MXPA01006165A - Process for cutting and placing discrete components in registry onto a moving web of material - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two components cut from moving webs of material, registering the components with respect to one another, and depositing the registered components on a web of moving material. The components have respective leading and trailing edges, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a point midway on said longitudinal center line between said leading and trailing edges. The process comprises the steps of:a) cutting the first workpiece components (53) from a web (51) of first material moving at first speed;b) transferring the cut first workpiece component (53) to overlay a web (61) of a second material moving at a second speed;c) cutting the second workpiece component (63) from the second web (61) while incorporating the overlying cut first workpiece component (53) wholly or partially within the cut boundaries of the second workpiece component (63);and d) transferring the cut and mated first (53) and second (63) workpiece components to a web (71) of third material moving at a third speed. A process for making a multi-component sanitary napkin using the process of the invention is also disclosed.

Description

PROCESS FOR CUTTING AND PLACING DISCRETE COMPONENTS IN REGISTRATION ON A FABRIC OF MOVING MATERIAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for cutting parts of a work piece that move different speeds in relation to each other and apply the parts to a fabric of moving material. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for cutting parts of at least two fabrics of moving material which move at different speeds and depositing the parts with a controllable correspondence on a third web of continuously moving material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Items such as infant diapers, adult incontinence garments, women's towels and the like have generally been manufactured by processes and where the parts or components of the article are deposited on a product fabric continuously in motion. Frequently, the speed with which the parts or components are produced and supplied to the process is not the same as the speed of advance of the fabric of product itself In such cases, the speed of production and / or deposit of the component parts on the fabric in motion you must vary to match the speed of the fabric of the product to properly match the parts to the moving fabric without adversely affecting the process or the finished item.

Various methods are known in the art for changing the velocity of a part or component of a material to deposit on a continuously moving tissue. The method employs segmented rollers in sections which can move inwards and outwards in a radial direction to the direction of rotation. As the roller rotates, the segments are driven by gear or camming means to move in and out by changing the linear surface velocity of the roller segments as the roller rotates through each revolution.

Another method uses festoons to reduce the speed of the moving fabric to which the parts or components are to be applied. The tissue is continuously moving and temporarily decelerated at the speed of the component parts that are to be deposited, with the excess part of tissue continuously moving in festoons while the fabric is continuously moving and decelerating to correspond to the speed of the fabric. the component parts, the parts are transferred to the fabric and the speed of the fabric is then accelerated to fold the festoons before the next cycle.

Another method is the so-called "slip-off" method in which the parts or components are cut from a fabric of material that moves at a slower speed than that of the product. When the component parts of the first fabric of material are cut, they are maintained either in the anvil roll or in the cutter roller by means of a vacuum. When the pieces pass tangentially to the fabric of the product that is continuously moving, which is moving to a At different speeds, the parts or components slip temporarily until they are transferred with vacuum to the tissue continuously moving.

These known methods of transferring part components moving at a speed, to a continuously moving tissue moving at a different speed, does not refer to the problem of ensuring a careful correspondence of the component parts deposited on the fabric continuously in motion. The problem is exacerbated when there is a need to deposit two or more components, one on top of the other, on a continuously moving tissue, while ensuring a careful correspondence from one component to another, or with the moving tissue.

There is still a need for an efficient process for depositing the workpiece components that move at different tissue speeds on a substrate fabric whose process ensures exact correspondence of the parts with respect to each other.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, it provides a process for manufacturing a multiple component product comprising at least two components cut from fabrics of moving material, matching the components with respect to each other, and depositing the components that have been removed. made to correspond on a woven of material and movement. The components have the respective front and tail edges, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal centr defined by a point in the middle on said longitudinal central line between said front and tail edges. The process comprises the steps of a) cutting the first work piece component of a fabric of a first material moving at a first speed; b) transferring the first cut piece of work to lie on a fabric of a second material moving at a second speed; c) cutting the second work piece component of the second fabric while fully or partially incorporating the first cut workpiece component partially overlapped within the cut boundaries of the second work piece component; and d) transferring the first and second workpiece components cut and which have been made to correspond to a fabric of a third material moving at a third speed.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a multi-component absorbent personal hygiene article comprising a cover layer, a transmission or distribution component layer, a fluid transfer retro component layer. , and an absorbent layer, and a barrier or backing layer, with the distribution, fluid retention and absorbent layers being of different length which have been positionally matched with respect to one another on the backing layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES Figure 1 is a representation of the general process steps of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a representation of the steps d making a sanitary napkin using the process of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows, in a perspective view, a schematic representation of an embodiment of a machine for practicing the process of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows the components and the fabric of product moving through the machine of the figure in a side view taken along the line of cut A-of figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an assembly of anvil and matrix cutting rollers for cutting a fabric of material by the "cut and stair" method.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a set of die and anvil cutting rollers for cutting a fabric of material by means of the "butterfly cut" method.

