Method for cutting out discrete fastening elements and applying these to an absorbent article, and the absorbent article

Abstract

A method for cutting discrete fastening elements ( 15 A- 15 D) out of a web ( 15 ) of fastening element material and attaching the cut-out fastening elements to a web ( 3 ) of surface layer material. The method includes the following steps: sequences of four trapezoid fastening elements ( 15 A- 15 D) are cut out of a web ( 15 ) of fastening element material, after which the first and fourth fastening elements on the one hand and the second and third fastening elements on the other hand are attached to a web ( 3 ) of surface layer material so that the first ( 15 A) and fourth ( 15 D) fastening elements on the one hand and the second ( 15 B) and third ( 15 C) fastening elements on the other hand are attached to successive absorbent articles in the process line.

1 . A method for cutting discrete fastening elements out of a web of fastening element material and attaching the cut-out fastening elements to a web of surface layer material forming part of a process line for manufacturing absorbent articles, in which the individual articles in the process line have their front edges facing one another, the method comprising:
 cutting out of a web of fastening element material sequences of four fastening elements, which fastening elements each have mutually opposite short sides and long sides, and the sequence is arranged such that the longest short sides of the first and fourth fastening elements extend along a same line as the shortest short sides and wherein the longest short sides of the second and third fastening elements extend along a same line as the shortest short sides of the first and fourth fastening elements; in addition to which the shortest long side of each fastening element is at right angles to the short sides,   after which cutting out, the first and fourth fastening elements and the second and third fastening elements are attached to the web of surface layer material with the short sides extending along a same transverse line of the web of surface layer material, with the shortest long sides located next to the side edges of the web of surface layer material and extending in its longitudinal direction and with the longest short sides of the first and fourth fastening elements facing the longest short sides of the second and third fastening elements so that the first and fourth fastening elements on the one hand and the second and third fastening elements on the other hand are attached to successive absorbent articles in the process line.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material in the web of surface layer material consists of a liquidtight plastic material. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the material in the web of surface layer material consists of a liquid-permeable material. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements are attached to the surface layer material by means of thermal or ultrasonic welding. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements are attached to the surface layer material by means of gluing. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements comprise loop means. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening elements are made of plastic material. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent articles are diapers, pant diapers or incontinence pads.