WO2014131813A1 - Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally - Google Patents
Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2014131813A1 WO2014131813A1 PCT/EP2014/053779 EP2014053779W WO2014131813A1 WO 2014131813 A1 WO2014131813 A1 WO 2014131813A1 EP 2014053779 W EP2014053779 W EP 2014053779W WO 2014131813 A1 WO2014131813 A1 WO 2014131813A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- web
- piece
- folder
- separating
- support means
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H45/00—Folding thin material
- B65H45/12—Folding articles or webs with application of pressure to define or form crease lines
- B65H45/28—Folding in combination with cutting
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/15577—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing
- A61F13/15707—Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping
- A61F13/15747—Folding; Pleating; Coiling; Stacking; Packaging
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H45/00—Folding thin material
- B65H45/02—Folding limp material without application of pressure to define or form crease lines
- B65H45/06—Folding webs
- B65H45/10—Folding webs transversely
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/57—Diaper manufacture
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and equipment for the cross-directionally folding and separating of web materials, such as essentially continuous webs of plastic films, textiles, non- wovens, or papers, or the like or composites made from such web materials.
- Separating pieces form an essentially continuous web material has since long been a challenge in a number of industry sectors, such as the textile sector, the hygiene or medical sectors, the packaging sectors, or the bookbinding / printing sectors.
- Any free movement of a leading and/or trailing edge(s), however, has the risk of inducing large variations with regard to positioning, and this risk increases strongly with increasing production speed, particularly if the endless web includes materials which are stretched and contractive in the machine direction of the manufacturing unit.
- typical conventional folding units When combining the separation of pieces of web material from a continuous web material with cross-directional folding of the pieces, typical conventional folding units have the disadvantage that they need to instantaneously revert the direction of movement of the leading section of a product such that it's leading and trailing edges can be positioned against each other. This sudden change in direction of movement cannot be done without putting stress on the product with a high risk of imprecise positioning if not damaging it, particularly at high production speeds. The difficulties of handling such web materials are further aggravated, if the webs comprise machine- directionally elastically extended materials, such as elastic threads.
- EP-0717972A (P&G, Schmitz) describes a method of making an undergarment which comprises the steps of transporting a flattened web, cutting the web to form a pre-form, gripping the pre-form at four areas of the waist sections near seal areas, turning the grippers to bring the transverse edges together and releasing the article.
- an apparatus having a folding and sealing unit and comprising two hinged carrier arms, grippers attached to the carrier arms and carrier arm rotation means. Preferably the grippers are rotated to bring the transverse edges together.
- the web may include film and nonwoven materials, and an absorbent core so as to form a disposable absorbent article.
- the present invention provides a simple solution to the problem of folding a web in its cross- machine direction and separating it from its continuous supply simultaneously.
- the present invention is a method for forming a series (n, n+1,%) of overfolded pieces of web material from an essentially endless web material, each piece comprising a first and a second end section and a middle section positioned there between and comprising a cross-directionally extending fold line such that the first and the second section are at least partially lying upon another.
- the method comprising the steps of
- the folder web support means is positioned downstream of the web inlet, separated by an inlet gap there from and (b6) the web holding means is moveably mounted such that it can move around the folder web support means from a position downstream of the folder web support means to a position in the inlet gap, wherein the movement is preferably rotational, more preferably circular, around an axis perpendicular to the machine direction.
- the method comprises further the steps of: c) feeding a leading end of the essentially continuous web from the web supply through the web inlet over the inlet gap towards the folder web support means;
- the original leading end (n) now forms the first end section of the piece of web material overlying the second end of the web piece formed by the trailing end as being separated from the new leading end (n+1), whilst the cross-directional fold is positioned in the middle section thereof;
- step d) removing the web holding means from the inlet gap and allowing the new leading end (n+1) to move through the inlet gap to the folder web support means; and repeating steps d) to h), whereby in course of step d) the overfolded piece of web material (n) is removed from the folding and separating unit, preferably machine directionally downstream without interacting with the holding unit.
- the separating means may be selected from the group consisting of a knife blade counteracting with another blade, preferably self-sharpening; a knife blade counteracting against an anvil; a water jet system; a radiation technique, preferably laser cutting or plasma cutting; and sonic, preferably ultrasonic, cutting.
- the web separating means and the web holding means may be essentially unitary or operatively connected to each other such that both travel around the web folding means according to steps e), f) and h).
