MXPA01004815A - Infrared imaging to detect components on personal care articles - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention pertains to fabricating composite personal care article products on a fabrication line (10), and sensing assembly quality characteristics of such personal care article products so fabricated, using infrared image sensing apparatus (80), and signal processing apparatus (82) for processing the infrared energy so sensed, to fabricate visual displays of the composite images sensed by the infrared sensing apparatus. By using infrared imagery, and sensing the various temperatures of elements being placed and worked on the fabrication line, elements of the personal care articles which are hidden from visual observation can be sensed by sensing the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. Elements which are available for visual observation can likewise be sensed where temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by infrared-sensitive receptors. Typically, a suitable infrared signature can be obtained without adding, to the elements whose quality is being assessed, any increment of heat for purposes of enhancing detection of such element or elements.

Description

FORMATION OF INFRARED IMAGES TO DETECT COMPONENTS ON ARTICLES FOR PERSONAL CARE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS Not applicable DECLARATION IN RELATION TO INVESTIGATION OR DEVELOPMENT GENERALLY SUBSIDIZED Not applicable Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improved quality level inspection and inspection systems for use during the processing of tissues such as paper, film, composites or the like; in continuous and dynamic processing operations. Particularly, the invention relates to perceiving and evaluating the location and condition of quality of characteristics, elements and characteristic conditions of articles for personal care or of the propellants of such articles on a line of manufacture of articles. The present invention can perceive and evaluate, for example, the location and quality of the respective components. The location and quality of the ultrasonic or thermal bonding and / or the location and amount of the adhesives present in the tissue of the article precursor for personal care during the manufacture of such article precursors for the personal care of personal care entries. adequate raw material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 In assembling various elements onto a fabric for example endless for making personal care articles, it is highly desirable to have a real-time inspection of various aspects of the articles being manufactured, including the inspection. of the articles in one or more places on the manufacturing line, when the articles are manufactured and before the manufacture is completed.

In the article industry for care By personal use, it is known to use optical brighteners to make parts or components of food which form such articles in a manufacturing line. When such optical brighteners are properly selected, are properly applied and are properly placed, the items can be illuminated with ultraviolet light and / or visible light. The ultraviolet and visible light sensors can perceive the optical brighteners thus illuminated, and can therefore register the positions or the relative positions, of the components carrying such optical brighteners in such items for personal care. Even though some elements of the article can therefore be detected, knowledge of the AtAjm? T Éil áí? ? In the applicant, the use of such procedures is not known to help assess the presence and quality of the adhesive or other unions in the context of a personal care item.

In addition, applicants are aware of some, but not necessarily all, of the hot melt adhesives that inherently bloom under ultraviolet light. However, applicants have no knowledge of any or such property to detect the relative placement of the elements.

In other methods for evaluating or predicting the quality of the product, structural elements such as notches, slits, grooves, protuberances, depressions or holes or the like are formed in the fabric of personal care articles, thus to provide a characteristic structural detectable which can be used to perceive the location of an element.

A region of electromagnetic discontinuity, magnetic discontinuity or any combination thereof can also be used with suitable sensors of magnetic properties to show the positions of the components of the respective personal care articles.

The methods mentioned above to evaluate or predict the quality of the product require the modification of articles for personal care specifically for the • purpose of being able to perceive or detect the parameters of interest, such as for example using additional material such as an optical brightener, or a magnetic additive or modifying the structure of the articles for personal care, in order to create an element detectable by the sensors selected for the detection function. Such modifiers increase the cost of the articles for personal care, in addition to carrying the • cost of actual detection. In addition, the use followed by such additional materials, elements or features includes the risk that the additional material, the elements or characteristics may be misplaced in the fabric, or on the respective tissue element, and therefore give a false reading to the perception system. There is also the risk that such a modification to the product or to the product component may interfere with either the intended use of the item for personal care or the safety of a person who uses the product. article for personal care for the intended use.

It would be desirable that no such additional or characteristic element be incorporated or be added to any element or characteristic of the articles being manufactured.

Synthesis of the Description In the invention, the heat of the process with which • the elements of the workpiece are inherently inhibited by the process, it is detected by one or more infrared sensors which perceive the inherent thermal condition in a plurality of characteristics of the respective conditions of the personal care items being formed and where the features thus perceived generally have a primary utility in the typical operation of the article and • are not incorporated in the article merely to assist in the perception operation. The characteristics that are perceived are, for example, the individual components, and the components parts of the article for personal care, the unions ultrasonic, and the adhesive in joints. The resolution itself in an exhibition of the properties thus perceived, perceiving such elements can point or show the exact place of such individual components, or of the adhesive, or of other joints formed ultrasonically or thermally. Information The perceived one can be compared with a stored information or other reference information to determine whether or not the respective unions or components are placed in the desired locations specified on the respective personal care items. 25 ^ i? ^ lít¿? ^ a The information received can also be compared with other stored or reference information to determine whether the qualities or resistances of the joints • Ultrasonics are or are not effective in maintaining the structural integrity of the respective personal care items.

In addition, the perceived infrared information can be compared with stored information or other information from reference to determine whether or not a • sufficient amount of adhesive such as hot melt adhesive to the personal care items being manufactured and whether such adhesive has been adequately distributed or not, in appropriate ratios, over the respective components of the articles for personal care.

The above-mentioned comparisons can be made to a manufacturing line operator so that the The operator can monitor the compliance that is being carried out with or the variation of the reference or other specified parameters. Variation outside the specified tolerances can trigger an alarm to warn the operator that a malfunction has occurred. In addition, The above-mentioned comparisons can be used to call unacceptable product units of the line of manufacture of personal care items. The information of the aforementioned comparisons can also be used to turn off the processing line at certain predetermined levels of variation of the specific parameters.

A significant advantage of the invention is that the infrared sensors can perceive the location of the elements which are not easily susceptible to detection from the exterior of the personal care article using sensors operating at visible or ultraviolet wavelengths. Due to the use of the infrared spectrum, the infrared system can see elements or components through one or more layers of material which are opaque to visible and / or ultraviolet light. Therefore assuming an infrared energy source, an infrared sensor can "see through" for example the cover layers or the side liners to the body of material and can display visual images of the elements or components thus "seen" detected. on the inside of the item for personal care, in this way, partially or fully assembled personal care items can be seen or inspected for defects which may be placed under a visually opaque item. The processing apparatus, such as a digital computer, can process the information received and compare the information with reference tolerances or other tolerances otherwise known and physical values for the various components and positions of the components.

• The infrared sensor typically comprises a passive infrared sensor which senses, in the article of work for personal care or the work product precursor, the heat that is normally present inherently in the article for personal care or in the work product or precursor as a result of the process of assemble such precursor work product. The heat that • results from, for example, ultrasonic bonding, the application of hot melt adhesive to various components of personal care items and residual heat otherwise developed in another of the elements as these elements are ready for incorporation into the personal care items that are being manufactured in the manufacturing line.

For example, certain components such as • Absorbent core and the superabsorbent there are heated inherently, or can be heated, at temperatures other than the temperatures of other components whereby such elements can be distinguished on the basis of temperature differences. Namely, a component can be distinguished in the visual display by controlling the The temperature of the component is such that the component emits infrared radiation at a rate which is unique in the tissue, relative to other components of the personal care item precursor.

To what the inventors know, it is not known to use an infrared sensor to perceive fibrous and / or thin-section polymeric films, fibers or adhesives as components in a line of manufacture of personal care article, to thereby provide signals or information in response to the physical temperatures of the components that make personal care items, • especially where the perceived property, such as temperature, is the property inherent in the propeller of the personal care item in the manufacturing line as a result of the manufacturing process or the history of manufacture, of the precursors. Of course at the conclusion of the manufacturing process, the articles for personal care thus produced continuously give off heat according to temperature differentials between the articles for care • personal and room temperature, until the items for personal care reach room temperature. Therefore the infrared signatures of interest here must be obtained while the personal care items are still containing discriminant amounts of such process heat.

In addition to the knowledge of the inventors, it is not known to use an infrared sensor to perceive the infrared energy and therefore to create visual images corresponding to the presence or the amount of adhesives or resistance of the ultrasonic zones on the articles for personal care. . Advantageously hot adhesives can be seen by the infrared sensor through one or more visually opaque layers of material in the personal care article.

The above-mentioned reading of the signatures infrared can be obtained by placing a suitable assembly of the infrared sensor equipment in a place of unique perception in the manufacturing line. The multiple images of the items that are being produced on the manufacturing line can, of course, be obtained by placing the suitable assemblies of the infrared sensor equipment in a number of corresponding places along the manufacturing line, each of the assemblies has the capacity to perceive the desired information in the respective places in the manufacturing line, from which the visual image is going to be created, separated and distinct from the visual images developed by perceptions elsewhere along the manufacturing line. Such multiple images, taken from the corresponding multiple locations on the manufacturing line, can be compared with others as desired to evaluate either one or both of (a) the quality of the items that are being - - • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A first family of embodiments of the invention contemplates the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing composite personal care products, and perceiving the characteristics of the assembly quality of the personal care products thus manufactured. At least one of the components of the propellants of the personal care article products thus manufactured comprises a continuous weave of material. The manufacturing apparatus comprises manufacturing machinery arranged to transport the fabric along a manufacturing line, beyond a plurality of work stations where the work is carried out on the fabric, to manufacture the precursors for the article for personal care according to a predetermined arrangement, to thereby form a precursor rule for such articles for personal care on the tissue; the separating apparatus separates the tissue, and the arrangement of precursors of the article for personal care thereon, from the tissue, and in individual personal care items, including cutting the fabric through a transverse dimension thereof; and infrared perception and the signal processing apparatus placed in a cooperative relationship with the tissue. The infrared perception and signal processing apparatus senses the infrared signatures of products made on the fabric, thereby determining the quality of the assembly characteristics of a respective of the composite personal care articles or article precursors for the Personal care compounds, and the output of a signal representative of the perceived characteristics.

