AU2019324489A1

AU2019324489A1 - Method for producing disposable incontinence diapers

Info

Publication number: AU2019324489A1
Application number: AU2019324489A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tobias DWORSKY; Thomas Hipp; Theresia Knecht; Veronica NUVOLONI; Robert Reisel
Original assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
Current assignee: Paul Hartmann AG
Priority date: 2018-08-22
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-04-08
Also published as: DE102018120495A1; EP3840706A1; WO2020038860A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing disposable incontinence diapers (17), wherein a respective disposable incontinence diaper (17) has a main part (65) having a suction body (69). The main part (65) has a back region (64) having a first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66), and a second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67). Attached to the first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66) is a first elastic diaper side part (62), which extends in the diaper transverse direction (74) beyond the first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66) of the main part (65), wherein a second elastic diaper side part (63), which extends in the diaper transverse direction (74) beyond the second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67) of the main part (65), is attached to the second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67). The method comprises the following steps: conveying a first material web (3), a second material web (7), a third material web (8), a fourth material web (4), and a fifth material web (5); joining the material web edge regions of the first (3), second (7), third (8), fourth (4), and fifth material web (5) to each other in such a way that the first (3), second (7), third (8), fourth (4), and fifth material web (5) form a diaper side part web (10) that can be used twice in the respective transverse direction (25) thereof; separating the double-use diaper side part web (10) along the longitudinal direction (24) thereof in order to form a first (13a) and a second diaper side part web (13b) for single use in the respective transverse direction (25) thereof; singulating diaper side part sections (14a, 14b) by separating the first (13a) and the second (13b) single-use diaper side part web in the respective transverse direction (25); feeding a main diaper part web (15) and joining the diaper side part sections (14a, 14b) to the main diaper part web (15); singulating the disposable incontinence diapers (17) by separating the main diaper part web (15) along the transverse direction (25) thereof.

Description

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Title: Method for producing disposable incontinence diapers

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing a multiplicity of disposable incontinence diapers of the open type for adults.

Disposable incontinence diapers of this kind are known and often have a main part consisting of a front region, a back region, and, lying between these in the diaper longitudinal direction, a crotch region that comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part usually already comprises an absorbent core, and with diaper side parts which are joined on both sides to rear lateral longitudinal edges of the back region, are separate from each other and, in the diaper transverse direction, extend beyond the lateral longitudinal edges of the main part and connect the front region and the back region to each other when the article is in the applied state.

The diaper side parts are preferably joined directly to both sides of the main part, i.e. the chassis of the hygiene article, using the cut & place method (slip cut). This manufacturing technology allows the diaper side parts to be made from a different material than the main part of the hygiene article. For example, the diaper side parts can comprise material that is elastic at least in some regions, whereas the main part can be made from substantially inextensible material.

The most efficient, simplest and most cost-effective way of making available diaper side parts, from the point of view of production, is the separation of the diaper side parts from an endless web of flat material. The web of flat material can consist of a composite material, in such a way that endless material webs that differ

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according to requirements in terms of their material properties, such as extensibility or breathability, are joined together at their respective longitudinal edges.

W02008/036706A1 discloses a method for producing diaper side parts by means of a diaper side part web which is of single use in the transverse direction and which, in the transverse direction, has three regions that can be differentiated from one another. The diaper side parts are singulated by separation of the diaper side part web in the transverse direction, in particular in such a way that diaper side parts formed in succession are oriented in the plane rotated about 180°.

W02011/101773A1 discloses a method for producing hygiene articles, wherein a diaper side part web of double use in the transverse direction is fed to a main part web, wherein the diaper side part web is produced in such a way that outer side part portions are separated from a first pre-folded material web and are joined in a clocked manner to a second pre-folded material web. The clocked attachment of the outer side part portions to the second material web entails complex process control.

W096/03952A1 discloses a method for producing a diaper, wherein diaper ear portions consisting of a first and a second ear and of a bridge material inserted between these are separated from an endless composite material web and are joined to the diaper main part in such a way that the bridge material overlaps the diaper main part. The bridge material has an adverse effect on the production costs of the diaper.

W096/31180A1 discloses a method for producing a closure system for hygiene articles, wherein an endless closure material web is joined to two endless flat material webs in such a way that the closure material web forms the central region of a double-use diaper side part web.

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Before singulation, the double-use diaper side part web has to be separated into two single-use diaper side part webs by cutting, in particular by meandering cutting through closure material.

The object of the present invention is to make available an improved method for producing such or similar disposable incontinence diapers, which method can be implemented cost-effectively and advantageously in terms of process technology.

This object is achieved by a method for producing disposable incontinence diapers, wherein a respective disposable incontinence diaper has a diaper longitudinal direction and a diaper transverse direction, and wherein the disposable incontinence diaper has a main part provided with an absorbent body, wherein the main part has a back region with a first rear lateral longitudinal edge and with a second rear lateral longitudinal edge, and wherein there is joined to the first rear lateral longitudinal edge a first elastic diaper side part, which extends in the diaper transverse direction beyond the first rear lateral longitudinal edge of the main part, and wherein there is joined to the second rear lateral longitudinal edge a second elastic diaper side part, which extends in the diaper transverse direction beyond the second rear lateral longitudinal edge of the main part, said method comprising the following steps - conveying a first material web, a second material web, a third material web, a fourth material web and a fifth material web, wherein the first material web has a width B1 and a first material web edge region and a second material web edge region and comprises or consists of an attachment material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction of the first material web, wherein the second material web has a width B2 and a third material web edge region and a fourth

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material web edge region and comprises or consists of a first material that is elastic at least in part in a transverse direction of the second material web, wherein the third material web has a width B3 and a fifth material web edge region and a sixth material web edge region and comprises or consists of a second material that is elastic at least in part in a transverse direction of the third material web, wherein the fourth material web has a width B4 and a seventh material web edge region and an eighth material web edge region and comprises or consists of a first closure carrier material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction of the fourth material web, and wherein the fifth material web has a width B5 and a ninth material web edge region and a tenth material web edge region and comprises or consists of a second closure carrier material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction of the fifth material web, and wherein the material web edge regions of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth material web are joined to each other in such a way that the first, second, third, fourth and fifth material web form a diaper side part web of double use in its respective transverse direction, in such a way that a central region of the double-use diaper side part web is formed by the first material web, a first outer region of the double-use diaper side part web is formed by the fourth material web, a second outer region of the double-use diaper side part web is formed by the fifth material web, and a first elastic region arranged in the transverse direction of the double-use diaper side part web between the first outer region and the central region is formed by the second material web, and a second elastic region arranged in the

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transverse direction of the double-use diaper side part web between the second outer region and the central region is formed by the third material web, - separating the double-use diaper side part web in a longitudinal direction of the double-use diaper side part web and through the central region of the double-use diaper side part web in order to form a first diaper side part web and a second diaper side part web, each of single use in their respective transverse direction, - singulating diaper side part portions by separating the first and the second single-use diaper side part web in the respective transverse direction of the first and the second single-use diaper side part web, - feeding a diaper main part web having a first diaper main part web edge and a second diaper main part web edge, - joining the diaper side part portions to first regions of the first diaper main part web edge and to second regions of the second diaper main part web edge, - singulating the disposable incontinence diapers by separating the diaper main part web in a transverse direction of the diaper main part web.

The method according to the invention permits the cost effective provision of a diaper side part web which is of double use in the transverse direction and which has material elastic in the transverse direction, which diaper side part web can be reliably separated into diaper side part portions by separating and singulating steps that can be carried out advantageously in terms of process technology.

Unless otherwise described, in the context of the present invention the single, double or triple usability of a

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respective web relates to its transverse direction, i.e. to a direction orthogonal to the respective longitudinal direction of the web.

The factor of the "use" (single, double, triple) relates to the number of the segments (for example, in the case of the diaper side part web, the number of the diaper side part portions) that can be formed or separated from the web in the respective direction.

The fact that the first material web and/or the attachment material comprised by the first material web (by means of which the diaper side part portions are joined to the diaper main part web edge) is substantially inextensible also affords the advantage that the stability of the join between the diaper main part web and the attachment material of the diaper side part portions is increased. The fact that the fourth and/or fifth material web and/or the closure carrier material preferably comprised by the fourth and/or fifth material web, to which closure elements are joined according to a preferred variant, is substantially inextensible also facilitates the production of a join between closure elements and a respective diaper side part portion. The closure carrier material of the fourth and/or fifth material web and/or the attachment material of the first material web preferably comprises or consists of a nonwoven material, such as spunbond nonwoven, meltblown nonwoven, carded nonwoven, spunlace nonwoven or through air bonded carded nonwoven, or combinations thereof. Of particular preference are spunbond nonwoven materials and/or meltblown nonwoven materials, in particular laminates of spunbond (S) and meltblown (M) nonwovens or fleece layers such as SMS or SSMS or SMMS or SSMMS or SSMMSS laminates. It has moreover proven advantageous if the nonwoven material contains at least one formulation component based on a thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene

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PE, polypropylene PP or polyethylene terephthalate PET or mixtures thereof. Nonwoven materials including rayon, cellulose, polyamide PA and mixtures thereof are also conceivable. The nonwoven material advantageously has a basis weight of 10-70 g/m 2 , more preferably of 20-60 g/m 2 , more 2 preferably of 30-50 g/m

. According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second closure carrier material comprise or consist of the same material, in particular of the same nonwoven material. According to a further preferred embodiment, the attachment material and the first and/or the second closure carrier material comprise or consist of the same material, in particular of the same nonwoven material. This has the advantage that, with attachment material and closure carrier material, in particular two and more particularly three of the material webs selected from the group comprising the first material web, the fourth material web and the fifth material web can be made available from a single material web, in particular of double or triple use in the transverse direction, in particular by separating this material web in the longitudinal direction, in particular as described in more detail below.

