EA037820B1 - Method and device for producing sheet-like member for absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for producing a sheet-like member comprises a step of conveying a composite sheet 30mf in which a plurality of elastic members 35a, 35a, … are interposed between a first non-woven fabric 30mf1 and a second non-woven fabric 30mf2 and in which the plurality of elastic members 35a, 35a, … are fixed, in a state of being arranged next to each other, in the CD direction, which intersects the conveyance direction, wherein the first non-woven fabric 30mf1 is continuous in the conveyance direction, the second non-woven fabric 30mf2 is continuous in the conveyance direction and which is provided overlapping the first non-woven fabric 30mf1 in the thickness direction, the plurality of elastic members 35a, 35a, … are stretched in the conveyance direction and extend along the conveyance direction; a step S50 of forming a plurality of through holes h in the composite sheet 30mf by pushing a push-in member 55p in the thickness direction into positions between two elastic members 35a and 35a adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet 30mf; a step S60 of applying a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet 30mf at a position located downstream from a through-hole-formation position P51, wherein the through-hole-formation position P51 is a position where the through holes h are formed in step S50 of forming through holes; and a step S70 of processing the composite sheet 30mf at a position located in the conveyance direction downstream from a tensile force application position P60, wherein the tensile force application position P60 is a position where the tensile force is applied in step S60.

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for making a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper.

Prior art

Typically on a line for making an absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, that absorbs excreta such as urine, there are situations where a through-hole treatment is performed in a continuous sheet that is continuous in the transport direction to make the absorbent article breathable. As one example of a method for forming such through holes, Patent Literature 1 discloses the indentation of pressed members that protrude from the outer circumferential circumferential surface of a rotating roll in the thickness direction into a continuous sheet.

List of links

Patent documents.

Patent Document 1. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-171866.

The essence of the invention

Technical problem.

On this production line, it is also possible to form through holes in a composite sheet such as the following. Specifically, first, the composite sheet has a first nonwoven sheet that is continuous in the conveying direction and a second nonwoven sheet that is continuous in the conveying direction and is applied to the first nonwoven sheet in the thickness direction of the composite sheet. In addition, a plurality of elastic members that are continuous in the conveying direction and stretched in the conveying direction are interposed between the first nonwoven sheet and the second nonwoven sheet and positioned adjacent to each other in the CD direction that intersects the conveying direction, and are attached at least to the first nonwoven sheet or the second nonwoven sheet. However, when the through holes are formed by the indentations of the pressed members into this composite sheet, those fibers of the first and second nonwoven sheets that are pushed sideways by the pressed members become overly localized in the edge portions of the through hole, and the fibers become excessively entangled, for example, at the edge portions. and therefore, the composite sheet may be in an unsuitable state in which the impact marks from the through-hole formation are excessively large. If the composite sheet in this unsuitable state is subjected to further processing, there is a risk of reducing the processing precision because the processing becomes unstable. In addition, the above-described excessive localization of fibers in the edge portions of the through holes and the like may also lead to a deterioration in the feel of the edge portions of the through holes, and if subsequent processing steps further downstream in the conveying direction are performed in this state to make a diaper , there is a risk that the finished diaper will have a poor tactile feel. With this in mind, it is contemplated that, as a method for making the improvement associated with this problem in the edge portions of the through hole, it is advisable to perform fiber decompaction in the edge portions of the through holes in the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction before this processing step. The present invention has been made in view of conventional problems such as those described above, and an object of the present invention is to rapidly decompact the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes formed in the composite sheet before the edge portion fibers reach a predetermined processing step.

Solution to the problem.

The main aspect of the present invention for solving the above problem is a method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, in which the sheet-like member is formed from a composite sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction, and the sheet-like member is provided with a plurality of through holes, the method including a conveying step of in conveying the composite sheet in a conveying direction, which is a predetermined direction, the composite sheet being formed by a first nonwoven sheet, a second nonwoven sheet, and a plurality of elastic members, where the first nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction, the second nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction and is positioned so that it overlaps the first nonwoven sheet in the thickness direction of the composite sheet, a plurality of elastic members are stretched in a predetermined direction, etc. go along the given direction, and

- 1 037820 a plurality of elastic members are inserted in the gap and secured when they are placed next to each other in the direction CD, which intersects the predetermined direction;

a through-hole forming step of forming through-holes by pressing the pressed member in the thickness direction at positions between two elastic members adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet, the through holes extending through the composite sheet in the thickness direction;

the step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction of applying a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position, the through-hole formation position being the position at which the through-hole formation is performed holes at the stage of forming through holes; and a processing step of processing the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction behind the tensile position, the tensile position being a position where the tensile is applied in the CD direction tensile step. In addition, there is proposed an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, wherein the sheet-like member is formed of a composite sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction, and the sheet-like member is provided with a plurality of through holes, the apparatus comprises a conveying device that transports the composite sheet in the direction conveying, which is a predetermined direction, wherein the composite sheet is formed by a first nonwoven sheet, a second nonwoven sheet, and a plurality of elastic members, where the first nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction, a second nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction and is positioned such that it overlaps the first nonwoven sheet in the thickness direction of the composite sheet, a plurality of elastic members are stretched in a predetermined direction and extend along a predetermined direction, and a plurality of elastic elements The elements are inserted in-between and secured when placed next to each other in the CD direction that intersects the predetermined direction;

a through-hole forming device that forms through-holes by pressing the pressed member in the thickness direction at locations between two elastic members adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet, the through holes extending through the composite sheet in the thickness direction;

a device for applying a tensile force in the CD direction that applies a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position, the through-hole formation position being the position at which the through-hole formation in the composite sheet is made by a device for the formation of through holes; and a processing device that processes the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the tensile position, the tensile position being the position at which the CD direction tensile force is applied to the composite sheet by the application device tensile force in the direction of CD.

Features of the present invention other than the foregoing will become apparent upon reading the description herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Preferred Effects of the Invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to quickly loosen the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes formed in the composite sheet before the fibers in the edge portions reach a predetermined processing step.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a three-piece type disposable diaper 1 which is one example of an absorbent article and is in a pant-like state when viewed from the front side;

fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of the unfolded diaper 1 as viewed from the side facing the skin;

fig. 3 is a section taken along line III-III in FIG. 2;

fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the front band-like element 31 as viewed from the side not facing the skin in the thickness direction;

in fig. 5 fig. 5A is a schematic enlarged view of the air holes h according to the first embodiment as viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 5A;

fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a production line to illustrate various types of processing performed on the production line;

fig. 7A is a schematic plan view of the semi-finished product 1m just before being conveyed to the station where the air hole forming step S50 is performed;

fig. 7B is a schematic plan view of the semi-finished product 1m after passing through the air hole forming step S50;

in fig. 8 fig. 8A is a schematic plan view of the continuous members 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members just before being conveyed to the position where the front elastic veins cutting step S80 is performed, and FIG. 8B is a schematic plan view of continuous members 31a for forming front ribbon-like members during and after passing through step S80;

fig. 9 is a schematic side view of an air hole forming apparatus 50, in which portions of the configurations are shown in longitudinal section;

fig. 10 is a schematic enlarged view taken along arrows X-X in FIG. nine;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the rod-shaped members 55p on the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 55;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of hole portions 51h on the outer circumferential circumferential surface of the input roller 51;

in fig. 13 fig. 13A is an enlarged view of a portion of XIIIa in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B is a view taken along arrows BB in FIG. 13A;

in fig. 14 fig. 14A is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of the CD direction tensile force application device 60, and FIG. 14B is a view along arrows B-B in FIG. 14A;

in fig. 15 fig. 15A is a schematic side view of a front-side cutter 80, and FIG. 15B is a view taken along arrows BB in FIG. 15A;

fig. 16 is a schematic illustrative view of a manufacturing method according to a second embodiment;

fig. 17 is a schematic illustrative view of a manufacturing method according to a third embodiment.

Description of the embodiments.

At least the following issues will become clear through the description in this description and the accompanying drawings.

A method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, in which the sheet-like member is formed from a composite sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction, and the sheet-like member is provided with a plurality of through holes, the method includes a conveying step of conveying the composite sheet in a conveying direction, which is is a predetermined direction, wherein the composite sheet is formed by a first nonwoven sheet, a second nonwoven sheet, and a plurality of elastic members, where the first nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction, the second nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction and is positioned to overlap the first a nonwoven sheet in the thickness direction of the composite sheet, a plurality of elastic members are stretched in a predetermined direction and extend along a predetermined direction, and a plurality of elastic members are inserted into the spaced and fixed when placed next to each other in the direction of the CD, which intersects the predetermined direction;

a through-hole forming step of forming through-holes by pressing the pressed member in the thickness direction at positions between two elastic members adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet, the through holes extending through the composite sheet in the thickness direction;

the step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction of applying a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position, the through-hole formation position being the position at which the through-hole formation is performed holes at the stage of forming through holes; and

3 037820 processing step of processing the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction behind the tensile position, the tensile position being the position where the tensile is applied in the CD direction tensile step.

According to this method of manufacturing the sheet-like member for an absorbent article, the tensile force application position is in the conveying direction between the through-hole formation position and the processing position in the processing step. Accordingly, when considering the through holes that were formed in the composite sheet in the through-hole forming step, before the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes reach the processing step, the fibers in these edge portions can be rapidly decompressed by a tensile force acting in the CD direction and applied at the position of application of a tensile force.

In such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that the method further includes a plurality of processing steps provided in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole forming position, and that the tensile application position in the CD-direction tensile force application step is located between the through-hole forming position and one of a plurality of processing steps that is closest to the through-hole forming position.

According to this method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, a tensile force in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet at a position immediately downstream of the through-hole formation position. Accordingly, the composite sheet can be brought into a suitable state in which the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes are loosened prior to this one of the processing steps, which is the closest subsequent step and is performed downstream of the through hole formation. Accordingly, the processing of the composite sheet can be performed with high processing precision even at the closest subsequent processing step.

In such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that the step of attaching a separate member of attaching the separate member to the composite sheet is not performed at a position that is in the conveying direction before the tensile position in the CD direction tensile step.

According to this method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet before the individual member is attached thereto.

Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent the problem that occurs if a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied after the individual member is attached, i. E. the problem that the tensile force is absorbed by a given single member and therefore less likely to be transmitted to the composite sheet, thereby reducing the effect of loosening the fibers in the edge portions of the vias.

