WO1995032695A1

WO1995032695A1 - A production line for the manufacture of absorbent disposable articles

Info

Publication number: WO1995032695A1
Application number: PCT/SE1995/000583
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dag H. Gundersen
Original assignee: Mölnlycke AB
Priority date: 1994-05-31
Filing date: 1995-05-23
Publication date: 1995-12-07
Also published as: SE9401868D0; SE9401868L; SE502824C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a production line for manufacturing absorbent disposable articles such as diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence guards. The production line includes a conveyor path (3, 14, 15) which functions to move a web of material through the production line, and a row of mutually sequential devices (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) arranged in the direction of movement of the conveyor path and which perform different operations in the manufacture of the absorbent article. The devices are carried by rectangular carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39, 47, 60, 61) which are attached to vertical posts (17, 17'') which are placed in a framework (16) on the same side of the conveyor path and mutually sequentially in a direction parallel with the direction of conveyor path movement. According to the invention, the framework posts include guide surfaces which function to position the carrier plates on the vertical posts.

Description

A PRODUCTION LINE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ABSORBENT DISPOSABLE ARTICLES

The present invention relates to a production line for the manufacture of absorbent disposable articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence guards, wherein the production line includes a conveyor path which functions to move a web of material through the production line, and a row of devices are arranged sequentially in the direction of web movement for carrying out different working operations included in the manufacture of the absorbent article, these devices being carried on rectangular carrier plates which are attached to vertical posts which are placed in a framework on mutually the same side of the conveyor path and sequentially in a direction which extends parallel with the direction of conveyor-path movement.

Absorbent disposable articles are typically produced by taking a web of material from a storage reel and moving the web past a number of devices which perform different operations in sequence, such as placing absorbent bodies on the web, laying- out elastic, applying glue, applying further webs of material, compressing absorbent bodies, and heat-welding or ultrasonic- welding the webs, and so on. In production of this nature, the production line has been traditionally constructed as one single unit. In recent times, production development has accelerated within this particular technical field, necessi¬ tating comprehensive reconstruction of the production lines. However, production lines of unit construction are less suitable for reconstruction and as a result, it has taken much too long to introduce new or modified products onto the market, and it has often been necessary to refrain from making small improvements to existing products, because of the radical changes in the production lines that such an improve- ment would incur, while, at the same time, the long non¬ productive times or down-time caused by such reconstruction would prevent the market demand of such products being met, resulting in loss in profits and, in the longer term, perhaps also a loss in the share of the market.

The European Patent Application No. 93850174.9 teaches a production line for the manufacture of absorbent disposable articles which overcomes these drawbacks to a large extent. The various working devices of the production line are carried by mutually identical module plates which can be mounted in any desired position in a framework that extends along the production line. This design greatly facilitates reconstruc¬ tion of the production line, while enabling the production line to be extended by adding further working devices thereto, without needing to make large modifications.

The primary object of the present invention is to facilitate reconstruction of a production line and the addition of further working devices still further, in comparison with the aforesaid known production line. A secondary object of the invention is to ensure that working devices mounted in the production line are correctly positioned therein.

These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention with a production line of the kind defined in the introduction which is characterized in that the framework posts include guide surfaces which function to position the carrier plates on the vertical posts. This facilitates positioning of the carrier plates when fitting the working devices, while at the same time ensuring that the plates, and therewith the working devices carried thereby, will be located in their intended positions from the very beginning, which means that the working devices can be fitted in position relatively quickly, since no subsequent adjustments to the positions of the working devices is necessary after having secured the carrier plates to the framework.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, adjacent sides of mutually adjoining carrier plates are attached to the framework posts at distances apart of at least 2 mm. Primarily, this facilitates dismantling of the carrier plates and refitting of carrier plates that have earlier been dismantled.

The carrier plates also include on at least two mutually opposing edge-parts parts which project out from that side which lies proximal to the framework, these outwardly projecting parts coacting with guide surfaces which are recessed in the posts from a plane that extends through the sides of the post that lie proximal to the carrier plates.

According to one preferred variant of this embodiment, the outwardly projecting parts on the carrier plates are comprised of cylindrical guide pins and the guide surfaces on the posts are comprised of surfaces which are mutually divergent in an upward direction.