The first and the second elastic material preferably comprise or consist of the same material.

The first and/or the second elastic material of the second and/or the third material web more preferably comprises or consists of a flat material, in particular of a nonwoven fabric, a film, a textile material, a foam or combinations thereof. In particular, the first and/or the second elastic material comprises or consists of a laminate of two or more of the flat materials mentioned. More preferably, the first and/or the second elastic material can be made from a composite of elastic

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components and non-elastic components, in particular from a composite of an elastic film or an elastic nonwoven or an elastic foam or elastic threads such as lycra or spandex or elastane threads with a non-elastic and/or extensible nonwoven or foam. In the case of a composite of elastic components and non elastic components, the composite can be made available as an elastic material by the fact that the non-elastic component is designed to be extensible and, in such a case, offers little or no resistance to the elastic extension of the elastic component. A further possibility is to connect the components in the so-called stretch bonding method known per se to a person skilled in the art, namely to connect the elastic component in the pre stretched state to the non-elastic component. A further possibility of achieving elastication of a composite of elastic components and non-elastic components is that the composite is "activated", preferably by a technology that has become known as "ring rolling". This technology is described in EP 0 650 714 Al, for example. By means of "ring rolling", a composite material that is in itself inextensible, for example a nonwoven/film laminate, is overstretched by excess deflection between intermeshing rollers. In this overstretched state, the laminate material, previously inextensible per se, offers basically no resistance to elongation. By combination with an elastically extensible element within such a laminate, an elastic extensibility can thus be achieved in the region treated accordingly.

According to a preferred variant of the method, the diaper side part web of double use in the transverse direction has a first axis of symmetry running in the longitudinal direction of the double-use diaper side part web. More particularly, the double-use diaper side part web is separated along the first axis of symmetry.

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In a preferred variant, the third material web edge region of the second material web is joined to the first material web edge region of the first material web, and the fifth material web edge region of the third material web is joined to the second material web edge region of the first material web, in such a way that the first, second and third material web together form a composite web, wherein the materials of the first, second and third material web extend endlessly in a longitudinal direction of the composite web, and wherein the composite web has a first composite web edge region and a second composite web edge region, and wherein the seventh material web edge region of the fourth material web is joined to the first composite web edge region of the composite web, and wherein the ninth material web edge region of the fifth material web is joined to the second composite web edge region of the composite web, in such a way that the composite web together with the fourth and fifth material web forms the diaper side part web of double use in its transverse direction, wherein the materials of the fourth and fifth material web extend endlessly in a longitudinal direction of the diaper side part web.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it proves advantageous if the joining of the second and third material web to the first material web is carried out at the same time, that is to say in particular in the same method step.

According to a further preferred variant, it proves advantageous if the joining of the fourth and fifth material web to the composite web is carried out at the same time, that is to say in particular in the same process step.

According to a preferred variant of the method, the composite web has a second axis of symmetry running in the longitudinal direction of the composite web.

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According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second elastic diaper side part each have at least one closure element.

According to a further preferred variant, the respective closure elements are joined in particular to first regions of a first diaper side part web edge and to second regions of a second diaper side part web edge, in particular in a clocked manner and by means of application techniques known per se to a person skilled in the art, for example the cut & place method (slip cut) .

It proves advantageous if each diaper side part has exactly one closure element. The closure elements are typically a flap which is made of a single-layer or multi layer flat material and which, starting from a configuration generally folded inward onto the diaper side part about a distal longitudinal edge of the diaper side part in question, can be unfolded into an outwardly deployed operational position. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the closure carrier material of a respective diaper side part has a functional closure element (patch) within the distal region of the diaper side part. In a manner known per se and therefore not described in any more detail, a respective closure element is equipped with adhesive and/or mechanically adhering regions, layers or elements, such as hook-and loop materials. If the diaper side part has exactly one closure element, it proves advantageous if this closure element is provided approximately centrally in the longitudinal direction of the diaper side part and in a distal region of the diaper side part. It also proves advantageous if the closure element in question has an extent in the longitudinal direction of between 25% and 75% of the extent C of the diaper side part in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the respective closure

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elements are preferably rectangular in shape when folded in and folded out. In the non-active configuration at the time of manufacture, they are preferably folded inward onto themselves. In the use situation, the diaper side parts are brought to overlap a side facing away from the body, i.e. an outer side, of a front region of the main part, such that the closure elements provided on both diaper side parts, in the region of a respective free end of the diaper side part in the diaper transverse direction, can be closed onto the outer side of the front region of the main part. For this purpose, the closure elements and at least one region of the outer side of the front region of the main part are designed as a closure system. In particular, the closure elements for this purpose have mechanical components such as Velcro hooks, in particular also in combination with pressure-sensitive adhesive regions, by means of which the closure elements can be brought into releasable, secure engagement with the outer side of the front region of the main part. For this purpose, it has proven advantageous if the outer side of the front region of the main part is formed at least partially, preferably completely, by a suitably formed nonwoven. Alternatively, it is possible to provide one or more separate Velcro elements on the outer side of the main part in the front region, which elements serve as a landing zone for the closure elements of the diaper side parts.

Furthermore, it proves advantageous to join the closure elements to the diaper side part web that is of double use in the transverse direction. Alternatively, it is conceivable to provide the fourth and fifth material web with closure elements before joining the material web in question to the composite web. As a further alternative, it is conceivable to join closure elements to the diaper side part webs of single use in the transverse direction or to the diaper side part portions. It is likewise conceivable to join the closure elements to the diaper

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side parts after joining the diaper side parts to the main part or after singulating the disposable incontinence diapers.

Provision is preferably made that the second and third material web are made available by separation of a first material web of double use in its transverse direction.

Furthermore preferably, the fourth and fifth material web are made available by separation of a second material web of double use its transverse direction.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the first, fourth and fifth material web are made available by separation of a material web of triple use in its transverse direction.

It has proven advantageous if the material webs which are of single use in their respective transverse direction and comprise elastic material or attachment material or closure carrier material are made available by separating a material web, of double or triple use in its respective transverse direction, along its respective longitudinal direction. This separation process can be carried out "in-line" in a manner known to a person skilled in the art, in such a way that the material webs of single use in their transverse direction, which are obtained from the separation process, are fed directly thereafter for further processing for production of the diaper side part web, or it can be carried out "off-line", in such a way that the single-use material webs are brought into a storage form and are further processed at a later point in time or at a remote operating site.

It has likewise proven advantageous if the diaper side part webs of single use in their respective transverse direction are made available by separating a diaper side

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part web, of double use in its transverse direction, along its longitudinal direction. This process can likewise be carried out "in-line" or "off-line" with respect to the production of the disposable incontinence diaper.

In the context of this invention, the wording "separation in the longitudinal direction" or "separation along a longitudinal direction" is preferably to be understood as meaning a separation along a straight partition line running parallel to the longitudinal extent of the web in question. Besides this, other line shapes are conceivable, for example curving, curved, arcuate, undulating, serrated, obtuse-angled, acute-angled, ogival, diminished-arch or irregular, wherein, by means of these line shapes, web edges are generated that do not run in a straight line.

The separation can be complete, that is to say continuous, or discontinuous, as it were as a line of weakness, for example by means of perforation or in the form of material cutouts, wherein the separation is concluded in a subsequent method step. For economic reasons, the separation is preferably carried out without generating waste material. However, for esthetic reasons for example, it can also result in a small amount of material that has to be rejected.

Both the separation of webs in the longitudinal direction and the separation of diaper side part portions from a diaper side part web in the transverse direction as well as the singulating of disposable incontinence diapers in the transverse direction can be carried out by different methods known to a person skilled in the art, for example cutting, punching, lasering, fluid cutting (for example water-jet cutting).

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In a preferred embodiment, provision is made that the diaper side part portions are in particular designed to be of single use in their longitudinal direction. Here, a diaper side part portion comprises exactly one diaper side part of a single disposable incontinence diaper.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the diaper side part portions are designed to be of double use in their longitudinal direction, wherein the separation of the diaper main part web is guided through the diaper side part portions in such a way that a first subportion of a respective diaper side part portion forms a rear diaper side part of a first disposable incontinence diaper, and a second subportion of the respective diaper side part portion forms a rear diaper side part of a second disposable incontinence diaper immediately adjacent in a diaper longitudinal direction.

In such a case, the first and the second subportion are preferably and substantially each of the same configuration.

The first and the second elastic diaper side part are preferably folded onto themselves at in each case at least one fold line, in particular in each case at at least two fold lines, more particularly in each case at at least three fold lines FW1, which preferably extend parallel to the diaper longitudinal direction of the disposable incontinence diaper, and they are in particular fixed releasably in this configuration. Such folding of the diaper side parts proves advantageous, on the one hand, when packaging the disposable incontinence diaper, and, on the other hand, when the disposable incontinence diaper is put on by the user. The folded configuration thereby obtained can preferably be fixed by the manufacturer, for example by individual joins, in particular adhesive joins or welded joins, in particular ultrasonically welded joins, which

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nevertheless can be manually released quite easily by the user, in particular with one pull, for the purpose of unfolding the diaper side parts. In this case, a single closure element positioned preferably approximately centrally on the diaper side parts in the diaper longitudinal direction proves advantageous, wherein further preferably the joins do not then include the folded-in closure element but instead are arranged in the diaper longitudinal direction outside the closure element. If the subregions lying against one another are releasably fixed, by the aforementioned measures, around the at least one inwardly tucked closure element or in the diaper longitudinal direction above or below the tucked-in closure element, the tucked-in closure element forms an easily graspable grip region for unfolding the respective diaper side part.

