The standing gathers may consist of, for example, any of the materials described above for the topsheet or the backsheet. The standing gathers may consist of, for example, a sheet material of a non-woven material such as a spunbond material.

[0127] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the rear end cross-section 122 of the diaper 101 includes a waist elastic member 125 that enables a soft and flexible folding of the diaper around the wearer.

[0128] In the example shown here, the waist elastic member 125 has a plurality of strand-shaped, substantially parallel-oriented elastic elements 110 that extend parallel to the rear lateral edge 115 of the open diaper 101.

[0129] The elastic elements 110 are disposed between the surface sheet 102 and the back sheet 104 and are fixed in an extended state to the two layers 102, 104, thereby obtaining a hold that tightens the diaper 101 around the wearer's waist. When the elastic elements 110 come into contact, the two layers 102, 104 wrinkle as shown in the figure.

[0130] In an alternative embodiment, it can be considered that the waist elastic member may be made of another pre-made waist band, in which case the elastic elements 110 are fixed between two separate strips of material or a folded strip of material. The elasticized waist band is then attached to the back sheet and / or the surface sheet of the diaper. The waist band can be manufactured within the machine used to produce the diaper or can be manufactured beforehand, in which case it is conveniently supplied in the form of a roll to the machine that manufactures the diaper.

[0131] In other alternative embodiments, it is conceivable that the front end cross-section 121 of the diaper also includes a waist elastic member 125, increasing the flexibility and flexibility of the open diaper 101 when the diaper surrounds the wearer. Such additional waist elastic members can alternatively be achieved with types of elastic materials other than the strands shown here and can include elastic films, elastic nonwovens, elastic foams, or various types of elastic laminates similar to the leg elastic members.

[0132] Two fastening tabs 126 are arranged in conjunction with the rear end cross-section 122 to firmly hold the diaper 101 around the wearer. In this case, one fastening tab 126 is arranged on each side cross-section of the rear end cross-section 122. When the fastening tab 126 is worn by the fastening tab 126 showing a fixing device 127 that can fix the open diaper to a receiving part arranged on the front end cross-section 121 of the diaper 101, the rear end cross-section 122 is connected to the front end cross-section 121. The fastening tab may be made of an elastic material.

[0133] The fixing device 127 may include a male part made of hook and loop material and is attached to the fastening tab 126, for example, by an adhesive on the side of the fastening tab 126 facing the receiving part when the diaper 101 is worn. The receiving part, not shown in FIG. 4, for the fastening tab 126 has a strip of receiving material adapted to the fixing device 127 of the fastening tab 126.

[0134] The receiving part extends substantially parallel to the front transverse edge 114 on the side of the diaper facing away from the wearer during use, that is, on the side of the backsheet 104 oriented away from the absorber 106. In the exemplary example described herein, the material within the receiving part consists of a female part made of hook and loop material and is appropriately designed such that the longitudinal extension thereof of the diaper 101 coincides with the width 129 of the fastening tab 126. The receiving part basically extends across the entire width of the diaper 101 in the transverse direction of the diaper 101.

[0135] In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the diaper, it is possible to consider an arrangement of another receiving part for each fixing device 127, and the receiving part is arranged in conjunction with the longitudinal edges 112, 113 of the diaper at the front transverse edge 114 of the diaper 101. In other alternative embodiments, the backsheet 104 can be adapted to interact with the fixing device 127 of the fastening tab 126, in which case no special receiving part is required.

[0136] When applying the open diaper 101 on the wearer, the open diaper 101 is positioned between the legs of the wearer within the crotch region of the wearer. The diaper 101 is then closed around the waist of the wearer by overlaying the fastening tab 126 on the front end cross-section 121, whereby the securing device 127 of the fastening tab 126 can be applied to the receiving part in order to hold the diaper firmly.

[0137] The fastening tab 126 is attached to the rear end cross-section 122 within a connection area located in these areas of the rear end cross-section 122 adjacent to the longitudinally advancing side edges 112, 113.

[0138] The combination of materials is typically selected such that the connection between the securing device 127 and the receiving part can be opened and closed again to allow inspection of the open diaper 101 when it is being worn.

[0139] FIG. 6 shows a so-called belt-type absorbent article 200, i.e., a diaper with a belt shown from the side intended to face the wearer during use.

[0140] The belt-type absorbent article 200 comprises a body 212 and a waist belt 215. The belt 215 includes a first belt portion 216 and a second belt portion 217 in this exemplary embodiment. Further, the belt-type absorbent article 200 has a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y.

[0141] Furthermore, the body 212 has a first end portion 218, a second end portion 214, and a central portion 203 extending therebetween. The first end portion 218 may be a rear region also referred to as the back region. The second end portion 214 may be a front region. Alternatively, it may be the reverse. The central portion is the crotch region connecting the front and rear regions. In this exemplary embodiment, the first end portion is the back region 218 and the second end portion is the front region 214.

[0142] Typically, the article has a body-facing surface 220 that faces the wearer during use and a garment-facing surface 222 that faces away from the wearer during use.

[0143] The torso includes a surface sheet 220 that forms a body-facing surface 220 intended to face the wearer. The torso also includes a back sheet that forms a garment-facing surface 222 intended to face away from the wearer during use. The absorber 240 is disposed between the surface sheet 220 and a second substantially liquid-permeable back sheet 222.

[0144] The first and second belt portions 216, 217 are attached to the torso 212 such that the first belt portion 216 and the second belt portion 217 extend on each side of the first end portion 218 of the torso to secure to each other around the waist of the wearer of the article to form a belt having outer surfaces 216a, 217a. Thus, the first and second belt portions 216, 217 are each connected to the torso 212 at the back region 218.