- the separating means may be a rotating knife blade counteracting with a counter- blade, wherein the rotating knife blade is rotating around an axis essentially parallel to the machine direction of the unit, and wherein the counter-blade is positioned in the web inlet.
- the leading end of the web may be temporarily attached to the web holding means by one or more attachment means selected from the group consisting of vacuum, mechanical engagement of the "hook-loop-type", mechanical engagement by protruding pins, optionally moveable pins, with vacuum holding and actuation thereof being preferred.
- the overfolding of the web may be executed such that cross-directionally extending edges of the first and the second section of the piece of web material exhibit a machine-directional offset of less than 25 mm, preferably less than 5mm, more preferably less than 2 mm and most preferably essentially zero.
- the distance, that a trailing end edge of a second section of a piece of web material travels before it is positioned adjacent to the first section of the piece of web material may be less than less than 25 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm along the machine direction.
- the method according to the present invention may further comprise one or more of the following steps:
- a bonding means preferably selected from the group consisting of adhesive application, connecting of mechanical fastening elements of the hook and loop type, heat or fusion bonding comprising ultra sonic bonding, downstream of the holding web support means, optionally cooperatively connected with at least one of the second or third web transfer means, and bonding overlying portions of the piece of web material, preferably at least along or in proximity of at least a portion of the longitudinally extending side margins of the piece of web material;
- a folding means to fold pieces of a fastening means, e.g. a hook/loop type fastener which is fixed to and extending over the lateral side margins of the first or second end section of the piece of web material, around a longitudinal foldline such that it engages with the respective other end section.
- a fastening means e.g. a hook/loop type fastener which is fixed to and extending over the lateral side margins of the first or second end section of the piece of web material, around a longitudinal foldline such that it engages with the respective other end section.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for forming a series (n, n+1,%) of overfolded pieces of web material from an essentially endless web material supplied by web supply means, each piece comprising a first and a second end section and a middle section positioned there between, thereby defining the longitudinal direction of the pieces, and comprising a cross-directionally extending fold line such that the first and the second section are at least partially lying upon another.
- the apparatus comprises a folding and separating unit, which is positioned downstream of the web supply unit and comprises
- a folder web support means preferably a vacuum belt system, positioned downstream of the web inlet, expanding along the machine direction (x-direction) and exhibiting a cross-machine extension (y-direction) aligned with the cross-direction of the piece of web material, and a height (z- directional) extension;
- a web holding means adapted to receive and temporarily hold a section of the web material ;
- a web separating means adapted to separate a piece of web material from the essentially continuous web material.
- the web holding means is moveably mounted, preferably rotatably mounted, to allow cyclic movement around the folder web support means with the web being temporarily attached thereto along a movement path forming an essentially x-z-directionally extending plane, preferably a circular, an elliptic or an oval path, for positioning the first section of the web material piece onto the second section of the web material and for forming a cross-directional fold in the middle section of the web material or piece thereof.
- the web separating means may be cooperatively connected to the web holding means or has its cyclic operation controlled by or is operated in registry with the cyclic movement of the web holding means.
- the web support means and web holding unit may be set in motion by one or more drive systems, preferably selected from the group consisting of drive belts, gear wheels, electrical drive motors, optionally servo drives, the drive systems optionally being controlled by a common control system.
- drive systems preferably selected from the group consisting of drive belts, gear wheels, electrical drive motors, optionally servo drives, the drive systems optionally being controlled by a common control system.
- the folder web support means may be operated at constant speed whilst the web holding unit may travel at a cyclic speed pattern, preferably a sinusoidal pattern around the folder web support means.
- a gap formed between the web inlet and the folder web support is smaller than 20 cm, preferably smaller than 10 cm, more preferably smaller than 5 cm.
- the separating means may be selected from the group consisting of
- the separating unit may comprise a cross-directional ly extending knife b!ade rotatably mounted to rotate around an axis of rotation which is essentially parallel to the machine direction.
- Fig. 1 A and B show schematically a folding and separating unit in a side and top view
- Fig. 2 A to F depict schematically the process steps for folding and separating a web.
- Fig. 3 is used to explain the effect of varying speed of the holding and separating element.
- Fig 4 A to F depict schematically a specific execution of a folding and separating unit
- FIG. 5 depicts schematically another specific execution of a folding and separating unit
- FIG. 6 A to D show schematically a specific execution for a separation unit.
