A substantially planar absorbent core (28) extending in a transversal direction (x) and a longitudinal direction (y), and comprising a core wrap (16, 16) enclosing an absorbent material (60) substantially free of cellulose fibers, the absorbent material forming a pattern of discrete absorbent material areas. The pattern comprises transversally-orientated areas (752) and longitudinally-orientated areas (754). The absorbent core may further comprise at least two longitudinally-orientated channel-forming areas (26).

Apparatuses and methods herein may be configured to utilize existing high speed assembly lines with dedicated packaging apparatuses to assemble various kinds of packages of absorbent articles. Absorbent articles advancing from an assembly line are diverted before reaching a dedicated packaging apparatus. The diverted absorbent articles are transported to a selectable packaging apparatus to be placed in containers containing desired quantities and/or types of absorbent articles to create select packages. Carriers are movably connected with a track, wherein a linear synchronous motor independently moves the carriers along the track. Diverted absorbent articles are transferred to a carrier in a receiving zone, and the diverted absorbent articles are moved along the track from the receiving zone to a drop off zone. The diverted absorbent articles are then transferred from the carrier in the drop off zone to a selectable packaging apparatus.

A holding region includes opposite skirt portions in a revolution direction of a holding pad each of which has at least opposite ends in a specific direction that extend along a first curve when the holding pad is at a first revolution position. The holding region includes a second area bearing on at least part of one side portion and at least part of the other side portion in a revolution direction of the holding pad when the holding pad is at a second revolution position that extends along a second curve. A delivery side holding region includes opposite side portions in the specific direction each of which has at least opposite ends in a rotational direction, each end being formed with a first recess. The first recess having a bottom surface that extends along an arc of the first curve.

An absorbent core for an absorbent article is provided an absorbent material, the absorbent core comprising one or more first zones comprising a first amount of absorbent material and one or more second zones comprising a second amount of absorbent material, wherein each second zone is at least partly delimited from the other second zones by the one or more first zones characterized in that the first amount of bulk absorbent material is different than the second amount of absorbent material, each amount of absorbent material being determined as weight per unit area.

An apparatus for manufacturing absorbent cores for absorbent sanitary articles, comprising: a rotating forming wheel including a plurality of forming elements defining a peripheral surface of the forming wheel, a forming chamber containing absorbent material facing a portion of the peripheral surface of the forming wheel, a first roller for feeding a first nonwoven web onto the peripheral surface of the forming wheel upstream of the forming chamber, a second roller for feeding a second nonwoven web onto the peripheral surface of the forming wheel downstream of the forming chamber, wherein each of said forming elements comprises a suction surface connected to a suction source and at least one protruding rib having a blowing surface selectively connected to a stationary blowing device, wherein said at least one blowing surface and said suction surface are spaced apart from each other in a radial direction.

Pulpless absorbent cores and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A first exemplary method may comprise advancing a base carrier sheet in a machine direction, applying a first adhesive onto a top surface of the base carrier sheet, advancing the base carrier sheet within a first particulate material delivery chamber, depositing a first amount of particulate material onto the first adhesive within the first particulate material delivery chamber, applying a second adhesive onto the first amount of particulate material outside of the first particulate material delivery chamber, advancing the base carrier sheet with the first adhesive, the first amount of particulate material, and the second adhesive into a second particulate material delivery chamber, depositing a second amount of particulate material onto the second adhesive within the second particulate material delivery chamber, and applying a top carrier sheet onto the second amount of particulate material.

Pulpless absorbent cores and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A first method for forming an absorbent core may comprise advancing a carrier sheet on a foraminous forming surface in a machine direction, the foraminous forming surface having a width extending in a cross-machine direction, creating a pressure differential across the forming surface, applying a first adhesive onto the carrier sheet, advancing the carrier sheet within a particulate material delivery chamber, and dispensing particulate material from a particulate material inlet within the particulate material delivery chamber to deposit the particulate material onto the first adhesive, wherein the particulate material inlet has a width that is between 25% and 75% of the foraminous forming surface width, and wherein the particulate material is delivered from the particulate material inlet at less than 900 meters per minute.

An absorber having an absorption layer including a superabsorbent polymer and a spunbond nonwoven fabric composed of an olefinic polymer composition.

The invention relates to a method and a device for making absorbent cores used in disposable hygiene pads, the method or device comprising three steps: (A) suctioning of wood pulp fibers mixed with super absorbent polymers into a net structure on a base tissue to form an absorbent core; (B) compressing and embossing absorbent material; and (C) shaping of the absorbent core. The method of the current invention can be used for making different kinds of absorbent pad products. While increasing the tear strength of the product, the method realizes and simplifies the process of making both the absorbent material and the hygiene pad utilizing the absorbent material on the same manufacturing line, and reduces the cost of making the absorbent pads. The absorbent core made by applying the method of the current invention has a new structure formed by super absorbent polymers and wood pulp fibers, wherein the structure enables the super absorbent polymers to be evenly distributed in between the wood pulp fibers. Through the compressing and embossing process, the super absorbent polymers are prevented from sliding or piling together in the absorbent core, which increases the liquid-absorbing capacity of the hygiene pad products.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, with which it is possible to form a desired coloring pattern upon an absorbent article and to reliably manage the quality of said coloring pattern. Provided is a method for manufacture of an absorbent article, in which: microcapsules, which are provided upon a substrate and in which coloring agents are enclosed, are destroyed in a prescribed pattern, and the coloring agents discharged upon the substrate; and the substrate is coated with a developer, causing the coloring to be expressed in the prescribed pattern via a reaction between the coloring agents and the developer.