WO2011091843A1

WO2011091843A1 - System for folding an outer portion, in particular a flap, of an absorbent article and method of folding an outer portion of an absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2011091843A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/050908
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olle Barne
Original assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2010-01-27
Filing date: 2010-01-27
Publication date: 2011-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2012-07-27

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a system (1) for and a method of folding an outer portion (72), in particular a flap, an ear, a belt or a fastener component, of an absorbent article (7), in particular of a diaper, an incontinence product, a feminine hygiene product or the like, towards the central portion (70} of the absorbent article, in particular towards the central chassis of the absorbent article. The system comprises: a main conveyer (2) for moving the absorbent article in a conveying direction (X) such that the outer portion of the absorbent article extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the system being characterized by at least one folding conveyer (3) movable substantially in the conveying direction of the main conveyer, the folding conveyer being provided with holding means (4) for holding the outer portion of the absorbent article, wherein the holding means are arranged to be guided along a trajectory for folding of the outer portion of the absorbent article towards its central portion.

Description

System for folding an outer portion, in particular a flap, of an absorbent article and method of folding an outer portion of an absorbent article

Technical Field

The present disclosure pertains to a system for folding an outer portion, in particular a flap or a belt, of an

absorbent article and to a method of folding an outer portion, in particular a flap or a belt, of an absorbent article, in particular of a diaper, an incontinence product, a feminine hygiene product or the like.

Technical Background

Conventionally, folding processes for folding the flaps, ears, adhesive strips, belts or other outer parts of

absorbent articles, in particular of diapers, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products or the like, employ a folding board or folding plough along which the article to be folded is conveyed. The folding board or folding plough serve to fold the outer portions of the respective conveyed

absorbent article towards the central portion of the

absorbent article by simply guiding it along a trajectory which is given by the plough. Typically, the folding plough or folding board extends along the conveying direction and/or machine direction of the folding system over a considerable length, such that the actual folding process is carried out gradually onto the absorbent article.

Because the outer portions of the absorbent article are guided mechanically by the folding board or folding plough, friction between the outer portion of the absorbent article and the respective guiding portions cannot be avoided. Due to the friction, the outer portion may be slightly delayed in transport with respect to the central portion of the absorbent article such that the folding process can result in crinkles or creases in the folded portions.

WO 01/60731 A2 discloses a vacuum ear-folding process and apparatus employing a folding plough for folding the ears of an absorbent article, wherein the folding plough uses an airflow provided by a conventional vacuum pump to tension the ears of the absorbent article outwardly.

However, small creases and crinkles can still be present in the final product at the folded outer portions of the

absorbent article.

Summary of the Invention

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to improve a system for folding an outer portion, in particular a flap or an ear, of an absorbent article, in particular of a diaper, an incontinence product, a feminine hygiene product or the like.

According to claim 1, the system for folding an outer

portion, in particular a flap, an ear or a belt of an

absorbent article, towards the central portion of the

absorbent article, in particular towards the central chassis of the absorbent article, comprises a main conveyer for moving the absorbent article in a conveying direction such that the outer portion of the absorbent article extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The system, furthermore, comprises at least one folding conveyer movable substantially in the conveying direction of the main conveyer, the folding conveyer being provided with holding means for holding the outer portion of the absorbent article, wherein the holding means are arranged to be guided along a trajectory for folding of the outer portion of the absorbent article towards its central portion. By means of the provision of the folding conveyer and its holding means, it becomes possible to hold or grip an outer portion of the absorbent article securely and steadily and to guide this outer portion of the absorbent article into its intended folded position towards the central portion of the absorbent article. The trajectory of the holding means can be chosen such that the actual folding process is carried out such that unwanted folds and creases can be further reduced and the outer portion can be placed at a defined and exact position within the remaining footprint of the absorbent article during the folding process.

The term "main conveyor" is intended to include a means which is in the position to convey the absorbent article in the conveying direction. The main conveyer could, thus, be provided in the form of an actually moving member which actively conveys the absorbent article, such as a conveying belt, conveying rollers or a conveying plate. The main conveyer could also be a passive conveyer in the form of, for example, a flat non-movable plate along which the absorbent article can be moved in a defined orientation, in particular when the absorbent article is provided in the form of a continuous web from which the final individual absorbent articles still have to be cut.

