WO2021080475A1 - Méthode pour couper et former simultanément des coutures latérales dans une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés - Google Patents

Méthode pour couper et former simultanément des coutures latérales dans une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021080475A1
WO2021080475A1 PCT/SE2019/051035 SE2019051035W WO2021080475A1 WO 2021080475 A1 WO2021080475 A1 WO 2021080475A1 SE 2019051035 W SE2019051035 W SE 2019051035W WO 2021080475 A1 WO2021080475 A1 WO 2021080475A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
laser beam
support roll
precursor web
support surface
pressing
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2019/051035
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Lucas BÄCK
Victor OREDSSON
Original Assignee
Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag filed Critical Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag
Priority to PCT/SE2019/051035 priority Critical patent/WO2021080475A1/fr
Publication of WO2021080475A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021080475A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • A61F13/15739—Sealing, e.g. involving 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
    • A61F13/45—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators characterised by the shape
    • A61F13/49—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers
    • A61F13/496—Absorbent articles specially adapted to be worn around the waist, e.g. diapers in the form of pants or briefs

Definitions

  • the invention pertains to a method for simultaneously forming side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from a precursor web of interconnected pant-type garments.
  • the invention also pertains to an apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the method.
  • pant-type garments such as pant diapers, sanitary pants, swimwear, and incontinence pants are designed to fit comfortably and snugly about the wearer. It is also desirable that the garments have a tailored and neat appearance, and that they can be inconspicuously worn beneath ordinary clothing.
  • the garments are commonly made by production methods involving feeding one or more continuous webs of cover material in a machine direction and attaching other components of the garments such as elastic elements, absorbent cores, etc. to the continuous web or webs to form a precursor web of interconnected pant-type garments.
  • the pant-type garments are arranged with a longitudinal direction of the pant- type garments aligned with a cross machine direction of the precursor web, perpendicular to the machine direction.
  • the precursor web is provided with leg openings which are formed between the interconnected pant-type garments.
  • Individual pant-type garments are formed by folding the precursor web in the machine direction, joining the superposed layers of the precursor web to form side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from the continuous precursor web, such as by cutting.
  • the side seams of conventional pant-type garments are generally band-shaped joins which are formed by ultrasonic welding or thermowelding.
  • side seams need to be relatively broad, in the order of 5 to 10 millimetres.
  • the side seams protrude from the side edges of the pant- type garment and give the garment a non-appealing, low quality appearance.
  • a soiled pant-type garment can be easily removed without having to pull the garment down over the legs of a user. Therefore, the side seams should be breakable by manual force to allow a user or a caregiver to pull apart the side seams before removing a soiled pant-type garment.
  • a problem which is encountered with the traditional broad side seams is to achieve a good balance in the strength properties, such that the side seams do not break by the forces arising during donning and normal use, but still can be easily broken by manual force for removal of the garment after use.
  • EP2 813 347 A1 and EP3 064 182 A1 laser welding has been suggested as a means for forming narrow side seams and sever individual pant-type garments from a precursor web in a single operation.
  • An object of the present disclosure is to offer a further improved and more versatile manufacturing method for producing pant-type garments having narrow, inconspicuous side seams.
  • a further object is to offer an improved apparatus for use in the manufacturing method.
  • pant-type garments from a precursor web of interconnected pant-type garments, the method involving;
  • the length of the laser beam passage in the cross machine direction may preferably be equal to or greater than a length of a side seam which is to be formed in the precursor web. It is however also possible that the length of the laser beam passage may be smaller than a length of a side seam which is to be formed in the precursor web if the laser beam passage is open at one or both ends such that the laser beam may continue outside the laser beam passage.
  • the focus point of the laser beam may be at 0 to 60 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll, such as at 20 to 40 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll or at 25 to 30 millimeters from the support surface of the support roll.
  • a particularly suitable distance between the focus point of the laser beam and the support surface of the support roll may be in the range of from 25 to 35 millimetres.