In an advantageous development of the embodiment described above, it proves advantageous if the diaper side parts are folded onto themselves, at the time of manufacture, about at least two, in particular about at least three fold lines FW1 running in the diaper longitudinal direction, in particular to give a Z-shape, and if subregions of the diaper side parts folded onto each other are defined and delimited by these fold lines FW1, and further preferably if a subregion lying to the outside in the transverse direction is substantially inextensible. In this way, the graspability and the unfoldability of both the diaper side part and the folded-in closure element are improved.

It further proves advantageous if a subregion inwardly adjoining the outer subregion is designed to be inextensible with at least 40% of its surface area, starting from a fold line running in the diaper longitudinal direction and closest to the free end of the diaper side part in the diaper transverse direction. In order to determine this surface area, reference is made

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to WO 2017/140604 Al. This ensures that the subregion lying to the outside in the diaper transverse direction and the inwardly adjoining subregion lie flat against each other over a very large inextensible surface area (at least 40% of the surface area of the latter subregion), which is accordingly free of elastic or elasticating elements.

In an advantageous development of this embodiment, an extent E of a respective inextensible region of the subregion inwardly adjoining the outer subregion, starting from the outer fold line running in the diaper longitudinal direction and going in the diaper transverse direction as far as the start of an extensible region, is preferably at least 15 mm, in particular at least 20 mm, more particularly at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, but preferably at most 100 mm, more preferably at most 85 mm, more preferably at most 70 mm.

For the folded-in configuration of the diaper side parts, it is preferable that an extent A of the diaper side parts, folded onto themselves, in the diaper transverse direction beyond the respective rear lateral longitudinal edge and an extent C of the diaper side parts, folded onto themselves, in the diaper longitudinal direction of the disposable incontinence diaper are dimensioned such that the ratio of the extents A/C to each other is 0.5 < A/C < 1.

In order to form the fold lines FW1 of the diaper side parts of the disposable incontinence diaper, it has proven advantageous if the double-use diaper side part web is folded onto itself on both sides about in each case at least one fold line, in particular about in each case at least two fold lines, more particularly about in each case at least three fold lines FW2 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the double-use diaper side part

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web and is in particular fixed releasably in this configuration.

However, according to an alternative, the longitudinal folding of the diaper side part web can also take place after the separation of the double-use diaper side part web to form single-use diaper side part webs. In such a case, the single-use diaper side part webs are folded onto themselves about in each case at least one fold line, in particular about in each case at least two fold lines, more particularly about in each case at least three fold lines FW3 or FW4, parallel to a longitudinal direction of the respective single-use diaper side part web and are in particular fixed releasably in this configuration.

The folding of the diaper side part portions about the fold lines FW2, FW3 or FW4 and in particular of the diaper side part web of double use or single use in its respective transverse direction, particularly in combination with the fixing of the folded configuration by the methods mentioned above, has the effect that the diaper side part portions are pre-folded even before they are joined to the diaper main part, and has the advantage that the pre-folded diaper side part portions are stiffer, and shorter in their respective transverse direction, than unfolded diaper side part portions and are therefore easier to process, particularly in high speed machines. In addition, an embodiment is conceivable in which the folding of the diaper side parts takes place only after the joining to the diaper main part.

The diaper side part portions are preferably folded onto the diaper main part web and in particular onto an upper side of the diaper main part web. In such a case, the respective fold line about which a diaper side part portion is folded onto the diaper main part web can run within the diaper main part web or within the region of

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the diaper side part portion extending beyond the diaper main part web, i.e. outside the diaper main part web. The upper side of the diaper main part web can be the side of the diaper main part web facing away from the body, but especially the side thereof facing toward the body. It is alternatively conceivable that the diaper side parts formed by the diaper side part portions are folded onto the diaper main part of the disposable incontinence diaper only after the singulation of the disposable incontinence diaper.

Before the disposable incontinence diaper is packaged by the manufacturer, the main part is preferably folded inward on itself by the manufacturer, together with the diaper side parts folded onto themselves and/or the diaper side parts folded onto the main part, about a first and a second main-part fold line running in the diaper longitudinal direction, preferably in such a way that the diaper side parts on both sides come to lie at least partially overlapping each other in the thickness direction, i.e. orthogonally with respect to a plane including the diaper longitudinal direction and the diaper transverse direction. Further preferably, before the disposable incontinence diaper is packaged by the manufacturer, the main part, together with the diaper side parts folded onto themselves and preferably subsequent to the above-described folding about main-part fold lines running in the diaper longitudinal direction, is additionally folded onto itself preferably about at least one or two main-part fold lines running in the diaper transverse direction to an inner side, that is to say to a side of the main part that faces toward the body in the state of use, in such a way that a side of the main part facing toward the body comes to lie directly or indirectly on itself at least in some parts.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the singulated disposable incontinence diapers are folded

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about at least one fold line, in particular two fold lines FQ extending in a diaper transverse direction.

It will be noted here that the webs, namely the first, second, third, fourth and fifth material web and the composite web, each have web edges on both sides, wherein the web edges are each adjoined by a web edge region that extends flat in the direction of the respective other web edge of the respective web. When joining two webs together, these webs are each conveyed along their respective longitudinal direction, preferably parallel to each other, in such a way that the two webs preferably come to lie flat next to each other. The joining together of two webs can be carried out by joining methods known per se to a person skilled in the art, in particular by thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, sewing, sealing or gluing, wherein the two webs are preferably connected non-releasably to each other. The two webs that are to be connected can be joined to each other at their web edge regions facing in the direction of the other web, hence "in abutment", with or without additional material webs bridging the abutment of the two webs. It has proven particularly advantageous if the two webs that are to be connected are guided with overlapping of their web edge regions facing in the direction of the other web, and if the webs, in an overlapping or joining region thus formed, are connected non-releasably to each other by the abovementioned joining methods known per se to a person skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, a quotient Q1 from the width B1 and the sum of the widths B2 and B3 calculated as: B1/(B2+B3) has a value of 0.2 to 1.5, in particular a value of 0.25 to 1.2, in particular a value of 0.25 to 1.0, in particular a value of 0.3 to 0.9, in particular a value of 0.4 to 0.8, and/or a quotient Q2 from the width B1 and the sum of the widths B4 and B5 calculated

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as: B1/(B4+B5) has a value of 0.15 to 1.5, in particular a value of 0.2 to 1.2, in particular a value of 0.2 to 1.0, in particular a value of 0.25 to 0.7, in particular a value of 0.3 to 0.5.

More preferably, B1 (B2+B3) and/or B1 (B4+B5).

The width B1 of the first material web is preferably 50 150 mm, in particular 70-130 mm, more particularly 90 110 mm. The width B2 of the second material web and/or the width B3 of the third material web is preferably in each case 20-130 mm, in particular 30-120 mm, more particularly 40 100 mm. The width B4 of the fourth material web and/or the width B5 of the fifth material web is preferably in each case 50-200 mm, in particular 60-190 mm, more particularly 70 180 mm.

If, when joining together the first material web and the second and/or third material web, the web edge regions facing in the direction of the respectively adjacent web are guided overlapping, a width B6 of the overlap region of the first material web with the second material web and/or a width B7 of the overlap region of the first material web with the third material web is in each case preferably 3-17 mm, more particularly 5-15 mm, more particularly 6-13 mm. If, when joining together the composite web and the fourth and/or fifth material web, the web edge regions facing in the direction of the respectively adjacent web are guided overlapping, a width B8 of the overlap region of the composite web with the fourth material web and/or a width B9 of the overlap region of the composite web with the fifth material web is in each case preferably 3-17 mm, more particularly 5-15 mm, more particularly 6 13 mm.

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In a preferred embodiment, a width Bl of the composite web is 150-400 mm, in particular 170-350 mm, more particularly 200-300 mm. A width B10 of the diaper side part web of double use in its transverse direction is preferably 300-650 mm, in particular 320-630 mm, more particularly 340-610 mm. A quotient Q3 from the width Bl (numerator) and the width B10 (denominator) preferably has a value of 0.25 0.8, more particularly 0.3-0.75, more particularly 0.4 0.7.

Further preferably, the longitudinal extent of the diaper side part portions of single use in their longitudinal direction and/or of the diaper side parts of single use in the diaper longitudinal direction is in each case 110 170 mm, in particular 120-160 mm, more particularly 130 150 mm.

The width B1 of the first material web, the width B2 of the second material web, the width B3 of the third material web, the width B4 of the fourth material web, the width B5 of the fifth material web, the width Bl of the composite web and the width B10 of the diaper side part web of double use in its transverse direction are each measured in mm in the transverse direction of the respective web, that is to say along a transverse extent that runs at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal direction of the respective web, in the state when spread out flat but not folded and not stretched. In the context of the present invention, the term "width" is to be understood as the maximum extent in the transverse direction of the respective web. Likewise, the respective widths B6, B7, B8 or B9 of the overlapping or joining regions and the widths B2e and B3e, described in more detail below, of the effective elastic regions of the double-use diaper side part web are measured in the transverse direction of the double-

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use diaper side part web, in the state when spread out flat but not folded. Diaper longitudinal or diaper transverse extents and widths of the disposable incontinence diaper and/or of its first or second elastic diaper side parts, hence the extent E, also the distance D, and also the widths B2e.1, B1.1 and B4.1 described in more detail below, are measured in mm in the spread out flat but not folded and not stretched state of the disposable incontinence diaper and/or of its first and second elastic diaper side parts, i.e. with respect to the stretch of the elastic diaper side parts in the state when first taken in hand by the user, but after complete unfolding of the folds made by the manufacturer in the disposable incontinence diaper and/or its elastic diaper side parts. The extents A and C of the first and second elastic diaper side parts are measured in mm when the disposable incontinence diaper is in the state spread out flat and not folded, wherein however the first or second elastic diaper side part remains in the folded, non-stretched and spread-out flat state. It will be noted at this point that the term "non stretched" is to be understood as meaning that the unfolding and spreading out flat of the elastic diaper side parts takes place without the tensile forces typically exerted by the user when putting on the disposable incontinence diaper, such that the material of the non-stretched elastic diaper side parts remains in the relaxed state provided by the manufacturer before use.