Preferably, the holding means of the at least one folding conveyer is provided by at least one vacuum nozzle and/or at least one clamping mechanism for holding the outer portion of the absorbent article. Precise guiding of the outer portion of the absorbent article can be achieved by means of the holding means.

Preferably, the holding means of the at least one folding conveyer is guided along a trajectory extending from an upstream end to a downstream end as seen in the conveying direction, such that the holding position of the holding means is changed in its orientation by more than 90 degrees, preferably between 100 degrees and 180 degrees, along the length of the folding conveyer as compared to its orientation at the upstream end. By means of this broad range of changing the orientation or position of the holding means, it becomes possible to fold the outer portion of the absorbent article in a defined and controlled manner towards the central portion of the absorbent article. In particular, it becomes possible to fold the outer portion towards the central portion of the absorbent article in one step, by a single holding process and by employing a single folding conveyor. This increases the efficiency and controllability of the folding process.

The at least one folding conveyer and the main conveyer may be arranged to be movable in synchronism at substantially the same speed in the conveying direction, in order to further reduce the occurrence of creases and crinkles in the folded product .

In order to mechanically enable the folding conveyor to be arranged to change the orientation of the holding means in a broad range, the at least one folding conveyer may have a narrow extension in its direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, in order to allow for substantial change in its orientation.

To achieve a reliable change of orientation and a defined guiding along a predetermined trajectory, the holding means may be guided in a track that is changed in its orientation from its upstream end to its downstream end, as seen in the conveying direction, by more than 90 degrees, preferably 100 degrees to 180 degrees.

In order to achieve folding of two outer portions of the absorbent article, in particular the opposite outer portions of the absorbent article, a first folding conveyer may be provided on one side of the main conveyer, and a second folding conveyer may be provided on the other side of the main conveyer, relative to the extension of the main

conveyer, in order to provide for folding outer portions of the absorbent article on opposite sides of the absorbent article. Preferably, the first folding conveyer and the second folding conveyer are shifted with respect to one another along the conveying direction of the main conveyer.

In one preferred embodiment, the main conveyer is arranged to hold the central portion of the absorbent article, in

particular the central chassis of the absorbent article, by means of the application of a vacuum. By holding the central portion of the absorbent article, it becomes possible to achieve a defined folding process, also for individual absorbent articles.

The actual folding process may be supported by additional guiding means for guiding the outer portion relative to the central portion of the absorbent article. The guiding means may be provided alongside the at least one folding conveyer, in particular for providing a defined folding axis for folding the outer portions of the absorbent article.

Preferably, the guiding means is provided in the form of a folding plate situated above the main conveyer to maintain the central portion, in particular the central chassis, of the absorbent article in a defined position during folding of the outer portion of the absorbent article, wherein

preferably the folding plate comprises an edge which extends along the conveying direction of the main conveyer and the edge provides a defined folding axis. In an alternative or as a supplement, the guiding means may be provided in the form of a folding plough for guiding the outer portion of the absorbent article during folding, and a defined folding axis is provided along an edge of the folding plough and extends along the conveying direction of the main conveyer.

Preferably, the at least one folding conveyor is arranged such that the outer portion of the absorbent article can be held by the holding means while travelling along the guiding means . By means of the additional guiding means in the form of the folding plate or the folding plough, exact folding about specific folding edges can be achieved.

To further reduce the occurrence of crinkles and creases in the readily folded absorbent article, the trajectory of the holding means of the at least one folding conveyor may be provided such that a tension is applied on the outer portion of the absorbent article in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the main conveyer. Preferably, the trajectory of the holding means is defined such that, after a gripping position of the at least one folding conveyer has been passed, there follows a tensioning portion of the conveyer, in which the holding means is slightly moved away from the central axis of the main conveyer.

The objective given above is also achieved by a method according to claim 17. Accordingly, the method of folding an outer portion, in particular a flap, of an absorbent article, in particular of a diaper, an incontinence product, a

feminine hygiene product or the like, towards the central portion of the absorbent article, in particular towards its central chassis, comprises moving the absorbent article along a conveying direction on a main conveyer. The method further comprises gripping an outer portion of the absorbent article by means of holding means of a folding conveyer moved in the conveying direction and guiding the outer portion of the absorbent article into the folded position by the holding means which are guided along a trajectory for folding the outer portion of the absorbent article towards its central portion.