  • the laser beam passage is a narrow elongated passage, which may take the form of a slit through a press device such as a press clamp or a press belt or may be formed as a gap between two press elements. It may be preferred that the laser beam passage is formed partly in a pressing arrangement and partly in the support surface of the support roll. Accordingly, the laser beam passage may include an outer portion constituted by a narrow opening or slit in the pressing arrangement and a corresponding inner portion constituted by a narrow opening or slit in the support surface. The outer and inner portions of the laser beam passage are arranged in registry with each other such that they together form the laser beam passage. When a precursor web is placed between the pressing arrangement and the support surface, the outer and inner portions of the laser beam passage are arranged on opposite surfaces of the precursor web.
  • all the material in the side seam area of the precursor web is affected by the laser energy which impinges on the material exposed within the laser beam passage.
  • a central portion of the beam provides enough energy to completely melt or evaporate material in the precursor web, thereby creating a side cut in the precursor web.
  • Less energy is supplied at the peripheral portions of the beam causing the thermoplastic material in the precursor web to melt or soften and to fuse layers of the precursor web to each other thereby forming narrow fused side seams extending along the length of the laser beam passage on each side of the side cut.
  • the pressing arrangement keeps the precursor web firmly pressed down against the surface of the support roll along each longitudinal side of the seam area.
  • the precursor web is preferably held on the support roll in while being stretched at least in the machine direction. Stretching of the precursor web during the welding and cutting step contributes to creating neat well-defined side seams and a clean, well separated side cut.
  • the pressing arrangement keeps the superposed layers in the precursor web pressed together and contributes to ascertain that melted material from the different layers can fuse together and be consolidated into side seams when cooled.
  • the pressing arrangement also prevents severed elastic elements and other elastic components from contracting the web material at the side seams and side cuts, which may impair side seam strength.
  • the support roll may be a suction roll.
  • a suction roll is hollow and has a perforated outer surface.
  • the suction roll generates a suction force directed through the perforations towards the interior of the support roll and may contribute to holding the precursor web against the support surface.
  • the suction roll may also contribute to remove fumes which are generated by evaporation of material in the welding section of the support roll during laser welding and cutting of a precursor web.
  • Feeding the precursor web onto the support surface of the support roll at the lay-down position may be carried out using a lay-down arrangement, such as a lay-down arrangement comprising or consisting of a deflection roll.
  • Removing the individual pant-type garments from the support surface of the support roll may be carried out using a take-off arrangement, such as a take-off arrangement comprising or consisting of a suction roll.
  • the pant-type garments are preferably kept firmly pressed by the pressing arrangement to the support surface of the support roll until the severed pant-type garments have reached the take-off section. In this manner, the individual pant-type garments are prevented to contract under the influence of any tensioned elastic material in the pant-type garments.
  • the precursor web comprises or consists of superposed webs within the side seam areas.
  • the laminate webs may be a front panel web and a back panel web, extending continuously in the machine direction between the side seam areas, one or both of the front panel web and the back panel web preferably comprising or consisting of a laminate, such as an elastic laminate of two nonwoven webs and an elastic material, bonded between the nonwoven webs.
  • the elastic laminate may be any type of laminate such as a stretchbonded laminate, a neckbonded laminate or a laminate which has been rendered elastic by incremental stretching. Combinations of stretch bonding and neckbonding as well as incremental stretching in combination with stretchbonding or neckbonding may also be used, as known in the art.
  • the front panel web and the back panel web may be separate webs, which are interconnected in the cross machine direction by a crotch material.
  • the crotch material may be generally non-elastic or may be an elastic material which is less elastic than the front and back panel webs.
  • the crotch material may include an absorbent core and components such as a backsheet, a topsheet and elastic elements, such as leg elastic elements.
  • the front panel web and the back panel web may be parts of a single cover web which is continuous also in the cross machine direction.
  • the elastic material may be constituted by a plurality of elastic strands or threads, elastic scrim, elastic nonwoven material, or elastic film, with elastic film being generally preferred.
  • the elastic material is arranged to provide elasticity to the pant-type garments in the transverse direction of the garments, which corresponds to the machine direction in the method as disclosed herein.
  • the elastic material may in addition be arranged to provide elasticity to the pant-type garments in the longitudinal direction of the garments, corresponding to the cross machine direction in the method as disclosed herein.
  • the precursor webs as disclosed herein comprise thermoplastic material at least within the side seam areas.
