A machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, where each article includes components progressively positioned relative to each other and assembled along a production line. The machine includes a programmable electronic controller device having a shift register, at least one optical inspection system connected to the programmable electronic controller device, and an operator interface connected to the electronic controller. The programmable electronic controller device generates a machine sync signal, a trigger signal for activating the optical inspection system in phase with the sync signal and a shift register shift command. The optical inspection system receives the trigger signal and has a defined maximum response time which produces at least one band of uncertainty. The operator sets with the operator interface the instant of activating the shift register shift command outside the band of uncertainty and between two consecutive sync signals defining a machine step.

To reduce a discrepancy between sealing areas on outward and homeward paths through which superposed parts of a continuous material are joined to each other, a method for manufacturing a wearable article includes: superposing a first and second parts of a continuous material on each other; winding the continuous material around a rotary drum and conveying the continuous material; and moving a movable part of a sealer unit outward and homeward in a cross direction crossing a conveyance direction, while the continuous material is conveyed, to form liner sealing areas and joining the first and second parts through the formed liner sealing areas. The method includes, after the superposing and before the joining, inhibiting a movement of the first and second parts relative to each other by temporary fastening such as heat sealing at a place at which the first and second parts are to be joined together.

Device for folding an instrument tray into a packaging material, comprising a supporting surface for supporting the instrument tray during folding of the instrument tray into the packaging material, a first folding plate and a second folding plate, a movable folding aid for fixing the packaging material over a predefined line portion before and/or during the making of a fold, at least one movable clamp for gripping and moving the packaging material, a control unit for controlling the movement of the first folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the second folding plate between its respective first and second positions, the movement of the folding aid, and the movement and clamping and release of the at least one clamp.

A method for method for fabricating an absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises at least a topsheet and a liquid impermeable backsheet. The method provides for the steps of: a) supplying the topsheet; b) supplying the liquid impermeable backsheet; c) affixing a measuring device to one of the topsheet and liquid impermeable backsheet; and, d) contactingly engaging the topsheet and liquid impermeable backsheet so that the measuring device is disposed therebetween when the topsheet and liquid impermeable backsheet are disposed in contacting engagement.

Provided are a disposable diaper production method and a disposable diaper production device by which cutting positions of respective side pieces can be accurately managed. A partly-finished product is conveyed in a longitudinal direction in a state in which both side portions in the width direction of the cutting position of respective side panel pieces are held for each set of the two side panel pieces when the respective side panel pieces are cut off by a cutting unit. A controller controls driving rates of a cutting motor and a conveying motor to rotate driving blades at a rate faster than the conveying rate of the partly-finished product.

A system for manufacturing elastic strand nonwoven panels including an unwind module, a lamination module and a folding module. Elastic strand material is fed from cores disposed on the unwind module through rollers towards the lamination module, where the elastic strand material is attached to a nonwoven web to form an elastic strand nonwoven web. At the folding module, the elastic strand nonwoven web is folded over itself by operation of plates underneath which the elastic strand nonwoven web is fed under tension.

A converting apparatus operates to transfer a folded absorbent article from a first carrier apparatus to a second carrier apparatus. The converting apparatus includes a transfer apparatus and a guide member located adjacent to the transfer apparatus, forming a gap there between. The transfer apparatus includes a frame that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a transfer member that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. The transfer member defines a receiving surface and the guide member defines a guide surface. The guide surface converges toward the receiving surface. The frame advances the absorbent article in a machine direction through the gap. While advancing absorbent article advances through the gap, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The guide member includes side seam tuckers that are adapted to tuck the side seams of the absorbent article.

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.

It is aimed to provide a conveying device for absorbent articles capable of precisely sorting an absorbent article between a main conveyance path and a branch path and a conveyance method using the same. A path switching means includes a belt conveying unit with a conveying belt arranged along an annular path and configured to circulate along the annular path to be able to convey an absorbent article and a path switching mechanism configured to switch a conveyance path specified by the conveying belt between a path along which the absorbent article is transferrable from an upstream conveying mechanism to a downstream conveying mechanism and a path along which the absorbent article is guided along a sampling path from the upstream conveying mechanism.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for controlling the relative placement of advancing substrates and discrete components in diaper converting lines. The diapers may each include a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. In controlling the relative placement of these elements during the assembly process, a controller may change the machine direction speed and/or position of certain elements and cross direction speed and/or position of other elements such as the advancing substrates and components in order to help achieve proper placement and orientation. During the assembly process, the registration features are detected, and a controller may change the machine direction speeds of the advancing elastic laminates and/or chassis and/or may change the cross directional and/or machine direction position of the advancing elastic laminates and/or chassis.