In such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that each of the first nonwoven sheet and the second nonwoven sheet include thermoplastic resin fibers, so that the pressed members are pressed into the composite sheet in the step of forming the through holes when inserting the pressed members into the hole portions for the formation of through holes, and the pressed elements protrude from the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the first rotating element, the hole parts are made on the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating element, the first rotating element and the second rotating element rotate along the direction of transportation, at least one of the first rotating element and the second rotating member was heated and the composite sheet was heated by said at least one rotating member, and so that in the step of applying a tensile force in the direction CD tensile force acting in the CD direction was applied to the composite sheet in a state in which the temperature of the composite sheet is higher than the temperature of the composite sheet before being heated by said at least one rotating member.

According to this method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, a tensile force in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet while the temperature of the composite sheet is high. Accordingly, the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes of this sheet can be loosened in a softened state, thereby facilitating the loosened fibers. In such a method for manufacturing the sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the tensile position is greater than or equal to the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the through-hole forming position. In accordance with this method of manufacturing sheet-4 037820 different elements for an absorbent article, the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the position of applying a tensile force at the stage of applying a tensile force in the CD direction is set to be greater than or equal to the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the position of forming through holes on the stage of the formation of through holes. Accordingly, the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction, which can decrease due to transport tension during transportation from the through-hole formation position to the tensile force application position, can be increased at least to the CD-direction size that the through holes are formed. Accordingly, the CD direction tensile force can be reliably applied to the composite sheet during the CD direction tensile force application step, and as a result, the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes in the composite sheet can be reliably loosened. In such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that, in the step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, the tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied such that the size of the through holes in the CD direction at the position of applying the tensile force is greater than the size of the pressed members in direction of CD. According to this method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet in the step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction so that the size of the through holes in the CD direction at the tensile position is larger than the size of the pressed members. towards CD. Accordingly, the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction, which may decrease due to the transport tension when the composite sheet is transported from the through-hole forming position in the through-hole forming step to the tensile force application position in the CD direction tensile step, can be increased by at least to the size in the CD direction, in which the through holes are formed. Accordingly, the CD direction tensile force can be reliably applied to the composite sheet during the CD direction tensile force application step, and as a result, the fibers in the edge portions of the through holes in the composite sheet can be reliably loosened. In such a method for making a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, it is desirable that the method further comprises another step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, which applies a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction before the position of forming the through-holes. holes, and that in the step of forming the through holes, the through holes are formed in the composite sheet in a state in which a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet.

According to this method of manufacturing an absorbent article sheet, the composite sheet has elastic members. In addition, when conveying the composite sheet in the conveying direction, a tensile force acting in a direction along the conveying direction is applied to the composite sheet as conveying tension. Accordingly, the composite sheet can contract in the CD direction by an amount corresponding to the stretching of the composite sheet in the conveying direction due to the conveying tension. Accordingly, due to this contraction, the fibers of the composite sheet as a whole move from the ends defined in the CD direction towards the center, and as a result, the fiber density of the composite sheet becomes uneven in the CD direction. If the through-holes are formed in the composite sheet which is in this unsuitable state with uneven density, the through-hole formation becomes unstable, and the through-hole formation accuracy may decrease. With this in mind, however, according to the above manufacturing method, the through holes are formed in the composite sheet in a state in which a tensile stress in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet. Accordingly, when the through holes were formed, the state of the composite sheet was changed from an unsuitable state in which the fiber distribution density is uneven in the CD direction to a suitable state in which density unevenness is reduced, whereby the precision of the through holes can be improved.

In addition, there is proposed an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, wherein the sheet-like member is formed of a composite sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction, and the sheet-like member is provided with a plurality of through holes, the apparatus comprises a conveying device that transports the composite sheet in the direction transportation, which is a predetermined direction, and the composite sheet is formed by a first nonwoven sheet, a second nonwoven sheet

5,037820 fabric and a plurality of elastic members, where the first nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction, the second nonwoven sheet is continuous in a predetermined direction and is positioned so that it overlaps the first nonwoven sheet in the direction of the thickness of the composite sheet, the plurality of elastic elements are stretched in a predetermined direction and extend along a predetermined direction, and a plurality of elastic members are inserted in the gap and fixed when placed next to each other in the direction CD that intersects the predetermined direction;

a through-hole forming device that forms through-holes by pressing the pressed member in the thickness direction at locations between two elastic members adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet, the through holes extending through the composite sheet in the thickness direction;

a device for applying a tensile force in the CD direction that applies a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position, the through-hole formation position being the position at which the through-hole formation in the composite sheet is made by a device for the formation of through holes; and a processing device that processes the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the tensile position, the tensile position being the position at which the CD direction tensile force is applied to the composite sheet by the application device tensile force in the direction of CD.

According to the construction of this apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article sheet, effects and effects similar to those of the manufacturing method described above can be obtained.

First embodiment.

A method and apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention for making a sheet-like member for an absorbent article is used in a production line for making a disposable diaper 1, which is one example of an absorbent article. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a three-piece type diaper 1 which is one example of a disposable diaper 1 and is in a pant-like state when viewed from the front side. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the unfolded diaper 1 as viewed from the side facing the skin, and FIG. 3 is a section taken along line III-III in FIG. 2.

In the pant-shaped state shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 1 has an up-down direction, a side direction and a front-back direction as three directions that are orthogonal to each other. Hereinafter, the top side and the bottom side in the up-down direction in the pant-shaped state will also be respectively referred to as the waist opening side and the crotch side, and the front side and the back side in the front-to-back direction will also be respectively referred to as the front side and the back side.

In addition, in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction and a thickness direction as three directions that are orthogonal to each other. Hereinafter, one side and the other side in the longitudinal direction in the unfolded state will also be respectively called the front side and the back side, and one side and the other side in the thickness direction will also be respectively called the skin facing side and the non skin side.

It should be noted that the lateral direction has the same meaning in the pant-shaped state and in the unfolded state. In addition, the longitudinal direction in the unfolded state corresponds to the up-down direction in the pant-shape state, and the thickness direction in the unfolded state corresponds to the front-back direction in the pant-shape state.

In addition, in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the diaper 1 is shown in a state of being stretched to such an extent that no retraction force is exerted in any way by the elastic ribs 16, 35 and 45, which serve as the later described elastic members for expanding the diaper 1. Since the diaper 1 is of the so-called three-piece type, in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2, it has an absorbent body 10 for absorbing discharges as a first component, a front ribbon-like member 31 as a second component, and a rear ribbon-like member 41 as a third component. Specifically, in a state in which the front ribbon-like member 31 and the rear ribbon-like member 41 are disposed parallel to each other with 6 037820 spacing between them in the longitudinal direction, the absorbent body 10 extends between the members 31 and 41, and the absorbent parts 10ea and 10eb of the main body 10, end in the longitudinal direction, are attached and attached to the nearest of the band-like members 31 and 41, respectively, so that the diaper 1 has an approximately H-shaped appearance in plan view.

In this approximately H-shaped unfolded state, the absorbent body 10 is folded in half at the fold, which is the target location CL10 (location corresponding to the longitudinally central location CL1 of the diaper 1) in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 10, and when joining the tape-like members 31 and 41, which face each other in this folded state, by welding at the side end portions 31e and 41e, the ribbon-like members 31 and 41 are joined together to form an annular shape, whereby a diaper 1 in a pant-shape state is obtained in which an opening The waist HH and two leg openings LH are formed as shown in FIG. one.

It should be noted that in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2 and 3, the absorbent body 10 is substantially rectangular in plan view. The direction of the length of the absorbent body 10 corresponds to the longitudinal direction. In addition, the absorbent body 10 includes an absorbent body 11, a topsheet 13 that covers the absorbent body 11 on the skin-facing side, and a backsheet 15 that covers the absorbent body 11 on the non-skin side. The absorbent body 11 has a liquid absorbent material, an absorbent core 11c, and a core wrap sheet that is formed of tissue paper or the like (not shown) and covers the outer peripheral surface of the core 11c. The absorbent core 11c is a molded member that is formed from a predetermined liquid-absorbing material and has a shape approximately that of an hourglass in a plan view as one example of a predetermined shape. Examples of the liquid-absorbent material include liquid-absorbent fibers such as cellulose fibers, and liquid-absorbent particles formed from an ultra-absorbent polymer (so-called SAP) or the like. The topsheet 13 is a liquid-permeable sheet that is formed from a nonwoven fabric and has an in-plane dimension at which it projects from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. The backsheet 15 is also a sheet having an in-plane dimension at which it protrudes from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, and one example is the multilayer sheet 15 with a two-layer structure shown in FIG. 3. In particular, this multilayer sheet 15 has a liquid-impermeable, leakage-proof sheet 15a formed of a polyethylene film (PE) or a polypropylene film (PP) on the side facing the skin, and has an outer sheet 15b formed made of non-woven fabric on the side not facing the skin.

When the absorbent body 11 is sandwiched between the topsheet 13 and the backsheet 15, portions of the sheets 13 and 15 protruding from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction are joined together by adhesion, welding, or the like to obtain a frame-like shape, resulting in whereby the absorbent body 10 is formed. It should be noted that the outer sheet 15b can be omitted, and the back sheet 15 can only have the leakage protection sheet 15a. In addition, as shown in this example in FIG. 2, the portions 10LG of the absorbent body 10 that are located laterally outside the absorbent body 11 may be provided with leg gathers LG that stretch and contract in the longitudinal direction. These LG leg assemblies form the portions that form the leg holes LH. In addition, the leg gathers LG are made extensible by attaching the elastic veins 16, which are longitudinally extending elastic members, to the portions 10LG in a state in which the elastic veins 16 are stretched longitudinally. It should be noted that, in addition to these leg assemblies LG, so-called barrier cuffs (not shown) can be provided as leak-proof wall portions on the two lateral sides of the absorbent body 10 to prevent side leakage.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the front band-like element 31 is a sheet-like element that has an approximately rectangular shape in a plan view and is formed from sheets 32 and 33 of nonwoven fabric. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the front ribbon member 31 is formed by bonding together two overlapping nonwoven sheets 32 and 33 using a hot melt adhesive. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 and 3, a laterally central portion of the front band 31 is superposed on the non-skin side on the longitudinally end front portion 10ea of the absorbent body 10 and is attached thereto.