Figure 7 partially shows a plan view partly in section of a sanitary towel called "mini" produced with the machine and the process of the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a side and cutaway view of the sanitary napkin of Figure 8 taken along the cutting line B-B of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side sectional view of a sanitary towel called "maxi" as in Figure 8, showing the additional component of the superabsorbent applicator 94.

Figure 10 is an end view of a side switch vacuum system.

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch of Figure 10 taken along the cutting line C-C.

Figure 12 shows an end view of a central switch vacuum system.

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the switch of Figure 12 taken along the cutting line D-D.

The invention is not limited in its application the details or arrangements of the components or steps of the process set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of further incorporations or being practiced or carried out in various other ways. It is also understood that the terminology and phraseology employed herein are for the purpose of description and illustration and should not be viewed as limiting. The same reference numbers in the figures of the drawings are used to indicate equal components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED INCORPORATIONS An embodiment of a machine for carrying out the process of the present invention is represented in figure 3 which schematically shows a machine for depositing two components of different lengths, cut d material fabrics that move at different speeds, which have been made correspond one with respect to another, and deposit it on a third tissue that moves at a third speed Since the two components have different lengths, the tissues of which each one is cut and the apparatus for cutting each of its tissue, must moving at different speeds The machine of the invention provides the married correspondence of the two components, as well as the deposit of the married components on a third tissue which is moving at a different speed from that of any of the two tissues of the fabrics. which components were cut.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the machine 1 comprises as its main components, a first component of the matrix and transfer cutter 20, a second component of the matrix and transfer cutter apparatus 30, a recording apparatus 40, and a main product knitting transport apparatus 50. The engraving roller 42 and its associated engraving roll anvil 44 are driven at a constant velocity equal to the speed of the machine line axis and the speed of the fabric of product 91, measured in terms d product per minute. The first and second transfer die and component cutting rollers 22 and second 32 and their respective cutter anvil rollers 24 and 34 are driven at a constant speed.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a fabric 51 d of a first material is delivered under slight tension to the roller 12. The material is then passed between the first roll of the component transfer cutting die 22 and the roller of the cutting anvil of die 24 for cutting the fabric 51 of the prime material into the component pieces 53 having the desired dimensions.

The "cookie cutter" blade on the die cutting and transfer roll 22 can be configured to cut the component pieces by either the "stair cut" method or by a "butterfly cut" method as described in FIG. shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. The ladder cutting method is shown in a generalized manner in Figure 5, where the advancing fabric 51 passes between the matrix cutting roller and the transfer roller 22 and the roller anvil 24. The "ladder" 52 d cut of the cut weave is shown moving up and out of the die and anvil cut rolls. A first cut component part 53 is shown moving along the process stream outwards the rollers. The lengths of the parts of the cutting component 53 are indicated in figures 5 and 6 with the dimensions Lc. The component repetition length, for example, the distance between the leading edge of a cut component and the leading edge of the next cut component, is indicated by LQJ and the repetition length of the product, eg the distance between the leading edge of a component. The completed product and the leading edge of the next product in the process stream is indicated by LPR which may or may not be the same as the repeating component length.

Even when they are shown as pieces having parallel sides and semicircular ends, the component parts 53, cut by the ladder cutting method, can be any desired shape. Since the fabric 51 of the material in the ladder cutting method is of a width greater than the width of the cutting component parts, there is a trimming region of the ladder 52 along the sides of each component piece. similar, there is a region of length cut LCR-L between the successive component parts. As a result of this, the component parts 53 can be cut into any shape desired by the ladder cutting method such as circular, elliptical, the "dog bone" shape, meshed, and so on. Although it has the advantage of allowing the component parts to be cut into any desired shape, the ladder cutting method suffers, however, from the disadvantage of having more trimming than the butterfly cutting method, which is shown in the figure. 6 In Figure 6, a fabric 51 d is shown advancing material passing between the die cutting roller 22 and the anvil roller 24 to produce the component parts 53 cut by the butterfly method. The cut pieces 5 are smaller than those derived from the ladder cutting method. The component length, the repeating component length and the product repetition length are indicated as Lc, LCR, and LPR, respectively, as in Fig. 5.

