CN109996521B

CN109996521B - Method for manufacturing absorbent article

Info

Publication number: CN109996521B
Application number: CN201680091174.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 越智公太
Original assignee: Unicharm Corp
Current assignee: Unicharm Corp
Priority date: 2016-11-28
Filing date: 2016-11-28
Publication date: 2021-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-28
Also published as: JP6711849B2; WO2018096691A1; JPWO2018096691A1; CN109996521A

Abstract

Provided is a method for manufacturing an absorbent article which is not easily opened after being folded. The method for manufacturing the absorbent article includes: a step of forming an absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, a crotch region, an absorber, and an elastic member, the crotch region being located between the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region, the absorber being disposed at least in the crotch region, and the elastic member being disposed in a region overlapping at least the absorber in a thickness direction; a first folding step of folding the absorbent article in two with a first folding portion 1 passing through the crotch region and extending in the width direction of the absorbent article as a starting point; and a 2 nd folding step of further folding the absorbent article with a pair of 2 nd folding portions, which are overlapped with each other on the absorbent article folded in two and extend in the width direction, as base points. At least one of the pair of 2 nd folds intersects the elastic member.

Description

Method for manufacturing absorbent article

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article.

Background

An absorbent article such as a pants-type sanitary napkin or a disposable diaper is known which includes a front body surrounding region corresponding to a front body surrounding portion of a wearer, a rear body surrounding region corresponding to a rear body surrounding portion of the wearer, and a crotch region corresponding to a crotch of the wearer (patent document 1).

Patent document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a pants-type absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, and a crotch region, and a method for folding the absorbent article. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article includes a step of conveying a sheet material in which regions to be absorbent articles are arranged continuously, a step of folding the sheet material in two with a folding line passing through a crotch region of the absorbent article as a base point, and a step of cutting the sheet material into individual absorbent articles. The method for folding an absorbent article includes a step of folding an absorbent article formed in a pants-type configuration so that a front body region and a crotch region overlap each other in an intermediate portion between a front end portion of the front body region and a folding line of the crotch region of the absorbent article.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2010-200912

Disclosure of Invention

In an absorbent article formed in a pants-type, an absorbent body is overlapped in two layers in a thickness direction. When such an absorbent article is further folded in an intermediate portion between the front end portion of the front leg portion and the folding line of the crotch portion of the absorbent article so that the front leg portion and the crotch portion overlap each other, the folded portion may be naturally spread in the manufacturing process.

In particular, when the folding line located in the middle between the front end portion of the front leg region and the folding line of the crotch region of the absorbent article passes through the portion where the absorbent body is present, the absorbent body is overlapped in the thickness direction by 4 layers, and therefore the thickness of the absorbent article tends to become relatively large. Therefore, particularly the folded portion is likely to open naturally in the manufacturing process.

Therefore, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article that is less likely to open after folding is desired.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one aspect includes: a step of forming an absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, a crotch region, an absorber, and an elastic member, the crotch region being located between the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region, the absorber being disposed at least in the crotch region, and the elastic member being disposed in a region at least overlapping with the absorber; a first folding step of folding the absorbent article in two with a first folding portion 1 passing through the crotch region and extending in the width direction of the absorbent article as a starting point; and a 2 nd folding step of further folding the absorbent article with a pair of 2 nd folding portions, which are overlapped with each other on the absorbent article folded in two and extend in the width direction, as base points. At least one of the pair of 2 nd folds intersects the elastic member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is an expanded plan view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing the absorbent article according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining another part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 6 (a), 6 (b), and 6 (c) are views showing the folded state of the absorbent article according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are schematic views showing the state of the elastic member of the folded absorbent article according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view for explaining the packaging process of embodiment 1.

Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view for explaining the packaging process of embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 11 (a), 11 (b), and 11 (c) are views showing a folded configuration of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are schematic views showing the state of the elastic member of the folded absorbent article.

Detailed Description

(1) Brief description of the embodiments

At least the following matters will be clear from the description of the present specification and the drawings.