Similar to the front band member 31, the rear ribbon member 41 is also a sheet member that is approximately rectangular in plan view and is formed from nonwoven sheets 42 and 43, and in this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the back ribbon-like member 41 is formed by bonding together two overlapping nonwoven sheets 42 and 43 using a hot melt adhesive. Also, as shown

- 7 037820 in Fig. 2 and 3, the laterally central portion of the back band 41 is superposed on the non-skin side of the longitudinally end rear portion 10eb of the absorbent body 10 and is attached thereto.

It should be noted that the description below is the same for both the front ribbon-like element 31 and the rear ribbon-like element 41. For this reason, only the front ribbon-like element 31 is described below as a member characterizing both of these elements, and corresponding parts of the rear ribbon-like element. element 41 is simply indicated in parentheses.

As shown in FIG. 2 and 3, a plurality of elastic veins 35, 35 ... (45, 45 ...), which are elastic members extending in the lateral direction, are inserted side by side in the longitudinal direction between two sheets 32 and 33 (42 and 43) of the nonwoven fabric in the front band 31 (41) and attached and attached to the nonwoven sheets 32 and 33 (42 and 43) by using a hot melt adhesive in a state in which the elastic veins are laterally stretched. Accordingly, the front band-like member 31 (41) is made extensible in the lateral direction.

In addition, in this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the elastic veins 35 (45) are not continuous in at least a part (e.g., a laterally central part) of the front band 31 (41) that overlaps the absorbent core 11c, to prevent, for example, wrinkling in the absorbent body. 11. Accordingly, no extensibility is imparted to this part.

Specifically, as shown in a schematic plan view of the front band member 31 when viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction in FIG. 4, if the front band-like element 31 (41) is divided into two zones AU and AD in the longitudinal direction, the zone AU located in the longitudinal direction on the side of the waist opening BH is called the upper zone AU and the zone AD located on the crotch side, is called the lower region AD, the absorbent core 11c of the absorbent body 10 is not substantially overlapped by the upper region AU. For this reason, the upper region AU is made extensible over substantially the entire length in the lateral direction. In other words, the elastic veins 35, 35 ... (45, 45 ...) are provided so that they extend substantially their entire length laterally in the upper region AU.

Meanwhile, in the lower region AD, the absorbent core 11c of the absorbent body 10 is overlapped by a laterally central region ADc, and therefore elastic veins 35, 35 ... are not located in the central part of this central region ADc, resulting in a non-stretching region AL essentially free of any lateral extensibility in this central part of the central zone ADc. It should be noted that the absorbent core 11c is not substantially overlapped by the two end zones ADe located on the respective sides of the central zone ADc, and therefore elastic veins 35, 35 ... (45, 45 ...) are located in these end zones ADe whereby two extensible zones AH are formed, which have greater extensibility than non-stretching zone AL, in the two end zones ADe. It should be noted that the non-stretching zone AL and the stretching zones AH are formed in the lower zone AD by cutting the continuous elastic veins forming elements 35a (45a) (see Fig. 8A and 8B), which are located so that they pass through the central part in lateral direction, while the cutting is performed in the central part. This cutting will be described later.

In addition, the fiber density of these elastic veins 35 (45) is, for example, 400-1000 dtex, and one specific example of the elastic veins 35 (45) is LYCRA (registered trademark). It should be noted that this is in no way limiting.

In addition, in this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the in-plane dimension of the nonwoven sheet 33 (43), which is one of the two nonwoven sheets 32 and 33 (42 and 43), located on the non-skin side in the thickness direction, is the dimension when wherein the sheet 33 (43) protrudes longitudinally outward from the nonwoven sheet 32 (42), which is located on the side facing the skin. In addition, the protruding portion of the nonwoven sheet 33 (43) is folded inwardly in the longitudinal direction, and this folded portion 33B (43B) covers the portion 32Le (42Le) of the nonwoven sheet 32 (42), end in the longitudinal direction from the side facing skin, but this is in no way a limitation.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 and 4, on each of the two lateral sides of the front ribbon-like member 31 (41) there is a portion 31s (41s) (hereinafter also referred to as non-absorbent body portion 31s (41s)), which includes the end region ADe and is not overlapped by the absorbent body. part 10. To increase air permeability in this part 31s (41s) without an absorbent body, multiple air holes h (h) that pass through the part 31s (41s) without an absorbent body are discretely formed with a predetermined pattern, and these air holes h (h ) form a group of air holes Gh31 (Gh41), which is a group of air holes h. Specifically, in this example, in each of the non-absorbent body portions 31s (41s), multiple air holes h, h ... (h, h ...) are formed adjacent to each other at a predetermined pitch by forming holes at the locations between the pairs elastic veins 35 (45), adjacent in the longitudinal direction, and therefore 8 037820 these air holes h, h ... (h, h ...) form rows of Rh31 (Rh41) air holes that run in the lateral direction. In addition, pairs of rows Rh31 (Rh41) of air holes, which are longitudinally adjacent, are laterally offset from each other by half a pitch when the holes are formed. Accordingly, the air holes h, h ... (h, h ...) form an air hole group Gh31 (Gh41) that is substantially staggered. It should be noted that this is in no way limiting. The air holes h, h ... (h, h ...) can be formed, for example, in the form of a lattice. In addition, in this example, each of the air holes h, h ... is formed with a predetermined hole shape, which is a perfect circle with a diameter of 0.2 to 3 mm, but there are also air holes h, h ..., which are not perfectly round due to formation accuracy issues. The diameter of such imperfectly circular air holes h varies according to the location on the circumference of the air hole h, but even these varying diameters are in the range, for example, from 0.2 to 3 mm. Accordingly, the air holes h can quickly provide the expected air permeability. It should be noted that the predetermined shape of the air holes h is in no way limited to the aforementioned ideal circle. For example, a given hole shape can be any polygon, such as an equilateral triangle or square. Moreover, FIG. 5A shows a schematic enlarged view of the air holes h as viewed from the non-skin side in the thickness direction, FIG. 5B shows a cross-section taken along line BB in FIG. 5A. As can be understood from FIG. 5A and 5B, the dangling ends B project from the edge portions he of the air holes h. In particular, the fibers pushed to the side by the later described rod-like elements 55p in the sheets 32 and 33 (43 and 43) of the nonwoven fabric are concentrated in the edge portions he, and therefore the edge portions he become localized portions in which the amount of fibers is greater than in the other portions. and the edge portions he become high entanglement parts in which the constituent fibers are firmly entangled with each other. If this localization and this entanglement strength becomes excessive, the problems described at the beginning may arise. For this reason, on the later-described diaper production line 1, a step S60 (FIG. 6) is provided for loosening the fibers in the edge portions he, and therefore, in the diaper 1, the localization of the fibers in the edge portions he and the like is reduced. In addition, in this example, each of the two nonwoven sheets 32 and 33 for the front strap 31 and the two nonwoven sheets 42 and 43 for the rear strap 41 are formed of a spunbond nonwoven fabric. It should be noted that this is in no way limiting, and another type of nonwoven such as SMS nonwoven (spunbond layer (S) / meltblown layer (M)) / meltblown layer (M) can be used / layer (S ), obtained by the spinning method). In addition, individual fibers formed from polypropylene (PP), which is a typical example of a thermoplastic resin, are used as fibers that form a nonwoven fabric, but this is in no way limiting. For example, individual fibers formed from another type of thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE) can be used, and in addition, multicomponent fibers that have a core and sheath structure and include, for example, polyethylene and polypropylene, can be used. This diaper 1 is produced on a production line. In this production line, the semi-finished product 1m of the diaper 1 is transported along a predetermined conveying direction (in accordance with the conveying step). During this transportation, various types of processing are performed on the semi-finished product 1m, whereby the processing is performed at each time, the shape of the semi-finished product 1m is sequentially changed, and finally the finished diaper 1 shown in FIG. one.

It should be noted that hereinafter, the width direction of the production line is also referred to as the CD direction. Also, in this example, the CD direction corresponds to the horizontal direction. In this production line, the conveying direction along which the semi-finished product 1m is conveyed is any direction in the plane that is orthogonal to the direction CD. In other words, the conveying direction is both a vertical up-down direction and a horizontal front-to-back direction. It should be noted that the terms up-down and front-back as used herein are directions that are different from and not related to the terms up-down and front-back used in the above description of diaper 1. directly.

In addition, the semi-finished product 1m is transported by suitable conveying devices such as a conveyor belt and conveying rollers. Accordingly, unless specifically stated otherwise, it is assumed that the semi-finished product 1m is transported in the conveying direction by these conveying devices. It should be noted that examples of belt conveyors include a conventional belt conveyor that has a circulating endless belt and a conveying surface, and a suction belt that includes an endless belt whose outer peripheral surface has a suction function.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a production line for illustrating

- 9 037820 different types of processing carried out on the production line. The production line has an air hole-forming step S50 (corresponding to a through-hole forming step), a CD direction tensile force application step S60, a slitting step S70 (corresponding to a processing step), a spacing step S75 (corresponding to a processing step), an elastic vein cutting step S80 located on the front side (corresponding to a processing step), a step S90 of cutting elastic veins located on the rear side (corresponding to a processing step), a step S100 of attaching the absorbent body (corresponding to a processing step and a step of attaching a separate member), a folding step S110 (corresponding to a step processing), a side portion welding step S120 (corresponding to a processing step), and a cutting step S130 (corresponding to a processing step). The positions in which these steps S50 to S130 are performed are adjacent to each other in the indicated order from the inlet side to the outlet side in the conveying direction.

FIG. 7A is a schematic plan view of the semi-finished product 1m just before being conveyed to the station at which the air hole forming step S50 is performed, and FIG. 7B is a schematic plan view of the semi-finished product 1m after passing through the air hole forming step S50.

As can be understood from a comparison of FIG. 7A and 7B, in this step S50 of forming the air holes, the previously mentioned air holes h, h ... (corresponding to the through holes) are formed in the semi-finished product 1m, which is the starting material for both the front ribbon-like element 31 and the rear ribbon-like element 41. In this case, on this production line, the semi-finished product 1m is transported by using so-called lateral in-line conveying. In particular, the semi-finished product 1m is transported in an orientation in which the lateral direction of the diaper 1 corresponds to the conveying direction and the longitudinal direction corresponds to the CD direction. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 7A, in transmission from the preceding step to the position at which the step S50 of forming the air holes is performed, the semi-finished product 1m is formed by substantially one sheet-like member 30mf, in which a continuous member 31a which is intended to form front ribbon-like members and has a plurality of front ribbon-like members 31 connected in the lateral direction, and the continuous member 41a, which is intended to form the rear ribbon-like members and has a plurality of rear ribbon-shaped members 41, connected in the lateral direction, are connected in the CD direction as one member.