Preferably, the holding position of the holding means is changed in its position or orientation by more than 90 degrees, preferably between 100 degrees and 180 degrees, as it is moved in the conveying direction to fold the outer portion towards the central portion of the absorbent article.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the following, embodiments of the system for and method of folding an outer portion will be described by means of the attached Figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a portion of the folding system;

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-section of the system in a different embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section of yet another

embodiment of the system; and

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section through a detail of the folding conveyer.

Detailed Description of the preferred Embodiments

In the following, embodiments of the system and the method of the present disclosure will be described by reference to the attached Figures. Identical or similar features will be denoted by the same reference numerals and repeated

description thereof may be omitted in order to avoid

redundancies .

Figure 1 shows a system for folding an outer portion of an absorbent article towards a central portion of the absorbent article .

The system 1 comprises a main conveyer 2 onto which the central portion, in particular the chassis, of the absorbent article which is to be folded is to be placed. The main conveyer 2 can be provided in the form of an active conveyer, for example by means of the provision of a conveying belt, conveying rollers or a moving conveying plate, wherein the main conveyer holds the absorbent article at its chassis by means of vacuum suction or any other suitable holding means.

However, the main conveyer 2 is not limited to an active conveyer, but could also be provided in the form of a passive conveying support plate, which only conveys the absorbent article in the sense that it supports the absorbent article at its bottom side while the absorbent article is conveyed by means of a different process, for example by means of a continuous web, to which the absorbent article is still attached.

A folding conveyer 3 is provided, which is intended to hold an outer portion of the absorbent article, in particular a flap, ear or fastening means, of the absorbent article, and to guide it along a trajectory for folding the outer portion towards the central portion of the absorbent article. The folding conveyer 3 extends from an upstream end 10 to a downstream end 12 of the system 1. The trajectory of the folding conveyer 3 is designed such that holding means 4 of the folding conveyer 3 can grip the outer portion of the absorbent article in the position that the outer portion assumes at the upstream end 10 of the system. The held outer portion is then guided by the holding means along the

trajectory that is provided by the folding conveyer 3 such that the outer portion is folded into its intended final or end position.

In Figure 1, the folding conveyer 3 is provided in the form of an endless conveying belt carrying vacuum nozzles, wherein the vacuum nozzles are guided along the trajectory that is provided by the folding conveyer 3. In order to return the vacuum nozzles from the downstream end 12 back to the

upstream end 10 of the system 1, the endless folding conveyer 3 also has a trajectory 30 which is intended to bring the respective vacuum nozzles back to the starting position at the upstream end 10 of the system 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the trajectory 30 is, thus, generally shaped in the form of the figure "8" . However, other trajectories are contemplated, such as a simple loop. The main portion of the trajectory 30 is, however, concerned with the exact guidance of the outer portion of the absorbent article, such that it can be folded in a defined fashion.

The trajectory 30 of the folding conveyer 3, in which the holding means 3 is guided, enables a change in the

orientation of the holding means 3 from 0°, i.e. an

orientation in which the holding means 3 corresponds to the plane defined by the main conveyer 2, towards an orientation that is changed by more than 90°, preferably 100° to 180°.

In addition to the main conveyer 2 and the folding conveyer 3 with its holding means 4, a folding plate 5 is present in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The folding plate provides at one of its lengthwise edges, which is situated towards the folding conveyer 3, a defined edge 50 about which the outer portion of the absorbent article can be folded while being guided and held by the holding means 4 of the folding

conveyer 3. The absorbent articles are moved from the upstream end 10 towards the downstream end 12 in the

conveying direction X, such that Figure 1 shows a system for folding an outer portion of an absorbent article in a

continuous process.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the system 1 in a different embodiment, in which two folding conveyers 3 are present for folding the outer portions of an absorbent article. The folding conveyer 3 on the left-hand side of Figure 2 is still in its initial position, whereas the folding conveyer 3 at the right-hand side of Figure 2 has already folded the outer portion of the absorbent article by approximately 45° from its initial position.

