FR2986963A1 - Tool for cutting sanitary napkin, has oblong-shaped dieing zone placed inside zone delimited by cutting strip, where dieing zone is embossed deeper than intermediate zone that is located between cutting strip and dieing zone - Google Patents

Abstract

The tool (1) has a cutting strip (11) covered on a cylindrical body (10). The cutting strip comprises a shaped delimiting contour of a sanitary napkin. An oblong-shaped dieing zone (120) is placed inside a zone delimited by the cutting strip. The dieing zone is embossed deeper than an intermediate zone (110) that is located between the cutting strip and the dieing zone. The intermediate zone is delimited by a stamping strip (12) projecting on the body of the tool, where the height of the stamping strip is lower than the height of the cutting strip. An independent claim is also included for a method for cutting a sanitary napkin made of a hygienic absorbing material.

Description

TOOL FOR CUTTING A HYGIENIC TOWEL Description Technical Field of the Invention The invention relates to a tool for cutting a sanitary napkin. It also relates to a device and a method of cutting a sanitary napkin. The invention relates to the technical field of sanitary napkins intended to collect intimate female body fluids arising during menstruation or other occasions resulting in loss of blood or secretions. It relates more particularly to tools for manufacturing sanitary napkins adapted to the anatomy of the female genital area. State of the art Sanitary napkins are known from the prior art. They are positioned inside the woman's panties. They generally consist of a buffer of absorbent material covered with a thermoplastic envelope permeable to the liquid. This permeable envelope is intended to come into contact with the female genital area. The face of the tampon opposite the genital region is usually covered with a thermoplastic envelope impervious to the liquid. This impermeable envelope acts as a barrier preventing body fluids from defiling the pants. Other layers of materials can be provided. The set of materials constituting a sanitary napkin being known to those skilled in the art, will be used in the following description the general term: "hygienic absorbent material". Patent FR 2,400,887 (KIMBERLEY CLARK CORPORATION) discloses an installation for rotatably cutting a sanitary napkin from a strip of hygienic absorbent material. The latter is directed through a cutting space formed between a cutting roller (or cutting cylinder) and a roller (or cylinder) opposite. The cutting roll is provided with a cutting strip projecting on its periphery, the shape of which defines the outline of the napkin. Some sanitary napkins are flat. Others are non-flat and have an oblong central portion that is thicker than the rest of the napkin. The latter type of sanitary napkin has the advantage of adapting to the anatomy of the female genital area. To obtain this thick oblong central portion, the document EP 2.417.951 (JOHNSON & JOHNSON) teaches the use of a stamping cylinder comprising an imprint for conforming said central portion. This type of installation has the disadvantage of requiring two types of functional cylinders: a first cylinder for delimiting the contour of the sanitary napkin and a second stamping cylinder. In addition to the fact that the manufacturing time (cutting of the napkin and stamping) is lengthened, the size of the installation is increased, as well as its cost and maintenance time.

An object of the invention is to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, the object of the invention is to propose a tool and a technique that makes it possible to shorten the manufacturing time of a sanitary napkin comprising a thicker oblong central portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for reducing the size of an installation for cutting a sanitary napkin. The invention also aims to reduce the maintenance time in an installation for cutting a sanitary napkin. Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a tool for cutting a sanitary napkin hygienic absorbent material, said tool having a body on which a cutting strip protrudes, said strip having a shape defining the contour of said napkin. This tool is remarkable in that an oblong forming zone is disposed within the zone delimited by the cutting strip, said stamping zone being deeper than the intermediate zone situated between said cutting strip and said stamping area. With this tool, the cutting of the outer contour of the napkin and the stamping of the oblong zone are performed concomitantly. This results in a saving of time in the manufacture of the towel. In addition, since a single tool makes it possible to perform these two steps, the size of the cutting installation is reduced as well as its maintenance time, the operator only having to intervene on a single tool.

Other remarkable characteristics of the tool which is the subject of the invention are listed below, each of these characteristics being able to be considered alone or in combination, independently of the remarkable characteristics defined above: the stamping zone is preferentially delimited by a stamping strip projecting on the body of said tool, said stamping strip having a height less than the height of the cutting strip, the stamping strip advantageously comprises two symmetrical rectilinear portions connected by two circular end portions; the cutting strip comprises two symmetrical concave portions connected by two circular end portions, the body may be of cylindrical shape, the cutting strip and the stamping zone being arranged on the periphery of said cylindrical body, in a variant of embodiment, the body is of planar shape, the cutting band and the etching zone and arranged on the same face of said planar body.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a device for rotational cutting of a sanitary napkin from a strip of hygienic absorbent material by means of a cutting cylinder and an opposing cylinder which form between them. a cutting space through which said strip of material is directed, said cutting cylinder being provided with a cutting strip protruding on its periphery, said cutting strip having a shape delimiting the contour of said napkin. This device is remarkable in that an oblong forming zone is disposed on the periphery of said cutting cylinder, within the zone delimited by the cutting strip, said stamping zone being deeper than the intermediate zone. located between said cutting strip and said stamping area. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a device for cutting stamping a sanitary napkin from a strip of hygienic absorbent material using a punch and an opposing support which form between them. a cutting space through which said strip of material is directed, said punch being provided with a cutting strip projecting on its face opposite said support, said cutting strip having a shape delimiting the outline of said napkin. This device is remarkable in that an oblong shaped stamping zone is disposed on the face of said punch which is opposite said support, inside the zone delimited by the cutting strip, said forging zone being deeper than the intermediate zone between said cutting strip and said stamping zone.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the band of hygienic absorbent material initially has a double density so that after stamping, the density of the towel in the oblong zone is identical to that in the rest of said towel.