Since, in the butterfly cutting method, the material fabric 51 is the same width as that of the final cut component parts 53, there is less clipping but the cut pieces are constrained to have the parallel sides of the fabric 51. However , in an alternate embodiment, the lateral edges of the material material advancing to be cut by the butterfly cutting method may be previously cut so that the sides of the fabric have a repeating pattern of any desired shape. It is a simple matter to match the cutting frequency in the roll of matrix cutting with the repetition frequency with the pattern of lateral cutting in the fabric to produce component parts cut by the butterfly cutting method, but having the lateral edges formed . This alternative adds, however, the cost and complexity of the process and therefore prefers the option of cutting the component parts by the butterfly method of a fabric that has parallel sides.

The butterfly cutting method is also preferred in those cases where the fabric of material that is to be cut into component parts is expensive, and the amount of trimming generated by the cutting process will be minimized.

Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the figures show the first component fabric that is being cut into the component parts by means of the staircase cutting method, as mentioned above, and any method of stair cutting or method Butterfly cutting may be used During the cutting step of the first discrete components 5 of the fabric 51, the matrix and transfer cutting roller 22 and its associated cutting anvil roller 24 move at the same speed as the advancing fabric 51. As the fabric component is cut, its leading edge is maintained on the surface of the matrix cutting and transfer roller 2 through vacuum means internal to the roller 22, as well as by the natural tendency of the cut component to remain in the "cookie cutter" blade. This tendency of cutter component to remain on the cutting blade is used as an advantage over the transfer rolls of the cutting die as will be discussed below.

Once the component 53 is completely cut from the fabric 51, the component is transferred to the fabric 61 A unique feature of the machine and the process of the present invention is the transfer of the first cut component from a first die cut roll directly to a second die cutting roller. By these means, the machine of the invention allows the cutting of the second woven components of material while the components and cuts of the first woven fabric lie on the second woven fabric. To aid in the transfer of the first cut component from the first die cutting transfer roll, the internal vacuum to the first die cutting roll off and the vacuum in the second die cutting transfer roll is activated. In addition, if the mechanism controlling the internal air pressure in the first die cutting transfer roller is required or desired, it may be placed at a pressure slightly above the ambient pressure to push the cut component out of the cookie cutter blade. the appropriate point in the rotation of the rodiilo. This was done by appropriately placing the vacuum pieces in a vacuum switch system more fully described below.

A fabric of the second material 61 passes over the roller 14 and enters the light separation between the matrix cutting and transfer roll 32 and the anvil roller 3 and receives a first component previously cut, as shown at point 54 in Figure 4. The first cut component 54, as it comes out of the first fabric 51 covers or lies on the upper part of the fabric of the second material 61. The term "covers" or "lies above" with respect to the first components cut 54 means that the fabric of the second material lies between the first cut component and the transfer and matrix cutting roller 32.

The vacuum means, internal to the matrix cutting and transfer roller 32 support both the second material fabric and the first cut component 54 on the knee 32 in the manner described below when the roller 32 is rotated. material 61 and the first covering component 54 with the matrix cutting roller and transfer 32, these enter the separation between the die cutting roller 32 and the anvil roller 34. A cut is made in the second tissue 61 of the material on passing the first cutter cover component, shown as 55 through the cutter separation between the rolls 32 and 34. The cut in the fabric of the second material 61 can produce a second piece of cut component which is of the same overall dimensions that of the first components cut, or can be of different global dimensions, either larger or smaller. The shape and dimensions of the second cut component 63 will, of course, be controlled only by the shape and dimensions of the die cutting blade on the roller face 32. Since the cut in the second fabric of material is made in passing both the second fabric 61 and the first cut component 55 between the die cutting roller 32 and s associated anvil roll 34, may or may not be made a number d resulting cuts in the first covering component depending on the relative correspondence of the first cut component the second component die cutter, and the shape and dimensions of the second die cutter roll knife The various situations that may result are best seen with reference to Table 1 which presents a matrix of possibilities. In Table 1, the term "longitudinal center" of a workpiece component means the point on a center line running through the work piece in the flow direction of the fabric or work piece through the machine, Halfway between the front edges and tail of the work piece. Similarly, the term "longitudinal center" of the cutting blade on the second cutting roller means a point on the center line running through the cutting blade in the direction of tissue or flow of the workpiece through the cutting edge. machine, half between the front and tail edges of the blade The terms "leading edge" and "tail edge" when referring to workpiece components or the second fabric cutting blade, mean, respectively, the running edges up and downstream relative to the flow of the work piece through the machine.

It will be understood that the matrix of possibilities presented in Table 1 does not deal with the consequences on the relative widths and the lateral positioning of the two components. These are affected only by the predetermined parameters of the widths of the first component and second fabric. component, 2) the width of the first second component cutting blades on the respective cutting rollers, 3) the lateral positioning of the two tissues relative to the cutting rollers as the fabric passes through the machine.