In some embodiments, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared sensor housed in a physically separate box and distinct from the signal processing apparatus, so that the sensor and the processing apparatus are two separate and physically separate instruments. . The processing apparatus receives a signal taken from the infrared sensor and processes such a signal to provide a processor output representative of the characteristics of at least one of the personal care articles of the personal care article precursors manufactured on the line of manufacture.

The manufacturing machinery can place an absorbent core on the fabric, and a body-facing lining material on the absorbent core so that the absorbent core is between the fabric and the side-to-body lining layer, and the apparatus signal processing and infrared perception can see and perceive the position of the absorbent core through the lining material from side to body, through the tissue, or through any other intervening material which can be visually obstructive, such as opaque, translucent occlusive or similar and that it is not a thermally effective barrier to be detected by a thermal sensor or • another thermal detection unit. As another expression of the invention, the side-to-body lining material can have a visual printed image on a first surface thereof between the infrared sensor and an assembly quality feature under one representative lining material on the other side. body and the • tissue, the perception by the infrared sensor that perceives an assembly quality characteristic through the visual printed image.

The invention also comprises an assurance apparatus such as an ultrasonic bonding apparatus or an adhesive bonding apparatus securing at least parts of the respective components of the personal care articles. • one another to form the precursors of article for the personal care compounds in a continuous fabric of such precursors attached to one another along a length of the fabric. Therefore, the invention comprises an adhesive application apparatus that applies said adhesive for securing at least the first parts of the first respective components of the articles for personal care «* - ^ - ^ -« ^ »» - * - < • - - - •? _JLQ__l_L to the second parts of respective seconds of the components.

In some embodiments, the infrared sensor senses the position of the adhesive in such articles for personal care. In addition or in the alternative, the infrared sensor perceives amounts of adhesive placed in such articles for personal care.

Personal care articles may include elastic placement devices that place spaced leg elastics adjacent to the respective opposite outer edges of the leg sections of the fabric along the lengths of the personal care articles, and adhere the same. Elastic leg components of the fabric or on the fabric. The adhesive apparatus can place the hot molten adhesive on the leg elastics, the infrared sensor perceives the position of the hot melt adhesive heated on the leg elastic and therefore indirectly detects the positions of the leg elastics on the articles for the personal care by means of a hot melt adhesive.

In the preferred embodiments, the side-to-body lining material is placed between the infrared sensor and the leg elastics and the infrared sensor perceives the positions of the adhesive, and thus the positions of the leg elastics, through the material of the leg. lining side to body.

• In some additions, the nuclei absorbers have zones comprising relative concentrations of superabsorbent, and the infrared sensor perceives areas of relative concentration of the superabsorbent as distinct from the remains of the absorbent cores.

In some embodiments, the manufacturing machine places the containment flaps over the tissue, preferably over the body-side lining material, as elements of the personal care article precursors. The containment fins are secured in the fabric by means of hot melt and heated adhesive or other thermal or ultrasonic bonding. The infrared sensor perceives the position in the amount of the hot melt and heated adhesive or other thermal or ultrasonic bonding. • 20 The securing apparatus preferably comprises an ultrasonic body and a cooperating anvil, such as an anvil roller, the ultrasonic horn provides the ultrasonic energy to create the joining bonds, in the precursors of the personal care article, at least a component of such article precursors for personal care.

The infrared sensor preferably perceives the positions of the ultrasonic joints still hot. The infrared sensor output can provide an indication to an operator station when the infrared sensor does not detect the presence of ultrasonic joints.

Among other potential readings, the infrared sensor and the signal processing apparatus may perceive the coincidence of predetermined components, either against a design location stored in the memory or, relatively, against the location of the memory. a second component or other element, characteristic of the articles, for example an adhesive or ultrasonic bond.

The output of the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus can send an alarm signal to an operator station which identifies the existence of an inadequate condition of at least one of the components, or can draw a withdrawal signal to remove selected ones of the items for personal care of the indication line, or can close the manufacturing line, or can issue a control command, and thus activate a match control function.

Put another way, the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus can call the Tin ^^ BMaJMaaiiti ^, attention, in various ways to characteristics or components of personal care items that are not within preselected control tolerances.

The infrared perception and signal processing apparatus can sense the presence of leg cuts on articles for personal care and control an alarm to an operator station whose part typically, the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceive and values the assembly quality characteristics common to all personal care items that are being manufactured on the manufacturing line, the assembly quality characteristics, in combination, comprising a signature for the specific personal care items that are being manufactured Preferably, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus has an adequate sensitivity to perceive, and thus perceive, parts or totalities of personal care articles, which have temperatures as low as about 10 degrees Celsius and up to about of 20 degrees Celsius.

Preferably, the infrared sensor is a single sensor or array of sensors, operatively in a passive mode, whereby no illumination energy is directed towards the material being sensed. Rather, the sensor perceives temperatures and differences across the projected surface area defined by an area of one or more of the personal care items.

Typically, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises infrared images collected by an infrared camera from the personal care articles. Typical cameras effective for detecting and distinguishing infrared radiation are controlled by the optical and electronic filtering elements of the camera, or by one or more suitable camera accessories.

In preferred embodiments, the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus comprises a composite visual image representative of at least one of the articles for personal care or of the propellants for the personal care article in the fabric. Typically, the infrared sensor comprises an infrared camera that collects, for each visual image that can be displayed, an array of infrared signals from discrete areas from the personal care items that are being evaluated.

The output of the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus may represent an out-of-tolerance condition in the personal care article or in the precursor for the perceived personal care item, and wherein the signal processing apparatus and of infrared perception sends the signal out of tolerance to a station of • operator. More specifically, the manufacturing machinery used in the manufacture of personal care articles according to the invention may further comprise a first layer device and a first tumbling device, feeding the tissue inside the manufacturing line; an absorbent core device feeding the absorbent cores before the fabric in the manufacturing line; a second layer device and a second turning device, feeding a second outer layer to the manufacturing line and on the first layer and the absorbent cover; a device of leg elastics feeding the leg elastics to the manufacturing line; a containment fin device that supplies containment fins to the manufacturing line above the second outer layer; a first binding device that applies generally continuous joints along opposite sides of the fabric along substantially the entire length of the fabric downwardly of the attached device; a second joining device applies end seals along the ends of the precursors to the article for the25 respective personal care; a first adhesive application device that applies adhesive to leg elastics, by ^ BijJMalMÜfMii so much to adhere the leg elastics in the precursors for the article for personal care; a tape storage device that feeds tapes in the manufacturing line; a second adhesive application device that applies adhesive to the tapes, thus to adhere the tapes to the precursors for the personal care item; and a third adhesive application device that applies adhesive to the containment fins, thereby to adhere the containment fins in the article precursors for personal care on the absorbent core.

In the second family of embodiments, the invention comprises a method of perceiving the tissue assembly quality characteristics of the personal care articles or of the personal care article precursors being manufactured by the processing apparatus. Each of such personal care or personal care article precursor items has a side-to-body liner, an exterior cover, and at least one item of personal care item or article precursor for personal care. placed between the lining side to the body and the outer cover. The method comprises using the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus using an infrared sensor, which senses the assembly quality characteristics of an element, typically an element between the body-side liner and the outer shell, through a relatively visually opaque one of the outer cover and of the lining from the side to the body, and taking out the first signals of the infrared sensor; and sending the signals output to an element of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus which can respond by taking out the second signals indicative of the assembly quality characteristics of the personal care articles or the article propellers for the personal care that are being manufactured by the processing apparatus.

Preferred embodiments include keeping personal care articles free of fluorescent material, specifically fluorescent materials or other additives for optical brightening as used for detection purposes, through the process of manufacturing personal care articles. .

A third family of embodiments comprises a method for manufacturing the composite personal care article products wherein at least one of the components of the precursors of the personal care article products thus manufactured comprises a web of continuous material, and wherein the method comprises transporting the fabric along the manufacturing line, beyond a plurality of work stations where the work is carried out on the fabric, to manufacture the article precursors for the personal care of according to a predetermined arrangement, therefore to form an array of precursors of such articles for personal care on the fabric; separating segments 5 from the tissue, and arranging article precursors for personal care thereon, from the tissue, and inside of individual personal care items, including cutting the tissue through a transverse dimension thereof; and perceiving the infrared signatures of the manufactured product on the fabric, thereby determining the assembly quality characteristics of a respective of the composite personal care articles or of the composite personal care article precursors, and drawing a signal representative of the perceived characteristics. 15 Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be more fully understood and the additional advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a manufacturing line including a signal processing apparatus and an infrared sensor of the invention.

- '• Mímm' '- ^ -'- • * - Figure 2 is a line drawing representative of a top view of an image of an underlying weave moving along the manufacturing line, and as it is seen by the infrared sensor.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a manufacturing line, including a signal processing apparatus and an infrared sensor of the invention.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an underlying tissue, and therefore of the personal care article precursor, taken along point 4-4, of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a cross-section of the underlying tissue, and therefore the precursor of the personal care article, taken at point 5-5 of Figure 2, with the leg cut material removed.

Figure 6 shows a pictorial view of an article for personal care made according to the invention.

Figures 7 and 8 are pictorial representations of the actual visual images created and used to perceive the assembly quality according to the invention.

The invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction or arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is layers of other incorporations or of being practiced carried out in several other forms. It is also understood that the terminology and phraseology used herein are for the purpose of description and illustration and should not be seen as limiting. Equal reference numbers are used to indicate the same components.

Detailed Description of Preferred Additions The following detailed description is made in the context of a manufacturing line for making personal care articles. Personal care items may include, but are not limited to, diapers, underpants, incontinence articles, women's care items, and the like.

Figure 1 illustrates a manufacturing line 10 for making personal care articles. The manufacturing line 10 includes a first layer storage device 12 which stores a generally continuous extension of a first fabric material to be used as a first layer 14, and a turn roller 16 for flipping the first layer 14 in the alignment along the manufacturing line.

