MXPA99006140A - Absorbent article and method and apparatus for manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary absorbent article and to a component layer thereof than can be produced with less waste material. The invention also extends to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing the sanitary absorbent article and the component layer. The method is characterized by the step of cutting a continuous web of material to form a pair of sanitary absorbent articles, each article including a pair of laterally projecting flaps. The contour of each article is selected so the flaps can fit close to one another with the flaps of two adjacent articles contacting one another at their sides rather than the lateral extremities. This arrangement allows to bring the main bodies of the sanitary articles close to one another, thus reducing the inter-article waste.

Description

ABSORBENT ARTICLE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sanitary absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, an incontinence pad and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel sanitary absorbent article and a component layer thereof that can be produced with a lesser generation of waste material, and to a method and apparatus for the manufacture thereof. The invention also encompasses a method and apparatus for manufacturing the novel absorbent article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The technology concerning absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins, has had several advances in the last two decades. One of these advances was the addition of multifunctional wings to the longitudinal sides of the towel. When such wings are used they are folded over the sides of the wearer's undergarment and secured to said garment. In this way they more firmly secure the towel to the underwear, provide an increased absorption area for body exudates and help prevent underwear from getting stained. The concept of wings has been successful in the market, and towels with wings of various configurations and conformations are available to the consumer. Ordinarily such sanitary absorbent articles are composed of several layers of various materials joined together to form a laminated structure. These are generally manufactured in the following manner: a laminated mesh composed of the materials forming each of the individual component layers of the final article is provided. At least one layer of the material, and more likely several layers, is continuous through the mesh. The mesh is then sealed at different points and separated to form individual items. Alternatively, although generally not common, each of the individual component layers constituting the article could be produced separately, through their separation from the web of the material from which the layer is formed. These layers of various components could be combined together (ie laminated) to form the article. In either method, the articles or the component layers themselves (as the case may be) receive their shape as they are separated from the laminated mesh or the continuous material, respectively. In Figures 1 and 2 respectively, of the present specification, an example of a sanitary napkin and a separation pattern thereof commonly used in the art is illustrated. This separation pattern can be used in any of the methods mentioned for the manufacture of such articles. The article that is produced by this pattern is symmetrical around both longitudinal and transverse imaginary center lines. The transverse ends of the successive articles are aligned and the longitudinal side of the opposite wings of the successive articles are substantially in contact with each other. The shaded material is not used in the production of an article and is therefore discarded as waste. Depending on the shape of the item being manufactured, the amount of waste is substantial, which contributes to an increase in manufacturing cost. It seems that until now the manufacturers have sought to optimize the configuration and shape of the absorbent articles generally, and particularly the wings, based on the characteristics present in the individual end product. In this sense, the comfort of the user, the absorption efficiency and the prevention of spills have been taken into consideration. While the cost of manufacturing is important, very little attention has been paid to design individual articles with a view to reducing the amount of waste material produced during mass production by the methods described above. Since such items are mass produced in significant quantities, a reduction in the waste material will provide significant savings in manufacturing costs.

An example in which an article has been designed so as to minimize the amount of waste material generated during mass production is described in the Patent Application.

European No. 0,280,998 for Personal Products Company. This Application discloses a pantiprotector that adheres to the crotch portions of an undergarment consisting of a central portion that extends generally longitudinally and of transversely extending wings; the pantiprotector having a longitudinal central line and a transverse center line and having a closed curve defining the outer periphery of the protector, the protector being characterized in that the closed curve is configured in such a way that a portion of the periphery of each of the plurality of protectors with identical configuration can be supported against a portion of the periphery of the protector, leaving no space between the protectors that can be supported and not allowing any part of any protector to be superimposed with another. The difficulty with the article described in European Patent Application No. 0, 280,998 is that in some cases it might be desired to leave space between the protectors that are supported to adequately manufacture the absorbent articles having a different peripheral shape than that described therein. document.