[0145] Typically, although not strictly necessary, the belt portions may be partially or wholly elastic. Thus, hereinafter, the waist belt may sometimes also be referred to as a belt. The belt 215 of the belt-type absorbent article 200 is intended to surround the waist of the wearer. That is, the belt portions 216, 217 forming the belt are intended to surround the waist of the wearer. The belt here has an inner surface 219 that faces the wearer during use and outer (external) surfaces 216a and 217a that face away from the wearer during use, and the belt comprises a first belt portion 216 and a second belt portion 217. Thus, the first belt portion has an inner surface 219a that faces the wearer during use. Similarly, the second belt portion has an inner surface 219b that faces the wearer during use. In the belt article shown in FIG. 6, the belt portions (the first belt portion 216 and the second belt portion 217) extend in the transverse direction Y of the belt article. The belt portions (the first belt portion 216 and the second belt portion 217) also extend in the longitudinal direction X.

[0146] The first belt portion 216 and the second belt portion 217 are attached to the body 212 so as to extend to each side of the first end portion of the body such that the first belt portion 216 and the second belt portion 217 are fixed to each other around the wearer of the object. For this purpose, as will be further described hereinafter, the first belt portion 216 has a fastener 251 or a fastening component adapted to be attached to the second belt portion 217 to fix the belt portions to each other around the wearer of the object.

[0147] In this example, the fastener is configured to be releasably attached to the surface 217a. Thus, the fastener is a so-called "re-fastenable" fastener configured to be re-fastened to another part of the object so as to form an interconnection between the meshing components. Thus, the fastener is typically adapted to be attached in a re-fastenable manner, as is well known. The other outer surface 217a of the belt portion may, in some examples, comprise meshing fastening components (not shown).

[0148] Furthermore, each of the fastener 251 and the meshing fastening component may comprise a mechanical connector structure capable of forming a mechanical interconnection with each other. An example of the mechanical connector structure is hook and loop material. Thereby, the fastener and the meshing fastening component can be mechanically connected to form an interconnection between the first belt portion and the second belt portion to fix them to each other around the wearer of the absorbent object. The interconnection may sometimes be referred to as a re-fastenable connection.

[0149] As described above, the second end portion 214 of the body includes fastening devices 248, 249 for fixing the second end portion 214 of the body to a belt portion such that the object assumes a pant-like shape with a belt portion forming part of the waist portion of the pants. The second end portion 214 of the body is typically fixed to the outer surfaces 216a, 217a of the first belt portion 216 and / or the second belt portion 217. That is, the front region, i.e., the second end portion 214 of the body in FIG. 5, includes fastening devices 248, 249 for fixing the front end portion of the body to the belt.

[0150] To improve the fit of the belt-type absorbent article 200, the longitudinal edges 201, 202 of the topsheet 220 can comprise leg elastics 245 disposed substantially in the longitudinal direction X of the article. The function of the leg elastics 245 includes improving the fit of the article and making the belt article 200 resemble a reusable brief / pant for fabric. Each leg elastic 245 can comprise one or more elastic strands coupled to the topsheet 220 by gluing, ultrasonic welding, etc. in an extended state. Alternatively, each leg elastic 245 can take the form of, for example, an elastic ribbon material of foamed material. Each leg elastic 245 may be disposed on the side of the topsheet 220 intended to face away from the wearer during use.

[0151] The belt-type absorbent article 200 may also have standing gathers (not shown).

[0152] The rear or front regions 218, 214 of the belt-type absorbent article 200 may also comprise a so-called waist elastic 246 in the form of an elastic element arranged along the second lateral edge 205 or the first lateral edge 204 of the belt-type absorbent article 200 to provide a soft and flexible enclosure for the wearer's waist on the belt article 200. In FIG. 6, only the front end portion 214 of the belt article 200 comprises the waist elastic 246. The waist elastic 246 is in the form of a thin strip of elastic foam material attached by glue to the side of the surface sheet 220 intended to face away from the wearer. The waist elastic 246 may also comprise one or more elastic strands joined to the surface sheet 220 by gluing, ultrasonic welding, etc. in an expanded state. The waist elastic 246 is applied in a stretched state so as to achieve a holding force that stretches the belt-type absorbent article 10 around the wearer's waist.

[0153] When the belt-type absorbent article 210 is applied to the wearer, the belt portions 216 and 217 (forming the belt 215) are first secured around the wearer's waist. The front region 214 of the belt article 210 that is hanging loose is then guided between the wearer's legs, after which the fastening devices 248, 249 are secured to the belt portions 216 and 217 (i.e., the belt 215) above the stomach on the side of the belt 215 oriented away from the wearer. The hook elements of the fastening devices are in this case secured to loops arranged on the surface of the belt 215 oriented away from the wearer, for example, the belt portion surfaces 216a and 217a. Also conceivable is a belt-type absorbent article in which the belt is connected to the front end portion of the belt article. Such an article is applied to the wearer in the reverse manner, i.e., after the belt has been secured around the wearer's waist, the rear end portion that is hanging loose is guided between the wearer's legs and secured to the belt on the back on the side of the belt oriented away from the wearer.

[0154] The surface sheets within all of the absorbent articles described above and shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 are liquid-permeable surface sheets disposed on the boldfacing side of the disposable absorbent hygiene product. Suitable materials for the surface sheet are commonly known in the field of disposable absorbent hygiene products and, for the purposes of this disclosure, are not limited to, but may include, any material commonly known for use as a surface sheet material, including but not limited to nonwoven materials and perforated polymer films.

[0155] The surface sheet is suitably sufficiently fluid-permeable to allow excreted body fluids, such as urine, to penetrate through the thickness of the surface sheet. Further, the surface sheet is suitably manufactured from materials that feel complex and soft against the wearer's skin.

[0156] The surface sheet may be manufactured from a variety of web materials, such as woven and nonwoven webs, perforated films, open cell foams, or combinations or laminates of the above materials.