- Fig. 7 A depicts schematically specific positioning of the web material according to the present invention.
- Fig. 7B depicts schematically a prior art execution of separating and folding web materials.
- Fig. 8 A and B depict schematically a web holding unit with particular elements according to the present invention..
- the present invention is concerned with separating and folding webs in a very controlled manner.
- the term "web” relates to any material which is essentially endless or continuous in one direction which is generally denoted as "x-direction” or “machine direction”. In this direction, the web materials move from an "upstream” position (e.g. the web supply) along the eb path in a “downstream” position. Webs are often, but not necessarily, stored, supplied or used in roll form and thusly also sometimes denoted “roll goods”. Whilst these are then not “endless” in the strict sense of the word, their extension in this x-direction is significantly larger than in any other direction. By combining consecutive rolls or other batches, (“splicing") such webs can be considered “endless” for all practical purposes. Webs may be transported in a "batch” form, such as when a roll thereof is shipped, or they may follow a "web path", such as when the webs are unwound from a roll, as described hereinafter.
- Webs may be of essentially uniform composition, they can be mixtures of materials, they can be composites of materials such as being layered (different materials arranged in a juxtaposed position in the z-direction) and/or can comprise stripes of different materials or materials having different or varying properties (i.e. arranged in a juxtaposed position in the y- direction). Further, webs may be composite webs, such as multilayer webs, or webs to which other elements, such as discrete elements, such as absorbent cores, may be attached. Webs may be folded along longitudinally extending fold lines, such as when two halves of a web are laid onto each other along a longitudinal fold line, or when the longitudinally extending side margins are overfolded towards the centre line.
- Typical examples for webs are - without implying any limitation - plastic films or foils, textiles, non-wovens, nets, scrims, paper, or cartons.
- Web materials need to satisfy certain requirements relating their intended use, but they should further satisfy certain properties to allow or ease handling. Thus, webs should have a certain minimum integrity as well as bendability or flexibility, so as to allow handling. Webs may also need to satisfy certain properties to allow transportation thereof, such as certain minimum or maximum friction properties, porosities (i.e. resistance to fluids like gases when passing through), or electrostatic properties. Although any material does exhibit a certain inherent elasticity, webs are often referred to as "inelastic", when they are not intended to return to essentially their original dimensions after being significantly extended. Webs to which the present invention may suitably be applied may be both elastic and inelastic, whereby particular advantages can be exploited in comparison to conventional methods or machines, when the webs comprise machine directionally extended elastic materials.
- the present invention relates to folding such webs respectively pieces thereof along a cross- or y- directionally extending fold line.
- a cross-directionally extending foldline When considering the movement of such a web respectively its pieces along the machine direction, there will be an original leading end with the downstream end of the web or the piece.
- this originally leading end Upon folding the web or piece thereof along a cross-directionally extending foldline, this originally leading end will be positioned onto portions of the web or piece positioned more upstream, and the fold line will now mark the post-folding leading end.
- the continuous web material is supplied at a steady web speed, relative to which other speeds may vary, as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.
- the web material speed does not necessarily need to be constant over time, but still can serve as the reference speed for other process steps to take place.
- the speed of the web may vary over the path, e.g. when an elastic material is extended along this path.
- the reference speed refers to the web speed at the moment when a web piece is separated there from.
- the term “separation” refers to providing individual pieces of a web material by separating these from an essentially endless supply of web material.
- web pieces refers to parts or portions which were separated there from.
- a web piece comprises sections, such as a first and a second end sections and a middle section positioned there between , which are topological regions, which are connected to each other and not separated or cut.
- the ways to achieve a separation of a web piece from a continuous web is not particularly limited. Typical ways are cutting by a sharpened blade against a counteracting anvil or another counteracting blade, though other separation techniques such as using ultrasonic or laser beam energy or water jets may be suitable, too.
- the folded piece can be run between a combining unit, such as a heat seal or ultrasonic bonding unit for permanently connecting the side margins, or a folding device for connecting front and rear sections by means of e.g. hook/loop type fasteners.
- a combining unit such as a heat seal or ultrasonic bonding unit for permanently connecting the side margins
- a folding device for connecting front and rear sections by means of e.g. hook/loop type fasteners.
- FIG. 1 showing the key equipment components in a schematic presentation with a schematic cross- sectional view along lines AA of Fig. IB shown in Fig. 1A, and Fig. 2 showing the key process steps. It should be noted that these figures should not be seen to limit the invention in any way but merely serve to support the general explanation.