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of rotatably cutting a sanitary napkin from a web of hygienic absorbent material, said method comprising: - a cutting step of directing said web of material through a web a cutting space formed between a cutting cylinder and an opposed cylinder, said cutting cylinder being provided with a cutting strip projecting on its periphery, said cutting strip having a shape delimiting the contour of said napkin, - a step consisting in delimiting by stamping, on one side of the strip of hygienic absorbent material, a zone of thicker oblong shape situated inside the zone delimited by the cutting strip, said stamping step being carried out concomitantly with the step cutting. Description of the figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view from above of a tool according to the invention, the body of said tool being of generally planar shape; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along AA of the tool of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the detail D of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tool according to the invention, in a variant embodiment, FIG. In the invention, the body of which is cylindrical in shape, FIGS. 6a to 6e illustrate different steps of cutting a sanitary napkin with the aid of a tool according to FIG. 5; FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate different stages of cutting a ser Figure 8 is a sectional view of a strip of hygienic absorbent material that can be used for the manufacture of the sanitary napkin.

Embodiments of the invention The invention makes it possible to manufacture a sanitary napkin intended to be positioned inside a woman's panties, in the crotch, so as to collect intimate female body fluids (blood or other secretions). The napkin is flat and its outline comprises two symmetrical concave portions connected by two circular portions of ends. The constitution of such a towel is well known to those skilled in the art and is for example described in the patent documents mentioned above. Referring to Figure 8, it consists of a buffer 90 of absorbent material, typically based on cellulose fibers (eg cotton) arranged in one or more layers. The buffer may be combined with a superabsorbent, for example of the xanthan gum, polyvinyl alcohol or polyethylene oxide type, and in the form of fibers, granules or powders.

The face of the pad 90 intended to come into contact with the female genital region is covered with a thermoplastic envelope permeable to the liquid 91. It contains, for example, hydrophilic synthetic fibers of the polyester, polyethylene or polypropylene type, optionally combined with other fibers. . This envelope makes it possible to transfer fluid quickly and evenly to the buffer. This envelope can be covered with a peelable protective film. The face of the tampon 90 opposed to the genital region is usually covered with a thermoplastic envelope impervious to the liquid 92. In practice, a polymer film is used. The two envelopes 91 and 92 surrounding the buffer 90 are held together by gluing, welding (thermal, ultrasound, etc.) or mechanical fixing, so as to form a container inside which said buffer is inserted. All these different materials 90, 91, 92 being known to those skilled in the art, will be used in the following description the general term: "hygienic absorbent material" 9. Referring to Figure 1, the tool 1 object of the invention allows to cut a sanitary napkin hygienic absorbent material. This tool 1 comprises a body 10 which may be of planar shape (FIG. 2 to 4) or of cylindrical shape (FIG. 5). In the latter case, the diagram of Figure 1 corresponds to the development of the cylindrical tool. In practice, the body 10 is made of a rigid material of the steel type.

