JP2001198156A - Method for manufacturing absorptive article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing an absorptive article in which a hot melt adhesive can be spread on a leak-proofing layer with a sufficient sticking force in applying a packaging film (sheet) to the surface of the leak- proofing layer through the hot melt adhesive. SOLUTION: In a method for manufacturing an absorptive article including an adhesion or in a binding process to apply or bind a leak-proofing layer 2 of a sanitary napkin 10 (absorptive article) to a packing film 3 (sheet) through a hot melt adhesive 4, a pressure roll 5 which is deformed and restored in accordance with the form of a pressed surface of the packing film 3 is used.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for producing an absorbent article, and more particularly to a method for producing an absorbent article having a step of sticking or laminating two members via a hot-melt adhesive.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a method for producing an absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, a step of adhering or adhering two members via a hot-melt adhesive has been used. I have. For example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer was formed on a leak-proof layer of a sanitary napkin with a hot-melt adhesive to prevent slippage when the undergarment was attached, and the leak-proof layer was peeled off via the hot-melt adhesive. The above-described steps are also used in a method of manufacturing a sanitary napkin that is made to adhere to a packaging film so that the leak-proof layer is protected by the packaging film.

[0003] More specifically, in this adhesive step, the hot melt adhesive is applied to the surface of the sanitary napkin through the hot melt adhesive. The melt-based pressure-sensitive adhesive is transferred to the leak-proof layer. After the sticking step, the sanitary napkin is packaged in a state where the packaging film is adhered to the leak-proof layer. The sanitary napkin with the predetermined packaging is used after the packaging film is peeled off. At this time, the hot-melt adhesive is in a state of being transferred to the leak-proof layer.

When the packaging film is peeled off from the sanitary napkin thus obtained, the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive becomes
There is a case where it is not transferred to the leak-proof layer and remains as it is attached to the packaging film. Or, even if the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive is transferred to the surface of the leak-proof layer, the adhesive force between the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive and the leak-proof layer is not sufficient, and the desired slip prevention effect cannot be obtained. In some cases.

According to the conventional manufacturing method, even if various manufacturing conditions (such as pressing conditions of a pressing roll, a temperature of a gun for applying a hot-melt adhesive or a temperature of the hot-melt adhesive itself) are adjusted. In addition, the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive could not be adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer with sufficient adhesive force.

Recently, a sanitary napkin provided with an absorbent layer having a shape in which the thickness at the center is large and the thickness at both sides is small (thickness unevenness) in order to improve the fit when worn. However, in such sanitary napkins, the above-mentioned problem occurs particularly remarkably.

Further, when manufacturing an absorbent article (sanitary napkin, disposable diaper, etc.) in which an absorbent layer and a leak-proof layer are laminated, a sheet forming the leak-proof layer on the surface of the absorbent layer is pressed by a pressing roll. A similar problem occurs when the absorption layer and the leak-proof layer are laminated via a hot-melt adhesive by pressing.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a method for adhering a sheet (packaging film) to the surface of a leak-proof layer through a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an absorbent article that can be transferred onto a surface with a sufficient adhesive force. Further, a second object of the present invention is to laminate the absorbent layer and the leak-proof layer via a hot-melt adhesive,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing an absorbent article that can laminate an absorbing layer and a leak-proof layer with a sufficient adhesive force via a hot-melt adhesive.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a method for manufacturing an absorbent article including a sticking or bonding step of sticking or bonding at least two members through a hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive, a pressing roll capable of recovering deformation according to the shape of a pressed surface of the member. The first and second objects have been achieved by providing a method for producing an absorbent article to be used. The first object is to
In particular, the two members to be adhered or adhered are the leak-proof layer of an absorbent article having an absorbent layer and a leak-proof layer, and a sheet. A method for producing an absorbent article, wherein the sheet is pressed or adhered to the leak-proof layer via the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive by pressing the sheet with a pressing roll (the invention according to claim 2). Is achieved by In addition, the second
The object of the present invention is, in particular, the two members to be adhered or adhered are an absorbent layer forming an absorbent article, and a sheet forming a leak-proof layer, and the adhering or adhering step is performed by pressing the absorbent layer on the absorbent layer. By pressing the sheet with a roll, the method of manufacturing an absorbent article (the invention according to claim 3) is a step of laminating the absorbing layer and the leak-proof layer via the hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive. Achieved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, as a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus used in one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the present invention, a sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment) will be described. Manufacturing equipment)
This will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment horizontally arranges a sanitary napkin (absorbent article) 10 having an absorbent layer 1 and a leak-proof layer 2 at a predetermined interval. The conveyor 6 conveyed in the direction (conveying direction P) and the belt-shaped wrapping film (sheet) 3 are brought close to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 of the absorbent article 10 placed on the conveyor belt 6 a of the conveyor 6. And a pressure-applying device (not shown) for applying a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive 4 to a surface 3a of the packaging film 3 that faces the leak-proof layer 2 (surface facing the leak-proof layer). Zu) and packaging film 3
And a pressing roll 5 that presses the surface from the non-facing surface (the surface opposite to the facing surface 3a) 3b toward the sanitary napkin 10 placed on the conveyor belt 6a. .

Here, the pressing roll 5, which can be deformed and recovered in accordance with the shape of the pressed surface of the member to be adhered or adhered,
It is formed of a soft elastic material (urethane foam), and is rotated by a roll rotating device (not shown) with a horizontal axis perpendicular to the transport direction P as a rotation axis. In a state where the pressing roll 5 is not pressed, the clearance between the pressing surface 5a of the pressing roll 5 and the conveyor belt 6a of the conveyor 6 is 0 to 5 mm. In the conveyor 6, a vacuum 6b is provided below the conveyor belt 6a.
The sanitary napkin 10 placed on the transport belt 6a can be transported in a predetermined direction while sucking downward by the vacuum force of the vacuum 6b to prevent displacement. .

The hot-melt adhesive 4 is applied to the surface 3 of the packaging film 3 facing the leak-proof layer by the adhesive application device.
A is applied at a predetermined interval to a at three intervals (4a, 4b, and 4c from the downstream side in the transport direction) so as to extend in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction P. At this time, the area on which the hot-melt adhesive 4 is applied is almost the same as the area of the leak-proof layer 2 of the sanitary napkin 10, and the position of the hot-melt adhesive 4 and the leak-proof layer 2 Is adapted to the position.

According to the sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, a sanitary napkin 10 having an absorbent layer 1 and a leak-proof layer 2 is provided.
The packaging film 3 can be adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 via the hot-melt adhesive 4 by pressing the packaging film 3 on the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 with a pressing roll 5. .

Next, a preferred embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the present invention using the apparatus for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment described above (hereinafter, the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment). Will be described. In the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the first embodiment, the packaging film is formed on the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 of the sanitary napkin (absorbent article) 10 having the absorbent layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 by the pressing roll 5. By pressing 3 (sheet), the packaging film (sheet) 3 is made to adhere to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 via the hot-melt adhesive 4.

The sanitary napkin 10 has irregularities in the thickness direction of the absorbent layer 1, and the thickness of the central portion 1a, which is a protruding portion with respect to the user's skin contact surface, is the same as that of the side portions 1b. It is formed thicker than the thickness (see FIG. 4). In FIG. 1, the illustration of the irregularities of the absorption layer 1 is omitted. The hardness of the surface of the pressing roll 5 is determined by the deformation recovery of the pressing roll,
From the viewpoint of the deformability necessary for fitting the object to be pressed and the object to be pressed, 1 to 20 (JIS A) is preferable, and 2 to 10 is more preferable. “JIS A” indicating the hardness of the surface of the pressing roll 5 is a durometer hardness specified in “JIS K6253”.

The packaging film 3 is preferably made of polyolefin or the like, and preferably has a thickness of 0.01 to 0.09 mm. As the hot melt adhesive 4, SB
S (styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer) and the like are preferred. Further, as a material of the leak-proof layer 2, a polyolefin-based material or the like is preferable.