More specifically, this sheet-like member 30mf has a continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf1 (corresponding to the first nonwoven sheet) and a continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf2 (corresponding to the second nonwoven sheet). The continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf1 is continuous in the conveying direction and has a size in the CD direction that corresponds to the sum of the longitudinal dimension of the nonwoven sheet 32 of the front band 31 and the longitudinal dimension of the nonwoven sheet 42 of the rear band 41. The continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf2 is continuous in the conveying direction and has a size in the CD direction that corresponds to the sum of the longitudinal dimension of the nonwoven sheet 33 of the front band 31 and the longitudinal dimension of the nonwoven sheet 43 of the rear band 41. These continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2 are superimposed so that so that they overlap in the thickness direction and are bonded to each other using a hot melt adhesive. In addition, elastic cord-like continuous members 35a and 45a, which are to become the aforementioned elastic veins 35 and 45, are inserted between the continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2 and positioned adjacent to each other in the CD direction in a state in which they are stretched in the conveying direction , and are continuous in the conveying direction, and are attached to the continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2. In addition, of the two continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2, this one continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf1 has a larger dimension in the CD direction than the other continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf2, and therefore this one continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf1 has portions 30mf2p1 and 30mf2p2. which protrude from the other continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf2 on both sides in the CD direction. These protruding portions 30mf2p1 and 30mf2p2 are folded inward in the CD direction, whereby portions are formed which correspond to the previously mentioned folded portions 33B and 43B.

Here, in the step S50 of forming the air holes, two groups of air holes Gh31 belonging to the front band-like member 31 are formed in repetitions in the semi-finished product 1m shown in FIG. 7A, which is a sheet-like member 30mf (corresponding to a composite sheet), in its region on one side in the CD direction, as shown in FIG. 7B, with a step P1 corresponding to the product, in the direction of transport. In addition, two groups Gh41 of air holes belonging to the rear band-like member 41 are formed in the area on the other side with a pitch P1 corresponding to the article in the conveying direction. It should be noted that the product step P1 referred to in this document is essentially

10 037820 is the same value as the total lengths L31 and L41 of the front band 31 and the rear band 41, defined laterally in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2. In the subsequent step S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction shown in FIG. 6, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the ribbon-like member 30mf, which is a semi-finished product 1m and in which the formation of air holes h is completed. The fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h are loosened by this tensile force, whereby a sheet-shaped member 30mf is obtained which is in a suitable state with reduced effects of the formation of air holes h that are retained in the sheet-shaped member 30mf, such as excessive localization of fibers in the edge portions he air holes h. The sheet-like member 30mf in this suitable state is guided to various steps S70 to S130, such as the subsequent slitting step S70. As a result, it is possible to improve the precision of the processing that is performed in steps S70 to S130. It should be noted that the CD direction tensile force is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf by the CD direction tensile force applying device 60, and this will be described later.

Next, in the slitting step S70, the sheet-like member 30mf is doubled in the CD direction as shown in FIG. 6, whereby a continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members and a continuous member 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like members are formed; the continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members includes elastic cord-like continuous members 35a in an uncut state, and the continuous member 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like members includes elastic cord-like continuous members 45a in an uncut state.

In the subsequent gap-forming step S75, each of the front ribbon-forming continuous member 31a and the rear ribbon-forming continuous member 41a, which form the semi-finished product 1m, are each moved outward in the CD direction. Accordingly, a space is formed in the CD direction between the continuous members 31a and 41a, and the size of this space corresponds to the longitudinal space Ld between the front ribbon member 31 and the rear ribbon member 41 in the unfolded diaper 1 shown in FIG. 2.

In a subsequent step S80 of cutting the front elastic veins while passing the continuous element 31a to form the front ribbon-like elements, the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are cut in the area AL1, which corresponds to the non-stretching area AL, in the continuous element 31a, whereby in the continuous element 31a intended for the formation of the front ribbon-like elements, a non-stretching AL zone is formed. This will be detailed below. Firstly, in this continuous element 31a for forming front ribbon-like elements, as shown in the schematic plan view of FIG. 8A, the area on one side in the direction CD corresponds to the previously mentioned upper area AU in the front band 31, and the area on the other side corresponds in a similar manner to the lower area AD. At this point in time, in both of these zones, the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a extend in the conveying direction and stretch in the conveying direction. It should be noted that in the area on this one side, which corresponds to the upper area AU, the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are fixed by means of hot melt adhesive along the entire length in the transport direction, but in the area on the other side, which corresponds to the lower area AD, there are areas AH1 with fixation, in which the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are fixed / fixed, and the non-fixing zone AL1, in which the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are not fixed / fixed. The locking zones and the non-locking zone are located next to each other in the direction of transport. The loose area AL1 has the same size in the conveying direction as the previously mentioned non-stretching area AL, and is positioned with a product pitch P1 in the conveying direction.

Accordingly, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8B, when the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a are cut at a predetermined location PC in the non-locking region AL1, the downstream end portions 35aed of the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a are cut from the continuous members 35a. Accordingly, the downstream portions 35au of the cut elastic veins 35 are pulled towards the locking zone AH1, which is located on the downstream side. In addition, as a result of this cutting, those portions 35aedh of the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a that become their new downstream end portions are pulled towards the locking zone AH1 which is located on the inlet side. Accordingly, as shown on the left in FIG. 8B, the non-anchored zone AL1 becomes a zone in which the elastic veins 35 are absent, and therefore the non-stretching zone AL1 forms the previously mentioned non-stretching zone AL. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in zones AH1 with fixation, the elastic veins 35 are cut off and the end portions which have again become located downstream

- 11 037820

35aedn remain due to their fixation by means of a hot-melt adhesive, and therefore these elastic veins 35 impart extensibility to the fixation zones AH1. Accordingly, the fixation zones AH1 form the previously mentioned stretch zones AH.

In a subsequent dorsal vein cutting step S90 shown in FIG. 6, while passing the continuous element 41a for forming the rear band-like elements, the elastic cord-like continuous elements 45a are cut in the region AL1, which corresponds to the non-stretching region AL, in the continuous element 41a, whereby in the continuous element 41a for forming the front band-like elements, a non-stretching AL zone is formed. It should be noted that the processing for forming the non-stretching region AL by this cutting is substantially the same as the above-described cutting performed on the continuous front band member 31a. Therefore, its description will not be given.

In a subsequent step S100 of attaching the absorbent bodies, the shaped absorbent body 10, which is obtained using other steps not shown, is attached so that it passes between two continuous members 31a and 41a to form ribbons that move as a semifinished product 1m from steps S80 and S90 of cutting the elastic veins. Accordingly, the semi-finished product 1m becomes a continuous diaper forming member 1Ha having an approximately staircase shape, which is formed by a row of diapers 1H that are folded out and have an approximately H-shape shown in FIG. 2.

In a subsequent folding step S110, the continuous diaper forming member 1Ha having an approximate staircase shape, which is the semi-finished product 1m, is folded in half so that the continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members and the continuous member 41a for forming rear ribbon-like elements overlap each other in the thickness direction.

In the subsequent side portion welding step S120, the continuous element 31a for forming the front ribbon-like elements and the continuous element 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like elements, which were superimposed in the folding step S110, are welded at the locations corresponding to the side end portions 31e and 41e of the diaper 1 to form parts SS with side seams, whereby the semi-finished product 1m is secured in a double-folded state. As a result, the semi-finished product 1m becomes a continuous pull-on diaper member 1a in which a plurality of pull-on diapers 1 are joined laterally.

Next, in the last cutting step S130, the continuous pull-on diaper 1a, which is a semi-finished product 1m, is cut in each of the side seam portions SS, and thus separate pull-on diapers 1 are made.

In the following, steps S50 to S100 will be described in further detail, but steps from folding step S110 to step S130 will not be described further, since it is clear that they can be performed appropriately using the known method.

Step S50 of the formation of air holes.

In the air hole forming step S50, an air hole forming device 50 (corresponding to the through hole forming device) is provided for forming air holes h in the sheet-like member 30mf. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the device 50 in which portions of the configuration (input roll 51 and output roll 58) are shown in longitudinal section, and FIG. 10 is a schematic side view taken along arrows X-X in FIG. nine.

As shown in FIG. 9, the device 50 for forming air holes has three rollers 51, 55 and 58, which are driven to rotate about the axes of rotation extending in the direction CD. Specifically, the rollers 51, 55 and 58 are disposed adjacent to each other as an inlet roller 51, an intermediate roller 55 and an outlet roller 58 in this order from the inlet side to the outlet side in the conveying direction. In addition, the intermediate roller 55 is located adjacent to the input roller 51 and the output roller 58 so that their outer circumferential peripheral surfaces are opposite each other. The above-described sheet-like member 30mf, which is guided as a semi-finished product 1m to the air hole forming apparatus 50, is transported along an approximately Ω-shaped conveying path due to the rotation of these three rollers 51, 55 and 58. In particular, the sheet-like member 30mf is first conveyed along the arcuate first path R51 transport to cover the input roller 51, then transported along the arcuate second transport path R55 to cover the intermediate roller 55 and finally transported along the arcuate third transport path R58 to cover the output roller 58. Thereafter, the sheet-like element 30mf is separated from the output roller 58 and directed to the subsequent step S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction.

It should be noted that the input roller 51 and the intermediate roller 55 are closest to each other.

12 037820 to a friend at a predetermined position P51 in the rotation direction Dc51 of the input roller 51, and this position P51 of closest proximity is a transition point from the first conveying path R51 to the second conveying path R55. Likewise, the intermediate roller 55 and the output roller 58 are located closest to each other at a predetermined position P55 in the rotation direction Dc55 of the intermediate roller 55, and this position P55 of closest proximity represents a transition point from the second conveying path R55 to the third conveying path R58.