The absorbent core forming device 18 forms the absorbent cores 20 for application on a first layer 14. The overturning roller 21 and the drive roller 22 form a first pressure point 23. The drive roller 22 and the support roller 24 form a second pressure point 25. The tumbling roller 21, the drive roller 22 and the support roller 24, in combination, transfer the absorbent cores 20 from the absorbent core forming device 18 to the first layer 14.

The leg elastic storage units 26 store the leg elastics 28 and a second layer storage device 30 stores a generally continuous extension of a second fabric material to be used as a second layer 32, of material such as a continuous fabric of lining material from the side to the body. The drive roller 34 and the support roller 36, in combination, form a third pressure point 38. The elastic leg adhesive application device 40 generally intermittently applies the adhesive to the leg elastics 28. The elastic securing roller 42, the drive roller 34 and the support roller 36, in combination, apply leg elastics 28, and the adhesive thereon on a second layer 32. The process preferably cuts the leg elastic in eg the roll 34 if the Adhesive is applied continuously; but it may not cut the leg elastic, if the adhesive is applied intermittently until a later step in the process, such as in the cutting of the product. The layer 32 and the leg elastics 28 are then attached to the first layer 14 at the pressure point 38. At said pressure point 38, the absorbent cores 20, as well as the elastics 28 are placed between the first layer 14 and the second layer 32 as illustrated in Figure 5. In this phase, the aforementioned components have formed an underlying tissue 44 of article precursors for personal care. In the next step in the manufacturing line, the stretching tapes or ears 46, stored in a tape storage device 48 are secured to the underlying tissue 44 by the application roller 50. The adhesive application device 52 applies the adhesive to the parts of the tapes 46 before the tapes are applied to the underlying tissue 44.

A containment fin storage unit 54 then applies the containment fins 56 along the entire length of the underlying tissue 44 on the opposite sides of the absorbent cores 20 through an application roll 58 and a support roll. of position 60 at a fourth pressure point 61. The containment fin adhesive applicator 62 intermittently applies the adhesive to the containment fins 56. The adhesive applied to the containment fins 56 is in register with the front end portions and glue of the personal care article precursors 45 on the underlying tissue 44 so that the adhesive secures the full widths of the containment flaps 56 in the fabric 44 in the front and back waist portions of the article precursors personal care 45 and secure only the shore portions outward of the containment fins 56 in the fabric 44 along the parts intervening days (parts of the leg) of personal care items.

Therefore, as illustrated in figures 2, 4, and , the outer edges 63 of the containment flaps 56 are secured in the fabric 44 along the entire length of a given personal care article precursor by a generally continuous connection 65. Correspondingly, the inner edge 91 it is attached to an underlying tissue 44 only in the front and back portions of the precursors of the personal care article (Figures 2 and 4), whereby the intermediate part of the article precursor, namely through the part between Leg 83, is not attached to any underlying tissue element. Thus, when the containment fins 56 are relaxed, the inner edges 91 can be stopped along the middle part, namely the part of between the leg 83, while remaining secured at the joint 65 to the underlying tissue materials 44. • 5 Said underlying tissue 44, including ribbons 46, the containment fins 56 and the leg elastics 28, then advance to the ultrasonic horns 64 and hold the anvil roller or the rollers 66. The ultrasonic horns 64 and the anvil rollers 66 form a fifth pressure point 68 wherein the outer portions of the multiple components of the underlying tissue 44 are ultrasonically joined to one another. In this way, the first and second parallel lines of the ultrasonic junction 88 are generally formed along the entire length of the underlying tissue 44, joining the The first layer 14 and the second layer 32 adjoin each other along substantially the entire lengths of the respective fabrics downstream of the pressure point 68. The first layer 14 and the second layer 32 are preferably coextensive along the • full length, and across the entire width of the underlying tissue 44, including between the first and second lines of the ultrasonic junction.

The underlying tissue 44 then advances to the end of the ultrasonic horn where seal 70. The ultrasonic body of End seal 70, in cooperation with the anvil roller 72, forms a sixth pressure point 74. At the pressure point 74, the ultrasonic horn 70 forms the intermittent end seals 76 through portions of the underlying tissue 44 that they correspond either to bridge with the front end parts • and tail of successive of the precursors of the article for 5 the respective personal care.

At this point in the process, the underlying tissue 44 has been substantially transformed into a series of arrangements of article precursors for personal care, together to others on end seals 76, which later on • the process forms the respective front and tail edges of the resulting personal care items. The main remaining steps comprise forming the leg cuts to adjust the personal care item around the legs of a wearer, and cutting through the underlying tissue 44 to thereby form the front and tail edges of the above-mentioned tail and tail end portions of the individual personal care articles, and therefore for • separate items for individual personal care, including the individual tissue segments, of the continuous tissue generally.

In this embodiment, the underlying tissue 44 then progresses beyond the infrared sensor 80. The sensor infrared 80 preferably comprises a passive infrared sensor that senses the infrared radiation emanating from the discrete areas of the personal care items being evaluated. The sensor readings are therefore taken from various positions through the underlying tissue 44 and along a predefined length of the tissue. Namely, a sensor 80 perceives the individual radiation rates at closely spaced locations across the entire width of the tissue, thereby providing an array of readings representing a comparative temperature profile across the width, and along a specific part. of the length of the fabric. The infrared sensor 80 does not retain, record or report visible light, or an ultraviolet light received from the underlying tissue.

The sensor 80 optionally in combination with a signal processing apparatus 82 converts the individual radiation readings perceived along the length and width of the fabric into a composite visual image representing the width, and the specified portion of the length of the fabric on a visual display screen, such as a computer monitor or the like, illustrated by line outline 81 to figure 2. Figure 2 is a line drawing representation of the visual image thus displayed, showing a top view of a section of the underlying tissue 44, on the monitor. The image shown includes a first personal care item precursor 45A, a major part of a second precursor 45B and a minor part of a third precursor 45C. Figures 7 and 8 are reproductions of the actual visual images produced according to the invention, showing the manufacture of the articles for personal care in a continuous knitting process, and illustrating the visibility of the elements such as the leg elastic. 5 which are hidden from visual observation by the overlying cover layer 32.

The different temperatures, or in other words the different rates of infrared energy emanation from the various fabric elements 44, and therefore from the • precursors 45, create different respective shades of gray in the displayed visual image (figure 7 and 8) or a color on a color image display, so that at least the contours of the respective elements are clearly distinguished from each other in the visual image displayed.

For example, in this embodiment, Figure 2 illustrates in arrow 79 the direction of advance of the fabric 44, • and shows the absorbent nuclei 20. When the nuclei absorbers 20 are illustrated in a dotted line in Figure 2, the outline of the cores can be clearly displayed as part of the visual image created from the perception of infrared energy even when the second layer 32 lies on all the cores respective absorbers and therefore blocks the visual detection of the outer edges of the absorbent cores. The absorbent cores 20 are easily detected by the infrared sensor 80 because the absorbent cores 20 typically have a different temperature either that of a first layer 14 or a second layer 32.

Such an image of the absorbent cores 20 and other elements of the underlying tissue 44 is used by a sensor 80 and / or the processing apparatus 82 to define a signature for two products being manufactured, including a signature for for example the absorbent cores 20 in relation to the rest of the elements of the underlying tissue 44. Such a signature can be defined as a distance, from a side edge running along a portion of the absorbent core length, for example to a border of the underlying tissue 44 at one edge of the first layer 14, at one edge of the second layer 32. Such distance can be compared to tolerance values (distance) in a predetermined or preselected range which determines the placement of the various elements of the fabric 44 in relation to one another.

The signature can also be defined in terms of the absolute temperature, for example the amount of infrared radiation that is being received, of the item being perceived, thus to monitor and control the absolute temperature of one or more of the items that are being received. being perceived, to therefore detect the conditions of overheating or excessive cooling.

If one or more of the positions of the respective absorbent cores 20, or other elements, with respect to other elements of the underlying tissue 44, are outside the preselected range, the processing apparatus 82 may send a control signal to the positioning of respective element, such as the device of the absorbent core 18 and / or the drive roller 22 to adjust the placement of for example the absorbent cores in the first layer 14. The placement of other elements can be similarly adjusted.

The signal processing apparatus 82 may, in addition or in the alternative, provide an audible or visual warning, to an operator station 104, and therefore to a manufacturing line operator, that for example the absorbent cores 20 are not being placed in the appropriate positions on the first layer 14.

A second preselected range greater than the first preselected range can also be used to provide a second type of response to the perceived condition. For example, if the absorbent cores 20 are out of position from other components by the distance established in the second preselected range, the individual units of products can be culled either by the operator or by the command of a signal processing apparatus 82. , or the manufacturing line 10 can be turned off and the production be • discontinued until repairs or adjustments are made. The signal processing apparatus 82 preferably includes a computer controller so that the preselected ranges for the distances between one of the elements can be monitored. For example as a distance between one edge of absorbent core 20 and one second • tissue component, such as an outer edge of the fabric along the length of the first layer 14 or the second layer 32 can be monitored, and changed or adjusted as necessary according to the parameters established in the apparatus of processing 82 or in any other part in the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the superabsorbent zones 84 • where the superabsorbent material has been incorporated into the cores 20. The superabsorbent material is typically used in the form of particles. The particles are typically heated so thoroughly dried before they are incorporated into the core 20, and thus into the fabric 44. The absorbent core device 18 (or other corresponding design apparatus) known) is conventionally configured to add the heated superabsorbent particles to one or more selected portions of the absorbent cores used in the manufacturing line 10.