An absorbent article 7 is positioned on the main conveyer 2 shown in Figure 2. The absorbent article 7 is shown in cross- section, having in its central portion the chassis 70. Two outer portions 72 extend outwards from the chassis 70 towards the left- and the right-hand side in Figure 2.

Typically, the chassis 70 also comprises the absorbent core, such that it is relatively stiff and relatively thick. The outer portions 72, however, typically are comprised only of a single layer or a small number of layers and are intended to be folded around the body of a user or of a pant. The outer portions 72 are sometimes also referred to as the "ears" of the absorbent article, which may also carry fastening tabs in the form of adhesive fasteners or Velcro fasteners, when it is intended to fasten the absorbent article to the waist of a user. It is obvious that in other embodiments other outer portions could be present, in particular a belt in an incontinence product.

The folding conveyer 3 shown in Figure 2 comprises holding means 4 in the form of vacuum nozzles. The vacuum nozzles 4 are provided in the form of a nozzle body 40 which comprises a through bore 42 at which the actual clamping process takes place. The nozzle body 40 is guided along a track within the folding conveyer 3, such that it folds the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article 7 from its initial position, which is schematically shown on the left-hand side of Figure 2, towards a fully- folded position such that the outer portion 72 is folded towards the chassis 70 of the absorbent article 7.

In order to supply the nozzle body 40 of the holding means 4 of the folding conveyer 3 with the vacuum necessary for holding, a vacuum box 44 is present which is in communication with the through bore 42 of the nozzle body 40 of the holding means 4, and a vacuum is applied to the vacuum box 44 by- means of conventional vacuum pump or a vacuum fan, depending on the volume needs of the vacuum box 44. The term "vacuum" is not intended to refer to an absolute vacuum in the sense of a total absence of molecules but is intended to extend to a situation in which a negative pressure is provided which is sufficient to hold the outer portions 72 against the holding means 4.

The holding means 4 in the form of the nozzle body 40 is moved along the conveying direction of the absorbent article 7 and, preferably, the main conveyer 2, such that the

absorbent article is conveyed by the main conveyer 2 and the holding means 4 are conveyed or transported in synchronism with the main conveyer 2. By the provision of this

synchronous conveying process of the main conveyer 2, which conveys the central portion/chassis 70 of the absorbent article 7, and the folding conveyer 3, which transports by means of its holding means 4 the outer portions 72 of the absorbent article, unwanted folds or creases in the readily folded absorbent article can be reduced or avoided.

In order to provide the system 1 during the folding process with a defined folding position, a folding plate 5 is

present, which is intended to keep the absorbent article 7 and, in particular, the chassis 70 of the absorbent article 7, in a defined position, closely related to the main

conveyer 2. Furthermore, the side edges 50 of the folding plate 5 provide a defined edge about which the folding of the outer portions 72 of the absorbent article 7 can be carried out securely and in a defined manner.

In order to prevent the two folding conveyers 3 shown in Figure 2 colliding with one another in the finally folded position of the absorbent article 7, the respective starting points and the respective turning points of the conveying trajectories are phase-shifted along the conveying direction of the absorbent article or the main conveyer 2, respectively. In other words, the folding conveyer 3 shown on the right-hand side in Figure 2 starts at its downstream end farther downstream than the folding conveyer 3 on the left-hand side in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows yet another embodiment of a system 1 in cross- section. A main conveyer in the form of the vacuum conveyer 2 is present, which is intended to maintain the central section 70 of the absorbent product 7 in a defined position and also ensures that the absorbent product 7 is conveyed securely without any relative movement in the conveying direction with respect to the folding conveyer 3.

In Figure 3, only one single folding conveyer 3 is shown on the right-hand side of Figure 3. However, it will be

appreciated that a second folding conveyer can also be present at the left-hand side in order to also fold the left- hand outer portions 22 of the absorbent article.

The folding conveyer 3 is, again, provided with a holding means 4 in the form of the nozzle body 40 having a through bore 42, which is open towards a vacuum box 44. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the nozzle body 40 is guided by means of tracks 46, wherein the tracks 46 are intended to guide the nozzle body 40 along the predetermined trajectory, such that the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article can be securely held during the folding process.

A folding plough 6 comprising a first folding plate 62 and a second folding plate 64 is present in the embodiment of

Figure 3. The first folding plate 62 and the second folding plate 64 of the folding plough 6 are provided in parallel with respect to one another and are angled, with respect to the plane defined by the vacuum conveyer 2, approximately by the same angle which is provided by the tracks 46 of the vacuum conveyer 3. In other words, the guiding slot 66, which is defined between the first folding plate 62 and second folding plate 64 of the folding plough 6, is angled substantially at the same angle as the respective angle that is provided by the folding trajectory of the folding conveyer 3.

The lower longitudinal edge 68 of the second folding plate 64, which extends along the conveying direction, provides a defined edge about which the outer portion 72 of the

absorbent article 7 can be folded in the folding process.

The tracks 46 of the folding conveyer 3, in which the nozzle body 40 is guided, preferably provide for a trajectory which enables a change in the orientation of the nozzle body 40 from 0°, i.e. an orientation in which the nozzle body 40 corresponds to the plane defined by the main conveyer 2, towards an orientation that is changed by more than 90°, preferably 100° to 180°.

Furthermore, it will be readily appreciated from the Figures that it is not only the orientation of the nozzle body 40 which is to be changed, but also its actual height above the plane defined by the main conveyer 2. As can also be seen in Figure 2, the left-hand nozzle body 40, which is, in fact, the holding means for holding the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article 7, is situated substantially in the plane defined by the main conveyer 2. However, the right-hand side nozzle body 40 of the folding conveyer 3, which has an orientation changed from the initial plane by approximately 45°, is not only changed in its orientation, but is also significantly raised above the plane defined by the main conveyer 2 in order to follow the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article 7.

The nozzle body 40 and, thus, the holding means 4 are

substantially guided, seen in cross-section with respect to the conveying direction, along a circle which has its center at the respective folding edge about which the outer portion 72 is to be folded and has a radius which is defined by the initial distance between this intended folding edge and the position at which the holding means grips the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article 7 when still being in the plane of the main conveyers 2.

However, it is also contemplated to provide for a constantly increasing radius from the downstream end towards the upstream end in order to provide a constant tension of the holding means 4 applied to the outer portion 72 of the absorbent article during the folding process, in particular while it slightly slips out. By the application of the additional tension towards the outside (i.e. perpendicular to the conveying direction) , it can be achieved that the slightly tensioned outer portions 72 are exactly folded without the production of any creases or the like.

Figure 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the front portion of the holding means 4, which is provided by the nozzle body 40, the through bore 42 and the guiding tracks 46. A guiding body 48 is likewise shown, such that a guiding slot 49 is provided between the guiding tracks 46 and the guiding body 48 in which the nozzle bodies 40 are conveyed.

Preferably more than one nozzle body 40 is provided in the track, such that when it comes to picking up or gripping the outer portions 72 of the absorbent article 7, the outer portions 72 can be easily gripped and held without the need for any synchronisation between the absorbent article and the holding means 4. In particular, an endless belt of nozzle bodies 40 could be provided, which is carried along the tracks 46 like a chain. However, selected nozzle bodies 40 could also be present and provided in synchronism with the outer portions 72 of an absorbent article 7, in particular in order to reduce the number of necessary nozzles bodies 40 and in order to reduce the vacuum volume that is needed. In this respect, it is to be noted that if a chain of nozzle bodies 40 is provided, a good number of nozzle bores 42 will not be covered by an outer portion 72 of the absorbent product 7, such that vacuum will be lost. However, means for closing these unused nozzle bodies 40 are likewise contemplated, for example in the form of a magnetic valve provided in each of the nozzle bodies 40.

It will also be appreciated that the folding conveyer 3, compared to the main conveyer 2, is a very narrow conveyer which allows for the twisting that is necessary to bring the holding means 4, in particular the nozzle bodies 40, from their original orientation towards an orientation which is changed with respect to the initial orientation by more than 90°, preferably up to 180°. In particular, it is possible by the provision of this narrow conveyer to carry out the entire folding process from the flat absorbent product towards the readily folded absorbent product by means of a single folding conveyer and in a single step. This also significantly reduces the occurrence of creases or unwanted folds in the absorbent article.