According to another variant of this embodiment, the carrier plates include in each corner an outwardly projecting part which has two flat surfaces which extend from the apex of the corner slightly along the two carrier-plate edges that meet in the corner concerned, these flat surfaces of the outwardly projecting part being inclined relative to the plane of said two edges of the carrier plate in a direction towards opposing corners of said plate, and the framework posts include guide surfaces of corresponding inclination.

According to one preferred embodiment, the posts include a plurality of vertically spaced guide surfaces which enable carrier plates to be positioned in different vertical positions, or height positions, on the framework, and the carrier plates include on at least two opposing edge-parts a row of mutually sequential and mutually spaced holes, and the posts include two vertically disposed and mutually parallel rows of screw-threaded holes which are located at the same distance apart as the holes in the carrier plates, wherein the holes in the carrier plates lie in register with the holes in the posts when the carrier plates are in position.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an inventive production line schematically and from above;

Fig. 2 is a schematic, perspective view taken obliquely from the front of part of the framework and the carrier plates included in the production line illustrated in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view taken obliquely from the rear of the framework illustrated in Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective rear view of a carrier plate provided with a connector element holder;

Fig. 5 is a front view of a first embodiment of an inventive carrier plate;

Fig. 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the carrier plate illustrated in Figure 5;

Fig. 7 is a front view of part of a front post included in the framework;

Fig. 8 is a front view of a second carrier plate;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the carrier plate shown in Figure 8; and

Fig. 10 illustrates one corner of a second embodiment of an inventive carrier plate. Figure 1 illustrates very schematically a diaper production line which, as seen in the direction of manufacture, i.e. from left to right in the Figure, includes a mat-laying wheel 1, a compression wheel 2, a transfer wheel 3, a device 4 for feeding layers from a top and a bottom reel-stand, a pair of compression rolls 5, a transverse cutter 6, a transfer device 7, feeders 8, 9, a thread applicator 10, an adhesive tape applicator 11, feeder means 12, and a cutter 13. The produc¬ tion line also includes means for conveying the diaper blank through the line, for instance the conveyors 14, 15 illustrat¬ ed schematically in the Figure.

When manufacturing a diaper in the aforedescribed production line, the mat-laying wheel 1 produces a layer of cellulose fluff which is transferred to the conveyor 14 with the aid of the compression wheel 2 and the transfer wheel 3. The fibre mat then passes through the device 4, in which a top and a bottom layer of tissue taken from storage reels are delivered to the top and the bottom of the cellulose fluff mat or layer respectively. These layers then pass together through the roll pair 5 and are compressed therebetween. This results in a coherent, continuous three-layer body which passes through the transverse cutter 6, which produces individual absorbent bodies from the continuous, coherent three-layer body. A transfer wheel 7, also called an accelerator wheel, places the absorbent body on a web of plastic film, for instance polyethylene film, which is taken from a storage reel in the forward feed means 12 and advanced to the wheel 7 from right to left in the Figure, and thereafter from left to right in said Figure with the individual absorbent bodies spaced a given distance apart. Prior to arriving at the wheel 7, the plastic film passes the adhesive tape applicator 11, which provides the plastic film with a pair of fastener tapes, and will also have passed the thread applicator 10 which provides the plastic film with appropriate elastic. The forward feed devices 8, 9 function to lay two layers of nonwoven fabric, taken from reel stands included in said devices, on top of the plastic film web and the absorbent bodies, and the top and bottom layers are fastened together in some suitable way, for instance by gluing or ultrasonic welding. Finally, the web of absorbent bodies enclosed between top layers, i.e. the two nonwoven layers, and bottom sheet, i.e. the plastic film, pass through a cutter 13 by means of which complete diapers are cut from the web.

The choice of appropriate known working devices capable of performing the aforesaid functions lies in the normal competence of the person skilled in this field, and the design of the working devices 1-13 and the conveyors 14, 15 included in the production line will naturally depend on the type of diaper to be manufactured. The design, or construction, of the individual working devices forms no part of the present invention and the application will not therefore be laden with a detailed description of the components included in the production line.

In accordance with the present invention, the aforesaid working devices are mounted in the production line on carrier plates which, in turn, are mounted on a framework 16.