• Such a superabsorbent, being heat-dried immediately before use, has a temperature higher than the temperature of the absorbent core 20 generally, and higher than the temperature in other adjacent parts of the underlying tissue 44. Thus, the images of the superabsorbent zones 84 where the superabsorbent material has been incorporated into the core can to be distinguished about the visual display of the nucleus in general. Thus, the detected locations of the superabsorbent zone 84 and the intensity of the perceived signals can be compared to predetermined or preselected zones and intensities by the processing apparatus 82.

The processing apparatus 82 can then send the control signals to the absorbent core device 18 to control the amount and location of the superabsorbent placement in the subsequently manufactured absorbent cores 20. • The processing apparatus 82 can provide an operator with a visual display and / or a warning signal, and / or can make process condition adjustments and / or can turn off the manufacturing line 10 as described above with respect to the absorbent cores 20 with any detection of a conduction out of tolerance, by issuing the appropriate commands through the feedback lines 87.

Figures 2 and 7 illustrate the leg elastics 28 in an underlying fabric 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the stretched leg elastic material is fed as continuous threads of a storage unit 26. The adhesive is applied along the elastic material of leg. The leg elastics 28 are then incorporated into the fabric 44 and secured to the second layer of the personal care article precursors that are being formed along the underlying tissue 44. As described above with respect to the absorbent cores 20, the infrared sensor 80 can sense the difference between the temperature of the leg elastics 28 and the adjacent elements, and in some cases, can distinguish the adhesive, with respect to the temperatures of other adjacent elements of the fabric 44. The infrared sensor 80 may provide such perception even if one of the first layer 14 and the second layer 32 is placed between the leg elastics 28 and the infrared sensor.

By processing the data received by the sensor 80, the sensor 80 and / or the processing apparatus 82 can establish an image signature representative of the actual element locations and sizes of the leg elastics 28, and can compare the actual locations and relative and sizes of such elastic leg elements with the preselected stored values associated with such locations and sizes. As noted above with respect to the core • absorbent 20, the processing apparatus 82 can send 5 control signals to the leg elastic storage unit 26 and / or an adhesive application device 40 to adjust the placement of the leg elastics 28, or the amount or timing of intermittent application of hot melt adhesive to leg elastics. Further, or alternatively, the sensor 80 and / or the processing apparatus 82 can provide an operator with a visual display of the image signature and / or can provide a warning signal, or can turn off the manufacturing line 10 in response to absence or improper placement, or to union poor or to another improper condition of leg elastics 28.

The tapes 46, also known as ears of • stretch, and generally comprise two or more layers of material. If the multiple layers have not previously been bonded, the adhesive application device 52 can apply the adhesive to form or secure the layers to one another, thereby completing the formation of the tapes 46, and can apply the adhesive at least temporarily ensuring such ribbons in the tissue 44. The pairs of tapes 46 can be applied intermittently to the underlying tissue 44 at spaced locations on opposite sides of the precursors of the personal care article 45 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The tape application roller 50 , or another device (not shown) • may comprise an intermittent movement or a variable speed device that periodically places the discrete tapes on the fabric 44 at the appropriate spaced locations.

The adhesive, preferably comprising hot melt adhesive, applied by the adhesive application device 52, forms the intermittent tape joints 86, shown in Figures 2, 7 and 8, securing the tape components to each other or securing the layers of the tape material to each other.

Similarly, the containment fins 56 can be placed by the application roll 58 along the entire length of the underlying tissue 44 on one side of the opposite sides of the absorbent cores 20 as shown in FIG.

• Figures 2, 7 and 8. The ultrasonic horn 64 and the supporting anvil roller 66, in combination, continuously form continuous ultrasonic structural joints 88, joining the first layer 14 and the second layer 32 together to lengthwise. from the sides opposite of the underlying tissue 44 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 7. The structural joints 88 are preferably continuous along the length of the fabric 44. By "continuous" we include unions which comprise a generally continuous array of elements of discrete and separate discrete union, • such as the arrangement of points spaced from one another in a 5 arrangement. The ultrasonic horn 64 also preferably forms the ultrasonic connections between the tapes 46 and the underlying tissue 44 at the spaced locations along the length of the fabric 44 where the tapes 46 are incorporated into the fabric, and therefore along the lengths of the joints 88. Such joints as well as the joints 88 can be formed by any joining technique such as, without limitation, ultrasonic bonding, adhesive bonding or thermal bonding.

An adhesive applicator generally illustrated in The point 64, in combination with the anvil roller 66, or other suitable apparatus, can also intermittently apply the adhesive, and thereby join the inwardly disposed edges 91 of the containment fins 56 to the second layer 32 as in the • joints 90. Such containment fin joints 90 are positioned in areas, along the underlying tissue 44, which correspond to the front and back portions of the personal care item precursors 45 being formed, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The joints 90 can, in the alternative, be manufactured by the application of an adhesive by an application device 62.

With the joints 90 being formed only in the front and back portions of the article precursors for personal care, the edges 91 are not joined to the layer 32 in • the inter-leg portions of the article precursors for personal care 45. Thus, the containment flaps 56 can be stopped with the edges 91 positioned outwardly of the layer 32 with the resulting separate personal care article being assembled over, therefore between the face between the body of the user, and to prevent the runoff of the exudates outward beyond the containment fins 56.

• Figure 6. A conventional containment flap elastic (not shown) extends generally along the length of the inboard edge 91 of the containment flap 56 to help lift, or stop the containment flap on. against of the user's body, thereby providing a seal member against the user's body.

Although Figure 1 shows a single ultrasonic horn 64 and a single anvil roller 66 joining the containment fins 56 and tapes 46, such attachment can be made by means of multiple ultrasonic horns (not shown) and / or multiple anvils. For example, the multiple ultrasonic horns may be spaced along the length of the tissue 44 to form the multiple junctions 86, 88 and 90 on the opposite sides of the fabric 44 and / or elsewhere as desired. The separate and distinct ultrasonic horns of the frame illustrated in item 64 can separately join the belts 46 to the underlying tissue 44.

From the pressure point 68, the tissue 44 then moves to the pressure point 74 formed by the end seal ultrasonic horn 70 and the anvil roller 72. The end seal ultrasonic horn 70, in combination with the anvil roll 72 intermittently forms the end seal joints 76 through a major portion of the width of the underlying tissue 44 by joining the first layer 14 and the second layer 32 in the fabric, and preferably a other. During further processing of the tissue 44 (not shown), the fabric is completely cut across its width whereby the tissue segments defining the individual personal care article precursors 45 are completely cut from the tissue and are therefore formed in individual personal care items 78. The line of such cut is indicated at point 94 in Figure 2 in the middle of the front and tail edges of the end seal joints 76. Therefore, each seal union of end 76 is divided by such cut into two parts. In the first part of the union 76 seals a back part of the front personal care article precursor (for example 45B) and a second attachment part 76 seals a front waist of a respective tail personal care article precursor (by example 45A).

In a step prior to cutting the tissue 44, the leg cuts 96 are removed from the underlying tissue by a cutting roller (not shown) or the like and by suction • removal. The leg cuts 96 are illustrated by the dotted lines in the leg portions 83 of the personal care article precursors 45A and 45B in Figure 2. Such leg cuts are generally made before the fabric 44 is cut. in individual personal care items 78. 10 In another embodiment, shown in Figure 3, the infrared sensor 80 senses the underlying tissue 44 after the leg cutting cutter device 98, working against the opposite roller 100, has cut leg cuts 96 and the waste material has been removed from the fabric 44. This incorporation generally operates in the same manner as the embodiment of Figure 1. However, the processing apparatus 82, using an image developed data • collected by the infrared sensor 80, they can perceive the presence or absence of the ultrasonic joints 88 in the areas corresponding to the leg cuts 96. If such joints 88 are present in the inter-leg portion of the precursors 45, the processing apparatus 82 concludes that the leg cuts have not been removed successfully and the article for cut personal care is culled and sent to an adjustment command to the appropriate elements of the manufacturing machinery. If the condition persists, the manufacturing line 10 can be turned off by the processing apparatus 82. In addition, the operator can be warned of the failure of the cutting device • leg cut 98 so he or she can intervene 5 personally to ensure that appropriate corrective action is taken.

The first layer storage device 12 preferably comprises a roll of rolled material progressively corresponding to the first layer 14. The • storage device 12 is generally designed to accommodate the change rolls so that when a first roll of layer material 14 is exhausted, the leading end of a second roll can be automatically fed together with the tail end of the first roll so that the feed of the first layer 14 can be changed from the first roll as a supply roll to the second roll as a supply roll while continuously feeding the layer material 14 to the manufacturing line 10. The first layer 14 may comprise an outer cover of the article for personal care. The first layer 14 may be formed of a single layer, or of multiple components, layers, or partial layers, of material, typically at a surface-to-surface ratio with one another, so that the resulting outer covering is essentially impermeable to liquids. A typical first layer 14 can be made of a thin plastic film or other flexible liquid impermeable material. For example, the first layer 14 can be formed of a polyethylene film having a thickness of from about 0.012 millimeters to about 0.051 millimeters.

When it is desirable for the first layer 14 to have a more fabric-like feel, said layer 14 may comprise, for example, a polyethylene film laminated to a non-woven fabric, such as a fabric bonded with spinning of polyolefin fibers. For example, a polyethylene film having a thickness of about 0.015 millimeters can thermally or otherwise laminate thereto a woven fabric bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn having a thickness of from 1.5 to 2.5 denier per filament, whose Non-woven fabric has a basis weight of around 24 grams per square meter. In addition, the first layer 14 can be formed of a woven or non-woven fibrous web which has been fully or partially constructed and / or treated to impart a desired level of liquid impermeability to the selected regions that are adjacent to or close to the Moreover, the first layer 14 can optionally be composed of a microporous material which allows the vapors to escape from the absorbent core 20 and through the first layer 14 while preventing the liquid exudates from passing through. of the first layer.

The absorbent core device 18 may comprise a conventional apparatus which forms the absorbent cores which are placed on the first layer 14 by the drive roller 22. Such absorbent core forming devices are well known in the art for personal care.

