Pulpless absorbent cores and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method of forming an absorbent core may comprise moving a forming surface in a machine direction, creating a pressure differential across the forming surface, advancing a base carrier sheet on the forming surface in the machine direction, applying a first adhesive onto the base carrier sheet, and applying a first quantity of particulate material onto the first adhesive at a first cross-machine direction width. The method may further comprise depositing a matrix of material onto the first quantity of particulate material at a second cross-machine direction width, the matrix of material comprising a second quantity of particulate material and a second adhesive, wherein the second cross-machine direction width is smaller than the first cross-machine direction width, and wherein the second quantity of particulate material and the adhesive are pre-mixed prior to deposition onto the first quantity of particulate material.

Discrete items are conveyed, preferably by a vacuum conveyor, in a machine direction toward a pair of rotating blades. A first intended target of folding, for instance a right portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the intended target of folding, and folds the right portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. If desired, a second intended target of folding, for instance a left portion of front and back panels of a diaper, travels up a second ramp, raising the level of the intended target. A rotating blade passes under the second intended target of folding, and folds the left portion of front and back panels of a diaper over. The folded diaper then exits the folding system and travels downstream for further processing as desired.

A conveying device for conveying a sheet-like material of the present invention includes: a rail portion arranged in a loop shape; a plurality of travelers; a linear motor for circulating the travelers along the rail portion; and a pad attached to each of the travelers, wherein the pad circulates in at least one horizontal plane while holding the sheet-like material on the pad, thereby conveying the sheet-like material.

A method for making an absorbent article comprising an absorbent core comprising one or more channels, the method comprising the steps of: i. providing a first endless moving surface comprising a plurality of molds typically in the form of pockets, each mold comprising an insert therein, wherein the molds are in fluid communication with an under-pressure source except for said insert such that a suction zone is formed in areas neighboring said insert; ii. feeding a first nonwoven web to said first endless moving surface and over one or more said molds; iii. depositing an absorbent material, comprising cellulose fibers and/or superabsorbent polymer particles, over at least a portion of said nonwoven web; iv. optionally further selectively removing said absorbent material from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert; v. applying a second nonwoven web directly or indirectly over the absorbent material, or folding said first nonwoven web, such to sandwich said absorbent material between upper and lower layers of said nonwoven web(s); vi. joining said upper and lower layers together at least in the areas of the nonwoven web(s) corresponding to the insert to form an absorbent core having one or more channels substantially free of absorbent material; vii. optionally joining an acquisition distribution layer to said absorbent core, typically a skin facing surface of said upper layer; viii. optionally laminating said absorbent core and acquisition distribution layer between a liquid pervious topsheet and a liquid impervious backsheet; wherein at least a portion of said insert is porous and is in fluid communication with a positive pressure source such that air is blown out of said insert to form an air cushion or air film around at least an uppermost surface of said insert and in that said absorbent material is thereby forced away from areas of the nonwoven web corresponding to said insert.

While in an unused folded state of a worn article, flaps are engaged with second touch fasteners in a protruding end portion via first touch fasteners, and the flaps are folded so that the protruding end portion comes closer to a proximal end portion, and while in a worn state in which the worn article is used, the flaps can be developed so that the first touch fasteners of the protruding end portion can oppose and engage with the second touch fasteners.

The present disclosure relates to assembling elastic laminates that may be used to make absorbent article components. Methods herein may include an anvil adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein first and second spreader mechanisms adjacent the anvil roll are axially and angularly displaced from each other with respect to the axis of rotation. During the assembly process, a substrate may be advanced in a machine direction onto the rotating anvil. The first spreader mechanism stretches a first elastic material in the cross direction, and the second spreader mechanism stretches a second elastic material in the cross direction. The stretched first and second elastic materials advance from the spreader mechanisms and onto the substrate on the anvil roll. The combined and elastic materials may then be ultrasonically bonded together on the anvil to form at least one elastic laminate.

An individually wrapped absorbent article that includes an absorbent article, and a wrapping sheet configured to wrap the absorbent article is provided. The wrapping sheet is folded toward an inner surface of the wrapping sheet so as to cause a first region including one end in a first direction of the wrapping sheet and a second region including an opposite end in the first direction to overlap with each other, and a seal portion is formed at each edge portion in a second direction of the wrapping sheet. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The seal portion includes a plurality of compressed recesses and compressed projections along the first direction. The compressed projections are formed between the compressed recesses.

A machine for producing sanitary articles includes a plurality of processing stations including automated apparatus for forming sanitary articles which advance along a machine direction. The machine includes a multi-axis industrial robot arranged to automatically clean and/or inspect the automated apparatus of the processing stations. The machine has a positive impact on sustainability.

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for manufacturing layered tapes and a layered tape arrangement including a pair of layered tapes wound together. Each of the layered tapes is individually unbalanced as far as a number of layers in a cross direction, but the resulting tape arrangement is nevertheless balanced, allowing for a balanced rolling of the layered tapes in a coil, or balanced folding of the layered tape arrangement into a ply stack.

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for assembling kits of sanitary products which involves loading of the sanitary products into containers including a plurality of independent housings for the sanitary products, each of the housings being configured to allow loading of a sanitary product therein and withdrawal of the sanitary product therefrom independently of the other housings.