OBJECTS AND DECLARATIONS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sanitary absorbent article with wings, such as a sanitary napkin or a sanitary towel component layer, such as a cover layer, which has been designed to reduce amount of waste material generated during mass production thereof. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing such an absorbent article or such a component layer. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for producing an absorbent article as such or a component layer. In one aspect, as it is modalized and broadly described herein, the invention provides a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, including each component layer: (A) A main body, said main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and an imaginary longitudinal central line; (B) A first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of said main body, said first wing having two longitudinal sides, and said first wing being positioned with respect to said main body in such a way that when (i) two of the component layers are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (ii) One of the component layers is rotated with respect to the other of the component layers in such a way that the first longitudinal side of said main body of each of the layers components look at the first longitudinal side of said main body of the other component layer, and (iii) the first transverse side of said main body of each of the component layers is aligned with the second transverse side of said main body of the other layer component, and (iv) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of said major bodies of e each of the component layers simultaneously intersects said first wing of each of the component layers; one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of one of the component layers is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of the other component layers, and said first wings of each of the component layers are not overlap. In the present specification, the term "component layer of a laminated absorbent article" refers to one of the individual layers of which the laminated absorbent article is composed as distinct from the other layers of which the same article is composed. For example, if the laminated absorbent article is a sanitary napkin, such a component layer could be a fluid permeable cover layer, a fluid impermeable barrier layer, a transfer layer or an absorbent center layer. A component layer is not necessarily composed of an individual material, but it can itself be a laminated material or two or more materials combined in some other way to form an integrated whole. It is preferred that the main body of the component layer be of generally rectangular shape with rounded ends. When the component layer is of such conformation, the first and second transverse sides are the shorter opposite sides and will generally have an arcuate shape. The first and second longitudinal sides are the opposite sides longer and will be straight or arched. Preferably, the longitudinal sides are in an hourglass shape wherein in a central portion of the article the cross section is narrower than the cross section at the transverse ends. It should be understood, however, that the shape of such sides is not essential to the invention, and therefore the transverse or longitudinal sides could be either arched or straight, or any combination of the same. It is also not essential that the main body be of a generally rectangular shape, since the component layers that have the main bodies in the form of a square, parallelogram or any other polygon or even that of an ovule, glass clock or dog bone are inside of the field of the present invention. Where such is the case (ie where the main body is not rectangular), the longitudinal sides of the layer will be considered as those opposite sides of a relatively longer length as compared to the other opposite sides of the main body. Where it is impossible to make such a determination, any opposite pair of sides can be considered as the longitudinal sides, or in the limit, the opposite portions of either of two sides can be considered as the longitudinal sides. In any case, the transverse sides are the pair of opposite sides that are intersected by the longitudinal center line of the component layer, as defined later on that line. For most component layers, the longitudinal center line thereof is an imaginary line extending along the longitudinal axis of the layer and bisects the layer into two identical or somewhat identical images, although not necessarily specular. It is preferred that the wings are of a generally trapezoidal shape with the base of the trapezoid attached to the longitudinal side of the main body. In this way, the wing will taper as it projects away from the main body, and the sides and upper part of the trapezoid will generally be straight and will form the longitudinal sides and the lateral side of the wing respectively. However, it should be expressly understood that such a trapezoidal shape is not essential to the invention, and that wings of any shape and size are included within the scope of the present invention. In such cases, the sides of the wings generally parallel to the transverse sides of the component layer should be considered as the longitudinal sides of the wing. Where the shape of the wings is arched or in another non-rectilinear shape, wing portions that generally face the same direction as the transverse sides of the component layer should be considered as the longitudinal sides of the wing. It should be understood that the use of the word "wings" in the present specification is designed to encompass extensions of material of a component layer that directly forms a wing or fin in the article in which the component layer is incorporated, and those that are used. indirectly to form such a wing or fin. An example of an indirect formation would be situations where the extension is curved around and a portion thereof sealed against the barrier layer of the article. In such cases the remnant of the extension (ie the portion thereof coming from the seal of the barrier layer towards the distal extremity) will form the wing or fin in the final article. In the present context, the word "aligned" is used to indicate a position of a transverse side of a component layer in relation to the same side of the other. For purposes of the present two transverse sides are aligned when an imaginary line connecting the point at which a transverse side in question is intersected by the longitudinal centerline of that layer, with the point at which the other transverse side in question is intersected by the longitudinal centerline of the other layer, is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of any of the layers. Two lines are substantially perpendicular if the angle between them at their point of intersection is not greater than 70 ° (or more than 110 °). A line "generally parallel to the longitudinal centerlines of the article" in the present specification means that it includes a line not parallel to any of the center lines by at least 20 °. In relation to a component layer of the present invention, the phrase "substantially in contact" means to indicate a situation in which the two wings in question are in physical contact with each other or where the distance between them is small compared to the width total of the component layer (as measured from the longitudinal side to the longitudinal side along the transverse center line thereof.) The transverse centerline of a layer being an imaginary line in the plane of the layer which is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline). Preferably, in the case of a component layer for a sanitary napkin, this distance will not exceed 0.635 cm. In a more preferred embodiment a component layer of the present invention further includes a second wing projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side of said main body, said second wing having two longitudinal sides, and said second wing being positioned with respect to said body main so that when (i) Two of the component layers are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (ii) One of the component layers is rotated with respect to the other of the component layers such that the second side longitudinal of said main body of each of the component layers faces the second longitudinal side of said main body of the other of the component layers, and (iii) the first transverse side of said main body of each of the component layers is aligned with the second transversal side of said main body of the other of the component layers, and (v) An imaginary line ge nerally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the component layers simultaneously intersects said second wing of each of the component layers; one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of one of the component layers is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of the other component layers, and said second wings of each of the component layers are not overlap As is modalized and widely described herein, the present invention further provides a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including each article: (A) A main body, said main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and an imaginary longitudinal central line; (B) A first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of said main body, said first wing having two longitudinal sides, and said first wing being positioned with respect to said main body in such a way that when (i) Two of the articles are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (i) One of the articles is rotated with respect to the other of the articles in such a way that the first longitudinal side of said main body of each of the articles look to the side longitudinal of said main body of the other article, and (iii) The first transverse side of said main body of each article is aligned with the second transverse side of the main body of the other article, and (v) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of said main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously. neously intersects said first wing of each of the articles; one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of one of the articles is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of the other of the articles, and said first wings of each of the articles do not overlap. Similar terms used in the above description should be given the same meaning in the context of the present aspect as those previously described in relation to the component layers of the present invention. In a more preferred embodiment each absorbent article of the present invention further includes: (C) A second wing projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side of said main body, said second wing having two longitudinal sides, and said second wing being positioned. with respect to said main body in such a way that when (i) Two of the articles are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (ii) One of the articles is rotated with respect to the other of said articles in such a way that when the second longitudinal side of said main body of each of the articles faces the second longitudinal side of said main body of the other of the articles, and (ii) The first transverse side of said main body of each of the articles is aligned with the second transversal side of said main body of the other article, and (v) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and alised between, the longitudinal central lines of each of said main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersect said second wing of each of the articles; one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of one of the articles is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of the other of the articles, and said second wings of each of the articles do not overlap. In another aspect the invention provides a method of manufacturing a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, with each component layer comprising: (i) A main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side , a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal central line; and (ü) A first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of the main body, the first wing having two longitudinal sides; which consists of the steps of: (A) Providing a continuous mesh of material; (B) Separating said mesh to form a first component layer and a second component layer positioned one with respect to the other in such a manner that: (1) The second component layer is rotated with respect to the first component layer in such a way that the first longitudinal side of the main body of one of the component layers faces the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other of the component layers, and (2) The first transverse side of one of the component layers is aligned with the second transverse side of the other of the component layers, and (3) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of the principal bodies of each of the component layers simultaneously intersects the first wing of each of the component layers. the component layers. The terms used to describe the component layer that is being manufactured by the present method should be given the same meaning as those terms indicated above in relation to the component layer itself. It should be understood that for an appropriate understanding of these aspects of the invention (ie the methods), and those that relate to improvements in the apparatus described below, the evaluation of the positioning of the various component layers takes place after each layer it has been separated (in such a way that the layer in question exists as an individual entity), but before it has been physically removed from the web of continuous material. It will be appreciated that many conventional means known to those skilled in the art can be used to separate the component layers of the mesh. The optimum media may vary depending on many factors including the material from which the layer is separated. In this regard, die cutting will be the generally preferred method although all other conventional methods such as laser beam cutting or fluid jet cutting for example, are within the scope of the present invention.

This method of manufacturing the component layers from a web of continuous material will generate less waste material than the prior art. Preferably, the second component layer is separated from the mesh such that one of the longitudinal sides of the first flange of the second component layer is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the first flange of the first component layer. In this context, the phrase "Substantially in contact" means to indicate a situation where the distance between the two wings in question is, at least the separation distance between layers required by the separation method that is being used to properly produce layers with the correct dimensions. This phrase also includes any greater distance which is small compared to the total width of a component layer (as measured from the longitudinal side to the longitudinal side along the transverse center line thereof). As an example, where die cutting is the separation method used, the minimum separation distance is generally of the order of 0.4763 cm. More preferably, the present invention provides a manufacturing method for a plurality of component layers that are used in absorbent articles, with each component layer further comprising: (ii) A second wing projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side of the main body , the second aia having two longitudinal sides; which further comprises the step of: (C) Separating from the mesh a third component layer positioned with respect to the second component layer such that: (1) The third component layer is rotated with respect to the second component layer so such that the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer faces the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third component layer, and (2) the first transverse side of the second component layer is aligned with the second transverse side of the second component layer. third component layer, and (3) the first transverse side of the third component layer is aligned with the second transverse side of the second component layer, and (4) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of the third component layer. The main bodies of each of the second and third component layers simultaneously intersects the second wing of the second component layer and the second wing of the rcera component layer. Preferably, in order to adequately minimize the amount of waste material generated, the third component layer is separated from the mesh such that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third component layer is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second component layer. As is modalized and widely described herein, the present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including each sanitary absorbent article: (i) a main body, the main body having a first transverse side , a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal center line; and (ii) a first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of the main body, the first wing having two longitudinal sides; comprising the steps of: (A) providing a mesh having at least one layer of continuous material; (B) separating said mesh to form a first article and a second article positioned with respect to each other so that: (1) the second article is rotated with respect to the first article in such a way that the first longitudinal side of the main body from one of the articles look at the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other of the articles, and (2) the first transverse side of one of the articles is aligned with the second transverse side of the other of the articles, and (3) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of the articles. The main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the first wing of each of the articles. Preferably, the present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a sanitary absorbent article wherein the second article is separated from the mesh such that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the second article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first article. More preferably, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, each absorbent article comprising: (iv) a second wing projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side of the main body, the second wing having two longitudinal sides; which further comprises the steps of: (C) separating from the mesh a third article placed with respect to the second article so that: (1) the third article is rotated with respect to the second article so that the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article faces the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third article, and (2) the first transversal side of the second article is aligned with the second transversal side of the third article, and (3) the first transversal side of the third article is aligned with the second transverse side of the second article, and (4) an imaginary line generally parallel to, located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the second and third articles simultaneously intersects the second wing of the second article. second article and the second wing of the third article. More preferably the present invention provides, a method of manufacturing a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, wherein the third article is separated from the mesh so that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article. Similar terms used in the description of a method of manufacturing an absorbent article with respect to this aspect of the present invention should be given a similar meaning as that of the terms used to describe the method of manufacturing a component layer of this aspect of the present invention. As is modalized and broadly described herein, in another aspect, the present invention also provides an apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, including each component layer: (i) a main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal central line; (ii) a first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body, the first wing having two longitudinal sides; the improvement including a cutter providing the separation of a first component layer and a second component layer of a continuous material mesh, the first component layer and the second component layer being positioned with respect to each other so that: (A) the second component layer is rotated with respect to the first component layer so that the first longitudinal side of the main body of one of the component layers faces the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other component layer, and (B) the first the transverse side of the first component layer is aligned with the second transverse side of the second component layer, and (C) the first transverse side of the second component layer is aligned with the second transverse side of the first component layer, and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of the main bodies of each of the layers component simultaneously intersects the first wing of each of the component layers. The similar terms used in the description of the component layers and their relation to one another with respect to the present aspect of the invention must, to the extent that is not varied from here on, be attributed a meaning similar to that described above in the present with respect to other aspects of the invention. The term "cutter" is used in the present context to denote any device that allows to separate an individual article from a continuous material mesh. All conventional cutters known to those skilled in the art are within the scope of this aspect of the present invention. In this sense, a cutter as such may include a die, a blade or other cutting edge, a laser beam or a fluid jet. Advantageously, the cutter further allows to separate the first component layer and the second component layer of the continuous material mesh in such a way that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first component layer is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides. of the second wing of the second component layer. Preferably, as is modelised and described herein, the present invention further provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, each component layer further including: (iii) a second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body, the second wing having two longitudinal sides; and the improvement wherein said cutter additionally provides for the separation of a third component layer from the continuous material mesh positioned with respect to the second component layer so that: (A) a third component layer is rotated with respect to the second component layer. component layer so that the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer faces the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third component layer, and (B) the first transverse side of the second component layer is aligned with the second side of the third component layer, and (C) the first transverse side of the third component layer is aligned with the second transverse side of the second component layer, and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the lines Longitudinal centrals of each of the main bodies of the second and third component layers simultaneously intersects the second a wing of the second component layer and the second wing of the third component layer. Advantageously, said cutter further allows to separate the first component layer and the second component layer in such a way that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first component layer is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first layer. second component layer. With a similar advantage, said cutter also allows to separate the second component layer and the third component layer so that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second component layer is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third component layer.