Claims

1. System (1) for folding an outer portion (72), in

particular a flap, an ear, a belt or a fastener component, of an absorbent article (7) , in particular of a diaper or an incontinence product, towards the central portion (70) of the absorbent article, in particular towards the central chassis of the absorbent article, the system comprising:

a main conveyer (2) for moving the absorbent article in a conveying direction (X) such that the outer portion of the absorbent article extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the system being characterized by

at least one folding conveyer (3) movable substantially in the conveying direction of the main conveyer, the folding conveyer being provided with holding means (4} for holding the outer portion of the absorbent article, wherein the holding means are arranged to be guided along a trajectory for folding of the outer portion of the absorbent article towards its central portion.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein the holding means of the at least one folding conveyer is provided by at least one vacuum nozzle and/or at least one clamping mechanism for holding the outer portion of the absorbent article.

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holding means of the at least one folding conveyer is guided along a trajectory extending from an upstream end (10) to a

downstream end (12) as seen in the conveying direction, such that the holding position of the holding means is changed in its orientation by more than 90 degrees, preferably between 100 degrees and 180 degrees, along the length of the folding conveyer from its orientation at the upstream end.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one folding conveyer and the main conveyer are arranged to be movable in synchronism in the conveying direction at substantially the same speed.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one folding conveyer has a narrow extension in its direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, in order to allow for substantial change of orientation thereof.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means is guided in a track (49) that is changed in its orientation from its upstream end to its downstream end, as seen in the conveying direction, by more than 90 degrees, preferably 100 degrees to 180 degrees.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first folding conveyer is provided on one side of the main conveyer, and a second folding conveyer is provided on the other side of the main conveyer, relative to the extension of the main conveyer, in order to provide for folding outer portions of the absorbent article on opposite sides of the absorbent article.

8. System according to claim 7, wherein the first folding conveyer and the second folding conveyer are shifted with respect to one another along the conveying direction of the main conveyer.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main conveyer is arranged to hold the central portion of the absorbent article, in particular the central chassis of the absorbent article, by means of the application of a vacuum.

10. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein guiding means {5, 6) for guiding the outer portion relative to the central portion of the absorbent article are provided alongside the at least one folding conveyer, in particular for providing a defined folding axis for folding the outer portions of the absorbent article.

11. System according to claim 10, wherein the guiding means is provided in form of a folding plate (5) situated above the main conveyer to maintain the central portion, in particular the central chassis, of the absorbent article in a defined position when folding the outer portion of the absorbent

12. System according to claim 11, wherein the folding plate comprises an edge (50) which extends along the conveying direction of the main conveyer, wherein the edge provides a defined folding axis.

13. System according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the guiding means is provided in the form of a folding plough (6) for guiding the outer portion of the absorbent article during folding, and a defined folding axis (68) is provided along an edge of the folding plough and extends along the conveying direction of the main conveyer.

14. System according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the at least one folding conveyor is arranged such that the outer portion of the absorbent article can be held by the holding means while travelling along the guiding means.

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trajectory of the holding means of the at least one folding conveyor is provided such that a tension is applied on the outer portion of the absorbent article in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the main conveyer.

16. System according to claim 15, wherein the trajectory of the holding means is defined such that, after a gripping position of the at least one folding conveyer has been passed, there follows a tensioning portion of the conveyer, in which the holding means is slightly moved away from the central axis of the main conveyer.

17. Method of folding an outer portion (72), in particular a flap, an ear, a belt or an fastener component, of an

absorbent article (7) , in particular of a diaper or an incontinence product, towards the central portion (70) of the absorbent article, in particular towards its central chassis, the method comprising:

moving the absorbent article along a conveying direction on a main conveyer (2) ;

gripping an outer portion of the absorbent article by means of holding means (4) of a folding conveyer (3) moved in the conveying direction; and

guiding the outer portion of the absorbent article into the folded position by the holding means which are guided along a trajectory for folding the outer portion of the absorbent article towards its central portion.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the holding position of the holding means is changed in its position by more than 90 degrees, preferably between 100 degrees and 180 degrees, as it is moved in the conveying direction to fold the outer portion towards the central portion of the

absorbent article.