- a continuous web material 100 is supplied from a web material supply unit 110 in the downstream process direction 10 towards a folding and separating unit 1000.
- the web supply means can be any equipment for delivering a web.
- it can be a roll, or a spool, a carton containing folded or "festooned" essentially endless material, optionally by including splicing equipment.
- the web material may come from another web treatment process step, or from a web forming step.
- process steps may include a separation step, such that the web materials can already be delivered as an essentially continuous sequence of web material pieces. These pieces may also be combined with other materials, which may be other web materials. Typically, these web pieces still have an extension in x- or y- direction significantly exceeding the thickness (in z-direction).
- first web transport means 3110 may be supported by a first web transport means 3110.
- the folding and separating unit 1000 comprises a folder web support 1100 and a web holding means 1200 .
- the web holding means 1200 is unitary with a separating element 1300 which may interact with a counteracting separating element such as a counter blade 1350 or an anvil.
- the web holding unit 1200 is adapted to temporarily hold portions of the web material (not shown in the folding and separating unit), such as by vacuum suction, by having a surface to which the web material can adhesively but releasably be connected, or may include mechanical fastening elements such as hooks from well know "hook and loop attachment" systems, if such appropriate hooks can engage with the web material.
- the holding unit may also comprise retractable pins that may engage with the web material in an activated state but disengage in a deactivated state.
- FIG. 8A A particular, non-limiting execution of a holding unit with small dimensions is schematically depicted in a cross-sectional view in Fig 8.
- the holding unit 1200 is shown as a box 1210 with a holding surface 1230 to which the web may be attached.
- the holding surface 1230 may have perforations 1235 which in cooperation with a vacuum as may be supplied to the holding unit through port 1240 may temporarily hold the web (not shown) to the surface.
- the holding unit may optionally comprise retractable pins, in Fig. 8A shown as pins 1250 as may be activated by vacuum suction, here indicated by a flexible membrane 1260 that may bulge out upon application of the vacuum through port 1240, optionally aided by a aeration hole 1265,.
- the holding unit is shown as a unitary design with the separating means, here shown with a knife blade 1310 connected to the holding unit.
- the web holding means 1200 is mounted such that it can travel around the folder web support, such as by being mounted on an arm 1280 rotating around an axis 1285 as may be positioned centred to the folder web support means, indicated by arrow 1287.
- the unitary web holding and separating element is shown in a first position 1205 (solid lines) downstream of the folder web support means and in a second position 1205' (dotted lines) upstream of the folder web support means.
- Further web transport means may be positioned downstream of the folding and separating unit, here shown as second web transport means 3120.
- a third web transport means (here shown as 3130) may be arranged moveably relative to the unit (indicated by arrow 3133 in the dotted position in Fig. 1A).
- any of the web support or transport means can be any suitable means having an essentially endless continuous surface, which can be operated at variable and controllable surface speeds, and to which the web or pieces thereof can be temporarily affixed. If more than one web support or transport means are utilized, these can be of the same design, or can have varying design.
- a web support or transport means may be a belt system, comprising an endless belt, which is run at least over a first roll, which is the belt drive roll, and a second, freely running roll. In certain applications of the present invention the web support means may move at varying speed and/or may be operated e.g. in a forward - reverse direction alternating mode.
- an equivalent embodiment to an endless belt system is a discontinuous belt system, which may be driven by one or more programmable drive means over one or more free or driven support rolls accordingly, or programmable push-pull means (such as hydraulic cylinder arrangements) to move the belt forward and backward.
- a web support or transport means may also be a combination of several means, such as when two belt systems are operated in a parallel position.
- Fig 2 subsequent repeating processing steps are indicated schematically to illustrate the principle of the present invention, which is to provide improved control of the alignment of leading to trailing edges by positioning the leading edge onto the trailing edge just at the time when the latter is formed by the separation step, and in the position where the latter is formed.
- repositioning of the leading onto the trailing edge can only be done at a later stage, when both, the leading and trailing edges, have travelled a significant path length.
- a continuous web 100 is running from a web supply unit over an optional first web transport means 3110 to the inlet 1400 of the folding and separating unit 1000, as may be a window or a slot as may be formed partly by a counter blade 1350 of a separating means and towards the folder web support means 1100, which may be operated at matched speed to the web supply speed.
