WO2018167836A1 - Production method and production device for sheet member used in absorbent articles - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for production of a sheet member with a low-stretch area and a high-stretch area. The present invention comprises: a step that places an elastic material continuous body (35a) in a stretched state between facing surfaces of continuous substrate sheets of the sheet member (31); a conveyance step that winds the continuous body onto the outer peripheral surface (61as) of a rotating body, thus achieving conveyance; and a fabrication step in which the continuous body is cut at predetermined points (PC) to fabricate a substrate sheet. In the conveyance step, joins (j) for joining the facing surfaces are formed in a high-stretch corresponding area (AH1) of the continuous body on both sides of the elastic material continuous body in a direction CD, using protrusions on the outer peripheral surface, and intermediates(35m)of elastic members are formed in a low-stretch corresponding area (AL1) by cutting the elastic material continuous body with a cutting blade on the outer peripheral surface. In the formation step, the intermediates are also cut at predetermined points, thereby forming elastic members (35). The elastic members, having expanded in the direction CD, are thereafter constricted by the joins on both sides in the direction CD.

Description

Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for sheet-like member according to absorbent article

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member and an apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles such as disposable diapers.

Conventionally, for manufacturing disposable diapers known as absorbent articles that absorb excretory fluids such as urine, a sheet-like member 30 ′ in the form of a sheet as shown on the left side of the schematic plan view of FIG. 1A is used. That is, a single sheet-like sheet-like member 30 ′ having high stretch regions AH ′ and AH ′ having higher stretchability than the low stretch region AL ′ is used at both lateral positions of the low stretch region AL ′. Is done. And this sheet-like member 30 'is produced | generated as follows, for example.

As shown in the right part of FIG. 1A, first, the base material sheet continuous body 34a 'relating to the sheet-like member 30' is conveyed in the same direction as the conveying direction while continuing in the lateral direction. Between the pair of facing surfaces of the continuum 34a ', an elastic member continuum 35a' that is continuous in the transport direction is arranged in the same direction. At this time, the elastic member continuum 35a ′ is bonded to the base sheet continuum 34a ′ in a region AH1 ′ corresponding to the high stretchable region AH ′ (hereinafter also referred to as a high stretchable region AH1 ′). Although it is fixed with an agent, it is not fixed with an adhesive in an area AL1 ′ corresponding to the low expansion / contraction area AL ′ (hereinafter also referred to as a low expansion / contraction corresponding area AL1 ′).

Next, the elastic member continuum 35a ′ is cut with a cutter blade (not shown) at a predetermined position PC1 ′ in the conveying direction in the low expansion / contraction corresponding area AL1 ′, and thereby downstream of the predetermined position PC1 ′. The intermediate member 35m ′ of the elastic member is cut off and generated at the position, and a new downstream end portion 35aed ′ of the elastic member continuum 35a ′ is generated upstream of the predetermined position PC1 ′. At this time, the upstream end portion 35meu ′ of the former elastic member intermediate body 35m ′ contracts toward the high expansion / contraction corresponding region AH1 ′ located on the downstream side, and the latter elastic member continuum 35a. The “downstream end portion 35aed” of “shrinks toward the high expansion / contraction corresponding region AH1 ′ located on the upstream side thereof. As a result, the elastic member is not present in the low expansion / contraction corresponding area AL1 ', and as a result, the low expansion / contraction area AL' is formed in the area AL1 '.

Then, the base material sheet continuous body 34a 'and the elastic member intermediate body 35m' are cut at the cutting target position PC 'between the high-stretchable corresponding regions AH1' and AH1 'adjacent to each other in the transport direction. Then, based on the cut elastic members 35 ′ and 35 ′, the sheet-like member 30 in the form of a single sheet having the high stretch regions AH ′ and AH ′ on both sides of the low stretch region AL ′ as described above. 'Is generated.

On the other hand, when the elastic member 35 ′ is attached with an adhesive as described above, the elasticity of the elastic member 35 ′, that is, the stretchability is hindered due to the hardening of the adhesive existing on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member 35 ′. There is a fear. Therefore, recently, it has been studied to attach the elastic member 35 ′ to the base material sheet 34 ′ related to the sheet-like member 30 ′ without using an adhesive. Such a method is disclosed.

First, as shown in the schematic plan view of FIG. 1B, a continuous body 35a ′ of an elastic member continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces facing each other in the continuous body 34a ′ of the base sheet continuous in the transport direction. Is inserted in a state of being extended in the transport direction.

Next, a plurality of joint portions j ′ for joining a pair of opposing surfaces are formed at intervals in the transport direction. At this time, the joint portions j ′ are continuously formed in the CD direction intersecting the transport direction. Formed on both sides of the body 35a '.

Then, by cutting the base material sheet continuous body 34a ′ and the elastic member continuous body 35a ′ at the cutting target position PC ′ in the transport direction of the base material sheet continuous body 34a ′, as shown in FIG. 1C. A sheet-like base sheet 34 ′ having an elastic member 35 ′ attached thereto is generated. That is, on the basis of this cutting, the cut elastic member 35 'is contracted in the transport direction and tries to expand in the CD direction. Here, the expansion of the elastic member 35' in the CD direction is caused on both sides of the CD direction. Therefore, the elastic member 35 'is substantially clamped in the CD direction between the joints j' and j '. As a result, the elastic member 35 ′ is attached to the base sheet 34 ′.

Special table 2001-504899

Here, when these two technologies are combined, the sheet-like member 30 ′ having the high stretch regions AH ′ and AH ′ and the low stretch region AL ′ is flexible and the stretchability of the elastic member 35 ′ is inhibited. Can be generated as not.

However, when combined, the positions where the joints j ′ and j ′ are formed in the continuous body 34a ′ of the base sheet and the position of the cutter blade that cuts the continuous body 35a ′ of the elastic member are elastic. If the member is deviated from an appropriate position with respect to the continuous body 35a ′, the sheet-like member 30 ′ as described above cannot be generated.

For example, when the position of the former joint j is shifted from the appropriate position in the CD direction, when the elastic member 35 ′ contracts in the transport direction as shown in FIG. 1C, the elastic member 35 ′ is joined to the joint j ′. , J ′ are clamped together and cannot be attached to the base sheet 34 ′. Further, when the position of the latter cutter blade deviates from the proper position in the CD direction, the elastic member continuum 35a 'may be missed at the cutting position PC1' of FIG. 1A.

In this regard, for example, the continuous body 34a ′ is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a rotating body (not shown) that rotates along the conveyance direction of the continuous body 34a ′ of the base sheet, and the joint j is attached to the outer peripheral surface. If both a convex part (not shown) for compression formation and the cutter blade for cutting the continuous member 34 ′ of the elastic member are provided, both of these positions can be easily set to appropriate positions. Conceivable. That is, if these convex portions and the cutter blade are provided in advance so as to have an appropriate relative positional relationship, when at least one position is an appropriate position with respect to the continuum 35a ′ of the elastic member, The other position is inevitably an appropriate position. And it can also suppress that a cutter blade fails to cut | disconnect the continuous body 35a 'of an elastic member, suppressing that the said junction parts j and j fail to pinch | interpose the elastic member 35' from CD direction. It is considered a thing.

The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and the object thereof is to prevent the joining portion from damaging the elastic member from being pressed in the CD direction, and the cutter blade of the elastic member. It is also to suppress the failure to cut the continuum.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
A method of manufacturing a sheet-like sheet-like member having high stretch regions each having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement step of arranging the continuous body in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
A winding and conveying step of winding and conveying the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic members is arranged and wound around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
After the winding and transporting step, a generation step of generating the base material sheet of the sheet-like member by cutting the continuous body of base material sheets at a cutting target position set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction; Have
In the winding and transporting process, a joining part forming process and a cutting process are performed,
In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
In the generation step, an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet is generated by cutting the intermediate body of the elastic member at the position to be cut, and after the generation step, while contracting in the transport direction. The elastic member expanded in the CD direction is attached to the base material sheet by being pressed in the CD direction at the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction and attached to the base sheet. It is a manufacturing method of a sheet-like member.
Also,
A sheet-form sheet-like member manufacturing apparatus having high stretch regions having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement device that arranges the continuous body in a state of extending in the transport direction;
A wrapping and conveying device that wraps and conveys the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic member is disposed, around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
By cutting the continuous sheet of the base sheet at a position to be cut set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction at a position downstream of the winding transport device in the transport direction, the base of the sheet-like member is obtained. A generating device for generating a material sheet,
In the winding and conveying apparatus, a joining portion forming step and a cutting step are performed,
In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
In the generating device, the intermediate member of the elastic member is also cut at the position to be cut, thereby generating an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet, and on the downstream side in the transport direction from the generating device, The elastic member that expands in the CD direction while contracting in the conveying direction is attached to the base sheet by being pressed in the CD direction between the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction. It is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article to do.

Other features of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the joint portion from failing to pinch the elastic member from the CD direction and to prevent the cutter blade from cutting the elastic member continuously.

It is explanatory drawing of the production | generation method of the sheet-like sheet-like member 30 'which has low expansion-contraction area | region AL' and high expansion-contraction area | region AH ', AH'. It is explanatory drawing of the method of attaching elastic member 35 'to the base material sheet | seat 34' which concerns on sheet-like member 30 ', without using an adhesive agent. FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the 3 piece type diaper 1 as an example of an absorbent article. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the diaper 1 of the unfolding state from the wearer's skin side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa and a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb in FIG. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the ventral side belt member 31 of the unfolded state from the non-skin side. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the attaching function of the rubber thread 35 (45) played by the welded portion j. 7A to 7C are explanatory diagrams of a method of forming the stretchable areas AH and AH on both lateral sides of the non-stretchable area AL while forming the nonstretchable area AL on the ventral belt member 31 (45). It is a schematic plan view which shows a mode that the diaper 1 is manufactured in a manufacturing line in a partial perspective view. It is a schematic enlarged view of the A section in FIG. It is a schematic enlarged view of the B section in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the process performed by 2nd process position PK2, Comprising: It is the schematic side view which looked at the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 grade | etc., Which makes the main apparatus of the process from the CD direction. FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged view taken along line BB in FIG. 10A. It is a schematic plan view which expand | deploys and shows the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a which concerns on the apparatus 60 in the rotation direction Dc61a. It is explanatory drawing of the process performed by 2nd process position PK2. It is explanatory drawing at the time of arrange | positioning the some cutter blade 61ac for every continuous body 35a of thread rubber in the non-convex part area | region AN61at of the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram of a preferable arrangement position of the cutter blade 61ac in the non-convex area AN61at, and FIG. 14B is an explanatory diagram of a preferable position of the cutting position PC1 in the non-stretchable area AL1. It is explanatory drawing at the time of forming the 2nd welding part j2 in non-stretching corresponding | compatible area | region AL1.

At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
A method of manufacturing a sheet-like sheet-like member having high stretch regions each having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement step of arranging the continuous body in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
A winding and conveying step of winding and conveying the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic members is arranged and wound around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
After the winding and transporting step, a generation step of generating the base material sheet of the sheet-like member by cutting the continuous body of base material sheets at a cutting target position set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction; Have
In the winding and transporting process, a joining part forming process and a cutting process are performed,
In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
In the generation step, an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet is generated by cutting the intermediate body of the elastic member at the position to be cut, and after the generation step, while contracting in the transport direction. The elastic member expanded in the CD direction is attached to the base material sheet by being pressed in the CD direction at the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction and attached to the base sheet. It is a manufacturing method of a sheet-like member.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, the convex portion relating to the formation of the joint portion and the cutter blade relating to cutting the continuous body of the elastic member are the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. Is provided. Therefore, by providing these convex portions and the cutter blade in advance at the prescribed appropriate positions on the outer peripheral surface, it is appropriate that the elastic member is clamped from both sides in the CD direction after the above generation step. It becomes easy to form the said joint part in a position, and also becomes easy to perform about the cutting | disconnection of the continuous body of an elastic member. And it can suppress that the said junction part fails to pinch an elastic member from CD direction, and can also suppress that a cutter blade fails to cut | disconnect the continuous body of an elastic member.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
At a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body, a position for performing both the joint forming step and the cutting step is set.
In the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region, the cutting position where the cutter blade cuts the continuum of the elastic member is upstream of the transport direction in the transport direction in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region. It is desirable to be located.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, the cutting position at which the elastic member continuous body is cut by the cutter blade is upstream of the center position in the conveyance direction in the region corresponding to the stretchable region. Located on the side. Therefore, as compared with the case where the cutting position is located downstream of the central position, the cutting position immediately corresponds to the high expansion / contraction region located upstream of the cutting position after cutting the continuous member of the elastic member. The junction can be formed in the region. And the said junction part is provided in the both sides of the CD direction of the continuous body of an elastic member. Therefore, the downstream end portion of the continuous member of the elastic member that is positioned upstream from the cutting position and contracts upstream can be immediately clamped by the joint and attached to the base material sheet continuous member. . And this suppresses the malfunction which may occur when the time from this cutting to the formation of the joint portion is long, that is, the malfunction that the relaxation of the stretched state of the continuum of the elastic member is greatly propagated upstream. be able to. As a result, even after the elastic member continuous body is cut, it is easy to maintain the stretched state of the elastic member continuous body upstream of the cutting position at substantially the same level as the stretched state before cutting. .

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
The cutter blade is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to correspond to only one position in the transport direction in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region per one continuous member of the elastic member. desirable.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, the cutter blade is formed on the rotating body so as to correspond to only one position in the transport direction in the region per continuous body of one elastic member. It is arranged on the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, a failure that may occur when the cutter blade is arranged corresponding to a plurality of positions in the conveying direction for one elastic member continuum, that is, damage to the continuum of the base sheet due to the cutting of the cutter blade. It is possible to suppress the problem that the degree is increased.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
The cutter blade is preferably disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to correspond to a plurality of positions in the transport direction in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region for one continuous member of the elastic member. .

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, the cutter blade has an outer periphery of the rotating body so as to correspond to a plurality of positions in the conveyance direction in the region for one continuous elastic member. Arranged on the surface. Therefore, even when it fails to cut the continuum of elastic members with one cutter blade, the continuum of elastic members can be cut with another cutter blade. And thereby, the continuous body of an elastic member can be cut | disconnected more reliably.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
A position for performing the cutting step is set at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body,
It is desirable that the pressing roll that presses the continuous body of the base sheet wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body toward the outer peripheral surface is disposed at a position upstream of the predetermined position in the rotation direction. .

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, first, by cutting the continuous member of the elastic member, the downstream end of the continuous member of the elastic member is newly provided upstream of the cutting position. Formed. Moreover, although the said downstream side edge part can shrink | contract to an upstream side, Here, according to the above-mentioned pressing roll, the shrinkage | contraction to the upstream side of the said downstream side edge part can be suppressed by the pressing. As a result, it is possible to prevent the downstream end from moving far beyond the boundary position between the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region and the region corresponding to the high expansion / contraction region to the upstream side.

In addition, the above-mentioned pressing also increases the sliding resistance between the pair of opposing surfaces of the base material sheet continuum and the elastic member continuum. Therefore, this also contributes to the suppression of the movement of the downstream end.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
When the joint is a first joint,
In the joining portion forming step, it is desirable to form a second joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region by the second convex portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. .

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, the second joint portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces is also formed in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region. Therefore, it can suppress that a pair of said opposing surface leaves | separates in a low expansion-contraction area | region. As a result, the sheet-like member can be integrated, and as a result, the strength of the sheet-like member can be improved.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
In the joining portion forming step, the second joining portion is formed on the upstream side in the transport direction from the cutting position where the cutter blade cuts the continuous body of the elastic member in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region. , Forming the second joints at positions on both sides of the elastic member continuous body in the CD direction,
The size of the interval in the CD direction between the second joint portions on the both sides is larger than the size of the interval in the CD direction between the first joint portions on the both sides, and the elastic member. The size in the CD direction of the continuum of the elastic member in an unloaded state where no external force is applied to the continuum is desirable.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, after cutting the elastic member continuous body, the downstream end portion of the elastic member continuous body located upstream of the cutting position is While guiding toward one joint, it is possible to prevent the downstream end from moving to the upstream side beyond the first joint and becoming unable to be pinched between the first joints. . Details are as follows. First, after cutting the continuous member of the elastic member with the cutter blade, a downstream end of the continuous member of the elastic member is newly formed on the upstream side of the cutting position. Then, the downstream end portion contracts to the upstream side, and at this time, the second joint portions have the above-mentioned distance between the CD directions. Therefore, an appropriate sliding force acts on the downstream end portion of the continuum of elastic members contracting to the upstream side from the second joint portions, thereby reducing the momentum of contraction to the upstream side. . And it becomes possible to suppress that the said downstream side edge part respectively moves to an upstream side exceeding a 1st junction part by this.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
At a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body, a position for performing both the joint forming step and the cutting step is set.
The predetermined position is provided with a horn that ultrasonically vibrates toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body,
When the convex portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body passes through the predetermined position, the joint portion is formed by pinching the horn and the convex portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is When the cutter blade passes through the predetermined position, it is desirable to cut the continuous member of the elastic member by sandwiching pressure between the horn and the cutter blade.

According to such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member related to an absorbent article, the above-described joint portion can be formed by ultrasonic welding, and the above-described elastic member continuous body can be cut by an ultrasonic cutter. Can be done. Therefore, the formation process of a junction part and the cutting process of the continuous body of an elastic member can be performed reliably.

Also,
A sheet-form sheet-like member manufacturing apparatus having high stretch regions having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement device that arranges the continuous body in a state of extending in the transport direction;
A wrapping and conveying device that wraps and conveys the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic member is disposed, around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
By cutting the continuous sheet of the base sheet at a position to be cut set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction at a position downstream of the winding transport device in the transport direction, the base of the sheet-like member is obtained. A generating device for generating a material sheet,
In the winding and conveying apparatus, a joining portion forming step and a cutting step are performed,
In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
In the generating device, the intermediate member of the elastic member is also cut at the position to be cut, thereby generating an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet, and on the downstream side in the transport direction from the generating device, The elastic member that expands in the CD direction while contracting in the conveying direction is attached to the base sheet by being pressed in the CD direction between the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction. It is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article to do.

According to the sheet-like member manufacturing apparatus relating to such an absorbent article, the same effects as those of the manufacturing method described above can be achieved.

=== This Embodiment ===
The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concern on the absorbent article of this embodiment are used in the manufacturing line of the disposable diaper 1 as an example of an absorbent article, for example. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a three-piece type diaper 1 as an example of the diaper 1.