The scope of the present invention also encompasses a disposable incontinence diaper that is produced or producible in accordance with all of the embodiments mentioned above or below. The disposable incontinence diaper is particularly preferably designed as what is called a T-shape diaper. In particular, no diaper side

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parts are joined to the front region of the disposable incontinence diaper. The main part of the disposable incontinence diaper preferably comprises an at least partially liquid permeable topsheet and a preferably breathable and preferably at least partially liquid-impermeable backsheet, which between them sandwich the absorbent body. Furthermore, on the side of the crotch region facing toward the body, the disposable incontinence diaper can have cuff elements which form a lateral outlet barrier on both sides and/or which run on both sides along a longitudinal extent of the absorbent body. The cuff elements preferably comprise or are formed from a nonwoven material ("cuff fleece"), in particular a hydrophobic nonwoven material. The topsheet and/or backsheet and/or cuff fleece preferably extend at least in the diaper transverse direction, preferably also in the diaper longitudinal direction, beyond the contour edges of the absorbent body, in order to form a corresponding overhang. In the overhang, the backsheet and topsheet and/or cuff fleece are preferably connected to one another at least in part, in particular by joining methods known per se, such as welding, sealing, sewing or gluing.

In an advantageous manner, the main part has in the crotch region, adjoining a respective longitudinal edge of the crotch region on both sides, an elastic or elasticated portion extending in the diaper longitudinal direction of the disposable incontinence diaper, namely an elastic or elasticated leg opening portion. Here, "in the diaper longitudinal direction" means that the elastic or elasticated leg opening portion has at least one component in the diaper longitudinal direction, hence can also run obliquely or in a curve with respect to the diaper longitudinal direction. For this purpose, elastic threads (Lycra@ or the like) known per se to a person skilled in the art are preferably

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fixed in a prestressed state to materials forming the main part, preferably to the topsheet and/or backsheet of the main part, in particular in a region in which the topsheet and/or backsheet and/or cuff fleece form an overhang outside the contour edges of the absorbent body. According to one variant, an elastic or elasticated leg opening portion can also be formed by flat materials or band-shaped materials such as elastic bands, films, nonwovens or foams.

The absorbent body is suitable and intended for absorbing and permanently storing bodily excretions, in particular bodily fluids, in particular urine. For this purpose, the absorbent body can advantageously contain superabsorbent polymer material (SAP), in particular from 5 to 100 percent by weight, preferably from 10 to 95 percent by weight, more preferably from 15 to 90 percent by weight, very particularly preferably from 20 to 80 percent by weight. Typically, the SAP material can absorb at least 15 times and in particular 20 times its weight of 0.9% by weight saline solution (measured according to NWSP 242.0.R2(15)).

The SAP material can be particulate or fibrous or sheet like or foam-like, for example.

The absorbent body can contain other materials such as cellulose fibers (wood pulp) or plastic fibers. It is also conceivable to design the absorbent body by arrangement of one or more layers of different material, in particular of nonwoven.

The absorbent body is preferably an integral constituent of the main part and, in such a case, is connected non releasably to the other components of the main part at the time of manufacture. In such a case, the absorbent body is preferably connected non-releasably to a topsheet and/or to a backsheet of the main part.

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To test whether a material can be classed as "elastic" in the respective direction, the following test of the permanent set is to be carried out in the context of the present invention:

The tests were carried out using a tensile testing machine of the type Shimadzu AG-Xplus, in accordance with DIN EN ISO 7500-01:2004-11, with a lower fixed clamping jaw and an upper movable clamping jaw. The testing device preferably comprises software which controls the test cycle and which ensures automated recording of the force values.

When carrying out the test method, the rectangular material portion to be tested is ideally made available as a test specimen with a width of 25 mm and a length of 60 mm (the length corresponds to the direction of pulling). For this purpose, the test specimen is punched out, for example, from a corresponding elastic component of the disposable incontinence diaper or from a respective material web, wherein the direction of pulling of the test specimen corresponds to the diaper transverse direction of the disposable incontinence diaper or to the transverse direction of the material web.

Ideally, the 25 mm wide and 60 mm long (pulling direction) test specimen is clamped in the clamps of a tensile testing machine with a clamping jaw spacing of 40 mm, a prestressing of 0.05 N is applied, and a cyclical movement (loading and unloading, test speed 500 mm/min), without stopping time at the upper reversal point, between LO (length of the test section with prestressing of 0.05 N) and a maximum elongation of 60% is carried out. When the loading is removed, the end length Li is likewise noted at 0.05 N. The permanent set (PS) is calculated as follows: PS = ((Li-LO):LO)x1OO[%].

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A material is considered to be elastic in the respective direction if the permanent set is less than 25%.

If a 25 mm wide portion of the component to be tested is not available, a correspondingly narrower portion is used. If a 60 mm long portion of the elastic component is not available, a correspondingly shorter portion is used, in which case the clamping jaw spacing, hence the effective length of the test portion, may have to be reduced by up to 15 mm. It must be ensured that the portion is firmly clamped in the clamping jaws.

To test whether a material or a component is to be classed as "inextensible" in the respective direction, the following test is to be carried out in the context of the present invention:

When carrying out the test method, the rectangular material portion to be tested is ideally made available as a test specimen with a width of 25 mm and a length of 60 mm (the length corresponds to the direction of pulling). For this purpose, the test specimen is punched out, for example, from a corresponding component of the disposable incontinence diaper or from a respective material web, wherein the direction of pulling of the test specimen corresponds to the diaper transverse direction of the disposable incontinence diaper or to the transverse direction of the material web.

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Ideally, a 25 mm wide and 60 mm long (pulling direction) test specimen of the material is clamped, with prestressing of 0.05 N, in the clamps of the tensile testing machine with a clamping jaw spacing of 40 mm, and the test specimen is stretched up to a force of 5 N (loaded, test speed 500 mm/min). If the elongation at the force of 5 N is less than 30%, the material is designated as inextensible in the context of the present invention. If, when carrying out the above test, the test specimen breaks before the maximum force of 5 N is reached, the material is likewise classed as "inextensible" in the respective direction in the context of the present invention.

If a 25 mm wide portion of the component to be tested is not available, a correspondingly narrower portion is used. In such a case, instead of the force of 5 N, the force value to be set is calculated by reducing the load of 5 N by the factor fl, which results from fl = 25/x, where x is the width of the test specimen measured in mm. Example: a test specimen with a width of 12.5 mm would be subjected to a force of 2.5 N. If a 60 mm long portion of the elastic component is not available, a correspondingly shorter portion is used, in which case the clamping jaw spacing, hence the effective length of the test portion, may have to be reduced by up to 15 mm. It must be ensured that the portion is firmly clamped in the clamping jaws.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become clear from the accompanying claims and from the drawing and the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawing shows as follows:

Figure 1 a schematic representation of the process steps of a method for producing disposable incontinence diapers;

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Figures 2a and 2b schematically, the separation of double-use (Figure 2a) and triple-use (Figure 2b) material webs in the longitudinal direction;

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c schematic representations in plan view - of the joining steps for forming a double-use diaper side part web (Figure 3a), - of the folding of a double-use diaper side part web, longitudinal separation and singulation of diaper side part portions (Figure 3b), - of the joining of diaper side part portions to a diaper main part web and singulation of disposable incontinence diapers (Figure 3c);

Figure 4 schematic representation in plan view of the longitudinal separation of a double-use diaper side part web and folding of single-use diaper side part webs onto themselves and singulation of diaper side part portions;

Figure 5 schematically, a cross section through a diaper side part web of double use in the transverse direction;

Figure 6 schematically, a plan view of a disposable incontinence diaper in the state when spread out flat but not stretched, with a folded and an unfolded diaper side part;

Figure 7 schematically, a disposable incontinence diaper in the applied state;

Figure 8

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schematically, an enlarged view of the disposable incontinence diaper according to Figure 6 in the region of a rear elastic diaper side part, in the state when spread out flat but not stretched;

Figure 9 schematically, an enlarged view of the disposable incontinence diaper according to Figure 6 in the region of a rear elastic diaper side part, in the configuration when folded onto itself;

Figure 10a schematically, a sectional view of a diaper side part with a Z-fold with section plane III-III Figure 6;

Figure 10b schematically, a sectional view of a W-fold of a diaper side part;

Figure 10c schematically, a sectional view of a C-fold of a diaper side part;

Figure 11 schematically, a sectional view with section plane I-I Figure 3b;

Figure 12a schematically, a sectional view of a disposable incontinence diaper with section plane II-II Figure 3c;

Figure 12b schematically, a sectional view of a disposable incontinence diaper with a topsheet formed from three flat material webs.