  • the thermoplastic material in the superposed layers of the precursor web within the side seam areas may comprise or consist of polypropylene and/or polyethylene.
  • the precursor webs as disclosed herein may comprise nonwoven material layers or webs such as spunbond, air laid, wet laid, carded, electro spun, meltblown or multi-layer nonwovens such as SMS (spunbond-meltblown-spunbond) nonwovens etc.
  • the nonwoven material may be bonded by any suitable technique or combination of techniques, such as needling, hydroentangling, ultrasonic welding, thermobonding and adhesive.
  • the nonwoven materials used in the method disclosed herein are made from thermoplastic fibres or contain at least a functional amount of thermoplastic fibres, such as mono-component, bi-component and multicomponent fibres of polymers such as polyolefins, polyesters, etc.
  • the thermoplastic fibres are preferably present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the nonwoven material, such as at least 70% by weight of the nonwoven material or at least 80% by weight of the nonwoven material.
  • the fibres may include non-thermoplastic fibres such as regenerated fibres such as viscose fibres and modal fibres and natural fibres such as cellulose pulp fibres, cotton fibres, flax, hemp, etc.
  • the precursor webs as disclosed herein may include any useful component or feature of a pant-type garment as known in the art.
  • Such components and features may include leg elastic, waist features, side flaps, tape tabs, barrier cuffs, absorbent elements, barrier layers, wetness indicators, graphics, etc.
  • the laser beam passage has a width as measured in the rotating direction of the support roll of from 1 to 5 millimetres, such as from 1 to 3 millimetres, from 1.5 to 2.5 millimetres or from 1.7 to 2.2 millimetres.
  • the laser beam passage may be arranged in a press device of the pressing arrangement, such as a press clamp or a press belt or may be formed as a gap between two press elements, such as between two press bars.
  • At least two pressing arrangements such as 2 to 8, or 3 to 5 pressing arrangements, may be arranged with a spacing between the pressing arrangements corresponding to a length of an individual pant-type garment as measured in the rotating direction along the support surface of the support roll, the pressing arrangements being moved together with the support roll in the rotating direction.
  • a pressing arrangement as used in the method disclosed herein may comprise a pivotable clamp, the pivotable clamp being movable between a pressing position in which the pivotable clamp is pressed down on the precursor web, and a release position in which the pivotable clamp is lifted up from the precursor web.
  • the pivotable clamp is movable together with the precursor web in the rotating direction of the support roll.
  • the laser beam passage may be arranged in the pivotable clamp, or may be formed between two pivotable clamps.
  • the pivotable clamp or clamps When lifted to the release position, the pivotable clamp or clamps may be arranged to extend radially in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support surface of the support roll.
  • the pivotable clamp or pivotable clamps may be moved between the pressing position and the release position by means of a cam mechanism being arranged along a peripheral edge of the support roll and acting on a hinge arrangement arranged at an inner end of each pivotable clamp.
  • the laser welded side seams are allowed to cool and solidify while keeping pressure on the precursor web within the side seam areas of the leading and the trailing individual pant-type garments, during movement of the welded and severed individual pant-type garments along the cooling section to the take-off position.
  • the pressing arrangement comprises one or more pivotable clamps
  • the clamp or clamps are folded up to the release position when reaching the take-off section, thereby releasing the clamping force exerted on the severed individual pant-type garments and enabling removal of the individual pant-type garments from the support roll.
  • the method as disclosed herein may further involve removing fumes generated when applying energy to the precursor web.
  • the fumes may be removed by means of a fume removal arrangement located in an interior of the support roll, and/or at the support surface of the support roll on the outside of the support surface.
  • the fume removal arrangement is configured to remove fumes which are generated in the welding section.
  • the support roll is a suction roll
  • the negative pressure generated inside the suction roll may contribute to remove fumes from the welding area.
  • the welded side seams may be allowed to cool by means of ambient air only as the severed pant-type garments are moved on the rotating support surface from the welding section to the take-off section. Cooling may be speeded up and controlled by means of a cooling arrangement located within the cooling section on the inside and/or on the outside of the support roll.
  • the laser beam which is used to create the side seams and to sever the precursor web is preferably generated by a laser unit which is configured and controlled to adapt the position of the focus point of the laser beam to a varying position in the cross machine direction and the machine direction and to a varying distance between the laser unit and the support surface of the support roll during movement of the precursor web through the welding section.