Table 1 Effect on a First Component with a Matrix Cutting Blade on the Face of the Second Matrix Cutting and Transfer Roller The longitudinal centers The tail edge of a) If the offset in those of the first component first component is longitudinal centers of the cut and the second cut out for first component and the component does not match correspond to the edge of the cutter blade of the matrix when the cut is made in tail of the second is less than Lrl-LC2, both the second tissue; the leading edge and tail tail component edge of the first component is component follows the edge of cut again by the tail of the cutting blade die cutting blade for the second second tissue component that the first component is of the same size as the second component, - b) If the decentration in the longitudinal centers of the first component and of the die cutting blade is greater than Lrl-Lr2, the tail edge is cut again by the second cutting blade of the first component. second weave It is preferred that the cutting blades be centered longitudinally with respect to the first second tissues as they pass through the machine. It is particularly preferred that the first component cutting blade be narrower than the second such that the width of the first cut component is less than that of the second cut component. Similarly, it is preferred that the relative sizes of the workpiece components cut first and second and their relative correspondence be such that the leading edge of the second cut component bears that of the leading edge of the first cut component. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first cut component is both narrower shorter than the second cut component, and is centered co with respect to the second component. In this way a peripheral band of the second cut component extends beyond the periphery of the first cut component around the totality of both components. In another particularly preferred embodiment, the first and second component cutting blades are chosen to have sizes and shapes co with respect to each other, and the correspondence of the first and second cut components so that the peripheral band of second component which extends further beyond the periphery of the first cut component is uniform in width around the totality of the two components.

By indexing the matrix cutting rolls 22 and 32 with respect to one another, the first component part can be made to correspondlably with respect to the second component part so that the first part is centered on the second part, or, in such a way that the leading edge of the first advancing piece directs or follows the leading edge of the second piece by any desired amount. This indexation is achieved in a manner well known in the mechanical arts by interposing between the machine line axis and the shaft that drives any or both of the matrix cutter roller 22 or 32 a phase change difference of the type manufactured by Fairchild Industrial Products Co., 150 Fairchild Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States of America under the trade name "Specon7". Est allows the adjustment of the phase angle between the matrix cutting rollers 22 and 32 to advance or delay the cutting of one of the components of one with respect to the other.

Returning to the description of the flow of the fabrics and the workpiece components through the machine as shown in Figures 3 and 4, once the second component is completely cut off from the fabric of the second material 61, the components first and second stacks are transferred to the tissue 71.

The first and second segmented cut components are held on the surface of the die cutting and transfer roll 32 through internal vacuum means in the roll, and are moved to the separation between the die cutting and transfer roll. 32 and an optional engraved roller 42. A fabric of a third material 71, under light tension, is shown in Figure 4 entering the machine on the roller 16 after having received an adhesive application from the adhesive applicator 82. The adhesive used is chosen for its suitability to the materials that constitute the fabrics, first, second and third d material according to the way well known in the art of articles for the care of women and diapers.

The stacked first and second cut components are pressed to the fabric of the third material 71 at the separation between the roller 32 and the roller 42. As shown in Figure 4, the first stacked component 56 and the second component 64 are shown in the separation between the rollers. The surface of the first component 56 proximally adjacent to the fabric of the third material 71 is held in the fabric 71 by means of the previously applied adhesive, as does the edge of the second largest component 64 which projects around the first component 56. As indicated In Figure 4, the leading edge 65 of the second component 64 is shown adhered to the fabric 71 of the third material when the pair of stacked components is shown leaving the gap between the rollers 32 and 42.

The first second cut and stacked workpiece components then pass through the gap between the optional engraving roller 42 and the anvil d engraving roller 44 and a pattern is printed on the stacked components and the fabric of the third material 71.

Simultaneously, the pressing action of the two rollers forms a complete seal between the fabric of the third material 71 and the edge of the second cut component which protrudes out from the edge of the first cut component. This action forms a "sandwich" in which the first smaller cut component is sealed between the second cut and woven component of the third material.

The fabric of the third material 71, which bears the sealed "sandwich" of the first and second components and then received on the conveyor belt 17 where the fabric of the third material and the components are married to the advancing product fabric 91 which it may or may not carry additional product components.

The engraving step is optional, and if undesired can be eliminated by simply making the roller face 42 smoother rather than having a highlighting pattern highlighted.