Figures 2 and 3 are respectively schematic, perspective front and rear views of parts of the framework 16 included in the production line. The side of the framework facing the conveyors and the viewer of Figures l and 2 is the front side of the framework. The framework 16 is constructed from two parallel rows of front and rear vertical posts 17 and 18 respectively, which are evenly spaced in the rows. The mutually sequential posts 17 and 18 in said rows are connected together by top and bottom cross-bars 19, 20 and 21, 22 respectively, and mutually opposing posts in the working direction of the production line are joined together by additional top and bottom cross-bars 23, 24. Naturally, further cross-bars may be included if necessary for mechanical strength reasons, although this is avoided if possible, at 5/ 0583

least in the front row of posts 17, so as not to restrict the possibility of positioning working devices on carrier plates attached to the framework. The bottom cross-bars 24 extend beyond the front posts 17. The framework rests on a carrier frame 25 which includes height-adjustable legs 26.

As illustrated schematically in Figure 3, cable ladders 27 are arranged on the rear vertical posts 18. These cable ladders include heavy-current conductors and weak-current conductors through which current is supplied to the working devices of the production line, and a network cable is also connected to a central computer. Arranged within the front vertical posts 17 are compressed-air lines, and a row of compressed-air outlets 28 is placed along the length of said posts.

As before mentioned, the working devices are carried by carrier plates, which are screwed firmly to the front vertical post 17 of the framework 16. The size of these carrier plates is adapted to a large extent to the size of the working device which the plate concerned is intended to carry or support, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, which makes the production line highly flexible. Figure 2 illustrates an example of how this flexibility can be utilized. The Figure shows a carrier plate 29 which carries a roll pair 30 driven by an alternating current motor 31. The plate 29 also carries a gluing unit 32 provided with a slot-shaped nozzle (not shown) and a guide roller 33. Also shown in Figure 2, in broken lines, is a first web of material I which is glued to a second web of material II in the nip of the roll pair 30, this web II having passed beneath the glue nozzle of the glue applicator 32 prior to entering the roll nip. If it is later decided that the webs I and II can be joined together equally as well with glue beads, the carrier plate 29 can be removed quickly and easily from the framework 16 and replaced with another carrier plate that carries a different type of glue applicator. In the Figure 2 illustration, the carrier plate 29 has been replaced with two carrier plates 34 and 35, which carry a glue applicator 36 which includes a row of glue nozzles, and a guide roller 37 and a driven roll pair 38 respectively. The carrier plates 34, 35 have the same width as the carrier plate 29, but are only half as high.

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic, perspective rear views of a carrier plate 39 which carries a working device, for instance a driven roll pair, whose drive motor 40 is mounted on the rear side of the carrier plate 39. The drive motor 40 is comprised of an alternating current motor whose output shaft passes through the carrier plate and coacts with the working device (not shown) mounted on the front of the plate. The drive motor is connected, by conductors not shown, to safety switches 41 mounted on a holder 42. The safety switches can, in turn, be connected to the nearest cable ladder 27 on the framework 16, with the aid of appropriate connectors, for instance plug-in connectors. The holders 42 are always arranged in the same position on a carrier plate that carries a working device, more specifically in the upper right-hand corner of the illustrated inventive carrier plate, as seen from the front. As a result, there is only a short distance between holder and the nearest cable ladder, meaning that a short conductor can be used from the holder 42, one end of this conductor being connected to the male part of the plug-in contact. In order to make this length of the conductor short, several female connector parts are spaced in the height direction along the cable ladders.

The holder 42 also carries a control unit 43 by means of which the working device is controlled, this unit, in turn, being connected to a central computer which controls all working devices included in the production line, via the network cable or conductor in the cable ladders. The holder 42 also carries a compressed-air unit 44, which is connected to the nearest compressed-air outlet 28, by means of a suitable hose coupling. As shown schematically in Figure 4, the unit 44 includes a row of compressed-air valves 45, from which air- lines lead to pneumatic piston-cylinder devices (not shown) included in the working devices mounted on the front side of the carrier plate. Pneumatics are normally used to move the working devices into and out of their respective working positions, for instance to move the rolls of a roll pair towards and away from one another, although other applica¬ tions, such as pneumatic motors, can be used within the scope of the invention. Figure 4 also shows a pipe 46 which can be connected by means of a suitable hose coupling to a sub- pressure source, for instance a vacuum box, which is often positioned beneath a conveyor in the production line provided with a row of coupling outlets. Naturally, it is also possible to provide a pipe system which is connected to a subpressure source in or outside the vertical posts 17 or 18 in a manner similar to the compressed air supply arrangement, or to provide a row of coupling outlets along the posts. As will be understood, hydraulic fluid connections may also be arranged in the rows of connector arrays when hydraulic motors are used in the production line.