[0157] For the purposes of this disclosure, a "nonwoven fabric" is a manufactured sheet, web, or mat of oriented or randomly oriented fibers joined by friction and / or adhesion and / or cohesion, excluding paper and products that incorporate additional required binding, such as woven, knitted, tufted, stitch-bonded incorporating yarn or filament binding, or felted by wet milling. The fibers may be natural or man-made, may be staple or continuous filaments, or may be formed in situ. Commercially available fibers have diameters ranging from less than about 0.001 mm to greater than about 0.2 mm and include several different forms, short fibers (known as staples or cut), continuous single filaments (filaments or monofilaments), untwisted bundles of continuous filaments (tow), and twisted bundles of continuous filaments (yarn). Nonwoven fabrics can be formed by many processes, such as meltblowing, spunbonding, solvent spinning, electrospinning, and carding.

[0158] Suitable nonwoven materials for the surface sheet can be manufactured from synthetic fibers such as polyester or polypropylene, or natural fibers such as cotton fibers. A mixture of synthetic and natural fibers may also be used.

[0159] The nonwoven material used for the surface sheet may be, for example, a spunbond / spunbond composite material such as spunbond, SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond), or a spunbond / meltblown composite material, SSMS, SSMMS, SMMS, a nonwoven material of polypropylene, or a biocomponent fiber of polypropylene and polyethylene, or a combination of such materials. The surface sheet may also have an elastic property.

[0160] The surface sheet may be hydrophilized to improve the tendency of urine to penetrate the surface sheet within the underlying structure. Methods of hydrophilizing nonwovens are known and include coating with a surfactant coating, applying a hydrophilic monomer composition and a radical polymerization initiator onto the nonwoven after initiating a polymerization reaction on the nonwoven, applying a coating of hydrophilic nanoparticles, or treating the nonwoven surface with a high-energy treatment (corona, plasma), etc., and include the step of coating the nonwoven material with a hydrophilic coating.

[0161] The surfactant coating may be obtained by applying a surfactant composition to the nonwoven material by any suitable means including, for example, spraying, slot coating, kiss roll coating, and / or dipping the material into a tank containing the surfactant. The hydrophilization treatment may be performed inline during the assembly of the absorbent article or separately, and the surface sheet may then be transported as a roll ready for use in a disposable absorbent hygiene product manufacturing plant.

[0162] The surface sheet material may have a basis weight of, such as, from 8 to 20 g / m 2 to, such as, from 12 to 17 g / m 2 However, the disclosure is not limited to surface sheet materials having only this basis weight.

[0163] The backsheet in all of the absorbent articles described above and shown in FIGS. 1-6 is disposed on the side facing the clothing of the disposable absorbent hygiene product. Suitable materials for the backsheet are commonly known in the industry of disposable absorbent hygiene products. The backsheet prevents exudate absorbed by the absorbent assembly from soiling other external objects, such as a bed sheet and underwear, which may include the disposable absorbent hygiene product. The backsheet may be substantially impermeable to liquids such as urine.

[0164] The backsheet may be substantially liquid-impermeable, but breathable, i.e., gas-permeable, suggesting that while being substantially impermeable to liquids, air and other gases may pass through the backsheet.

[0165] Without limitation, any material commonly known for use as a backsheet material, including polymer films, such as films of polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers of polyethylene or polypropylene, hydrophilic nonwoven materials, fluid-impermeable foams, and fluid-impermeable laminates, may be included within the backsheet.

[0166] The backsheet may comprise one or more layers of material. For example, the back layer may be a laminate of a liquid-impermeable polymer film facing the absorbent assembly and a nonwoven fabric facing the clothing side to provide a soft feel of fabric to the outer surface of the disposable absorbent hygiene product.

[0167] Also, the backsheet may be made of, or include, an overall or partial elastic material to provide a better fit to the product during use.

[0168] In all of the absorbent articles described above and shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the absorber, also referred to as the absorbent core, can include one or more cores. The core can be composed of one or more layers of cellulose fluff pulp. The cellulose fluff pulp can be configured with a fluid retention gel and can be mixed with a high-absorbency polymer material, a so-called superabsorbent polymer, which is of a type that chemically binds large amounts of fluid upon absorption, in the form of fibers or particles. The core can also comprise a high-absorbency polymer material disposed within an inner layer of the core or connected to one or more surfaces of the core. The core can further include another component for improving the properties of the core. Examples of such components are binding fibers, various types of fluid distribution layers or fibers, dimensional stabilization components, reinforcing fibers, and the like.

[0169] Superabsorbent polymers are well known in the field of absorbent products and are used to help improve the absorption properties of such products. Superabsorbent polymers are composed of water-swellable and water-insoluble polymers that are capable of absorbing large amounts of fluid during the formation of a hydrogel, such as being able to absorb at least five times their weight of water-soluble 0.9% saline solution as measured according to method NSWP 241.0.R2(15). Superabsorbent polymers can be inorganic or organic crosslinked hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, crosslinked starch, guar gum, xanthan gum, crosslinked polyacrylate, and the like. The polymer can be, for example, in the form of powders, granules, microparticles, films, foams, and fibers. Upon contact with a fluid, such superabsorbent polymers swell by absorbing the fluid into their structure. Generally, superabsorbent polymers can rapidly absorb the fluid damaged within such an object, prevent leakage, and help retain such fluid to provide a dry feeling even after fluid damage.

[0170] The type of superabsorbent polymer may vary within the core even if it is the same. For example, a superabsorbent polymer with the characteristics of the first set may be used in the front and rear regions of the absorber or within the first core, and a superabsorbent polymer with the characteristics of the second set may be used in the central region of the absorber or within the second core.