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b and 3c, a method according to the invention for producing disposable

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incontinence diapers 17 is described below by way of example. The method shown by way of example comprises several steps, namely separating, joining, folding and singulating steps, and the application of closure elements, each of which steps is described in more detail in the following figures. In a preferred embodiment, in a first cutting station Sl, a material web 2 which is of triple use in its transverse direction 25 and which comprises material substantially inextensible in its transverse direction 25, namely attachment material or closure carrier material, is separated in its longitudinal direction 24 into three (reference signs 3, 4 and 5) material webs of single use in their transverse direction, namely the first material web 3, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5. A material web 6 which is of double use its transverse direction 25, and which comprises material that is elastic at least in part in the transverse direction 25, is separated in a second cutting station S2 in the longitudinal direction into two material webs of single use in their transverse direction, namely the second material web 7 and the third material web 8, wherein the second material web 7 and the third material web 8 each comprise material that is elastic at least in part in their transverse direction. The material webs are subsequently fed to one another and joined to one another, specifically in such a way that, in a first joining station Ul, the first material web 3, which substantially comprises (or consists of) attachment material, and the second material web 7, which comprises material that is elastic at least in part in the transverse direction 25, and the third material web 8 are joined to one another in such a way that they together form a composite web 9, in which the attachment material of the first material web 3 is arranged in the transverse direction 25 between the second material web 7 and the third material web 8, in which therefore the attachment material of the first material web 3 forms a central region 53 in the transverse direction 25. In a further

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joining station U2, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5, which each comprise (or consist of) closure carrier material substantially inextensible in the transverse direction 25, are joined to the composite web 9 in the manner described in more detail below, such that the composite web 9 is arranged in the transverse direction 25 between the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5, and the composite web 9, together with the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5, forms a diaper side part web 10 of double use in the transverse direction 25. In a taper station T, closure elements (tapes) 44 are joined on both sides to the closure carrier material of the double-use diaper side part web 10. The double-use diaper side part web 10 comprising the closure elements 44 is fed to a folding station Fl, in which the double-use diaper side part web 10 is folded onto itself along its fold lines FW2 50 running on both sides in the longitudinal direction 24. The folded configuration thus obtained can preferably be fixed by the manufacturer, for example by individual joins, in particular adhesive joins or welded joins, in particular ultrasonically welded joins, which nevertheless can be manually released quite easily by the user, in particular with one pull, for the purpose of unfolding the diaper side parts that have been formed from the double-use diaper side part web by means of further method steps described in more detail below, namely cutting, singulating and joining steps. The double-use diaper side part web 10 folded onto itself is fed to a cutting station S3 and is there separated in the longitudinal direction 24, in the central region 53 comprising the attachment material, into two diaper side part webs 13a and 13b of single use in the transverse direction 25. The single-use diaper side part webs 13a and 13b are separated in transverse direction 25, in a singulating station V1, into diaper side part portions 14a and 14b of single use. The diaper side part portions 14a and 14b are brought together with an endless diaper

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main part web 15 in a joining station U3 and are preferably joined to both sides of the diaper main part web 15 by means of ultrasonic welding and in particular in a clocked manner. The singulating of the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b and their attachment to the diaper main part web 15 can be carried out by the cut

& place method (slip-cut) known per se to a person skilled in the art, although all other application techniques known per se to a person skilled in the art and suitable for the purpose are also possible. The diaper main part web 15 having diaper side part portions on both sides is fed to a second singulating station V2, in which the diaper main part web 15 is severed in the transverse direction 25, by which means singulated disposable incontinence diapers 17 are formed. The disposable incontinence diapers 17 can then undergo further processes such as additional folding steps and/or packaging. In this illustrative embodiment, the joining together of webs in the joining stations Ul and/or U2 and/or U3 is particularly preferably carried out by means of ultrasonic welding. However, any other joining method known per se to a person skilled in the art and suitable for the purpose is likewise possible, in particular thermal welding, sewing, sealing or gluing. In this example, the separation of the material webs in the cutting stations Si and/or S2 and/or S3 can be effected by means of different methods known per se to a person skilled in the art, for example cutting, punching, lasering, fluid cutting (for example water-jet cutting). The singulating of the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b in the singulating station V1 and of the disposable incontinence diapers 17 in the singulating station V2 can be carried out using different methods known per se to a person skilled in the art, for example cutting, punching, lasering, fluid cutting (for example water-jet cutting).

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Figure 2a shows in a perspective view (not to scale, but schematically) an example of the provision of the second material web 7 and of the third material web 8 by separation of the double-use material web 6. The double use material web 6 is unwound endlessly from a first roll 20 and conveyed along its the longitudinal direction 24. The transverse direction 25 of the double-use material web 6 runs orthogonally, that is to say at a right angle 26, to the longitudinal direction 24. At the cutting station S2, a cutting device 21 separates the double-use material web 6, which comprises (or consists of) material that is elastic in the transverse direction 25, into two material webs of single use in the transverse direction 25, namely the second material web 7, which comprises or consists of a first elastic material in its transverse direction 25, and the third material web 8, which comprises or consists of a second elastic material in its transverse direction 25. The first elastic material is preferably identical to that of the second elastic material, with the first and second elastic material preferably consisting of the same material. The second material web 7 and the third material web 8 are preferably of approximately the same width in the transverse direction 25, but another variant is conceivable in which the second material web 7 and the third material web 8 are of different widths.

Figure 2b shows in a perspective view (not to scale, but schematically) an example of the provision of the first material web 3, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5, wherein the first material web 3 comprises (or consists of) attachment material substantially inextensible in the transverse direction 25, and wherein the fourth material web 4 comprises or consists of a first closure carrier material inextensible in its transverse direction 25, and wherein the fifth material web 5 comprises or consists of a second closure carrier material inextensible in its transverse direction

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25, by separating a material web 2 which is of triple use in the transverse direction 25 and which comprises or consists of material substantially inextensible in the transverse direction 25. The triple-use material web 2 is unwound endlessly from a second roll 22 and conveyed along its longitudinal direction 24. The transverse direction 25 of the triple-use material web 2 runs orthogonally, that is to say at a right angle 26, to the longitudinal direction 24. At the cutting station Sl, a cutting device 23 separates the triple-use material web 2 into three material webs of single use in the transverse direction 25, namely the first material web 3, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5. In the present case, the first and the second closure carrier material and the attachment material comprise or consist of the same material, in particular the same nonwoven material. At least the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5 are preferably of approximately the same width in the transverse direction 25, preferably being approximately the same width as or in each case wider than the first material web 3. In Figure 2b, the cutting device 23 is formed by two knives arranged next to each other, such that the two separation procedures take place approximately simultaneously. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the knives are arranged offset along the longitudinal direction 24 of the triple-use material web 2, in such a way that the two separation procedures take place one after the other. For example, in Figure 2b the material webs are arranged such that the fourth material web 4 is formed from a central region of the triple-use material web 2, and the first material web 3 and the fifth material web 5 on both sides of the material web 4 are formed from distal regions of the material web 2. However, any other arrangement of the first material web 3, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5 along the transverse direction 25 is also conceivable.

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Figures 3a to 3c show by way of example a detailed illustration of the arrangement and execution of the method steps for producing disposable incontinence diapers 17. Figure 3a shows in a plan view (not to scale, but schematically) an exemplary embodiment of the joining steps of the first material web 3, second material web 7, third material web 8, fourth material web 4 and fifth material web 5 with reference to Figures 2a and 2b. The first material web 3 has a first material web edge region 30 and a second material web edge region 31. The second material web 7 has a third material web edge region 32 and a fourth material web edge region 33. The third material web 8 has a fifth material web edge region 34 and a sixth material web edge region 35. The fourth material web 4 has a seventh material web edge region 38 and an eighth material web edge region 39. The fifth material web 5 has a ninth material web edge region 40 and a tenth material web edge region 41. The first material web 3, which has a width B1, is guided overlapping with the second material web 7, which has a width B2, in such a way that the first material web edge region 30 of the first material web 3 forms, with the third material web edge region 32 of the second material web 7, an overlap region or joining region with a width B6, within which the first material web 3 and the second material web 7 are connected non-releasably to each other in the joining station Ul. The first material web 3 is guided overlapping with the third material web 8, which has a width B3, in such a way that the second material web edge region 31 of the first material web 3 forms, with the fifth material web edge region 34 of the third material web 8, an overlap region or joining region with a width B7, within which the first material web 3 and the third material web 8 are connected non-releasably to each other in the joining station Ul. The first material web 3, the second material web 7 and the third material web 8 together form the composite web 9 with a width Bl and

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a second axis of symmetry 100. The composite web 9 moreover has a first composite web edge region 36 and a second composite web edge region 37. The composite web 9 is guided overlapping with the fourth material web 4, which has a width B4, in such a way that the first composite web edge region 36 of the composite web 9 forms, with the seventh material web edge region 38 of the fourth material web 4, an overlap region or joining region with a width B8, within which the composite web 9 and the fourth material web 4 are connected non-releasably to each other in the joining station U2. The composite web 9 is guided overlapping with the fifth material web 5, which has a width B5, in such a way that the second composite web edge region 37 of the composite web 9 forms, with the ninth material web edge region 40 of the fifth material web 5, an overlap region or joining region with a width B9, within which the composite web 9 and the fifth material web 5 are connected non-releasably to each other in the joining station U2. The composite web 9, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5 together form the diaper side part web 10 which is of double use in the transverse direction 25 and which has a width B10 and a first axis of symmetry 101. In this exemplary embodiment, the width B1 is 100 mm, the width B2 90 mm and the width B3 90 mm. The width B1, here with 100 mm, has a smaller value than the sum of the widths B2 and B3, which is 180 mm. In this embodiment, a quotient Q1 from the width B1 (numerator) and the sum of the widths B2 and B3 (denominator) has a value of 0.6

[calculation: Q1=(B1/(B2+B3)), that is to say Q1=(100 mm /(90 mm + 90 mm))]. In this variant, the width B4 is 170 mm and the width B5 is 170 mm. A quotient Q2 from the width B1 (numerator) and the sum of the widths B4 and B5 (denominator) has a value of 0.3 [calculation: Q2=(B1/(B4+B5)), that is to say Q2=(100 mm / (170 mm + 170 mm))].

