Method and arrangement for manufacturing a laminated structure

A method for manufacturing a laminated structure for use in an absorbent article, the laminated structure being defined by a plurality of material layers comprising at least a first layer which is liquid-permeable, a second layer constituting an absorbent core and a third layer, each of said layers being formed of a material having a certain pore radius, said method comprising:

• bonding together said material layers by means of at least two ultrasonic welding steps;
• and
• providing an ultrasonic welding pattern for each of said welding steps, each of said welding patterns being defined by a plurality of bonding sites;
• wherein it comprises:
• providing said welding steps for forming the entire absorbent article;
• selecting said welding patterns in a manner so that the entire laminated structure has a multiple pore radius;
• and wherein said welding steps comprise at least, and in the following sequence:
• a first welding step in which said third layer and said second layer are bonded together;
• and
• a second welding step in which the bonded third and second layers are bonded together with said first layer;
• wherein said welding steps are carried out using a first layer being formed from a material having a pore radius which is equal to or greater than the pore radius of the second layer and the third layer, and also using a second layer being formed from a material having a pore radius which is equal to or greater than the pore radius of the third layer.

A laminated structure for use in an absorbent article, the laminated structure comprising:

• at least a first material layer which is liquid-permeable,
• a second material layer constituting an absorbent core, and
• a third material layer,
• each of said layers being formed of a material having a certain pore radius, said laminated structure being formed by bonding said three material layers together by at least two ultrasonic welding steps providing a different ultrasonic welding pattern for each of said welding steps,
• each of said welding patterns being defined by a plurality of bonding sites wherein the laminated structure is formed through said welding steps;
• and
• wherein said material layers and welding patterns are selected in a manner so that the entire laminated structure has a graduated pore radius extending through the three layers;
• and
• said third layer and said second layer are bonded together with a first ultrasonic welding pattern;
• and the bonded third and second layers are bonded together with said first layer with a second ultrasonic welding pattern.