- the continuous web material 100 is thus transported to the downstream end of the folder web support means.
- a unitary holding and separating element 1299 is travelling around the folder web support means, as indicated by arrow 1287.
- the leading edge 1 1 lof the web has just passed the downstream end of the folder web support 1100 it is transferred to the unitary holding and separating element 1299 to which it is releasably attached, such as described in the above.
- the holding an d separating element continues to travel around the folder web support, here indicated by arrow 1287, such as when it is rotating on an arm rotating around an axis 1285 positioned in ths centre region of the folder web support means.
- the holding and separating means transports the end 1 12 with the leading edge 1 1 1 of the still continuous web 10O as attached thereto towards the upstream end of the folder web support means.
- a cross-directional fold 120 is formed in the web as the originally leading end is rearwardly moved by the holding and separating unit whilst the web continues to be supplied at the web supply speed, matched by the folder web support speed.
- Fig. 2C the next phase is shown, where the holding and separation unit reaches the upstream end of the folder web support means.
- the separation means 1300 of the unitary holding and separating means 1299 can separate the continuous web 100 from the now formed web piece (n) 150 now laying overfolded on the folder web support means.
- the original leading edge of the web now forms a first edge 151 of the web piece 150 in the first section 152 of the web piece, whilst a second edge 159 in the second section 157 of the web piece are connected through the middle section 155, which comprises the cross-directional fold 120, as further can be seen in Fig. 2F, showing an individual web piece .
- the positioning of the first and second sections and edges of the pieces is very accurate, as the web is fully supported during this process step.
- FIG. 7A depicts schematically a portion of the folding, and separating unit, with folder web support means 1100 and a first web transport means 3100, feeding web 100 with its leading edge 11 1 through inlet 1400, where the separation takes place, here indicated by a combined holding and separating means 1299 and a counteracting blade 1350.
- a separated and folded piece of web material 150 is positioned on the folder web support means 1100, i.e. in a position shortly after the separation. However just prior to the separation the original leading end 111 of the web, (i.e.
- Such a longitudinal off-set between the end edges of the first and the second sections of the folded web piece may be less than 25 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm, and most preferably be essentially zero.
- the present invention can suitably be applied for a broad selection of web materials at operating speed of up to more than 100 m/min or even more than 500 m/min. with very precise positioning of the overlaid sections of the material, such that the longitudinal (i.e. x-directional) offset of the two edges is less than about 5 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, but may also be essentially zero.
- this time span is of course depending of the speed of web material and the movement of the holding and/or separating means.
- this time span can be significantly less than 1 sec, less than about 100 msec, or even less than 10 msec.
- FIG. 7B compares now the situation for conventional cutter/folder arrangement.
- a first web transfer unit 7100 delivers a web 7010 towards a cutter unit 7200 with a rotating knife unit 7210 counteracting against a rotating anvil unit 7220.
- the cut web pieces are pulled by a .second web transfer unit 7300 and a moved to a third web transfer unit 7400.
- a tucker unit 7500 Upon actuation of a tucker unit 7500 the web piece 7150 is now cross-directionally folded and may be discharged.
- the distance 7020 over which the web is essentially unsupported when passing the cutting unit is significantly longer than in the present invention.
- the distance 7030, over which the trailing edge of the already cut piece is moved before it gets aligned with the leading edge is significantly longer than in the present invention.
- the box 1210 of the unitary holding and separating unit 1299 is slanted where the cutting blade 1310 is positioned, at a slanting angle ⁇ (1330).
- ⁇ slanting angle
- Such an arrangement carries particular advantages, as the receding is in the direction of the movement of the freshly separated leading edge of the web just after separating. If there were no slanting (i.e. slanting angle ⁇ being 0°), the leading edge would collide against the separating blade 1310.
- the slanting angle may suitable be adjusted between more than 0°, but typically less than 45°
- the gap between the separation counter element and the folder web support should not be excessive, depending on the stiffness of the web and/or the web supply speed. Often distances of less than about 2 cm will be suitable, though depending on web properties and possibly other supporting measures, a gap width of 5 cm or more can be tolerated.
- an optional third discharge web transport means.3300 may move towards the folder web support means to receive the folded web piece (n) and discharge it towards a second discharge web support means 3120.
- the third web transport means is arranged retractably, such that it will not interfere with the movement of the unitary holding and separating unit.