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The width B6 of the overlap region or joining region formed by the first material web 3 and the second material web 7 has a value of 10 mm. The width B7 of the overlap region or joining region formed by the first material web 3 and the third material web 8 has a value of 10 mm. The width B8 of the overlap region or joining region formed by the composite web 9 and the fourth material web 4 has a value of 10 mm. The width B9 of the overlap region or joining region formed by the composite web 9 and the fifth material web 5 has a value of 10 mm. In this exemplary embodiment, the width B10 of the double-use diaper side part web 10 has a value of 580 mm. In this exemplary embodiment, the width Bl of the composite web 9 has a value of 260 mm. A quotient Q3 from the width 11 (numerator) and the width 10 (denominator) has a value of 0.45.

In this exemplary embodiment, a distance B2e in the transverse direction 25 of the diaper side part web 10 between the overlap or joining region formed by the first material web edge region 30 and the third material web edge region 32 and the overlap or joining region formed by the first composite web edge region 36 and the seventh material web edge region 38 is 70 mm. In this exemplary embodiment, a distance B3e in the transverse direction 25 of the diaper side part web 10 between the overlap or joining region formed by the second material web edge region 31 and the fifth material web edge region 34 and the overlap or joining region formed by the second composite web edge region 37 and the ninth material web edge region 40 is 70 mm. B2e and B3e thus designate the widths of the respective effective elastic region of the double-use diaper side part web 10, since the elastic properties of the materials of the second and third material web are in some circumstances impaired in the respective overlap and joining regions.

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The double-use diaper side part web 10 has a first diaper side part web edge 42 and a second diaper side part web edge 43 and is fed to a taper station T, in which the respective closure elements 44 are joined to first regions of the first diaper side part web edge 42 and to second regions of the second diaper side part web edge 43. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3a, the second material web 7 and the third material web 8 are simultaneously joined to the first material web 3, such that the first material web 3 along with the second material web 7 and the third material web 8 jointly form the composite web 9. Subsequently, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5 are in turn joined simultaneously to the composite web 9. Any other sequence or combination of the joining steps is also conceivable and encompassed by the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting of material web edge regions in the joining stations Ul and/or U2 is particularly preferably carried out by means of ultrasonic welding. However, any other joining method known per se to a person skilled in the art and suitable for the purpose is also possible, in particular thermal welding, sewing, sealing or gluing.

Figure 3b shows in a plan view (not to scale, but schematically) a preferred exemplary embodiment of the folding on itself of the diaper side part web 10, provided with closure elements 44 and of double use in the transverse direction 25, and of the separating and singulating steps for forming the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b. In this variant, the double-use diaper side part web 10 is fed to a folding station Fl, in which the double-use diaper side part web 10 is folded in a Z shape onto itself on both sides about two fold lines FW2 50 that each run parallel to the longitudinal direction 24 of the double-use diaper side part web 10,

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wherein a diaper side part web 10 is formed which is of double use in the transverse direction 25 and which is provided with closure elements 44 and is folded onto itself. The first diaper side part web edge 42 and the second diaper side part web edge 43 come to lie in the transverse direction 25 outside the respective region 51 folded onto itself, that is to say outside the region between the two fold lines FW2 50. This arrangement is particularly advantageous, since a distal gripping region 56 protruding in the transverse direction 25 is formed, which makes it easier for the user to grasp and unfold the diaper side parts formed from the double-use diaper side part web 10 by means of further method steps described in more detail below. In this exemplary embodiment, the double-use diaper side part web 10 is folded onto itself in a Z shape on both sides about two fold lines FW2 50. Further variants, as illustrated in Figures 10b and 10c (but there with reference to the finished disposable incontinence diaper), are conceivable with a single fold line FW2, for example C-shaped, on both sides, or with at least three fold lines FW2, for example W-shaped, on both sides, about which the double-use diaper side part web 10 is folded onto itself. The diaper side part web 10, which is of double use in the transverse direction 25 and folded onto itself, is conveyed further to a cutting station S3, in which the double-use diaper side part web 10 is separated in the longitudinal direction 24 by means of a cutting device 52. The separation runs in the central region 53 of the diaper side part web 10, which region comprises the attachment material and is not folded onto itself, in such a way that two diaper side part webs 13a and 13b of single use in the transverse direction 25 are formed. The diaper side part webs 13a and 13b of single use in the transverse direction 25 are fed to a singulating station V1, in which the single-use diaper side part webs 13a and 13b are cut through in the transverse direction 25 in

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such a way that singulated diaper side part portions 14a and 14b are formed. Here, a region 57 of the diaper side part portions 14a, 14b that comprises the attachment material is arranged on a longitudinal edge 58 of the diaper side part portion 14a or 14b opposite the respective gripping region 56. In Figure 3b, the double-use diaper side part web 10 not yet folded about the fold lines FW2 50 comprises the closure elements 44 in an exemplary and preferred manner. However, an alternative arrangement of the method steps for joining the closure elements 44 is also conceivable, for example joining the closure elements 44 to the diaper side part webs 13a and 13b of single use in the transverse direction 25 or to the already singulated diaper side part portions 14a and 14b. Figure 3b shows a preferred variant in which the double use diaper side part web 10 is first folded onto itself in the folding station Fl and is then separated in the longitudinal direction 24 in the cutting station S3 into two diaper side part webs 13a and 13b of single use in the transverse direction 25. It is alternatively conceivable, as illustrated in detail in a plan view (not to scale, but schematically) in Figure 4, that the double-use diaper side part web 10 is first separated in a cutting station S4, by means of a cutting device 75, in the central region 53 comprising the attachment material, approximately centrally and in the longitudinal direction 24, wherein two single-use diaper side part webs 13a and 13b are formed. In such a case, the single use diaper side part webs 13a and 13b are subsequently conveyed to a folding station F2 and are there each folded onto themselves along two respective fold lines FW3 76 or fold lines FW4 77. The diaper side part webs 13a and 13b which are folded onto themselves and are of single use in the transverse direction 25 are fed to a singulating station V3, in which the single-use diaper side part webs 13a and 13b are cut through in the

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transverse direction 25 in such a way that singulated diaper side part portions 14a and 14b are formed. The separation of the double-use diaper side part web 10 in the cutting station S4 and/or the singulating of the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b in the singulating station V3 can be effected by means of different methods known per se to a person skilled in the art, for example cutting, punching, lasering, fluid cutting (for example water-jet cutting).

Figure 3c shows in a plan view (not to scale, but schematically) a preferred exemplary embodiment of the joining of diaper side part portions 14a and 14b to a diaper main part web 15. The diaper main part web 15 is conveyed to a joining station U3. In the joining station U3, the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b that each comprise a closure element 44 are supplied in pairs to the diaper main part web 15, in each case preferably clocked in the longitudinal direction 24, preferably on both sides and preferably approximately opposite each other in the transverse direction 25. The diaper side part portions 14a and 14b are arranged such that, at least with a part of the respective region 57 comprising the attachment material on the longitudinal edge 58 of the respective diaper side part portion 14a, 14b opposite the gripping region 56, they each form an overlap or joining region with in each case a first region 60 or a second region 61 of the diaper main part web 15, within which the respective diaper side part portion 14a or 14b and the diaper main part web 15 are connected non releasably to each other in the joining station U3, wherein the diaper side part portion 14a forms the first elastic diaper side part 62 and the diaper side part portion 14b forms the second elastic diaper side part 63. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting of the diaper side part portions 14a and 14b to the diaper main part web 15 in the joining station U3 is particularly preferably effected by means of ultrasonic welding.

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However, any other joining method known per se to a person skilled in the art and suitable for the purpose, in particular thermal welding, sewing, sealing or gluing, is also possible. The diaper main part web 15 is fed to a singulating station V2, in which the disposable incontinence diapers 17 can be singulated by separating the diaper main part web 15 in the transverse direction 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the diaper main part web 15 consists of two flat material webs, namely a topsheet 80 which is permeable to liquid at least in some regions and a backsheet 81 which is impermeable to liquid at least in some regions, between which, clocked in the longitudinal direction, liquid-absorbing absorbent bodies 69 are introduced. The diaper side part portions 14a and 14b are placed, with their regions 57 that comprise the attachment material, between topsheet 80 and backsheet 81, as described in more detail with reference to Figure 12a. Alternatively, it is possible (see Figure 12b) that the topsheet 80, on both sides in the transverse direction 25 of the diaper main part web 15 (or in diaper transverse direction 74, cf. Figure 12b), has liquid impermeable material (cuff fleece) with the function of a lateral outlet barrier, in which case the first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper side part 63 are placed between the backsheet 81 and the cuff fleece. However, any other placement of the first elastic diaper side part and of the second elastic diaper side part of the disposable incontinence diaper in a thickness direction is likewise conceivable. According to a preferred variant (not shown in Figure 3c), the diaper side part portions 14a, 14b are folded onto the diaper main part web 15 after the diaper side part portions 14a, 14b are joined to the diaper main part web 15, but before the singulation of the disposable incontinence diaper 17.

Figure 5 shows in cross section (not to scale, but schematically) a preferred exemplary embodiment of a

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diaper side part web 10 of double use in the transverse direction 25. The first material web 3, the second material web 7, the third material web 8, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5 are arranged next to one another in the transverse direction 25, specifically in such a way that the respective directly adjacent material webs, with their respective web edge regions pointing in the direction of the closest material web, in each case form an overlap region or joining region, within which the respective webs are connected non-releasably to one another. As is shown in Figure 5, an upper side 70 of the second material web 7 and of the third material web 8, directed toward the body in the wearing state of the disposable incontinence diaper, is connected, in the respective joining or overlapping regions, to an upper side 71 of the first material web 3, the fourth material web 4 and the fifth material web 5. However, any other arrangement of the webs in the thickness direction 27 is likewise conceivable and is encompassed as a possible embodiment.