[0171] The capture layer can be disposed between the topsheet and the absorber. Suitable materials for the capture layer, also known as the transfer layer or ADL (acquisition and distribution layer) in the industry, are generally known in the industry of disposable absorbent hygiene products and any material known to those skilled in the art to be useful as a capture layer for the purposes of the present disclosure may be used. The capture layer may be in the form of, for example, an airlaid layer, a spunlace layer, a high loft, a foam, or any other type of material layer that may be used in an absorbent article to function as a liquid capture and absorbent layer. The capture layer is preferably adapted to quickly receive and temporarily store the discharged liquid before it is absorbed by the absorbent core. Such a capture layer may be composed of, for example, an airlaid nonwoven, a spunlace nonwoven, a high loft nonwoven, or a foam material. The airlaid nonwoven may be made of fluff, wood pulp, where the fluff fibers are dispersed in a high-speed moving air stream and condensed on a moving screen by pressure and vacuum. The capture layer is preferably an air-through bonded nonwoven of polyester fibers.

[0172] In terms of its properties, the term "nonwoven fabric" as described in relation to different parts of the disposable absorbent article disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 6, such as the topsheet and / or the backsheet, is positioned between on the one hand paper and cardboard and on the other hand a group of fabrics. For nonwoven fabrics, a number of highly variable manufacturing processes are used, such as airlaid, wetlaid, spunlace, spunbond, meltblown technology. The fibers may be in the form of synthetic fibers manufactured in situ, in the form of endless fibers or fibers pre-made in endless lengths, or in the form of staple fibers. Alternatively, they may be made from natural fibers or from a mixture of synthetic and natural fibers.

[0173] Although shown, other components commonly utilized in disposable absorbent hygiene products that are not shown in the figures of the present disclosure may be utilized in the disposable absorbent hygiene products according to the present disclosure.

[0174] A humidity indicator, for example, a material whose color changes upon contact with urine, may be included within the disposable absorbent hygiene product such as disposed between the absorbent assembly and the backsheet to indicate, for example, whether a leakage event has occurred and may be visible through the backsheet.

[0175] Figures 7a and 7b schematically show an apparatus 300 for manufacturing two elastic laminates 304' that are parallel to each other. For example, it can be used to manufacture the elastic laminates of the absorbent pants shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the manufacturing process is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 7a shows the apparatus of FIG. 7b from the side and includes some additional components not shown in FIG. 7b. Each laminate 304' includes a plurality of elastic strands 303 between two continuous sheets 301 and 302 (see FIG. 7a, since FIG. 7b shows only the first part of the apparatus).

[0176] As can be seen from FIG. 7b showing the first part of the apparatus in FIG. 7a, the two elastic laminates 304, 304' are manufactured in parallel and independently of each other. Thus, the apparatus 300 of FIG. 7b includes twice as many of each device that creates the apparatus 300. That is, the apparatus 300 includes two ejection devices 309, two guide rolls 308, two adhesive nozzles 306, two support rolls 315, etc. The apparatus is only described with respect to creating one elastic laminate. The same applies to other elastic laminates. The apparatus 300 is not limited to having twice as many of each device that creates the apparatus. If only one elastic laminate is to be manufactured, only one of each device may be required. This may also be the case when creating the standing gathers shown in FIG. 9.

[0177] To manufacture the elastic laminate 304', the first continuous sheet 301 is supplied from a nonwoven web roll by a first supply device (not shown) in the machine direction M and may pass through a dancer cylinder (not shown), which is not further described herein for the sake of sufficient tensioning.

[0178] The plurality of elastic strands 303 are supplied in parallel from a multi-strand roller by a second supply device (not shown) in the machine direction M. The strands 303 are arranged at intervals from each other and may be, for example, from about 1 to 20 strands per centimeter, such as from 1 to 10 strands per centimeter, particularly 2 to 6 strands per centimeter. The spacing between the strands within the laminate may be, for example, from about 0.5 to about 10 mm, thereby providing an elastic laminate with sufficient elasticity and comfort. The elastic strands 303 are tensioned by a dancer roller (not shown). The elastic strands, also called elastic yarns, are made of, for example, elastic materials such as natural or synthetic rubber, thermoplastic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane or styrene block copolymers, or elastane, also called spandex (polyurethane-polyurea copolymer). The strands may be of the elastane type commercially available under the trade name "LYCRA", but any suitable elastic strands may be used. The strands may have a linear mass density, dtex, of about 80 to 800 dtex.

[0179] The elastic strands are stretched during the manufacturing process. They may be stretched in the range of from about 30 to about 300%, for example, from about 70 to 250%, particularly in the range of from about 100 to 200% of the initial non-tension original length. The elastic strands may be of a type that can withstand at least about 200% elongation without breaking, and thus can be safely used in the manufacturing process without the risk of breakage. The improved fit of the absorbent product can be created by controlling the distance between, the linear density of, and the pre-strain of the elastomeric material relative to each other and to the body opening. This may occur by selecting different materials throughout the elastic laminate that exhibit the desired properties. The different materials are combined at specific distances, linear densities, and pre-strains to create an elastic laminate that may function to dynamically create a fitting force within the product.

[0180] The stretched, i.e., elongated, elastic strands are guided via an elastic strand guide 308, exemplified herein as a guide roll 308, towards an adhesive dispensing system 305. The guide roll 308 is a rotatable roll having grooves in its outer peripheral surface region. Each elastic strand is disposed within a respective groove. As an alternative to one larger guide roll, several rotatable guide rolls can be connected together and rotate independently of each other. Each guide roll may have one or more grooves for disposing the elastic strand therein.

[0181] The adhesive dispensing system 305 comprises two nozzles 306 (see FIG. 7b) each having several liquid discharge passages 307 for dispensing a liquid adhesive onto respective elastic strands 303. The number of liquid discharge passages may be the same as the number of elastic strands to be coated with the adhesive.

[0182] Each nozzle 306 is a slot coating nozzle that includes one or more grooves (not shown). Each groove is configured to be filled with an adhesive extruded from one liquid discharge passage 307 (see FIG. 7c). Each individual strand is separately coated by a slot coating device, which may be, for example, a V-slot or a comb slot coating device. By a comb slot or a comb coater, in this case, it means a slot coater prepared with a shim designed in such a way that it can be used as a guiding device for elastic strands. However, the device may also be a V-notch slot coater with and without a guiding device attached for each strand.

[0183] Such a device may be in the form of, for example, a device carried by Nordson Corporation of Amherst, Ohio (USA) and commercially available under the name, for example, Speed-Coat (trademark) Slot applicator, or a device commercially available under the name Universal (trademark) Surewrap (registered trademark) Nozzle, or a device commercially available under the name Allegro (registered trademark) Elastic Attachment Nozzle.

[0184] The extended elastic strand moving through the groove is surrounded by the extruded adhesive within the corresponding groove. Thus, the extended elastic strand is coated as the strand moves through the groove within the slit coating nozzle. However, it should be understood that other types of adhesive nozzles known in the art can be used to provide an elastic strand with an adhesive.

[0185] After the elastic strand 303 has received the adhesive, the elastic strand 303' is guided downstream of the first continuous sheet 301 to form an elastic laminate 304 comprising the first continuous sheet and the elastic strand. The first continuous sheet 301 passes under the elastic strand 303 and is guided to contact the adhesive-coated elastic strand 303' that forms the elastic laminate 304. Thus, the first surface of the first continuous sheet 301 is bonded to the elastic strand 301'. The elastic laminate 304 continues to advance in the machine direction M.

[0186] The second continuous sheet 302 is supplied from a non-woven web roll (not shown) by a third supply device (not shown) and is guided by a roll 318 to pass over the elastic strand 303' and contact the adhesive-coated elastic strand 303'. Thus, the first surface of the second continuous sheet 302 is bonded to the elastic strand 301'. Both continuous sheets define a width in the cross-machine direction. The cross-machine direction is a direction perpendicular to the machine direction M. Since the elastic strand is coated with the adhesive, the two continuous sheets 301, 302 are substantially free of adhesive outside the region where the layers are attached to the elastic strand. The two continuous sheets 301, 302 may thus not directly contact each other at the adhesive bonding points, but instead may be bonded only via the elastic strand.

[0187] After the first and second continuous sheets 301, 302 and the stretched adhesive-coated elastic strand 303' are brought together, they are compressed by a bonding device 316 to form a laminate (see FIG. 7a). The bonding device 3016 comprises two rolls that form a pressure nip for fixing the components together when passing between the two rolls. After compression, the elastic strand is relaxed within the formed laminate to form a corrugated elastic laminate with a predetermined corrugation pattern.

[0188] As an alternative form of the second continuous sheet 302, the laminate 304' can be formed by folding the first continuous sheet to form the first layer fold and directly bonding the first continuous sheet and the first layer fold, and the first layer fold overlaps the at least one elastic strand. This is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0189] The apparatus 300 of FIGS. 7a and 7b further includes an air ejection device 309 which is a device for ejecting air 310 through an air discharge passage 313 over the elastic strands to blow away dust, loose fibers or other contaminants. The air ejection device 309 is disposed over the elastic strands 303 upstream of the nozzle 306. It is attached to a frame 322 (see FIG. 7b), and only a part of the frame 322 is shown. The air ejection device 309 is a separate device, meaning that an existing equipment / manufacturing line can be easily supplemented with the air ejection device. The air ejection device 309 can be used in any machine or manufacturing line and is not by a specific supplier of the machine or a supplier of the nozzle equipment. Further, having a separate air ejection device facilitates adjusting the position of the air ejection device 309 and allows for easy adjustment to enable air from the air ejection device at a specific angle with respect to the elastic strands.

[0190] The elastic strand guide 308 is disposed between the nozzle 306 and the air ejection device 309. The elastic strand guide 308 is disposed closer to the air ejection device 309 than the nozzle 306, and the air ejection device 309 ejects air over the elastic strand guide 308 and over the elastic strand 303. Thus, dust and fragmented fibers and / or other contaminants that may be on the elastic strand guide can be cleaned simultaneously by the elastic strand and the elastic strand guide 308. The air ejection device 309 is disposed over the elastic strand and ejects air above the elastic strand 303. In another way, the air ejection device 309 may be disposed under the elastic strand and eject air from under the elastic strand 303 (not shown). This means cleaning the elastic material with air, which can occur from under and above the elastic material. The air ejection device 309 may, in another way, be disposed between the elastic strand guide 30 (exemplified here as the guide roll 308) and the nozzle 306.

[0191] The position of the air ejection device 309 may be determined by the available space within the device. For example, if an existing manufacturing line is supplemented with the air ejection device 309, there may only be space for the air ejection device 309 disposed over the elastic strand 303, or under the elastic strand 303.

[0192] The air ejection device 309 may comprise one or several air ejection heads 311. The air ejection head 311 is connected to a pressurized air source (not shown). In FIG. 7b, six air ejection heads 311 are all connected and fluidly connected to the pressurized air source via an air pipe 312. The air ejection head 311 is shown in FIG. 10. Each air ejection head 311 as shown in FIG. 10 may comprise one or more air discharge passages 313 through which pressurized air passes. As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, particularly FIG. 7c, the air discharge passages 313 are guided towards the elastic strands such that air hits the elastic strands. Preferably, the number of air discharge passages 313 may be the same as the number of elastic strands 303 to be cleaned, and the distance between the air discharge passages 313 may be the same as the distance between the elastic strands to be cleaned. Thus, air from one air discharge passage may clean one elastic strand. The air ejection device ejects air through each air discharge passage 313 at an air pressure in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of about 1 to 1.5 bar. This gives the air discharged from the air discharge passage a velocity large enough to overcome the force that adheres particles to the elastic strand and removes the particles from the elastic strand. The air is cold. By "cold air" is meant air that has not been intentionally heated by a heating device or a component designed for that purpose. The air ejection device, in this regard, ejects air that has not been heated for the purpose. That is, the air has not been heated by an additional heating device. However, the air is not limited to non-heated air, and the use of heated air is considered as an alternative form.