- the web piece (n) 150 is moving downstream, followed by a new leading edge 1 1 ⁇ for the next web piece (n+1), whilst the holding and separating element 1299 continues to travel towards the downstream end of the folder web support means, where it can receive the new leading edge 111 (n+1) , and the process steps can be repeated.
- the folded and separated web piece 150 may undergo further processing downstream of the folding and separating unit 1000, here indicated by a web treatment unit 4000 with a first 4010 and a second 4020 treatment roll, as may very suitably may be bonding units so as to bond longitudinally extending side margins of the web piece 150 together.
- the graph of Fig. 3 shows the instantaneous angular speed ⁇ varying versus the rotational angle a which is relative to the plane of the folder web support means.
- Fig 2A corresponds to an angle alpha of 0°
- Fig. 2C of about 180°
- Fig 2E of close to 360°.
- the position 1205, 1205 ', ... of the web holding means here shown as a unitary web holding and separating means, is indicted by the schematic sketches representing the travel path thereof.
- the solid straight line 290 in Fig. 3 represents a constant velocity co .
- the length of the overfolded web 160 corresponds to the distance 1010 of the downstream end of the folder web support unit to the separation counter element (see Fig. 2E).
- the dash/dotted line 292 represents the situation, where the rotational speed ⁇ is increased when the web end is attached thereto, i.e. for an angle a of from 180° to 360° and reduced for an angle a of from 0° to 180°. Consequently, the overfolded length 160 will be shorter than the distance d.
- the dashed line 294 represents the situation, where the rotational speed is decreased for an angle of from 180° to 360° and increased for an angle of from 0° to 180°.
- the overfolded length will be longer than the distance d and the folding edge may project beyond the downstream end of the folder web support at the time the separation is executed (corresponding to the situation in Fig. 2C) and may already be received by a second web transport means.
- the acceleration and deceleration of the rotation can be achieved by conventional means, such as cams or servo drives.
- Fig. 4A to F depict in a schematic presentation particular executions for a unitary separating and folding unit 1299, wherein Fig 4A shows a top view as a partial cross-sectional view, wherein further the lines AA, BB, CC, and DD for respective side views are indicated.
- a folder web support means 1100 is shown as a vacuum belt system, comprising an endless belt indicated by its folder web support means surface 1110, a drive roller 1120 and idle roller 1130.
- the drive roller 1120 is shown to be connected via a first pulley drive system 1140 to a main shaft 1050.
- the main shaft 1050 is positioned between the belt surfaces of the folder web support means, here shown machine directionally and z- directionally centred between the rollers thereof.
- the main shaft is driven via a second pulley drive system 1055, comprising a drive belt, e.g. a V- or a tooth-belt connecting the main shaft with a main shaft drive 1057, as may be a first electric motor, optionally a servo motor.
- the main shaft motor speed may follow the overall machine speed, as given by the speed of the continuous web supply system.
- a stator 1060 as may be connected to the overall stationary infrastructure of the apparatus, with hatched (coarse hatching from bottom right to upper left) cross-sections, comprising two main shaft bearings 1058, and 1058', respectively.
- the unit further comprises the unitary holding and separating unit 1299, the cross-section thereof being shown hatched (coarse hatching bottom left to upper right). It is supported on the main shaft by bearings 1298 and 1298' and driven via a third pulley system 1297 by a second electric drive 1296, preferably a servo motor.
- the holding and separating unit projects radially outwardly with its holding and separating head at its outer end.
- the holding and separating head is preferably further supported by a further rotor 1295 (shown in a cross-sectional view with fine hatching bottom left to upper right) mounted via bearing 1298 on the main shaft 1050.
- the holding and separating head comprises holding means 1200, here shown as vacuum boreholes 1235 which are connected to a vacuum manifold 1065 as a further element of the stator 1060.
- the unitary holding and separating head 1299 further comprises a separating tool, here shown as a cutting blade 1310 as may be held by alignment pins 1315 and which can interact with a counter element of the separating tool, as may be an anvil or a counter blade 1350 as may be affixed to the stator.
- the unit may further comprise various means such as boreholes for distributing the vacuum from the vacuum manifold of the stator to the folder web support.
- a side view along line BB shows stator 1060, main shaft 1050 with main shaft pulley belt drive 1055 and main shaft drive motor 1057 as well as bearings 1058 between the stator and the main shaft.
