Method for producing absorbent sanitary articles with side panels

A method for producing absorbent sanitary articles, comprising:

• forming rows of first and second extension bands having respective proximal edges, respective distal edges to which respective closing elements are fixed, and respective first and second band flaps,
• overlapping said first and second extension bands on a continuous web in spaced apart positions in a longitudinal direction and fixing the proximal edges to said continuous web,
• connecting said first and second band flaps to said continuous web by first temporary joining zones,
• cutting said continuous web in the longitudinal direction so as to form two continuous webs separated from each other, each of which has a respective row of first or second extension bands fixed to one of its side edges,
• cutting said continuous webs so as to form pairs of first and second side panels having respective proximal edges and respective distal edges, each with respective first and second extension bands fixed to its the respective distal edges of the side panels,
• overlapping on each other said first and second side panels with the respective first and second extension bands fixed thereto and joining said first and second side panels by second temporary joining zones,
• wherein said first and second extension bands are folded around respective fold lines with respect to the respective proximal edges of the extension bands and have the respective first and second band flaps overlapped on respective first and second panel flaps,
• Z-folding said first and second band flaps so that each of said first and second band flaps has three flap sections overlapped to each other, and forming fourth temporary joining zones between said first and second band flaps and the respective first and second panel flaps extending through respective flap sections overlapping each other,
• fixing the proximal edges of said side panels alongside edges of a continuous composite structure, and
• cutting said continuous composite structure so as to form individual absorbent sanitary articles.