As is modalized and broadly described herein, the present invention also provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including each absorbent sanitary article: (i) a main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a longitudinal central line; (I) a first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body, the first wing having two longitudinal sides; the improved including a cutter provided for the separation of a first article and a second article from a continuous material mesh, the first and second articles being positioned with respect to each other so that: (A) the second article is rotated with respect to to the first article so that the first longitudinal side of the main body of each of the articles faces the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other of the articles and (B) the first transverse side of the first article is aligned with the second transverse side of the second article, and (C) the first transverse side of the second article is aligned with the second transverse side of the first article, and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines of each of the Main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously identifies the first wing of each of the articles. Advantageously, said cutter can also separate the first article and the second article from a continuous material mesh so that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article. second article Preferably, as is modalized and broadly described herein, the present aspect of the present invention further provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including in addition each sanitary absorbent article: iü) A second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body, the second wing having two longitudinal sides; and the improvement wherein the cutter further provides for the separation of a third article from the continuous material mesh placed with respect to the second article in such a way that: A) The third article is rotated with respect to the second article so that the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article faces the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third article, and B) The first transverse side of the second article is aligned with the second transverse side of the third article, and C) The first transverse side of the third article is aligned with the second transverse side of the second article, and D) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each One of the main bodies of each of the second and third sanitary absorbent articles simultaneously intersects the second wing of the second article and the second wing of the third article. Advantageously, said cutter can also separate the first article and the second article so that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the second article. In a similarly advantageous manner, said cutter can also separate the second article and the third article in such a way that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third article. . In yet another aspect, as modeled and extensively described herein, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, including each component layer: i) A main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal central line; ii) A first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body; iii) A second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; and iv) each wing having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a lateral side; v) said wings being located substantially at the midpoint between said transverse sides; which consists of the steps of: A) Providing a mesh of continuous material; B) Separating said mesh to form a first component layer and a second component layer positioned one relative to the other so that: 1) At least a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first component layer looks at least one portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer, and 2) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and placed between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the component layers simultaneously intersects the first wing of the first component layer and the second wing of the second component layer. It will be appreciated that this aspect of the present invention is similar to the previously described method. However, this differs in that the present method allows the production of component layers commonly used in the art that are symmetrical around an imaginary transverse centerline (such as the article illustrated in Figure 1). The alternative component layers made in accordance with the present method need not be rotated. Preferably, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that the first transverse side of the first component layer and the first transverse side of the second component layer are not aligned. In this context the term "non-aligned" is used to indicate a situation where at the angle formed between the longitudinal centerline of the first component layer and the line connecting the point of intersection of the longitudinal centerline of that layer with a transverse side thereof and the corresponding point on the second component layer is not 90 °. More preferably, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that the first longitudinal side of the first flange of the first component layer is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second flange of the second component layer. The term "substantially in contact" in this context has the same meaning as that of the aspect of the prior method of the present invention described above. More preferably, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that the lateral side of the first flange of the first component layer is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer, so Alternatively, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that at least a portion of one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second component layer faces at least a portion of one of the transverse sides of the first layer. component layer. Advantageously, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that at least a portion of one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second component layer is substantially in contact with one of the transverse sides of the second component layer. first component layer. More advantageously, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that at least a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first component layer is substantially in contact with at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body. of the second component layer. In another aspect, as it is modalized and widely described herein, the present invention provides a manufacturing method for a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including each absorbent sanitary article: i) A main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal central line; ii) A first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body; iii) A second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; and iv) each wing having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a lateral side; v) said wings being located substantially at the midpoint between said transverse sides; which consists of the steps of: A) Providing a mesh of continuous material; B) Separating said mesh to form a first sanitary absorbent article and a second sanitary absorbent article positioned with respect to each other such that: 1) At least a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first article looks at at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article, and 2) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the first wing of the first article and the second wing of the second article. Preferably, the second article is separated from the web of continuous material so that the first transverse passage of the first article and the first transverse side of the second article are not aligned. Preferably, the second article is separated from the continuous material mesh so that the first longitudinal side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second wing of the second article.

More preferably, the second component layer is separated from the continuous material mesh so that the side side of the first flange of the first component layer is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer. In this aspect of the present invention the terms used have a meaning similar to that previously described herein in relation to a method of manufacturing a component layer to be used in a sanitary absorbent article. In another aspect, as it is modalized and widely described herein, the present invention also provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of component layers for use in sanitary absorbent articles, including each component layer: i) A body main, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a longitudinal central line; I) A first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body; iii) A second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; iv) Each of the wings having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a lateral side; v) said wings being located substantially at the midpoint between said transverse sides; Including improving a cutter provided for the separation of a first component layer and a second component layer of a continuous material mesh, the first component layer and the second component layer being placed one with respect to the other so that: A) Al less a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first component layer faces at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer, and B) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the center lines Longitudinal of each of the main bodies of each of the component layers simultaneously intersects the first wing of the first component layer and the second wing of the second component layer. Preferably, said cutter can also separate the second component layer from the web of continuous material so that the first transverse side of the first component layer and the first transverse side of the second component layer are not aligned. More preferred, said cutter may also separate the second component layer from the continuous material mesh so that the first longitudinal side of the first wing of the first component layer is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second wing of the second. component layer. More preferredSaid cutter can also separate the second component layer from the continuous material mesh so that the side side of the first wing of the first component layer is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second component layer. In another aspect, as it is modalized and broadly described herein, the present invention provides an apparatus for the manufacture of a plurality of sanitary absorbent articles, including each article: i) A main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a longitudinal central line; ii) A first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body: iii) A second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; and v) each of the wings having a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and a lateral side; v) said wings being located at the midpoint between said transverse sides; including the improvement a cutter provided for the separation of a first article and a second article from a mesh of continuous material, the first and second articles arranged one with respect to the other so that: A) At least a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first article view at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article, and B) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the major bodies of each The articles simultaneously intersect the first wing of the first article and the second wing of the second article. Preferably, said cutter can also separate the second article from the continuous material mesh so that the first transverse side of the first article and the first transverse side of the second article are not aligned. More preferred, said cutter may also separate the second article from the continuous material mesh so that the first longitudinal side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second wing of the second article. More preferably, said cutter can also separate the second article from the continuous material mesh so that the lateral side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article. In this aspect of the present invention the terms used have a meaning similar to that previously described herein in relation to an apparatus for the manufacture of a component layer for use in a sanitary absorbent article. Other objects and features of the invention will be made apparent by reference to the following specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a top elevated view of a sanitary absorbent article of the prior art; Figure 2 illustrates a plurality of absorbent articles of the prior art, showing the separation pattern used to separate absorbent articles from one another. Figure 3 illustrates a top elevated view of a sanitary absorbent article of the present invention. Figure 3 a is a cross-sectional view of the towel shown in Figure 3; Figure 4 schematically illustrates the process for the manufacture of absorbent articles in accordance with the present Nvention Figure 5 illustrates a plurality of absorbent articles, showing the separation pattern of the present invention used to separate absorbent articles from one another. Figure 6 illustrates a separation pattern of the present Invention for manufacturing the absorbent article, or a component layer thereof, shown in Figure 1; and Figure 7 illustrates a separation pattern of the present Invention for the manufacture of absorbent articles or component layers thereof, in accordance with a variant. In the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention are Polished by way of example. It should be expressly understood that the description and drawings are solely for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and that they are not designed as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES In Figure 3 of the drawings there is illustrated a sanitary towel with wings, designated in a comprehensive manner by reference numeral 110, having a wing configuration of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3a, the towel is of a laminated construction and preferably includes a fluid-permeable cover layer 112, an absorbent system 114, a barrier layer 120 impervious to fluids, and adhesive strips 122 and 124.