The intermediate roller 55 has a plurality of rod-like members 55p, 55p ... (indentations) that project from the outer circumferential peripheral surface. Bar-shaped members 55p, 55p ... are members that are tapered on the vertex side. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, in this example, each of the rod-like members 55p includes a tapered portion 55pa on the apex side and a cylindrical columnar portion 55pb that has the same diameter as the bottom surface of the tapered portion 55pa on the base side, and these portions form one piece with each other. friend. In addition, hole portions 51h, 51h ..., adapted to receive rod-shaped members 55p, 55p ... when inserted, are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the input roller 51. In particular, hole portions 51h have a larger diameter than the conical portions 55pa of rod-shaped members 55p in the region of insertion of rod-shaped members 55p. In addition, the hole portions 51h are formed to correspond to the rod-shaped members 55p, so that only one rod-shaped member 55p is inserted into each hole portion 51h at the above-described position P51 of closest proximity. Accordingly, when a predetermined portion of the sheet-like member 30mf disposed on the input roller 51 shown in FIG. 9, which is intended to form the holes, passes through the place P51 of the closest proximity, the corresponding rod-like elements 55p are inserted into the hole portions 51h of the input roller 51, as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, the rod-shaped members 55p are smoothly pressed into a predetermined portion of the sheet-like member 30mf in which holes are to be formed, whereby air holes h are rapidly formed in the predetermined portion in which holes are to be formed.

It should be noted that in this example, provided that the air holes h are formed at the position of closest proximity P51 described above, the position P51 of the closest proximity will hereinafter also be referred to as the position of air hole formation P51 (which corresponds to the position of the through holes). In addition, as shown in an enlarged view of the corresponding portion in FIG. 10, when the air holes h are formed, the two continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2, which form the sheet-like member 30mf, are compressed in the thickness direction by the rod-like members 55p. Accordingly, the fibers of the continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf1 and the constituent fibers of the continuous nonwoven sheet 30mf2, which have been pushed to the side by the rod-like members 55p, are concentrated in the edge portions he of the air holes h. As a result, the edge portions he become localized portions in which the number of constituent fibers is greater than in other portions, and also, for example, high entanglement portions in which the constituent fibers are strongly entangled with each other. If this localization and this entanglement strength are excessive, the tactile sensation from the edge portions he of the air holes h is impaired. In addition, if the sheet-like member 30mf is subjected to another processing after the formation of the air holes h, the sheet-like member 30mf will be processed in an unsuitable state in which the above-described effects of the formation of the air holes h are kept excessively, and this may lead to a decrease in the processing precision. With this in mind, in this manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, the previously mentioned step S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction is provided. Specifically, in this step S60, the fibers are decompressed in the edge portions he of the air holes h formed in the sheet-like member 30mf, and thereafter, the sheet-like member 30mf is guided to the processing steps S70 to S130. It should be noted that details regarding this step S60 of applying the tensile force in the CD direction will be described later. In addition, the apex angle of the tapered portion 55p in FIG. 10 is selected, for example, from the range from 20 to 45 ° and in this example is 36 °. In addition, the height of the tapered portion 55pa is selected, for example, from the range of 3 to 8 mm, and in this example is 4.6 mm. It should be noted that this is in no way limiting. In addition, although the edge portions of the hole portions 51h are chamfered in this example, this is in no way limiting, or in other words, the edge portions are not required to be chamfered.

In addition, in this example, the intermediate roller 55 in FIG. 9 is a large-diameter roller having a circumference that corresponds to approximately twice the above-described pitch P1 corresponding to the article, so that two pairs of air hole groups Gh31 and two pairs of air hole groups Gh41 corresponding to two diapers shown in FIG. 7B can be formed in one complete revolution. In addition, the input roll 51 in FIG. 9 is a small diameter roller having a circumference that substantially corresponds to the pitch corresponding to the article, so that one pair of air hole groups Gh31 and one pair of air hole groups Gh41 corresponding to one diaper and shown in FIG. 7B can be formed in one complete revolution. It should be noted that this is in no way limiting.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the rod-like members 55p on the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 55, and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of the hole portions 51h on the outer circumferential surface of the input roller 51. It should be noted that both of these schematic views show the outer circumferential circumferential surfaces of the rollers 55 and 51 in a state when they are flattened out. In addition, later described receiving portions 55r are not shown in FIG. 11 to avoid complicating the drawing.

As shown in FIG. 11, the rod-like members 55p are provided in accordance with the groups Gh31 and Gh41 of the air holes that are formed in the previously described sheet-like member 30mf. In particular, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the region of the sheet-like member 30mf, which is on one side in the CD direction, one pair of air hole groups Gh31 for the front strap member 31 must be formed in each diaper, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, in that region of the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the intermediate roller 55, which is on this one side in the direction CD, two groups G55p1 of rod-like elements are provided next to each other in the direction of rotation Dc55, each of them having rod-like elements 55p with the same staggered as in groups Gh31 air holes. Likewise, in the region of the sheet-like member 30mf, which is on the other side in the direction CD, one pair of groups Gh41 of air holes for the back strap-like member 41 must be formed in each diaper, and therefore in that area of the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate roller 55 which is on the other side in the CD direction, two rod-like groups G55p2 are provided adjacent to each other in the rotational direction Dc55, each having rod-shaped members 55p in the same staggered arrangement as in the air hole groups Gh41.

In addition, in this example, as described above, for each complete revolution of the intermediate roller 55, air holes h are formed corresponding to two diapers. Accordingly, if we assume that one set SG55p1 (SG55p2) of groups of rod-like elements is one set of two groups G55p1, G55p2 (G55p2, G55p2) of rod-like elements, which are located next to each other in the direction of rotation Dc55, then the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the intermediate the roller 55 will be made with two sets SG55p1, SG55p1 (SG55p2, SG55p2) of rod-shaped element groups that are adjacent to each other at the same 180 ° pitch in the direction of rotation Dc55.

Moreover, FIG. 13A shows an enlarged view of a portion XIIIa in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13B shows a view taken along arrows B-B in FIG. 13A. As shown in FIG. 13A, receiving portions 55r, which are separate from the rod-shaped members 55p, are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate roller 55 in the form of protrusions at the locations between the adjacent rod-shaped members 55p. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13B, each of the receiving portions 55r is an approximately cylindrical columnar member that has at the front end an upper surface 55rt that faces outward in the radial direction Dr55 as the idler roll 55 rotates. Accordingly, the sheet-like member 30mf is received and supported not only by the rod-shaped members 55p but also to the receiving parts 55r. For this reason, the sheet-like member 30mf as a whole can be stably supported at a suitable location in the radial direction Dr55 when the intermediate roller 55 rotates. Moreover, the upper surfaces 55rt of the receiving portions 55r receive a given one surface of the sheet-like member 30mf without passing through it, and this also effectively contributes to the stable support of the 30mf sheet-like member in an appropriate location.

In addition, in this example, as shown in FIG. 13A, receiving portions 55r are provided at four locations around each rod-shaped member 55p, whereby the sheet-shaped member 30mf can be securely received, but the aforementioned four locations are in no way limiting. For example, if it is not possible to provide space for placement, the number of places may be less, or, on the other hand, if space for placement can be provided, the number of places may be more.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 13B, the locations of the upper surfaces 55rt of the receiving portions 55r are inwardly in the radial direction Dr55 as the intermediate roller 55 rotates with respect to the locations of the tops of the rod-like members 55p. Therefore, a situation is prevented in which the receiving portions 55r interfere with the processing to form air holes h when using the rod-shaped members 55p. In this case, it should be noted that it is desirable that the upper surface 55rt of the receiving portion 55r be located near the lower surface of the tapered portion 55pa of the rod-shaped member 55p, and, for example, it is desirable that the location of the upper surface 55rt in the radial direction Dr55 during rotation is within the interval ± 2 mm centered at the location of this

- 14 037820 of the lower surface. In this example, the top surface 55rt corresponds in position to the bottom surface of the tapered portion 55pa. Accordingly, the receiving portions 55r can reliably receive the sheet-like member 30mf without interfering with the processing to form the air holes h by using the rod-shaped member 55p. Accordingly, rod-shaped elements

55p can quickly form air holes h in the 30mf sheet-like member.

In addition, in this example, the upper surface 55rt of the receiving portion 55r is formed with the shape of an ideal circle with a diameter selected, for example, from the range of 2 to 5 mm, but this is by no means a limitation. It can be made, for example, in the shape of a polygon, such as an equilateral triangle or square, or it can have another shape.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, the hole portions 51h on the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the input roller 51 are formed in accordance with the rod-like members 55p. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, two groups G55p1 of rod-like members are provided adjacent to each other in the rotational direction Dc55 in that region of the outer circumferential circumferential surface of the intermediate roller 55 which is on one side in the direction CD, and therefore, accordingly, two groups G51h1 of hole portions, each of which has a plurality of staggered hole portions 51h are provided adjacent to each other in the rotational direction Dc51 in that region of the outer circumferential circumferential surface of the input roller 51 which is on the given one side in the CD direction. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 11, two groups G55p2 of rod-shaped members are provided adjacent to each other in the rotational direction Dc55 in that region of the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate roller 55 which is on the other side in the direction CD, and therefore, accordingly, two groups G51h2 of hole portions, each of which has a plurality of staggered hole portions 51h are provided adjacent to each other in the rotational direction Dc51 in that region of the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the input roller 51 that is on the other side in the CD direction. It should be noted that, as described above, the inlet roll 51 contributes to the formation of air holes h corresponding to one diaper for each complete revolution, and therefore, assuming that one set SG51h1 (SG51h2) of hole part groups is one set of two of groups G51h1, G51h1 (G51h2, G51h2) of hole portions that are adjacent to each other in the rotation direction Dc51, the outer circumferential surface of the input roller 51 is provided with only one plurality of hole portion groups SG51h1 (SG51h2). It should be noted that in some cases a heating device (not shown) such as an electrothermal heater is provided in the intermediate roller 55 in FIG. 9, and therefore the rod-like members 55p of the intermediate roller 55 may be heated. According to this configuration, the thermoplastic resin fibers that form the continuous nonwoven sheets 30mf1 and 30mf2 of the sheet-like member 30mf can be softened using the heated rod-like members 55p. Accordingly, the rod-like members 55p can easily push the fibers laterally when pressed into the sheet-like member 30mf, which facilitates the formation of air holes h.

It should be noted that one example of a standard approach to heating is that the rod-shaped members have a temperature of 55p above the softening point or equal to the softening point of the thermoplastic resin and less than its melting point. The softening point can be obtained by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) in accordance with JIS K 7196 (JIS - Japanese Industrial Standard) (Test method for determining the softening point of thermoplastic film and sheets by thermomechanical analysis). In addition, the melting point can be obtained as the maximum melting point in Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with JIS K 7121 (Test Methods for Determining Phase Transition Temperatures of Plastics). In addition, the configuration of the exit roller 58 in FIG. 9 is substantially the same as the configuration of the input roller 51. The outer circumferential peripheral surface of the output roller 58 is provided, for example, with hole part groups G58h1 and G58h2, which have the same characteristics as hole part groups G51h1 and G51h2 on the outer circumferential peripheral the surface of the input roller 51. Accordingly, when receiving the sheet-like member 30mf from the intermediate roller 55, the rod-shaped members 55p of the intermediate roller 55 are smoothly inserted into the hole portions 58h in the hole portion groups G58h1 and G58h2, whereby it is possible to receive the sheet-like member 30mf without greatly changing the shape of the air holes h formed in the sheet-like member 30mf.

Step S60 of applying a tensile force in the direction of CD.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction after the formation of air holes h in the previous step S50 of forming air holes, a tensile force acting towards the two sides in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf. Therefore, this allows the fibers to be loosened in the edge portions he of the air holes h in the sheet-like member 30mf.

This CD-direction tensile force is applied by means of a CD-direction tensile device 15 037820 VA 60. FIG. 14A is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of the CD direction tensile force application device 60, and FIG. 14B is a view along arrows B-B in FIG. 14A.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the CD direction tensile force application device 60 has two position adjusting mechanisms 60A from respective sides in the CD direction. The two position adjusting mechanisms 60A respectively adjust the positions of two respective portions 30mfe of the sheet-like member 30mf end in the CD direction.

It should be noted that the two position adjusting mechanisms 60A are mirror images of each other with respect to the center line CL extending in the CD direction and have substantially the same basic configuration.

Accordingly, only one position control mechanism 60A is described below.

As shown in FIG. 14A and 14B, the position adjusting mechanism 60A includes, for example, a pair of upper and lower nip rollers 60Ru and 60Rd, which are rotated with their outer circumferential peripheral surfaces facing each other such that one portion 30mfe of the sheet-like member 30mf, terminal in the direction of CD, is clamped between them from both sides in the direction of thickness; an actuator 60d that causes the pair of upper and lower nip rollers 60Ru and 60Rd to rotate about the support shaft C60A in a plane that has both a conveying direction and a CD direction; a sensor 60s, which is an electronic photocell or the like, located downstream of the clamping rollers 60Ru and 60Rd and detects the position of the end portion 30mfe in the CD direction and outputs a measurement signal; and a control unit (not shown) that controls the actuator 60d to based on the measuring signal from the 60s sensor.

If the measurement signal indicates that the end portion 30mfe is located on one side in the direction CD from the target position, the control unit controls the actuator 60d using the control value obtained by multiplying the difference between the actual position shown by the measurement signal and the target position by the target conversion factor, by whereby the direction Dr60 of the pair feed from the upper and lower clamping rollers 60Ru and 60Rd changes from the current feed direction Dr60 to the direction towards the other side in the CD direction by an amount corresponding to the adjustment value. On the other hand, if the measurement signal indicates that the end portion 30mfe is located on the other side in the CD direction from the target position, the control unit similarly controls the actuator 60d using the control value obtained by multiplying the difference between the actual position shown by the measurement signal and the target position by a predetermined conversion ratio, whereby the direction Dr60 of the pair feed from the upper and lower nip rollers 60Ru and 60Rd is changed from the current feed direction Dr60 to the direction towards this one side in the direction CD by an amount corresponding to the adjustment amount. By repeatedly performing this adjustment in a predetermined control cycle, the end portion 30mfe of the sheet-like member 30mf is positioned at a predetermined position in the CD direction.

Note that this predetermined position is predetermined as a position according to which a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf. Specifically, in this example, the sheet-like member 30mf has elastic cord-like continuous members 35a, 35a ... (45a, 45a ...) that extend in the conveying direction, and a conveying tensile force is applied in the conveying direction to the sheet-like member 30mf. For this reason, the sheet-like member 30mf contracts in width in the CD direction by this tensile conveying force. In other words, the size in the CD direction is reduced in accordance with the transportation. In this example, the target position is defined as a position that is outward in the CD direction with respect to the positions of the end portions 30mfe of the sheet-like member 30mf in this contracted state. Accordingly, a tensile force in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf by adjusting the positions of the end portions 30mfe so that they are located at a predetermined position.

In addition, in this example, as described above, the pair of upper and lower nip rollers 60Ru and 60Rd applies a tensile force in the CD direction to the sheet-like 30mf by rotating it while clamping the 30mfe portion 30mfe of the 30mf sheet-like end in the CD direction, on both sides in the thickness direction. For this reason, the position of the application of the tensile force used in the claims, or in other words, the position at which the tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf is essentially the same position as the position P60 of the clamp which is a position in which a pair of upper and lower nip rollers 60Ru and 60Rd clamp the sheet-like member 30mf. For this reason, in the following, the clamping position P60 is also referred to as the tensile position P60.

Here, it is desirable that, when adjusting the target position, the size ratio of the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD direction is set as follows. In particular, it is desirable that the dimension L30mfk (FIG. 14A) of the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD direction at the tensile position P60 corresponding to the step S60 of applying the tensile force in the CD direction is greater than or equal to the dimension L30mfh of the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD direction in the previous said position P51 of forming the air holes corresponding to the step S50 of forming the air holes. According to this configuration, the size of the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD direction, which can be reduced during transportation from the air hole forming position P51 to the tensile position P60, can be increased to the size L30mfh in the CD direction, which is at least the formation of air holes. Accordingly, the CD direction tensile force can be reliably applied to the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD-direction tensile force application step S60, and as a result, the fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h in the sheet-like member 30mf can be reliably loosened.

In addition, the target position can be adjusted as described above. Specifically, the predetermined position can be set so that the size of the air hole h in the CD direction at the tensile force application position P60 is larger than the maximum size L55pa of the tapered portion 55pa of the rod-like member 55p shown in FIG. 10. Even in this case, the size of the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD direction, which can be reduced during transportation from the air hole forming step S50 to the CD direction tensile step S60, can be increased to the size L30mfh in the CD direction, which is at least with the formation of air holes h. Accordingly, the CD direction tensile force can be reliably applied to the sheet-like member 30mf in the CD-direction tensile force application step S60, and as a result, the fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h in the sheet-like member 30mf can be reliably loosened.

In addition, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tensile application position P60 in CD direction tensile application step S60 is between the air hole forming position P51 in the air hole forming step S50 and the position in the slitting step S70, which is the processing step S70 closest to the air hole forming position P51 from the previously mentioned steps S70 to S130, which correspond to the processing steps. Accordingly, a tensile force in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf in which the air holes h have been formed at a position downstream of the air hole formation position P51. Accordingly, the sheet-like member 30mf can be put into a suitable state in which the fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h are loosened, before the processing step S70, which is performed at the closest processing step S70 to S130, which is downstream behind the P51 position of the formation of air holes. For this reason, the sheet-like member 30mf can be processed with high machining precision in the slitting step S70, which is the closest processing step S70, as well as in all of the downstream processing steps S75 to S130.

In addition, if the intermediate roller 55 (corresponding to the first rotating member), which was previously described with reference to FIG. 9 is a heated roller that is heated by the heating device as described above, the sheet-like member 30mf is also heated by the intermediate roller 55, in which case the following configuration is desirable. In particular, it is desirable that in step S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf in a state in which the temperature of the sheet-like member 30mf is higher than its temperature before it is heated by the intermediate roller 55.

According to this configuration, the fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h in the sheet-like member 30mf can be loosened in a softened state, whereby the loosened of the fibers is facilitated. It should be noted that instead of the intermediate roller 55 or in addition to the intermediate roller 55, the input roller 51 (corresponding to the second rotating member) or the output roller 58 in FIG. 9 may be a heated roll that is heated by a heating device (not shown) such as an electrothermal heater. Even in this case, the sheet-like member 30mf can be heated by the roller 51 and / or the roller 58, thereby enabling the same actions and effects as described above.

S70 slitting stage.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the slitting step S70, the sheet-like member 30mf that is guided from the traction step S60 in the CD direction downstream of it is divided into two at the boundary position BL (FIG. 7B) between the regions on one side and the other side towards CD. Accordingly, the continuous element 31a is intended for

17 037820 designated for forming the front ribbon-like elements in which the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are not cut, and the continuous element 41a, intended for the formation of the rear ribbon-like elements, in which the elastic cord-like continuous elements 45a are not cut, are formed next to each other in the CD direction (Fig. 6). This separation process can be performed using the prior art slitter 70 shown in FIG. 6. In particular, this device 70 has, for example, a pair of upper and lower disc-shaped rotary knives and divides the sheet-like member 30mf in two in the CD direction using cutting edges at the peripheral edges of the rotary knives. This type of device 70 is well known. Accordingly, it will not be described further.

Gap stage S75.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the gap forming step S75, each of the continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members and the continuous member 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like members that are guided from the slitting step S70 in front of it are moved outward in the CD direction, as a result, a gap in the CD direction is formed between the continuous members 31 and 41, and this gap has a size corresponding to the longitudinal gap Ld between the front strap element 31 and the rear strap element 41 in the unfolded diaper 1 in FIG. 2. It should be noted that movement of the continuous front band forming member 31a outward in the CD direction and outward movement of the rear ribbon forming continuous member 41a in the CD direction can be accomplished by arranging a plurality of conveying rollers (not shown) along the conveyance path in view of such movement, and details of such a configuration can be obtained based on the above description. Accordingly, it will not be further described.

Step S80 of cutting the anterior elastic veins.

In step S80 of cutting the front elastic veins, the continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members is guided from the spacing step S75 performed in front of it, and this continuous member 31 is shown in FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8B, in the continuous element 31a for forming the front ribbon-like elements, the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are cut in the non-fixing zone AL1, which corresponds to the non-stretch zone AL, and the elastic cord-like continuous elements 35a are not cut in the fixation zones AH1, which correspond to the stretch zones. AN. Accordingly, the non-stretching area AL and the stretching areas AH are formed in the continuous member 31a for forming the front ribbon-like members. It should be noted that the area AL1 corresponding to the non-stretching area AL appears in the transport direction with a pitch P1 corresponding to the diaper article 1. Accordingly, this cutting is performed in the continuous front band member 31a with a pitch P1 corresponding to the diaper 1. This cutting is performed by a cutter 80 located on the front side. FIG. 15A is a schematic side view of this cutter 80, and FIG. 15B is a view taken along arrows BB in FIG. 15A.

The cutter 80 located on the front side has a pair of upper and lower rollers 81u and 81d, which are rotated about pivot axes extending in the CD direction, and have outer circumferential peripheral surfaces 81ua and 81da that face each other. In addition, protruding cutting knives C, C ... are formed on the cutting head 84 on the outer circumferential peripheral surface 81ua of the upper roller 81u at locations corresponding to the target positions PC shown in FIG. 8B. The outer circumferential peripheral surface 81da of the lower roller 81d is formed as a smooth surface to receive the cutting knives C, C .... In addition, these rollers 81u and 81d are controlled to rotate in coordination with the conveying operation of the continuous front band-forming member 31a, and therefore the cutting roller 81u rotates so that each time the previously described region AL1 is passed without being locked, which corresponds to the non-stretching area AL, the cutting head 84 will face the area AL1 without locking. Accordingly, each time the non-latching area AL1 shown in FIG. 8A extends between the outer circumferential circumferential surfaces 81ua and 81da of the two rollers 81u and 81d, the zone AL1 is fixedly clamped by the cutting knives C, C ... on the cutting head 84 of the cutting roller 81u and the outer circumferential surface 81da of the backup roller 81d. Thus, the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a, 35a ... are cut in this way at the PC clamping points.

Step S90 of cutting the back elastic veins.

As shown in FIG. 6, in step S90 of cutting the rear elastic veins, cutting, which is similar to the processing described with reference to FIG. 8A and 8B are carried out in the continuous rear band-forming element 41a, which is guided from the spacing step S75 performed in front of it. In particular, the elastic cord-like continuous members 45a are cut in the area AL1, which corresponds to the non-stretch area AL, and the elastic cord-like continuous members 45a are not cut in the areas AH1, which correspond to the stretch areas AH. Accordingly, the non-stretching area AL and the stretching areas AH are formed in the continuous member 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like members. It should be noted that, as can be understood from the above description, this cutting is substantially the same as the previously described step S80 of cutting the front elastic veins, and the configuration of the rear-side cutter 90 shown in FIG. 6 and designed to carry out this cutting process is also the same as the configuration of the cutting device 80 located on the front side.

Accordingly, no detailed description will be given.

Step S100 of attaching the absorbent body.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the step S100 of attaching the absorbent body, the absorbent body 10 with a predetermined shape, which is obtained in other steps not shown, is positioned to pass between and attached to the continuous band-forming members 31a and 41a, while the continuous members 31a and 41a are supplied as the semi-finished product 1m from the elastic veins cutting steps S80 and S90, which are carried out in front of it, and therefore the semi-finished product 1m becomes the continuous diaper forming element 1Ha having a roughly stair-like shape formed as a row of 1H diapers which are unfolded and approximately H-shaped as shown in FIG. 2.

It should be noted that this processing for attaching the absorbent body 10 can be performed using, for example, a rotating drum (not shown) in which the holding portions for sucking and holding the absorbent body 10 on the outer circumferential peripheral surface are provided adjacent to each other at a pitch P1 corresponding to the product in the direction of rotation, and this rotating drum is well known. Accordingly, its detailed description will not be given.

Second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a manufacturing method according to a second embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the tensile application position P60 in the CD direction tensile application step S60 is in the conveying direction between the air hole forming step S50 and the slitting step S70, but in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the tensile application position P60 in the CD direction tensile application step S60 is downstream of the slitting step S70. The main difference is that, given that the sheet-like element 30mf is divided into a continuous element 31a for forming the front ribbon-like elements, and a continuous element 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like elements, at a location downstream of the step S70 slitting, two steps S60 of applying tensile force in the CD direction are performed for the continuous members 31 and 41a, respectively. Other aspects are approximately the same as in the first embodiment described above. Accordingly, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be further described.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the second embodiment, the tensile application position P60 in the CD direction tensile application step S60, which is for the front ribbon forming continuous member 31a, is in the conveyance direction between the front elastic veins cutting step S80 and the absorbent body attachment step S100 part, while the tensile application position P60 in the CD direction tensile application step S60, which is for the continuous member 41a for forming the rear ribbon-like members, is in the conveying direction between the step S90 of cutting the rear elastic veins and the step S100 of attaching the absorbent core parts. In addition, two CD-direction tensile force apparatuses 60 are respectively provided at these two tensile force application positions P60. Specifically, the CD direction tensile force application device 60 for the continuous front ribbon forming member 31a has two CD direction adjusting mechanisms 60A in the same manner as described above, and a tensile force acting in the CD direction. CD will be applied to the continuous front band member 31a by the two mechanisms 60A. Likewise, the CD-direction tensile force application device 60 for the continuous rear ribbon-forming member 41a has two CD-direction adjusting mechanisms 60A in the same manner as described above, and a tensile force acting in the CD direction. CD will be applied to the continuous element 41a intended for

- 19 037820 the formation of rear ribbon-like elements, by means of these two mechanisms 60A. The configurations of these two position control mechanisms 60A are the same as those described in the above first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed description of these configurations will not be given. It should be noted that, as in the case of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 and in the case of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the step of attaching a separate member such as the absorbent body 10 to the continuous members 31a and 41a to form the front ribbon members and the rear ribbon members or to the sheet-like member 30mf is not performed at a location downstream of the conveying direction in front of the position P60 applying tensile force in step S60 applying tensile force in the CD direction. In other words, in the second and first embodiments, a tensile force acting in the CD direction will be applied to the continuous members 31a and 41a or to the sheet-like member 30mf in which the air holes h have been formed prior to the attachment of the individual member.

For this reason, according to the second and first embodiments, it is possible to effectively prevent a problem that occurs if a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied after the individual member is attached, i. E. the problem that the tensile force is absorbed by the individual member and therefore less likely to be transmitted to the continuous members 31a and 41a or to the sheet-like member 30mf, thereby reducing the effect of loosening the fibers in the edge portions he of the air holes h.

It should be noted that in some cases, the production line of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 16 can be provided not only with two steps S60 of applying a tensile force in the CD direction for the continuous element 31a for forming the front ribbon-like elements and for the continuous element 41a for forming the rear elastic elements, but also with the step S60 of applying the tensile forces in the CD direction for the sheet-like member 30mf, which was described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

Third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram schematically illustrating a manufacturing method according to the third embodiment.

In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the CD direction tensile application step S60 is provided in the conveying direction only after the air hole formation position P51 and not provided in front of the air hole formation step S50, but the main difference of the third embodiment is that, as shown in FIG. 17, step S60 is provided not only from the downstream side but also from the upstream side. Other aspects are approximately the same as in the first embodiment described above. Accordingly, the same or similar configurations will be denoted by the same reference numerals will not be further described. As shown in FIG. 17, in the third embodiment, the CD direction tensile force application device 60 having substantially the same configuration as that described in the above first embodiment is located at a location in the conveying direction before the position P51 of forming air holes in the step S50 formation of air holes. In particular, this apparatus has two position adjusting mechanisms 60A which are respectively on both sides in the CD direction and have substantially the same configuration as previously described, and these two position adjusting mechanisms 60A provide a tensile force acting in the direction CD, to the sheet-like member 30mf before the formation of the air holes h. Accordingly, at the air hole forming position P51 in the air hole forming step S50, air holes h are formed in the sheet-like member 30mf, which is subjected to a tensile force in the CD direction. In this case, due to the tensile force acting in the CD direction and applied to the sheet-like member 30mf, in the formation of the air holes h, the precision of the formation of the air holes h can be improved. This will be detailed below. First, the sheet-like member 30mf has elastic cord-like continuous members 35a and 45a, as already described, and when the sheet-like member 30mf is transported in the conveying direction, a tensile force acting in a direction along the conveying direction will be applied to the sheet-like member 30mf in as tensile force / tension for transportation. For this reason, the width of the sheet-like member 30mf can be reduced by an amount corresponding to the stretching of the sheet-like member 30mf in the conveying direction due to the stretching force for conveying. In other words, the sheet-like member 30mf can be contracted in the CD direction. Accordingly, due to this contraction, the fibers of the sheet-like member 30mf as a whole move from the ends defined in the CD direction towards the center, and as a result, the density (g / cm ³ ) of the fibers of the sheet-like member 30mf becomes uneven in the CD direction. For example, the density is higher in the portion central to the CD direction than in the end portions. If air

20 037820 holes h are formed in the sheet-like member 30mf, which is in this unsuitable state of uneven density, the formation of the air holes h becomes unstable, and the precision of the formation of the air holes h may decrease. However, with this in mind, according to the manufacturing method of the third embodiment, air holes h are formed in the sheet-like member 30mf in a state in which a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the sheet-like member 30mf. Accordingly, in the formation of the air holes h, the state of the sheet-like member 30mf was changed from an unsuitable state in which the fiber distribution density is uneven in the CD direction to a suitable state in which the density unevenness is reduced, thereby making it possible to improve the accuracy of the formation of the air holes h.

Other options for implementation.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the above embodiments of the present disclosure are merely intended to facilitate an understanding of the present disclosure and should in no way be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present disclosure of the invention may be variously changed or modified without departing from its essence and covers its equivalents. For example, it is possible to change the shape, which will be described below.

Although the elastic cord-like continuous members 35a and 34a are illustrated as examples of the continuous elastic members in the above embodiment, this is in no way limiting. For example, they can be elastic ribbon-like continuous elements.

Each of the rod-like members 55p of the intermediate roller 55 has a tapered portion 55pa and a cylindrical columnar portion 55pb, as shown in an enlarged view of the respective portions in FIG. 10 in the above embodiment, but this is in no way limiting. For example, the rod-shaped member 55p, instead of the conical portion 55pa, may have a pyramidal portion that has a polygonal cross-section, such as a triangular pyramid or a quadrangular pyramid, and instead of a cylindrical columnar portion 55pb, it may have a columnar portion that has a polygonal cross-section, such as a column of a triangular section or a column of a quadrangular section.

In the above embodiment, the sheet-like member 30mf serving as the semi-finished product 1m is wound around both the input roll 51 and the intermediate roll 55 of the air hole forming apparatus 50 in the air hole forming step S50, as shown in FIG. 9, but this is in no way limiting. In particular, the sheet-like member 30mf can pass between the rollers 51 and 55 without enclosing the input roller 51 and the intermediate roller 55.

Although the three-piece type disposable diaper 1 is illustrated as an example of the absorbent article in the above embodiment, this is in no way limiting. For example, the method and apparatus for making a sheet-like member of the present invention can be applied to the manufacture of a sheet-like member, which is a material for forming a two-piece type disposable diaper. It should be noted that a two-piece type disposable diaper is a type of diaper that has an outer sheet as a first component, having a front, crotch, and back, and an absorbent body 10 as a second component that is attached to the surface of the outer sheet. facing the skin. In addition, in this case, the continuous sheet of outer sheets is formed by two superimposed nonwoven sheets, and the method and apparatus for manufacturing the sheet-like member of the present invention are used in forming the apertured portions in these two superposed nonwoven sheets and cutting. elastic elements interposed between these two superimposed sheets of nonwoven fabric.

