Turning device for a production line for hygiene products

The invention relates to a turning apparatus for a production plant (2) for sanitary products, in particular adult or baby diapers, the turning apparatus having a drum (12) which rotates about a geometrical drum rotational axis (11), and at least one plate (14) which is spaced apart radially from the drum rotational axis (11) and is coupled to the drum (12), which plate (14) comprises a suction face (15) for the transport of sanitary material pieces (16), which suction face (15) holds the respective sanitary material piece (16) by means of a vacuum during the transport, the plate (14) having a geometrical vertical axis (17) which runs radially with respect to the drum rotational axis (11), the plate (14) receiving the sanitary material piece (16) with a first orientation about the vertical axis (17) in a first transfer region (18), and transporting the sanitary material piece (16) from the first transfer region (18) to a second transfer region (20) along a setpoint transfer path (19) which runs in the circumferential direction around the drum rotational axis (11), the suction face (15) being rotated with the sanitary material piece (16) about the vertical axis (17) during the transport, the plate (14) outputting the sanitary material piece (16) in the second transfer region (20) with a second orientation which is different than the first orientation about the vertical axis (17). It is proposed that, during the receiving and/or outputting, the plate (14) carries out a non-linear compensation movement relative to the drum (12) with a radial movement component.

The invention relates to a turning apparatus for a production plant for sanitary products, in particular adult or baby diapers, and to a production plant for sanitary products per se.

Sanitary products are understood to mean absorbent elements which are used close to the body, in particular adult or baby diapers, incontinence pads and pants, sanitary towels, panty liners or the like. It is usually a common feature of sanitary products that they have a liquid-absorbing core as sanitary material which is fastened to a carrier material. The carrier material can be configured, in particular, by way of a body-side material layer (top sheet) and a material layer which is remote from the body (back sheet). Lateral fastening elements (wings) can be attached thereto, which lateral fastening elements serve to fasten the sanitary product to the body.

Production plants for sanitary products usually have a machine running direction, along which both the sanitary material and the carrier material are guided. If the sanitary material and the carrier material are to be connected, however, the sanitary material usually has to be rotated by 90°, in order to be positioned correspondingly transversely with respect to the carrier material. For this purpose, in the case of known production plants, the sanitary material is cut and is turned by a turning apparatus.

In the case of a known turning apparatus (WO 2019/215547 A1), the cutting of the sanitary material is likewise carried out on the turning apparatus. This has the disadvantage that it is not readily possible to produce various formats, that is to say sizes, of the sanitary products by way of one and the same turning apparatus. In the case of other known production plants, the cutting operation is therefore carried out upstream of the turning apparatus. It is a problem, however, that displacements and rejects can occur during the transfer of the cut sanitary material pieces to the turning apparatus and from the turning apparatus. Known turning apparatuses have curved plates for receiving the sanitary material pieces, which curved plates are adapted to a transfer track of the usually rotating turning apparatus. Since said plates are rotated, however, a flat transfer thus cannot be achieved both in the case of the receiving and in the case of the outputting of the sanitary material pieces.

A linear compensation movement takes place in the case of a further known turning apparatus (US 2016/0376109 A1). This is, however, firstly structurally complicated, since high tolerances have to be maintained, and secondly the adaptation to the circular transfer tracks of the production plant is not possible.

The invention is based on the problem of configuring and developing the known turning apparatuses in such a way that an increased precision during the transfer is achieved, with the retention of the possibility of producing various formats.

The above problem is solved in the case of a turning apparatus in accordance as claimed herein.

The invention proceeds fundamentally from a turning apparatus with a drum, which rotates about a geometrical drum rotational axis, and at least one plate, which is spaced apart radially from the drum rotational axis and is coupled to the drum. The plate comprises a suction face for the transport of sanitary material pieces, which suction face holds the respective sanitary material piece by means of a vacuum during the transport. Furthermore, the plate has a geometrical vertical axis which runs radially with respect to the drum rotational axis. Furthermore, the plate receives the sanitary material piece with a first orientation about the vertical axis in a first transfer region, and transports the sanitary material piece from the first transfer region to a second transfer region along a setpoint transfer path which runs in the circumferential direction around the drum rotational axis, the suction face being rotated with the sanitary material piece about the vertical axis during the transport. The plate outputs the sanitary material piece in the second transfer region with a second orientation which is different than the first orientation about the vertical axis.

