Patent Publication Number: US-2006009745-A1

Title: Absorbent sanitary product wearable as pants and corresponding manufacturing process

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to absorbent sanitary products that can be worn as pants.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      For many years, the solution adopted in a practically uniform way by all the producers of the sector has been that of making said products in the form of elements shaped according to a general hourglass conformation, with a central body in which there is located an absorbent composite structure that is designed to collect the body fluids evacuated and two end parts, a front one and a rear one, which extend laterally. The product is worn by bestowing thereon a general U-shaped conformation and bringing the median stretch of the central body (the so-called “crotch portion”) to extend between the legs of the user. The end parts are extended around the waist of the user and are connected to one another at the homologous side edges, for example via adhesive tabs, which can normally be repositioned, or similar fastening elements in such a way as to be able to refasten the product around the body of the user.  
      These products have traditionally been manufactured and sold in an open condition, i.e., leaving it to the person who applies the product the task of setting it around the body of the user and refastening it according to a general pant conformation in the terms referred to previously.  
      Over the last few years, there has emerged a renewed interest in diapers (nappy-pants) of the type commonly referred to as “training pants”. These are diapers of the type illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,680, which are packaged and sold in a closed condition. When the product is taken out of the pack, it has a conformation that substantially resembles that of a pair of pants. It is put on by sliding it over the legs of the user according to criteria basically similar to the ones adopted for putting on pants.  
      Absorbent products of the training-pant type are roughly classifiable in two major categories, identified by the criteria of production.  
      In particular, these are commonly referred to as either machine-direction (MD) products or cross-direction (CD) products.  
      The products of the first type substantially resemble, both as regards the structure and as regards the criteria of fabrication, to diapers of a traditional type, which are designed to be sold open. Basically, all the operations that lead to the fabrication of the product are carried out whilst the products are being fed “lengthwise”, i.e., with the parts that are to form the front region and the rear region of the product as worn arranged in sequence in the direction of feed.  
      The products of the second type mentioned previously (i.e., the cross-direction products, obtained by feeding the products set crosswise with respect to the direction of feed) are particularly widespread on Far East markets and are characterized by front and rear areas with very extensive elastication.  
      Usually, the aforesaid elasticating function is achieved by associating to the structure of the product elastic materials made of threads of yarn and/or tabs, such as Lycra and/or rubber. It is precisely on account of this elastication of the front and rear areas formed by elastic threads that it is practically imperative to form the chassis of the product by operating crosswise.  
      According to more traditional solutions, the cross-direction mode of fabrication was applied also to the absorbent part (the so-called “core”) contained in the central body of the product.  
      The development of the product, with the increase in the amount of superabsorbent material (SAP) and the reduction in the content of cellulose imposed by the need to improve the fit of these products, has, however, rendered necessary introduction of further elements, such as for example the so-called “cuffs” or elasticated sides, designed to improve the characteristics of side seal of the product in regard to the evacuated body fluids. The application of these additional elements, which is simple and can be implemented using techniques that are consolidated in processes of a machine-direction type, usually proves somewhat complicated and such as to give rise to results that are far from reliable in the case of products obtained using the cross-direction technique.  
      For this reason, solutions have been proposed in which, in the framework of a process of production that is basically of the cross-direction type, an insert is first fabricated, thus obtaining all the particular characteristics of the central body of the product operating according to the machine-direction mode. The insert is then cut, rotated through 90°, and applied on the chassis of the product, operating crosswise. It may be stated that the vast majority of machines operating with the cross-direction technique currently in use exploit this solution or dual configuration.  
      Reasoning once again in very general terms, it may be stated that the products of the machine-direction type are appreciated in particular on account of the possibility of providing them with elastic panels that are very wide on the hips. In this way, it is possible to bestow upon the product better qualities of fit, linked to the fact that these products swathe the body of the user in a particularly comfortable way.  
      On the other hand, one of the most appreciated aspects of the cross-direction products lies in the presence of the elastication of the front and rear regions.  
      A drawback lamented is, however, represented by the fact that this elastication extends also into the central areas of the front and rear regions of the product, where the ends of the insert containing the absorbent core of the product are located.  
      To limit this drawback there is known the solution of making the elastication of the front and rear parts of the cross-direction products without gluing the elastics in a position corresponding to the insert. These elastics are then cut after laminating them with the remaining parts (typically the so-called “backsheet” and possible covering layers associated thereto).  