The absorbent cores suitably comprise a relatively thicker structure, compared to the first layer 14 or the second layer 32, and include a matrix of hydrophilic fibers, such as a cellulosic fluff, preferably in combination with a high-absorbency material commonly. known as superabsorbent material. In a particular embodiment, the absorbent cores 20 comprise a mixture of superabsorbent hydrogel forming particles and pulp fluff. Instead of the wood pulp fluff, one can use meltblown, polymeric, synthetic fibers or a combination of melt blown fibers and natural fibers. The superabsorbent can be essentially mixed homogeneously with the hydrophilic fibers or it can be otherwise combined in the absorbent core to form superabsorbent zones 84 having relatively higher concentrations of superabsorbent particles. Other configurations of superabsorbents are also contemplated, but the use of superabsorbent zones 84 will generally provide the best containment of body exudate fluids.

Alternatively, an absorbent core 20 may comprise a laminate of fibrous fabrics and superabsorbent material or other suitable means for maintaining a superabsorbent material in a localized area.

Absorbent cores 20 can have any of a number of global shapes. For example, the absorbent core may be rectangular, oval or other modified hourglass shape shown in Figure 2. The relatively thicker structure of the absorbent core 20 generally does not extend over the full dimensions of the first layer 14. or of the second layer 32.

The superabsorbent material in the absorbent core 20 may be selected from natural, synthetic and / or modified natural polymers and materials. The high-absorbency materials may be inorganic materials such as silica gels, or organic compounds such as crosslinked polymers. The term "crosslinked" refers to any means for effectively making the materials normally water-soluble essentially insoluble but swellable in water by means of the aqueous fluid, whereby the absorbent properties are available but the swollen material is essentially immobile after absorb water-based liquids. Such means may include, for example, physical entanglement, crystalline domains, covalent bonds, ionic complexes and ionic associations, hydrophilic associations such as hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic associations or Van der Waals forces.

The drive roller 22 may comprise a conventional absorbent transfer roll for receiving and transferring the absorbent cores 20 to the first layer 14.

The leg elastics storage unit 26 may comprise a conventional elastic unit by applying the first and second spaced elastics on the second layer 32 through the elastic securing roller 42. The leg elastics 28 are typically pre-stretched prior to application in the second layer 32. Suitable materials for forming the leg elastics 28 include yarns, tapes, or one or more layers of a polymeric and / or elastomeric material. The leg elastics 28 can suitably comprise one or more individual threads of elastomeric material. For example, a plurality of elastic threads may be configured in a generally parallel and spaced apart arrangement. A suitable elastic yarn may, for example, be composed of a LYCRA® elastomer of 470 decitex, a LYCRA® elastomer of 320 decitex or other elastomers having the appropriate characteristics.

In other embodiments, the leg elastics 28 may be applied intermittently on the leg portion or individually defined and completed personal care items 78.

In most embodiments, the rear waist elastics (not shown) are contemplated near the end seal joints 76 to allow the finished personal care items 78 to conform and fit into the body of any user who has a waist size within a specified size range. Such back waist elastics may comprise threads, tapes, or one or more layers of a polymeric and / or elastomeric material, preferably a material to the closure body adhered to the personal care article 78 while the elastics are in a stretched condition. The rear waist elastics can comprise one or more individual threads of elastomeric material, preferably in a generally parallel and spatially separated arrangement. Although the rear waist elastics can be made of materials similar to the leg elastics 28, the amount of retraction force, and generally the thickness of the respective elastic yarns or similar material is generally less.

The second layer storage device preferably comprises a roll of progressively coiled material corresponding to the second layer 32. Such a device is generally designed to accommodate the change rolls so that when a first roll of material layer 32 is exhausted, the second end of a second roll can be automatically fed together with the tail end of the first roll so that the supply of the second layer 32 can be changed from the first roll as the supply roll to the second supply roll while continuously feeding the material layer 32 to the manufacturing line 10.

The second layer 32 may comprise a body-side liner in the finished personal care article. A second suitable layer 32 acts as a side-to-body liner and can be manufactured from a wide selection of fabric materials, such as porous foams, cross-linked foams, perforated plastic films or natural or synthetic fibers. For example, the second layer 323 may comprise wood or cotton fibers. Other possible materials are synthetic fibers, such as polyester or polypropylene fibers, or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The second layer 32 can be beneficially used to help isolate aqueous body exudate liquids, which are maintained in the absorbent core 22 from the wearer's skin.

In addition, various woven and non-woven fabrics can be used for the side-to-body lining. For example, the side-to-body liner may be composed of a meltblown fabric or bonded with polyolefin fiber yarn. The side-to-body liner may comprise a carded and / or bonded fabric of natural and / or synthetic fibers. The side-to-body liner may comprise an essentially hydrophobic material wherein the hydrophobic material is treated with a surfactant or otherwise processed to impart a desired level of wettability and hydrophilicity. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the side-to-body liner may comprise a yarn-bound polypropylene fabric composed of fibers of about 1.0-3.2 deniers formed into a fabric having a basis weight of about 22 grams per meter square and a density of about 0.06 grams per cubic centimeter. Such a cloth is treated with about 0.3 percent by weight of a surfactant.

The second layer 32 may comprise a body-side liner having a multiplicity of components, layers, or partial layers which correspond to any of the materials described herein, as well as other materials known in the art. The side-to-body liner may also comprise a plurality of the above-mentioned materials in a surface-to-surface relationship with one another.

In other embodiments, the second layer 32 may comprise an outer cover and a first layer 14 may comprise a side-to-body liner. Such investment of the fabrics requires corresponding changes in the placement of the manufacturing line 10 in order to arrive at the same final arrangement of elements.

The tape storage device 48 and the application roller 50 may comprise conventional known elements for placing the tapes 46 on an underlying tissue such as the fabric 44. Although Figure 1 illustrates the tapes 46 being placed on an upper surface of the second layer 32, namely an outer surface of the personal care articles, in other embodiments the layers are to be placed between the first and second layers, or on an outer / lower surface of the first outer layer / cover.

The tapes may comprise stretching ears and may comprise any of a variety of fastening elements. For example, the tapes 46 may comprise hook and loop fastener elements to secure a back of the personal care article 78 to the front of the personal care article, in a well-known manner. Other well-known securing elements can be used to support the personal care article 78 on the user. For example, a cohesive system, an adhesive fastener system, or the like can be used as securing elements, with suitable cooperating elements on the front of the personal care article, as necessary, to support the personal care item. 78 about the user.

The containment fin storage unit 54, in combination with the containment flap application roller 58 and the support roller 60, may comprise a containment flap application system. Such a system can continuously apply the containment fin material along opposite sides of the absorbent core 20 by continuously sealing the outer edges of the containment fins to the fabric 44 in the second layer 32, and intermittently sealing the inner edge 91 in a manner that the containment flaps are free to stand on the inner edges 91 only in the inter-leg portions 83 of the personal care articles 78. The containment flaps 56 may be made in whole or in part from materials laid down for the second layer 32. However, to prevent runoff of the exudates transversely beyond the containment fins, the containment fins 56 are preferably formed of liquid impervious materials established for the first layer 14. The containment fins 56 may comprise multiple layers. of material. In such an arrangement, some layers may be impermeable and others permeable, to liquids exuded by the body.

• Ultrasonic horns 64 and 70 preferably comprise well known rotating ultrasonic horns such as the cones set forth in U.S. Patent No. 5,110,403 issued to Ehlert on May 5, 1992, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. reference in its entirety. The adhesives applied by the adhesive application devices 40, 52, 62 generally comprise hot melt adhesives which are hot enough to be fluid when applied, and which are solidify by transferring these heat to the surrounding environment and therefore cooling. The heat radiated from such high temperature adhesives is detectable by an infrared sensor 80 even if the adhesives are covered by other elements of the • underlying tissue 44 so the stickers are hidden from the visual vision. Therefore, the positions and quantities of the various hot adhesives can in general be perceived by the infrared sensor 80 through other components of the personal care articles 78.

The personal care articles 78 typically comprise absorbent articles suitable for ArbitüMiitíMiliHítB ^ ÍB absorb and retain body exudates. Such items include, without limitation, disposable diapers, training underpants, women's care items, and adult incontinence products.

The infrared sensor 80 preferably comprises a passive infrared sensor which senses the differences in temperature at positions along the underlying tissue 44 as the fabric moves along the manufacturing line 10. Namely, the sensor 80 does not rest normally on the projection of any energy into the underlying tissue 44 for the purpose of increasing the ability to perceive the respective elements of the tissue.

However, even though it is not the preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates that one or more of the elements to be detected can be heated or cooled, specifically for the purpose of increasing its detection, at a temperature which will improve the visibility of the observer to distinguish the respective element or elements in the visual image display.

The infrared sensor 80 does not register or retain visible light or ultraviolet light from the underlying tissue. The infrared sensor 80 does not perceive the fluorescent material applied to the fabric. Specifically, the preferred embodiments of this invention contemplate personal care articles 78 that are free of any (for example, fluorescent) material applied for the purpose of being detected as representative of the presence and placement of one or more elements of the precursors. of article for personal care 45 on the processing line 10.

On the other hand, this invention comprises creating a unique composite visual image of signals received from a combination of sensors comprising an infrared sensor and one or both of a visual sensor and an ultraviolet sensor. In the case of using visual or ultraviolet sensors in combination with the infrared sensor 80 any for example visual or fluorescent material known as being coated or painted on an article can be detected, for the purpose of increasing detection, it can also be detected. to be used in this invention to aid detection by the respective ultraviolet or visual sensor.