Whatever the shape of the body 10, a cutting strip 11 protrudes from said body. In the case where the body 10 is of planar shape (Figures 2 to 4), the cutting strip 11 is disposed on one side of said body, perpendicularly to this face. In the case where the body 10 is cylindrical (Figure 5), the cutting strip 11 is disposed radially on the periphery of said body. This band 11 has a shape delimiting the outline of the napkin: it comprises two symmetrical concave portions 11a connected by two circular end portions 11b. The band 11 therefore defines a closed contour. It is obtained by molding and / or machining of the body 10. In practice, the cutting strip 11 is inscribed in a rectangle R having a length of between 70 mm and 200 mm and a width of between 20 mm and 100 mm. The dimensions and shape of the cutting strip 11 may vary depending on the model of the towel. The height of the cutting strip 11 is between 2 mm and 15 mm. Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the cutting strip 11 comprises at least one sharp flange 11c for cutting the strip of hygienic absorbent material 9 according to the contours of the napkin. In the case where the strip of absorbent material 9 comprises the two envelopes 91 and 92 described above, it may be advantageous to combine the sharpened flange 11c with a heating resistor or with an ultrasound system, so as to be able to join the two said envelopes. together. The securing step is thus performed concomitantly with the cutting step. According to the invention, an oblong forming zone 120 is disposed inside, preferably in the center, of the zone delimited by the cutting strip 11 (FIG. 1). This stamping zone 120 makes it possible to form a thicker oblong central portion on the sanitary napkin. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the stamping zone 120 is deeper than the intermediate zone 110 situated between the cutting strip 11 and said stamping zone. Referring to the embodiment of Figures 2, 3 and 5, the stamping area 120 is delimited by a stamping strip 12 projecting from the body 10 of the tool 1. In the case where the body 10 is shaped plane (Figures 2 to 4), the stamping strip 12 is disposed on the same face of said body carrying the cutting strip 11, perpendicularly to this face. In the case where the body 10 is cylindrical (Figure 5), the stamping strip 12 is disposed radially on the periphery of said body. It is obtained by molding and / or machining the body 10. The stamping strip 12 has a height less than the height of the cutting strip 11 so that it can accentuate the stamping of the strip of absorbent material 9, without risk of cutting it. The thick oblong central portion of the sanitary napkin, thus has a periphery which is more stamped, favoring its holding over time.

The stamping strip 12 has a shape delimiting the outline of the thick oblong central portion of the napkin. Referring to Figure 1, it advantageously comprises two rectilinear portions 12a symmetrical connected by two circular end portions 12b. The rectilinear portions 12a are vis-à-vis the concave portions 11b of the cutting strip 11 and the circular end portions 12b vis-à-vis the circular portions 11b of said cutting strip. The stamping strip 12 thus defines a closed contour. It is obtained by molding and / or machining of the body 10. In practice, the stamping strip 11 is inscribed in a rectangle R 'having a length of between 20 mm and 150 mm and a width of between 10 mm and 80 mm. The dimensions and shape of the stamping band 12 may vary depending on the model of the napkin. The height of the stamping strip 12 is between 1 mm and 10 mm. Referring to the embodiment of Figure 4, the stamping area 120 is delimited by no projecting stamping band, but by the rim of a deeper zone of the body 10. The tool 1 therefore compresses the strip of absorbent material 9 in the intermediate zone 110 is greater than that in the stamping zone 120. The napkin 30 therefore has a greater thickness in the stamping zone 12. The use of the tool the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6a to 6e. In these figures, the tool 1 is in the form of a cutting cylinder similar to that described with reference to FIG. 5, that is to say comprising an oblong die-forming zone 120 on its periphery, within the zone delimited by the cutting strip 11, said stamping zone being deeper than the intermediate zone 110 situated between said cutting strip and said stamping zone. The cutting cylinder 1 is used in a rotary cutter. The band of hygienic absorbent material 9 is directed through a cutting gap formed between the cutting cylinder 1 and an opposing cylinder 1 '(Fig. 6a). The distance separating these two cylinders 1 and 1 'is adjustable and determines the thickness of the sanitary napkin. The two cylinders 1 and 1 'are continuously rotated by a motor (not shown). Tensioners 1 "for tensioning the web 9 are advantageously provided upstream of the rolls 1 and 1 ', the web 9 is advancing continuously while the rolls 1 and 1' are being rotated. cutting space, the cutting strip 11 comes into contact with the opposite cylinder 1 'and begins to cut the strip of material 9 (Figure 6b).

As long as the stamping zone 120 of the cutting cylinder 1 is not opposite the opposite cylinder 1 ', the band 9 is compressed uniformly between the two said cylinders, thereby increasing the density of the absorbent material . The thickness of the towel S is reduced to correspond to the depth of the intermediate zone 110 (FIG. 6c). The cutting step continues during this compression step. As soon as the stamping zone 120 is opposite the opposite roll 1 ', the band 9 continues to be compressed uniformly between the two rolls 1, 1 ", the thickness of said band being reduced, however at the depth of the stamping zone 120. Since the stamping zone 120 is deeper than the intermediate zone 110, the thickness of the towel S is thicker at the oblong zone S2 resulting from the zone 120 of the napkin 120 (FIG. 6d) than the remainder S1 of said napkin issuing from the intermediate zone 110. The napkin S thus has a different density in the oblong zone S2 and in the zone S1. S2 is less than that in zone S1 In order to improve the absorption capacity of the oblong zone S2, the strip 9 can initially have a double density so that after the stamping step, the density of the towel in the oblong shaped area ue S2 is identical to that in zone S1. The cutting step continues during this stamping step. As soon as the intermediate zone 110 of the cutting cylinder 1 is found opposite the opposite cylinder 1 ', the band 9 is again compressed uniformly between the two said cylinders, its thickness being reduced to the depth of said intermediate zone. As soon as the cutting strip 11 comes into contact with the opposite roll 1 ', the napkin S is completely cut and recovered (FIG. 6e) and a new napkin begins to be cut in the material web 9. In the embodiment variant of FIG. FIGS. 7a to 7c, the tool 1 is in the form of a punch similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, that is to say comprising an oblong forming zone 120, within the zone delimited by the cutting strip 11, said stamping zone being deeper than the intermediate zone 110 situated between said cutting strip and said stamping zone. The die cutter 1 is used in a die cutter and is mounted on a press 1 "imparting upward and downward movement thereof The sanitary absorbent material web 9 is directed through a cutting gap formed between the punch 1 and an opposite support 1 '(Figure 7a) .The distance between these two elements 1 and 1' is adjustable and determines the thickness of the sanitary napkin. stamping 120 are arranged on the face of the punch 1 which is vis-à-vis the support 1 '.