Coating layer Coating layer 112 can be a bulky, bulky, low density, non-woven mesh material. The cover layer 112 can be composed of a single type of fiber, such as polyester or polypropylene or it can be composed of double components or conjugated fibers having a low melting point component and a high melting point component. The fibers may be selected from a variety of natural and synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester, rayon (in combination with other fibers), cotton, acrylic fiber and the like and combinations thereof. The fibers of double components can be constituted by a polyester center and a polyethylene sheet. The use of materials of appropriate double components results in a meltable nonwoven fabric. Examples of such fusible fabrics are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,555,430 issued November 26, 1985 to Mays. By using a meltable fabric, the ease with which the cover layer can be mounted to the adjacent transfer layer and / or the barrier layer increases.

The cover layer 112 preferably has a relatively high degree of wettability, although the individual fibers constituting the cover may not be particularly hydrophilic. The cover material must also contain a large number of relatively large pores. This is because the cover layer 112 is designed to absorb body fluid quickly and transport it away from the body and toward the point of deposition. Preferably, the fibers constituting the cover layer 112 should not lose their physical properties when wet, in other words, they should not collapse or lose their elasticity when subjected to water or body fluids. The cover layer 112 can be treated to allow fluid to pass through it easily. The cover layer 112 also functions to transfer fluid rapidly to the other layers of the absorbent structure 114. In this way, the cover layer 112 is preferably wettable, hydrophilic and porous. When it is composed of synthetic hydrophobic fibers such as polyester or double component fibers, the cover layer 112 can be treated with a surfactant to impart the desired degree of wettability. More preferably, the cover layer 112 is made of a polymer layer having large pores. Because of such high porosity, the film fulfills the function of rapidly transferring body fluid to the inner layers of the absorbent system. The co-extruded films with openings such as the RETICULON ™ brand described for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,690,679 are useful as cover layers in the absorbent structures of this invention. The cover layer 112 may be embossed to the remnant of the absorbent system 114 to suitably assist in promoting hydrophilic capacity by fusing the cover with the next layer.

Absorbent System-Transfer Layer Adjacent to the cover layer 112 on its inner side and attached to the cover layer 112 is a fluid transfer layer 116 that forms part of the absorbent system 114. The transfer layer 116 provides the means for receiving body fluid from the cover layer 112 and to retain it until the highly dense absorbent center has an opportunity to absorb the fluid. The transfer layer 116 is preferably denser and has a larger proportion of pores smaller than the cover layer 112. This attribute allows the transfer layer 116 to contain the body fluid and hold it away from the outer side of the body. the cover layer 112, thereby preventing the fluid from rewetting the cover layer 112 and its surface. However, the transfer layer is preferably not so dense as to prevent the passage of fluid through the layer to the absorbent center. The transfer layer 116 may be composed of fibrous materials, such as pulpwood, polyester, flexible foam rayon, or the like, or combinations thereof. The transfer layer 116 may also include thermoplastic materials for the purpose of stabilizing the layer and maintaining its structural integrity. The transfer layer 116 can be treated with surfactant on one or both sides to adequately increase its wettability, although generally the transfer layer 116 is relatively hydrophilic and may not require treatment. The transfer layer 116 is preferably joined on both sides to the adjacent layers, i.e. the cover layer 112 and the absorbent center 118.

Absorbent system-absorbent center Immediately adjacent to and attached to the transfer layer 116 is the center 118 absorbent. The absorbent center 118 is preferably a highly dense layer having a fine porosity. This has a large liquid holding capacity and is extremely retensive. More preferably, the absorbent center 118 is composed of compressed sputum moss material. More specifically, the sphagnum moss is formed as a panel by air or wet stratification and heated to obtain a thin sheet-like structure, ie from 0.0254 cm to 0.254 cm) of relatively dense thickness ie from 0.2 to 1.0 g / cm3. The structure may include a layer of Kraft fabric laminated on one or both surfaces of the sputtering moss layer. Preferably, a fibrous component is mixed with the sphagnum moss material. The fibrous component is suitably a textile or synthetic fiber such as rayon, polyester, nyon, acrylic or the like having a length from 0.635cm to 3.81cm and a denier from about 1.0 to . 0. The fibrous component may be present in an amount ranging from 2 to 20% by weight, preferably from 4 to 8% by weight. The absorbent center 118 may also be composed of other components such as wood pulp, synthetic wood pulp, thermomechanical pulp, mechanically ground pulp, polymers, surfactants, superabsorbents and the like. In an alternative embodiment the absorbent system 114 includes a single layer of pulp fluff (the transfer layer is omitted). The absorbent center 116 preferably includes a pulp fluff and may optionally include other absorbent materials or nonabsorbent materials that help stabilize the absorbent structure such as conjugate fibers, meltable fibers, binders, sputum moss particles, superabsorbents, and the like and combinations thereof.

Barrier Layer Underlying the absorbent system 114 is a barrier layer 120 comprising a liquid impervious film material so as to prevent the liquid that is trapped in the absorbent center from leaving the sanitary napkin and staining the undergarment underwear. the user. Preferably, the barrier layer 120 is made of a polymeric film such as polyethylene which is inexpensive and can be easily obtained. The polyethylene is capable of completely blocking the passage of liquid or gas that could emanate from the absorbent system 114. In a variant, breathable films can be used which allow the passage of gases while blocking the liquids. The cover layer 112 and the barrier layer 120 are bonded along the marginal portions so as to form a closure that holds the absorbent system 114 captive. The joint can be made by adhesives, heat bonding, ultrasonic bonding, radio frequency sealing, mechanical fastening and the like and combinations thereof. The peripheral seal line is shown in figure 3 with the reference number 121.

Adhesive strips To retain the sanitary towel 110 to the wearer's panties, the adhesive zones 122 and 124 are provided on the barrier layer 120. The adhesive zone 124, located on the wings 126 and 128, joins the wings to the surface of the panty that looks at the wearer's clothing while the adhesive zone 122 serves to retain the sanitary towel 110 to the surface of the panty that look towards the body.

Wings The wings 126 and 128 are designed to be folded over the side edges of the wearer's panties in the portion of the between the leg and to be fastened to the surface of the pantyhose facing the garment. The wings 126 and 128 help secure the sanitary pad 110 in place in the wearer's panties, and maintain the structural integrity of the sanitary pad 110 by providing a recoil spring action during the wearer's body movements. The overall effect of the wings 126 and 128 is to secure and maintain the sanitary towel 110 in an optimally exposed manner to provide the maximum fluid absorption surface, thereby reducing the incidence of failure.

