Pull-on Diaper Side Panel Folding Method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for folding side panels in pull-on disposable diapers often result in them returning to their original position, making it difficult to achieve a compact fold.
Innovation Solution
A method involving aligning the front-back direction of the absorbent article in an up-down direction and conveying it in a height direction, where the front and back exterior members are pulled and folded inward until the side panels are curved inward, creating a deeper fold with increased friction to maintain the compact state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If side panels are pushed inward by a side panel folding device, then the side panels are folded inward from the outside toward the inside in the lateral direction, but the side panels return to their original positions when the pushing force ceases, making it difficult to maintain a folded-in state
Solution Approach 1:
The side panels are pulled in the up-down direction before folding to create curvature and tension that helps maintain the folded state. This preliminary pulling action prepares the side panels by creating elastic deformation that will help them stay folded once the folding force is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The side panels are curved in the up-down direction during the folding process. This curvature creates a geometric constraint that helps maintain the folded position, as the curved shape naturally resists returning to the flat original position due to the elastic deformation of the material.
2Volume of moving object
If side panels are folded deeply inward to achieve compact shape, then the compactness of the folded diaper is improved, but the complexity of the folding process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling action in the up-down direction and the folding action in the lateral direction are combined into a single integrated process. By simultaneously applying both actions, the method achieves deep folding without requiring separate complex devices for each step, thus reducing overall process complexity while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of folding only in the lateral direction, the method introduces movement in the up-down direction to create curvature. This dimensional approach allows the side panels to be folded more deeply and compactly by utilizing a different spatial dimension, achieving better compression without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the side flaps to be folded deeply inward, facilitating compact packaging and maintaining the folded state effectively, preventing misalignment and ensuring easier handling during packaging.
Implementation Method 1
pulling at least a portion on the front side of the absorbent main body toward one side in the up-down direction and pulling at least a portion on the back side of the absorbent main body toward the other side in the up-down direction, and folding in the front exterior member and the back exterior member... until an end portion in the lateral direction at the front side of the absorbent main body is curved
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article for manufacturing a pull-on absorbent article (1) having a height direction, a lateral direction, and a front-back direction intersecting with each other. The absorbent article (1) includes an absorbent main body (10) configured to absorb excrement, a front exterior member (30) arranged at one end side of the absorbent main body (10), and a back exterior member (40) arranged at another end side of the absorbent main body (10), with the front exterior member (30) and the back exterior member (40) joined together at a pair of join portions (1ewr, 1ewl). The method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes: in a state in which the front-back direction of the pull-on absorbent article (1) is aligned in an up-down direction and the pants style absorbent article (1) is being conveyed in a conveying direction along the height direction, pulling at least a portion on the front side of the absorbent main body (10) toward one side in the up-down direction and pulling at least a portion on the back side of the absorbent main body (1) toward the other side in the up-down direction; and folding in the front exterior member (30) and the back exterior member (40) between the front side and the back side of the absorbent main body (10) in the up-down direction until an end portion in the lateral direction at the front side of the absorbent main body (10) is curved toward the other side in the up-down direction and an end portion in the lateral direction at the back side of the absorbent main body (10) is curved toward the one side in the up-down direction.