The third fabric 71, now carrying the workpiece components cut first and second (shown as the element 57 in Figure 3) attached to the surface of the fabric, are immediately received on the conveyor belt 17 where the third fabric and the components or married with a fourth fabric 91 carrying additional components of the product, assembled upstream from the machine set shown in figure 3. As the third fabric 71 and the fourth fabric 91 move downward, each carrying its component parts of respective product work, s require or wish to carry out additional operations on both tissues. These operations may include, for example, joining the third and fourth tissues one another with conventional means known in the art and adding additional product components to the upper surface of fourth fabric 91.

The vacuum systems used to support the cut workpiece components in the matrix and transfer shear rolls employ conventional vacuum systems well known in the art. These are generally illustrated in Figures 10-13. Figure 1 shows an end view of a so-called "side switch" vacuum system 200. Figure 11 shows the vacuum system of Figure 10 in cross section taken along the cutting line C-C.

Referring to Fig. 11, the system comprises a stationary switch made of two sections 205 and 206. The upper section in Fig. 11 comprises a chamber 208 and tube 210 through which a high vacuum is introduced into chamber 208. lower section 206 of the switch in figure 11 comprises a chamber 210 in which it is introduced and low vacuum through tube 214.

Referring to Figure 10, the spacers 218 220 and 222 are shown which divide the switch into three chambers: a chamber in which a vacuum is not introduced a low vacuum chamber, and a high vacuum chamber. These cameras, respond to arcs a, b and g, respectively.

Unlike the side switch system described below, in the central commutator system, the vacuum is maintained in the high and low vacuum chambers at all times, while the radial holes 216 in the concentric rotor 204 move beyond each camera. In this way, no vacuum is introduced or a low vacuum or high vacuum is introduced into the outer surface of the rotor 204 in sequence as the broken 204 rotates through each revolution on the axis 202.

The lengths of the arcs a, b and g are determined and can be changed by the movement of the separators 218, 220 and 222. The central switching system 200 with its capacity to have zones without vacuum, low vacuum and high vacuum, is very adapted for the rollers in the machine of the invention where it is necessary to turn the vacuum on and off and have high vacuum regions such as, for example, the die cutting and transfer roller 32 wherein both component of the workpiece is cut first. and second it requires staying on the surface of the roller.

Figure 12 shows an end view of a so-called "central switch" vacuum system 300. In the figure, the vacuum system comprises a stationary switch 306 and the rotor 304. The rotor 304 has a series of tubular orifices 312 and 314 drilled therein, parallel to the axis d of rotation of the rotor 304. The holes 316 and 318 drilled radially in the rotor 304 connect the axial tubes holes 312 and 314 with the outer surface of the rotor. The vacuum is introduced into the commutator through the inlet pipe 310 in the area between the vacuum pieces 320 and 322.

Referring to Figure 12, the vacuum pieces 320 and 322 block the connection of the switch 306 to the axial tubes 312 and 314 in the rotor 304 for a fraction of the rotation of the rotor. Therefore, the vacuum is introduced into the tubes 312 and 314 of the rotor only during that part of the rotation of the rotor designated by the arc b when a piece of vacuum is not interposed between the switch 306 and the broken 304. The pieces of vacuum 320 and 322 movable determine the vacuum zone ends defined by the arc ß. The lengths of the arcs a and b can be adjusted by placing the vacuum pieces appropriately. The lateral switch system 300 is very well adapted by the rollers of the machine of the invention where a firmer roll support is required, for example in the die cutting roller 22.

Although an embodiment of the machine of the invention has been shown and illustrated for depositing to match two workpiece components of different lengths one on top of another and subsequently on or weaving material constantly in motion, it will be seen by one with ordinary skill in the mechanical arts, the machine can be modified to introduce and make corresponding workpiece components third, fourth, fifth and so on, by simply introducing additional components of the type illustrated in figure 3 and described above in the machine either upwards or down in the process d the corresponding elements shown. In this way, the machine of the present invention provides an efficient and cost-effective device for manufacturing multi-component articles where there is a need to "stack" and match components of work pieces and subsequently deposit them with correspondences on a Weaving constantly in motion.

Having thus described the machine and process for cutting and stacking, with correspondence, workpiece components of different lengths deposited on a constantly moving tissue, the following example illustrates the use of the process and the machine of the invention for the manufacture of a towel for the hygiene of the woman of multiple layers.

Example A towel called ultra thin or "mini" suitable for use by a woman during the days of a light menstrual flow, is schematically represented in a plan view in figure 7 and in a side view in schematic cross section in figure 8. The cross-sectional view in figure 8 is taken along line d cut BB of the figure 7. A thicker towel or the so-called "maxi" towel, suitable for use by a woman during the days of increased menstrual flow, is shown in a cross-sectional and schematic side view in Figure 9 where the towel includes an applicator superabsorbent 94 in addition to the same elements as the minitoalla of figure 8.

