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).

Abstract: Products are transferred in an automatic manufacturing machine by a unit (1) equipped with multiple transport heads (8), and a drive system (10) comprising at least two transmission assemblies (11a, 11b) by which the heads (8) are set in motion. The transport heads (8) are divided operationally into a first group (12) and a second group (13), in which motion is induced by a respective first transmission assembly (11a) and a respective second transmission assembly (11b).

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 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: Pant type nappies, or diapers, are provided with lateral tabs applied by a device comprising a conveyor (10) on which absorbent central bodies (3), one per nappy (2), are caused to advance in succession along a given feed direction (D), also a feed device (12) facing the conveyor (10) and supplying a succession of prefolded lateral tabs (4), ordered in pairs. A pair of tabs (4) is placed on each absorbent central body (3) in turn, and at least a first end (4a) of each tab (4) fixed to one corresponding edge of the body. The device further comprises a folding mechanism operating along the conveyor (10), downstream of the feed device (12), by which the successive absorbent central bodies (3) are bent double, and respective second ends (4b) of the two lateral tabs (4) fastened to the edges of the body (3).

Abstract: A method for producing diaper component parts (3) from strip material (5, 8), wherein the strip material (5, 8) is fed continuously, by means of conveying means (6), along a straight path (P) extending through a number of work stations (9, 16, 21) synchronized with one another; and wherein, along the path (P), the strip material (5, 8) is secured to the conveying means (6) so that all points of the strip material (5, 8) travel at the same speed.

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: Multilayer absorbent pads for nappy/diaper pants are manufactured on a unit (1) comprising a first device (3a) and a second device (3b) by which respective first and second layers (4a, 4b) of absorbent material (5) are taken up from two infeed stations, shaped, and transferred to two release stations. The devices (3a, 3b) are synchronized in operation, and associated by way of a transfer station (8) at which the first layer (4a) of absorbent material is joined directly to the second layer (4b), positioned selectively and with the second layer still retained by suction on the second device (3b); the two layers are thereupon compressed simultaneously to form an absorbent pad (2) that emerges from the unit as a stable, one-piece core.

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: 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).

Abstract: Products are transferred in an automatic manufacturing machine by a unit (1) equipped with multiple transport heads (8), and a drive system (10) comprising at least two transmission assemblies (11a, 11b) by which the heads (8) are set in motion. The transport heads (8) are divided operationally into a first group (12) and a second group (13), in which motion is induced by a respective first transmission assembly (11a) and a respective second transmission assembly (11b).

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: A method for producing diaper component parts (3) from strip material (5, 8), wherein the strip material (5, 8) is fed continuously, by means of conveying means (6), along a straight path (P) extending through a number of work stations (9, 16, 21) synchronized with one another; and wherein, along the path (P), the strip material (5, 8) is secured to the conveying means (6) so that all points of the strip material (5, 8) travel at the same speed.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding and finishing training pant diapers, whereby the diapers are formed from respective flat blanks, each of which is fed to a continuously-rotating, suction-type first wheel, and is folded into a U by clamping an intermediate portion of the blank on the first wheel by means of a folding member; retaining a trailing half of the blank on the first wheel, while detaching a leading half from the first wheel by means of a continuously-rotating, suction-type second wheel; transferring the leading half to a continuously-rotating, suction-type third wheel; and gradually superimposing the leading half of the blank onto the trailing half, as the trailing half advances on the first wheel, and after first removing the folding member from the blank.

Abstract: A method and machine for folding and finishing training pant diapers, whereby the diapers are formed from respective flat blanks, each of which is fed to a continuously-rotating, suction-type first wheel, and is folded into a U by clamping an intermediate portion of the blank on the first wheel by means of a folding member; retaining a trailing half of the blank on the first wheel, while detaching a leading half from the first wheel by means of a continuously-rotating, suction-type second wheel; transferring the leading half to a continuously-rotating, suction-type third wheel; and gradually superimposing the leading half of the blank onto the trailing half, as the trailing half advances on the first wheel, and after first removing the folding member from the blank.

Abstract: According to a method for making disposable diapers/adult incontinence pads, a diaper/incontinence pad is made whose pad is in three layers one on top of another; two outer layers of the pad consist of absorbent material and are positioned on opposite sides of an intermediate layer, which consists of a mixture of the absorbent material forming the two external layers and shredded material obtained by shredding faulty diapers/incontinence pads rejected from the diaper/incontinence pad production line.