The fundamental consideration is essential that the plate can be adapted to the transfer in an active manner by means of a compensation movement. As a result of said compensation movement, it is no longer merely the shape of the plate which is decisive for the contact between the plate and the sanitary material piece during the transfer. As a result, rotatable plates can also transfer the sanitary material piece precisely, without being limited by way of the restricted possibilities of the configuration of the surface of the suction face.

It is proposed in detail that, during the receiving and/or outputting, the plate carries out a non-linear compensation movement relative to the drum with a radial movement component.

In a refinement, the compensation movement of the plate additionally has a movement component in the circumferential direction about the drum rotational axis, as a result of which more complex compensation movements are made possible. The latter can be adapted more precisely to the speed of the turning apparatus and a further part of the production plant otherwise which receives or outputs the sanitary material piece, and to the geometrical conditions of the turning apparatus and the receiving and outputting part of the production plant.

For an implementation which is simple, in particular, in mechanical terms, it can be provided that the plate is coupled to the drum in such a way that the progress of the compensation movement is dependent on a rotational angle of the drum about the drum rotational axis.

A refinement which is particularly suitable for the conditions of the transfer in the case of customary turning apparatuses, the plate forms, with the drum, a coupling mechanism.

In particular for the actuation of the coupling mechanism, it can be provided in the case of one refinement that the plate is coupled to a cam disk by means of a guide member. As a result, a possibility which is not particularly complicated in structural terms is specified for carrying out compensation movement.

In a further preferred refinement of the compensation movement, which refinement is relatively simple to implement, the compensation movement is a rotation of the plate about a geometric rotational axis which preferably runs parallel, but not coaxially, with respect to the drum rotational axis.

In a refinement, the receiving and/or outputting of the sanitary material piece take/takes place over the full surface area and/or at a constant speed. A situation can thus be achieved where considerably fewer displacements and rejects of the sanitary material piece occur in comparison with known turning apparatuses, as a result of which the production accuracy of the production plant increases.

In one particularly preferred refinement, the suction face of the plate is planar along its first and/or second orientation. A transfer over the full surface area with any desired orientation can be achieved by way of the omission of the curved suction faces of the plate.

In the case of one refinement, a part of the suction face, which part is situated in the first and/or second transfer region, runs radially within the setpoint transfer path on account of the compensation movement during the receiving and/or outputting. This can preferably not be the case outside the first and/or second transfer region.

In order to activate a vacuum of the suction face, which vacuum generates the suction action, precisely where it is needed, it can be provided that the suction face comprises a plurality of suction segments. Said suction segments can be capable of being actuated individually and/or in groups, by way of which a situation can be achieved where the sanitary material piece is not attracted by suction by suction segments, with which it is not yet in contact or no longer has to be in contact. Furthermore, this is advantageous with regard to the energy efficiency.

According to further preferred refinements of the drum, the drum has a drive shaft for the production of the rotation of the drub about the rotational axis, and the vacuum is conducted from a vacuum source through the drive shaft to the suction face. The turning apparatus can have a plurality of identical plates.

In accordance with a further teaching which is given independent significance, a production plant for sanitary products with a turning device is proposed. Reference may be made to all comments with respect to the turning apparatus according to the proposal.

Preferred refinements of the production plant, with which preferred refinements the turning apparatus according to the proposal can be used particularly advantageously, are claimed herein.

FIG.1shows the turning apparatus1according to the proposal for a production plant2for sanitary products, in particular adult or baby diapers. Reference is made to the introductory part of the description with regard to other possible sanitary products.

FIG.2diagrammatically shows the construction of a preferred production plant2. A sanitary material web3is fed to the production plant2from the right inFIG.2, and comes into contact there with a first transport roller4with a cross-sealing means5. Here and preferably, the sanitary material is configured to be flat and/or as absorbent material.

Here, said first transport roller4can have a first speed v1during operation. From there, the sanitary material web3can be transferred to a cutting roller6of a cutting unit7, which cutting roller6rotates at a speed v2. The cutting unit7has a cutting device, for example a cutting blade, which cuts the sanitary material web3. The cut sanitary material is at the same time separated by way of the slip which is produced on account of the different speeds v1and v2between the first roller4and the cutting roller6. It is then transferred further to the left inFIG.2by the turning device1which is still to be described, and is turned in the process, is received by a repitch unit8, that is to say a speed change unit, and is accelerated to a speed v3and is combined with the carrier material9at a “marriage point”10. The reason why the cut sanitary material is turned is usually that the sanitary material web3and the carrier material9run in parallel in a machine direction along the production plant2, but are to be combined transversely with respect to one another.