Wing configuration-background technique Figure 1 illustrates a sanitary napkin 010 with wing configuration of the prior art. Such a towel is composed of a main body 030 having a first transverse side 032, and a second opposite transverse side 034, a first longitudinal side 036 and a second longitudinally opposite side 038. A first wing 026 and a second wing 028 project laterally from the main body 030 from the first longitudinal side 036 and the second longitudinal side 038, respectively. The wings 026 and 028 are in the form of a symmetrical trapezoid bi-periodically, the base being located on the longitudinal side of the article. The upper part of the trapezoid forms the lateral side 040 and 042 of each wing 026 and 028, respectively. The contour of the towel 010 is symmetrical around both imaginary central lines 044 extending longitudinally downwardly of the sanitary napkin and in an imaginary central line 046 extending transversely through the sanitary napkin 010. In this way, there is a line 048 which symmetrically simultaneously bisects the wings 026 and 028, and that line 048 is collinear with the transverse center line 046 of the towel 010. Figure 2 illustrates a cutting pattern used in the prior art to manufacture the towel described in figure 1 coming from a mesh of at least one layer of continuous material. In such a pattern, the similar transverse sides of successive towels are aligned, i.e. the intersection points 050a, 050b, 050c of the transverse side 032a, 032b, 032c of each towel with the longitudinal centerline 044a, 044b, 044c of the towel are collinear, that line 052 is parallel to the transverse center line 046 of article 010, and that line 052 is perpendicular to the longitudinal center lines 044a, 044b, 044c of the towels. The lateral sides of the opposite wings of the successive articles face one another (for example, the lateral side 040a of the first wing 026a of the first article 010a is facing the lateral side 042b of the second wing 028b of the second article 010b ). Such opposite lateral sides 040a and 042b are substantially in contact in that the distance between them within the pattern is the minimum distance of separation dictated by the die that is being used to separate them from the mesh. The shaded area in the middle is not used to produce a towel from the mesh of material and must be discarded as waste during the manufacturing process.

Wing configuration - present invention Referring to Figure 3, a sanitary napkin 110 having a wing configuration of the present invention comprises a main body 130 having a first transverse side 132 and a second transverse side 134 opposite. Each transverse side is arcuate in shape without a particular curvature being essential to the present invention. The sanitary napkin 110 further has a first longitudinal side 136 and a second longitudinal side 138 opposite, each of which is generally straight. The shape of the towel 110 when viewed from above, as shown in Figure 3, is almost rectangular. A first wing 126 and a second wing 128 project laterally from the main body 130 of the first longitudinal side 136 and the second longitudinal side 138, respectively. Each of these wings 126 and 128 is in the shape of a bilaterally symmetric trapezoid, the base being located on the longitudinal side of the article. The first wing 126 has a first longitudinal side 154 and a second longitudinal side 156 formed from the sides of the trapezoid, and a lateral side 140 formed in the upper part of the trapezoid. In a similar way, the second wing 128 has a first longitudinal side 158 and a second longitudinal side 160 formed from the sides of the trapezoid, and a lateral side 142 formed from the upper part of the trapezoid. The first longitudinal side 154 of the first wing 126 and the first longitudinal side 158 of the second wing 128 each look in the same direction as the first transverse side 132 of the main body 130 of the towel 110. In the same direction, the second longitudinal side 156 of the first wing 126 and the second longitudinal side 160 of the second wing 128 face in the same direction as the second transverse side 134 of the main body 130 of the towel 110. The outline of the sanitary napkin 110 is symmetrical about an imaginary centerline 144 extending longitudinally downwardly of the sanitary napkin 110. An individual line 148 simultaneously symmetrically bisects both the first wing 126 and the second wing 128. A second centerline 146 extends transversely through the sanitary napkin 110, from which the wings 126 and 128 are displaced. By displaced it is meant that the line 148 symmetrically bisecting the wings is not collinear with the transverse center line 146 of the towel 110. The amount by which the wings 126 and 128 are displaced is described below in relation to the cutting pattern for the present towel. In FIG. 5, a cutting pattern of the present invention that will be used in the manufacture of sanitary napkins of the present invention from a mesh of at least one continuous material is illustrated. In such a pattern the successive towels 110, 210, 310 are placed side by side, and rotated. The first transverse side 132 of the first towel 110, the second transverse side 134 of the second towel 210, and the first transverse side 332 of the third towel 310 all look in a similar direction. Similarly, the second transverse side 134 of the first towel 110, the first transverse side 232 of the second towel 210 and the second transverse side 334 of the third towel 310 all look in the same direction. The alternating sides of the successive articles are aligned within the pattern, ie the intersection points 150, 250, 350, of these transverse sides 132, 234, 332 (respectively) of these towels 110, 210, 310 with their longitudinal centerlines 144, 244, 344 (respectively) are collinear, the line 152 formed by connecting such points 150, 250, 350 is parallel to the transverse center lines 146, 246, 346 of the towels, and that line 152 is perpendicular to the line longitudinal central 144, 244, 344 towels. In addition, in the pattern illustrated in Figure 5, the similar longitudinal sides of successive articles face one another. Therefore, the first longitudinal side 136 of the first towel 110 faces the first longitudinal side 236 of the second towel 210, and the second longitudinal side 238 of the second towel 210 faces the second longitudinal side 338 of the third towel 310, and etc. The first wings 126, 226, 326 and the second wing 128, 228, 328 of the towels 110, 210, 310 are positioned with respect to the main body 130, 230, 330 (ie they are offset from the transverse center line 146, 246 , 346) such that the similar longitudinal sides of the similar wings of the successive towels are substantially in contact with one another. In Figure 5, the second longitudinal side 156 of the first flange 126 of the first towel 110 is in full contact with the second longitudinal side 256 of the first flange 226 of the second towel 210. Similarly, the second longitudinal side 260 of the second wing 228 of the second towel 210 is in full contact with the second longitudinal side 360 of the second wing 328 of the third towel 310. When such wings are in full contact, the lateral sides of the wings will be substantially in contact with the longitudinal side of the towel that is placed in front. In this way, as shown, the lateral side 140 of the first wing 126 of the first towel 110 is in contact with the first longitudinal side 236 of the main body 230 of the second towel 230 and the lateral side 240 of the first wing 226 of the second towel 210 is in contact with the first longitudinal side 136 of the main body 130 of the first towel 110. Similarly, the lateral side 242 of the second flange 228 of the second towel 210 is in contact with the second longitudinal side 338 of the main body 330 of the third towel 310, and the side side 342 of the second wing 328 of the third towel 310 is in contact with the second longitudinal side 238 of the main body 230 of the second towel 210. The shaded area between successive towels It is not used in the manufacture of any towel and must be discarded as waste.

By placing the wings of the towel in accordance with the present invention, the amount of waste material generated is significantly reduced compared to the towels of the prior art, as graphically illustrated in Figures 2 and 5.

