The present invention relates to fluid-absorbent articles, comprising a fluid-absorbent core comprising at least 60% by weight of fluid-absorbent polymer particles and not more than 40% by weight of cellulose based fibers and an acquisition-distribution layer comprising at least 90% by weight of synthetic non-cellulose based fibers and not more than 10% by weight of cellulose based fibers. The thickness deviation of the bi-folded fluid-absorbent article in longitudinal direction is less than 10%. More particularly, the present invention relates to folding and packaging of disposable fluid-absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants.

A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. 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 includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

A method and apparatus to transfer and fold a partially folded absorbent article. 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 includes a receiving surface. While advancing absorbent article, the transfer member rotates the absorbent article about the second axis of rotation. The partially folded absorbent article is transferred to a folding apparatus. The folding apparatus advances the partially folded absorbent article such that the end regions of the belt of the partially folded absorbent article are directed away from the folding apparatus. The end regions are engaged by a folding assembly. The folding assembly guides and/or pushes the end regions toward the central region of the belt and/or the chassis to form a folded absorbent article.

Extra-protection fins and pads, and methods of making and using extra-protection fins and pads are disclosed. The extra-protection fins and pads of the present invention comprise a first triangular face, a second triangular face attached and/or connected to the first triangular face at an angle thereby forming a front apex and a top apex, wherein the fins are configured such that the front apex catches and/or absorbs the menstrual and/or other vaginal fluids first, and the extra-protection fin fills backwards toward the top apex, thus preventing unwanted, embarrassing and annoying leakage onto clothing or bedding during periods of heavy flow and/or when lying down. The extra-protection fin may also comprise a third triangular face attached and/or connected to the first and second triangular faces, wherein a vertex of the third triangular face contacts and/or is connected to the first and second triangular faces at the top apex.

Absorbent articles comprising connecting portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. In an embodiment an absorbent article may comprise a chassis having a front half section, a rear half section, a body facing surface, and a garment facing surface. The article further comprises an absorbent body and a of containment flaps attached to the body facing surface of the chassis, each of the pair of containment flaps having a flap distal edge. The article may further comprise a connecting portion in the rear half section where the containment flaps and connecting portion define an opening to the body facing surface. The opening may be defined by a pair of laterally opposed edges having a minimum separation distance within the rear end section of between about one-quarter and about three-quarters of a distance between the flap distal edges of the containment flaps.

The application relates to a method of and an apparatus for tucking a pair of opposing side seams (3, 4) into a body portion (2) of a hygiene pant (1), wherein the side seams (3, 4) are pushed between a front region (20) and a back region (21) of the body portion (2) a distance toward one another, and wherein the tucked side seams (3, 4) are connected in at least one connection region (7) with each other and/or to the body portion (2).

A method and apparatus for producing pant-like absorbent sanitary articles with longitudinal elastic bands without side welds, wherein a length of the elastic bands is different from a length of an absorbent body.

A method including: a step of carrying first and second continuous webs in a predetermined carrying direction; a first slitting step of slitting the first continuous web along a virtual first cut-off line extending the carrying direction, thereby dividing the first continuous web into a wider first divided web and a narrower second divided web; a step of sandwiching an around-torso elastic member extending in a girth direction between the wider first divided web and the second continuous web; a welding step of welding together the first divided web, the second continuous web and the around-torso elastic member intermittently in the carrying direction, thereby producing a layered sheet; and a bonding step of sandwiching an around-leg elastic member meandering relative to the carrying direction between the layered sheet and the narrower second divided web, and attaching the around-leg elastic member thereto by an adhesive, thereby producing a stretchable continuous sheet.

A folding device for a disposable hygiene article includes: a first conveying portion along a first path; a second conveying portion along a second path extending in a direction intersecting with the first path; a folding mechanism to fold the disposable hygiene article between the first and second conveying portions; a driving mechanism connected to the folding component, to drive the folding component by performing reciprocating linear motion along the direction of the second path between a folding and retracted positions; and a guiding mechanism in an extension direction of the first path or by using the first path as a reference, a front end portion of the article to an opposite side of the second conveying portion. The driving mechanism includes at least one pulley directly connected to a servo motor and a synchronous belt wrapped around the outer circumference of the pulleys in a looping path.

A package containing a stack of folded disposable absorbent articles, the package being formed of flexible polymeric film, and having a path of perforations or scoring defining a hood opening structure, is disclosed. The hood opening structure may be configured to open proximate the fold noses of the articles for easy tactile identification, grasping and withdrawal of individual ones thereof, and may be configured so as to serve as an effective package reclosure device whereby the package may be used to store the unused supply of articles following opening. The package, and printed commercial artwork and product information on the package surfaces, may be configured such that the fold noses are disposed at the apparent bottom of the package, for improved standing stability when the package is shelved.