Figure 6 shows (not to scale, but schematically) a disposable incontinence diaper which is in the so-called T-shape and which is designated overall by reference sign 17. The disposable incontinence diaper 17 comprises a main part, designated overall by reference sign 65, with an absorbent body 69 that absorbs bodily fluids. The absorbent body 69 preferably comprises cellulose fibers and superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP). The absorbent body 69 is arranged between two flat materials, namely a liquid-permeable topsheet 80a and a liquid-impermeable backsheet 81 of the diaper main part 65. In the case of the disposable incontinence diaper 17, a distinction is made between a diaper longitudinal direction 73 and a diaper transverse direction 74, wherein the latter, in the applied state of the disposable incontinence diaper, corresponds to the hip circumference direction of the user. The main part 65

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comprises a front region 82 with front lateral longitudinal edges 83, a back region 64 with a first rear lateral longitudinal edge 66 and a second rear lateral longitudinal edge 67, and a crotch region 84 arranged therebetween. Adjacent to a respective longitudinal edge 85 of the crotch region 84, the main part 65 has an elasticated portion 86, hence an elasticated leg opening portion. These elasticated leg opening portions 86 are formed by elastic threads that run between topsheet 80a and backsheet 81a and are fixed in a prestressed state to topsheet 80a and/or backsheet 81a, which elasticated threads are curved in an arc shape and are thus oriented at least in part in the diaper longitudinal direction 73.

In the case of the T-shaped disposable incontinence diaper 17, the back region 64 of the main part 65 in the diaper transverse direction 74 is provided with a first elastic diaper side part 62 extending beyond the first rear lateral longitudinal edge 66 and formed by the diaper side part portion 14a (see also Figures 3b and 3c) and with a second elastic diaper side part 63 extending beyond the second rear lateral longitudinal edge 67 and formed by the diaper side part portion 14b (see also Figures 3b and 3c), which elastic diaper side parts 62, 63, in the region of the rear lateral longitudinal edges 66, 67, are joined non-releasably to the back region 64 of the main part 65 in an overlap region 87. By contrast, no diaper side parts are provided in the front region 82. The first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper side part 63 each have at least one closure element 44 in the region of their free end 88 in the diaper transverse direction 74. The closure element 44 is in the form of a preferably rectangular tab and is folded onto itself at the time of manufacture. In the use situation, the closure element 44 can be opened, that is to say unfolded again, in order to fit the disposable incontinence diaper 17 on a user, wherein the first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper

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side part 63 are brought into overlap with the front region 82 of the main part 65, and the closure elements 44 are fastened with releasable adhesion to the side of the front region 82 of the main part 65 facing away from the user (shown schematically in Figure 7). In the diaper longitudinal direction 73, the first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper side part 63 have a distance D of preferably 5-50 mm from a rear transverse edge 79 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17.

Figure 8 shows a detail of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 according to Figure 6 in an enlarged representation, specifically in the region of a first elastic diaper side part 62 in a state when spread out flat but not stretched, with two fold lines FW1 68a and 68b.

Where the first elastic diaper side part 62 is described in the following, it will be assumed that the second elastic diaper side part 63 is merely the reverse thereof and is preferably designed and dimensioned identically in other respects. The same applies the other way around where the second elastic diaper side part 63 is described below.

In the present case, the fold lines FW1 68a, 68b correspond to the fold lines FW2 50 of the double-use diaper side part web 10 (see Figure 3b). Corresponding to the formation of the diaper side part portions as described above with reference to Figures 1-4, the first elastic diaper side part 62 comprises, in the diaper transverse direction 74, three regions directly adjoining one another, namely a substantially inextensible distal region 90, a substantially inextensible proximal region 93, and an elastic region 92 located therebetween. The distal region 90 of the first elastic diaper side part 62 has the extent B4.1 in the diaper transverse

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direction 74 (wherein B4.1 substantially corresponds to the width B4, see Figure 3a), comprises substantially inextensible closure carrier material, and forms the free end 88 of the first elastic diaper side part 62. The fold line FW1 68b closest to the closure element 44 or to the free end 88 of the first elastic diaper side part 62 runs through this distal region 90 in the diaper longitudinal direction 73. The substantially inextensible proximal region 93 has an extent B1.1 in the diaper transverse direction 74 corresponding to approximately half the width B1 of the first material web 3 (see Figure 3a) and comprises the substantially inextensible attachment material. The proximal region 93 overlaps with the diaper main part 65 and, as is illustrated in more detail in Figure 3c, is connected non-releasably to the diaper main part 65 in the overlap or joining region 87. The region 92 lying between the distal region 90 and the proximal region 93, and elastic at least in the diaper transverse direction 74, has an extent B2e.1 in the diaper transverse direction 74 (which corresponds to the extent B2e, Figure 3a). The fold line FW1 68a, closest to the diaper main part 65, runs through the elastic region 92 in the diaper longitudinal direction 73. In this exemplary embodiment, an extent E of an inextensible subregion 89 of the subregion 91 extending in the diaper transverse direction 74 between the two fold lines FW1 68a and 68b is 80 mm.

Figure 9 shows a detail of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 according to Figure 6 in an enlarged view, specifically in the region of a second elastic diaper side part 63 with closure element 44 in a folded configuration with two fold lines FW1 68, in a Z configuration. In the present case, an extent C of the diaper side part 63 in the diaper longitudinal direction 73 is 140 mm. An extent A of the diaper side part 63 folded in a Z configuration, measured from the free end 88 of the

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second elastic diaper side part 63 to the second rear lateral longitudinal edge 67 of the main part 65 in the diaper transverse direction 74, is 80 mm in the case shown. The ratio of the extents A/C to each other is 0.6

[calculation: A/C=(80 mm / 140 mm)]. In this illustration, the folded configuration of the second elastic diaper side part 63 is fixed releasably in the Z configuration by joins 94. Figure 10a shows a sectional view in the section plane III-III from Figure 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the section plane runs in the diaper transverse direction 74 in the back region 64 of a disposable incontinence diaper 17. In this exemplary embodiment (not shown to scale, but schematically), the second elastic diaper side part 63 is placed, in the back region 64 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17, between the topsheet 80a, which forms the upper side 70 of the diaper main part 65 facing towards the body, and the backsheet 81a, which forms the upper side 71 of the diaper main part 65 facing away from the body, and which sheets together enclose an absorbent body 69. However, any other placement of the second elastic diaper side part 63 in the thickness direction 27 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 is likewise conceivable and is encompassed as a possible embodiment. In this embodiment, the second elastic diaper side part 63 is folded onto itself about two fold lines FW1 68, wherein a so-called Z configuration is formed; the second elastic diaper side part 63, at the fold line FW1 68a closest to the main part 65 in the spread-out state, i.e. in the unfolded state, is folded in the direction of the upper side 71 facing away from the body and, at the fold line FW1 68b closest to the respective closure element 44 or to the free end 88 of the second elastic diaper side part 63 in the spread-out state, i.e. in the unfolded state, is folded in the direction of the upper side 70 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing toward the body. This configuration has proven particularly advantageous when the user unfolds the diaper side parts.

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However, the reverse orientation of the folds made about the fold lines 68a and 68b is also possible. In Figures 10b and 10c, alternative embodiments of the folding of the second elastic diaper side part 63 are shown in each case (not to scale, but schematically) in a sectional view. Figure 10b shows a second elastic diaper side part 63 which is folded onto itself in a W shape about three fold lines FW1 68, wherein the second elastic diaper side part 63, at the fold line FW1 68a closest to the main part 65 in the spread-out state, i.e. in the unfolded state, and at the fold line FW1 68b closest to the closure element 44 or to the free end 88 of the second elastic diaper side part 63 in the spread-out state, i.e. in the unfolded state, is folded in each case in the direction of the upper side 71 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing away from the body, and wherein the second elastic diaper side part 63 is folded at the middle fold line FW1 68c in the direction of the upper side 70 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing toward the body. The reverse orientation of the folds made about the fold lines 68a, 68b and 68c is also conceivable. Figure 10c shows a second elastic diaper side part 63 folded onto itself in a C-shape about a single fold line FW1 68, wherein the second elastic diaper side part 63 is folded at the fold line FW1 68 in the direction of the upper side 71 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing away from the body. The reverse orientation of the folding about the fold line FW1 68 is also conceivable.

Figure 11 shows (not to scale, but schematically) a sectional view in the section plane I-I from Figure 3b. The section plane runs in the transverse direction 25 through the double-use diaper side part web 10, which is provided on both sides, i.e. on its first diaper side part web edge 42 and on its second diaper side part web edge 43, with a respective closure element 44 and is folded onto itself on both sides in a Z shape about two

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fold lines FW2 50 running parallel to the longitudinal direction 24. The double-use diaper side part web 10 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 11, namely without identification of the overlapping or joining regions of the webs forming the diaper side part web 10.

Figure 12a shows (not to scale, but schematically) a sectional view in the section plane II-II from Figure 3c. The section plane runs in the diaper transverse direction 74 through the back region 64 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17. The absorbent body 69 is placed between a backsheet 81a, arranged on the side 71 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing away from the body, and a topsheet 80a arranged on the side 70 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing toward the body. The first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper side part 63 are each provided at their respective free end 88 with a closure element 44 and are each folded onto themselves in a Z-shape about two fold lines FW1 68. The first diaper side part 62 and the second diaper side part 63 are arranged in each case between the backsheet 81a, arranged on the side 71 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing away from the body, and the topsheet 80a, arranged on the side 70 of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing toward the body, and are connected non-releasably to the topsheet and/or to the backsheet in the respective overlap region 87. In this preferred exemplary embodiment, the topsheet 80a is formed continuously from a single flat material.