[0193] The air ejection device may be, for example, an air knife by Silvent AB, or an air ejection head 311 as shown in Fig. 7b, which may be connected together to form several air nozzles, i.e., the air ejection device 309. An example of an air nozzle that can be used, i.e., an example of an air ejection head, is the AIR NOZZLE SILVENT 9002W-S by Silvent AB. However, the air ejection device is not limited to an air knife by Silvent AB or a device equipped with several air nozzles connected together. Any other suitable air ejection device can be used to remove dust and loose fibers or other contaminants from the surface of the elastic strands.

[0194] The air ejection device 309 is arranged at a predetermined distance D1 upstream of the nozzle 305 before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the elastic strand 303. FIG. 7c shows an enlarged view of the air ejection device 309 arranged at a predetermined distance D1 upstream of the nozzle 305 before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the elastic strand 303 in FIG. 7a. The air ejection device 309 in FIG. 7c is shown in cross-section along the machine direction through one of the air discharge passages 313. The air discharge passage 313 has a first virtual central axis 314 that intersects the elastic strand 303 and its extension line at a first point P1. The nozzle 306 is also shown in cross-section along the machine direction of FIG. 7 through one of the liquid discharge passages 307. The liquid discharge passage 307 has a second virtual central axis 319 that intersects one elastic strand 303 and its extension line at a second point P2. The predetermined distance D1 is measured between the first point P1 and the second point P2 along the elastic strand 303. The predetermined distance D1 is between 150 mm and 900 mm, particularly between 150 mm and 600 mm. Further, the air discharge passage 313 of the air ejection device 309 is arranged above the elastic strand 303 at a predetermined distance D2 from the at least one elastic strand 303. The predetermined distance is measured from the air discharge passage 313, i.e., where its opening is, and the first point P1 along the first virtual central axis 314. The predetermined distance D2 is between about 30 and about 70 mm. The advantage of having the air discharge passage 313 close to the elastic strand 303 is that less air energy (bar) is required to blow away the dust. This also reduces the risk of unwanted air flow around the air ejection device, which in the worst scenario could block other parts of the production line.

[0195] The first virtual central axis 314, which intersects the elastic strand 303 and its extension line at the first point P1, is arranged at an angle α. The angle is (about) 90° with respect to the elastic strand (303, 303''). However, it may be at an angle between about 50° and about 130°, for example, between about 70° and about 110°. Thus, the air 310 (shown in FIG. 7a) is ejected at an angle above the elastic strand 303. How this can be done is illustrated in FIGS. 7d and 7e, both of which are similar to FIG. 7c, and thus only the differences are described.

[0196] FIG. 7d is similar to FIG. 7c, except that the air discharge passage 313 is arranged at a different position, i.e., in a different direction, within the air ejection device 309 such that the first virtual central axis 314 of the air discharge passage 313 intersects the elastic strand 303 and its extension line at the first point (P1) at a second angle α1 greater than 90°.

[0197] FIG. 7e is similar to FIG. 7c, except that the air ejection device 309 is attached such that the first virtual central axis 314 of the air discharge passage 313 intersects the elastic strand 303 and its extension line at the first point (P1) at a second angle α2 greater than 90°. In both FIGS. 7d and 7e, the air discharge passage 313 is also arranged above the elastic strand 303 at a predetermined distance D2 from the at least one elastic strand 303. The predetermined distance is measured from the air discharge passage 313, i.e., where its opening is, and the first point P1 along the first virtual central axis 314.

[0198] Both of the modifications shown in FIGS. 7d and 7e eject air in the direction towards the nozzle 306, but may also be designed to eject air in the direction away from the nozzle 306.

[0199] As an alternative form of the second continuous sheet of FIGS. 7a and 7b, the laminate can be formed by folding a first continuous sheet to form a first layer fold and directly bonding the first continuous sheet and the first layer fold, where the first layer fold overlaps the at least one elastic strand. This is shown in FIG. 8.

[0200] FIG. 8 shows an apparatus similar to the apparatus of FIGS. 7a and 7b, and thus only the differences will be described. In FIG. 8, an elastic laminate 304'' with two sets of elastic strands 303'' is manufactured. Each set comprises three elastic strands. However, more or fewer elastic strands can be provided within an elastic set. The two sets of elastic strands 303'' are attached to a single continuous sheet 301. Each set of elastic strands 303'' is disposed at respective longitudinal edges 320 of the continuous sheet 301. One air ejection device 309 is provided with two air ejection heads 311 connected together in the cross-machine direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the machine direction. However, the number of air ejection heads is not limited to two or six as shown in FIG. 7a. The number can be larger or smaller.

[0201] After the elastic strands are provided with adhesive by two nozzles 306, respective longitudinal edges 320 form respective layer folds 321, and the first continuous sheet 301 and the respective layer folds 321 are folded by a folding device (not shown) to bond the first continuous sheet 301 and the respective layer folds 321, and the layer folds 221 overlap respective sets of elastic strands 303'' covered with adhesive.

[0202] A bonding device (not shown) can be disposed after the folding device. The bonding device may comprise two compression rolls with the elastic laminate 304'' passing therebetween, which are effective in compressing the elastic laminate 304'', especially at the position of the fold.

[0203] The elastic laminate 304'' may be used to form a modified form of the third sheet 46 of the web material and the fourth sheet 49 of the web material of FIG. 3, which is cut into individual pieces 52 at a later stage after the absorber 17 is disposed between the third sheet 46 of the web material and the fourth sheet 49 of the web material. However, in the modified form shown in FIG. 8, the absorber can be disposed on the laminate 304'' and then on the second continuous sheet so as to be laminated between the laminate 304'' and the second continuous sheet before the absorber is cut into individual pieces (not shown).