The diaper 1 has a “longitudinal direction”, a “lateral direction” orthogonal to the vertical direction, and a “front-rear direction” orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in a pants-type state before wearing as shown in FIG. Have. And while wearing the diaper 1, the vertical direction often faces the vertical direction. Therefore, hereinafter, the vertical direction is also referred to as “vertical direction”.
In addition, about an up-down direction, the upper side respond | corresponds to a wearer's waistline side, and the lower side respond | corresponds to a wearer's inseam side. Moreover, about the front-back direction, the front side respond | corresponds to a wearer's belly side, and the back side respond | corresponds to a wearer's back side. Furthermore, about the horizontal direction, one side respond | corresponds to a wearer's left side, and the other side respond | corresponds to a wearer's right side.

In the pant-type state of FIG. 2, the diaper 1 is positioned in the longitudinal direction in cooperation with the ventral band member 31 along the lateral direction and the ventral band member 31 while being positioned on the rear side of the ventral band member 31. A back band member 41 along the lateral direction for forming a waistline opening BH on the upper side, and an absorbent main body 10 as a crotch part provided between the abdominal band member 31 and the back side band member 41. Yes. And the absorptive main body 10 protrudes and is located below the abdominal side band member 31 and the back side band member 41 in the vertical direction.
Further, the lateral end portions 31e, 31e of the ventral side band member 31 and the lateral end portions 41e, 41e of the corresponding back side band member 41 are joined by a side seal portion SS. As a result, the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41 jointly form the leg openings LH and LH on the lower side and the lateral sides, respectively, together with the absorbent main body 10.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the unfolded diaper 1 as seen from the skin side of the wearer. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa in FIG. 3, and is a sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb in FIG.

Here, the unfolded state means that the ventral belt member 31 and the back belt member 41 are separated by unbonding the aforementioned side seal portions SS that the diaper 1 in the pant-type state of FIG. 2 has on both sides in the lateral direction. And it is the state which developed the diaper 1 on the plane by opening the diaper 1 to the vertical direction.

Moreover, in this unfolded state, the diaper 1 is shown in a virtual state in which each member constituting the diaper 1 has no elasticity. For example, in this example, the diaper 1 is provided with a plurality of elastic members 17, 18, 35, 45 for the purpose of imparting stretchability to the diaper 1. In this unfolded state, the elastic member 17, The diaper 1 is shown in a virtual state in which there is no stretchability (contraction force) of 18, 35, 45.

In the unfolded state, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction (directions penetrating the paper surface in FIG. 3) as three directions orthogonal to each other. The longitudinal direction is along the above-described longitudinal direction. One side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the ventral side, and the other side corresponds to the back side. Further, the outer side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the upper side in the vertical direction, and the inner side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the lower side in the vertical direction. Since the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal direction are similar to each other as described above, hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, even in this expanded state, the longitudinal direction may be used instead of the longitudinal direction. . On the other hand, the lateral direction is synonymous with the lateral direction in the above-described pants-type state. Moreover, about the thickness direction, one side respond | corresponds to the skin side which contact | connects a wearer's body, and the other side respond | corresponds to the non-skin side of the opposite side. The thickness direction is along the aforementioned front-rear direction.

In the deployed state of FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is disposed along the lateral direction, and the dorsal band member 41 is laterally spaced from the ventral band member 31 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. Arranged along the direction. And while the absorptive main body 10 is spanned along the longitudinal direction between these ventral | abdominal band members 31 and the back | dorsal band member 41, each edge part 10ea, 10eb of the longitudinal direction of the said absorptive main body 10 is respectively nearest. Are joined and fixed to each of the band members 31 and 41, and the external shape thereof is substantially H-shaped in plan view. Further, from this state, the diaper 1 is folded in two with the predetermined position CL1 in the longitudinal direction (the central position CL1 of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction) in the absorbent main body 10 being opposed to each other in the folded state. When the end portions 31e and 41e in the lateral direction of the band members 31 and 41 are joined together by the above-described side seal portion SS, the band members 31 and 41 are connected in an annular shape, thereby, as shown in FIG. The pants-type diaper 1 is formed with a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH and LH.

The absorptive main body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view in the developed state of FIG. And the longitudinal direction of the absorptive main body 10 is distribute | arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 may be followed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the absorptive main body 10 has the absorber 11, the liquid-permeable top sheet 13 which covers the same absorber 11 from the skin side, and makes the skin side surface of the absorptive main body 10, and the same absorption. A liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 that covers the body 11 from the non-skin side and forms the non-skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10.

The absorbent body 11 has a liquid absorbent absorbent core 11c and a core wrap sheet (not shown) that covers the outer peripheral surface of the core 11c. The absorptive core 11c is a molded body in which a liquid absorptive material such as pulp fiber or superabsorbent polymer is molded into a substantially hourglass shape in plan view as an example of a predetermined shape. The core wrap sheet may be a liquid permeable sheet such as tissue paper or non-woven fabric, but the core wrap sheet may be omitted. Further, the shape of the absorbent core 11c is not limited to the above-mentioned substantially hourglass shape in plan view, but may be other shapes.

The top sheet 13 is a liquid-permeable flexible sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. The back sheet 15 is a liquid-impermeable flexible sheet. And as an example of the back sheet 15, two layers having a liquid-impermeable leak-proof sheet such as a polyethylene film or a polypropylene film and a non-woven exterior sheet bonded to the non-skin side of the leak-proof sheet A laminate sheet 15 having a structure is exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least the back sheet 15 is a flat sheet that protrudes from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. And the leg gather LG which each expands-contracts in a longitudinal direction is formed in the part protruded in the horizontal direction. That is, the rubber thread 17 along the longitudinal direction as an elastic member is fixed to the protruding portion in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby forming a stretchable leg gather LG at the portion. .

Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4, the absorptive main body 10 has the solid gathers LSG and LSG as a leak-proof wall part in each edge part of a horizontal direction in order to prevent a side leak. That is, a configuration in which the rubber thread 18 along the longitudinal direction is attached as an elastic member 18 to the sheet-like portion serving as the three-dimensional gather LSG is provided at each lateral end of the absorbent main body 10. It has been.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view made of two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 are in a state of being overlapped with each other in the thickness direction, and a pair of facing surfaces facing each other are as shown in FIG. 5 described later. Are welded at a plurality of welds j, j... (Corresponding to joints) discretely arranged in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and the horizontal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides in the lateral direction from the absorbent main body 10, while the non-skin is formed on the ventral end 10 ea of the absorbent main body 10. It is overlapped and joined from the side.

Further, similarly to the ventral belt member 31, the back belt member 41 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view using two nonwoven fabrics 42 and 43 as materials. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the two nonwoven fabrics 42 and 43 are in a state where they are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction, and a pair of opposing surfaces facing each other is the ventral band member 31 of FIG. 5. In the same manner as in, a plurality of welds j, j... (Corresponding to joints) discretely arranged in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and the horizontal direction are joined. As shown in FIG. 3, the back band member 41 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides in the lateral direction from the absorbent main body 10, while the non-skin is formed on the back end 10 eb of the absorbent main body 10. It is overlapped and joined from the side.

In the following description, the contents common to both the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41 will be described only on the ventral band member 31 on behalf of both, and the dorsal band member 41 will be described as a corresponding member or the like. The symbol is only shown in parentheses.

Further, in this example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric is used for both of the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) related to the ventral belt member 31 (41). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another type of nonwoven fabric such as SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven fabric may be used. In this example, a single fiber of polypropylene (PP), which is a representative example of a thermoplastic resin, is used as a constituent fiber of the nonwoven fabric. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single fiber of other thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE) may be used, or a composite fiber having a sheath core structure such as PE or PP may be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the ventral belt member 31 in the unfolded state as viewed from the non-skin side.

As shown in FIG. 5, the side seal portions SS described above are provided at the lateral end portions 31e and 31e (41e and 41e) of the ventral belt member 31 (41), respectively. In this example, the side seal portion SS has a plurality of welded portions SSk, SSk,... Having the same shape and arranged in a straight line along the vertical direction. And each welding part SSk welds the nonwoven fabric 33 of the ventral | abdominal band member 31 and the nonwoven fabric 43 of the back | dorsal band member 41, respectively, and is mutually opposed in the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 which concern on the ventral | abdominal band member 31. 4 is welded between the pair of facing surfaces 32st and 33st shown in FIG. 4 and the two nonwoven fabrics 42 and 43 related to the back band member 41 are welded together. It is also what you do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, between the two opposing surfaces 32st, 33st (42st, 43st) facing each other in the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43) of the ventral belt member 31 (41). In the non-woven fabric 32, 33 (42, 43), a plurality of thread rubbers 35, 35... (45, 45...) Are inserted in the vertical direction as elastic members along the lateral direction. It is attached based on welded parts j, j. And thereby, the stretchability of the horizontal direction is provided to the ventral side belt member 31 (41). That is, the above-mentioned welded portions j, j... Have not only the function of joining the pair of opposing surfaces 32st, 33st (42st, 43st) of the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43) but also the two sheets of the same. It also has a function of attaching the thread rubber 35 (45) to the nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43).

6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the latter function performed by the welded portion j, that is, the attaching function of the thread rubber 35 (45), and are schematic enlarged views of the VI portion in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the welded portions j, j... Are provided for each of the rubber thread 35 (45) arranged along the lateral direction. Further, the welded portions j are formed so as to be paired on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding rubber thread 35, that is, a pair of welded portions j, j arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction are welded portion pairs jP. I am doing. A plurality of pairs of the welded portion pairs jP are formed side by side in the lateral direction with a gap between the welded portion pairs jP adjacent in the lateral direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pair of welded portions j, j forming the welded portion pair jP are arranged with a distance Dj in the vertical direction. Here, the size of the distance Dj is: It is set to the same dimension as or slightly larger than the vertical dimension D35t (D45t) of the rubber thread 35 (45) in the state of being expanded in the lateral direction to the target value of the expansion ratio. Moreover, in the diaper 1 of the underpants type state of FIG. 2, the rubber thread 35 (45) is relaxed from the extended state of the above-described extension magnification. Therefore, in the same pants-type state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rubber thread 35 (45) is going to expand in the vertical direction while contracting in the horizontal direction, but here, based on the magnitude relationship of the above dimensions. The longitudinal expansion of the rubber thread 35 (45) is restricted to the pair of welded portions j and j. Thus, the rubber thread 35 (45) is substantially clamped in the longitudinal direction between the welded portions j and j, and as a result, the rubber thread 35 (45) is in the ventral region. It is in the state attached to the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42, 43) which concern on the member 31 (41).

Incidentally, the above-mentioned expansion ratio is a value R (= L1 / L0) indicating how many times the total length L1 of the rubber thread 35 (45) is extended to the total length L0 in a no-load state, which is a natural length. . The target value of the above-described expansion magnification is selected from, for example, 1.5 to 4.0 times. Further, examples of the fineness of the rubber thread 35 (45) include 400 dtex to 1000 dtex.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the ventral band member 31 (41) has a region AL in which the rubber thread 35 is not provided at the central portion in the horizontal direction and at the lower portion in the vertical direction. And since the thread rubber 35 is not provided in the area AL, the stretchability in the lateral direction is not given. Hereinafter, the area AL where the thread rubber 35 is not provided is also referred to as “non-stretchable area AL”, and the area where the thread rubber 35 is provided is also referred to as “stretchable area AH”. Incidentally, the former non-stretchable area AL corresponds to the “low stretchable area” in the claims, and the latter stretchable area AH corresponds to the “highly stretchable area” in the claims. In this example, expansion / contraction regions AH and AH are respectively provided on both sides of the non-expansion / contraction region AL in the lower part of the ventral band member 31, while the expansion / contraction region is provided on the upper part of the band member 31. AH is provided over substantially the entire length in the lateral direction.

In addition, the edge part 10ea of the longitudinal direction in the absorptive main body 10 has overlapped with this non-stretchable area | region AL. And thereby, it suppresses that the wrinkle of a horizontal direction arises in the absorptive core 11c (FIG. 3) of the main body 10, and, as a result, the transmission leak of the excrement resulting from the said wrinkle is prevented.

7A to 7C are explanatory diagrams of a method of forming the stretchable areas AH and AH on both sides in the lateral direction of the non-stretchable area AL while forming the nonstretchable area AL on the ventral belt member 31 (45). First, as shown in FIG. 7A, the rubber thread 35 (45) over the substantially entire length in the lateral direction is placed between the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43) of the ventral belt member 31 (45) in the lateral direction. Placed in a stretched state. Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the plurality of welded portion pairs jP, jP... Are regions AH1 corresponding to the stretchable regions AH (hereinafter also referred to as stretchable regions AH1) among the nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43). ), But not in the region AL1 corresponding to the non-stretchable region AL (hereinafter also referred to as non-stretchable region AL1). Further, the rubber thread 35 (45) is cut at a predetermined cutting position PC1 in the non-stretchable area AL1. Then, new ends 35en and 35en (45en and 45en) of the rubber thread 35 (45) are formed on both sides in the horizontal direction of the cutting position PC1, respectively, and the extended state of the end 35en (45en) is formed. When relaxed, the end portion 35en (45en) tends to contract laterally. However, at this time, since the non-stretchable corresponding area AL1 does not have the welded portion pair jP, the end 35en (45en) of the rubber thread 35 (45) does not stay in the area AL1, and the end 35en (45en) Then, it contracts toward the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1 in the lateral direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the non-stretchable region AL1 has no rubber thread 35 (45), and as a result, the non-stretchable region to which the stretchability is not imparted is formed. AL is formed. On the other hand, a welded part pair jP is formed in the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1. Further, the end 35en (45en) of the rubber thread 35 (45) expands in the vertical direction while moving in the horizontal direction along with the contraction in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the end portion 35en (45en) passes through the position of the welded portion pair jP closest to the non-stretchable corresponding region AL1 in the stretchable corresponding region AH1, the same end portion 35en expanded in the vertical direction. (45en) is sandwiched between the welded portions j and j of the welded portion pair jP, and thus the end portion 35en (45en) is attached to the nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (43 and 43). . After that, when the stretched state of the thread rubber 35 (45) is released over the entire length of the thread rubber 35 (45), the thread rubber 35 (45) is contracted in the lateral direction over the entire length of the thread rubber 35 (45). Magnify in the direction. Then, even in all the remaining welded portion pairs jP, jP... In the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1, the welded portions j, j clamp the thread rubber 35 (45) in the vertical direction. As a result, the thread rubber 35 (45) is attached to the non-woven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) in the stretchable region AH1, and as a result, stretchability is imparted to the region AH1. A stretchable area AH is formed.

Such a diaper 1 is manufactured on a manufacturing line. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a partial perspective view of how the diaper 1 is manufactured in the same line. 9A and 9B are a schematic enlarged view of part A and a schematic enlarged view of part B in FIG. 8, respectively. Incidentally, more correctly, here, in FIG. 9B, not the continuous sheets 32 a and 33 a related to the ventral band member 31 but the continuous sheets 42 a and 43 a related to the back side band member 41 should be visible. Here, the description will be made assuming that the continuous sheets 32a and 33a related to the ventral belt member 31 are visible.

In the same line, for example, two non-woven fabrics 32 and 33 (corresponding to a base material sheet) related to the ventral belt member 31 (corresponding to a sheet-like member) are continuous sheets 32a and 33a (base material sheets) that are continuous in the conveying direction, respectively. Similarly, the two nonwoven fabrics 42 and 43 (corresponding to the base material sheet) related to the back belt member 41 (corresponding to the sheet-like member) are also continuous in the transporting direction, respectively. The continuous sheets 42a and 43a (corresponding to a continuous base material sheet) are conveyed. Each time the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a pass through the plurality of processing positions PK1 to PK6 set in the transport direction, the processing corresponding to the processing positions PK1, PK2,. Is performed on each of the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a.

Here, when the direction orthogonal to both the thickness direction and the conveying direction of the continuous sheets 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is defined as “CD direction”, in this example, two continuous sheets each. 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a, that is, the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a related to the ventral band member 31 and the two continuous sheets 42a, 43a related to the back side band member 41 are conveyed side by side in the CD direction. Has been. However, it is not limited to this.

In this example, as the plurality of machining positions, the first machining position PK1 to the sixth machining position PK6 are set in this order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. The processing at each processing position PK1, PK2,... Is for the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a related to the ventral band member 31, and for the two continuous sheets 42a, 43a related to the back side band member 41. And are generally the same as each other.

Therefore, in the following, common contents will be described without distinguishing between the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41. For example, it will be described simply as “band member 31 (41)” or simply as “two continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a)”. In this case, terms indicating each member such as “ continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a)”, “thread rubber 35 (45)”, “continuous body 35a (45a) of thread rubber”, etc. The code immediately after is the code of the member related to the ventral band member 31, and the code in parentheses that follows is the code of the member related to the dorsal band member 41.

As shown in FIG. 8, the conveyance of the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) relating to each band member 31 (41) is performed in a so-called lateral flow form. That is, the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are conveyed in a posture in which the direction corresponding to the lateral direction of the diaper 1 faces the conveying direction. Therefore, in the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a), the boundary position PBL between the diapers 1 and 1 adjacent in the lateral direction is virtually set at the product pitch P1 in the transport direction. Then, at the sixth processing position PK6 located at the end of the production line, by cutting the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) with the boundary position PBL as the cutting target position PC, Diaper 1 is generated.

In addition, conveyance of the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to each belt member 31 (41) is performed by an appropriate conveyance device (not shown) such as a belt conveyor or a conveyance roller. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are conveyed in the conveying direction by these conveying devices. As an example of the belt conveyor, a normal belt conveyor having an endless belt that circulates as a transport surface, a suction belt conveyor having an adsorption function on the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt, and the like can be given.

In this example, the stretchability of each of the continuous sheets 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is very small and negligible compared to the stretchability of the thread rubbers 35, 45. And each continuous sheet 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is conveyed in the state stretched | stretched in the conveyance direction from 1st process position PK1 to 6th process position PK6.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the diaper 1 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 8, first, the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) relating to each band member 31 (41) pass through the first processing position PK1. Then, during the passage, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction. In addition, when the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are superposed, the elasticity that is continuous in the transport direction between the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast) facing each other. As a continuum of members, a plurality of thread rubber continuums 35a, 35a,... (45a, 45a,. Equivalent).

The thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is disposed on the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast, 33ast (42ast, 43ast) by an appropriate conveyance roller (not shown). This corresponds to the “placement device” in the section.

Next, both of the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a related to the ventral band member 31 and the two continuous sheets 42a and 43a related to the back side band member 41 are not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, but are wound and conveyed. As an example of the apparatus, it is wound around the outer peripheral surface 61as of an anvil roll 61a of an ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 (FIG. 10) described later (corresponding to a winding conveyance process). Then, it passes through the second processing position PK2 located in the wound range R61a, and when passing, as shown in FIG. 9A, the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) are connected to each other. Are formed with the above-described welded portions j, j..., And thereby the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast, 33ast (42ast, 42a, 42a) of the two continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) are formed. 43ast) are joined to each other (corresponding to a joint forming step).

Here, as described above, in this production line, the horizontal direction of the diaper 1 is along the conveyance direction, and the vertical direction of the diaper 1 is along the CD direction. Therefore, the welded portion j is formed to be paired on both sides in the CD direction of the thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a). That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, a pair of welded portions j, j arranged on both sides in the CD direction of the continuum 35a (45a) form the welded portion pair jP. A plurality of pairs of the welded part pairs jP are formed side by side in the transport direction with a gap between the welded part pairs jP adjacent in the transport direction.

Further, at this time, the one side portion in the CD direction of the continuous sheets 32 a and 33 a corresponds to the upper portion of the ventral belt member 31 of the diaper 1. Therefore, a plurality of pairs of welded portions jP, jP... Are formed side by side over the entire length in the transport direction on the one side portion. However, the other side portion in the CD direction corresponds to the lower portion of the ventral belt member 31 of the diaper 1. Therefore, the other side portion includes two expansion / contraction corresponding regions AH1 and AH1 (corresponding to a region corresponding to a high expansion / contraction region in a continuous body of base material sheets) and one non-contraction / contraction corresponding region AL1 (base material sheet). Of the continuum of FIG. 2) are arranged in the conveyance direction repeatedly for each product pitch P1. .. Are formed in the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1, but are not formed in the non-expandable corresponding area AL1, that is, the weld pair jP is partially formed in the transport direction. Is done.

Further, at the second processing position PK2, the rubber thread continuous body 35a (45a) is cut at a predetermined cutting position PC1 in the non-stretchable corresponding region AL1 (corresponding to a cutting step). As a result, the non-stretchable region AL is formed in the non-stretchable corresponding region AL1 as described above.
That is, first, by the above cutting, a new downstream end portion 35aen (45aen) of the thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a) is formed on the upstream side of the cutting position PC1, and the downstream side of the cutting position PC1. On the side, a rubber thread intermediate body 35m (45m) (corresponding to an intermediate body of an elastic member) having a length corresponding to two expansion / contraction corresponding regions AH1 and AH1 adjacent in the transport direction is generated. Further, by the above cutting, the downstream end portion 35aen (45aen) of the former thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is relaxed to the upstream side and contracted to the upstream side, and is generally positioned in the non-stretchable corresponding region AL1. On the other hand, the upstream end portion 35men (45men) of the latter thread rubber intermediate 35m (45m) is also relaxed in the same manner and contracted to the downstream side so that it is almost not positioned in the non-stretchable region AL1. As a result, a non-stretchable region AL is formed in the non-stretchable corresponding region AL1.

On the other hand, the expansion-corresponding region AH1 is located on the downstream side in the direction in which the upstream end portion 35men (45men) of the rubber thread intermediate body 35m (45m) contracts, but at this point, the region AH1 is The second machining position PK2 has already been passed. Therefore, welded part pairs jP, jP,... Are formed in the region AH1. Further, the upstream end 35men (45men) of the intermediate body 35m (45m) of the same rubber thread expands in the CD direction as it contracts to the downstream side. Therefore, the upstream end portion 35men (45men) is regulated so as to be sandwiched between the welded portions j and j of the welded portion pair jP so as not to contract further downstream. On the other hand, the downstream end 35aen (45aen) of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) contracts to the upstream side, but the expansion / contraction corresponding region AH1 is also located on the upstream side. However, the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1 has not yet passed through the second processing position PK2 when the thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a) is cut. Therefore, the welded portion pair jP is not formed in the region AH1, but here, the downstream end portion 35aen (45aen) of the continuous thread rubber 35a (45a) is formed of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a). 43a). For this reason, the continuous sheet 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) contracts to the upstream side relatively slowly by the sliding resistance received from each other. As a result, before the downstream end portion 35aen (45aen) enters the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1, the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1 passes through the second processing position PK2, and as a result, a pair of welded portions is formed in the area AH1. jP is formed. For example, the welded portion pair jP located on the most downstream side in the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1 is formed. Therefore, the downstream end portion 35aen (45aen) is sandwiched between the welded portions j and j of the welded portion pair jP based on the expansion due to the subsequent contraction, and thus does not contract further to the upstream side. To be regulated.

The formation of the welded portion j and the cutting of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) are performed by the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60. Details of the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 will be described later.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, both the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a related to the ventral belt member 31 and the two continuous sheets 42a and 43a related to the back belt member 41 pass through the third processing position PK3. To do. And in the case of the passage, it was formed in the two continuous sheets 42a and 43a concerning the non-expandable region AL and the back side belt member 41 formed in the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a related to the ventral side band member 31. A single-sheet absorbent main body 10 generated in a separate process (not shown) is spanned and fixed between the non-stretchable region AL, and diapers 1h, 1h,. A continuous substantially continuous diaper continuum 1hs is formed.

The absorptive main body 10 can be fixed using, for example, a rotating drum device (not shown). The rotary drum device has, for example, a rotary drum that rotates along the conveying direction, and the rotary drum has a plurality of holding portions that detachably hold the absorbent main body 10 on the outer peripheral surface.

Next, the continuous body 1hs of the substantially ladder-like diaper passes through the fourth processing position PK4. When passing, the main body 10 is folded in half at a predetermined position CL1 in the CD direction of the absorbent main body 10, whereby two continuous sheets 32a and 33a and a back side band related to the ventral side band member 31 are obtained. Two continuous sheets 42a and 43a related to the member 41 are stacked in the thickness direction.

Such folding can be performed using, for example, a bending guide device (not shown). The bending guide device includes, for example, a guide plate and a guide roller disposed at a predetermined position in the transport direction. These guide plates and guide rollers guide the continuous body 1hs so that the continuous body 1hs of the substantially ladder-like diaper passing through the arrangement position thereof is folded in two.

Next, the diaper continuum 1hsb in the folded state passes through the fifth processing position PK5. And in the case of the passage, the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a which concern on the abdominal band member 31 and the 2 continuous sheets 42a and 43a which concern on the back | dorsal band member 41 were piled up in the thickness direction. A pair of side seal portions SS, SS are formed by welding at respective positions on both sides of the cutting target position PC, and thereby the diaper continuous body 1hsb is fixed in a folded state. As a result, a continuous body 1s of a pant-type diaper is generated in which a plurality of pant- type diapers 1, 1,.

The side seal portion SS can be formed using, for example, a heat seal device (not shown). The heat seal device has a pair of rolls that are heated while rotating in the transport direction, for example. One roll is a heat embossing roll having a convex portion corresponding to each welded portion SSk of the side seal portion SS on the outer peripheral surface, and the other roll is an anvil roll that receives the convex portion on a smooth outer peripheral surface. .

Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the continuous body 1s of the pants-type diaper passes through the sixth processing position PK6. And in the case of the passage, the continuous body 1s is cut | disconnected by the said cutting object position PC located between a pair of side seal parts SS and SS (equivalent to a production | generation process), and, thereby, the diaper 1 is manufactured. Is done.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, at the time of this cutting, each of the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to the abdominal band member 31 and the back band member 41, on the one side portion in the CD direction. The thread rubber continuous bodies 35a, 35a (45a, 45a ...) and the thread rubber intermediate bodies 35m, 35m (45m, 45m ...) disposed on the other side in the CD direction are respectively described above. Cutting is performed at the cutting target position PC. Then, the thread rubber 35 (45) becomes the nonwoven fabric 32 of the band members 31 and 41 by the clamping pressure between the pair of welded portions j and j of the welded portion pair jP through the relaxation of the stretched state of the thread rubber 35 (45) caused thereby. , 33 (42, 43) as described above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.

Such cutting can be performed using, for example, a cutter device (not shown) (corresponding to a generating device). A cutter apparatus has a pair of roll which rotates along a conveyance direction, for example. And one roll is a cutter roll which has a cutter blade in an outer peripheral surface, and the other roll is an anvil roll which receives the said cutter blade in an outer peripheral surface.

The machining processes performed at the first machining position PK1 to the sixth machining position PK6 have been described above. Here, the machining process performed at the second machining position PK2 will be described in more detail.

The processing at the second processing position PK2 is substantially the same for the members 32a, 33a, and 35a associated with the ventral belt member 31 and for the members 42a, 43a, and 45a associated with the dorsal belt member 41. is there. Therefore, in the following, only the processing for the members 32a, 33a, and 35a related to the ventral band member 31 will be described on behalf of both of them, and the description of the dorsal band member 41 will be omitted.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of the processing performed at the second processing position PK2. That is, it is a schematic side view of the ultrasonic welding device 60 that constitutes the main device of the processing as viewed from the CD direction. FIG. 10B is a schematic enlarged view taken along the line BB in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an outer peripheral surface 61as of an anvil roll 61a, which will be described later, related to the apparatus 60 in a developed direction Dc61a.

As shown in FIG. 10A, at this second processing position PK2, a continuous rubber thread 35a stretched in the conveying direction up to the target value of the stretch magnification is inserted between the pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast. The continuous sheets 32a and 33a are conveyed from the first processing position PK1. Therefore, a transport mechanism 51 that receives and transports the continuous sheets 32a and 33a sent from the first processing position PK1 is disposed immediately upstream of the second processing position PK2, and downstream in the transport direction. An ultrasonic welding device 60 is provided.

The transport mechanism 51 includes, for example, a transport roller 51R that rotates about a rotation axis along the CD direction, and a servo motor (not shown) as a drive source that drives and rotates the transport roller 51R. Thus, the transport roller 51R is driven and rotated along the transport direction, and sends the continuous sheets 32a and 33a in which the continuous thread rubber 35a is inserted toward the ultrasonic welding device 60.

The ultrasonic welding device 60 (corresponding to a winding and conveying device) includes an anvil roll 61a (corresponding to a rotating body) that rotates along the conveying direction, and a horn 61h that is disposed at a predetermined position P61h in the rotational direction Dc61a of the anvil roll 61a. Have.

The anvil roll 61a is supported by an appropriate support member (not shown) such as a bearing so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the CD direction. The roll 61a is driven to rotate by being applied with a driving force from a servo motor (not shown) as a driving source. Further, the continuous sheets 32a and 33a fed from the above-described transport roller 51R are wound around the roll 61a at a predetermined winding angle θ61a with almost no relative slip on the outer circumferential surface 61as of the roll 61a. Therefore, when the anvil roll 61a rotates, the continuous sheets 32a and 33a are wound and conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 61as of the roll 61a in the range R61a of the winding angle θ61a (hereinafter also referred to as the winding range R61a). (Corresponding to a winding conveyance process). The wrapping angle θ61a is selected from a range of 20 ° to 270 °, for example, preferably 45 ° to 210 °, and more preferably 60 ° to 180 °.

The horn 61h is arranged at the predetermined position P61h in the winding range R61a in the rotation direction Dc61a of the anvil roll 61a. In this example, the horn 61h is arranged at the downstream end P61h of the winding range R61a. The predetermined position P61h is the same position as the second machining position PK2. The horn 61h is also a roll supported by a support member (not shown) such as a bearing so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the CD direction, and applies a driving force from a servo motor (not shown) as a drive source. Rotating drive. Further, the horn 61h repeats expansion and contraction at a predetermined frequency in the rotational radius direction, so that the outer peripheral surface 61hs of the horn 61h functions as a vibration surface for ultrasonic vibration. And thereby, the outer peripheral surface 61hs vibrates in the direction which expands / contracts the space | interval with the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. The frequency of vibration is, for example, a predetermined value of 20 kHz to 35 kHz, and the amplitude is, for example, a predetermined value of 1 micron to 30 microns. Accordingly, the vibration surface 61hs is ultrasonically vibrated, thereby ultrasonically welding the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast and 33ast in the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a passing between the surface 61hs and the outer peripheral surface 61as. . That is, the above-mentioned welded portion j is formed on the two continuous sheets 32a and 33a. Incidentally, the generation of the vibration is performed by inputting an electric signal having the above frequency into a piezo element of a converter (not shown) connected to the horn 61h.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a plurality of convex portions 61at, 61at,... Protrude from the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a so as to correspond to the aforementioned welded portions j, j,.

Therefore, when the portion of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a that contacts the convex portion 61at passes through the arrangement position P61h of the horn 61h based on the rotation of the anvil roll 61a, the vibration surface 61hs that is the outer peripheral surface of the horn 61h is used. Ultrasonic vibration energy is input to the above portions of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a. As a result, the pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast of the sheets 32a and 33a generate heat at a position corresponding to the convex portion 61at as shown in FIG. 10B, and as a result, discontinuous as described above. A plurality of welded portions j, j... Are formed in each of the expansion / contraction corresponding regions AH1 with the bonding pattern dispersed in the two, whereby the pair of opposing surfaces 32ast, 33ast of both sheets 32a, 33a are bonded (bonding). Equivalent to part forming step).

In this example, the total length of the outer circumferential surface 61as of the roll 61a in the rotation direction Dc61a is substantially equivalent to the product pitch P1 described above. Therefore, in this ultrasonic welding apparatus 60, the welding portion j is formed so as to form the expansion / contraction region AH and the non-expansion / contraction region AL for one diaper for each rotation of the anvil roll 61a.
Specifically, a portion on one side in the CD direction on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a shown in FIG. 11 is associated with the upper portion of the ventral belt member 31 in FIG. Therefore, the stretchable area AH1 in the continuous sheets 32a and 33a in FIG. 9A is opposed to the one side portion over the entire length in the rotational direction Dc61a of the anvil roll 61a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of the convex portions 61at are provided on the one side portion over the entire length in the same rotational direction Dc61a. On the other hand, the other portion in the CD direction on the outer peripheral surface 61as is associated with the lower portion of the ventral belt member 31 in FIG. Therefore, the two other expansion / contraction corresponding areas AH1 and AH1 and the one non-expansion / contraction corresponding area AL1 in the continuous sheets 32a and 33a in FIG. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, two convex regions A61at, A61at provided with convex portions 61at, 61at..., And one non-convex region not provided with the convex portion 61at, as shown in FIG. AN61at is provided side by side in the rotation direction Dc61a. And with respect to continuous sheet 32a, 33a conveyed to the anvil roll 61a along a conveyance direction, the anvil roll 61a is position-controlled in the rotation direction Dc61a, and two expansion-contraction corresponding | compatible area | region AH1, AH1 has two. While the convex areas A61at and A61at face each other, one non-convex area AN61at faces one non-stretchable area AL1.

Further, in correspondence with the cutting position PC1 of the non-stretchable corresponding area AL1 in the continuous sheets 32a and 33a in FIG. 9A, the non-convex area AN61at in the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a in FIG. Cutter blades 61ac, 61ac... For cutting the continuous body 35a are also arranged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, when a portion of the thread rubber continuum 35a facing the cutter blade 61ac passes through the arrangement position P1h of the horn 61h based on the rotation of the anvil roll 61a, the horn Ultrasonic vibration energy is input from the vibration surface 61hs, which is the outer peripheral surface of 61h, to the above-described portion of the thread rubber continuum 35a via the continuous sheets 32a and 33a. It is cut at the cutting position PC1 in the area AL1 (corresponding to a cutting step).

By the way, in this example, as described above with reference to FIG. 10A and FIG. 13, the convex portion 61at related to the formation of the weld portion j and the cutter blade 61ac related to the cutting of the thread rubber continuous body 35a, It is provided on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the same anvil roll 61a. Therefore, by providing the convex portion 61at and the cutter blade 61ac in advance at specified proper positions on the outer peripheral surface 61as, the thread rubber 35 is placed at a position downstream of the sixth processing position PK6. It is easy to form the welded portion j at an appropriate position to be clamped from both sides in the CD direction, and to cut the continuous thread rubber 35a. Thus, the cutter blade 61ac fails to cut the thread rubber continuum 35a while preventing the welded parts j, j of the welded part pair jP from squeezing the rubber thread 35 from the CD direction. Is also suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, in this example, the arrangement position P61h of the horn 61h is included in the above-described winding range R61a of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a around the anvil roll 61a. As a result, the continuous sheets 32a and 33a are wound around the upstream side in the rotational direction Dc61a with respect to the arrangement position P61h with a predetermined length. Accordingly, the continuous thread rubber continuous body 35a can be pressed between the continuous sheets 32a and 33a from both sides in the thickness direction, thereby increasing the aforementioned sliding resistance that can occur between the continuous thread rubber continuous body 35a. be able to. As a result, the upstream end of the downstream end portion 35aen of the thread rubber continuous body 35a, which may occur when the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut by the cutter blade 61ac, can be made slower. it can.

Further, as can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 9A and FIG. 11, in this example, one cutter blade 61ac is disposed in each non-convex area AN61at for each thread rubber continuum 35a. Thus, the cutter blade 61ac is arranged so as to correspond to only one position in the transport direction in the non-stretchable corresponding area AL1 per one continuous thread rubber 35a.
Therefore, it becomes possible to suppress the damage degree of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a from being increased due to the cutting of the cutter blade 61ac. Details are as follows. For example, in the comparative example of FIG. 13, as can be seen in comparison with FIG. 9A, the non-convex region AN61at of the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a includes a plurality of thread rubber continuums 35a (example of FIG. 13). Then, three) cutter blades 61ac are arranged. That is, the cutter blade 61ac is arranged so as to correspond to a plurality of positions in the non-stretchable corresponding area AL1 in the transport direction for one continuous thread rubber 35a. However, in this case, the cutter blades 61ac, 61ac,... Corresponding to a plurality of positions in the transport direction in the continuous sheets 32a, 33a will hit each other, thereby increasing the degree of damage to the continuous sheets 32a, 33a. End up. On the other hand, as shown in the example of FIG. 11 described above, if the cutter blade 61ac is associated with only one position in the conveying direction for one continuous thread 35a, the cutter blade 61ac in the continuous sheets 32a and 33a. As a result, the degree of damage to the continuous sheets 32a and 33a can be reduced.

However, it is not limited to this. That is, the above-described reference example (FIG. 13) may be used. In this case, even when the thread rubber continuum 35a is not cut with one cutter blade 61ac, the thread rubber continuum 35a can be cut with another cutter blade 61ac. As a result, the thread rubber continuous body 35a can be cut more reliably.

Further, desirably, as shown in FIG. 14A, the arrangement position of the cutter blade 61ac may be arranged upstream of the center position CAN61at in the rotation direction Dc61a in the non-convex area AN61at. That is, as shown in FIG. 14B, the cutting position PC1 at which the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut by the cutter blade 61ac is preferably positioned upstream of the center position CAL1 in the transport direction in the non-stretchable region AL1. In this example, the cutting positions PC1, PC1,... Of all the cutter blades 61ac, 61ac... Are located upstream of the central position CAL1.

Therefore, compared with the case where the cutting position PC1 is located downstream of the central position CAL1, immediately after the cutting of the rubber thread continuous body 35a by the cutter blade 61ac, the upstream side of the cutting position PC1. The welded portion j can be formed in the expansion / contraction corresponding area AH1 located at the position. The welds j are provided on both sides of the thread rubber continuous body 35a in the CD direction. Therefore, the downstream end portion 35aen of the thread rubber continuous body 35a that is positioned upstream from the cutting position PC1 and contracts upstream is immediately sandwiched between the welded portions j and j, and the continuous sheet 32a, 33a can be attached. And thereby, the malfunction that can occur when the time from the cutting to the formation of the welded portion j is long, that is, the malfunction that the relaxation of the stretched state of the thread rubber continuum 35a is greatly propagated upstream. Can be suppressed. As a result, even after the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut, the stretched state of the thread rubber continuous body 35a located upstream from the cutting position PC1 is maintained at substantially the same level as the stretched state before cutting. It becomes easy to do.

However, it is not limited to this. That is, if at least one cutting position PC1 among all the cutting positions PC1, PC1,... Arranged in the CD direction at least in the non-stretchable area AL1 in FIG. 14B is located upstream from the central position CAL1, The effect which suppresses relaxation of the above-mentioned extension state can be show | played correspondingly. Therefore, it is not necessary that all the cutting positions PC1, PC1,... Aligned in the CD direction have the positional relationship as described above. For example, the cutting positions PC1, PC1,... Of one-third or more of all the cutting positions PC1, PC1,. .

Further, it is desirable to arrange a pressing roll 70 as virtually indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. That is, the pressing roll 70 that presses the continuous sheets 32a and 33a wound around the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a toward the outer peripheral surface 61as is positioned upstream of the rotation position Dc61a of the anvil roll 61a from the arrangement position P61h of the horn 61h. It is good to place in.

If this is the case, the above-mentioned problem that may occur after the thread rubber continuum 35a is cut by the cutter blade 61ac, that is, the upstream side of the new downstream end 35aen of the thread rubber continuum 35a. Excessive shrinkage can be suppressed. Details are as follows. First, as described above with reference to FIG. 9A, the downstream end portion 35aen of the thread rubber continuous body 35a is newly formed on the upstream side of the cutting position PC1 by cutting the thread rubber continuous body 35a. The And although this downstream side edge part 35aen can shrink | contract to an upstream side, here, according to the pressing roll 70 of FIG. 12, the shrinkage | contraction to the upstream side of the said downstream side edge part 35aen is suppressed by the pressing. Can do. As a result, the downstream end 35aen can be prevented from moving far beyond the boundary position BL (FIG. 9A) between the non-stretchable corresponding area AL1 and the stretchable corresponding area AH1 upstream. The pressing also increases the sliding resistance between the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast, 33ast of the continuous sheets 32a, 33a and the continuous thread rubber 35a. This also contributes effectively to the suppression of the movement of the downstream end portion 35aen.

Further, desirably, the above-mentioned welded portion j and welded portion pair jP are referred to as “first welded portion j1” (corresponding to the first joint portion) and “first welded portion pair jP1”, respectively. As in the example of FIG. 15, when the second welded portion j2 (corresponding to the second joint portion) that joins the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast and 33ast in the continuous sheets 32a and 33a is provided also to the non-stretchable region AL1. good. And if it does in this way, it can suppress that a pair of opposing surface 32st, 33st of FIG. 4 leaves | separates in the non-expandable area | region AL of the ventral | abdominal band member 31 of FIG. Therefore, the nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 of the ventral band member 31 can be integrated, and as a result, the strength of the ventral band member 31 can be improved.

In addition, formation of this 2nd welding part j2 is realizable by providing the 2nd convex part not shown in the above-mentioned non-convex part area | region AN61at in the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a of FIG. That is, when the second convex portion of the outer peripheral surface 61as passes the arrangement position P61h of the horn 61h in the rotation direction Dc61a, the continuous sheets 32a and 33a are ultrasonically welded by the second convex portion and the horn 61h. Can be made.

In this case, the following is more desirable. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, first, the second welded portion j2 is positioned upstream in the transport direction from the cutting position PC1 where the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut by the cutter blade 61ac in the non-stretchable area AL1. At the same time, the second welds j2 are formed at positions on both sides of the thread rubber continuous body 35a in the CD direction. And when the 2nd welding part j2, j2 located in the both sides of the said CD direction is called "the 2nd welding part pair jP2," a plurality of said 2nd welding part pairs jP2 are provided in a conveyance direction. At this time, the size of the distance Dj2 in the CD direction between the second welded portions j2 and j2 forming the second welded portion pair jP2 is set to the size of the welded portions j1 and j1 forming the first welded portion pair jP1. The size is set to be larger than the distance Dj in the CD direction between them, and to be equal to or less than the size in the CD direction of the continuous thread rubber 35a in an unloaded state where no external force is applied to the continuous thread rubber 35a.
Then, after the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut at the cutting position PC1, the downstream end portion 35aen of the rubber thread continuous body 35a located upstream from the cutting position PC1 is changed to the first position. While guiding toward the welded portion j1, the downstream end portion 35aen moves upstream beyond the first welded portion j1, and the first welded portions j1 and j1 fail to pinch each other. It becomes possible to suppress. Details are as follows.
First, after the thread rubber continuous body 35a is cut by the cutter blade 61ac, the downstream end portion 35aen of the thread rubber continuous body 35a is newly formed on the upstream side of the cutting position PC1 as described above. . Then, the downstream end portion 35aen contracts to the upstream side. At this time, the second welded portions j2 and j2 have the distance Dj2 having the above size between the CD directions. . Therefore, an appropriate sliding force acts on the downstream end portion 35aen of the thread rubber continuum 35a that contracts to the upstream side from the second welded portions j2 and j2, thereby causing the contraction to the upstream side. Momentum is reduced. And it becomes possible to suppress that the said downstream end part 35aen moves to the upstream side each exceeding the 1st welding part j1 by this.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, said embodiment is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. Further, the present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a configuration having two continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) is illustrated as an example of a continuous body of base sheets, but this is not a limitation. For example, the continuous body sheet may be a single continuous sheet. In this case, a pair of opposing surfaces are formed by folding the one continuous sheet at a predetermined position in the CD direction, and a thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is formed between the pair of opposing surfaces. Will be inserted.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the three-piece type disposable diaper 1 is illustrated as an example of the absorbent article, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, you may use the method of this invention, when attaching elastic members, such as a rubber thread, to the sheet-like member used for a 2 piece type disposable diaper. Incidentally, a two-piece type disposable diaper has a two-layered exterior sheet having an abdominal part, a crotch part, and a dorsal part as a first component, and is fixed to the skin side of the exterior sheet. This is a type of diaper having a sexable main body 10 as a second part. Moreover, when attaching an elastic member such as rubber thread to a sheet-like member used for a so-called tape-type disposable diaper, the method of the present invention may be used. By the way, a tape-type disposable diaper has an abdominal side that covers the wearer's torso from the abdomen and a back side that covers the torso from the dorsal side. It is a type of diaper that uses a fastening tape to connect.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the weld portion j having a substantially square shape in plan view is exemplified as the joint portion, but the shape of the weld portion j is not limited to this. For example, the shape may be a circle or a shape having a longitudinal direction such as a rectangle or an ellipse. In the case of the shape having the latter longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction may be along the transport direction (lateral direction), may be along the CD direction (vertical direction), or the transport direction. And it may be along the direction intersecting with both the CD direction.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the welded portions j, j... Are provided in a so-called lattice arrangement defined in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). That is, although each welding part j, j ... was each provided in the intersection of the virtual straight line along a horizontal direction, and the virtual straight line along a vertical direction, it is not restricted to this at all. For example, the welded portions j, j... May be provided in a so-called staggered arrangement by providing the welded portions j, j. Further, in FIG. 5, these welded portions j, j... Are arranged side by side along the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, you may arrange | position along with the diagonal direction which cross | intersects both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the welded portion j is not provided between the welded portion pairs jP and jP adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (CD direction). . For example, one or more welded portions j may be provided between the welded portion pairs jP and jP. In addition, this welding part j does not contribute to attachment to the nonwoven fabric 32, 33 (42, 43) of the thread rubber 35 (45), but contributes only to joining of the nonwoven fabric 32, 33 (42, 43). It is.

In the above-described embodiment, the horn 61h of the ultrasonic welding device 60 of FIG. 10A is a roll that rotates around the rotation axis along the CD direction, but is not limited thereto. For example, the horn 61h may be non-rotating (not shown). In this case, the horn 61h has a substantially flat vibration surface facing the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a, and the vibration surface expands or contracts the distance between the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. Vibrate in the direction of

In the above-described embodiment, the thread rubber 35 (45) that is to be expanded in the CD direction while being contracted in the transport direction based on the cutting in the generation process of the sixth processing position PK6 in FIG. , J are clamped in the CD direction, whereby the rubber thread 35 (45) is attached to the two non-woven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43), but is not limited thereto. That is, it is inserted in a pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast) of the continuous sheets 32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) at a stage prior to the generation process. By relaxing the stretched state of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) and the thread rubber intermediate 35m (45m), the continuum 35a (45a) and the intermediate 35m (45m) are contracted in the transport direction. The continuous body 35a (45a) and the intermediate body 35m (45m) may be attached by being pressed in the CD direction between the welded portions j, j on both sides. For example, in the continuous body 1s of the pant-type diaper of FIG. 8, the stretched state of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) and the intermediate body 35m (45m) is relaxed, and the continuum 35a (45a) and the intermediate body 35m (45m ) In the conveying direction, the continuous body 35a (45a) and the intermediate body 35m (45m) may be attached by being clamped in the CD direction between the welded portions j, j on both sides. Then, the diaper 1 may be generated by cutting the continuous body 1s of the pants-type diaper in the generation step.