      The operation of cutting the elastics inevitably also leads to cutting into the layers, such as the backsheet, to which said elastics are associated. The fact of cutting into the backsheet (i.e., in practice, the outer sheet of the product) does not usually create problems from the standpoint of liquid tightness. The insert containing the absorbent core is in fact provided with a film that functions as impermeable barrier. However, the fact of cutting into the backsheet leads to the formation of more or less small tears, with negative effects both on the appearance of the product and on the capacity of the backsheet to withstand the stresses to which the nappy is normally subjected.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution that can integrate within it the intrinsic advantages of the solutions described previously, at the same time preventing the drawbacks outlined above.  
      In particular, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a product that can be obtained according to modalities that basically resemble the cross-direction mode of production, giving rise, however, to an end product the characteristics of which basically resemble those of a product obtained using machine-direction technology.  
      According to the present invention, said purpose is achieved thanks to a hygienic-sanitary product having the characteristics recalled specifically in the ensuing claims. The invention relates also to the corresponding method of fabrication.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
      The invention will now be described purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the annexed plate of drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a general view of a sanitary product that can be obtained according to the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a view of the product of  FIG. 1  represented in an open and extended condition, with the purpose of illustrating more fully its structural characteristics;  
      FIGS.  3  to  6 , where  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view according to the line V-V of  FIG. 3 , are various views of equipment that can be used for manufacturing the product represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a general perspective view of a chain of products in the course of processing, basically at the point indicated by the arrow VII of  FIG. 6 ; and  
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are schematic illustrations of a variant embodiment of the solution according to the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In  FIG. 1 , the reference number  10  indicates as a whole a sanitary product which can be worn as a pantlike garment of the type commonly referred to as “training pant”.  
      Essentially, the product  10  consists of a central body  12  designed to be applied on the body of the user by bestowing upon the product a general U shape. In the body  12  there is located the absorbent core  14 , which is designed to absorb the body fluids evacuated. There are then present elasticated side panels, designated by the reference number  16 , which extend from the central body  12  so as to bestow upon the product  10  (viewed ideally in the open and distended condition, as represented in  FIG. 2 ) the typical hourglass conformation.  
      The elasticated side panels  16  are provided with homologous distal edges  16   a  designed to be connected to one another via a line of welds that enable fastening of the product  10 , bestowing thereon the desired pant conformation.  
      The representation of the product  10  provided in  FIG. 1  is of a schematic nature and is intended to highlight the fact that the solution described herein can be applied to a wide variety of possible types of embodiment of the product  10 .  
      For a more detailed illustration of the characteristics of the product  10  (for example, as regards the presence of shaped edges  13 —usually provided on the backsheet of the product—delineating the borders of the openings for the legs of the user and again on account of the presence of the so-called “cuffs” or elasticated borders  15  arranged along the sides of the absorbent core  14  with the function of providing lateral containment of body fluids) the reader is referred to the extensive literature existing on the subject.  
      As may be appreciated more fully from the view of  FIG. 2  (and also from the view of  FIG. 7 , which illustrates a chain of products  10  being processed), in the product  10  illustrated herein the central body  12  has two (front and rear) end parts, each with two opposite side edges  12   a , from which there extend, on either side of the central body  12 , the elasticated panels (or lugs)  16  that complete the central body  12 , conferring on the product  10  as a whole (viewed in an open and extended condition) the typical hourglass configuration.  
      Each of the two ends, front and rear, of the central body  12  likewise has a respective terminal edge  12   b  substantially coinciding with the terminal end of the insert  14 . Along the two terminal edges  12   b  (and along the homologous external margins  16 ) there extend two elasticated bands  18  that occupy the end margins (one front and one rear, in the position in which the product is worn) of the product itself.  
      It is emphasized that the terms “front” and “rear” are used herein only to distinguish the two ends from one another and hence does not have any specific importance as regards the mode in which the product is finally worn.  
      Furthermore, it is emphasized once again that the representation of the product  10  provided herein is intentionally schematic, precisely to facilitate an understanding of the solution described herein, which can be applied to a wide variety of possible types of embodiment of the product  10 .  
      This applies, in particular but not exclusively, to the relative placing of the side edge  12   a  and terminal edge  12   b  of each of the ends of the central body  12  and of the elements (panels  16 , elasticated band  18 ) associated thereto.  
      It will be understood, for example, in an evident way, that the proximal margin of each panel  16  can extend either slightly within, or in exact coincidence with, or again slightly on the outside of the respective side edge  12   a , at the same time safeguarding in any case the characteristic according to which the two elasticated panels  16  extend from one and the other of the side edges  12   a.    
      In an altogether similar way, the internal margin of the elasticated band  18  can extend either slightly within, or in exact coincidence with, or again slightly on the outside of the respective side edge  12   b , at the same time safeguarding in any case the characteristic according to which the elasticated band  18  extends adjacent to the aforesaid terminal edge  12   b  and to the two elasticated panels  16 .  
      The criteria of fabrication of the various component parts described previously are to be deemed in themselves widely known in the art and hence such as not to require a detailed description herein.  
      In particular, the side panels or patches  16  can be obtained according to the criteria described in greater detail in WO-A-01/91666 and WO-A-01/92013. This also regards the possibility of bestowing upon the panels  10  the characteristics of breathability, with the formation of openings for transpiration, at the same time limiting application of the elastic panels  16  only to the side areas (i.e., to the so-called “ears” of the product  10 ) and conserving the presence of the elasticated band (based on threads of Lycra or rubber)  18  at the end margins of the product.  
      It will thus be appreciated that the product  10  illustrated in the figures combines within it the characteristics of good fit linked to the presence of the elasticated panels  16  (a characteristic that up to now has principally been associated to the machine-direction technology), preserving, however, the presence of the elastic waist band  18  (a prerogative that is typical of products made using cross-direction technology).  
      The above is obtained at the same time, however, preventing the central parts of the so-called chassis of the product, on which the absorbent insert  14  is fixed usually by adhesive means, from being involved in an undesired action of elastication.  
      It will be appreciated, in particular, that the latter result is here achieved by preventing elastic elements from being located in said areas and not, as instead occurs in certain solutions adopted in the prior art, by providing elastic elements that are subsequently in some way neutralized or inactivated with operations of cutting which are liable to give rise to adverse effects either in structural terms or as regards the aesthetic appearance of the product.  
      FIGS.  3  to  6  illustrate the salient characteristics of an apparatus that can be used for making the product illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  
      Once again, it is emphasized that the elements of the apparatus represented in FIGS.  3  to  6  are basically designed for formation and application of the panels or patches  16  and of the end elasticated bands  18 . Otherwise, with the exception of what is said specifically hereinafter, it is to be assumed that the remaining parts of the product  10  (for example, the absorbent insert  14  and, more in general, the entire central body  12 ) are obtained according to criteria in themselves known in the art and hence such as not to require any detailed description herein.  
      In particular, in the example of embodiment illustrated herein (which, it is emphasized, is just one such example, and is thus not to be interpreted as in any way limiting the scope of the invention) both the elastic panels or patches  16  and the end elasticated bands  18  are formed by resorting to a sandwich structure comprising: 
          a central layer having elastic characteristics; and     two outer layers typically constituted by a laminar material and in a particularly preferred way by a laminar material of the type commonly referred to as non-woven fabric.        

      In particular, the two layers in question are designed to constitute, respectively, the so-called backsheet or outer sheet of the product  10  and a covering layer applied on the backsheet with the interposition of the elastic elements.  
      Indicatively (and once again without this implying any limitation of the scope of the invention), the materials used for making the backsheet and the covering layer may be constituted, for example, by non-woven materials such as 18-g/m 2  microdenier spun bonded polypropylene.  
      With reference to the general diagram of  FIG. 3 , it will be assumed that the layers of material in question, designated by  20  (backsheet) and  22  (covering layer) are fed in the direction of the parts of apparatus visible in  FIG. 3 , from supply reels, which are not illustrated in the plate of drawings but are of a known type and which are set, respectively, on the right of  FIG. 3  and at the top with respect to said figure.  
      In a substantially similar way, the reference number  26  designates an elastic material that is to be used for making the panels or patches  16 . Said material is wound (from left to right as viewed in  FIG. 3 ) off a respective supply reel, which is not visible in the plate of drawings either.  
      The elastic material  26  (which may be constituted, for example, by the weblike material marketed under the trade name CEX824 by the company Tredegar) is supplied “captured” between layers of polymer, i.e., in a rigid state designed to simplify the process of unwinding and of supply of the material up to the point of its application on the product. It is usually a material provided for applications in which the elastic characteristics of the material appear in the direction coinciding with the direction of delivery of the elastic material itself and the direction of feeding of the machine.  
      Immediately prior to application, the elastic material  26  must be activated, i.e., rendered such as to be able to perform its function of elasticated layer. For this purpose, it is necessary to proceed by stretching the weblike material  26  so as to tear the layers of polymer that imprison the elastic material itself in order to keep it fixed in a rigid state.  
      This result is typically obtained by causing the weblike material  26  to pass through a pair of motor-driven rollers  28   a  and  28   b , which are able to perform both the function of feed and the function of activation of the weblike material  26 .  
      As has been said, activation is obtained by tearing the layer of polymers that imprison the elastic material proper. This tearing action is performed by stretching and then releasing the web of material by suitably adjusting the speed of the rollers  28   a  and  28   b . In particular, the approach is to cause the (peripheral) speed of the roller  28   b  to be higher (for example, three to five times higher) than the speed of the roller  28   a . Usually, the distance between the two motor-driven rollers  28   a  and  28   b  is adjusted in such a way that it does not have an excessive value (for example, not greater than 50 mm) so as to guarantee a constant and homogeneous deformation throughout the development of the material.  
      The weblike material  26  thus activated is fed on the periphery of a distributing wheel  30  preferably configured in the form of a so-called “repitch” wheel.  
      Devices of this kind are known and used extensively in the industry of hygienic-sanitary products. Basically, the wheel  30  is constituted by a set of segments  30   a  (commonly referred to as “shoes”) which are able to orbit about a central axis X 30  with the capacity of varying selectively their distance between a loading region A, where the segments  30   a  of the periphery of the wheel  30  are strictly adjacent to one another, and an unloading region, designated by B, in which the segments  30   a  themselves are set with respect to one another at a distance determined selectively (according to criteria in themselves known).  
      Between the loading region A and the unloading region B there acts a cutter  32  (this is typically a rotary blade or a “hot-wire” cutter or cutting unit).  
      Hot-wire cutting can be adopted in the case where heat-meltable materials are used. The main advantage linked to hot-wire cutting lies in the fact that only the wire touches the material being cut. As compared to traditional cutting systems (for example, systems using a rotary blade), it is thus possible to eliminate completely the forces of cutting and, consequently, have a lighter mechanical structure. Furthermore, the hot-wire-cutting technique requires levels of precision of relative positioning of the parts that are less stringent than those of traditional cutting techniques, in particular in the case where the aim is to cause one and the same blade to be able to cut against a number of counterblades.  
      The result that can be achieved via the action of the repitch wheel  30  is more clearly represented in the perspective view of  FIG. 4 . In said perspective view, it may be noted that the web  26 , which is initially fed in the direction of the wheel  30  in the form of a continuous element, is segmented by the cutter  32  into a number of lengths, each length (or, more precisely—for reasons that will emerge more clearly in what follows—, each pair of lengths) being supported by a respective segment or shoe  30   a  of the peripheral wall of the wheel  30 . The lengths of web  26  formed as a result of the action of the cutter  32  thus set themselves apart from one another reaching a relative parking position identified by the maximum value of the travel of relative recession of the segments or shoes  30   a  of the repitch wheel  30 .  
      The lengths of web  26  are withheld on the shoes  30   a  of the wheel  30  by resorting (also here according to known criteria) to a suction-pressure effect ensured by a line or manifold of subatmospheric pressure designated by  34 .  
      As has already been mentioned previously, the weblike material  26  is in actual fact fed in the form of two parallel webs, which are designed to form respective lengths of web (and, consequently, respective elasticated panels  16 ) located at either end of the products.  
      In particular, in the view of  FIG. 4 , the web  20  constituting the so-called backsheet may be seen as it advances from the bottom right. In the movement of advance towards the wheel  30 , the web  20  encounters a station for application of glue, designated by  36 , which applies small areas of glue  40  on the backsheet  20 , which are arranged according to a geometry substantially resembling the geometry with which the elastic panels  16  of the end product are located.  
      For a better illustration of this concept,  FIG. 4  represents with a dashed line the profile of one of the products  10  that it is intended to obtain. Of course, the representation of the profile with a dashed line in said part of  FIG. 4  has a purely explanatory character.  
      The lengths of web  26  supported by the segments or shoes  30   a  of the wheel  30  are thus applied in positions corresponding to the small adhesive areas  40  made on the backsheet  20 .  
      The backsheet  20 , thus equipped with the elastic elements  26 , advances towards a further processing station  42 , which applies on the side edges of the web of backsheet  20  Lycra or rubber elastics designed to form the waist-band elastication  18  of the product (see, in particular, the view of the distended product illustrated in  FIG. 2 ).  
      Typically, the elastics  18  are applied on the backsheet  20  by gluing, for example using a spray glue. Of course, it is possible to resort to other technological solutions, well known to persons skilled in the branch.  
      After receiving the elastics  18  (which, it will be appreciated, are applied by operating in the direction of feeding of the machine), the backsheet  20 , which at this point is equipped with the various elastic elements designed to be associated thereto, passes into a coupling station  44  to obtain (according to known criteria) pairing with the covering layer  22  so as to complete the sandwich formation described previously.  
      Having in this way completed the structure of the so-called chassis of the product, the web of backsheet, provided with elasticated panels  16  and elasticated bands  18  is made to pass under an ultrasound-sealing system  46 , which joins together the various layers thus also obtaining, in the areas corresponding to the panels  16 , ventilation openings that bestow characteristics of breathability upon the panels.  
      The diagram of  FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the modality of execution of said operation performed by passing the backsheet  20  with the elastic elements  16  and  18  applied thereon over a roller  48  functioning as the so-called “anvil” of an ultrasound-sealing system of which the so-called “sonotrodes”  50  are visible. The sonotrodes in question number two (or form two groups) and are designed to carry out a sealing operation at what will form the front region and the rear region of the product. Further details regarding execution of these operations can be inferred, for example, from WO-A-01/91666 and WO-A-01/92013 already cited previously.  
      The web provided with the elastic elements  16  and  18  can then be sent on to a coupling station  52  ( FIG. 6 , which constitutes an ideal continuation of  FIG. 3 ), where applied on the aforesaid web, operating crosswise (and usually making the connection adhesively, according to known criteria), are the central bodies  12 .  
      The operating situation can be appreciated more fully from the perspective view provided in  FIG. 7 . From this view it will also be noted that, in a currently preferred embodiment, the overall width of the web of backsheet  20  is chosen so as to be sufficiently longer than the overall length of the central body  12 .  
      To be more precise, the overall width of the web of backsheet  20  is chosen so as to be longer than the distance that separate the outer margins, located at the opposite ends of the product, of the elasticated bands  18 . This fact can immediately be appreciated in  FIG. 7  if it is noted that the web of backsheet  20  projects on either side of the web  22  that “covers” the elasticated bands  18 .  
      In this way, in a folding station  53 , it is possible to turn up the outer edges of the web of backsheet  20  towards the inside of the product, as is indicated by  200  in  FIG. 7 , so as to “entrap” the terminal regions of the absorbent insert  14 .  
      Next, in an purposely provided folding station  54 , the web is folded according to a general V-shaped configuration in the longitudinal middle area.  
      This is followed, in a final station designated by  56 , by closing of the end margins  16   a  of the panels  16  (and of the elasticated bands  18 ), with consequent closing of the product along the line of waist band and segmentation of the individual products  10  thus obtained.  
      The fact that the elasticated panels  16  and the elasticated band  18  are connected, at either end of the product  10 , to homologous elements so as to reclose the product  10 , bestows upon the product itself the character of a product of a training-pant type.  
      The latter operations described are obtained according to criteria widely known in the art and hence such as not to require any detailed description herein.  
      In particular, closing of the end margins  16   a  of the panels  16  and of the elasticated bands  18  along the line of waist band of the product can both assume the character of a stable seal and involve application (performed once again according to known criteria) of fastening elements of an openable and refastenable type, for example with the use of hook-and-loop elements of the Velcro type.  
      It will be appreciated that said operations are performed according to typical cross-direction modalities of fabrication, at the same time making it possible to arrive at an end product that has all the elements and the positive characteristics of the product obtained with the machine-direction technique.  
      Basically, the method described herein envisages feeding in a given direction a weblike element (the backsheet  20 ) having opposite side edges  12   a , and applying on said weblike element, with a pitch of separation identified by the width of the product  10 , patches of elastic material that can define the elasticated panels  16  which, at the corresponding end of said central body  12 , each define a portion of the line of waist band of the product.  
      Then applied along at least one of the side edges of the web of backsheet  20  is, in the station  42 , a continuous elasticating element designed to form an elasticating waist-band portion of the product. Applied then on the web of backsheet  20  are, in a position generically set between the aforesaid patches of elastic material, the central bodies  12  of the products  10  undergoing fabrication. It will be appreciated that said central bodies  12  are applied on the web of backsheet with their opposite ends aligned in a direction transverse to the direction of feed of the web of backsheet  20 , i.e., operating in a cross-direction modality.  
      The weblike element thus formed is then segmented in a substantially median position between the central bodies  12  subsequently applied so as to form individual products  10 . This occurs preferably after folding to form a V performed in the station  54  and after having closed the opposite side edges  16   a  of the elasticated panels  16  and of the elasticated waist bands  18  combined therewith, thus obtaining the products  10  in the form of closed pantlike products of the training-pant type.  
      The mode of operation described enables use of a web of backsheet  20 , which, instead of being a single piece, as schematically illustrated in the foregoing figures, is in actual fact constituted by two “subwebs”  20   a  and  20   b  separated from one another. Each of said subwebs is designed to form, in combination with the elastic patches of the panels  16  and with the elasticated waist band  18 , and with a corresponding covering subweb  22   a  and  22   b , a respective end of the chassis of the product, as is schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  
      By adopting the solution represented in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , instead of using a single chassis, a chassis is used that is made up of two parts, a front one and a rear one, which are held together by the central body  12 , which extends like a bridge between the two parts in question.  
      The advantages potentially linked to the solution illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9  are multiple.  
      In the first place, this solution enables a reduction in the cost of the end product in so far as a smaller amount of material is used for making the chassis. Furthermore, the solution represented in  FIGS. 7 and 8  enables the operation of “change of format”, i.e., of selective variation of the dimensions of the end product, to be carried out very rapidly. To achieve this result, it is in fact sufficient to space the two portions  20   a ,  20   b  of the web of backsheet in a different way to obtain different lengths of the product, at the same time preserving the same resultant type of product.  
       FIG. 9  highlights the fact that, even in the case of this variant embodiment, there exists the possibility of turning inwards the outer margins  200  of the web of backsheet ( 20   a  and  20   b , in this case), so as to “entrap” the terminal regions of the absorbent insert  14 .  
      Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what is described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.  
      In particular, persons skilled in the sector will appreciate that, even though the solution described herein has been developed paying particular attention to its possible application to products of a training-pant type (i.e., products designed to be sold in a pant-like configuration), it can also be applied to diapers of a traditional type.  
      Furthermore, the solution described herein as applied at both ends (front and rear) of the product  10 , could in actual fact be applied also at just one of said ends, making the opposite end of the product according to any traditional solution.  
      Also as regards the process of fabrication, the invention contemplates the possibility of resorting to a wide range of variants as compared to the examples of embodiment illustrated herein. For example, above all when the cross-direction mode of operation is adopted, it may be advantageous to apply the elastic panels  16  in an intermittent way, i.e., causing the adjacent elastic panels which are designed to form part of different end products to be right from the start elements distinct from one another and to be separated only at the moment in which the respective products are separated from the chain or sequence in which they have been fabricated. This mode of operation enables prevention of the need to perform the corresponding operations of sealing and cutting over an area comprising the material of the elastic panel. In this way, it is possible to obtain the sealing and cutting area without elastic panel, thus avoiding problems linked to the tightness of the seal which may arise, in certain cases, on account of the choice of the elastic material.  
      In more recent times, elastic materials have been developed that have a mesh-like structure, which are excellent as regards breathability. The invention comprises the possible adoption of all materials that can be used for obtaining the panels  16 , such as, precisely, also the aforesaid elastic materials having a mesh-like structure.  
      The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments of and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to absorbent sanitary products, not necessarily the exemplary sanitary product generally described above.  
      The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ methods, materials and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.  
      These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all sanitary products that operated in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.