The method for producing a sanitary napkin according to the first embodiment will be described in more detail in the order of steps. First, sanitary napkin 10
With a predetermined interval on the conveyor belt 6a of the conveyor 6 in a state where the direction X (see FIG. 4) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is oriented in the conveyor direction P of the conveyor 6 and the leak-proof layer 2 is directed upward. It is placed and transported continuously in the transport direction P. In addition, three hot melt adhesives 4a are previously applied to the surface 3a of the band-shaped packaging film 3 which faces the leak-proof layer by the adhesive applying device.
・ Apply 4b and 4c at predetermined intervals. After that, the belt-shaped packaging film 3 is changed in the conveying direction from the downward direction to the conveying direction P by the direction changing roll 7, and the leakage prevention layer facing surface 3a
Transport downward. In this manner, the packaging film 3 and the sanitary napkin 10 are provided with the leakage-proof layer facing surface 3a of the packaging film 3 and the surface of the leakage-proof layer 2 facing each other, and both have a thickness of 0.001 to 2 (m / s). It is transported in the transport direction P at the transport speed.

Then, the packaging film 3 is pressed from above by the pressing roll 5 to adhere the packaging film 3 to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 via the hot-melt adhesives 4a, 4b and 4c. Thus, the sanitary napkin 10 in which the packaging film 3 is adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 via the hot-melt adhesive 4 is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 4, the packaging film 3 is divided into approximately three equal parts by using the lines AA and BB as folds.
After folding together with the packaging film 3 and fastening the edges of the packaging film 3 with the fastening tape 8, both side edges 3c of the packaging film 3 are further sealed by known sealing means such as heat sealing. Thereafter, the folded band-shaped wrapping film 3 is cut at a predetermined position between the sanitary napkins 10 to obtain a predetermined wrapped sanitary napkin 10 as shown in FIG.

In the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the first embodiment, the pressing roll 5 is formed of urethane foam, which is a soft elastic material, and is used for a member (the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 and the packaging film 3) to be adhered. Since the deformation can be recovered according to the shape of the pressed surface, the pressing surface 5a of the pressing roll 5 is deformed according to the shape (unevenness) of the sanitary napkin 10. Therefore, the entire area of the packaging film 3 to which the hot-melt adhesive 4 has been applied can be evenly pressed by the pressing roll 5 on the surface of the leak-proof layer 2.

Therefore, according to the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment, the hot-melt adhesives 4a, 4b,
The packaging film 3 is adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 in a state where each of the packaging films 3c is transferred to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 with a sufficient adhesive force. Then, in the sanitary napkin 10 in which the packaging film 3 is adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 thus manufactured, the hot-melt adhesive 4 is securely transferred to the leak-proof layer 2. , Sanitary napkin 10 when used
When the packaging film 3 is removed from the packaging film 3, the hot melt adhesive 4 does not remain on the packaging film 3.

Next, another embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a method for producing a sanitary napkin of the second embodiment) will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the first embodiment described above (see FIG. 1). ,
The only difference is that the configuration is such that the hot melt adhesive 4 is applied to the leak-proof layer 2 side. Other configurations are the same as those in the method of manufacturing the sanitary napkin of the first embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Since the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the first embodiment, the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the second embodiment is described. According to the method, effects similar to those of the method for producing a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment can be obtained.

As a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus used in one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the present invention, a sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus of the third embodiment). This will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus according to the third embodiment includes a conveyor 6 that transports the absorbent layer 1 in the horizontal direction (the transport direction P) and a sheet that forms the band-shaped leak-proof layer 2, A napkin transport device that transports in the transport direction P in close proximity to the surface of the absorbent layer 1 placed on the transport belt 6a of the conveyor 6; Adhesive device (not shown) for applying a hot-melt adhesive 4 to the surface 2a;
And a pressing roll 5 for pressing the sheet from the non-absorbing layer facing surface 2b (opposite to the absorbing layer facing surface 2a) toward the absorbing layer 1 placed on the transport belt 6a.

Here, the sanitary napkin 10, the pressing roll 5, the packaging film 3, the hot melt adhesive 4, the leak-proof layer 2 and the like are the same as those in the sanitary napkin manufacturing apparatus of the first embodiment. Can be applied.

The hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive 4 is applied to the surface 2a of the leak-proof layer 2 facing the absorbent layer by the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating device.
The coating is performed at predetermined intervals in two regions (4a and 4b from the downstream side in the transport direction) so as to extend in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction P. At this time, the area where the hot-melt adhesive 4 is applied is almost the same as the area of the absorbent layer 1 of the sanitary napkin 10, and the position of the hot-melt adhesive 4 and the area of the absorbent layer 1 The position is adapted.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the third embodiment configured as described above, as shown in FIG.
By pressing the sheet forming the above, the absorbing layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 can be laminated via the hot-melt adhesive 4.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention using the apparatus for producing a sanitary napkin of the third embodiment described above (hereinafter, the method for producing a sanitary napkin of the third embodiment) will be described. Will be described. In the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the third embodiment, the sheet forming the leak-proof layer 2 is pressed by the pressing roll 5 on the surface of the absorbent layer 1 forming the sanitary napkin (absorbent article) 10. Thus, the absorbing layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 are laminated via the hot-melt adhesive 4.

Here, the absorbing layer 1 has irregularities in its thickness direction, and the thickness of the central part is formed larger than the thickness of both sides. In addition, in FIG. 3, illustration of the unevenness of the absorption layer 1 is omitted.

The method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the third embodiment will be described in further detail in the order of steps. First, the absorbent layer 1 is placed on the conveyor belt 6a of the conveyor 6 at a predetermined interval in a state where the longitudinal direction Y (see FIG. 4) is oriented in the transport direction P of the conveyor 6 and the convex central part is directed downward. Open and place, transport direction P
Conveyed continuously. Further, two hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives 4a and 4b are previously applied at predetermined intervals to the absorbent layer facing surface 2a of the sheet forming the band-shaped leak-proof layer 2 by the adhesive application device. Thereafter, the sheet forming the band-shaped leakage prevention layer 2 is changed from the downward direction to the transport direction P by the direction changing rolls 7 and is transported with the absorbent layer facing surface 2a facing downward.

Then, by pressing the leak-proof layer 2 from above with the pressing roll 5, the absorbent layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 are laminated via the hot-melt adhesives 4a and 4b. Thus, the sanitary napkin 10 in which the absorbent layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 are laminated via the hot-melt adhesive 4 is obtained.

Thereafter, both ends of the sanitary napkin 10 in the longitudinal direction are bonded by heat sealing, and the sheet forming the band-shaped leak-proof layer 2 is cut at a predetermined position between the absorbent layers 1.
The sanitary napkin 10 is packaged in a predetermined manner. According to the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the third embodiment, the entire area of the leak-proof layer 2 to which the hot-melt adhesive 4 has been applied can be uniformly pressed by the pressing roll 5 onto the surface of the absorbent layer 1. As a result, the absorbing layer 1 and the leak-proof layer 2 can be laminated with a sufficient adhesive force via the hot-melt adhesive 4.

[Test Example] According to the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), packaging is performed on the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 of the sanitary napkin 10 by the pressing roll 5 under the following manufacturing conditions. By pressing the film 3, the packaging film 3 was adhered to the surface of the leak-proof layer 2 via the hot-melt adhesive 4 to obtain a sanitary napkin 10 to which the packaging film 3 was adhered. Adhesive strength evaluation test of hot-melt adhesive 4 on obtained sanitary napkin 10 (when hot-melt adhesive 4 was peeled from sanitary napkin 10, hot-melt adhesive 4 was transferred to leak-proof layer 2) Test to evaluate whether or not there is As a result, the hot-melt adhesive 4 was surely transferred to the leak-proof layer 2. -Manufacturing conditions Hardness of the surface of the pressing roll 5: 2 (JIS A) Clearance between the pressing surface 5a of the pressing roll 5 and the conveyor belt 6a of the conveyor 6 (under the state where the pressing roll 5 is not pressed): 0mm Pressing roll 5 pressing pressure: 3.923 MPa Conveying speed of the packaging film 3 and the sanitary napkin 10: 1.0 m / s

As described above, the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention
Although the preferred embodiment has been described, the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to the above-described first to third embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although the method for producing a sanitary napkin has been described as a preferred embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to sanitary napkins, but produces other absorbent articles such as disposable diapers. Can be applied in case.