When the band 9 is positioned in the cutting space, the punch 1 comes into contact with the support 1 '(FIG. 7b). The cutting strip 11 cuts the strip 9 along the contour of the napkin. The remainder of the band 9 is compressed uniformly between the punch 1 and the support 1 '. At the intermediate zone 110, the thickness of the towel S is reduced to correspond to the depth of said zone. Likewise, at the stamping zone 120, the thickness of the towel S is reduced to correspond to the depth of said zone. Since the stamping zone 120 is deeper than the intermediate zone 110, the thickness of the napkin S is thicker at the oblong zone S2 from the stamping zone 120 than the remainder S1 of said napkin. from the intermediate zone 110 (Figure 7c). The towel S therefore has a different density in the oblong zone S2 and in the zone S1. As mentioned above, the band 9 may initially have a double density so that after the stamping step, the density of the towel in the oblong zone S2 is identical to that in the zone S1.15.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Tool for cutting a sanitary napkin (S) of hygienic absorbent material, said tool comprising a body on which a cutting strip (11) projects, said strip having a shape delimiting the contour of said napkin, being characterized by the an oblong forming zone (120) is disposed within the area delimited by the cutting strip (11), said stamping area being deeper than the intermediate zone (110) between said strip cutting and said stamping area. 2. Tool according to claim 1, wherein the stamping zone (120) is delimited by a stamping strip (12) projecting from the body of said tool, said stamping strip having a height less than the height of the strip of tape. cut (11). 3. Tool according to claim 2, wherein the stamping strip (12) comprises two symmetrical rectilinear portions (12a) connected by two circular end portions (12b). 4. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting strip (11) comprises two symmetrical concave portions (11 a) connected by two circular end portions (11b). 5. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body is of cylindrical shape, the cutting strip (11) and the stamping zone (120) being arranged on the periphery of said cylindrical body. 6. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body is of planar shape, the cutting strip (11) and the stamping zone (120) being arranged on the same face of said planar body. 7. Device for cutting by rotation of a sanitary napkin (S) from a strip of hygienic absorbent material (9) by means of a cutting cylinder (1) and an opposite cylinder (1) ') which form between them a cutting space through which said strip of material is directed, said cutting cylinder being provided with a cutting strip (11) projecting on its periphery, said cutting strip having a shape delimiting the contour of said napkin, characterized in that an oblong forming zone (120) is disposed on the periphery of said cutting cylinder (1), within the zone delimited by the cutting strip (11). ), said stamping zone being deeper than the intermediate zone (110) located between said cutting strip and said stamping zone. 8. Device for die-cutting a sanitary napkin (S) from a strip of hygienic absorbent material (9) by means of a punch (1) and an opposite support (1) ') which form between them a cutting space through which said strip of material is directed, said punch being provided with a cutting strip (11) projecting on its face opposite said support, said cutting strip having a shape delimiting the contour of said napkin, characterized by the fact that an oblong forming zone (120) is disposed on the face of said punch (1) which is opposite said support (1 '), within the area delimited by the cutting strip (11), said stamping area being deeper than the intermediate zone (110) located between said cutting strip and said stamping area. 9. Device according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the strip of hygienic absorbent material (9) initially has a double-density so that after stamping, the density of the towel (S) in the area oblong shape (S2) is identical to that in the rest (51) of said napkin. A method of rotational cutting of a sanitary napkin (S) from a web of hygienic absorbent material (9), said method comprising: - a cutting step of directing said web of material through a web cutting space formed between a cutting cylinder (1) and an opposite cylinder (1 '), said cutting cylinder being provided with a cutting strip (11) projecting on its periphery, said cutting strip having a delimiting shape the contour of said napkin; - a step of stamping, on one side of the band of hygienic absorbent material (9), a thicker oblong zone (S2) situated inside the zone delimited by the cutting strip (11), characterized in that the stamping step is performed concomitantly with the cutting step.