[0204] FIG. 9 shows an apparatus similar to the apparatus of FIG. 8. Therefore, only the differences will be described. In FIG. 9, an elastic laminate 304''' with a set of elastic strands 303'' is manufactured. The set comprises three elastic strands 303''. However, more or fewer elastic strands can be provided in the laminate. The elastic strands 303'' are attached to a single continuous sheet 301. The elastic strands 303'' are disposed on one of the two longitudinal edges 320 of the continuous sheet 301. One air ejection device 309 with one air ejection head 311 adapted to eject air onto the elastic strands 303'' is provided to remove dust and loose fibers and / or other contaminants.

[0205] The elastic strands are coated with an adhesive by one nozzle 306. After the adhesive is dispensed onto the elastic strands 303'', the longitudinal edge 320 where the set of elastic strands is disposed is folded by a folding device (not shown), joining the first continuous sheet 301 and the layer fold 321, and the layer fold 221 overlaps the elastic strands 303''.

[0206] A joining device (not shown) can be disposed after the folding device. The joining device may comprise two compression rolls that compress the elastic laminate as it passes through, particularly at the location where the fold is disposed. The elastic laminate 304''' may be used, for example, as the standing gathers shown in FIG. 5.

[0207] Other products that can use the elastic laminate described above may be, for example, disposable absorbent pads that can be placed in the underwear of the wearer. The disposable absorbent pads can be provided with leg elastic materials or standing gathers in the same manner as the three types of diapers described herein. Therefore, such disposable absorbent pads will not be further described.

[0208] The apparatus and method described for making the elastic laminate may be part of a larger apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles. In another way, it may be another apparatus for manufacturing a laminate that is then supplied into another apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article.

[0209] The disclosure also includes all possible combinations of the described aspects, variations, alternatives, and exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0210] Furthermore, the disclosure is not limited to the above aspects or examples, but is naturally applicable to other aspects and exemplary embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

[0211] The reference signs described in the claims are not seen to limit the scope of the subject matter protected by the claims, and their function is to more easily understand the claims.

Description of Signs

[0212] 1 Absorbent article 2 Body 3 Front part 4 Rear part, back panel 5 Crotch part 6 Center line 7 Waist edge 8 Waist edge 9 Leg edge 10 Leg edge 11 Side edge 12 Side edge 13 Leg edge 14 Leg edge 15 Side edge part 16 Side edge part 17 Absorber 18 Side connection 19 Side connection 20 Waist opening 21 Leg opening 22 Leg opening 23 Elastic waist component 24 Elastic leg component 25 Absorber elastic material 26 Absorber elastic material 28 Crotch edge part 29 Crotch edge part 30 Front elastic component 31 Back elastic component 32 Liquid-permeable surface sheet 33 Liquid-impermeable back sheet 38 Continuous sheet 38a Web cross-section 38b Web cross-section 39 Strip 40 Strip 41 Strip 42 Strip 43 Strip 44 Strip 45 Continuous sheet 45a Web cross-section 45b Web cross-section 46 Continuous sheet 47 Strip 48 Strip 49 Continuous sheet 55 Leg opening 101 Diaper 102 Liquid-permeable cover layer, surface sheet 103 Side flap 104 Back layer, back sheet 106 Absorber 110 Elastic element 112 Longitudinal edge 113 Longitudinal edge 114 Front transverse edge 115 Rear transverse edge 121 Front edge cross-section 122 Rear edge cross-section 123 Thigh cross-section 124 Inner side leakage barrier, upright gather 126 Tightening tab 127 Fixing device 134 Elastic element 200 Absorbent article 201 Longitudinal edge 202 Longitudinal edge 203 Central part 212 Body 214 End part 215 Waist belt 216 Belt part 216a Outer surface 217 Belt part 217a Outer surface 218 End part 220 Body-facing surface, surface sheet 222 Clothing-facing surface, back sheet 240 Absorbent 245 Leg elastic material 248 Fastening device 249 Fastening device 251 Fastener 300 Device 301 Continuous sheet 302 Continuous sheet 304 Laminate 304' Laminate 305 Adhesive dispensing system 306 Adhesive nozzle 307 Liquid discharge passage 308 Guide roll 309 Ejection device 311 Air ejection head 315 Support roll 318 Roll

Claims

Claim 1 A method for manufacturing an elastic laminate (304, 304', 304'', 304''') for a disposable absorbent hygiene product (1, 101, 200), said elastic laminate (304, 304', 304'', 304''') comprising at least a first continuous sheet (301) and at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), said method comprising: Advancing said first continuous sheet (301) having a first surface in the machine direction, and defining a width in the cross-machine direction; Advancing said at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') in a stretched state in the machine direction (M); Dispensing a liquid adhesive onto said at least one elastic strand from a nozzle (306) provided with at least one liquid discharge passage (307); Ejecting air (310) onto said at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') from an air ejection device (309), said air ejection device (309) being arranged at a predetermined distance (D1) upstream from said nozzle (306) in order to blow away dust, loose fibers or other contaminants before said liquid adhesive is dispensed onto said at least one elastic strand (303, 303''); A method comprising the above steps. Claim 2 The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of bonding said at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') to said first surface of said first continuous sheet (301) after said liquid adhesive has been dispensed from said liquid discharge passage (307) onto said elastic strand (303, 303''). Claim 3 The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said air ejection device (309) is a device separate from said nozzle (306). Claim 4 The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) over the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), via the air discharge passage (313). The at least one air discharge passage (313) comprises a first virtual central axis (314) that intersects the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') and its extension line at a first point (P1). The at least one liquid discharge passage (307) of the nozzle (306) comprises a second virtual central axis (319) that intersects the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') and its extension line at a second point (P2). The predetermined distance (D1) is between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) along the elastic strand (303), and the predetermined distance (D1) is between 150 mm and 900 mm, particularly between 150 mm and 600 mm. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The method further comprises the step of guiding the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') to the nozzle (306) with an elastic strand guide (308), and the elastic strand guide (308) is arranged between the nozzle (306) and the air ejection device (309). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The elastic strand guide (308) is arranged closer to the air ejection device (309) than to the nozzle (306). The method according to claim 5.