Method of manufacturing towels of the present invention. Figure 3 schematically illustrates the various steps in the procedure for assembling the sanitary napkin. In a first step, a continuous strip 100 of fluid impervious material is provided which will form the barrier layer of the towel which has the desired thickness and is of appropriate width. This width is equal to the length of the longitudinal center line of the articles being manufactured in addition to any additional necessary width for the handling of the material by the manufacturing apparatuses. In a subsequent step, the absorbent centers 402 are applied in series to the continuous mesh in a separate separate relationship at the desired position. The position of each absorbent center on the mesh is selected in accordance with the pattern with which the final products will be separated from the mesh. The exact application and placement of the centers along the mesh will be achieved by some means including a conveyor belt or a vacuum drum. In a subsequent step, a transfer layer 404 is applied to the absorbent center by a method similar to that of the centers. A second continuous strip 406 of fluid permeable material forming the cover layer of the final article is then applied. This strip will make contact with the transfer layers placed along the first mesh, and the barrier layer strip in the areas where no absorbent center / transfer layer is located. The superimposed layers are sealed together at the sealing station 408 along the margins of the absorbent centers in a desired pattern to form a continuous composite mesh. There are a number of methods that can be used to complete this task, such as adhesive methods, heat sealing, and mechanical fastening, among others. In this way a mesh of sealed, continuous rolling material is formed. The adhesive strips are then applied (not shown) to the outer surface of the material of the barrier layer. It should be noted that the method described above could be modified to form the sanitary pads face down, which involves starting with the cover layer instead of the barrier layer. This variant further requires changing the order of deposition of the transfer layer and the absorbent center, with the transfer layer being placed first followed by the absorbent center. Finally, the barrier layer is put in place and the composite mesh is sealed. The final step in the process is to separate the individual articles from the continuous laminated sealed material mesh in the cutting station 410 which uses a roll 412 for die cutting. In this sense, the individual articles are separated along the dark line shown in Figure 5 by die cutting. A second aspect of the present invention allows the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles having a wing configuration of the prior art as shown in Figure 1 with less waste material generated. This method of manufacture is generally the same as that previously described with respect to the first aspect, except that the layers of absorbent centers / transfer layers are placed within the mesh in accordance with the cut pattern described below. In this configuration, the towels 010a, 010b, 010c, 01 Od are placed side by side with the successive articles being in the same orientation ie the opposite longitudinal sides of the successive towels face one another. In this way, the first longitudinal side 036a of the first article 010a looks to the second longitudinal side 138b of the second article 010b and the first longitudinal side 036b of the second article 010b looks to the second longitudinal side 038c of the third article 010c). Points of intersection 050a, 050b, 050c, 050d of the similar transverse sides 032a, 032b, 032c, 032d of each towel 010a, 010b, 010c, 01 Od with the longitudinal centerline 044a, 044b, 044c, 044d of that towel are collinear. Note, however, that line 052 is not parallel to the transverse center line 046a, 046b, 046c, 046d of the towels, nor is line 052 perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 044a, 044b, 044c, 044d of each towel. The opposite longitudinal sides of the opposite wings of the successive towels are substantially in contact with one another. In this way, the first longitudinal side 054a of the first wing 026a of the first towel 010a is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side 060b of the second wing 028b of the second towel 010b. Similarly, the first longitudinal side 054b of the first wing 026b of the second towel 010b is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side 060c of the second wing 028c of the third towel 010c. Similarly, the lateral side 040b of the first wing 026b of the second towel 010b is in substantial contact with the second longitudinal side 038c of the main body 030c of the third towel 010c and the lateral side 042c of the second wing 028c of the third towel 040c is substantially in contact with first longitudinal side 036b of main body 030b of second towel 010b. A third aspect of the present invention that also allows the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles having a prior art wing configuration is shown in Figure 1 with less waste material generated. This method of manufacture is generally the same as those previously described with respect to the first and second aspects, except that once again the absorbent centers / transfer layers are placed within the mesh in accordance with the cut pattern described below. In this sense, it is illustrated in Figure 7 the placement of the final articles within the continuous sealed mesh of the present embodiment, and the cutting pattern thereof. In this configuration, the towels 010a, 010b, 010c are placed side by side with the successive articles having the same orientation as the last one, however, only a portion of the opposite longitudinal sides of the successive towels face one another.

In this way, a portion of the first longitudinal side 036a, of the first article 010a looks at a portion of the second longitudinal side 038b of the second article 010b and a portion of the first longitudinal side 036b of the second article 010b looks at a portion of the second longitudinal side 038c of the third article 010c. The intersecting points 050a, 050b, 050c of similar transverse sides 032a, 032b, 032c of each towel 010a, 010b, 010c with the longitudinal centerline 044a, 044b, 044c of that towel are collinear. Note, however, that line 052 is not parallel with the transverse center line 046a, 046b, 046c of the towels, nor is line 052 perpendicular to longitudinal center line 044a, 044b, 044c of each towel. As illustrated in Figure 7, it is preferred that the portions that are in contact with the longitudinal sides of the successive articles are substantially in contact with one another to properly minimize the waste material generated. The above description of the preferred embodiment should not be interpreted in any way as limiting since variations and refinements are possible which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The field of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (28)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A sanitary absorbent article (110) suitable to be placed within the crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, the article consisting of: A) A main body (130), said main body (130) having a first side transverse (132), a second transverse side (134), a first longitudinal side (136), a second longitudinal side (138), and an imaginary longitudinal central line (144); (B) A first wing (126) that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article (110) is worn by the wearer, said first wing (126) projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side (136) of said main body (130), said first wing (126) having two longitudinal sides (154), 156), each longitudinal side (154, 156) projecting from the first longitudinal side (136) of said main body (130) in the middle of the transverse sides (132, 134) of said main body (130), characterized in that said first wing (126) is positioned with respect to said main body (130) of so that when (i) two of the articles (110, 210) are placed longitudinal side (136) to longitudinal side (236), and (ii) one of the articles (210) is rotated with respect to the other of the articles (110) so that the first longitudinal side (136, 236) of said body or main (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) look at the first longitudinal side (236, 136) of said main body (230, 130) of the other of the articles (210, 110), and ( Ii) The first transverse side (132, 232) of said main body (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) is aligned with the second transverse side (234, 134) of said main body (230, 130) of the other of the articles (210, 110) and (iv) An imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (144, 244) of each of said main bodies (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) intersects simultaneously said first wing (126, 226) of each of the articles (110, 210). 210); one of the longitudinal sides (156) of said first wing (126) of one of the articles (110) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (256) of said first wing (226) of the other of the articles (210) ) and said first wings (126, 226) of each of the articles (110, 210) do not overlap.

2. A sanitary absorbent article (210) according to claim 1, further characterized in that each article (210) comprises: (C) a second wing (228) that can be folded around a second side edge of the portion crotch of the wearer's undergarment when the article (210) is used by the wearer, said second wing (228) projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side (238) of said main body (230), said second wing ( 228) two longitudinal sides (258, 260), each of the longitudinal sides projecting laterally outwards from the second longitudinal side (238) of said main body (230) in the middle of the transverse sides (232, 234) of said body main (230), and said second wing being positioned with respect to said main body (230) so that when (i) two of the articles (210. 310) are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (i) one of the articles (310) is rotated with respect to the other of said articles (210) so that the second longitudinal side (238, 338) of said main body (230, 330) of each of the articles (210, 310) look at the second longitudinal side (338, 238) of said main body (330, 230) of the other of the articles (310, 210), and (ni) the first transverse passage (232, 332) of said main body (230, 330) of each of the articles (210, 310) is aligned with the second transverse side (334, 234) of said main body ( 330, 230) of the other article (310, 210) and (iv) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (244, 344) of each of said main bodies (230, 330). of each of the articles (210, 310) simultaneously intersects said second wing (228, 328) of each of the articles (210, 310); one of the longitudinal sides (260) of said second wing (228) of one of the articles (210) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (360) of said second wing (328) of the other of the articles (310) ), and said second wings (228, 328) of each of the articles (210, 310) do not overlap.

3. A method of manufacturing sanitary absorbent articles (110) suitable for being placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article comprising: (i) a main body (130), having the main body (130) a first transverse side (132), a second transverse side (134), a first longitudinal side (136), a second longitudinal side (136) and an imaginary longitudinal central line (144); and (ii) a first wing (126) that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article (110) is worn by the user, with the first wing projecting (126). ) laterally from the first longitudinal side (136) of the main body (130), the first wing (126) having two longitudinal sides (154, 156), each longitudinal side (154, 156) projecting laterally outward from the first longitudinal side (136) of said main body (130) in the middle of the transverse sides (132, 134) of said main body (130); which comprises the steps of: (A) providing a mesh of at least one layer of continuous material (400, 402, 404, 406); (B) separating from the mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) a first article (110) and a second article (210) positioned with respect to each other such that: (1) the second article (210) is made rotate with respect to the first article (110) so that the first longitudinal side (136, 236) of the main body (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) faces the first longitudinal side (236, 136) of the main body (230, 130) of the other of the articles (210, 110), and (2) the first transverse side (132, 232) of each of the articles (110, 210) is aligned with the second transverse side (234, 134) of the other of the articles (210, 110), and (3) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (144, 244) of each of the main bodies (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) simultaneously intersects the first wing (126, 226) of each of the articles (110, 210).