  • the laser unit is configured such that it can be controlled to move the laser beam along the laser beam passage in the pressing arrangement.
  • the laser beam needs to move both in the cross machine direction CD of the support surface and in the machine direction MD in synchrony with the rotation of the support roll.
  • the position of the focus point of the laser beam needs to be adapted to a varying distance between the laser unit and the support surface, such that the focus point is kept at a constant distance from the support surface throughout the welding and cutting operation.
  • the laser welding and cutting operation may be performed in a direction corresponding to a direction from a waist edge to a leg edge on the precursor web.
  • the welding and cutting operation may be performed in a direction corresponding to a direction from a leg edge to a waist edge on the precursor web.
  • the laser beam When the precursor web has travelled through the welding section, the laser beam has at the same time moved from one end of the laser beam passage to the other end of the laser beam passage. Under influence of the energy imparted to the precursor web during the course of the welding operation, a cut is formed along a cut line which is created by the moving focus point of the laser beam.
  • the cut line may be straight or have any desired shape, such as a curved shape and may be off-set from the cross machine direction.
  • the shape of the laser beam passage is preferably adapted to the shape of the desired cut line. However, if the deviation from a straight cut line is very small, such that it can be accommodated within the width of the laser beam passage, it may not be necessary to provide the laser beam passage with a shape corresponding to the shape of the cut line.
  • the focus point of the laser beam may be located on the support surface of the support roll, but is preferably located at a distance from the support surface in order to create a slight defocus of the laser beam and a larger incidence area on the precursor web.
  • thermoplastic material in the precursor web is completely melted and/or evaporated along the cut line.
  • thermoplastic material in the precursor web is melted and/or softened such that narrow band-shaped fusion bonds are formed along inner edges of the laser beam passage, simultaneously creating one side seam on a leading pant-type garment and one side seam on a trailing pant-type garment.
  • Fusion of the thermoplastic material in superposed layers of the precursor web is promoted by the pressure applied by the pressure arrangement along the edges of the side seam area.
  • the pressure applied along the edges of the side seam area contributes to promote a clean separation of the individual pant-type garments along the cut line.
  • separation of individual garments may be further enhanced by stretching the precursor web in the machine direction MD while the precursor web is held on the support roll.
  • the apparatus may be used for carrying out the method as disclosed herein and comprises: a) a lay-down arrangement, b) a rotatable support roll, c) a pressing arrangement, d) a laser beam passage, e) a laser unit, f) a take-off arrangement; wherein
  • the support roll has a support surface on the outer periphery of the support roll and is configured to receive the precursor web from the lay-down arrangement onto the support surface and to move the support surface and the precursor web by rotation of the support roll in a rotating direction through a welding section and a cooling section arranged at the outer periphery of the support roll;
  • the laser unit is arranged at the welding section and is configured to direct a laser beam through and along the laser beam passage, the laser unit being configured to generate and move the laser beam along the laser beam passage in a cross machine direction and in a machine direction in synchrony with rotation of the support roll, and to adapt a position of a focus point of the laser beam to a varying distance between the laser unit and the support surface;
  • the take-off arrangement is configured to remove individual pant-type garments from the support roll in a take-off section of the support roll.
  • the laser unit may be configured to create a focus point of the laser beam at 0 to 60 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll, such as at 20 to 40 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll, preferably at 25 to 35 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll or 25 to 30 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll.
  • the laser beam passage may have a width as measured in the rotating direction of the support roll of from 1 to 5 millimetres, such as from 1 to 3 millimetres, from 1.5 to 2.5 millimetres or from 1 .7 to 2.2 millimetres.
  • the pressing arrangement may comprise a pivotable clamp, the pivotable clamp being configured to be movable between a pressing position wherein the pivotable clamp is pressed against the support surface, and a release position in which the pivotable clamp is lifted up from the support surface, the pivotable clamp being movable together with the support surface in the rotating direction of the support roll.
  • the pivotable clamp When in the pressing position, the pivotable clamp extends over the support surface in the cross machine direction of the support surface such that a precursor web which is applied to the support surface may be clamped between the pivotable clamp and the support surface.