As the size of the carrier plates is determined essentially by the size of the working device or devices that the plates are intended to carry, the space for accommodating each working device in the production line is also determined in practice by the size of the device. However, the dimensions of the carrier plates must be proportionate to one another in a particular manner, so as to enable the plates to be exchanged and to achieve the desired flexibility of the production line. Thus, the sizes of the carrier plates must be such as to enable each carrier plate to be replaced with or exchanged for one or more other carrier plates. To this end, the lengths of the sides of the carrier plates are essentially a multiple of the length of the smallest side of the smallest carrier plate, and the carrier plates are so dimensioned that each carrier plate will include a pair of opposing sides whose lengths are generally equal to or comprise generally a multiple of the distance between the posts 17. The fact that the lengths are not exact multiples of the length of the smallest side of the smallest carrier plate is due to the fact the carrier plates shall be spaced some small distance apart on the framework, so as to make fitting and dismantling of the plates easier, as will be explained in more detail below. For practical reasons, this distance should be at least 2 mm and the length of the smallest side of the smallest plate should be at least 400 mm.

The working devices of the inventive illustrated production line are mounted by placing the carrier plates supporting the working devices included in the production line in place in the framework and screwing the plates securely thereto. The quick-couplings of the holders 42 intended for the delivery of flowing media, i.e. electric current, compressed air, etc., are then coupled to the delivery lines provided in the framework, and the control devices 43 controlling the working devices are connected to the central computer by means of databus connections. The production line is ready to be put into operation when all working devices have been secured and connected-up. Fine adjustment, or trimming, of the fitted working devices is unnecessary, since these devices are constructed as independent units which possess their own drive means and control units, the different operations of which are controlled and synchronized by a central computer. It thus suffices to check that the individual working devices function in the manner intended. It can be mentioned in this regard that when replacing a working device in the production line, for instance replacing a device that has broken down or replacing a device with a more modern device, the function of the device can be readily tested beforehand, outside the production line, therewith making the down time taken to change the device as short as possible. Furthermore, adapta¬ tion of the size of the carrier plates to the size of associated working devices enables available space on the framework to be utilized more effectively, so that additional working devices can be added to the production line without requiring comprehensive restructuring. Because each carrier plate that supports a working device forms an independent unit which can be operated independently, comprehensive restructur¬ ing of the production line can also be effected in a very short period of time; in theory, the minimum restructuring time is the time taken to remove one carrier plate and fit another.

The vertical posts 17 included in the framework 16 are preferably secured to the remainder of the framework in a manner which enables the posts to be easily dismantled. This enables posts that are located behind carrier plates of such size as to extend between three sequential posts 17 in the

Figures to be dismantled so as not to be in the way of working devices mounted on such a plate. When the plate does not extend along the full height of the framework, a cross-bar is suitably fitted between the posts so as to give further support to the plate. To this end, the vertical posts are conveniently provided with a row of cross-bar attachments extending along the length of said posts.

In order for the production line to be ready for operation immediately after all carrier plates have been fitted, as mentioned above, it is important that the carrier plates, and therewith the working devices carried thereon, are positioned accurately on the framework, such that the height positions and side positions of the carrier plate coincide with the positions intended. To ensure that this will be so, the front posts 17 include guide surfaces which coact with parts that project out from the carrier plates in a manner to ensure that the carrier plate will be guided into its intended position on the framework.

Figures 5-9 show a first embodiment of such a positioning arrangement. Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a front view and a side view of a carrier plate 47 which carries on its rear side a holder 42 and a compressed-air unit and also drive means (not shown) for a working device (not shown) . The carrier plate 47 is the smallest carrier plate used in the framework 16 and its long sides have a length which is slightly shorter than the centre distance between two adjacent, front posts 17. Extending along each short side of the carrier plate 47 is a row of holes 48 which are spaced apart at a distance a. The carrier plate also includes two centrally opposed cut-outs or channels 49 in the edges of the short-sides, in which a sleeve 50 that carries a rearwardly projecting cylindrical pin 51 is inserted and anchored in some suitable manner. The outer ends of the pins 51 are preferably chamfered.