In Figure 8, the towel elements shown in plan view are constructed from the lowest "side-to-side barrier component" to the most superior side-to-body "d" covering component of the towel. The towel covering component, made of a material of a type well known in the art, is permeable to body fluids and is the component of the towel that is used closest to the wearer's body during use. The barrier component, also made of materials of a well-known type in the art, is made of a waterproof material and is used as far as possible from the wearer's body, close to the undergarments.

The towel 90. shown in Figures 7, 8 or 9 described in this example comprises a unique distribution feature which serves to disseminate or distribute the body fluids before they reach the absorbent component of the towel in order to provide a towel more efficient that has a longer service life before the need for replacement and that results in greater comfort for the user. The distribution feature includes distribution and delay components not found in the previous art towels. The specific materials used for the various components of the towels are described in detail in the co-pending application series number (Attorney's Issue No. 13303.10), whose contents are incorporated herein by reference In the towel shown in Figures 7-9, the cover cap 98 corresponds to the first fabric of material described in the general process detailed above. The distribution layer component 97 corresponds to the first cut component, and the transfer delay component 96 corresponds to the second work piece component. The barrier layer 9 corresponds to the fabric of the fourth material, and the absorbent layers 95 and 94, the adhesive strip 93 and the adhesive peel strip 92 correspond to elements attached to the sweep layer 91 in process steps that are not part of the process. this invention.

In this example, the specific lengths of the towel and each component are given to help understand the invention. However, it should be understood that the specific dimensions are merely cited for purposes of illustration and should not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Referring to Figure 8, the towel 90. has when a dog bone shape and an overall length Lp equal about 300 millimeters is finally cut along the dotted line 102. With, for example, a tolerance for a tension in process of 2% and a cut of 3 millimeters between the successive finished towels when they are cut along the dotted line 102, the repeatability length of the LPR product is 306 millimeters . The towel 90. comprises an upper cover layer 98 which is permeable to the body fluid. The cover 98 constitutes the movable fabric of material 71 mentioned in the general process discussed above.

Directly below cover layer 98 has a distribution component 97 of one length, LC2, d about 254 millimeters and a repetition length d component, LCR2, of about 260 millimeters made of material which serves as an agent thickener to aid in the more or less even distribution of body fluids to the absorbent component below.

Directly below the distribution component 97 there is a transfer delay component 96 of LC1 length of about 268 millimeters and a component repeatability length, L ^, of about 275 millimeters which is what less permeable to body fluids. that the cover layer d 98. The transfer delay component 96 acts to slightly retard the flow of body fluids to allow the aforementioned distribution component 97 to effectively carry out its transmission function prior to the passage of the fluids of the body. body through the absorbent 95 down component. Lying between the absorbent layer 95 and the minitoall of Figs. 8 and 9 is a barrier layer or side to side fluid impermeable 91.

In the maxi towel of figure 9 the same elements, bearing the same reference numerals, are also present, however, a superabsorbent applied component 94 is shown interposed between the absorbent cap 95 and the barrier layer 91. Both the towels The mini maxi of FIGS. 8 and 10 are shown with the upper cover layer 98 sealed to the lower barrier layer 91 by the seals 100 and 101 in a conventional manner. Also the pull of conventional garment adhesive 93 and the stripping strip d of protective adhesive 92 are still shown for both towels.

Referring again to Figures 7, 8 and 9 below the transfer delay component 96 is the absorbent component 95. The barrier component 91, which lies under the absorbent component 95 is typically made of a polymeric material which is not permeable to body fluids and which serves as a shield to the wearer's undergarments with respect to staining by body fluids. In the towel 90 shown in Figure 7, the cover component is generally translucent and is typically made of a white material. To provide the consumer with visual clues that the towel she has purchased has the distribution feature mentioned above, the absorbent layer 95, the transfer delay component 96 and the distribution component 97 are made of materials of different colors. For example, the absorbent component 95 and the distribution component 97 may be white, while the transfer delay component 96 may be light pink, peach, or some other pleasing color. The various components, seen through the preferably translucent cover component 98 therefore form a pleasant pattern. The shaded region of the transfer delay component 96 in Figure 7 appears as a uniform band of color through the translucent top cover component 98. To add to the visual indications, the finished towel 90 may also be engraved with a pattern d visual indication 99.

