Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, where each article includes components progressively positioned relative to each other and assembled along a production line. The machine includes a programmable electronic controller device having a shift register, at least one optical inspection system connected to the programmable electronic controller device, and an operator interface connected to the electronic controller. The programmable electronic controller device generates a machine sync signal, a trigger signal for activating the optical inspection system in phase with the sync signal and a shift register shift command. The optical inspection system receives the trigger signal and has a defined maximum response time which produces at least one band of uncertainty. The operator sets with the operator interface the instant of activating the shift register shift command outside the band of uncertainty and between two consecutive sync signals defining a machine step.

Abstract: A method for making sanitary articles, includes: feeding along a longitudinal direction of movement a first web of material defining a main body of the article; feeding a pair of longitudinal strips; dividing each strip into a succession of trapezoidal pieces adjacent each other and each having a long base and a short base so the pieces of each strip can be divided alternately into first pieces having a first orientation and second pieces having a second orientation opposite to the first orientation; spacing the pieces of each strip from each other; rotating the first or second pieces of each strip by 180° in plane to give the pieces of the first strip the first orientation and the pieces of the second strip the second orientation; applying each piece on a first face so the long base protrudes laterally from the edge of the first web.

Abstract: A method and unit for folding light incontinence pads having a substantially rectangular shape elongate according to a longitudinal axis and comprising a central absorbent pad and an outer edge, according to which a first end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on a central portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, a second end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on the first end portion about a second fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, and elasticated segments of the edge located between the first and second fold lines are folded on the central portion; the step of folding the elasticated segments of the edge being between a first sub-step of partly folding the first end portion and a second sub-step of completely folding the first end portion on the central portion.

Abstract: In a method for making absorbent sanitary articles, each absorbent article includes a pair of side tabs fed from a single continuous tape divided by oblique cuts into first and second series of side tabs oriented in opposite directions. The side tabs of the first and second series are then fed along a first path and along a second path, respectively and are first rotated by 180° and then combined and transferred separately along a third, common path along which each tab of the first series has a respective tab of the second series placed alongside it to form a pair of side tabs. At least one of the side tabs of each pair is moved sideways such that each pair of side tabs is applied to a continuous web of material at a predetermined spacing.

Abstract: A method for corrective action on the operation of a line for the production of absorbent sanitary articles, comprises capturing at least one image of each article being fed out of the line; using the image to define first parameters indicating the positioning and/or assembly and/or shape of at least one respective component; detecting a production defect if at least one of the first parameters is outside a respective acceptability range; identifying second, line operating parameters which are used to indicate if the first parameter is outside the respective acceptability range; comparing the line operating parameters with respective third, reference parameters indicating optimum line operation; using the comparison to derive a map of abnormal operating parameters; checking if each combination of abnormal operating parameters indicates a respective cause of malfunction of the line; defining a respective corrective action.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing system in a machine for making composite webs in the production of absorbent sanitary articles includes a contact roller having an axis of rotation and including a central portion and a peripheral portion which is supported by the central portion and includes an outer surface forming the outer surface of the contact roller itself. The contact roller includes a sealing pattern on the outer surface of the peripheral portion and also includes springs acting between the central portion and the peripheral portion, which is supported by the peripheral portion by means of the springs.

Abstract: An absorbent sanitary article having a main direction of extension comprises a permeable inner layer, an impermeable outer layer, an absorbent pad interposed between the inner layer and the outer layer and comprising a first layer of non-woven fabric, a second layer of non-woven fabric partly joined to the first layer of non-woven fabric, and an absorbent core interposed between the first and second layers of non-woven fabric; the absorbent core comprises a spread of absorbent polymer material and a third layer of non-woven fabric interposed between the first and second layers of non-woven fabric.

Abstract: In a machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, such as nappies for babies or incontinence pads for adults, sanitary towels or the like, a plurality of operating stations are equipped with cutting and/or sealing devices for the materials of which the articles consist; all or some of the operating stations each being equipped with at least one laser unit for performing the cutting and/or sealing operation; the laser units all being connected to the same laser source.

Abstract: Absorbent pads for personal sanitary items are made by a device that comprises a set of pick-up heads (2) moving along a feed path (P), a first application unit (5) and a second application unit (6) by which a respective first portion (4a) and second portion (4b) of an absorbent pad are placed on the pick-up head (2), and a motion-inducing mechanism, coupled to the pick-up head (2), which is designed to bring about a relative displacement between the first portion (4a) and the second portion (4b), so that when the second portion (4b) is placed over the first portion (4a), the one will be covered by the other only in part. A method of making absorbent pads using the device in question includes the steps of preparing a first portion (4a) and a second portion (4b) of an absorbent pad, then placing the second portion (4b) over the first portion (4a) in such a way that the first portion (4a) is covered only in part by the second portion (4b).

Abstract: A device for processing a web of material for making nappies includes a rotary shaft having a first axis, a plurality of pads for receiving and holding the web. The pads are rotatable about the first axis and are movable relative to the first axis during operation. A plurality of anvils, each interposed between two consecutive pads, are connected with the rotary shaft and are rotatable with it about the first axis. A unit acting in conjunction with the anvils cuts the web into lengths. A first motor is mounted inside the device and connected to the pads to translate the pads along a radial direction at right angles to the first axis and a second motor is mounted inside the device and connected to the pads to rotate the pads about a second axis coinciding with the radial direction.

Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles includes a feed conveyor on which a continuous web of material for making the articles is advanced along a feed line in a first direction. A forming and application unit forms and applies by which at least one pair of accessory elements for each article and includes a device for feeding a continuous succession of accessory elements and a conveying unit. The conveying unit includes a conveyor roller for the continuous succession of accessory elements, and a separating device defined by a first and a second spacer roller which are substantially tangent to the conveyor roller at a first and a second pickup station, respectively. The first and the second spacer roller have retaining and alternate movement devices including respective pickup pads which are slidable along a second direction and which are driven by a respective linear electric motor.

Abstract: Described is a machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, such as nappies, sanitary pads and the like, where each article (2) comprises a plurality of components (8,9) progressively positioned relative to each other and assembled along a production line (3) through a plurality of operating stations (24,25,26,27,28,29,32,35) equipped with devices for cutting and/or sealing the materials the articles (2) are made up of and at least one rejection station (39) downstream of the operating stations; the machine (1) comprises a programmable electronic controller device (42) having a shift register (40), at least one optical inspection system (36) connected to the programmable electronic controller device (42), and an operator interface (51) connected to the electronic controller (42); the programmable electronic controller device (42) generates a machine (1) sync signal (43), a trigger signal (46) for activating the optical inspection system (36) in phase with the sync signal (43) and a shift register (40) shif

Abstract: A machine for making absorbent items comprises a conveyor (9) for feeding a continuous strip (7) of absorbent items in a predetermined direction L, a cutting element (11) for cutting the strip into single absorbent items (2), a unit for feeding and applying to each stretch of the strip which will constitute a single absorbent item (2) a pair of fastening and closure elements (6) for the items; the unit (13) comprising a roller (18) for conveying a succession of pieces (15), intended to form the fastening elements (6), a separating device (22) consisting of a pair of rollers (20, 21) which are at a tangent to the conveyor roller (18) and equipped with suction seats (29, 30), able to slide parallel with their axes, for forming respective successions (32, 33) of pieces (15), which are spaced out in a direction T transversal to the direction L, by a stretch having a predetermined length, a roller (23) for forming pairs of pieces (15), which is at a tangent to both of the rollers (20, 21) and equipped with a first

Abstract: Absorbent sanitary articles (2), such as nappies or incontinence pads with an elongated central body (2a) and at least one pair of closure tabs (5), are manufactured on a machine (1) by which the tabs (5) are directed in pairs from a feed unit (13) onto a transport line (6) carrying the articles (2) toward a sealing station. The feed unit (13) operates by making skew cross-cuts (16) in a continuous strip (15) of material, so as to generate a succession of tab elements (5) appearing trapezoidal in outline; the tab elements (5) are then distanced one from another in alternation along a direction (D3) transverse to their feed direction (D2) through the machine, so as to obtain two single columns (23) which are taken up by a roller (27) and aligned one with another so that the single tab elements (5) are ordered into a succession of transversely aligned pairs. The alignment roller (27) rotates tangentially to the transport line (6) and is timed to place one pair of tab elements (5) on each advancing article (2).

Abstract: Absorbent nappy/diaper pads composed of a first absorbent base material, and a second absorbent material consisting of superabsorbent polymer powders, are made by a unit (3) that comprises a conveyor (11) carrying the first absorbent material along a predetermined feed path (P), and a feed system (24) by which the superabsorbent polymer powders are released onto the feed path (P); the feed system (24) comprises a fixed duct (27) with an outlet (45) directed at the feed path (P), and a valve (34), positioned along an intermediate segment of the duct (27), by which the superabsorbent polymer powders are dispensed intermittently and controllably.

Abstract: Personal sanitary items are manufactured by a machine comprising a first feed system (2) directing a first continuous web (3) of material along a given feed path (P), a device (9) serving to make a succession of absorbent pads and apply the single pads to the first web (3) of material, and a second feed system (19) supplying a second continuous web (20) of material that is bonded ultimately to the first web (3), with the pads sandwiched between, to produce a continuous succession of sanitary items. The pad-making device (9) comprises at least one cutter (12) by which a continuous band (11) of absorbent material is divided up to produce the succession of pads, and the feed path (P) follows a convoluted trajectory substantially of “S” configuration.

Abstract: A method for corrective action on the operation of a line for the production of absorbent sanitary articles, comprises capturing at least one image of each article being fed out of the line; using the image to define first parameters indicating the positioning and/or assembly and/or shape of at least one respective component; detecting a production defect if at least one of the first parameters is outside a respective acceptability range; identifying second, line operating parameters which are used to indicate if the first parameter is outside the respective acceptability range; comparing the line operating parameters with respective third, reference parameters indicating optimum line operation; using the comparison to derive a map of abnormal operating parameters; checking if each combination of abnormal operating parameters indicates a respective cause of malfunction of the line; defining a respective corrective action.

Abstract: In a machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, such as nappies for babies or incontinence pads for adults, sanitary towels or the like, a plurality of operating stations are equipped with cutting and/or sealing devices for the materials of which the articles (2) consist; all or some of the operating stations each being equipped with at least one laser unit for performing the cutting and/or sealing operation; the laser units all being connected to the same laser source (60).

Abstract: A method and unit for folding light incontinence pads having a substantially rectangular shape elongate according to a longitudinal axis and comprising a central absorbent pad and an outer edge, according to which a first end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on a central portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, a second end portion of the incontinence pad is folded on the first end portion about a second fold line transversal to the longitudinal axis, and elasticated segments of the edge located between the first and second fold lines are folded on the central portion; the step of folding the elasticated segments of the edge being between a first sub-step of partly folding the first end portion and a second sub-step of completely folding the first end portion on the central portion.

Abstract: Blanks used in the manufacture of nappies/diapers are folded on a machine comprising a first aspirating roller (5) by which single blanks (2) are advanced in succession toward a second aspirating roller (6) rotating counter and substantially tangential to the first roller (5) at a folding station (T).