Figure 7 shows part of a front post 17 which includes two rows of screw-threaded holes 52 for securing two opposing edge- parts of two mutually adjacent carrier plates, wherein the holes 52 in each row are spaced apart by the same distance a as the holes 48 in the carrier plates. The posts 17 also include two respective sets 53, 54 of guide surfaces for coaction with the pins 51 projecting from the carrier plates. The set 53 comprises two surfaces 55, 56 formed in the post 17 and diverging upwardly from a common point. The set 54 also comprises two upwardly divergent surfaces 57, 58 which define the same angle therebetween as the surfaces 55, 56 but which terminate before meeting one another and are joined together by a horizontal surface 59. Each post 17 in the framework is provided with such sets 53, 54, with the exception of the two outermost posts, which only include one set of guide surfaces, either the set 53 or the set 54. Thus, one of the guide pins on the carrier plate 47 will coact with one set 53 of guide surfaces, whereas the other pin will coact with the other set 54 of guide surfaces. In their simplest form, the guide surfaces 55-58 are comprised of the edges of holes provided in the front wall of the post 17, although said surfaces may also, of course, be comprised of the walls of two recesses whose depths correspond to the length of the pin 51.

The carrier plate 47 is thus mounted by inserting the pins 51 into the upper part of respective holes or recesses, the walls of which form respective sets 53, 54 of guide surfaces. The plate 47 is then moved down until it is stopped by engagement of the pins 51 with all guide surfaces 55-58. When this has taken place, the holes 48 in the carrier plate will lie in register with the screw-threaded holes 52 in corresponding rows of holes in two sequential posts 17, and the carrier plate can then be screwed firmly to respective posts.

Figure 7 shows in broken lines one pin 51 of one carrier plate 47 inserted into the guide-surface set 54. The angle defined by the divergent surfaces 57, 58 is such that when the cylindrical pin occupies its stop position, the pin will touch both of said surfaces and also the horizontal surface 59. When the other pin 51 of the plate 47 occupies its stop position, the pin engages the divergent surfaces 55, 56 of the other guide-surface set 53. This configuration minimizes the risk of positioning the carrier plate wrongly as a result of errors in the pin or guide-surface tolerances.

The posts 17 are provided with a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of guide-surface sets 53, 54 to enable several plates of the same or different sizes to be fitted one above the other, and to enable one and the same plate to be mounted alternatively at different height positions. The number of pairs of guide-surface sets provided and the distance between said sets will preferably be sufficient for the space between each pair of posts to be covered in the height direction by a row of carrier plates 47 which have the smallest size of the carrier plates used in the production line.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a carrier plate 60 which differs from the carrier plate illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 essentially by virtue of the fact that it has substantially twice the vertical extension and includes rows of holes 48' and 48" and recesses 49' and 49" along both pairs of opposing sides of the plate. Elements that coincide with corresponding elements of the carrier plate 47 have therefore been identi¬ fied by the same reference signs for the carrier plate 60 shown in the Figures 8 and 9, with the addition of a prime and double-prime sign respectively. In addition to the aforesaid differences, the carrier plate 60 includes twin pairs of recesses 49' and 49" respectively which are spaced in the height and lateral direction and in which respective sleeves 50' and 50" are inserted. Rearwardly and outwardly projecting pins 51' are secured in the upper pair of sleeves, while no pins are carried by the bottom pair of sleeves. If the pins 51' had been secured instead to the bottom pair of sleeves 50', the plate would be displaceable vertically when fitted into the same sets of guide surfaces on the front post of the framework in relation to fitting the pins 51' to the upper pair of sleeves 50', as shown in Figure 9. Thus, it will be understood that by providing a carrier plate with a plurality of vertically spaced pairs of recesses 49, it is possible to vary the vertical position of the carrier plate by choosing the recesses into which the pin-provided sleeves shall be inserted. It is mentioned in this regard that it is better from a mechanical strength aspect to provide more pairs of sleeves on the carrier plates than more sets of guide surfaces on the posts of the framework. It is also possible to place one pin in one of the sleeves in the upper sleeve pair and the other pin in the sleeve of the bottom sleeve pair that is located at the edge of the plate which opposes the sleeve in which the pin in the upper sleeve pair has been placed. Furthermore, the pins may also be placed in the sleeve pairs 50", which will enable a carrier plate 60 to be mounted that has been rotated through 90° in relation to the position shown in Figure 8. Figure 10 illustrates a second embodiment of a positioning arrangement according to the invention. The Figure illustrates the corner part of a carrier plate 61 which is to be secured to the front post 17" of the framework. Each corner of the carrier plate has an outwardly projecting part which, in the illustrated case, has the form of a rectangular piece 62 positioned with its outer edges 63, 64 extending parallel to the corresponding edges of the carrier plate. These edges 63, 64 are chamfered or bevelled so as to slope inwards, i.e. in a direction towards opposing edges of the rectangular piece 62. The vertical posts 17" of the framework are provided with a recess whose shape is complementary to the shape of the piece 62 on the carrier plate 61. According to one variant, only the top or the bottom corners of the carrier plate are provided with such outwardly projecting rectangular pieces. Neither is it necessary for the pieces 62 to be placed in the corners, although this is advantageous from a handling aspect. If the pieces 62 are placed differently, however, it is suitable to mark their positions on the front side of the carrier plate, so as to enable said pieces to be inserted more easily into respective recesses in the posts. Thus, the edge surfaces 63, 64 function as guide surfaces when mounting the carrier plate 61, whereas the two other edge surfaces 66, 67 function as stop surfaces.