The infrared sensor 80 generally comprises an infrared vision camera. Examples of suitable cameras are for example model 575 of AGEMA Infrared Systems AB, Danderyd, Sweden, and INFRAMETRICS SCI1000 Therma CAM of INFRAMETRICS, INC. of North Billerica, Massachusetts. 25 ^? mmmau? m Any apparatus used as a sensor 80 optionally in combination with the processing apparatus 82 must suitably have discrimination capability to properly define the contours of various elements of the fabric 44 in the visual image. Therefore, the sensor 80 or a combination of the appropriate sensors and the processing apparatus 82 as appropriate must be capable of distinguishing elements of at least 0.5 millimeters in size and of detecting the locations of the component edges for a resolution of not less than 0.5 millimeters, to thereby provide a clear infrared signature indicating the relative locations of the respective elements on the fabric 44. Infrared energy suitable to be perceived according to the invention by the sensor 80 is defined as having a wavelength or frequency from about one micron to about 15 microns, preferably from about 3 microns to about 12 microns.

The temperature ranges which can be perceived by the example apparatus are about the order of about minus 10 degrees Celsius to about 1500 degrees Celsius above the environment. Certain lower temperatures, or higher temperatures may be perceived by a selective infrared perception apparatus designed for respective higher or lower temperatures. In general, the invention is practiced by perceiving temperatures in the range of about 10 degrees centigrade to about 200 degrees centigrade, preferably from about 15 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade.

Assuming that a normal camera and a normal processor sensitivity of the equipment mentioned above are offered by the suppliers, the different temperatures between the different elements of the fabric 44 can be detected, so that the respective edges of the respective elements that can be seen on the visual display, they can be so small as about 0.1 degrees centigrade to about 10 degrees centigrade, preferably from no more than about 0.2 degrees centigrade to about 5 degrees centigrade. Smaller temperature differences can be detected by providing greater sensitivity in the camera 80 and / or levels above discrimination in the processing apparatus 82.

In another less preferred embodiment, the infrared sensor 80 can be composed of an array of individual infrared sensors that perceive different but contiguous 20 parts of the underlying tissue 44 and report separately to processing apparatuses 82 the energy thus perceived, so that the apparatus of Processing 82 develops the composite visual image of multiple sensors.

In the environment of the manufacturing line 10, the appropriate protection, if needed, can be placed BMHÍáMttíllÜliÜfta around the infrared sensor 80 to avoid the heat of nearby machinery and prevent it from reaching the sensor and divert the data that is being collected.

The infrared sensor 80 may be interleaved for a processing apparatus 82 by known video formats such as the NTSC, RS-170 and VGA formats. These formats allow the image data to be sent from a passive infrared sensor 80 in a readable form by a process apparatus 82.

The processing apparatus 82 comprises a computer module capable of sharing images of an infrared sensor 80 with preselected image values stored in the computer or other memory storage device. An example of a processing apparatus 82 is CHECKPOINT 800 (CVS-V816-000) produced by COGNEX of Natic, Massachusetts, United States of America.

The computer module in the processor device 82 can process the infrared sensor input images and provide outputs from it. The signal processing of the images can be developed and defined several visual images and image signatures specifically associated with the specific process for the manufacture of several specific personal care items 78 that are being perceived by the sensor 80 or by a sensor array correspondent. Signatures are generally defined by the amount of heat in several areas or areas of the article precursors for the • personal care 45 of the tissue 44. 5 The greater the amount of heat in a given part of the tissue, the darker that part of the tissue will appear in the visual image. In general, the sensor 80 is referring to a discrete length of the fabric, such as a length equal to 1-2 stretches of the precursors 45 along the length of the fabric at any given moment. Along the length of the tissue being sensed, the sensor 80 perceives the temperatures based upon an array of signals received from discrete and closely spaced areas of the articles for The personal care that is being evaluated in the tissue, and the output signals either serially or in tandem, represents the temperatures thus perceived around the area being evaluated. The perception of temperatures in the • closely spaced discrete locations can be done through taking a sequence of readings in a serial order. In the alternative perception in closely spaced discrete places can be done by taking the multiple temperature readings simultaneously, using a multiplicity of sensing elements. The method used to collect the data infrared depend on the capacity of infrared instruments that are being used for data collection.

MjaiaÉMti.dbMth Whatever the data collection process used, the multiple readings are combined to create the visual image.

The signatures, namely the visual images, developed from the perceived energy, are sent to the operator station 104 where the visual images are displayed on for example a computer screen, and are preferably also compared with expected signatures and / or standard of the respective personal care products. The different products made according to the different specifications certainly have different signatures correspondingly. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 3, the processing apparatus 82 can send a signal to the take-off unit 102 to take out selected ones from the personal care items that have inadequate signatures. Such inadequate signatures may be caused by an inadequate location out of tolerance of one of the component perceived in relation to another perceived component. Other inadequate signatures can be caused by too little or too much heat being perceived in a certain position, for example, representing too little adhesive, a balloon of excess adhesive or an ineffective ultrasonic bonding.

The signatures that have threshold levels of variation of the objective parameters suggest the removal of the respective defective personal care items 78 as through exiting. Other signatures that show less variations in one or more parameters of one or more components of a personal care item may result in a processing apparatus 82 sending signals to the various elements of the manufacturing line 10. Such signals may cause a controller inside or outside the respective device or unit adjusts the amount of adhesive that is being applied to the respective components of the fabric 44 and / or adjusts the positions of one or more components, such as leg elastics, containment flaps, or the like which are being secured to the underlying tissue 44, for example the amount of pressure that is being applied to one or more of the pressure points.

In addition to or in the alternative, signature variations may lead to out-of-tolerance warning signals, in addition to the routine visual image, which is sent to an operator of the manufacturing line at the operator station 104. The signal Warning may be auditory, visual, tactile or any combination of signal expressions designed to gain operator tension. Such warning signal may display or advertise, without limitation, identified as improper, the direction and degree of variation and / or the proposed corrective action, so that the operator can make appropriate adjustments to the control system of the manufacturing.

The visual image about for example the 5 computer monitor can be refreshed at any desirable frequency. Therefore, the image can be continuously refreshed at the maximum rate of updated information available through the sensor 80 and the processing apparatus 82. Alternatively, the image can be refreshed only intermittently, such as once a minute, every 30 seconds. seconds, every 15 seconds or in any other desired interval within the capacity of the sensor 80 and the processing apparatus 82.

Even when the description given here, and the drawings, illustrate the sensor 80 and the processing apparatus 82 as a separate and individual apparatus, the functions of the sensor 80 and the processing apparatus 82 can be incorporated into a single piece of equipment if desired, so that the signal processing unit is housed in a common box or enclosure together with a sensor unit, as suggested by the dotted contour line 106 around both the sensor 80 and the processing apparatus 82 in Figure 1. In truth, such a combined enclosure may be beneficial in the sense that the space required in the provision of the system, or the printing of the floor plan, can therefore be reduced.

In some embodiments, the outer surface of the second layer 32 has visible figures or symbols printed thereon. Such printed symbols or visual figures are typically decorative in nature. Even when such visible printed figures or symbols interfere with the sensitivity of the product using ultraviolet light or visible light for image perception, such visible symbols or printed figures do not interfere with the ability of the infrared sensor 80 to perceive the thermal properties of the underlying elements. of the printed images, and therefore actually sees through such printed figures or symbols, therefore to continue generating accurate images of the infrared signature in spite of the printed symbols or visual figures.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the cross sections of the precursors 45 of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates the cross section towards the back of the personal care article precursor, showing the absorbent core 20 and the ear 46 in the cross section. Figure 4 also shows the joints 90, 65 respectively on both inner 91 and outer edges 63 of the containment fins 56 outside the leg region.

Figure 5, by contrast, shows only the outer edges 63 of the containment fins 56 joined by the joints 65 in the underlying fabric 44, whereby the inner edge 91 is free to stop, facing away from the second layer of lining from side to body 32 as illustrated in Figure 6, and to interact directly with the user's body when the personal care item is mounted on the body of a user. In addition, Figure 5 illustrates the locations of the containment flaps 56 and the leg elastics 28 relative to the leg cut edges 96.

The invention has been described above in terms of incorporating a number of specific elements or features in the personal care articles such as six specific elements (the first layer 16, the absorbent core 20, the leg elastics 28, the second layer 32, tapes 46 and containment flaps 56) plus adhesives, plus the formation of ultrasonic bonds in the manufacturing process, to make article precursors for personal care 45 and finally articles for personal care 78. number of elements or characteristics can be used as desired, in the manufacture of articles for personal care and wherein the invention comprises the evaluation of the articles for personal care thus manufactured. Therefore, as little as one element (for example a junction location or bond strength) can be evaluated. There is no upper limit to the number or type of elements or characteristics that can be evaluated as long as the various elements or characteristics can be distinguished from each other on the visual image or can otherwise be evaluated. Less than all the relevant elements or characteristics can be evaluated on a given visual image. • Referring to figures 2, 7 and 8, the darker and wider is the seal line on the visual image, the seal will generally be safer. Correspondingly, a relatively narrower and lighter seal line indicates a rapidly weaker seal. A relatively stamp line wider and darker indicates a relatively stronger seal. Therefore, any processing apparatus 82 or an operator can evaluate the strength of the seals according to the combination of the width and darkness of the seal on the visual image. A plurality of infrared sensor elements can be combined in a single infrared sensor instrument, where the various sensor elements cooperate with each other to define the composite visual image, for example, the image displayed on the monitor 81.

A plurality of infrared sensors 80 can be placed in a corresponding plurality of locations along the length of the manufacturing line 10. Such The plurality of infrared sensors can be all perceived data supplied to a common processor apparatus 82. In the Alternatively, the plurality of sensors may be to supply the perceived data to a plurality of processing apparatuses. (not shown), so in the plurality the processing device is coordinated by a master controller (not shown).

The invention has been illustrated here as a quality control or manufacturing control tool. The invention can also be used as a research and / or development tool for the exploration, evaluation or destructive support, for example, testing of new materials, new sets, new arrangements of elements, new arrangements of old elements and similar.

