Abstract: An absorbent product includes an absorbent portion with an absorbent body between a liquid permeable sheet and a liquid impermeable sheet, and flexible flaps projecting from tapering longitudinal edges of the absorbent portion. A first removable protective layer covers substantially the entire absorbent portion and second and third removable protective layers each cover substantially all of a respective one of the flexible flaps. Each of the second and third protective layers is directly opposite the first protective layer along substantially an entire length of a first line along the respective longitudinal edge of the absorbent portion. The second and third protective layers are at least partially separated from the first protective layer by a cut line that follows the respective first line.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing absorbent articles (17) in the form of sanitary napkins, panty liners or incontinence protectors for women, includes the step of cutting a web (5) of protective layer material with a sequence of pairs of cuts (8, 9) which are so spaced apart so that when the web (5) of protective layer material is placed on a web (1, 3, 4) of article blanks the two cuts (8, 9) in each pair of cuts in the sequence of pairs of cuts will lie linearly between the points of connection of flaps (23, 24) with the longitudinal edges of each article. The thus cut web (5) of protective layer material is then placed on the web (1, 3, 4) of article blanks and individual articles (17) are cut from the composite web (1, 3, 4, 5) in a second cutting step that defines the periphery of the articles.

Abstract: In the continuous manufacture of absorbent articles (17) in the form of sanitary napkins, panty liners or incontinence protectors for women, the invention provides a method of providing said articles with protective layers (25, 26, 27). According to the invention, a web (5) of protective layer material whose width corresponds at least to the greatest width of the article (17) in the machine direction (M) is provided with a sequence of pairs of cuts (8, 9) which are so spaced apart that when the web (5) of protective layer material is placed on a web (1, 3, 4) of article blanks the two cuts (8, 9) in each pair of cuts in the sequence of pairs of cuts will lie linearly between the points of connection of the flap (23, 24) with the longitudinal edges of each article.

Abstract: In the continuous manufacture of absorbent articles (17) in the form of sanitary napkins, panty liners or incontinence protectors for women, the invention provides a method of providing said articles with protective layers (25, 26, 27). According to the invention, a web (5) of protective layer material whose width corresponds at least to the greatest width of the article (17) in the machine direction (M) is provided with a sequence of pairs of cuts (8, 9) which are so spaced apart that when the web (5) of protective layer material is placed on a web (1, 3, 4) of article blanks the two cuts (8, 9) in each pair of cuts in the sequence of pairs of cuts will lie linearly between the points of connection of the flap (23, 24) with the longitudinal edges of each article.