In addition, a diaper of this two-piece type can be a so-called disposable diaper fastened with straps. It should be noted that a taped disposable diaper is a type of diaper that uses a fastening tape to connect the front that covers the front of the wearer's torso with the back that covers the back of the torso.

In addition, the absorbent article is in no way limited to the disposable diaper 1. In particular, the method and apparatus for making a sheet-like member of the present invention are applied to any absorbent article that is made using nonwoven sheets. For this reason, the concept of this absorbent article also encompasses a urine absorbent pad, sanitary napkin, and the like. In the above embodiments, a device that has two position adjusting mechanisms 60A that adjust the positions of the two end portions 30mfe of the sheet-like member 30mf on both sides in the CD direction is described as an example of the device 60 for application

21 037820 of the CD direction tensile force used in the CD direction tensile force application step S60 shown in FIG. 6 and 16, but this is in no way a limitation. For example, the device 60 may be a roll that has a concave roll profile (notch profile), i. E. a roll having a smaller diameter in the CD-direction center portion than in the CD-end two portions (not shown). In this case, this roller is rotatably supported about an axis of rotation that extends in the direction CD, and the sheet-like member 30mf is wound around the outer circumferential circumferential surface of this roller, and, accordingly, the sheet-like member 30mf is stretched in two directions in the direction CD due to the difference of the circumferential speeds between the part central in the direction of CD and the two parts that end in the direction of CD, which causes a tensile force acting in the direction of CD to be applied to the sheet-like member 30mf. In the above embodiments, the position at which the air hole-forming step S50 is performed is set in the conveying direction in front of the positions at which the slitting step S70, the front-side elastic vein cutting step 80, and the front-side elastic vein cutting step 90 are performed. the back side, but this is in no way a limitation. For example, the position at which the air hole forming step S50 is performed may be set in the conveying direction beyond the position at which the slitting step S70 is performed, or the positions at which the front-side elastic vein cutting step 80 and the step 90 are performed. cutting the elastic veins located on the back.

List of reference positions

- Disposable diaper (absorbent product);

a is a continuous diaper forming element, 1Ha is a continuous diaper forming element having an approximate staircase shape;

m - semi-finished product;

- absorbent body;

LG - part, 10ea - end part, 10eb - end part;

- absorbent body, 11c - absorbent core;

- top sheet;

- back sheet;

a - anti-leakage sheet, 15b - outer sheet;

- elastic vein;

30mf - sheet-like element (composite sheet), 30mfe - end part;

30mf1 - continuous nonwoven sheet (first nonwoven sheet);

30mf2 - continuous nonwoven sheet (second nonwoven sheet); 30mf2p1 - part, 30mf2p2 - part;

- front ribbon-like element, 31a - continuous element for forming the front ribbon-like elements;

e - end part;

31s - part without absorbent body;

- nonwoven sheet, 32Le - end part;

- nonwoven sheet, 33B - folded part;

- elastic vein (elastic element), 35eu - part, 35a - elastic cord-like continuous element (elastic element), 35aed - end part, 35aedn - part;

- rear ribbon-like element, 41a - continuous element for forming the rear ribbon-like elements;

- nonwoven sheet, 42Le - end part;

- nonwoven sheet, 43B - folded part, 45 - elastic vein (elastic element); 45a — elastic cord-like continuous member (elastic member);

- device for forming air holes (device for forming through holes);

- inlet roller (second rotating element), 51h - hole part;

- intermediate roller (first rotating element);

55p - rod-shaped element (pressed element), 55pa - conical part, 55pb - cylindrical columnar part;

55r - receiving part, 55rt - top surface;

- exit roller, 58h - hole part;

- device for applying tensile force in the direction of CD, 60A - position control mechanism;

60Ru - clamping roller, 60Rd - clamping roller;

60d - actuator, 60s - sensor;

- device for slitting;

- cutter located on the front side, 81u - cutter roller, 81u - outside

- 22 037820 ny circumferential peripheral surface;

81d - support roller, 81da - outer circumferential peripheral surface;

- cutting head;

- a cutting device located on the back side;

h - air hole (through hole), he - edge part, C - cutting knife, B - broken end;

AH - stretching zone, AH1 - zone with fixation;

AL - non-stretching zone, AL1 - non-fixing zone;

AU - upper zone, AD - lower zone, ADc - central zone, Ade - end zone;

VN - waist hole, LH - leg hole, LG - leg assemblies;

CL1 - center point, CL10 - target location, CL - centerline, C60A - support shaft;

SS - side seam part;

PC - preset position, ТС - mark, BL - boundary place;

Gh31 - group of air holes, Rh31 - row of air holes;

Gh41 - group of air holes, Rh41 - row of air holes;

G51h1 - group of hole parts, G51h2 - group of hole parts;

G55p1 - bar-shaped element group, G55p2 - bar-shaped element group;

G58h1 - group of hole parts, G58h2 - group of hole parts;

SG51h1 - set of groups of hole parts, SG51h2 - set of groups of hole parts;

SG55p1 is a collection of groups of rod-shaped elements, SG55p2 is a collection of groups of rod-shaped elements;

R51 - first transportation route, R55 - second transportation route, R58 - third transportation route;

P51 - the place of the closest proximity (the position of the formation of air holes, the position of the formation of through holes), P55 - the place of the greatest proximity;

P60 - clamping position (tensile force application position);

S50 — step of forming air holes (step of forming through holes);

S60 is a step of applying a tensile force in the CD direction;

S70 — slitting step (processing step);

S75 - gap forming step (processing step);

S80 - a step of cutting the elastic veins located on the front side (processing step);

S90 - a step of cutting the elastic veins located on the rear side (processing step);

S100, a step of attaching the absorbent body (a step of attaching a separate member, a processing step);

S110 - folding step (processing step);

S120 is a side portion welding step (processing step);

S130 - cutting step (processing step).

Claims (8)

CLAIM 1. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article, wherein the sheet-like member (30mf) is formed from a composite sheet that is continuous in a predetermined direction, and the sheet-like member (30mf) is formed with a plurality of through holes (h), the method including a conveying step of conveying the composite sheet in a conveying direction, which is a predetermined direction, the composite sheet being formed by a first nonwoven sheet (30mf1), a second nonwoven sheet (30mf2), and a plurality of elastic members (35a, 45a), where the first sheet (30mf1) the nonwoven fabric is continuous in a predetermined direction, the second nonwoven sheet (30mf2) is continuous in a predetermined direction and is positioned to overlap the first nonwoven sheet in the thickness direction of the composite sheet, a plurality of elastic members (35a, 45a) are stretched in a predetermined direction, and pass in along a predetermined direction, and a plurality of elastic members (35a, 45a) are inserted in the gap and fixed when placed next to each other in the CD direction that intersects the predetermined direction; a step (S50) of forming through holes (h), comprising forming through holes by pressing the pressed member (55p) in the thickness direction at positions between two elastic members (35a, 45a) adjacent in the CD direction in the composite sheet, the through holes (h) extend through the composite sheet in the thickness direction; 23 037820 a step (S60) of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, which consists in applying a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet at a position in the conveying direction beyond the position (P51) of forming the through holes, wherein the position (P51) the through-hole formation is a position at which the through-hole formation is performed in the through-hole formation step (S51); and a processing step (S70-S130) of performing processing on the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction after the tensile force application position (P60), the tensile force application position (P60) being the position at which the tensile force is applied in the step (S60) of applying a tensile force in the CD direction. 2. The method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to claim 1, the method further comprising a plurality of processing steps (S70-S130) provided in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position (P51) and the position (P60) of applying a tensile force on the CD direction tensile force application step is between the through-hole forming position (P51) and one of the plurality of processing steps (S70 to S130) that is closest to the through-hole forming position (P51). 3. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step (S100) of attaching a separate member of attaching the separate member to the composite sheet, which is performed at a position that is in the conveying direction after position (P60) application of a tensile force at the stage of application of a tensile force in the direction of CD. 4. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first nonwoven sheet (30mf1) and the second nonwoven sheet (30mf2) includes thermoplastic resin fibers, wherein in step ( S51) the formation of through holes upon insertion of the pressed members (55p) into the hole portions, the pressed members (55p) are pressed into the composite sheet to form the through holes (h), the pressed members (55p) protruding from the outer circumferential peripheral surface of the first rotating member (55) , hole portions are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the second rotating member (51), the first rotating member (55) and the second rotating member (51) rotate along the conveying direction, and heat at least one of the first rotating member (55) and the second rotating member element (51) and the composite sheet is heated by means of the said at least one flapping element; and in the step (S60) of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet in a state in which the temperature of the composite sheet is higher than the temperature of the composite sheet before it is heated by the at least one rotating member. 5. The method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the tensile position is greater than or equal to the size of the composite sheet in the CD direction at the through-hole formation position. 6. The method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in the step (S60) of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, a tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied so that the size of the through holes in the CD direction is the position of application of the tensile force was larger than the size of the pressed elements in the direction of CD. 7. A method of manufacturing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method further comprising another step (S60) of applying a tensile force in the CD direction, which applies a tensile force acting in the CD direction to the composite sheet on position which is in the conveying direction before the through-hole forming position (P60), and through-hole forming step (S51), through holes (h) are formed in the composite sheet in a state in which a tensile force acting in the CD direction has been applied to composite sheet. 8. A device for implementing a method of manufacturing a sheet-like element for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the device comprises a transport device that transports the composite sheet in the direction of transport, which is a predetermined direction; a through-hole forming device (50) that forms through-holes (h) by pressing the pressed member (55) in the thickness direction at the locations between two CD-adjacent elastic members in the composite sheet; a device (60) for applying a tensile force in the direction of the CD, which applies - 24 037820 tensile force acting in the CD direction on the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the through-hole formation position (P51), the through-hole formation position (P51) being the position at which the through-hole formation in the composite the sheet is made by a device (50) for the formation of through holes; and a processing device (70, 80, 90) that processes the composite sheet at a position that is in the conveying direction beyond the tensile application position (P60), the tensile application position (P60) being the position at which the tensile force acting in the CD direction is applied to the composite sheet by the device (60) to apply a tensile force in the CD direction.