In the described embodiments, the carrier plates have outwardly projecting parts which coact with recesses in the front posts of the framework. It will be understood, however, that the posts may instead be provided with outwardly projecting parts and the carrier plates with recesses. It is also possible to provide the posts solely with outwardly projecting guide surfaces corresponding to the guide surfaces in the recess 65 complementary to the guide surfaces 63 , 64 of the carrier plate 61, said guide surfaces coacting with and guiding in the corners of the carrier plate, these corners either being chamfered or left plain. Naturally, the carrier plates may be dimensioned so that when fitted they will lie, in principle, edge to edge and cover the entire framework. However, as before mentioned, the carrier plates of the described exemplifying embodiments are dimen- sioned so that the edges of mutually adjacent carrier plates will be spaced apart. When plates are fitted edge-to-edge, it is difficult to remove and to fit individual plates quickly, since it is then necessary to pull the plate straight outwards in order for the plate to be able to pass free from adjacent plates. This drawback is avoided when the plates are spaced apart.

As indicated in Figures 1 and 2, the outer surfaces of the framework 16 are completely clad with carrier plates, even at those places where no working devices are carried. Although not shown in the drawings, strips are arranged in the spaces between mutually adjacent carrier plates. These strips may have the form of sealing strips provided with resilient sealing lips and will be of a nature that enables them to be fitted and removed easily. The interior of the framework is thus a closed space. This prevents dust and dirt from reaching the operating and control components that are enclosed in this space and, at the same time, enables an appropriate type of cooling unit (not shown in the drawings) to be placed in the centre of the space for central cooling of said components. It is pointed out that the rear and side walls of the framework need not be comprised of carrier plates according to the aforegoing, but may be comprised of conventional wall elements to no disadvantage, wherein a door which provides access to the interior of the framework may be provided in one of these walls.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bottom cross-bars 24, which extend forwardly beyond the front posts 17 transversely thereto are also covered with carrier plates. According to one variant of the invention, the conveyors are mounted on these plates by means of quick-couplings, to facilitate fitting of the carrier plates secured to the posts 17.

It will be understood that the described and illustrated exemplifying embodiment of an inventive production line can be modified in many ways within the scope of the invention. For instance, the framework may include props or braces between the posts 18, for supporting heavy working devices that project far out from the plate and therewith prevent such devices from bending. Correspondingly, props or braces can be attached to the carrier frame 25 on the front side, so as to prevent bending of long rolls. It is also possible to provide the framework with glue delivery connections. Furthermore, the sets of connections may be fitted to solely each alternate rear post 18. In this case, it may be convenient to place the connector holders of two mutually adjacent, laterally positioned carrier plates on laterally opposite sides of the carrier plates. Thus, the invention includes all constructions in which the distance between connector sets in said rows of connectors form a multiple of the smallest distance between the vertical posts and those constructions in which the holders are placed on several standardized locations along the edge parts of the plates. The roof of the framework may also be used to support particularly bulky working devices, such as reel racks, for instance. Sealing strips may also be placed along the opposing front edges of the posts, within the region of the fitted carrier plates, wherein only those horizontal spaces between the plates need be covered by sealing strips. The pins projecting out from a carrier plate according to Figures 5 and 6 may be fastened directly to the rear side of the carrier plate instead of a pin inserted into a recess in the plate, and the pins may be placed in other height positions than those shown in the Figures. Naturally, electric motors other than alternating current motors may be used in the production line. The invention is therefore limited solely by the content of the following Claims.