7. The air ejection device (309) ejects air (310) over at least one of the elastic strand guides (308) and over the elastic strands (303, 303''). The method according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The air ejection device (309) ejects cold air (310) over the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The air ejection device (309) ejects air (310) at an air pressure in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 bar, for example in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) over the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the at least one air discharge passage (313) being arranged above or below the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') at a predetermined distance (D2) for ejecting air over the at least one elastic strand (303), the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The predetermined distance (D2) between the at least one air discharge passage (313) and the at least one elastic strand (303) is in the range of 30 to 70 mm, the method according to claim 10.

12. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) over the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the at least one air discharge passage (313) comprising a first virtual central axis (314) intersecting the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') and its extension line at a first point (P1), the first virtual central axis (314) being within an angle (α, α1, α2) with respect to the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the angle (α, α1, α2) being in the range between about 50° and 130°, in particular between 70° and 110°, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The method comprises folding the first continuous sheet (301) to form a first layer fold (321); joining the first continuous sheet (301) and the first layer fold (321), the first layer fold (321) overlapping the at least one elastic strand (303''); and further comprising, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The method comprises advancing a second continuous sheet (302) having a first surface in the machine direction (M) and defining a width in the cross-machine direction; After the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage (307) onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'), coupling the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') between the first surface of the first continuous sheet (301) and the first surface of the second continuous sheet (302). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising.

15. An apparatus (300) for manufacturing an elastic laminate (304, 304', 304'', 304''') for a disposable absorbent hygiene product (1, 101, 200), the elastic laminate (304, 304', 304'', 304''') comprising at least a first continuous sheet (301) and at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the apparatus comprising: A first supply device configured to continuously advance the first continuous sheet (301) having a first surface in the machine direction (M), and a first supply device configured to define a width in the cross-machine direction; A second supply device configured to continuously advance the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') in a stretched state in the machine direction (M); A nozzle (306) having at least one liquid discharge passage (307) for dispensing a liquid adhesive onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''); An air ejection device (309) disposed at a predetermined distance (D1) upstream from the nozzle (306) such that the air ejection device (309) ejects air (310) onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') before the liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''); The apparatus (300) comprising.

16. The method further comprises a coupling device (316) configured to couple the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') to the first surface of the first continuous sheet (301) after the liquid adhesive is dispensed from the liquid discharge passage (307) onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the apparatus (300) according to claim 15.

17. The apparatus (300) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the air ejection device (309) is a separate device.

18. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the at least one air discharge passage (313) having a first virtual central axis (314) that intersects the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') and its extension line at a first point (P1), the at least one liquid discharge passage (307) of the nozzle (306) having a second virtual central axis (319) that intersects the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') and its extension line at a second point (P2), the predetermined distance (D1) being between the first point (P1) and the second point (P2) along the elastic strand (303, 303''), the predetermined distance (D1) being between 150 mm and 900 mm, in particular between 150 mm and 600 mm, the device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

19. The device (300) further comprises an elastic strand guide (308) arranged to guide the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') to the nozzle (306), the elastic strand guide (308) being arranged between the nozzle (306) and the air ejection device (309), the device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 18.

20. The elastic strand guide (308) is arranged closer to the air ejection device (309) than to the nozzle (306), the device (300) according to claim 19.

21. The air ejection device (309) ejects air (310) onto the elastic strand guide (308) and onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the device (300) according to claim 19 or 20.

22. The air ejection device (309) ejects cold air (310) onto the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), the device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 21.

23. The air ejection device (309) of the device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 22 ejects air (310) at an air pressure in the range of about 0.5 to 1.5 bar, particularly in the range of 1 to 1.5 bar.

24. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) onto the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage (313), and the at least one air discharge passage (313) is arranged above or below the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') at a predetermined distance (D2). The device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 23.

25. The predetermined distance (D2) between the at least one air discharge passage (313) and the at least one elastic strand (303, 303'') is in the range of 30 to 70 mm. The device (300) according to claim 24.

26. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313) for ejecting the air (310) onto the at least one elastic strand via the at least one air discharge passage (313). The at least one air discharge passage (313) has a first virtual central axis (314) that intersects the at least one elastic strand (303) and its extension line at a first point (P1). The first virtual central axis (314) is within an angle (α, α1, α2) with respect to the at least one elastic strand (303, 303''), and the angle (α, α1, α2) is in the range of about 50° to 130°, particularly between 70° and 110°. The device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 25.

27. The air ejection device (309) comprises at least one air discharge passage (313), and each of the at least one air discharge passage (313) ejects air onto each elastic strand (303''). The device (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 26.

28. An apparatus (300) further comprising a folding device for folding the first continuous sheet (301) to form a first layer fold (321) and directly bonding the first continuous sheet (301) and the first layer fold (321), wherein the first layer fold (321) overlaps the at least one elastic strand (303''), the apparatus (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 27.

29. The apparatus (300) comprises a third supply device configured to continuously advance a second continuous sheet (302) having a first surface in the machine direction (M), and to define a width in the cross-machine direction; a bonding device for bonding the at least one elastic strand (303'') between the first surface of the first continuous sheet (301) and the first surface of the second continuous sheet (302) after the liquid adhesive has been dispensed from the liquid discharge passage (307) onto the at least one elastic strand; The apparatus (300) according to any one of claims 15 to 27, further comprising.

30. A disposable absorbent hygiene product (1, 101, 200) comprising an elastic laminate (304, 304', 304'', 304''') manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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