Disposable Wearable Article Folding on Cylindrical Conveyance Routes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing disposable wearable articles require a long section for folding absorbent bodies in half, which increases the installation space of the manufacturing device.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that involves conveying absorbent and waist member continuous bodies in different directions, turning the absorbent bodies 90 degrees, joining them to the waist member, and folding them in half while moving along a cylindrical conveyance route, using units like a folding drum and swinging pads to shorten the folding section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If absorbent bodies are folded in half while the wearable article continuous body is being conveyed in a linear direction, then the folding process can be completed, but the section for folding is long which increases the installation space of the manufacturing device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding process completionVSAvoidinstallation space of manufacturing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a cylindrical conveyance route instead of a linear conveyance path. The folding drum rotates to convey the wearable article continuous body along a curved cylindrical surface, allowing the absorbent bodies to be folded in half while moving along the curved path. This curvature enables the folding section to be compact and reduces the linear space required for the folding operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear conveyance to a two-dimensional cylindrical conveyance route. By utilizing the rotational dimension of the folding drum, the folding process occurs in a compact circular path rather than requiring a long linear section, effectively reducing the installation space footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the section for folding absorbent bodies is shortened, then the installation space is reduced, but it becomes difficult to fold the absorbent bodies without excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidforce applied during folding
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical conveyance route with its curved surface allows the absorbent bodies to be gradually folded along the arc of the drum rotation. This curved path provides a natural progression for the folding action, distributing the force application over the rotational movement rather than requiring sudden or excessive force in a linear path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The folding drum rotates to dynamically convey the wearable article continuous body through the folding section. This dynamic rotational movement allows the folding process to occur progressively as the material moves along the curved path, enabling effective folding in a compact space without excessive force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4494619B1Method and device for manufacturing disposable wearable article
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZUIKO CORP
  • EP4494619B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4494619B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4494619B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method and a device for manufacturing a disposable wearable article that can shorten the section for folding an absorbent body in half. An absorbent body continuous body (2) in which first sections (3) to be made into absorbent bodies (4) are connected in a first direction (2x) is conveyed in the first direction (2x), and a waist member continuous body (6) in which second sections (7) scheduled to become waist members (8) are connected in a second direction (6x) is conveyed in the second direction (6x). The absorbent body continuous body (2) is cut to form the absorbent bodies (4), and the absorbent bodies are turned 90 degrees. End sides (4b) of the absorbent bodies that have been turned 90 degrees are joined in a superimposed manner to the waist member continuous body (6) with a spacing provided therebetween such that the other end sides (4f) of the absorbent bodies (4) protrude from the waist member continuous body (6), thereby forming a wearable article continuous body (9). The absorbent bodies (4) are folded in half while conveying the wearable article continuous body (9) along a cylindrical conveyance route (56), followed by cutting the wearable article continuous body (9) between adjacent absorbent bodies (5) folded in half.