  • At least two pressing arrangements such as 2 to 8 or 3 to 5 pressing arrangements, may be arranged with a spacing between the pressing arrangements corresponding to a length of an individual pant-type garment as measured in the rotating direction of the support roll along the support surface of the support roll, the pressing arrangements being arranged to move together with the support roll in the rotating direction of the support roll.
  • a clamp control arrangement may be provided and may be configured to move the pivotable clamp or clamps from the pressing position to the release position at the take-off position of the support roll.
  • the clamp control arrangement may comprise a cam mechanism being arranged along a peripheral edge of the support roll and being configured to act on a hinge member arranged at an inner end of the pivotable clamp to cause the clamp to be moved between the pressing position and the release position.
  • the apparatus as disclosed herein may include a fume removal arrangement which is provided in an interior of the support roll, such as in an interior of a support roll and/or at the support surface on the outside of the support roll.
  • the fume removal arrangement is preferably configured to remove fumes at least from the welding section.
  • the apparatus as disclosed herein may further include a cooling arrangement which is arranged within the cooling section of the support roll.
  • the support roll may be a suction roll which may be operated by applying a negative pressure in the interior of the support roll such that air and gases may be drawn through openings in the support surface of the support roll and such that a web which is applied to the support surface may be held in place on the support surface by the suction forces.
  • the lay-down arrangement may comprise or consist of a deflection roll which is arranged to feed the precursor web onto the support surface of the support.
  • the take-off arrangement may comprise or consist of a suction roll.
  • a suction roll for removing severed pant-type garments from the support roll may be particularly preferred as the suction roll may keep the severed pant-type garments under control while they are moved downstream to processing equipment such as folding units and packing units.
  • the apparatus as disclosed herein may be operated to simultaneously form side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from a precursor web of interconnected pant- type garments by carrying out a method involving the steps of;
  • a pressing arrangement comprising a laser beam passage.
  • the pressing arrangement is applied to the precursor web with the laser beam passage in registry with and overlying the side seam area;
  • the laser beam is controlled to move along the laser beam passage in the cross machine direction and in the machine direction in synchrony with rotation of the support roll and to adapt a position of a focus point of the laser beam to a varying distance between the laser unit and the support surface;
  • Figure 1 shows a side view of an apparatus for simultaneously forming side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from a precursor web of interconnected pant-type garments
  • Figure 2 shows a precursor web of pant-type garment during processing in an apparatus as shown in Fig. 1
  • Figure 3 shows a precursor web being pressed down on a support roll during formation of side seams and severing of individual pant-type garments from the precursor web
  • Figure 4 illustrates the path of a laser beam during processing of a precursor web of pant-type garments in an apparatus for simultaneously forming side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from a precursor web of interconnected pant-type garments.
  • FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for simultaneously forming side seams and severing individual pant-type garments from a precursor web 2 of interconnected pant-type garments 3.
  • the apparatus comprises a support roll 4 having an outer peripheral support surface 5 for supporting the precursor web 2 during formation of side seams and severing individual pant-type garments 3 from the precursor web 2.
  • the support roll 4 has a rotating direction R coinciding with a machine direction MD of the apparatus 1 .
  • the apparatus further has a cross machine direction CD perpendicular to the machine direction MD and the rotating direction R of the support roll 4.
  • the apparatus 1 is provided with a lay-down arrangement 7.
  • the lay-down arrangement is shown as a deflection roll which feeds the precursor web 2 in the machine direction MD onto the support surface 5 at a lay-down position 8 on the outer periphery of the support roll 4.
  • a precursor web 2 which may be separated into individual pant-type garments 3 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 2.
  • the precursor web 2 is laid-down on the support surface 5 of the support roll 4 as a continuous web of interconnected pant-type garments 3a, 3b.
  • individual pant-type garments 3 have been severed from the continuous precursor web 2 and can be removed and transported to folding and packaging equipment downstream of the welding and cutting apparatus 1 .
  • the pant-type garment 3 which is shown in Fig. 2 is illustrated both in an extended state as it appears directly after having been severed from the precursor web 2, and in a contracted ready-to-use state after having been removed from the support roll 4.
