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 process for forming an absorbent sanitary article includes feeding a first web including first and second stretches each having front and rear end portions; feeding a second web for forming a first side panel of the article; feeding a third web for forming a second side panel of the article; cutting the second web into a succession of first and second pieces defining the first side panel of the article; cutting the third web in a succession of third and fourth pieces, defining the second side panel of the article; applying the first through fourth pieces to the first web; the first and second stretches being provided in the first web so each first stretch has the rear end portion downstream of the front end portion in a feed direction and each second stretch has the front end portion downstream of the rear end portion.

Abstract: A forming pocket suitable for forming conglomerates from particulate material to be used as an absorbent padding for hygienic products, includes an external forming substrate for receiving particulate material, the substrate having openings and a shape conjugated to a form of the absorbent padding to be made. The forming pocket includes a grid supporting structure, which has openings and is coupleable with the substrate to support the substrate during suction of particulate material through the substrate. The supporting structure has an external surface configured to contact the substrate and has a shape conjugated to the shape of the substrate. A method of making the forming pocket includes obtaining from at least one first metal sheet first and second sets of elements having a plurality of cuts, and wedging the elements of the first set with the elements of the second set via the cuts to make the grid supporting structure.

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: A device for forming and applying accessory elements to a continuous band of absorbent material, includes a unit for feeding a continuous strip to a conveyor roller, a unit for cutting the strip in a continuous and alternating succession of first and second pieces, a first and a second roller rotating about respective axes parallel to the first direction, each including a movement device acting along a circumferential direction around the respective axis and configured for imparting to each unit a respective motion between positions for picking up and releasing the pieces. A unit for applying a pair of pieces to the band is equipped with a separating unit equipped with a spacer device for moving first and/or second carriages along a separating direction between closed and far axial positions, wherein the spacer device includes a plurality of linear actuators each associated with a respective first carriage.

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: A device for cutting a web of fibrous material including movement means for moving a web of fibrous material to be cut, defining a feed surface for the web and having at least one first cutting zone, at least one laser source configured to generate a laser beam extending along its operating direction towards the first cutting zone to make, on the web, at least one incision extending along a predetermined cutting line, where a portion of the laser beam passes through the web of fibrous material at the first cutting zone. The device also includes recovery means for recovering the portion of the laser beam and at least partly located along the operating direction, at the first cutting zone, in such a way as to intercept the portion of the laser beam and direct it towards a second cutting zone to make a further incision or cut.

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: A device for folding a web for producing absorbent sanitary articles along at least one longitudinal fold line parallel to its feed direction includes two diverting elements positioned on opposite sides of the web one after the other, to operate in succession on respective lateral portions of the web and allow transversal folding of one lateral portion on the other and both on the web. Each diverting element has a diverting surface which is used for folding and which is equipped with a plurality of holes to emit jets of air under pressure at a tangent to the diverting surface, directed transversely to the feed direction of the web along the same direction as the direction along which the two lateral portions are transversely folded by the diverting surface and defining between the latter and the web a laminar fluid bed.

Abstract: A method for making absorbent sanitary articles which include a permeable inner layer, an impermeable outer layer and an absorbent pad enclosed between them; the absorbent pad includes a first bottom layer and a second top layer between which an absorbent core is enclosed; the method includes a step of forming the absorbent pad; the step of forming the absorbent pad includes a step of feeding a first continuous web, which will define the first bottom layer and a second continuous web, which will define the second top layer, and a step of interposing between the first web and the second web at least a third web which has a plurality of openings and which will define the absorbent core; the method includes a step of feeding a third continuous web along a feed direction and a step of cutting the third continuous web to obtain the openings.

Abstract: A unit for making absorbent pads of absorbent articles including a drum for forming the absorbent pads and a hood for feeding a first and a second absorbent material to at least part of the peripheral surface of the drum; the hood has a chamber for mixing the first and the second absorbent materials and an opening for dispensing the first and the second absorbent materials facing at least part of the peripheral surface of the drum; the unit includes at least a first and a second duct for feeding the second absorbent material into the hood and means for distributing the second absorbent material both of the first feed duct and of the second feed duct; the first and the second are connected to the same distribution means.

Abstract: A device for cutting a web of material comprises movement means for moving a web of material to be cut, defining a feed path for the web at least partly rotatable about a central axis and equipped with at least one conveyor mounted around the central axis, at least one cutting head equipped with a laser source and an optical system configured to direct the laser beam towards a cutting zone, where the optical system of the cutting head comprises at least one directing member located inside the conveyor to direct the laser beam away from the central axis towards the cutting zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing particulate material on a conveyor movable along a respective operating direction includes: a tank containing particulate material and equipped with feed means for feeding the particulate material; and distribution means located downstream of the tank to receive the particulate material and the particulate material on the conveyor. The distribution means include a diffuser element and a vibrating device to shake the diffuser element. The diffuser element extends with its sliding plane along its axis between an infeed portion to receive a preset flow quantity “Q” of particulate material, and an outfeed portion. The diffuser element includes a transversal partition at a predetermined distance from the sliding plane to form a neck which acts in combination with a vibration imparted by the vibrating device to distribute the particulate material along a predetermined width of the outfeed portion.

Abstract: A process for forming an absorbent sanitary article of the type including a pad having a direction of main extension, including a step of at least one absorbent core of the absorbent article by layering a corresponding composite web, a step of preparing a succession of hollows in the composite web obtained by removing for each hollow a corresponding portion of the composite web and a step of applying the portions removed on the composite web.

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: A method including folding incontinence pads which have a substantially rectangular shape, elongate according to a longitudinal axis, and including a central absorbent pad and a perimetric edge. The method includes folding parts of the edge onto a central portion of the absorbent pad, folding a first end portion of the incontinence pad about a first fold line onto the central portion and a subsequent step of folding, about a second fold line a second end portion onto the first portion. The fold lines which are transversal to the longitudinal axis and define the central portion are spaced by a stretch which is greater than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the first end portion. The folding step is preceded by a step of folding down inwards onto the central portion segments of the edge which lie between the first and second fold lines, and a step of retaining said segments of the edge on the central portion.

Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles including an absorbent pad with at least one discrete layer of superabsorbent polymer material includes a unit for forming and applying a succession of absorbent pads, which includes a drum for forming the pad, a duct for feeding a charge of superabsorbent polymer material to the drum and intermittent valve mounted along a stretch of the duct and driven by an actuator. A device detects the superabsorbent polymer material and sends a signal to a control and drive unit connected to the device indicating that the superabsorbent polymer material has been detected. The control and drive unit is configured to drive the actuator to bring the valve into phase with the rotation of the drum when the deviation of the signal from a reference signal exceeds a defined threshold value.

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.