It is highly desirable that the distribution component 97 and the transfer delay component 96 s carefully match each other, and with the optional recorded visual indication 99. If the distribution component 97 and the transfer delay component When the 96 s are mismatched, the colored band will look like a uniform n band and will impair the overall aesthetic appearance of the finished product. In addition, if the optional optional visual indication pattern 99 is similarly mismatched with the color band d, the overall pleasing appearance of the product will be diminished.

Referring to the specific components with the example dimensions given above, the details of the general process for making the towel for the woman of this invention will be made clear with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. A fabric of cover material 71 for the towel 90 is fed to the machine of the invention at a constant speed of Lp per repetition or 300 mm / repetition. A fabric of a first component material 51 from which the distribution layer components are cut is supplied to the pair of the die and anvil cutting rollers 22 and 24 at a constant rate of LCR1 per repetition, or 260 millimeters / repetition. A second material fabric 61 is fed to the anvil rollers d and matrix cut 32 and 34 at a constant linear velocity of LC per repetition, or 275 mm / repetition, to be cut and distribution components.

Once the distribution layer component 53 is cut free of the fabric 51, the component 53 is fed onto the fabric 61 of the transfer delay material, and the fabric 61 is cut with the first component lying on the second in the detailed way up.

When the second component (63 in Figure 4) and its first cover component (55 in Figure 4) are free of the fabric 61, the components 55 and 63 are transferred to the fabric -71.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the engraving and anvil rolls 42 and 44 apply an optionally recorded visual indication pattern 99 to the partially finished towel.

Although preferred embodiments of the process and the machine of the present invention have been shown and exemplified, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various items of the preferred embodiments of both the machine and the process can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (31)

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

1. A process for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two components cut from fabrics of moving material, making the components correspond to one another, and depositing the components that have been mapped onto a woven material. movement. Said components have the respective front and tail edges, a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a midpoint on said longitudinal center line between the tail and leading edges, said process comprising the steps of: a) cutting a first work piece component of a first fabric of material moving at a first speed; b) transferring the first work piece component to cover a fabric of a second material moving at a second speed; c) cutting a second work piece component of the second fabric while the first cut component covers the second component; d) transferring the first and second workpiece components cut to a third tissue that moves at a third speed.

2. The process, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of adjusting the correspondence of the longitudinal center of said first cut component with respect to that of the second component before cutting the second component of said second material. .

3. A process, as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the longitudinal centers d said first and second workpiece components essentially coincide when the second work piece component is cut from the second fabric.

4. The process, as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said step of adjusting the coincidence of the longitudinal center of said first cut component with respect to that of the second cut component comprises adjusting the rotational phase angle of a cut-off roller. A matrix that cuts at least one of said first and second component of the respective first and second material wovens.

5. The process, as claimed in clauses 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that said first workpiece component is of a shorter length than that of the second workpiece component.

6. A process, as claimed in clauses 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the material dimensions of said first work piece component are smaller than those of said second work piece component.

7. The process, as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of engraving or pattern in said first and second cut components on said third fabric of material.

8. A process for manufacturing a multi-component product comprising at least two cut-off components of moving materials first and second respectively, matching the components one with respect to the other, and depositing the components that have corresponded on one another. third fabric of moving material said components have the respective leading and trailing edges, the lengths between said leading and tail edges, a longitudinal centerline, and a longitudinal center defined by a midpoint on said longitudinal center line between said tail edges and forward, the process comprises the steps of: a) cutting the first work piece components of a fabric of a first material that moves at a first speed; b) transferring the first cut work piece component to cover a fabric of a second material moving at a second speed; c) matching the longitudinal centers of said first and second workpiece components; d) cutting the second work piece component of the second fabric while s incorporating the first work piece cut above the work piece completely within the cut boundaries of the second work piece component; Y e) transferring the first and second work piece components cut and that have been made correspond to a third tissue of material moving at a third speed.

9. The process, as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the length of said first workpiece component is less than that of said second workpiece component.

10. The process, as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the lateral dimensions of said first workpiece component are smaller than those of said second workpiece component.

11. The process, as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that the lateral dimensions and length of said first work piece component are smaller than those of the second work piece component.

12. The process, as claimed in clause 11, characterized in that the longitudinal centers d said first and second workpiece components are adjusted with respect to each other so that the first cut workpiece component lies completely with the d limits said second work piece component.

13. The process, as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that said first and second work piece components are of similar shapes.

14. The process, as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the longitudinal centers d said first and second workpiece components essentially coincide when said second workpiece component is cut from the second tissue so that the periphery of the second Workpiece component protrudes from said first work piece component in a uniform band.

15. The process, as claimed in clause 8, further characterized in that it comprises the step d recording a pattern in said first and second workpiece components when covering said components said third material.