Claims

1. A production line for the production of absorbent disposable articles, such as diapers, sanitary napkins and incontinence guards, said production line including a conveyor path (3, 14, 15) which functions to move a web of material through the production line, and a row of mutually sequential devices (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13) which are arranged in the direction of conveyor path movement and which function to perform different operations in the manufacture of the absorbent article, wherein the devices are carried by rectangular carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39, 47, 60, 61), which are fastened to vertical posts (17, 17") which are placed in a framework (16) on the same side of the conveyor path and sequentially in a direction parallel with the direction of conveyor path movement, characterized in that the framework posts (17, 17") include guide surfaces (55-59, 65) which function to position the carrier plates (29, 34, 35, 39, 47, 60, 61) on the vertical posts (17, 17").

2. A production line according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bordering sides of mutually adjacent carrier plates fastened to the framework posts (17, 17") are spaced apart by a distance of at least 2 mm.

3. A production line according to Claim 2, characterized in that the carrier plates (47, 60, 61) include on at least two opposing edge parts thereof parts (51, 51', 62) which project out from the side of the plate that lies proximal to the framework, wherein said outwardly projecting parts coact with guide surfaces (55-59, 65) provided on the posts and recessed from a plane which passes through the sides of the posts (17, 17") proximal to the carrier plates.

4. A production line according to Claim 3, characterized in that the outwardly projecting parts of the carrier plates (47, 60) have the form of cylindrical guide pins (51, 51') ; and in that the guide surfaces (55-58) on the posts (17) have the form of mutually divergent surfaces.

5. A production line according to Claim 4, characterized in that the guide pins (51, 51') are mounted on the carrier plates (47, 60) so as to be readily removable therefrom.

6. A production line according to Claim 5, characterized in that the guide pins (51, 51') are attached to sleeves (50, 50') that are inserted into recesses or apertures (49, 49') in the carrier plates (47, 60).

7. A production line according to Claim 6, characterized in that several sleeve-receiving recesses or apertures (49' , 49") extend along two opposing edge parts of the carrier plates (60).

8. A production line according to Claim 4, characterized in that the guide surfaces on the posts (17) are upwardly divergent.

9. A production line according to Claim 3, characterized in that the carrier plates (17") include in each corner an outwardly projecting part (62) which has two flat sides (63, 64) that extend from the apex of the corner slightly along the two edges of the carrier plate that meet in the corner concerned, wherein the flat sides of the outwardly projecting part are inclined in relation to the plane of said two carrier-plate edges in a direction towards an opposing corner of the carrier plate; and in that the framework posts (17") include guide surfaces (65) that have a corresponding inclina¬ tion.

10. A production line according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the posts (17, 17") include a plurality of vertically spaced guide surfaces (55-59, 65) which permit carrier plates (47, 60, 61) to be positioned at different heights on the framework (16) .

11. A production line according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the carrier plates (47, 60) include on at least two opposing edge-parts a row of mutually sequential holes (48, 48') which are spaced a given distance apart; in that the posts include two parallel rows of screw- threaded holes (52) which are spaced vertically apart by the same distance as the holes in the carrier plates, wherein the holes in the carrier plates register with the holes in the posts (17) when the carrier plates are mounted in position.

12 A production line according to Claim 11, characterized in that each carrier plate (60) , all sides of which have a length which is generally equal to or exceeds the smallest distance between the posts (17) , includes a row of mutually sequential holes (48', 4-8") which are spaced a given distance apart, wherein the holes along a first pair of opposing carrier-plate edges register with the holes (52) of a post in a first position of the carrier plate, whereas the holes along a second pair of opposing edges register with the holes (52) of a post in a second position of the carrier plate in which the carrier plate is turned through 90° in its plane relative to the first position.