Abstract: A folding apparatus for a continuous web for production of absorbent hygiene articles and intended to be folded into a “V” or “U” shape in first and second longitudinal portions along a folding line parallel to a feeding line. A folding section includes a contact unit extending along the feeding line and defining the folding line. First and second guides are positioned on opposite sides of the contact unit and respectively have first and second sliding surfaces. The first and second sliding surfaces extend in a helical fashion along the feeding line, each having a respective infeed section, where the web is not folded, and a respective outfeed section, positioned downstream of the respective infeed section according to a web feeding direction, where the web is folded in two and has the first portion and the second portion set at an angle to each other.

Abstract: A method for forming and folding an absorbent sanitary article includes the steps of preparing a continuous, multilayer web and feeding it in a feed direction, applying a succession of absorbent pads, spaced from each other, on the continuous, multilayer web, folding the absorbent pads on the continuous multilayer web, temporarily fastening the folded absorbent pads to the continuous, multilayer web, making a succession of lines of weakness in the continuous, multilayer web between consecutive absorbent articles, folding a first flap of each absorbent article towards the corresponding absorbent pad, folding a second flap of each absorbent article towards the corresponding absorbent pad; folding the first flap or the second flap includes tearing the continuous, multilayer web at the lines of weakness, thereby separating the absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing discrete elements on a support element. The discrete elements may be separated from each other or joined to form a continuous web. The discrete elements are fed into a pick-up station defined at a rotor which includes circumferentially adjacent pick-up members. Each discrete element is associated with a respective pick-up member having a first orientation with respect to a respective second axis of rotation. Each pick-up member is moved along the rotation direction towards a release position downstream with an at least partially accelerated or decelerated motion. Each pick-up member is rotated about the respective second axis of rotation until it takes, at the release position, a second orientation. Each discrete element is released on a support element at the release position. Each pick-up member is subsequently moved towards the pick-up station with an at least partially decelerated or accelerated motion.

Abstract: A rotary welding device which includes a rotary part rotating about its axis of rotation, one or more supporting elements for supporting a continuous strip, specifically a strip of nappies, supported by the rotary part, and a plurality of welding units, mounted on the rotary part, for welding the continuous strip; each welding unit is configured to pass from a non-operating position to an operating position and vice versa; each welding unit includes a respective welding tip and a respective anvil element which is movable relative to the welding tip; each welding unit includes respective first movement means configured to drive the anvil element in rotation relative to the welding tip from an initial position, where the anvil element is angularly spaced from the welding tip, to a final position, where the surface of the welding tip and the surface of the anvil element are parallel and aligned with each other along the same axis, and vice versa.

Abstract: A method for forming an absorbent pad including a first layer, a second layer and an absorbent material interposed between the first and the second layer and arranged according to a spreading pattern M1 having at least one channel which is free of absorbent material, includes a step of feeding a first web, intended to form the first layer of the pad; a step of feeding a second web, intended to form the second layer of the pad; a step of spreading the absorbent material on the first web according to the spreading pattern M1; a step of spreading an adhesive on the first web according to a gluing pattern; a step of welding the first web and the second web according to a welding pattern M3 including at least one welding zone at the channel on the pad.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an absorbent pad for an absorbent sanitary article having a zone free of absorbent material to define a channel of the pad includes a forming drum, a first feed system for feeding a first web, a second feed system for feeding a second web, a spreader for spreading the absorbent material on the drum; a joining system for joining the first and second webs to define the channels. A first dispenser forms on the first web a layer of first adhesive substance according to a spreading pattern having zones free of the first adhesive substance corresponding to the channels. A second dispenser dispenses a second adhesive substance, whose adhesive force is greater than an adhesive force of the first adhesive substance, on the second web according to a pattern having a layer placed at a zone free of the first adhesive substance.

Abstract: A device for applying pieces to absorbent articles includes a supporting shaft rotating an axis; anvils rotating about the axis; a cutting unit operating with an anvil contact surface defining a cutting station for cutting a web into pieces; pads, each having a retaining surface for a piece, are moved about the axis for conveying a piece from the cutting station to a releasing station for release onto a substrate. Each pad rotates for varying the orientation from the cutting station, where the larger side of the pad is parallel to a feed of the web, to the releasing station, where the larger side of the pad is transversal to the feed of the receiving substrate, and vice versa. Each pad translates parallel to the pad axis, away from and towards the shaft axis. Each pad has an oscillating movement about its own axis.

Abstract: A rotary device for welding a continuous web comprises a rotary unit rotating about a respective axis and welding units for welding the web mounted, angularly spaced, on the rotary unit. A movement device varies a radial position of the welding units. First and second supporting elements supporting the web are disposed, respectively, upstream and downstream of respective ones of the welding units, to keep the web tensioned when the respective welding unit is at an operating position. The first and second supporting elements are supported by a load-bearing structure connected to the welding units in such a way that a radial movement of the welding units corresponds to a movement of the first and second supporting elements towards and away from the axis.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a continuous web being fed in a plant for the production of hygienic absorbent articles and intended to be folded into a “V” or “U” shape in a first and in a second longitudinal portion according to a longitudinal folding line parallel to a feeding line of the continuous web comprises a folding section including a first and a second power-driven, movable suction belt and an adjusting system for adjusting a relative position of the longitudinal edges of the continuous web once it has been folded; the adjusting system is configured to adjust the position of the first belt and/or of the second belt depending on at least a first information sent by the first sensor to the computerised control unit.