In the above-described embodiment, the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 as shown in FIG. 10A is shown as an example of the winding and conveying apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a so-called heat seal device (not shown) may be used. That is, the heat seal device has a receiving roll that rotates along the conveying direction while having a heated smooth outer peripheral surface instead of the horn 61h, and a convex corresponding to the welded portion j instead of the anvil roll 61a. It has an embossing roll that rotates along the transport direction while having a portion on the heated outer peripheral surface. And according to this heat sealing device, when the continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) pass between these two rolls, the continuous sheet 32a, 33a (42a, 43a) is pinched, and based on the thermal welding at that time, the aforementioned welded portion j is formed on the continuous sheets 32a, 33a (42a, 43a).

In the above-described embodiment, the blade tips of the cutter blades 61ac, 61ac... Provided on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a are inclined from the CD direction in the developed state of FIG. For example, it may be parallel to the CD direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is cut by the cutter blade 61ac on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. However, the cutting mode of the cutter blade 61ac adopts various modes. Can do. For example, the cutting edge of the cutter blade 61ac and the outer peripheral surface 61hs of the horn 61h may be in contact with each other at the time of cutting, or the non-contacting mode, that is, the cutting edge of the cutter blade 61ac and the outer periphery of the horn 61h. The thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a) may be cut in a state where there is always a small gap between the surface 61hs. It is to be noted that the provision of such a gap is realized by providing so-called bearers, which are so-called bearers, on both sides in the CD direction on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a in an annular shape over the entire circumference in the rotational direction Dc61a. This can be done by contacting the outer peripheral surface 61hs of 61h. Further, the cutting edge of the cutter blade 61ac may be sharp, rounded, or may have a curved surface or a flat surface facing the outer peripheral surface 61hs of the horn 61h. That is, as long as the thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a) can be cut, any cutting mode including the presence or absence of the gap as described above may be adopted. Incidentally, which cutting mode is adopted is determined in consideration of the fineness (dtex) of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a), the target value of the expansion ratio, and the like.

1 disposable diapers (absorbent articles),
1hs Continual diaper continuum,
1hsb diaper continuum,
1s pants-type diaper continuum,
10 Absorbent body, 10ea end, 10eb end,
11 Absorber, 11c Absorbent core,
13 Top sheet, 15 Back sheet,
17 Thread rubber (elastic member), 18 Thread rubber (elastic member),
31 ventral side belt member (sheet-like member), 31e end,
32 non-woven fabric, 32st facing surface,
32a continuous sheet, 32ast facing surface,
33 non-woven fabric, 33st facing surface,
33a continuous sheet, 33ast facing surface,
35 thread rubber (elastic member), 35en end,
35m thread rubber intermediate (elastic member intermediate), 35men upstream end,
35a thread rubber continuum (continuous body of elastic member), 35aen downstream end,
41 dorsal belt member (sheet-like member), 41e end,
42 non-woven fabric, 42st facing surface,
42a continuous sheet, 42ast facing surface,
43 Nonwoven fabric, 43st facing surface,
43a continuous sheet, 43ast facing surface,
45 thread rubber (elastic member), 45en end,
45m thread rubber intermediate (elastic member intermediate), 45men upstream end,
45a thread rubber continuum (elastic member continuum), 45aen downstream end,
51 transport mechanism, 51R transport roller,
60 Ultrasonic welding device (wrapping and conveying device),
61a Anvil roll (rotary body), 61as outer peripheral surface,
61at convex part, 61ac cutter blade,
61h horn, 61hs outer peripheral surface (vibration surface),
70 pressing roll,
BH waist opening, LH leg opening,
LG leg gather, LSG solid gather,
CL1 center position (predetermined position),
AL non-stretchable area (low stretchable area),
AL1 non-stretchable area (area corresponding to low stretchable area), CAL1 center position,
AH stretch region (high stretch region),
AH1 stretchable area (area corresponding to high stretchable area),
BL boundary position,
PC cutting target position, PBL boundary position,
PC1 cutting position,
j welded part (joint part), jP welded part pair,
j1 first welded portion (first joint portion), jP1 first welded portion pair,
j2 second weld part (second joint part), jP2 second weld part pair,
SS side seal part, SSk weld part,
P1h arrangement position (predetermined position),
A61at convex region,
AN61at non-convex area, CAN61at center position,
PK1 first machining position, PK2 second machining position, PK3 third machining position,
PK4 4th machining position, PK5 5th machining position, PK6 6th machining position,
R61a winding range,

Claims (9)

1. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like sheet-like member having high stretch regions each having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
   An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement step of arranging the continuous body in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
   A winding and conveying step of winding and conveying the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic members is arranged and wound around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
   After the winding and transporting step, a generation step of generating the base material sheet of the sheet-like member by cutting the continuous body of base material sheets at a cutting target position set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction; Have
   In the winding and transporting process, a joining part forming process and a cutting process are performed,
   In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
   In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
   In the generation step, an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet is generated by cutting the intermediate body of the elastic member at the position to be cut, and after the generation step, while contracting in the transport direction. The elastic member expanded in the CD direction is attached to the base material sheet by being pressed in the CD direction at the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction and attached to the base sheet. A manufacturing method of a sheet-like member.
2. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1,
   At a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body, a position for performing both the joint forming step and the cutting step is set.
   In the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region, the cutting position where the cutter blade cuts the continuum of the elastic member is upstream of the transport direction in the transport direction in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.
3. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2,
   The cutter blade is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to correspond to only one position in the transport direction in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region per one continuous member of the elastic member. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized.
4. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2,
   The cutter blade is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body so as to correspond to a plurality of positions in the transport direction in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region per one continuous member of the elastic member. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on an absorbent article.
5. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
   A position for performing the cutting step is set at a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body,
   A pressing roll that presses the continuous body of the base sheet wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body toward the outer peripheral surface is disposed at a position upstream of the predetermined position in the rotation direction. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on an absorbent article.
6. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
   When the joint is a first joint,
   In the joining portion forming step, a second joining portion that joins the pair of opposing surfaces to each other in a region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region is formed by the second convex portion on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on an absorbent article.
7. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 6,
   In the joining portion forming step, the second joining portion is formed on the upstream side in the transport direction from the cutting position where the cutter blade cuts the continuous body of the elastic member in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region. , Forming the second joints at positions on both sides of the elastic member continuous body in the CD direction,
   The size of the interval in the CD direction between the second joint portions on the both sides is larger than the size of the interval in the CD direction between the first joint portions on the both sides, and the elastic member. A method for producing a sheet-like member according to an absorbent article, wherein the size of the elastic member continuum in an unloaded state where no external force is applied to the continuum is equal to or less than the size in the CD direction.
8. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
   At a predetermined position in the rotation direction of the rotating body, a position for performing both the joint forming step and the cutting step is set.
   The predetermined position is provided with a horn that ultrasonically vibrates toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body,
   When the convex portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body passes through the predetermined position, the joint portion is formed by pinching the horn and the convex portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is A method for producing a sheet-like member according to an absorbent article, wherein the continuum of elastic members is cut by clamping between the horn and the cutter blade when the cutter blade passes through the predetermined position. .
9. A sheet-form sheet-like member manufacturing apparatus having high stretch regions having higher stretchability in the predetermined direction than the low stretch region at positions on both sides in a predetermined direction of the low stretch region,
   An elastic member that continues in the transport direction between a pair of facing surfaces facing each other in a continuous body of the base sheet related to the sheet-like member that is transported with the predetermined direction as the transport direction while continuing in the predetermined direction. An arrangement device that arranges the continuous body in a state of extending in the transport direction;
   A wrapping and conveying device that wraps and conveys the continuum of the base sheet on which the continuum of the elastic member is disposed, around an outer peripheral surface of a rotating body that rotates along the conveying direction;
   By cutting the continuous sheet of the base sheet at a position to be cut set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction at a position downstream of the winding transport device in the transport direction, the base of the sheet-like member is obtained. A generating device for generating a material sheet,
   In the winding and conveying apparatus, a joining portion forming step and a cutting step are performed,
   In the joining portion forming step, a joining portion that joins the pair of facing surfaces to each other by the convex portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body corresponds to the high stretchable region in the continuous body of the base sheet. In the region to be formed, a plurality of gaps are formed in the conveyance direction, and the joint portions are respectively formed at positions on both sides of the continuum of the elastic member in the CD direction intersecting the conveyance direction.
   In the cutting step, in the region corresponding to the low expansion / contraction region of the continuous body of the base sheet, the continuous body of the elastic member is cut by a cutter blade provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, Generate an elastic member intermediate corresponding to the high stretch region,
   In the generating device, the intermediate member of the elastic member is also cut at the position to be cut, thereby generating an elastic member to be attached to the base sheet, and on the downstream side in the transport direction from the generating device, The elastic member that expands in the CD direction while contracting in the conveying direction is attached to the base sheet by being pressed in the CD direction between the joint portions on both sides in the CD direction. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article to do.

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