JP2002192641A - Method for producing transversely expandable/ shrinkable composite sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce a transversely expandable/shrinkable composite sheet at a high speed by a simple production process while an elastomer is used effectively. SOLUTION: A nonwoven fabric 11 which is led to a fixed cylindrical support member 13 through a guide 12 is shaped cylindrically along the peripheral surface of the support member 13 and travels upward along the peripheral surface. Numbers of bobbins 15 are fitted to a turntable 14 rotating on the outside of the support member 13, and rubber strands 16 from the bobbins 15 are wound onto the nonwoven fabric 11 on the support member 13. In this way, a transverse arrangement body 17 in which the rubber strands 16 are arranged approximately in the transverse direction is formed on the nonwoven fabric 11 and joined to the nonwoven fabric 11 by a heating roll 18, so that the composite sheet 20 is produced.

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 a horizontally stretchable composite sheet comprising a nonwoven fabric and rubber strands arranged in a horizontal direction. In particular, the present invention makes a horizontal array of strands by a simple means of winding a rubber strand around a support member, and joining the strand to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of at least 100% or more in the lateral direction. The present invention relates to a method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet. The laterally stretchable composite sheet produced by the method is used particularly for clothing such as stretchable bandages, supporters, cuffs of clothes, stretchable elastic parts such as diapers, medical and hygiene materials, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described in JP-A-3-213543 and JP-A-8-174664, various types of stretchable composite sheets formed by laminating a nonwoven fabric and an elastic body have been conventionally used. Technology has been proposed. In the method of manufacturing an elastic body described in JP-A-3-213543, first, a narrow band-like elastic body such as a rubber thread or flat rubber is stretched in a longitudinal direction between a nonwoven fabric on an upper surface and a nonwoven fabric on a lower surface. Supply. Then, the nonwoven fabric on the upper surface and the nonwoven fabric on the lower surface are partially bonded by utilizing the adhesiveness of the nonwoven fabric, and a large number of bonded portions and non-bonded portions are formed on the upper nonwoven fabric. Thereby, an elastic body in which the elastic body in the stretched state is integrated with the nonwoven fabric on the upper surface and the lower surface is manufactured.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-174664 discloses a composite in which the direction of expansion and contraction is regulated. The composite is obtained by laminating a stretchable elastomer layer on a stretched long-fiber web. The drawn long-fiber web is obtained by stretching a long-fiber web formed by spinning a thermoplastic resin in one direction, and arranging the fibers of the web in almost one direction. By forming the composite body in which the direction of expansion and contraction is restricted in this way, a stretchable composite sheet having a good texture and a moderate elasticity can be obtained.

[0004]

However, in recent years, due to the development of diaper and other clothing materials, it has become possible to manufacture stretchable composite sheets with high quality at low cost and with high productivity. A way has been sought. For that purpose, it has been required to effectively use the elastomer to be used, to have a simple production process, and to produce a stretchable composite sheet at a high speed.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a laterally stretchable composite sheet which can be used effectively when producing a laterally stretchable composite sheet having lateral elasticity, and which can be used in a simple manufacturing process. Is to provide a method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet, which can be produced at a high speed.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a method for producing a composite sheet comprising a nonwoven fabric and rubber strands joined thereto and having elasticity in the lateral direction. A cylindrical support member for shaping and supporting the cylindrical support member, and the outside of the cylindrical support member is rotated around the center axis of the cylindrical support member as a center of rotation, and is supported by the cylindrical support member. Providing a yarn guiding device for guiding a rubber strand on the nonwoven fabric; and guiding a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in the lateral direction to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member, and supporting the nonwoven fabric on the cylindrical support member. A step of continuously forming a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the member;
The nonwoven fabric shaped into a cylindrical shape is caused to travel in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support member, and a rubber strand having an elasticity of 200% or more is formed on the cylindrical support member by the yarn guiding device. A step of winding the rubber strand on the non-woven fabric traveling in a cylindrical shape by rotating the yarn guiding device while guiding the non-woven fabric, and joining the rubber strand wound thereon to the traveling non-woven fabric And a step of continuously developing and taking out the nonwoven fabric from a cylindrical shape to a planar shape while separating the nonwoven fabric to which the strands are joined from the cylindrical support member.