- a side view along line CC shows stator 1060, main shaft 1050 with main shaft pulley belt drive 1055 and main shaft drive motor 1057 as well as bearing 1058 between the stator and the main shaft. It further shows the third pulley belt system 1297 with second electric drive 1296 for the unitary web holding and separating unit 1299 with its bearing 1298.
- a view along line DD includes the folder web support means 1100 with its surface 1110 formed by the belt and its idle (1130) and drive (1120) rollers. Further indicated is the unitary web holding and separating means 1299, showing the vacuum box 1210 and vacuum port 1240, as well as the separating means as a cutting blade 1310 in a slanted position as described in the above.
- the web inlet 1400 is partly delimited by the counter blade 1350, interacting with the cutting blade 1310, as also can be seen in Fig. 4E, showing a view along line EE in Fig. 4A.
- Fig 4F schematically shows the same view as in Fig. 4E, however the unitary web holding and separating unit 1299 is shown at an about opposite position, ready for receiving a leading edge of a web, as may be transported via holder web support means 1100, and as may be attached to the web holding surface 1230.
- Fig. 5 depicts a very similar arrangement as shown in Fig. 4A, except that the web support is executed as two parallel vacuum belt systems 1100' and 1100"which are held in position y- directionally by shims 1150 (fine hatching bottom right to upper left .
- shims 1150 fine hatching bottom right to upper left .
- Such a design allows further elements, e.g. discharge aid means (not shown) to be positioned between the folder web supports.
- the web holding and web separation unit are mounted essentially unitary. This refers to a design, where both travel around the folder web support means. As it is important that the separation operation and the positioning operation of the first and second sections of the web pieces are performed within a small time window, preferably essentially simultaneously, an integral design of the separating and holding unit automatically satisfies the requirement.
- non-integral executions can be readily applied, as will now be explained by referring to an exemplary execution, which should, however not be seen limiting in any way for other non-unitary executions.
- Fig. 6A shows a schematic side view of a unit similar to what has been described for Fig. 1A.
- a web (not shown) may be fed via a first web transfer means 3100 to the inlet 1400, where a counteracting blade 1350 may be positioned.
- the web path continues towards the folder web support means .1100.
- a web holding means 1200 travels around the folder web support means 1100, here shown as a rotary movement indicated by arrow 1287.
- the web holding means is shown by dotted lines at a position 1205' close to the inlet, and by solid lines (1205) at an opposed position downstream of the folder web support means, where it can receive the web end and travels with the web end attached thereto to the position 1205' close to the inlet.
- the figure further indicates a second web transfer means 3120 adapted to receive the overfolded piece and a third web transfer means 3130, here shown in two laterally offset positions (solid and dotted lines) to receive the overfolded web pieces as they are still positioned on the folder web support means and transferring them to the second web transfer means 3120.
- the figure further indicates the position of a web treatment unit 4000 with two counteracting rolls 4010 and 4020, which may act on the overfolded web pieces, such as by connecting lateral side edges of the web piece to each other.
- Fig. 6 A further depicts a separating blade 1310 not integrated with the holding means 1200, also exhibiting the slanting angle ⁇ as discussed herein above.
- Fig. 6B to D show more details of the drive system for this blade (as are not included in Fig. 6A).
- Fig 6B a view along the machine direction towards the separating unit and the inlet 1400 is schematically depicted.
- the knife blade 1310 of the separating means 1300 is connected by a blade arm 1320 and connecting pins 1323 and 1327 respectively to a first (1322) and a second (1326) drive wheel, which are mounted and operated synchronously such that the separating blade 1310 and its blade arm 1320 remain essentially cross-directionally oriented (i.e.
- Fig 6C depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of the knife blade and blade arm corresponding to the upper plot along lines C-C (full lines) in Fig. 6B.
- Fig. 6C depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of the knife blade and blade arm corresponding to the upper plot along lines C-C (full lines) in Fig. 6B.
- the drive wheels are shown in a different position, thereby moving the knife blade and the blade arm downwardly (z-directionally) and simultaneously cross- (or y-) directionally (see the lower plot in Fig. 6B with dotted lines and primed numerals).
- Such a design very suitably allows that the inlet is obstructed for not more than 15 degrees, more preferably less than 5 degrees, most preferred less than 2 degrees of the angular movement of the knife blade.
- such an arrangement of separating knife blade 1310 and counter-acting blade 1350 may very advantageously be executed as a self sharpening system.