4. A method according to claim 3, further characterized in that the second article (210) is separated from the mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) placed with respect to the first article (110) so that one of the longitudinal sides (256) of the first wing (226) of the second article (210) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (156) of the first wing (126) of the first article (110).

5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, further characterized in that the article (110) consists of: (iii) a second wing (126) that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article (110) is worn by the wearer, the second wing (128) projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side (138) of the main body (130), with the second wing (128) tending two longitudinal sides (158, 160), with each longitudinal side (158, 160) projecting laterally outward from the second longitudinal side (138) of the main body (130) in the middle of the transverse sides (132, 134) of the main body (130). ); which further comprises the steps of: (C) separating from the mesh a third article (310) positioned with respect to the second article (210) such that: (1) the third article (310) is rotated with respect to the second article (210) so that the second longitudinal side (238) of the main body (230) of the second article (210) faces the second longitudinal side (338) of the main body (330) of the third article (310); and (2) the first transverse side (232) of the second article (210) is aligned with the second transverse side (334) of the third article (310), and (3) the first transverse side (332) of the third article (310) is aligned with the second transverse side (234) of the second article (210); and (4) an imaginary line generally parallel to, located between, the longitudinal centerlines (244, 344) of each of the main bodies (230, 330) of each of the articles (210, 310) simultaneously intersects the second. wing (228) of the second article (210) and the second wing (328) of the third article (310).

6. A method according to claim 5, further characterized in that the third article (310) is separated from the mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) placed with respect to the second article (210) so that one of the longitudinal sides (360) of the second wing (328) of the third article (310) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (260) of the second wing (228) of the second article (210).

7. An apparatus for the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles (110, 210, 310) suitable for being placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article (110) consisting of: (i) a main body (130), the main body (130) having a first transverse side (132), a second transverse side (134), a first longitudinal side (136), a second longitudinal side (138), and a longitudinal center line imaginary (144); (ii) a first wing (126) that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article (110) is worn by the wearer, with the first wing projecting (126). ) from the first longitudinal side (136) of the main body (130), the first wing (126) having two longitudinal sides (154, 156), each longitudinal side projecting (154, 156) laterally outward from the first longitudinal side (136) of said main body (130) in the middle of the transverse sides (132, 134) of the main body (130); characterized the apparatus because it has a cutter (408) that can separate a first article (110) and a second article (210) from a continuous material mesh (400, 402, 404, 406), the first article (110) being placed and the second article (210) with respect to each other so that: (A) the second article (210) is rotated with respect to the first article (110) so that the first longitudinal side (136, 236) of the body main (130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) look towards the first longitudinal side (236, 136) of the main body (230, 130) of the other of the articles (210, 110); and (B) the first transverse side (132) of the first article (110) is aligned with the second transverse side (234) of the second article (210), and (C) the first transverse side (232) of the second article (210) ) is aligned with the second transverse side (134) of the first article (110), and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (144, 244) of each of the main bodies ( 130, 230) of each of the articles (110, 210) simultaneously intersects the first wing (126, 226) of each of the articles (110, 210).

8. - An apparatus according to claim 7, further characterized in that the cutter (408) can also separate the first article (110) and the second article (210) from the continuous material mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) placed one with respect to the other so that one of the longitudinal sides (156) of the first wing (126) of the first article (110) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (256) of the second wing (226) of the second article (210).

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further characterized in that the article (110) comprises: (iii) a second wing (126) projecting from the second longitudinal side (138) of the main body (130) , the second wing (126) having two longitudinal sides (158,160), each longitudinal side (158 160) projecting laterally outwardly from the second longitudinal side (138) of the main body (130) of the main body (132, 134) in between of the transverse sides (132, 134) of the main body (130); further characterized in that said cutter (408) can also separate a third article (310) from the web of continuous material (400, 402, 404, 406) placed with respect to the second article (210) so that: (A) the third article (310) is rotated with respect to the second article (210) so that the second longitudinal side (238) of the main body (230) of the second article (210) faces the second longitudinal side (338) of the main body ( 330) of the third article (310), and (B) the first transverse side (232) of the second article (210) is aligned with the second transverse side (334) of the third article (310), and (C) the first side cross section (332) of the third article (310) is aligned with the second transverse side (234) of the second article (210), and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (244, 344) of each of the main bodies (230, 330) of each of the articles (210, 310) simultaneously intersects the second wing (228) of the second article (210) and the second wing (328) of the third article (310).

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further characterized in that said cutter (408) can also separate the second article (210) and the third article (310) placed one with respect to the other so that one of the longitudinal ones ( 260) of the second wing (228) of the second article (210) is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides (360) of the second wing (328) of the third article (310).

11. A method for manufacturing sanitary absorbent articles (010a, 010b, 010c, 01 Od) appropriate to be placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article (010) consisting of: (i) ) a main body (030), the main body (030) having a first transverse side (032), a second transverse side (034), a first longitudinal side (036), a second longitudinal side (038), and a imaginary longitudinal center line (044); (ii) a first wing (026) that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the first wing (026) projecting from the first longitudinal side (036) of the main body (030) ); (iii) a second wing (028) that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the second wing (028) projecting from the second longitudinal side (038) of the main body (030); and (iv) each of the wings (026, 028) having a first longitudinal side (054, 058) a second longitudinal side (056, 060) and a lateral side (040, 042), each longitudinal side projecting (052, 054, 056, 060) of each of the wings (026, 028) laterally outward from a longitudinal side (036, 038) of the main body (030) in the middle of the transverse sides (032, 034) of the main body (030); (v) the wings (026, 028) being located substantially at the midpoint between the transverse sides (032, 034); which comprises the steps of: (A) providing a mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) that includes at least one layer of continuous material; (B) separating said mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) to form a first article (010a) and a second article (010b) positioned with respect to each other such that: (1) at least a portion of the first side longitudinal (036a) of the main body (030a) of the first article (010a) look toward at least a portion of the second longitudinal side (038b) of the main body (030b) of the second article (010b); (2) the first longitudinal side (054a) of the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side (060b) of the second wing (028b) of the second article (010b), and (3) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal centerlines (044a, 044b) of each of the main bodies (030a, 030b) simultaneously intersects the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) ) and the second wing (028b) of the second article (010b).

12. A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that the second article (010b) is separated from the continuous material mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) positioned with respect to the first article (010a) so that the lateral side (040a) of the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side (038b) of the main body (030b) of the second article (010b).

13. An apparatus suitable for the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles (010a, 010b, 010c, 01 Od) suitable for being placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, comprising item (010) of: ( i) a main body (030), the main body (030) having a first transverse side (032), a second transverse side (034), a first longitudinal side (036), a second longitudinal side (038), and a imaginary longitudinal center line (044); (ii) a first wing (026) that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the first wing (026) projecting from the first longitudinal side (036) of the main body (030) ); (iii) a second wing (028) that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the second wing (028) projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body (030); and (iv) each of the wings (026, 028) having a first longitudinal side (054, 058) and a second longitudinal side (056,060), each of the longitudinal sides projecting (054, 056, 058, 060) each wing (026, 028) laterally outward from a longitudinal side (036, 038) of the main body (030) in the middle of the transverse sides (032, 034) of the main body (030); (v) the additions (026,028) being located substantially at the midpoint between the transverse sides (032, 034); the apparatus being characterized by having a cutter (408) that can separate a first article (010a) and a second article (010b) from a continuous material mesh (400, 402, 404, 406), the first article being placed (010a) ) and the second article (010b) with respect to each other so that: (A) at least a portion of the first longitudinal side (036a) of the main body (030a) of the first article (010a) faces toward at least a portion of the second longitudinal side (038b) of the main body (030b) of the second article (010b); (B) the first longitudinal side (054a) of the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side (060b) of the second wing (028b) of the second article (010b), and (C) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines (044a, 044b) of each of the main bodies (030a, 030b) of each of the articles (010a, 010b) simultaneously intersects the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) and the second wing (028b) of the second article (010).

An apparatus according to claim 13, further characterized in that said cutter (408) can also separate the second article (010b) from the material mesh (400, 402, 404, 406) placed with respect to the first article (010a) ) so that the lateral side (040a) of the first wing (026a) of the first article (010a) is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side (038b) of the main body (030b) of the second article (010b).