  • the pant-type garment 3 may be a pant diaper, swimwear, a sanitary pant or an incontinence pant and may be adapted for use by a female or male user.
  • the pant-type garment 3 may be absorbent or non-absorbent and may be adapted to hold a separate absorbent insert.
  • the apparatus 1 is further provided with one or more pressing arrangements 10, such as the pressing arrangement 10 which is shown in Fig. 3.
  • the apparatus 1 which is shown in Fig. 1 has six pressing arrangements equidistantly spaced along the outer periphery of the support roll 4.
  • the number of pressing arrangements is not critical to the apparatus or the method as disclosed herein, and it is to be understood that any useful number of pressing arrangements may be used, as set out herein.
  • the spacing between the pressing arrangements 10 may preferably be selected to correspond to a pitch-length of the pant-type garments in the machine direction MD whereby side seams may be formed in the correct location between the interconnected pant-type garments 3 without adjusting the spacing between the pressing arrangements 10.
  • the pressing arrangement 10 is provided with pressing means, illustrated by press clamps 17 for pressing the precursor web 2 against the support surface 5 within pressing areas 11 arranged on opposite sides of a side seam area 12 of a leading and a trailing individual pant-type garment 3a, 3b, as seen in the machine direction MD.
  • the pressing areas 11 are located adjacent and along the side seam area 12.
  • a laser beam passage 15 is arranged in the press clamp 17 between the pressing areas 11. An outer portion of the laser beam passage 15 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to extend as a narrow opening or slit in the press clamp 17.
  • the laser beam passage 15 further includes a corresponding inner portion constituted by a narrow opening or slit in the support surface 5 of the support roll 4, the outer and inner portions of the laser beam passage 15 being arranged in registry with each other.
  • the outer portion of the laser beam passage 15 may alternatively be provided e.g. as a gap between spaced-apart pressing bars or as an opening in a pressing belt.
  • the laser beam passage 15 has a length in the cross machine direction CD which is equal to or greater than a length of a side seam which is to be formed in the precursor web 2.
  • the press clamp 17 is applied to the precursor web with the outer portion of the laser beam passage 15 in registry with and overlying the side seam area 12 on the support surface 5 on the outer periphery of the support roll 4. Thereby, the side seam area 12 is completely accommodated within the area occupied by the laser beam passage 15.
  • a laser unit 20 is arranged at a welding section 21 of the outer periphery of the support roll 4.
  • the laser unit 20 is configured to direct a laser beam 22 through and along the laser beam passage 15.
  • the laser unit 20 is configured to generate the laser beam 22 and to move the focus point f of the laser beam 22 along the laser beam passage 15 from one end of the laser beam passage 15 to the other end of the laser beam passage 15 in the cross machine direction CD.
  • the focus point f must simultaneously be moved in the machine direction MD in synchrony with the rotation of the support roll 4.
  • the focus point f should be kept at a constant distance from the support surface during movement of the laser beam 22 along the laser beam passage 15.
  • the distance between the laser unit 20 and the support surface 5 varies during the welding and cutting operation carried out in the welding section 21 .
  • the laser unit 20 is therefore also configured such that the position of the focus point f of the laser beam 22 is adapted to the varying distance between the laser unit 20 and the support surface 5.
  • a data processing unit which based on relevant in-data, such as rotational speed of the support roll 4, radius of the support roll 4, length and shape of the laser beam passage, etc. can out-put a control signal to change settings of the laser generating equipment in the laser unit.
  • Fig. 3 shows a part of the support roll 4 and the support surface 5 with a precursor web 2 pressed against the support surface 5 by a press clamp 17 which is part of a pressing arrangement. Only the part of the support surface 5 and the precursor web 2 where side seams 30a, 30b are to be formed is shown in Fig. 3.
  • the upper part of Figs. 3a-3c shows a waist edge 31 and a waistband 32 while the lower part of Figs. 3a-3c show an upper part of the leg edges 33 of the pant-type garments 3 in the precursor web 2.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates how side seams 30a, 30b are formed in the pant-type garments 3a, 3b at the same time as individual pant-type garments 3 are severed from the precursor web 2.
  • a fume removal arrangement 35 may be provided on the outside of the support roll 4, preferably such that fumes generated by the welding and severing process can be removed directly from the welding section 21 of the support roll 4.
  • a fume removal arrangement may alternatively or additionally be placed on the inside of the support roll 4 to allow removal of fumes by suction applied inside the support roll 4.
  • a fume removal arrangement inside the support roll 4 is preferably arranged to remove fumes through a laser beam passage 15 extending through the support surface 4
  • the laser beam 22 is controlled to move along the laser beam passage 15 in the cross machine direction CD of the support surface 5 and in the machine direction MD in synchrony with rotation of the support roll 4, while adapting the position of the focus point f of the laser beam 22 to a varying distance between the laser unit and the support surface 5, such that the focus point f is kept at a constant distance from the support surface 5.
  • Fig. 4 shows how the focus point f of the laser beam moves both in the cross machine direction CD and in the machine direction MD as the laser beam passage 15 in the clamping arrangement 10 moves through the welding section 21 and the side seams 30a, 30b are formed.
  • Fig. 4 shows the focus point f moving from the left-hand side of the laser beam passage 15 to the right-hand side of the laser beam passage 15 which may be taken to correspond to the welding process being performed from a waist edge to a leg edge on the precursor web 2. It is to be understood that it is equally viable to form the side seams 30a, 30b in the opposite direction, i.e. from right to left in Fig. 4 corresponding to the side seams being formed from a leg edge to a waist edge on the precursor web 2.
  • a cut is formed along a cut line 36 as is shown in Fig. 3b.
  • the cut line 36 is created by the moving focus point f of the laser beam 22.
  • the focus point f of the laser beam may be located on the support surface 5 of the support roll 4, but is preferably located at a distance from the support surface 5 in order to create a slight defocus of the laser beam and a larger incidence area on the precursor web 2.
  • a laser beam having the focus point f at a distance from the support surface 5 of from 25 to 35 millimetres has been found to provide a particularly useful combination of good side seam strength and a distinct cut between the side seams.
  • the focus point f of the laser beam may be at 0 to 60 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll, such as at 20 to 40 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll, or at 25 to 30 millimetres from the support surface of the support roll.
  • thermoplastic material in the precursor web 2 is melted and/or softened such that narrow band-shaped fusion bonds are formed along the inner edges of the laser beam passage 15, creating one side seam 30a on a leading pant-type garment 3a and one side seam 30b on a trailing pant-type garment 3b. Fusion of the thermoplastic material in superposed layers of the precursor web 2 is promoted by the pressure applied by the pressure means of the pressure arrangement at the very edges of the side seam area 12.
  • the pressure applied along the edges of the side seam area 12 contributes to promote separation of the individual pant-type garments 3a, 3b along the cut line 36, as is shown in Fig. 3c. Separation of individual garments may be further enhanced by stretching the precursor web 2 in the machine direction MD while the precursor web 2 is held on the support roll 4.
  • the fused thermoplastic material is still hot and soft and needs to be cooled down and solidify to create strong functional side seams.
  • the severed precursor web 2 is transported along a cooling section 37 of the support roll 4.
  • the severed precursor web 2 is held pressed to the support surface 5 by the press clamps 17, or alternative pressing means, as set out herein.
  • the press clamps 17, or alternative pressing means as set out herein.
  • Cooling of the severed precursor web 2 may be carried out by exposure to ambient air only. It is also conceivable to use a cooling arrangement such as cooled air, or cooling elements arranged in the support roll 4 within the cooling section 37.
  • the severed and cooled precursor web 2 reaches a take-off section 38 with a take-off arrangement 39.
  • the take-off arrangement 39 is shown in Fig. 1 as a rotating suction roll.
  • the take-off arrangement 39 is configured to remove individual pant-type garments 3 from the support roll 4.
  • any elastic material such as elastic laminate webs, waist elastic and leg elastic in the pant-type garments 3 is no longer held in a stretched state. Thereby, the elastic will cause the pant-type garments 3 to gather, i.e. to contract and form rugosities or wrinkles in non-elastic or less elastic web material which is bonded to the elastic components.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)

Abstract

Une méthode pour simultanément former des coutures latérales (30) et séparer des vêtements de type culotte individuels (3) à partir d'une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés (3) comprend les étapes consistant à : alimenter la bande précurseur (2) sur une surface de support (5) d'un rouleau de support rotatif (4) dans le sens machine (MD) ; presser la bande précurseur (2) contre la surface de support (5) à l'intérieur de zones de pression (11) disposées le long des côtés opposés d'une zone de couture latérale (12) d'un vêtement de type culotte avant et arrière (3a, 3b), la pression étant effectuée avec un agencement de pression comprenant un passage de faisceau laser (15). L'agencement de pression (10) est appliqué sur la bande précurseur (2) avec le passage de faisceau laser (15) en alignement avec et recouvrant la zone de couture latérale (12) ; - former des coutures latérales (30) dans la bande précurseur (2) et séparer simultanément des vêtements de type culotte individuels (3) à partir de la bande précurseur (2) en appliquant de l'énergie à la bande précurseur (2) au moyen d'un faisceau laser (22) à l'intérieur de la zone de couture latérale (12), le faisceau laser (22) étant dirigé sur la bande précurseur (2) depuis l'extérieur du rouleau de support (4) à travers et le long du passage de faisceau laser (15). Le faisceau laser (22) est contrôlé pour se déplacer le long du passage de faisceau laser (15) dans le sens transversal à la machine (CD) et dans le sens machine (MD) en synchronisme avec la rotation du rouleau de support (4) et pour adapter une position d'un point focal (f) du faisceau laser (22) à une distance variable entre l'unité laser (20) et la surface de support (5) ; refroidir les coutures latérales (30) tout en pressant les vêtements de type culotte individuels soudés et coupés sur la surface de support (5) et déplacer les vêtements de type culotte (3) le long d'une section de refroidissement (37) du rouleau de support (4) vers une section de prélèvement (38) du rouleau de support (4) ; -relâcher la pression sur les zones de pression (11) et retirer les vêtements de type culotte individuels (3) du rouleau de support (4). L'invention concerne également un appareil permettant la mise en œuvre de la méthode.
PCT/SE2019/051035 2019-10-22 2019-10-22 Méthode pour couper et former simultanément des coutures latérales dans une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés WO2021080475A1 (fr)

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PCT/SE2019/051035 WO2021080475A1 (fr) 2019-10-22 2019-10-22 Méthode pour couper et former simultanément des coutures latérales dans une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés

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PCT/SE2019/051035 WO2021080475A1 (fr) 2019-10-22 2019-10-22 Méthode pour couper et former simultanément des coutures latérales dans une bande précurseur de vêtements de type culotte interconnectés

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4115683A (en) * 1974-12-16 1978-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Laser piercing of materials by induced shock waves
US20060283846A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2006-12-21 Fameccanica.Data S.P.A., Sambuceto Di Method and advice for laser treatments, particularly for treating sanitary products and components thereof
JP2013256133A (ja) * 2012-05-16 2013-12-26 Kao Corp シート融着体の製造方法
JP2015027779A (ja) * 2013-06-28 2015-02-12 花王株式会社 シート融着体の製造装置及び製造方法
US20160083898A1 (en) * 2013-05-16 2016-03-24 Laserax Inc. Process and system for laser-cutting a shape in a moving web
JP2016112166A (ja) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-23 花王株式会社 シート融着体の製造方法及び製造装置
US20170266055A1 (en) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for separating and positioning discrete articles

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4115683A (en) * 1974-12-16 1978-09-19 International Business Machines Corporation Laser piercing of materials by induced shock waves
US20060283846A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2006-12-21 Fameccanica.Data S.P.A., Sambuceto Di Method and advice for laser treatments, particularly for treating sanitary products and components thereof
JP2013256133A (ja) * 2012-05-16 2013-12-26 Kao Corp シート融着体の製造方法
US20160083898A1 (en) * 2013-05-16 2016-03-24 Laserax Inc. Process and system for laser-cutting a shape in a moving web
JP2015027779A (ja) * 2013-06-28 2015-02-12 花王株式会社 シート融着体の製造装置及び製造方法
JP2016112166A (ja) * 2014-12-15 2016-06-23 花王株式会社 シート融着体の製造方法及び製造装置
US20170266055A1 (en) * 2016-03-15 2017-09-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Methods and apparatuses for separating and positioning discrete articles

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