In addition, the invention has been illustrated herein as having an advantage for perceiving through a visually obstructive material which is for example opaque, translucent or occlusive or the like. The invention is equally operable and useful for the advantage to perceive the infrared properties through clear or transparent materials which are emitting infrared energy as described above.

As used herein, "an element" of the personal care article 78 or a precursor of the personal care article 45 includes the ultrasonic joints and the adhesive joints, including the adhesive used for the purposes of making such joints, as well as the tangible elements having relatively fixed dimensions such as the absorbent core 20, the tapes 46 and the containment fins 56.

Those skilled in the art will now see that certain modifications can be made to the invention described herein with respect to the illustrated embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and even though the invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, understands that the invention is adapted to numerous arrangements, modifications and alterations, all such arrangements, modifications and alterations are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims.

To the extent that the following claims use a media language plus function, this does not mean that it includes there, or in the present description, anything that is not structurally equivalent to what is shown in the embodiments described in the description.

Claims (94)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing composite personal care article products and perceiving the characteristics of the assembly quality of the personal care article products thus manufactured, at least one of the components of the precursors of the article products for personal care, thus manufactured comprise a continuous fabric of material, said manufacturing apparatus comprising: (a) a manufacturing machine arranged to transport the fabric along a manufacturing line beyond a plurality of work stations where the work is carried out on the fabric, to manufacture the article precursors for care personal according to a predetermined arrangement, to thereby form an array of precursors of such articles for personal care on the woven; (b) a separation apparatus separating the tissue, and arranging article precursors for personal care on the tissue, and on individual personal care items, including cutting the tissue through a transverse dimension of the same; And (c) a signal processing and infrared perception apparatus placed in a cooperative relationship with the tissue, and which perceives the infrared signatures of the product • manufactured on the fabric, thereby determining the characteristics of the assembly quality of a respective of the articles for personal care compounds or of the precursors of articles for personal care compounds, and emit a signal representative of the perceived characteristics.

2. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared sensor apparatus, and a signal processing apparatus. 15 distinct and physically separated receiving a signal emitted from the infrared sensor apparatus and processing said signal to provide a processor output representative of at least one of the items for personal care or article precursors for manufactured personal care on 20 said manufacturing line.

3. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said manufacturing machinery places an absorbent article on the 25, and a lining material side to body on the absorbent core so that the absorbent core is between the fabric and the lining material from side to body, said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus sees and perceives the position of the absorbent core through the visually obstructive material.

4. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the visually obstructive material is one of the side-to-body and woven lining.

5. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 2, said manufacturing machinery places an absorbent core on the fabric, and a lining material side by side on the absorbent core so that the absorbent core is between the fabric and the lining material from side to body, one of the lining material side to the body of the fabric has a first surface facing the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus, the first surface has a visual printed image thereon, the perception by said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives a quality of assembly under a respective one of the lining material from side to body and tissue, through the visual printed image.

6. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises an assurance apparatus for securing at least parts of the respective components of the personal care articles to each other to form the article precursors for the care personal composite in a continuous weave of such precursors bonded to one another along a length of the weave.

7. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that said securing apparatus includes an adhesive application apparatus that applies adhesive to secure at least the first parts of the first respective components to the second parts of the second ones. respective of the components.

8. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the position of the adhesive in such articles for personal care.

9. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus receives the quantities of adhesive placed in such articles for the 25 personal care. ÜhMlMil ^ MiMM ^^^^

10. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that it includes a leg elastic positioning apparatus that is spaced from the respective adjacent opposite outer edges of the leg elastics of the edges of the fabric along the lengths of items for personal care, and adhering the leg elastics to the components of the fabric or over the woven.

11. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that it includes an adhesive device that places the molten and hot adhesive on the leg elastics, said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the position of the adhesive 15 hot melt on the leg elastic and therefore indirectly detects the positions of the leg elastics on the articles for personal care.

12. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the side-to-body lining layer that is being placed between said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus and the leg elastics, said apparatus of signal processing and infrared perception perceives the positions of the adhesive, and thus the positions of the leg elastics through the lining layer from side to body. •• ... MMÜW? JjJa

13. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said manufacturing machine places the absorbent cores on the tissue as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the absorbent cores have zones comprising relative concentrations of superabsorbent, said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives the relative concentration zones of the superabsorbents as distinct from the remains of the absorbent cores.

14. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said manufacturing machine places the containment flaps on the tissue as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the containment flaps being secured in the fabric by union and therefore creating joints, said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceive characteristics and position of the joints.

15. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that said securing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn and a cooperating anvil, said ultrasonic horn provides ultrasonic energy to create uniting junctions, in the precursors of the personal care item, at least one component of such article precursors for personal care.

16. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 15 characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the positions of the ultrasonic joints.

17. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 15 characterized in that the output of said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus provides an indication to an operator station when said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus does not detect the presence of the ultrasonic joints.

18. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the coincidence of predetermined components.

19. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the output of said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus sends an alarm signal to an operator station that identifies the existence of an inadequate condition of at least one of the components.

20. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus emits a pick-up signal to select one selected from articles for personal care of the manufacturing line.

21. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the output of said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus can turn off the manufacturing line.

22. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the output of said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus calls attention to characteristics or components of personal care items that are not within the tolerances of pre-selected control.

23. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the output of said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus issues a control command, and therefore activates a match control function.

24. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus senses the presence of leg cuts on personal care articles and controls an alarm for an operator station.

25. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the assembly quality characteristics common to the personal care articles that are being manufactured on the manufacturing line, the assembly quality characteristics, in combination, comprise a signature for the personal care items that are being manufactured.

26. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceive parts of personal care articles having temperatures as low as about 10 degrees centigrade and up to about 200 degrees Celsius.

27. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises a passive infrared sensor that perceives the temperature differences across the global projected surface defined by an area of one or more articles for personal care.

28. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus comprises a • infrared camera that collects infrared images of 5 articles for personal care.

29. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1, the output of said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus comprises a 10 composite visual image representative of at least one of the articles for personal care or of the precursors of the article for personal care.

30. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared camera that collects, for each visual image, an array of infrared signals from discrete areas of the articles for the personal care that are being valued.

31. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the output of said signal processing and infrared perception apparatus represents a condition out of tolerance in the article for personal care or in the precursor of article for perceived personal care, and wherein said infrared perception and signal processing apparatus sends a signal out of tolerance to an operator station.

32. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 1 characterized said manufacturing machine further coses: (d) a first layer device and a first turning device, feeding the tissue to said manufacturing line; (e) an absorbent core device that feeds the absorbent cores to the fabric in said manufacturing line; (f) a second layer device and a second tumbling device, a second outer layer being fed into the manufacturing line and onto the first layer the absorbent cores; (g) a leg elastics device that supplies the leg elastics to the manufacturing line; (h) a containment fin device that feeds the containment fins to the manufacturing line above the second outer layer; (i) a first joining device that applies generally continuous connections along opposite sides of the fabric along substantially the entire length of the fabric downwardly of the attachment device; (j) a second joining device that applies the end seals along the ends of the respective personal care article precursors.

33. A manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 32, characterized in that said manufacturing machinery further coses: (k) a first adhesive application device that applies adhesive to the leg elastics, thereby adhering the leg elastics to the personal care article precursor; (1) a tape storage device that supplies tapes to the manufacturing line; (m) a second adhesive application device that applies adhesive to the tapes, to thereby adhere the tapes to the precursor of the personal care article; (n) a third adhesive application device that applies adhesive to the containment fins, thereby adhering the containment fins on the precursors of the personal care article on the absorbent core.

34. A method for perceiving the quality characteristics of assembly of a fabric of personal care articles or article precursors for personal care that are being manufactured by a processing apparatus, each article for personal care or each article precursor for care personal has a side-to-body liner, an outer cover defined on the fabric, and at least one element of the personal care article or the personal care item precursor placed between the body-side liner and the outer cover , the method includes: (a) using a signal processing and infrared perception apparatus employing an infrared sensor, perceives the quality characteristics of at least one element through a visually and relatively opaque one of the outer shell and the shell from side to body , and emit the first signals from the infrared sensor; Y (b) perceiving the signals emitted to an element of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus which may respond by taking out the second signals indicative of the assembly quality characteristics of the articles for personal care or of the precursors of personal care items that are being manufactured by the processor.

35. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus coses an infrared sensor apparatus, and a physically separate and distinct signal processing apparatus that receives a signal emitted from the apparatus of infrared sensor and which processes such a signal to provide a processor output representative of at least one of the articles for personal care or personal care item precursors manufactured on the manufacturing line.

36. A method as claimed in clause 34 characterized in that the personal care article precursors cose absorbent cores on the fabric, and the lining material side by side on the absorbent cores so that the absorbent cores are between the tissue and the side-to-body lining material, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus sees and perceives the position of the absorbent core through the visually obstructive material.

37. A method as claimed in clause 36, characterized in that the visually obstructive material is one of the lining side by side to the body and the fabric.

38. A method as claimed in clause 35, characterized in that the article precursors for personal care comprises absorbent cores on the fabric, and the lining material side by side on the absorbent cores so that the absorbent cores are between the fabric and lining material from side to body, one from the side-to-body lining material and from the outer cover have a first surface facing the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus, the first surface has an image printed on it, the perception of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives an assembly quality characteristic under a respective one of the outer cover and the lining material from side to body, through the visual printed image .

39. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the securing apparatus secures at least parts of the respective components of the personal care articles to each other to form the personal care article precursors composed in a continuous tissue of such precursors attached to one another along a stretch of tissue, the perception and infrared processing apparatus perceives the quality of such assurance.

40. A method as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the adhesive application apparatus applies adhesive to secure at least the first parts of the first respective components to the second parts of the respective second of the components, the apparatus of signal processing and infrared perception perceives the position of the adhesive in personal care articles.

41. A method as claimed in clause 40, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives amounts of adhesive placed in personal care articles.

42. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the plastic laying apparatus places the leg elastics, spaced apart from each other and adjacent to the respective opposite outer edges of the leg cuts of the fabric, along the the lengths of articles for personal care and adhering the leg elastics to the components of or on the fabric, the adhesive apparatus places the hot melted adhesive on the leg elastics, the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives the position of the melted and hot adhesive on the leg elastic and therefore indirectly detects the positions of the leg elastics on the personal care articles.

43. A method as claimed in clause 42, characterized in that the side-to-body lining layer is placed between the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus and the leg elastics, the signal processing and perception apparatus. Infrared perceives the positions of the adhesive, and therefore the positions of the leg elastics, through the lining layer from side to body.

44. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the manufacturing machinery places the absorbent cores on tissue as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the absorbent cores have zones comprising relative concentrations of superabsorbent, the apparatus of signal processing and infrared perception perceive areas of relative concentration of superabsorbent as distinct from the rest of the absorbent nuclei.

45. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the manufacturing machinery that places the containment flaps on the fabric as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the containment flaps are secured in the fabric by the a hot melted adhesive, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the position and quantity of the hot melt adhesive.

46. A method as claimed in clause 39, characterized in that the securing apparatus comprises an ultrasonic horn and a cooperating anvil that provide ultrasonic energy to create joints that join, in the personal care item precursors, at least one of the components of such article precursors for personal care.

47. A method as claimed in clause 46, characterized in that the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives the positions of the ultrasonic joints.

48. A method as claimed in clause 46, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus provides an indication to an operator station when the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus does not detect the presence of the ultrasonic joints.

49. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the coincidence of predetermined components.

50. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus sends an alarm signal to an operator station which identifies the existence of an inadequate condition of at least one of the components .

51. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus emits a thinning signal to take out a selected one of the articles for personal care of the manufacturing line.

52. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus turns off the manufacturing line.

53. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus calls attention to the characteristics or components of personal care items that are not within preselected control tolerances. .

54. A method as claimed in clause 34 characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus senses the presence of leg cuts on personal care items and controls an alarm to an operator station.

55. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the assembly quality characteristics common to the personal care articles that are being manufactured on the manufacturing line, the quality characteristics of the assembly, in combination, comprising a signature of the articles for personal care that are being manufactured.

56. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus senses portions of personal care articles having temperatures as low as about 10 degrees centigrade and up to about 10 degrees centigrade. 200 degrees Celsius.

57. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises a passive infrared sensor that perceives the temperature differences across the global projected surface defined by an area of one of the articles for personal care.

58. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared camera that collects infrared images of the articles for personal care.

59. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that it includes taking out a signal from the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus and fabricating a representative visual image composed of at least one of the items for personal care or of the precursors of article for personal care, of the signal issued.

60. A method as claimed in clause 59, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared camera that collects, for each visual image, an array of infrared signals from discrete areas of the respective personal care items that are being evaluated.

61. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that it includes emitting, to an operator station, a signal from the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus, the emitted signal represents an out-of-tolerance condition in the article for personal care or in the precursor of personal care item.

62. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that it includes keeping the personal care articles free of flscent material and that of other polishing additives. 15 optical as they are used for detection purposes, through the manufacture of articles for personal care.

63. A method as claimed in clause 34, characterized in that infrared energy received 20 from the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus is being received through a passive infrared sensor.

64. A method for making composite article 25 personal care products, at least one of the components of the precursors of the article products for AÉttHllltHMÜttl ^ í personal care thus manufactured comprise a fabric of continuous material, the method comprises: ^ * w (a) transporting the fabric along a manufacturing line 5, beyond a plurality of work stations where the work is carried out on the fabric, to manufacture the article precursors for personal care according to a predetermined arrangement, therefore to form an array of precursors of such articles for personal care on the tissue; (b) separating the tissue segments and the article precursors for personal care on the same from the tissue, and inside the articles for personal care 15 individual including cutting the tissue through the transverse dimension thereof; Y (c) perceive the infrared signatures of the product manufactured on the fabric, thereby determining the 20 quality characteristics of assembly of some of the articles for personal care compounds or article precursors for personal care, and emit a signal representative of the perceived characteristics.

65. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared sensor apparatus and a separate and physically separated signal processing apparatus that receives a signal emitted from the infrared sensor apparatus and processing such signal to provide a processor output representative of at least one of the articles for personal care or personal care item precursors manufactured on the manufacturing line.

66 A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the manufacturing machinery places an absorbent core on the fabric, and a lining material side by side on the absorbent core so that the absorbent core is between the fabric and the side-to-body lining material, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus sees and perceives the position of the absorbent core through the visually obstructive material.

67. The manufacturing apparatus as claimed in clause 66, characterized in that the visually obstructive material is one of the side-to-body and woven liner.

68. A method as claimed in clause 65, the manufacturing machinery places an absorbent core on the fabric, and a lining material side by side on the absorbent core so that the absorbent core is between the fabric and the material. of lining, one of the facing material to the body and the tissue having a first surface facing the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus, the first surface has a visual printed image thereon, the perception by the processing apparatus of signal and infrared perception perceives a set quality characteristic under a respective one of the body lining material and the fabric, through a visual printed image.

69. A method as claimed in clause 64, wherein the belay device ensures at least parts of the respective components of articles for personal care each other to form the precursor article for personal care compounds in a continuous weave of such precursors attached to one another along a length of the fabric.

70. A method as claimed in clause 69, wherein the application device applies adhesive to secure at least the first portions of the first respective components to second portions of second respective component.

71. A method as claimed in clause 70, characterized in that the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus detect the position of the • adhesive on personal care items.

72. A method as claimed in clause 70, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the amounts of adhesive placed in personal care articles. 10

73. A method as claimed in clause 64, wherein the placement apparatus places the leg elastic leg elastics spaced opposite side of the respective outer edges of the cuts 15 of the leg of the fabric along the lengths of the articles for personal care, and adhere the leg elastics to the components of the fabric or on the fabric.

74. A method as claimed in clause 73, characterized in that the adhesive apparatus places the molten, hot adhesive on the leg elastics, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the position of the hot melt adhesive on the leg elastics. the leg elastic and therefore indirectly detects the 25 positions of the leg elastics on the articles for personal care.

75. A method as claimed in clause 74, wherein the layer forum side the body is being placed between the apparatus and signal processing infrared perception and the leg elastics, the processing apparatus and signal Infrared perception perceives the positions of the adhesive, and therefore the positions of the leg elastics, through the lining layer from side to body.

76. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the manufacturing machinery places absorbent cores on the tissue as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the absorbent cores have zones comprising relative concentrations of superabsorbent, the apparatus of signal processing and infrared perception perceives the zones of relative concentration of the superabsorbent as distinct from the rest of the absorbent nuclei.

77. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the manufacturing machinery places the containment flaps on the fabric as elements of the article precursors for personal care, the positioning flaps being secured in the fabric by the adhesive hot and cold, the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the position and quantity of the hot melt adhesive.

• 78. A method as claimed in clause 69, the securing apparatus comprises one of an ultrasonic bonding apparatus and a thermal apparatus that provides bonding energy to create joining junctions, in the precursors of the article for personal care, at least one of the components of such article precursors for personal care. •

79. A method as claimed in clause 78, characterized in that the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus perceives the positions of the 15 ultrasonic connections.

80. A method as claimed in clause 78, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus provides a 20 indication to an operator station when the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus does not detect the presence of the ultrasonic joints.

81. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the coincidence of predetermined components.

82. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the output of the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus sends an alarm signal to an operator station which identifies the existence of an improper condition of at least one of the components.

83. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus outputs a thinning signal to select selected ones from the articles for personal care of the manufacturing line.

84. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the output of the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus shuts off the manufacturing line.

85. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the output of the infrared perception processing apparatus draws attention to characteristics or components of the personal care items that are not within the preselected control tolerances.

97. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives the presence of leg cuts on articles for personal care and 5 control an alarm to an operator station.

87. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus senses the characteristics of

The quality of assembly common to personal care items is being fabricated on the manufacturing line, the characteristics of assembly quality in combination, comprising a signature of the personal care items being manufactured. 88. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus perceives parts of personal care articles having temperatures as low as 20 from around 10 degrees Celsius to around 200 degrees Celsius.

89. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the processing apparatus of The signal and infrared perception comprises a passive infrared sensor that perceives temperature differences across the global projected surface defined by an area of one of the personal care items.

90. A method as claimed in 5 clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared camera that collects the infrared images from the articles for personal care. 10

91. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus emits a signal useful for fabricating a visual image composed or representative of at least one of the articles for the care personal or of the 15 article precursors for personal care.

92. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the infrared perception and signal processing apparatus comprises an infrared camera 20 that collects for each visual image, an array of infrared signals from discrete areas of the personal care items that are being evaluated.

93. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that the signal processing and infrared perception apparatus emits a signal, representative j l mtMm ^? * of a non-tolerance condition in the article for personal care or in the precursor of personal care item to an operator station.

94. A method as claimed in clause 64, characterized in that it includes keeping the personal care articles free of fluorescent material and other additives for optical brightening as used for detection purposes. SUMMARY The invention pertains to the manufacture of personal care article products composed on a manufacturing line, and to perceive the quality characteristics of the assembly or set of such personal care article products thus manufactured, using an image perception apparatus. infrared, and a signal processing apparatus to process the infrared energy thus perceived, to fabricate the visual displays of the composite images perceived by the infrared perception apparatus. Through the use of infrared imaging, and the perception of the various temperatures of the elements that are being placed and worked on the manufacturing line, the elements of the personal care items are hidden from the visual observation and can be perceived by perceiving the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. The elements which are available for visual observation can similarly be perceived where the temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by means of infrared sensitive receptors. Typically, a suitable infrared signature can be obtained without adding to the elements whose quality is being evaluated, no increase in heat for purposes of increased detection of such element or such elements.