15. A sanitary absorbent article suitable to be placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, comprising the article of: (A) a main body, said main body having a first transverse side, second transverse side , a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and an imaginary longitudinal central line; (B) a first wing that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article is worn by the wearer, said first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of said wearer main body, said first aia having two longitudinal sides, each of the longitudinal sides projecting laterally outwards from the first longitudinal side of said main body in the middle of the transverse sides of said first main body, and said first wing being positioned with respect to to said main body in such a way that when (i) all the articles are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (ii) one of the articles is rotated with respect to the other of the articles so that the first longitudinal side of said main body of each of the articles look towards the first longitudinal side of said main body of the other of the articles, and (ii) the first transverse side of said main body of each of the articles is aligned with the second transverse side of said main body of the other article, and (iv) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal central lines of each of said main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects said first wing of each of the articles; one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of one of the articles is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said first wing of the other article, and said first wing of each of the articles does not overlap.

16. A sanitary absorbent article according to claim 15, each article comprising: (C) a second wing that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment of the undergarment. user when the item is used by the usersaid second wing projecting laterally from the second longitudinal side of the main body, said second wing having two longitudinal sides, each longitudinal side projecting laterally outward from the second longitudinal side of each of the intermediate main bodies with the transverse lines of said body main, and said second wing being positioned with respect to said main body such that when (i) two of the articles are placed longitudinal side with longitudinal side, and (i) one of the articles is rotated with respect to the other of said article so that the second longitudinal side of said main body of each of the articles faces the second longitudinal side of said main body of the other of the articles, and (iii) the first transverse side of said main body of each of the articles is aligned with the second transverse side of said main body of the other of the articles and (iv) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the lines longitudinal centrals of each of said main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects said second wing of each of the articles; one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of one of the articles is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of said second wing of the other of the articles and said second wings of each of the articles do not overlap.

A method of manufacturing sanitary absorbent articles suitable for being placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article comprising: a main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second side transverse, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and an imaginary longitudinal central line; and (ii) a first wing that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer when the article is worn by the wearer, the first wing projecting laterally from the first longitudinal side of the wearer. main body, the first wing having two longitudinal sides, each of the longitudinal sides projecting laterally outward from the first longitudinal side of said main body in the middle of the transverse sides of said main body; which comprises the steps of: (A) providing a mesh of at least one layer of continuous material; (B) separating from the mesh a first article and a second article placed one with respect to the other so that: (1) the second article is rotated with respect to the first article so that the first longitudinal side of the main body of each one of the articles faces the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other of the articles, and (2) the first transverse side of each of the articles is aligned with the second transverse side of the other of the articles, and (3) a an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the first wing of each of the articles.

18. A method according to claim 17, further characterized in that the second article is separated from the mesh positioned with respect to the first article so that one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the second article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the first wing of the first article.

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, further characterized in that the article comprises: (iii) a second wing that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment of the user when the article is used by the user, projecting the second wing laterally from the second longitudinal side of the main body, the second wing having two longitudinal sides, each longitudinal side projecting laterally outward from the second longitudinal side of the main body in the middle of the transverse sides of the main body; which comprises the steps of: (C) separating from the mesh a third article placed with respect to the second article so that: (1) the third article is rotated with respect to the second article so that the second longitudinal side of the body main of second article look at the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third article, and (2) the first transverse side of the second article is aligned with the second transverse side of the third article, and (3) the first transverse side of the third article is aligned with the second transverse side of the second article, and (4) an imaginary line generally parallel to, located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the second wing of the second article and the second wing of the third article.

20. - A method according to claim 19, further characterized in that the third article is separated from the mesh placed with respect to the second article so that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article.

21. -An apparatus for the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles suitable to be placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article comprising: (i) a main body, the main body having a first transverse side, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and an imaginary longitudinal center line; (I) a first wing that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the wearer's undergarment when the article is worn by the wearer, the first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the body main, the first wing having two longitudinal sides, each longitudinal side projecting laterally outward from the first longitudinal side of said main body in the middle of the transverse lines of the main body; the apparatus comprising a cutter that can separate a first article and a second article from a continuous material mesh, the first article and the second article being placed with respect to each other so that: (A) the second article is rotated with respect to the first article so that the first longitudinal side of the main body of each of the articles faces the first longitudinal side of the main body of the other article, and (B) the first transverse side of the first article is aligned with the first article. second transverse side of the second article, and (C) the first transverse side the second article is aligned with the second transverse side of the first article, and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each one of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the first wing of each of the articles.

22. - An apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that the cutter can also separate the first article and the second article from the mesh of continuous material placed one with respect to the other so that one of the longitudinal sides of the first The wing of the first article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article.

23. - An apparatus according to claim 21 or 22, further characterized in that the article further comprises: (iii) a second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body having the second wing two longitudinal sides, projecting each longitudinal side laterally outwardly from the second longitudinal side of the main body in the middle of the transverse sides of the main body; wherein said cutter may also separate a third article from the continuous material mesh positioned with respect to the second article such that: (A) the third article is rotated with respect to the second article so that the second longitudinal side of the main body from the second article look at the second longitudinal side of the main body of the third article, and (B) the first transverse side of the second article is aligned with the second transverse side of the third article, and (C) the first transverse side of the third article is aligned with the second transverse side of the second article, and (D) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the second wing of the second article and the second wing of the third article.

24. - An apparatus according to claim 23, further characterized in that the cutter can also separate the second article and the third article positioned with respect to each other so that one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the second article is substantially in contact with one of the longitudinal sides of the second wing of the third article.

25. A manufacturing method for sanitary absorbent articles suitable for being placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, each article comprising: (i) a main body, the main body having a first transverse side , a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and an imaginary longitudinal center line; (ii) a first wing that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment projecting the first wing from the first longitudinal side of the main body; (iii) a second wing that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; and (v) each of the wings having a first longitudinal side a second longitudinal side and a lateral side, each of the longitudinal sides of each wing projecting laterally outwards from a longitudinal side of the main body in the middle of the transverse sides of main body; (v) the wings being located substantially at the midpoint between the transverse lines; which consists of the steps of: A) providing a mesh that includes at least one layer of continuous material; (B) separating from said mesh to form a first article and a second article positioned with respect to each other so that: (1) at least a portion of the first longitudinal side of the main body of the first article faces toward at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article; (2) the first longitudinal side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second wing of the second article, (3) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal center lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously intersects the first wing of the first article and the second wing of the second article.

26. - A method according to claim 25, further characterized in that the second article is separated from the continuous material mesh positioned with respect to the first article so that the lateral side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main group of the second article.

27. An apparatus for the manufacture of sanitary absorbent articles suitable to be placed within a crotch portion of an undergarment of a wearer, the article consisting of: (i) a main body, the main body having a first side transverse, a second transverse side, a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side and an imaginary longitudinal central line; (ii) a first wing that can be folded around a first side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the first wing projecting from the first longitudinal side of the main body; (iii) a second wing that can be folded around a second side edge of the crotch portion of the undergarment, the second wing projecting from the second longitudinal side of the main body; and (iv) each of the wings having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, each longitudinal side of each wing projecting laterally outwardly from a longitudinal side of the main body in the middle of the main body transverse lines; (v) the wings being located substantially at the midpoint between the transverse sides; the apparatus comprising a cutter that can separate a first article and a second article from a continuous material mesh, the first article and the second article being placed with respect to each other so that: (A) at least a portion of the first longitudinal side of main body of the first article faces towards at least a portion of the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article; (B) the first longitudinal side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the second wing of the second article, (C) an imaginary line generally parallel to, and located between, the longitudinal central lines of each of the main bodies of each of the articles simultaneously inserts the first wing of the first article and the second wing of the second article. 28. - An apparatus according to claim 27, further characterized in that said cutter can also separate the second article of the mesh of material placed with respect to the first article so that the lateral side of the first wing of the first article is substantially in contact with the second longitudinal side of the main body of the second article.