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one aspect includes: a step of forming an absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, a crotch region, an absorber, and an elastic member, the crotch region being located between the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region, the absorber being disposed at least in the crotch region in a thickness direction, the elastic member being disposed in a region overlapping at least the absorber; a first folding step of folding the absorbent article in two with a first folding portion 1 passing through the crotch region and along the width direction of the absorbent article as a starting point; and a 2 nd folding step of further folding the absorbent article with a pair of 2 nd folding portions, which are overlapped with each other on the absorbent article folded in two and extend in the width direction, as base points, at least one of the pair of 2 nd folding portions intersecting the elastic member.

In the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to the present embodiment, at least one of the pair of 2 nd folded parts intersects the elastic member. The elastic member contracts an area near the 2 nd fold in a direction crossing the 2 nd fold. In order to open the absorbent article having one end folded at the 2 nd fold, it is necessary to extend the elastic member intersecting the 2 nd fold. In other words, the elastic member functions to stably maintain the state in which the absorbent article is folded back at the 2 nd fold portion. This can prevent the folded portion of the absorbent article from opening naturally during the manufacturing process.

According to a preferred aspect, in the 2 nd folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the 2 nd folding portion disposed inside the pair of 2 nd folding portions intersects with the elastic member.

In this case, in a state folded by the pair of 2 nd folded portions, the elastic member exhibits a shorter curve than a curve exhibited by the outer surface of the absorbent article at the 2 nd folded portion due to a contraction action (see fig. 12). Thereby, the elastic member is in a state of contracting a little more than in a case where it extends along the outer surface of the absorbent article (a case where the absorbent article is not folded). In order to stretch the absorbent article, it is necessary to extend the elastic member corresponding to the amount by which the elastic member has contracted some. In other words, the absorbent article is in a stable state after being folded by the pair of 2 nd folding portions. This can prevent the pair of 2 nd folded parts from being opened naturally in the manufacturing process.

Further, since the region near the inner 2 nd fold of the pair of 2 nd folds is further contracted in the front-rear direction by the elastic member, the elastic member is intended to be contracted so as to close the absorbent article at the pair of 2 nd folds. This also makes it possible to easily fold the absorbent article in the 2 nd folding step.

According to a preferred aspect, in the 2 nd folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the 2 nd folding portion disposed outside of the pair of 2 nd folding portions intersects with the elastic member.

In this case, in a state folded by the pair of 2 nd folded portions, the elastic member exhibits a shorter curve than a curve exhibited by the outer surface of the absorbent article at the 2 nd folded portion due to a contraction action (see fig. 7). Thereby, the elastic member is in a state of contracting a little more than in a case where it extends along the outer surface of the absorbent article (a case where the absorbent article is not folded). In order to stretch the absorbent article, it is necessary to extend the elastic member corresponding to the amount by which the elastic member has contracted some. In other words, the absorbent article is in a stable state after being folded by the pair of 2 nd folding portions. This can prevent the pair of 2 nd folded parts from being opened naturally in the manufacturing process.

According to a preferred aspect, a hem folding step is provided between the first folding step and the second folding step, wherein in the hem folding step, an outer side portion of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region in the width direction is folded with a pair of hem folding portions along the front-rear direction as starting points, and in the second folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the crotch region covers at least a part of the outer side portion of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region folded back in the hem folding step.

The crotch region covers at least a part of the outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region folded back in the hem folding step. As described above, the crotch region is stably maintained in the folded-back state at the 2 nd fold portion by the action of the elastic member. Therefore, the crotch region can suppress the outer portions of the front-trunk region and the rear-trunk region from expanding naturally.

According to a preferred aspect, a hem folding step is provided between the first folding step and the second folding step, wherein in the hem folding step, an outer side portion of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region in the width direction is folded with a pair of hem folding portions along the front-rear direction as base points, and in the second folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the crotch region is positioned on a side opposite to the outer side portion of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region folded back in the hem folding step in the thickness direction, and the pair of second folding portions intersects with the hem folding portions.

The crotch region is folded in the thickness direction on the side opposite to the outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region folded back in the hem folding step. Further, the pair of 2 nd folded portions intersect with the hem folded portion. That is, a part of the outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region is located on one surface in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article, and the other part of the outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region is located on the other surface in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article. Therefore, the outer portions of the front and rear bodice regions can be prevented from being opened naturally.

According to a preferred aspect, the second folding step is followed by a wrapping step in which the absorbent article and a wrapping material are conveyed, the absorbent article is wrapped with the wrapping material from the downstream side, and the wrapping step is performed with the pair of second folding portions facing the downstream side in the conveying direction.

In this form, the absorbent article is wrapped with the wrapping material gradually from the 2 nd folded portion side of the folded absorbent article. Therefore, since the absorbent article is wrapped with the wrapping material from the folded portion (the portion not opened) of the absorbent article, the absorbent article can be neatly wrapped with the wrapping material.

(2) Unitary structure of absorbent article

In the following description, an absorbent article according to an embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings below, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratio of the respective dimensions and the like are different from those in the actual case. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios from each other.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an expanded plan view showing a state in which the absorbent article 1 shown in fig. 1 is expanded. The developed plan view shown in fig. 2 is a view of the absorbent article 1 in an extended state in which the sheet constituting the absorbent article 1 is extended to a state in which wrinkles are not formed. Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the absorbent article 1 along the line a-a of fig. 2. The absorbent article is formed as a pants-type absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a pants-type sanitary napkin.

The absorbent article 1 has a front-back direction L extending to the front and back of the body of the wearer, a width direction W perpendicular to the front-back direction, and a thickness direction T extending to the skin-facing surface side T1 of the wearer and the non-skin-facing surface side T2 opposite to the skin-facing surface side.

The absorbent article 1 has a front body surrounding region R1, a rear body surrounding region R2, and a crotch region R3. The front waistline region R1 is opposite to the body front side of the wearer when in use. The rear body surrounding region R2 is opposite to the body rear side of the wearer in use. The crotch region R3 is located between the front body region R1 and the rear body region R2, and is disposed in the crotch of the wearer during use.

The 1 st fold FW1 that divides the absorbent article 1 into two front and rear portions passes through the crotch region R3. The 1 st fold FW1 extends in the width direction W. The absorbent article 1 is folded from the state shown in fig. 2 with the 1 st fold FW1 as a base point so that the front torso-surrounding region R1 overlaps the rear torso-surrounding region R2. Further, a side joint 29 is formed by joining the outer side portion in the width direction W of the front body surrounding region R1 and the outer side portion in the width direction W of the rear body surrounding region R2. The absorbent article 1 is formed with a waist opening 31 through which a waist of a wearer is inserted and a pair of leg openings 32 through which legs of the wearer are inserted. In the unfolded state of the absorbent article 1 (see fig. 2) in which the side join portions 29 are cut and unfolded, the portion having the shortest length in the width direction W may be positioned on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction L of the absorbent article 1.

The absorbent article 1 further has a pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 extending in the width direction W. One of the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 is disposed between the 1 st fold portion FW1 and the rear side edge of the rear body surrounding region R2. The other of the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 is provided between the 1 st fold portion FW1 and the front side edge of the front surrounding region R1.

The pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 are provided at positions that are aligned with each other when the absorbent article 1 is folded back and forth (see fig. 1) with the 1 st fold portion FW1 as a base point. By further folding back the absorbent article 1 from the state shown in fig. 1 with the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 as base points, the absorbent article 1 can be packaged in a more compact state.

The front leg cuff region R1 is defined by a region that overlaps with the side joining portion 29 in the width direction W and faces the front side of the wearer's body in the unfolded state of the absorbent article 1. The rear body surrounding region R2 is defined by a region that overlaps with the side joining portions 29 in the width direction W and faces the rear side of the wearer's body in the unfolded state of the absorbent article 1. The crotch region R3 is defined by the region between the front torso-surrounding region R1 and the rear torso-surrounding region R2.

In the present embodiment, the 1 st fold FW1 is aligned with the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction L. Instead of this structure, the 1 st fold FW1 may be offset from the center of the absorbent article 1 in the front-rear direction L by a little in the front-rear direction L. The 1 st fold FW1 may be located on the rear side of the shortest length in the width direction W of the absorbent article 1.

The absorbent article 1 includes an absorber 13 disposed at least in the crotch region R3. The absorber 13 may extend from the crotch region R3 to the front body surrounding region R1 and the rear body surrounding region R2. The absorbent article 1 further includes an elastic member 40 disposed in a region overlapping at least the absorber 13 in the thickness direction T.

An example of a specific configuration of the absorbent article 1 will be described below. The absorbent article 1 may include an absorbent main body 10 and a base sheet 20. The absorbent main body 10 is provided at least in the crotch region R3. The absorbent main body 10 may include a main body back sheet 14, a liquid-permeable main body top sheet 11, a liquid-impermeable main body film 12, and an absorbent body 13 disposed between the main body top sheet 11 and the main body film 12. The base sheet 20 may be disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the absorbent main body 10 and may include an outer-cover top sheet 21 and an outer-cover back sheet 22.

The body top sheet 11 is positioned closer to the skin-facing surface side T1 than the absorber 13. The main body top sheet 11 can be formed of a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric or an open plastic film.

The main body film 12 is disposed on the non-skin surface side T2 with respect to the absorbent body 13 and on the skin surface side T1 with respect to the base sheet 20. The main body film 12 can be formed of a liquid-impermeable sheet.

The absorbent body 13 is disposed between the main body upper sheet 11 and the main body film 12, and absorbs excrement such as body fluid from the wearer. The absorbent body 13 may contain pulverized pulp, super absorbent polymer, or a mixture of these substances.

The main body back sheet 14 is disposed on both the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the main body film 12 and the skin-facing surface side T1 of the main body top sheet 11. The center portion in the width direction W of the main body back sheet 14 is disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the main body film 12. The portion of the main body back sheet 14 located outside the central portion in the width direction W is folded back inward in the width direction W from the outer edge of the main body film 12, and is disposed on the skin-facing surface side T1 of the main body top sheet 11. The main body back sheet 14 may be formed of a sheet material such as a nonwoven fabric.

The substrate 20 has an outer-cover sheet 21 and an outer-cover back sheet 22. The length of the outer-cover top sheet 21 and the length of the outer-cover back sheet 22 in the width direction W constituting the base sheet 20 are longer than the length of the absorbent assembly 10 in the width direction W.

The exterior covering sheet 21 may be made of a nonwoven fabric having stretchability which stretches and contracts at least in the width direction W. The outer cover back sheet 22 is disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side T2 of the outer cover sheet 21. The outer back sheet 22 may be made of a non-stretchable nonwoven fabric.

The outer-cover top sheet 21 has a front-side outer-cover top sheet 24 located on the front-body surrounding region R1 side and a rear-side outer-cover top sheet 25 located on the rear-body surrounding region R2 side. The front side exterior upper sheet 24 and the rear side exterior upper sheet 25 are separated in the front-rear direction L. The outer back sheet 22 is provided over the front body region R1 and the rear body region R2. The region where the front side exterior upper panel 24 is disposed and the region where the rear side exterior upper panel 25 is disposed are stretchable regions having stretchability at least in the width direction W. The front side exterior cover sheet 24 may be disposed at least in a part of the front surrounding region R1. The rear outer cover upper panel 25 may be disposed at least in a part of the rear body surrounding region R2.

The front-side outer-cover top sheet 24 and the outer-cover back sheet 22 are folded back to the rear side at the front end edge 20F of the base sheet 20. A waist stretchable member 26 is disposed in a folded portion of the front side outer-cover top sheet 24 and the outer-cover back sheet 22.

The rear-side outer cover top sheet 25 and the outer cover back sheet 22 are folded back to the front side at the rear end edge 20R of the base sheet 20. A waist stretchable member 26 is disposed in a folded portion of the rear side outer-cover top sheet 25 and the outer-cover back sheet 22. The waist stretchable member 26 is provided along the waist opening 31. The waist stretchable member 26 may be formed of a plurality of rubber threads, for example.

A leg stretchable member 27 is disposed between the rear side exterior cover sheet 25 and the exterior back sheet 22. At least a part of the leg hole stretchable member 27 extends along the leg hole opening portion 32. The leg stretchable member 27 may be formed of, for example, a plurality of rubber wires.

In the present embodiment, the elastic member 40 disposed at least at a position overlapping the absorber in the thickness direction T may include the center elastic member 41 and the side elastic members 42. The central elastic member 41 is disposed in the vicinity of the central portion of the absorbent body 13 in the width direction W. The central elastic member 41 extends in the front-rear direction L. The central elastic member 41 is joined to the absorbent main body 10 in a state of being extended at a predetermined elongation. For example, the central elastic member 41 is provided between the main body film 12 and the main body back sheet 14.

In the present embodiment, the central elastic member 41 is composed of a plurality of rubber threads arranged in the width direction W. The central elastic member 41 may instead be made of 1 rubber thread. The central elastic member 41 may be a sheet-like elastic member.

The central elastic member 41 intersects the 2 nd fold FW 2. Preferably, the central elastic member 41 intersects only one of the pair of 2 nd folded portions FW 2. In the present embodiment, the central elastic member 41 intersects the 2 nd fold located on the rear side of the pair of 2 nd folds FW2, and does not intersect the 2 nd fold located on the front side of the pair of 2 nd folds FW 2. In the present embodiment, the central elastic member 41 extends further forward than the 1 st fold FW1 and does not reach the 2 nd fold located on the front side of the pair of 2 nd folds FW 2.

The side elastic members 42 may extend in the front-rear direction L. The side elastic members 42 are joined to the absorbent main body 10 in a state of being extended at a predetermined extension rate. The side elastic members 42 may be disposed at least at positions overlapping with the absorbent body 13.

In the present embodiment, the side elastic members 42 are provided on the skin contact surface side of the absorber 13, and wrinkles are formed in the vicinity of the ends of the absorbent body 10 in the width direction W. In the present embodiment, the side elastic member 42 is provided in the portion of the main body back sheet 14 on the skin contact surface side with respect to the absorbent body 13, and is configured to be able to raise the portion of the main body back sheet 14 on the skin contact surface side with respect to the absorbent body 13 by a contractive force. In the present embodiment, the side elastic member 42 is composed of a rubber thread.

(3) Method for manufacturing absorbent article according to embodiment 1

Next, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to fig. 4 to 9. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing the absorbent article according to embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining another part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 1, specifically, a diagram following the step of fig. 4.

The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 1 includes a step of forming an absorbent article, a 1 st folding step, and a 2 nd folding step. The step of forming the absorbent article is a step of forming an absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, a crotch region, an absorber, and an elastic member, the crotch region being located between the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region, the absorber being disposed at least in the crotch region, and the elastic member being disposed in a region overlapping at least the absorber in the thickness direction T.

The 1 st folding step is a step of folding the absorbent article with the 1 st fold FW 1. The 2 nd folding step is a step of further folding the absorbent article by the pair of 2 nd folding portions FW 2. The 2 nd folding step is performed later than the 1 st folding step.

A specific example of the process of forming the absorbent article will be described below. The process of forming the absorbent article may have a base sheet forming process S1, an absorbent body arranging process S2, a leg hole opening forming process S3, a 1 st folding process S4, a joining process S5, and a cutting process S6. Thus, the 1 st folding process described above may be one step in the process of forming the absorbent article.

In the substrate forming step S1, the waist stretchable member 26 and the leg stretchable member 27 are disposed between the continuous sheet 7A constituting the outer-covering back sheet and the continuous sheet 7B constituting the outer-covering top sheet 21, thereby forming the continuous sheet 7 constituting the substrate 20.

In the absorbent body arranging step S2, the absorbent body 10 is arranged on the sheet 7. The absorbent main body 10 includes an absorber 13 and an elastic member 40. The specific structure of the absorbent main body 10 is the same as that of the absorbent main body 10 provided in the absorbent article 1 described above. Here, the elastic member 40 overlapping at least the absorber 13 in the thickness direction T is overlapped with at least one of a pair of 2 nd folding portions FW2 serving as folding base points in the 2 nd folding step described later. Preferably, the elastic member 40 overlapping at least the absorber 13 in the thickness direction T intersects with only one of the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 serving as folding base points in the 2 nd folding step described later.

In the leg hole opening forming step S3, the leg hole openings 32 are formed by cutting the sheet 7. Thereby, the basic structure of the absorbent article 1 is formed. That is, the sheet 7 is in a state in which a plurality of absorbent articles 1 in a developed state are continuously arranged in the conveyance direction MD.

In the present embodiment, the leg hole opening forming step S3 is performed after the absorbent body arranging step S2. Instead, the leg hole opening forming step S3 may be performed before the absorbent body arranging step S2.

In the 1 st folding step S4, the absorbent article 1 is folded in two with the 1 st fold FW1 passing through the crotch region R3 and along the width direction of the absorbent article 1 as a starting point. Thereby, the front torso-surrounding region R1 and the rear torso-surrounding region R2 of the absorbent article 1 overlap each other.

In the joining step S5, the joining portions 29 of the absorbent article 1 are joined by ultrasonic treatment or heat treatment after the 1 st folding step S4. The joint portions 29 are located on both sides in the conveyance direction MD of the planned cutting position SL extending in the orthogonal direction CD orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD. In the cutting step S6, the sheet-like objects 7 are cut for each absorbent article 1 after the joining step S5.

The absorbent article 1 cut in the cutting step S6 is conveyed in the article conveying step S10. Specifically, the absorbent article 1 is conveyed so that the conveyance direction MD is along the width direction of the absorbent article.

Next, the conveyance direction MD of the absorbent article 1 is changed by 90 degrees in the conveyance direction changing step S20. As a specific example, the absorbent article 1 is punched downward from the conveyance path of the absorbent article 1 by a punch (japanese: knock-out) mechanism 100. Then, the absorbent article 1 is conveyed by the belt conveyor in a state where the conveyance direction of the absorbent article 1 is changed by 90 degrees.

Next, a hem folding process S30 is performed as necessary. The hem folding step S30 folds the outer side portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "hem") 70 of the front waistline region R1 and the rear waistline region R2 in the width direction W with the pair of hem folded portions FL in the front-rear direction L as base points. This changes the state from the state shown in fig. 6 (a) to the state shown in fig. 6 (b). The hem folding step S30 is performed between the 1 st folding step S4 and the 2 nd folding step S40 described later.

As a specific example, when the absorbent article 1 is being conveyed by the belt conveyor, the hem 70 is folded toward the lower side of the absorbent article in a state in which the hem 70 hangs downward by the side guide mechanism 110. This changes the state from the state shown in fig. 6 (b) to the state shown in fig. 6 (c).

In the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is further folded with the pair of 2 nd folding portions FW2 extending in the width direction W as base points. In addition, the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 overlap each other on the absorbent article 1 folded in half. The positional relationship among the 1 st folded portion FW1, the 2 nd folded portion FW2, and the elastic member 40 is as described with reference to fig. 1 to 3.

As a specific example, in the 2 nd folding step S40, the ejector mechanism 120 ejects the 2 nd folded portion FW2 of the absorbent article 1 upward from the conveyance path of the absorbent article 1. Thereby, the absorbent article 1 is further folded in half.

Here, at least one of the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 intersects the elastic member 40. More specifically, in embodiment 1, in the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is folded such that the one of the pair of 2 nd folded portions FW2 located on the outer side intersects with the elastic member 40. In this case, the absorbent article 1 and the elastic members 40 folded by the 2 nd fold FW2 are in the state shown in the schematic view of fig. 7 (a) or fig. 7 (b). Fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are different from each other in that the elastic member 40 is positioned on the skin surface side or the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article after being unfolded.

In the folded state by the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2, the elastic member 40 exhibits a shorter curve at the 2 nd fold portion FW2 than a curve exhibited by the outer surface of the absorbent article due to the contraction action. That is, as indicated by reference sign S in fig. 7 (a) and 7 (b), the elastic member 40 is shorter than the curve that the outer surface of the absorbent article exhibits. Thereby, the elastic member 40 is in a state of being slightly contracted as compared with a case where it extends along the outer surface of the absorbent article 1 (a case where the absorbent article is not folded). In order to stretch the absorbent article 1, it is necessary to stretch the elastic members 40 corresponding to the elastic members 40 having contracted some amount. In other words, the absorbent article 1 is in a stable state after being folded by the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW 2. This can prevent the pair of 2 nd folded parts FW2 from being opened naturally in the manufacturing process.

In addition, in the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is preferably folded so that at least a part of the flap 70 folded back in the flap folding step S30 is covered by the crotch region R3 (see also fig. 6 (c)). As described above, the crotch region R3 is stably maintained in the folded-back state by the 2 nd fold FW2 due to the action of the elastic member 40. Therefore, the crotch region R3 can suppress the flap 70 from opening naturally.

After the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 may be conveyed in the conveying step S50 (see fig. 8 and 9). Preferably, the conveying step S50 is performed with the absorbent article 1 sandwiched in the thickness direction by the pair of conveyor belts 200. This can prevent the absorbent article from unfolding after the 2 nd folding step S40.

If necessary, the packaging step 60 (see fig. 8 and 9) is performed after the conveying step S50. In the wrapping step S60, the folded absorbent article 1 is wrapped with the wrapping material 180.

The wrapping step S60 wraps the absorbent article 1 with the wrapping member 180 from the downstream side while conveying the absorbent article 1 and the wrapping member 180. The absorbent article 1 and the wrapping material 180 are conveyed in the same direction.

Specifically, the absorbent article 1 is placed from the conveyor belt 200 onto the packaging material 180. The wrapping material 180 wraps the absorbent article 1 by folding back both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction onto the absorbent article 1.

Preferably, the packaging step S60 is performed with the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 directed downstream in the conveying direction. That is, the folded absorbent article 1 is wrapped with the wrapping material 180 gradually from the 2 nd fold FW2 side. Therefore, since the absorbent article 1 is wrapped with the wrapping material 180 from the folded portion (the portion not opened), the absorbent article can be neatly wrapped with the wrapping material 180.

After the absorbent articles 1 are wrapped in the wrapping process S60, the welded portions 182 are formed to divide the absorbent articles from each other, and the wrapping material 180 is sealed (sealing process S70). Next, the wrapping 180 is cut at the welded portion 182, thereby cutting the wrapping at each absorbent article 1 (cutting step S80). Thereby, the absorbent article 1 wrapped with the wrapping material 180 is manufactured.

Preferably, the conveying step S50 is directly connected between the 2 nd folding step S40 and the packaging step S60. More specifically, the absorbent article 1 folded in the 2 nd folding step S40 is preferably directly conveyed to the packaging step S60 with the pair of conveyor belts 200 therebetween. This can further suppress the risk of the folded absorbent article 1 opening during the manufacturing process.

(4) Method for manufacturing absorbent article according to embodiment 2

Next, a method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 12. In embodiment 2, the same or similar components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in embodiment 1, and a description thereof may be omitted. In embodiment 2, the step of forming the absorbent article can be performed in the same manner as in embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a part of the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the fold folding step S30 and the 2 nd folding step S40 are different from embodiment 1.

The hem folding step S30 folds the hem 70 with the pair of hem folded portions FL along the front-rear direction L as base points. This changes the state from the state shown in fig. 11 (a) to the state shown in fig. 11 (b). In fig. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the elastic member 40 is shown by a broken line because it is located below the absorbent article 1 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

As a specific example, when the absorbent article 1 is being conveyed by the belt conveyor, the flaps 70 are folded toward the upper side of the absorbent article 1 by the side guide mechanism 110. This changes the state from the state shown in fig. 11 (b) to the state shown in fig. 11 (c).

In the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is further folded with the pair of 2 nd folding portions FW2 extending in the width direction W as base points. In addition, the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 overlap each other in the absorbent article 1 folded in two.

Here, at least one of the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2 intersects the elastic member 40. More specifically, in embodiment 2, in the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is folded such that one of the pair of 2 nd folding portions FW2 disposed on the inner side intersects with the elastic member 40 (see fig. 11 (c)). In this case, the absorbent article 1 and the elastic members 40 folded by the 2 nd fold FW2 are in the state shown in the schematic view of fig. 12 (a) or fig. 12 (b). Fig. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are different from each other in that the elastic member 40 is positioned on the skin surface side or the non-skin surface side of the absorbent article after being unfolded.

In a state folded by the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW2, the elastic member 40 exhibits a shorter curve at the 2 nd fold portion FW2 than a curve exhibited by the outer surface of the absorbent article due to the contraction action. That is, as indicated by reference sign S in fig. 12 (a) and 12 (b), the elastic member 40 is shorter than the curve that the outer surface of the absorbent article exhibits. Thereby, the elastic member 40 is in a state of being slightly contracted as compared with a case where it extends along the outer surface of the absorbent article 1 (a case where the absorbent article is not folded). In order to stretch the absorbent article 1, it is necessary to stretch the elastic members 40 corresponding to the elastic members 40 having contracted some amount. In other words, the absorbent article 1 is in a stable state after being folded by the pair of 2 nd fold portions FW 2. This can prevent the pair of 2 nd folded parts FW2 from being opened naturally in the manufacturing process.

Further, since the region in the vicinity of the inner 2 nd fold of the pair of 2 nd folds FW2 is further contracted in the front-rear direction by the elastic member 40, the elastic member 40 is intended to be contracted so as to close the absorbent article 1 at the pair of 2 nd folds FW 2. This also makes it possible to easily fold the absorbent article 1 in the 2 nd folding step S40.

In embodiment 2, in the 2 nd folding step S40, the absorbent article 1 is folded such that the crotch region R3 is located on the opposite side in the thickness direction from the fold 70 folded back in the fold folding step S30 (see fig. 10 and 11). Further, the pair of 2 nd folded portions FW2 intersect the hem folded portions FL. That is, a part of the folded edge 70 is positioned on one surface in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article 1, and the other part of the folded edge 70 is positioned on the other surface in the thickness direction of the folded absorbent article 1 (see fig. 11 (b) and 11 (c)). Thus, the flaps 70 do not open naturally in the state where the absorbent article 1 is folded by the 2 nd fold FW 2.

The conveying process S50 and the packaging process S60 may be performed after the 2 nd folding process S40. The conveying step S50 and the packing step S60 are the same as those in embodiment 1.

As described above, the contents of the present invention are disclosed by the embodiments of the present invention, but the description and drawings constituting a part of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is defined only by the features of the claims which are properly defined in the light of the above description.

For example, the specific structure of the absorbent article is not particularly limited. The steps in the method for manufacturing an absorbent article can be performed in the order as varied as possible. The features described in the embodiments can be changed or combined as much as possible.

Industrial applicability

With the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to make the absorbent article less likely to open naturally after the 2 nd folding step.

Description of the reference numerals

1. An absorbent article; 13. an absorbent body; 40. an elastic member; FL, hem fold; FW1, 1 st fold; FW2, 2 nd fold; r1, front surround region; r2, posterior body area; r3, crotch region; s4, the 1 st folding procedure; s30, folding the edge; s40, a 2 nd folding process; and S60, packaging.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein,

the method for manufacturing the absorbent article includes:

a step of forming an absorbent article having a front body surrounding region, a rear body surrounding region, a crotch region, an absorber, and an elastic member, the crotch region being located between the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region, the absorber being disposed at least in the crotch region, and the elastic member being disposed in a region overlapping at least the absorber in a thickness direction;

a first folding step of folding the absorbent article in two with a first folding portion 1 passing through the crotch region and along the width direction of the absorbent article as a starting point; and

a 2 nd folding step of further folding the absorbent article from a pair of 2 nd folding portions extending in the width direction while overlapping each other on the absorbent article folded in two,

only one of the pair of 2 nd folds intersects the elastic member,

in the 2 nd folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the 2 nd folding portion disposed inside the pair of 2 nd folding portions intersects with the elastic member.

2. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1,

a hem folding step of folding outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region in the width direction with a pair of hem folding portions along a front-rear direction as base points, the hem folding step being provided between the 1 st folding step and the 2 nd folding step,

in the 2 nd folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the crotch region covers at least a part of the outer side portions of the front body surrounding region and the rear body surrounding region folded back in the flap folding step.

3. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1,

in the 2 nd folding step, the absorbent article is folded such that the crotch region is positioned on the opposite side in the thickness direction from the outer side portions of the front torso-surrounding region and the rear torso-surrounding region folded back in the flap folding step,

the pair of 2 nd folds intersect the hem folds.

4. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1,

a wrapping step of conveying the absorbent article and a wrapping material and wrapping the absorbent article with the wrapping material from a downstream side after the 2 nd folding step,

the wrapping step is performed with the pair of 2 nd folding portions facing the downstream side in the conveying direction.