Abstract: A rotary device for welding a continuous web includes a rotary element, support elements for supporting the web, supported by the rotary element, and a plurality of welding units for welding the web. Each welding unit passes from a non-operating position to an operating position and vice versa, and includes a first movement device for commanding a relative rotation of an anvil element relative to a welding tip and a second movement device for moving the anvil element relative to the welding tip such that a contact surface of the anvil element and a contact surface of the welding tip make contact with a portion of the web in a zone between them, and vice versa. First and second drive mechanisms drive the first and second movement devices. The first and second drive mechanisms are configured to vary a positioning of the welding tip relative to the axis.

Abstract: A device for applying segments of absorbent articles includes a cutting station for cutting a continuous web into segments and an applicator station for applying each segment on a respective absorbent article. A plurality of carrier units, each includes a pad for retaining and transferring a segment from the cutting station to the applicator station. The pad fully rotates about a main axis to transfer the segment from the cutting station to the applicator station and return to the cutting station and, from the cutting station to the applicator station, rotates at least 90° about its axis of rotation to orient the segment transverse to the feed direction of the absorbent article. A first movement member moves one or more first carrier units about the main axis and a second movement member moves one or more second carrier units separately from the first carrier units about the main axis.

Abstract: A method for forming an absorbent article including a first absorbent core and a second absorbent core which are superposed on each other, includes feeding a first supporting web along a first feed path in a first feed direction; placing a succession of first absorbent cores on the first supporting web at a preset spacing; feeding a second supporting web along a second feed path in a second feed direction; placing a succession of second absorbent cores on the second supporting web at the preset spacing; coupling the first supporting web to the second supporting web such that each first absorbent core is coupled to a corresponding second absorbent core in a composite web including the succession of first absorbent cores and the succession of the second absorbent cores interposed between the first supporting web and the second supporting web.

Abstract: A method for forming an absorbent pad including a first layer, a second layer and an absorbent material interposed between the first and the second layer and arranged according to a spreading pattern M1 having at least one channel which is free of absorbent material, includes a step of feeding a first web, intended to form the first layer of the pad; a step of feeding a second web, intended to form the second layer of the pad; a step of spreading the absorbent material on the first web according to the spreading pattern M1; a step of joining the first and second webs, a step of removing any absorbent material that may be present in the channel.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed a component in an automatic manufacturing machine; has: at least one holding head designed to receive and hold the component; a closed curved guide arranged in a fixed position along an application path; an equipment supporting the holding head and provided with at least one slide coupled to the guide by a plurality of wheels; a linear electric motor, and a movable slider electro-magnetically coupled to the stator and is rigidly connected to the slide. The guide has, on the surface in contact with the wheels, a first transverse profile having a concavity or a convexity; the wheels have, on the surface in contact with the guide, a second transverse profile, which has a convexity or a concavity, and generates, with the first profile, a shape coupling between the guide and the wheels, which forbids a transverse movement of the slide relative to the guide.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed components in an automatic manufacturing machine; the feeding unit has: a plurality of sucking holding heads, which are each designed to receive and hold a corresponding component; a closed curved guide, which is arranged in a fixed position along the application path; a plurality of equipment, each supporting a corresponding holding head and provided with at least one slide, which is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide by a plurality of wheels; a suction chamber, which is mounted so as to rotate around a rotation axis; and a flexible connection system, which pneumatically connects the suction chamber to each holding head.

Abstract: A feeding unit to feed a component in an automatic manufacturing machine, which has at least one holding head designed to receive and hold the component; a conveyor to cyclically move the holding head along an application path; and a rotation station arranged along the feeding path and in which the holding head rotates relative to the equipment and around a rotation axis to vary the orientation of the component. The conveyor has a closed curve guide arranged in a fixed position along the application path; and an equipment supporting the holding head and provided with at least one slide coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide. An actuation system controls rotation of the holding head around the first rotation axis and has a cam and a cam follower roller, which can be coupled to the cam and mechanically connected to the holding head.

Abstract: A unit for applying first and second tabs, obtained from first and second webs, to a chassis web includes an applicator drum rotatable about an axis and including a main body. A plurality of carriers is movable between a lowered position close to the axis and a raised position away from the axis, each including a suction portion. A first carrier first suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. A second carrier includes second suction and non-suction portions aligned along the axis. The first suction portions alternate with the second non-suction portions and the first non-suction portions alternate with the second suction portions. A first system holds the first web on the applicator drum upstream of a cutting device. A second system holds the second web on the drum upstream of the cutting device.

Abstract: The unit for feeding lateral flaps of a hygiene absorbent article having: an input conveyor of a first continuous strip; a cutting assembly provided with a receiving drum, of the first suction-pick up heads that hold the lateral flaps and which are mounted to as to be radially movable on the receiving drum, and at least one blade which cyclically cuts the first strip crosswise; a spacer assembly having a pair of spacer drums provided with second suction-pick up heads that receive the lateral flaps of the receiving drum; and an actuator system, which cyclically moves each first suction-pick up head radially between a radial pick-up position and a radial release position, in the area of an output station.

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: A method for making absorbent sanitary articles whereby each absorbent article is provided with at least one pair of side tabs. The method includes the steps of feeding a single continuous web with a longitudinal axis towards at least one cutting station where the continuous web is divided, by a succession of cuts transverse to the longitudinal axis, into a first and a second series of side tabs, each of which has an asymmetrical shape and separately applying each rotated side tab of the first series and each side tab of the second series along a continuous strip of a material for making the absorbent articles, in such a way that each rotated tab of the first series is juxtaposed with a respective tab of the second series to define a respective pair of side tabs.