- the present invention can be applied to a broad field of applications requiring accurate positioning of overfolded portions and thusly may be applied to the making of teabags, or the folding of delicate textile webs and the like.
- a particular application lies in the packaging field, e.g. when placing flat articles on a wrapper material and enveloping the articles by the wrapper.
- a very suitable particular application is in the field of manufacturing articles to be worn on the lower torso of a wearer, such as disposable underwear or absorbent articles, such as baby or adult incontinence diapers or pants, feminine care articles and the like.
- a particular suitable application relates to articles comprising longitudinally overfolded side margins, such as described in WO2011/064275, to which express referenced is made, and even more for pant style execution of such articles, i.e. where the longitudinally extending side margins of the front and rear portions of the articles are connected to each other, such that a closed pant structure is created.
- This can be readily executed by forming a continuous series of articles and feeding these as the continuous web to a folding and separating unit as described herein.
- the folded and separated pieces may be transferred to a treatment unit 4000, as e.g. depicted in Fig. 1A, where the longitudinally extending side margins or portions thereof may be connected to each other, thusly forming the closed pant structure.
- a treatment unit 4000 as e.g. depicted in Fig. 1A, where the longitudinally extending side margins or portions thereof may be connected to each other, thusly forming the closed pant structure.
- they may also be relea
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Folding Of Thin Sheet-Like Materials, Special Discharging Devices, And Others (AREA)
- Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1517212.5A GB2526498B (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2014-02-27 | Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally |
US14/783,206 US20160068364A1 (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2014-02-27 | Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1303722.1A GB2514532A (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2013-03-01 | Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally |
GB1303722.1 | 2013-03-01 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2014131813A1 true WO2014131813A1 (en) | 2014-09-04 |
Family
ID=48142283
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2014/053779 WO2014131813A1 (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2014-02-27 | Separating and folding web materials cross-directionally |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160068364A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB2514532A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014131813A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10390998B2 (en) | 2014-11-07 | 2019-08-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process and apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article using a laser source |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017160701A1 (en) | 2016-03-15 | 2017-09-21 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Methods and apparatuses for separating and positioning discrete articles |
JP7013381B2 (en) * | 2016-10-31 | 2022-01-31 | 株式会社瑞光 | Manufacturing method and equipment for absorbent articles |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0717972A1 (en) * | 1994-12-24 | 1996-06-26 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method of making an undergarment having overlapping or butt-type side seams and apparatus for carrying out said method |
WO2003062110A1 (en) * | 2002-01-24 | 2003-07-31 | James Douglas Farfor | Cutting and folding machine |
US6669618B2 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-12-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method of dynamically pre-fastening a disposable absorbent article having a slot-and-tab fastening system |
WO2007070113A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-21 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Apparatus and method for making pre-fastened absorbent undergarments |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS5312016U (en) * | 1976-07-10 | 1978-02-01 | ||
EP0946404B1 (en) * | 1996-12-21 | 2001-10-24 | Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft | Method and device for treating moving paper webs |
US7008364B2 (en) * | 2002-09-27 | 2006-03-07 | C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Sheet folding apparatus and method |
-
2013
- 2013-03-01 GB GB1303722.1A patent/GB2514532A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2014
- 2014-02-27 GB GB1517212.5A patent/GB2526498B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2014-02-27 US US14/783,206 patent/US20160068364A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2014-02-27 WO PCT/EP2014/053779 patent/WO2014131813A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0717972A1 (en) * | 1994-12-24 | 1996-06-26 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method of making an undergarment having overlapping or butt-type side seams and apparatus for carrying out said method |
US6669618B2 (en) * | 2001-12-21 | 2003-12-30 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Method of dynamically pre-fastening a disposable absorbent article having a slot-and-tab fastening system |
WO2003062110A1 (en) * | 2002-01-24 | 2003-07-31 | James Douglas Farfor | Cutting and folding machine |
WO2007070113A1 (en) * | 2005-12-15 | 2007-06-21 | Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. | Apparatus and method for making pre-fastened absorbent undergarments |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10390998B2 (en) | 2014-11-07 | 2019-08-27 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Process and apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article using a laser source |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2526498A (en) | 2015-11-25 |
GB2514532A (en) | 2014-12-03 |
GB201303722D0 (en) | 2013-04-17 |
US20160068364A1 (en) | 2016-03-10 |
GB201517212D0 (en) | 2015-11-11 |
GB2526498B (en) | 2017-05-31 |
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