As the pressing roll, a roll that can be deformed and recovered in accordance with the shape of the pressed surface of the member to be adhered or adhered can be appropriately used. The member forming the pressing roll is not limited to urethane foam, but may be another soft elastic material. In this case, the entire pressing roll does not necessarily need to be formed of a soft elastic material, and it is sufficient that at least the surface of the pressing roll is formed of a soft elastic member. Further, the sheet in the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention is not limited to a packaging film, but may be release paper. The present invention is particularly effective when applied to an absorbent article having irregularities in the thickness direction, but can also be applied to an absorbent article having no irregularities in the thickness direction.

Further, in the method for producing a sanitary napkin according to the first to third embodiments, the hot melt adhesive 4
Is applied on the packaging film 3 or the leak-proof layer 2 so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction P of the conveyor 6, but the hot-melt adhesive 4 is applied in the conveying direction P of the conveyor 6. A plurality of coatings may be applied to the packaging film 3 or the leakage prevention layer 2 so as to extend. The number of hot-melt adhesives is not limited to two or three, but may be four or more. Further, the hot melt-based pressure-sensitive adhesive may have a coating pattern other than a plurality of strips. In the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin according to the first and second embodiments, the sanitary napkin 10 is transported in a direction X (see FIG. 4) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction thereof, and the sanitary napkin 10 according to the third embodiment. In the method for manufacturing a sanitary napkin, the absorbent layer 1 is transported in the longitudinal direction Y (see FIG. 4). In the present invention, the orientation of the sanitary napkin or the absorbent layer during transport is appropriately changed. be able to.

In the method for producing a sanitary napkin according to the first to third embodiments, a sanitary napkin having an absorbent layer having a thick central portion has been described. However, the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention is as follows. A sanitary napkin provided with an absorbent layer in which the central portion is formed thin, or an absorbent layer in which three-dimensional gathers are provided on both sides and the both sides are formed thick, and other absorbent layers having irregularities in the thickness direction. It is preferably used for production.

[0040]

According to the present invention, when a sheet is adhered to the surface of a leak-proof layer via a hot-melt adhesive, the hot-melt adhesive is rolled on the surface of the leak-proof layer with a sufficient adhesive force. Can be worn. Further, according to the present invention, when the absorption layer and the leak-proof layer are laminated via the hot-melt adhesive, the absorbing layer and the leak-proof layer are provided with sufficient adhesive force via the hot-melt adhesive. Can be laminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a first embodiment of a method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a second embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a third embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a sanitary napkin to which a packaging film is adhered, obtained by the first and second embodiments of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a sanitary napkin in a predetermined packaging obtained by the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Absorbing layer 2 Leak-proof layer 2a Absorbing layer facing surface 2b Absorbing layer non-facing surface 3 Packaging film (sheet) 3a Leak-proof layer facing surface 3b Leak-proof layer non-facing surface 4, 4a, 4b, 4c Hot melt adhesive 5 Pressing roll 5a Pressing surface 6 Conveyor 6a Conveying belt 7 Direction changing roll 10 Sanitary napkin (absorbent article)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for producing an absorbent article including a step of sticking or adhering at least two members via a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive, the method comprising recovering deformation according to the shape of a pressed surface of the members. A method for producing an absorbent article using a press roll that can be used. 2. The two members to be adhered or adhered,
The leak-proof layer of an absorbent article comprising an absorbent layer and a leak-proof layer, and a sheet, wherein the adhesion or adhesion step, the leak-proof layer,
The method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the step of pressing the sheet with the pressing roll causes the sheet to adhere or adhere to the leak-proof layer via the hot-melt adhesive. 3. The two members to be adhered or adhered,
An absorbent layer forming an absorbent article, and a sheet forming a leak-proof layer, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive or adhesive step comprises pressing the sheet on the absorbent layer by the pressing roll, thereby forming the absorbent layer and the sheet. The method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the step of laminating the anti-leak layer with the hot-melt adhesive is carried out. 4. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the pressing roll is formed of a soft elastic material. 5. The pressing roll has a surface hardness of 1 to 2
The method for producing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is 0 (JIS A). 6. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent article has irregularities in a thickness direction thereof.