In the above invention, first, 100% in the horizontal direction
The nonwoven fabric having the above elongation is guided to the cylindrical support member, and the nonwoven fabric is shaped into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member, and is supported by the cylindrical support member. The yarn guiding device while running the cylindrical nonwoven fabric in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical supporting member, and guiding the rubber strand having an elongation of 200% or more to the nonwoven fabric on the cylindrical supporting member by the yarn guiding device. Is rotated around the cylindrical support member. As a result, the rubber strand is wound on the cylindrical nonwoven fabric, and then the rubber strand is joined to the nonwoven fabric to produce a horizontally stretchable composite sheet. Next, the nonwoven fabric to which the rubber strands are bonded is continuously developed from the cylindrical shape to the planar shape while being separated from the cylindrical support member, and is taken out, whereby a flat horizontally stretchable composite sheet is obtained. According to such a method, a laterally stretchable composite sheet capable of exhibiting elasticity most efficiently even with a minimum amount of rubber strand material can be manufactured by a simple and high-speed method. Mass production becomes possible. Also, by using a plurality of yarn guide devices, when a laterally stretchable composite sheet in which rubber strands are obliquely formed on the nonwoven fabric is produced, the sheet has a small initial tensile tension and a mellow weighted extension curve. There is also a merit.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a composite sheet comprising a non-woven fabric and a rubber strand bonded thereto and having elasticity in the lateral direction, wherein the rubber strand is laminated on the non-woven fabric. And a pair of thread supporting members running in the same direction while maintaining a state of being substantially horizontally spaced, and a pair of thread supporting members rotating around the pair of thread supporting members. Preparing a yarn guiding device for guiding the rubber strand so as to wind the rubber strand around, and the yarn guiding device rotating around the pair while supporting the pair of yarn supporting members in the longitudinal direction. % Or more by winding a rubber strand having elasticity of at least
Forming a horizontal array in which the rubber strands are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction between the pair of yarn supporting members; and bonding the horizontal array to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in a horizontal direction. Producing a laterally stretchable composite sheet.

In the above invention, the pair of yarn support members are run in the vertical direction while maintaining a state of being substantially horizontally spaced, and the yarn guide device is rotated around the yarn support members. While doing so, a rubber strand having an elasticity of 200% or more is wound around the pair of thread supporting members. As a result, a horizontal arrangement body in which the rubber strands are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction between the pair of thread support members is formed. Next, by joining the horizontal array to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in the horizontal direction, a horizontal elastic composite sheet is produced. According to such a method, similarly to the method using the cylindrical support member as described above, a laterally stretchable composite sheet capable of exhibiting the most efficiently stretchability even with a minimum amount of rubber strand material can be obtained easily and at high speed. It is possible to mass-produce the horizontally stretchable composite sheet at low cost.

Further, the present invention relates to a method for producing a composite sheet having a rubber strand bonded to a nonwoven fabric and having elasticity in the lateral direction, wherein the rubber strand is laminated on the nonwoven fabric. Each having an engaging portion that is arranged at a lateral interval to support the strand and engages with the rubber strand to move the supporting rubber strand in the vertical direction; A pair of support members, each rotating to move the rubber strands engaged with the pair in the vertical direction, and rotating around the pair of support members, engaging the rubber strands with the engagement portions of each of the support members. Preparing a yarn guiding device for guiding the rubber strand so that the rubber strand is wound around the pair of support members; and rotating the rubber strand having an elasticity of 200% or more. While the rubber guide is wound around the pair of support members by the yarn guiding device and the rubber strands are engaged with the engagement portions, the rubber strands engaged with the engagement portions are rotated with each rotation of the support member. Moving the rubber strands between the pair of support members so as to form a horizontal array body in which the rubber strands are arranged substantially in the horizontal direction; and the horizontal array body moving by rotating the pair of support members. Is bonded to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in the transverse direction to produce a horizontally stretchable composite sheet.