16. The process, as claimed in clause 14, further characterized in that it comprises the step d recording a pattern in said first and second work piece components when covering said components said third material web.

17. The process, as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that said pattern is essentially centered on the longitudinal center of said second component of the workpiece.

18. A process for manufacturing a multi-component product composed of at least two components cut from fabrics of moving material, making the components correspond to one another, and depositing the components that have been matched on a fabric of moving material. said components have the respective leading and trailing edges, a longitudinal central line and a longitudinal center defined by a midpoint on said longitudinal centerline between said leading tail edges, said process comprising the steps of: a) cutting a first work piece component of a first fabric of material moving at a first speed; b) transferring the first work piece component to cover a fabric of a second material moving at a second speed; c) adjusting the longitudinal center of said first workpiece component cut co with respect to the longitudinal center of said second work piece component before cutting said second work piece component of second material fabric; d) cutting a second work piece component of the second fabric while the first cut component covers the second component; e) transferring the first and second workpiece components cut to a third tissue d moving at a third speed.

19. The process, as claimed in clause 18, characterized in that said respective longitudinal centers of said first second workpiece components are adjusted to essentially match

20. The process, as claimed in clause 19, characterized in that said first work piece component lies completely within the limits of said second work piece component.

21. The process, as claimed in clause 20, further characterized in that it comprises the step d engraving a pattern on said first and second workpiece components cut by covering said third material web.

22. A process for producing a sanitary towel comprising a body fluid permeable cover layer, a body fluid distribution layer component lying next to and to one side of the cover layer, and a transfer delay layer component of the body fluid proximate and adjacent to said distribution layer component, the process comprises the steps of: a) cutting the fluid distribution component of the body of a first weave of material moving at a first speed; b) transferring the fluid distribution component of the body to cover a tissue of fluid transfer delay material from the body moving at a second speed c) cutting the fluid transfer delay component d from the body of the body of the body fluid transfer delay material while the fluid distribution component of the body covers the fluid transfer delay component of the body; and d) transferring the fluid distribution component of the body and the delay component d of fluid transfer from the body which has been made to correspond to a fabric of cover material moving at a third speed.

23. The process, as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that it further comprises the step d adjusting the longitudinal centers of said fluid distribution component of the body and said component d transfer delay of body fluid before cutting the component. of body fluid transfer delay of body fluid transfer delay material.

24. The process, as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the longitudinal centers d of said fluid distribution component of the body and of the body fluid delay component are adjusted to essentially coincide.

25. The process, as claimed in clause 24, characterized in that said component d distribution of the body fluid and said component of fluid transfer delays of the body are similar.

26. The process, as claimed in clause 25, characterized in that the dimensions of said fluid distribution component of the body are smaller than those of said fluid transfer delay component of the body, so that the peripheral edges of said component of fluid transfer delay of the body protrude around the periphery of said fluid distribution component of the body to provide a uniform band.

27. A process, as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that said cover material is of a translucent material whereby the protruding band d said fluid transfer delay component of the body is visible through said cover layer .

28. The process, as claimed in clause 27, characterized in that said fluid transfer delay component material is of a different color of cover layer material and that of the fluid distribution material of the body. that said visible band is of dich color.

29. The process, as claimed in clause 22, characterized in that it comprises the step of engraving or pattern in said fluid distribution component of the body and in said body fluid transfer delay component when covering said tissue of material covering.

30. The process, as claimed in clause 29, characterized in that the longitudinal centers d said body fluid distribution component and body fluid distribution component and body fluid transfer delay component are adjusted to essentially coincide before cutting the distribution component of the body. body fluid and dich fluid transfer delay component of the tissue body of said body fluid transfer delay material.

31. The process, as claimed in clause 30, characterized in that the recorded pattern is essentially centered on said fluid distribution component of the body and said fluid distribution component of the body and said fluid transfer delay component of the body . R E S U E N The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a multi-component product comprising at least two cut components of said moving material, matching the components with respect to each other, and depositing the components that have been made. correspond on a fabric of material in movement. The components have the respective front and tail edges a longitudinal center line, and a longitudinal center defined by a point at the middle of said longitudinal center line between said front and tail edges. The process comprises the steps of: a) cutting the first work piece components from a woven first material moving at a first speed; b) transferring the first cut work piece component to cover a fabric of a second material moving at a second speed; c) cutting the second work piece component of the second fabric while incorporating the first partially overlapping cut workpiece component partially within the cut boundaries of the second work piece component; and d) transferring the first and second workpiece components cut and that have been made to correspond to a weave of a third material moving at a third speed. A process for making a multi-component sanitary napkin using the process of the invention is also described.