Figure 12b shows an alternative embodiment of a disposable incontinence diaper 17 in a sectional view (not to scale, but schematically). The section plane runs in the diaper transverse direction 74 through the disposable incontinence diaper 17. In this variant, the topsheet 80a arranged on the side of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 facing toward the body is formed from three flat material webs 95, 96a and 96b. The three

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flat material webs 95, 96a and 96b are arranged offset in relation to one another in the diaper transverse direction 74, specifically in such a way that the preferably liquid-permeable flat material 95 placed centrally in the diaper transverse direction 74 is arranged between a preferably liquid-impermeable first cuff material 96a and a preferably liquid-impermeable second cuff material 96b, wherein the first cuff material 96a and the second cuff material 96b each overlap at least in some regions with the central flat material 95, and wherein the first cuff material 96a and the second cuff material 96b are connected in particular non releasably to the central flat material 95 in respective joining or overlapping regions. In the thickness direction 27, the three flat material webs 95, 96a and 96b forming the topsheet 80a are arranged in such a way that, in the respective joining or overlapping regions, an upper side 70 of the central liquid-permeable flat material 95 facing toward the body in the wearing state of the disposable incontinence diaper 17 is connected to an upper side 71 of the first cuff material 96a and the second cuff material 96b facing away from the body. The first cuff material 96a and the second cuff material 96b each extend beyond the joining or overlapping region in the direction of the other cuff material, specifically in such a way that the protruding free regions 97 of the cuff material can function as a lateral outlet barrier of the disposable incontinence diaper 17. In this exemplary embodiment, the first cuff material 96a and the second cuff material 96b, in the protruding free region 97, are in particular equipped with one or more elasticating means 98, which support the lifting of the first cuff material 96a and second cuff material 96b when being worn and support their function as an outlet barrier. In this exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 12b, the liquid-permeable flat material 95 of the topsheet 80a in the diaper transverse direction 74 extends by

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approximately the same length as the absorbent body 69, in particular shorter than the backsheet 81a, wherein furthermore the first cuff material 96a extends as far as the first rear lateral longitudinal edge 66, and the second cuff material 96b as far as the second rear lateral longitudinal edge 67, of the disposable incontinence diaper 17, in particular. In this example, the first elastic diaper side part 62 and the second elastic diaper side part 63 are preferably placed, in the thickness direction 27, between the backsheet 81a and the respective first cuff material 96a or second cuff material 96b and are in particular connected non releasably to these in the respective overlap region 87.

Claims

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1. A method for producing disposable incontinence diapers (17), wherein a respective disposable incontinence diaper (17) has a diaper longitudinal direction (73) and a diaper transverse direction (74), and wherein the disposable incontinence diaper (17) has a main part (65) provided with an absorbent body (69), wherein the main part (65) has a back region (64) with a first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66) and with a second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67), and wherein there is joined to the first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66) a first elastic diaper side part (62), which extends in the diaper transverse direction (74) beyond the first rear lateral longitudinal edge (66) of the main part (65), and wherein there is joined to the second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67) a second elastic diaper side part (63), which extends in the diaper transverse direction (74) beyond the second rear lateral longitudinal edge (67) of the main part (65), said method comprising the following steps - conveying a first material web (3), a second material web (7), a third material web (8), a fourth material web (4) and a fifth material web (5), wherein the first material web (3) has a width B1 and a first material web edge region (30) and a second material web edge region (31) and comprises or consists of an attachment material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction (25) of the first material web (3), wherein the second material web (7) has a width B2 and a third material web edge region (32) and a fourth material web edge region (33) and comprises or consists of a first material that is elastic at least in part in a transverse direction (25) of the second

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material web (7), wherein the third material web (8) has a width B3 and a fifth material web edge region (34) and a sixth material web edge region (35) and comprises or consists of a second material that is elastic at least in part in a transverse direction (25) of the third material web (8), wherein the fourth material web (4) has a width B4 and a seventh material web edge region (38) and an eighth material web edge region (39) and comprises or consists of a first closure carrier material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction (25) of the fourth material web (4), and wherein the fifth material web (5) has a width B5 and a ninth material web edge region (40) and a tenth material web edge region (41) and comprises or consists of a second closure carrier material that is substantially inextensible in a transverse direction (25) of the fifth material web (5), and wherein the material web edge regions of the first (3), second (7), third (8), fourth (4) and fifth material web (5) are joined to each other in such a way that the first (3), second (7), third (8), fourth (4) and fifth material web (5) form a diaper side part web (10) of double use in its respective transverse direction (25), in such a way that a central region (53) of the double-use diaper side part web (10) is formed by the first material web (3), a first outer region of the double-use diaper side part web (10) is formed by the fourth material web (4), a second outer region of the double-use diaper side part web (10) is formed by the fifth material web (5), and a first elastic region arranged in the transverse direction (25) of the double-use diaper side part web (10) between the first

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outer region and the central region (53) is formed by the second material web (7), and a second elastic region arranged in the transverse direction (25) of the double-use diaper side part web (10) between the second outer region and the central region (53) is formed by the third material web (8), - separating the double-use diaper side part web (10) in a longitudinal direction (24) of the double-use diaper side part web (10) and through the central region (53) of the double use diaper side part web (10) in order to form a first diaper side part web (13a) and a second diaper side part web (13b), each of single use in their respective transverse direction (25), - singulating diaper side part portions (14a, 14b) by separating the first (13a) and the second (13b) single-use diaper side part web in the respective transverse direction (25) of the first (13a) and the second (13b) single use diaper side part web, - feeding a diaper main part web (15) having a first diaper main part web edge and a second diaper main part web edge, - joining the diaper side part portions (14a, 14b) to first regions (60) of the first diaper main part web edge and to second regions (61) of the second diaper main part web edge, - singulating the disposable incontinence diapers (17) by separating the diaper main part web (15) in a transverse direction (25) of the diaper main part web (15).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein - the third material web edge region (32) of the second material web (7) is joined to the first material web edge region (30) of the first material web (3), and wherein the fifth

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material web edge region (34) of the third material web (8) is joined to the second material web edge region (31) of the first material web (3), in such a way that the first (3), second (7) and third material web (8) together form a composite web (9), and wherein the composite web (9) has a first composite web edge region (36) and a second composite web edge region (37), and wherein - the seventh material web edge region (38) (of the fourth material web (4)) is joined to the first composite web edge region (36) of the composite web (9), and wherein the ninth material web edge region (40) of the fifth material web (5) is joined to the second composite web edge region (37) of the composite web (9), in such a way that the composite web (9) together with the fourth (4) and fifth material web (5) forms the diaper side part web (10) of double use in its transverse direction (25).

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first (62) and the second elastic diaper side part (63) each have at least one closure element (44).

4. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the second (7) and third material web (8) are made available by separating a first material web (6) of double use in its transverse direction (25).

5. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the fourth (4) and fifth material web (5) are made available by separating a second material web of double use in its transverse direction.

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6. The method as claimed in one or more of claims 1 through 4, wherein the first (3), fourth (4) and fifth material web (5) are made available by separating a material web (2) of triple use in its transverse direction (25).

7. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the diaper side part portions (14a, 14b) are designed for single use in their longitudinal direction (24).

8. The method as claimed in one or more of claims 1 through 6, wherein the diaper side part portions are designed for double use in their longitudinal direction, and wherein the separation of the diaper main part web (15) is guided through the diaper side part portions in such a way that a first subportion of a respective diaper side part portion forms a rear diaper side part of a first disposable incontinence diaper (17), and a second subportion of the respective diaper side part portion forms a rear diaper side part of a second disposable incontinence diaper (17) immediately adjacent in a diaper longitudinal direction (73).

9. The method as claimed in one or more of claims 3 through 8, wherein the respective closure elements (44) are joined to first regions of a first diaper side part web edge (42) and to second regions of a second diaper side part web edge (43).

10. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (62) and the second elastic diaper side part (63) are folded (onto themselves) at in each case at least one (68), in particular at in each case at least two (68a, 68b), more particularly at in each case at least three (68a, 68b, 68c) fold lines FW1 (68, 68a, 68b,

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68c), preferably extending parallel to the diaper longitudinal direction (73) of the disposable incontinence diaper (17), and in particular are fixed releasably in this configuration.

11. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the double-use diaper side part web (10) is folded onto itself on both sides about in each case at least one, in particular about in each case at least two, more particularly about in each case at least three fold lines FW2 (50), parallel to the longitudinal direction (24) of the double use diaper side part web (10), and in particular is fixed releasably in this configuration.

12. The method as claimed in one or more of claims 1 through 10, wherein the single-use diaper side part webs (13a, 13b) are folded onto themselves about in each case at least one, in particular about in each case at least two, more particularly about in each case at least three fold lines FW3 (76) or FW4 (77), parallel to a longitudinal direction (24) of the respective single-use diaper side part web (13a, 13b), and in particular are fixed releasably in this configuration.

13. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diaper side part portions (14a, 14b) are folded onto the diaper main part web (15).

14. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the singulated disposable incontinence diapers (17) are folded about at least one, in particular two fold lines FQ extending in a diaper transverse direction (74).

WO 2020/038860 - 58 - PCT/EP2019/072088

15. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a quotient Q1 from the width B1 and the sum of the widths B2 and B3 calculated as: B1/(B2+B3) has a value of 0.2 to 1.5, in particular a value of 0.25 to 1.2, in particular a value of 0.25 to 1.0, in particular a value of 0.3 to 0.9, in particular a value of 0.4 to 0.8, and/or wherein a quotient Q2 from the width B1 and the sum of the widths B4 and B5 calculated as: B1/(B4+B5) has a value of 0.15 to 1.5, in particular a value of 0.2 to 1.2, in particular a value of 0.2 to 1.0, in particular a value of 0.25 to 0.7, in particular a value of 0.3 to 0.5.

16. The method as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: B1 (B2+B3) and/or wherein: B1 (B4+B5).

17. A disposable incontinence diaper (17) produced or producible as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims.