Method of folding into packages disposable absorbent articles, e.g. diapers, in connection with the production thereof

• US 4,802,884 A
• Filed: 02/19/1988
• Issued: 02/07/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Molnlycke AB (Investor AB)
• Original Assignee: Molnlycke AB (Investor AB)
• Inventors: Persson, Lennart, Froidh, Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): Ball, Michael W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maki, Steven D.
• Application Number:
  US07/175,387
• Time in Patent Office: 354 Days
• Field of Search: 156/164, 156/212, 156/227, 156/229, 53/429, 53/117, 53/120, 604/378, 604/385 A, 604/385 R, 604/391, 604/400, 604/358, 604/379, 206/213, 206/438, 206/440, 206/805, 206/216, 383/49, 383/50, 383/112, 383/118, 493/339, 493/394, 493/395, 493/406, 493/405, 493/458, 493/960
• US Class Current: 493/339
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/49019 the elastic means being placed longitudinally, transversely or diagonally over the article
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/55115 characterized by the features before use, e.g. how are the diapers folded or arranged in a package
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 493/96 Toilet article

Abstract

A method of folding into packages, in connection with the manufacture thereof, disposable absorbent articles such as diapers or incontinence protectors comprising an absorbent body (1) enclosed in a casing extending laterally beyond the absorbent body and having casing portions intended to seal around the abdomen of the wearer, as well as elastic leg bands or threads (6, 7) affixed to the casing with portions (6'"'"', 7'"'"') extending at least partially along either side edge of the article at a distance beyond the absorbent body. The ends of the article are folded in with approximately equal lengths toward the mid-section of the article, which is thereafter folded together in the same direction into a four-folded state. The elastic portions (6'"'"', 7'"'"') at the center of the article are simultaneously held laterally stretched so as to encompass the laterally positioned article ends. The folded article, upon release of these elastic portions, is held together thereby in the state of a compact, four-folded package.

Claims

1. A method of folding into packages, in connection with the manufacture thereof, disposable absorbent articles such as diapers, or incontinence protectors comprising an absorbent body (1) enclosed in a casing extending laterally beyond the absorbent body and having casing portions intended to seal around the abdomen of the wearer, as well as elastic leg means in the form of elastic bands or threads (6,7) affixed to the casing with portions (6'"'"',7'"'"') extending at least partially along either side edge of the article at a distance beyond the absorbent body, characterized in that the ends of the article are folded in with approximately equal lengths towards the mid-section of the article which is thereafter folded together in the same direction into a four-folded state, the elastic portions (6'"'"',7'"'"') at the center of the article simultaneously being held laterally stretched so as to encompass the laterally positioned article ends, the folded article upon release of said elastic portions being held together thereby in the state of a compact, four-folded package.

2. A method according to claim 1 of folding articles of the type having, at least at one of their ends, casing and absorbent body sections which are laterally widened in relation to the crotch portion, characterized in that said widened sections are first laterally folded in to assume a substantially rectangular shape, whereafter the article is bent together into a four-folded state, said widened end sections as well being locked inside at least the centrally located elastic portions (6'"'"',7'"'"') of the article.