FIG.1shows the turning apparatus1according to the proposal in an outer view. The turning apparatus1has a drum12which rotates about a geometrical drum rotational axis11. The term “drum” is to be understood broadly here; in the simplest case, the drum12can be a disk13. A shell is not absolutely necessary in the case of the drum12, but can fundamentally be provided. In the simplest case, the drum12also serves merely for mechanical fastening and guidance, and accordingly does not have to have any specific properties apart from those of a carrier. The drum12rotates endlessly here and preferably.

The turning apparatus1has at least one plate14which is spaced apart radially from the drum rotational axis11and is coupled to the drum12. Here and preferably, the turning apparatus1has more than one plate14of this type. In the exemplary embodiment, the turning apparatus1has eight plates14. In the following text, most of the comments relate for the sake of simplicity only to one plate14. Here and preferably, however, the plates14are identical. Therefore, all comments in respect of the one plate14also apply to the other plates14correspondingly.

In the following text, some features of the turning apparatus1are described by way of the term “radial” and by way of the term “circumferential direction”. Said terms always relate to the drum rotational axis11.

The plate14and the drum12are coupled in terms of movement with regard to the rotation about the drum rotational axis11, with the result that the plate14rotates with the drum12about the drum rotational axis11. Here and preferably, the plate14and the drum12are coupled in terms of movement without slip with regard to the rotation about the drum rotational axis11.

The plate14comprises a suction face15for the transport of sanitary material pieces16. The suction face15holds the respective sanitary material piece16by means of a vacuum during the transport. The sanitary material piece16can thus also be transported transversely or perpendicularly with respect to the direction of gravity. Here and preferably, as has already been described, the sanitary material piece16was cut from the sanitary material web3by the production plant2by way of the cutting unit7.

The plate14has a geometrical vertical axis17which runs radially with respect to the drum rotational axis11. Said vertical axis17is defined with regard to the suction face15of the plate14and can, as will be explained later, be capable of being tilted, in particular, with regard to the drum rotational axis11.

During operation, the plate14receives the sanitary material piece16with a first orientation about the vertical axis17in a first transfer region18. The plate14transports the sanitary material piece16along a setpoint transfer path19which runs in the circumferential direction about the drum rotational axis11from the first transfer region18to a second transfer region20. This can be best gathered from the illustration inFIG.3. The setpoint transfer path19is, in particular, circular and specifies, in relation to the center point of the sanitary material piece16, along where the sanitary material piece16is transported. Here and preferably, the setpoint transfer path19is defined by way of the maximum radially present space in the first transfer region18and in the second transfer region20. Here and preferably, the first transfer region18and/or the second transfer region20are/is linear or even virtually punctiform in cross section, as shown inFIG.2. The transfer regions18,20are defined as those regions, in which the sanitary material piece16is situated during the transfer. Since said regions are not identical in the case of every sanitary material piece16as a result of tolerances, not every sanitary material piece16utilizes the full transfer region18,20during its transfer.

The suction face15with the sanitary material piece16is rotated about the vertical axis17during the transport. Here and preferably, said rotation takes place by 90°. Here and preferably, moreover, the rotation takes place temporally and spatially during the transport and, in particular, from an orientation longitudinally with respect to the machine running direction of the production plant2to an orientation transversely with respect to the machine running direction of the production plant2. The plate14outputs the sanitary material piece16in the second transfer region20with a second orientation which is different than the first orientation, in a manner which is rotated about the vertical axis17, here and preferably rotated about the vertical axis17by 90°.

According to the proposal, during the receiving and/or outputting, the plate14carries out a non-linear compensation movement relative to the drum12with a radial movement component (see, in particular,FIG.4). Here, the term “non-linear” means that the compensation movement per se, that is to say without consideration of the simultaneous rotation of the drum, is not a purely linear translation. The suction face15is therefore not displaced in a purely linear manner in one direction. It is an advantage here that a more complex movement can be implemented in a structurally simple manner and, at the same time, an improved adaptation is made possible to the prevailing mostly circular movement tracks. Here, the respective transfer of the sanitary material piece16can be optimized with regard to various factors by way of the acceptance of the more complex movement.

Firstly, the compensation movement can be adapted to a setpoint transfer path of an outputting or receiving unit, that is to say the cutting unit6or the repitch unit8here.

A geometrical rotational axis of the setpoint transfer path of the outputting or receiving unit will usually lie outside the setpoint transfer path of the turning apparatus1. It is therefore preferably the case that the compensation movement comprises a rotation about a geometrical rotational axis, and that said geometrical rotational axis lies outside the setpoint transfer path of the turning apparatus1. The geometrical rotational axis of the compensation movement can particularly preferably correspond to the geometrical rotational axis of the outputting or receiving unit, in particular of the cutting unit6or the repitch unit8.

Secondly, in addition or as an alternative, an adaptation of the speed of the sanitary material piece16can take place if the outputting and the receiving unit do not have the same speed as the turning apparatus1.

At the same time, the transfer angle between the suction face15and the sanitary material piece16can also be adapted.

Since rotational axes can additionally partially be implemented in a structurally simpler manner than linear axes, these advantages can be associated with structural advantages.

Here and preferably, the compensation movement has at least two components which run radially in opposite directions. Here, one side of the suction face15moves radially inward, and at the same time the other side moves radially outward.

As can be seen in the figures, the plate14or the suction face15reaches the first transfer region18from below in a manner which is tilted in one direction, and leaves it at the top in a manner which is tilted in the other direction. As a result, the plate14can be adapted to the transfer region18,20by way of a type of nodding movement. The compensation movement is also shown in the second transfer region20inFIG.3. On account of the rotation of the suction face15and the correspondingly smaller proportions, it is correspondingly less expansive there. Here and preferably, the entire plate14carries out the compensation movement, but it is likewise advantageously conceivable that only one part of the plate14, in particular the suction face15, carries out the compensation movement.

Here and preferably, the compensation movement of the plate14additionally has a movement component in the circumferential direction about the drum rotational axis11. In addition or as an alternative, the compensation movement can comprise a rotational movement of the plate14about a first geometrical rotational axis21. The compensation movement preferably additionally comprises a rotation of the first rotational axis21about a second rotational axis22. This is illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the first rotational axis21and the second rotational axis22being provided with designations for the sake of simplicity only in the case of one plate14. Further preferably, the compensation movement can comprise a further rotation about a further first rotational axis21and a further rotation of the further first rotational axis21about a further second rotational axis22. Here, said rotations can take place at least partially at the same time or sequentially. The first and the second rotational axis21,22are preferably parallel, but not coaxially, with respect to the drum rotational axis11and/or with respect to one another. The term “rotation” always means a rotation with a degree of freedom about a geometrical rotational axis. The movement component of the compensation movement in the circumferential direction is understood relative to the drum12, that is to say it differs from the already existing rotation of the drum12.

Here and preferably, the compensation movement is a continuous movement which therefore comprises neither a stop nor an abrupt directional change. After the compensation movement has ended, however, resetting with a directional change can take place.

It can be provided that the plate14is coupled to the drum12in such a way that the progress of the compensation movement is dependent, in particular solely, on a rotational angle of the drum12about the drum rotational axis11. Here and preferably, said coupling is mechanical. Here and preferably, this likewise means that the progress of the compensation movement is dependent on the rotational angle of the plate14about the drum rotational axis11. Said rotational angle is fundamentally dependent on the respective plate14. It is provided here and preferably that each plate14carries out the same compensation movement in the case of the corresponding rotational angle.

In the following text, the realization of the performance of the compensation movement is described, which can likewise best be gathered from the illustration inFIG.3. Here and preferably, the plate14forms, with the drum12, a coupling mechanism23. Here, the term “coupling mechanism” is based expressly on the definition which is customary in mechanical engineering. Here and preferably, the coupling mechanism23is a four-member coupling mechanism23, in particular a four-bar mechanism. The coupling mechanism23can be a planar coupling mechanism23, the plane of which is then preferably oriented at an angle, in particular at a right angle, with respect to the drum rotational axis11. In the case of a planar coupling mechanism, the axes of the joints of the coupling mechanism are oriented parallel to one another, with the result that the movements of the coupling mechanism take place in one plane. As shown, the plate14preferably forms a member of the coupling mechanism23, and is connected by way of two further members to the drum12which likewise forms a member of the coupling mechanism23. Here and preferably, that part of the plate14which forms the member of the coupling mechanism23does not rotate with the suction face15about the vertical axis17.

In particular for the actuation of the coupling mechanism23, the plate14can be coupled by means of a guide member24to a cam disk25, with respect to which the plate14can be moved. The compensation movement is then caused by way of the coupling of the plate14via the guide member24which is guided by the cam disk25to the cam disk25. As an alternative, however, a passive, external guidance of the compensation movement would also be conceivable, for example. Here and preferably, the cam disk25is arranged about the drum rotational axis11. The cam disk25can guide the guide member24on one side or on two sides; correspondingly, the guide member24can rest on it, in particular in a spring-loaded manner, or can run in a guide of the cam disk25, as shown inFIG.3.FIG.3also illustrates the different spacings of the guide track of the cam disk25from an ideal circular path in the case of receiving and outputting of the sanitary material piece16, which spacings occur as a result of the rectangular, but not square, shape of the sanitary material pieces16and the suction face15in combination with the rotation of the suction face15.

For example, an actuation of the plate14by means of a crank mechanism or in some other way would also likewise advantageously be conceivable. Here and preferably, the cam disk25does not rotate with the drum12about the drum rotational axis11, but rather is at a standstill, in particular.

In one exemplary embodiment which is not shown, the compensation movement can be a rotation of the plate14about a geometrical rotational axis which preferably runs parallel, but not coaxially, with respect to the drum rotational axis11. This variant would then be accompanied by a change of the speed of the sanitary material piece16.

As can be seen inFIG.3, the guide member24can be coupled rigidly to the plate14. As an alternative, for example and likewise preferably, one modification is conceivable, in the case of which the guide member24is coupled by means of a joint to the plate14and/or the cam disk25, in particular such that it can be displaced there. In yet another variant, the guide member24might also be a member of the coupling mechanism23or might be connected to the latter.

Here and preferably, the receiving and/or the outputting of the sanitary material piece16takes place over the full surface area with a constant transfer spacing. Here, the transfer spacing relates to the spacing between the respective receiving or outputting part of the plate14and the cutting roller6or the repitch unit8or another conceivable receiving or outputting component of the production plant2otherwise. Over the full surface area means here that, although the sanitary material piece16is transferred piece by piece, there is, however, a linear contact with the plate14. The constant transfer spacing is substantially constant and deviates at most by 5%, preferably at most by 1%, further preferably at most by 0.5%.

In addition or as an alternative, a speed of the sanitary material piece16remains constant during the receiving and/or outputting of the sanitary material piece16, and deviates at most by 5%, preferably at most by 1%, further preferably at most by 0.5%. Here, a deflection of the sanitary material piece16is provided; both the receiving and the outputting element have the same speed here, however.

In the embodiment which is shown and to this extent is particularly preferred, the suction face15of the plate14is planar along its first and/or second orientation.

Here and preferably, a part of the suction face15of the plate14, which part is situated in the first transfer region18, remains radially within the setpoint transfer path19on account of the compensation movement during the receiving. In addition or as an alternative, a part of the suction face15of the plate14, which part is situated in the second transfer region20, can remain radially within the setpoint transfer path19on account of the compensation movement during the outputting. Furthermore, in addition or as an alternative, the suction face15along the first and/or second orientation can run not along the setpoint transfer path19, in particular in such a way that the suction face15remains within the respective transfer region18,20in the first and/or second transfer region18,20only on account of the compensation movement. In the illustration inFIG.3, this can be seen by virtue of the fact that, as viewed from the bottom upwards on the right-hand side, the suction face15dips into the transfer region18with the front end in the case of a movement in the counterclockwise direction, and then tilts upward via a tilting movement via the coupling mechanism23in such a way that, at the end, the rear end in the transfer region18is within the setpoint transfer path19. Here and preferably, a similar compensation movement is also carried out in the second transfer region20.

In order that the sanitary material piece16is not deflected by way of the vacuum of the suction face15during the transfer, it can be provided that the suction face15comprises a plurality of suction segments15awhich can preferably be actuated individually. Here and preferably, the actuation of the suction segments15atakes place in such a way that the suction segments15aare actuated in a manner which is dependent on the rotational angle of the drum12and/or a progress of the compensation movement. Said actuation can take place electronically, but in principle also mechanically.

Here and preferably, the suction segments15aof the suction face15are rotated with the suction face15about the vertical axis17. It is preferably provided, however, that, in particular on that side of the suction face15which faces away from the sanitary material piece16, suction segment feed lines (not shown) are provided which are connected in a vacuum-conducting manner to the suction segments15aof the suction face15. It is then preferably provided that the suction segment feed lines are not rotatable about the vertical axis17.

Therefore, the assignment of the suction segment feed lines to the suction segments15achanges during the rotation of the suction face15. The actuation is adapted correspondingly.

In addition or as an alternative, it can be provided that the suction segments15aare loaded with compressed air during the transfer of the sanitary material piece16, preferably in a correspondingly sequential manner, in order that the vacuum is deactivated more rapidly.

Here and preferably, at least four, further preferably precisely four, suction segments15aand/or suction segment feed lines are provided.

Here and preferably, the drum12has a drive shaft26for the generation of the rotation of the drum12about the drum rotational axis11. The drive shaft26is concentric, in particular, with respect to the drum rotational axis11. The drive shaft26can be configured as a hollow shaft, with the result that the vacuum can be conducted from a vacuum source through the drive shaft26to the suction face15. Here, the hollow shaft itself can conduct the vacuum or can comprise a hose or the like. The vacuum is preferably conducted via tube or hose connections27which lead out of the drive shaft26to the suction face15and, in particular, to the suction segments15a.

The drive shaft26can be mounted on a carrier28which has, in particular, two arms. The turning apparatus1, in particular the carrier28here, is preferably self-supporting.

Here and preferably, the drum12can have two disks13which are spaced apart, run at an angle, in particular at a right angle, with respect to the drum rotational axis11, and to which the plate14is coupled in each case.

As has already been mentioned, the turning apparatus1preferably has a plurality of, in particular at least three, further preferably at least six, even further preferably precisely eight, identical plates14. Very generally, the plate14can be coupled to the drum12in such a way that the plate14rotates with the drum12without slip.

According to a further teaching which is given independent significance, a production plant2for sanitary products, in particular adult or baby diapers, is proposed. The production plant2has a turning apparatus1according to the proposal. Reference may be made to all comments with respect to the turning apparatus1according to the proposal. Here and preferably, said production plant2can produce a plurality of formats of the sanitary products.

The production plant2can be best gathered from the illustration inFIG.2. Here and preferably, the production plant2cuts sanitary material pieces16from an endless sanitary material web3. Here and preferably, the sanitary material is an absorbent material, with the result that the sanitary material pieces16are, in particular, absorbent cores. Furthermore, the production plant2can cut carrier material pieces from an endless carrier material web29, which carrier material pieces are here and preferably waist bands. The production plant2produces the sanitary products by way of connection of the sanitary material pieces16and the carrier material9. The cutting of the endless carrier material web29can take place before or after the connection to the sanitary material pieces16. Here, the term “endless” means merely that the production plant2is designed in such a way that the length of the corresponding web can be great in comparison with the length of a corresponding individual piece.

The production plant2is shown inFIG.2from right to left in terms of the production sequence. It can have a feed means for the sanitary material web3, which is shown on the extreme right here. The sanitary material web3is preferably fed via a first transport roller4, which rotates at a first speed v1, to a cutting roller6, which rotates at a second speed v2. The sanitary material web3is cut into sanitary material pieces16on the cutting roller6by way of a cutting unit7. On account of the rollers4,6which rotate at different speeds v1, v2, slip of the sanitary material web3occurs upstream of the cutting unit7. In the cutting unit7, the sanitary material pieces16are accelerated on the cutting roller6in such a way that they are set to the spacing between the plates14of the turning apparatus1. Said spacing at the same time specifies the maximum format to be produced of sanitary material pieces16. The sanitary material pieces16are transferred in the first transfer region18from the cutting roller6to the turning apparatus1. The turning apparatus1turns the sanitary material pieces16about the vertical axis17, here and preferably by 90°. The turning apparatus1can then transfer the sanitary material pieces16to a repitch unit8which accelerates or brakes the sanitary material pieces16to a third speed v3. The production plant2can have a carrier roller30which rotates at the third speed v3and on which the carrier material9(here and preferably, the carrier material web29or carrier material pieces) is guided. The repitch unit8transfers the sanitary material pieces16to the carrier roller30and deposits them on the carrier material9. Here and preferably, some or all of the rollers are likewise equipped with vacuum, in order to hold the respective material. This can likewise apply to the repitch unit8. Here and preferably, the latter has a plurality of transfer plates31which rotate independently of one another, in order to accelerate the sanitary material.