Patents by Inventor Valerio Soli

Valerio Soli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11957550
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Toscani, Giuseppe Poli
  • Patent number: 11191674
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Toscani, Giuseppe Poli
  • Publication number: 20210145652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Matteo PIANTONI, Valerio SOLI, Marco ROSANI, Federico TOSCANI, Giuseppe POLI
  • Patent number: 10934123
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Tordini
  • Publication number: 20210007901
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Matteo PIANTONI, Valerio SOLI, Davide RUSSO, Paolo CARRARA
  • Patent number: 10842686
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Federico Tordini, Marco Rosani, Mauro Pietralunga
  • Publication number: 20200345558
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Matteo PIANTONI, Valerio SOLI, Marco ROSANI, Federico TOSCANI, Giuseppe POLI
  • Patent number: 10821031
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Valerio Soli, Matteo Piantoni, Mauro Pietralunga, Federico Tordini, Marco Rosani
  • Patent number: 10821032
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignees: GDM S.P.A., UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI BERGAMO
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Davide Russo, Paolo Carrara
  • Patent number: 10765562
    Abstract: An apparatus transferring and rotating an object from a retaining station to a releasing station along an annular transfer path, the object has a first orientation in the retaining station which is different from a second orientation in the releasing station; the apparatus includes: a stator having a revolution body provided with a lateral surface on which a first cam profile is formed; a rotor that is rotatable about a first rotation axis with respect to the stator; at least one retaining head of the object connected to the rotor, which has a retaining element coupled to the first cam profile which can be rotated about a second axis of rotation with respect to the rotor; and wherein the stator has a second cam profile and the transferring and rotating apparatus has at least a first annular guide disposed along the transfer path and the head has at least one first slide supporting the retaining element and is slidably coupled to the first annular guide, the first slide being connected to the rotor by way of a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Tordini, Francesco Passarotto, Andrea Duchini
  • Patent number: 10751225
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Publication number: 20200222248
    Abstract: An apparatus transferring and rotating an object from a retaining station to a releasing station along an annular transfer path, the object has a first orientation in the retaining station which is different from a second orientation in the releasing station; the apparatus includes: a stator having a revolution body provided with a lateral surface on which a first cam profile is formed; a rotor that is rotatable about a first rotation axis with respect to the stator; at least one retaining head of the object connected to the rotor, which has a retaining element coupled to the first cam profile which can be rotated about a second axis of rotation with respect to the rotor; and wherein the stator has a second cam profile and the transferring and rotating apparatus has at least a first annular guide disposed along the transfer path and the head has at least one first slide supporting the retaining element and is slidably coupled to the first annular guide, the first slide being connected to the rotor by means of
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Tordini, Francesco Passarotto, Andrea Duchini
  • Patent number: 10683116
    Abstract: Grouping unit and method to form groups of hygiene absorbent articles in a packaging machine; a conveyor which receives the single hygiene absorbent articles in an input station is provided, which feeds the hygiene absorbent articles along a grouping path, and releases the groups of hygiene absorbent articles in an output station; wherein the conveyor has a belt which is closed so as to form a ring, is wound around at least two pulleys, and supports a plurality of blades, which extend perpendicular to the belt and delimit, between one another, respective pockets, which are each designed to hold a corresponding hygiene absorbent article; an active braking device is provided, which is arranged at the input station so as to cooperate with a pocket arranged in the input station to slow down the movement with which a corresponding hygiene absorbent article enters the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10610418
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: GDM S.P.A., UNIVERSITA'DEGLISTUDI DI BERGAMO
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Davide Russo, Paolo Carrara
  • Patent number: 10610419
    Abstract: A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles which includes an absorbent pad in turn including one or more absorbent materials; the machine includes a line for feeding at least one continuous web of impermeable material and at least one unit for forming and applying a succession of absorbent pads along the continuous web of impermeable material and a device for detecting at least one between the weight, density profile (or weight profile) parameters of at least one of the absorbent materials defining the absorbent pad; the detecting device including at least one microwave resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10603222
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10478348
    Abstract: A feeding unit for feeding a component of a hygiene absorbent article; the feeding unit has: at least one sucking-holding head, which is designed to receive and hold the component; a conveyor to cyclically move the holding head along an annular application path; an input station in which the holding head receives a corresponding component which is connected—without gaps—to a continuous web; a cutting station provided with a cutting device, which cuts the continuous web crosswise; and an output station in which the holding head releases the component; the conveyor has: an annular guide; a slide which supports the holding head and is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide itself; and a linear electric motor, which has a stator, which is arranged in a fixed position along the guide and a mobile slider which is electro-magnetically coupled to the stator so as to receive, from the stator, a driving force and is rigidly connected to the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli, Marco Rosani, Federico Tordini, Massimo Pallavera
  • Patent number: 10470938
    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 upstream of the front end portion in a feed direction and each second stretch has the front end portion upstream of the rear end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10470940
    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 close and far axial positions, wherein the spacer device includes a plurality of linear actuators each associated with a respective first carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GDM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli
  • Patent number: 10470941
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: GDM S.p.A.
    Inventors: Matteo Piantoni, Valerio Soli