In the above invention, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet is manufactured using a pair of thread supporting members that rotate to move the rubber strand in the vertical direction. The thread supporting member has an engaging portion that engages with the rubber strand, and the rubber strand engaged with the engaging portion is moved in one direction with the rotation of the thread supporting member. First, a pair of yarn support members are arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction, and a yarn guide device rotating around them guides a rubber strand having elasticity of 200% or more to the pair of yarn support members. Winding is performed, and the rubber strand is engaged with the engaging portion of the yarn supporting member. While the rubber strand is wound around the pair of thread supporting members, the rubber strand engaged with the engaging portion is moved in the vertical direction by the rotation of the thread supporting member. As a result, a horizontal array is formed in which the rubber strands are arranged substantially in the horizontal direction between the pair of thread support members, and the formed horizontal array is then subjected to an elongation of 100% or more in the horizontal direction. By joining to a nonwoven fabric having the same, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet is manufactured. Even by such a method, a laterally stretchable composite sheet capable of exhibiting elasticity most efficiently even with a minimum amount of rubber strand material can be manufactured by a simple and high-speed method, and mass production of the laterally stretchable composite sheet at low cost. It becomes possible.

In the present invention, the term "longitudinal direction" used in the description of the manufacturing process of the horizontally stretchable composite sheet or the direction of arranging the fibers of the nonwoven fabric refers to the "longitudinal direction" when manufacturing the horizontally stretchable composite sheet or nonwoven fabric. Means their feed direction,
The `` horizontal direction '' used when describing the arrangement direction of rubber strands, the elongation of the nonwoven fabric, the expansion / contraction direction of the laterally stretchable composite sheet, and the like is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, that is, the Means the width direction.

"Elongation" in the present invention refers to JIS-L1
095. That is, a web having a width of 5 cm is gripped at an interval of 10 cm in the length direction, and a tensile speed of 30 c
The elongation with respect to the original length when the web is broken is expressed in%.

In the present invention, the term "strand" generally includes a relatively thin endless or quasi-endless flexible material called a filament, as well as a relatively thick endless or quasi-endless flexible material. . In the case of a filament, the fineness is about several hundred tex even if it is large, but the "strand" in the present invention includes a fineness of several thousand tex. In addition, the "strand" may form a thick strand in which individual thin strands are aggregated. In such a case, the total fineness is used to distinguish the fineness of the thick strand from the fineness of each of the constituent strands. It may be called.

The term "strand elasticity" in the present invention means that a strand is given a certain elongation by applying tension to the strand.
When the tension is released, the elongation is elastically restored to the vicinity of the original length by rubber elasticity. The rate at which the strands elastically recover does not need to be completely restored to their original length, but at least 50%, preferably 80% (residual elongation 20%) of the elongation imparted to the strand, more preferably 90
% Or more (residual elongation of 10% or less).

[0016]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet produced by the production method of the present invention.

The horizontally stretchable composite sheet shown in FIG. 1A is arranged on a nonwoven fabric 1 extending in a vertical direction indicated by an arrow A in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction (length direction). The rubber strands 2a are laminated and joined. The nonwoven fabric 1 has fibers arranged in its length direction (longitudinal direction).
It has an elongation of 00% or more. Rubber strand 2a
Has an elasticity of 200% or more in its length direction. In this case, the strand 2a is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction of the nonwoven fabric 1, and the angle formed by a straight line parallel to the horizontal direction is substantially zero.

The horizontally stretchable composite sheet shown in FIG. 1 (b) is a case where the rubber strands 2b laminated on the nonwoven fabric 1 are arranged at a certain angle in the horizontal direction. In (b), the degree of the skew of the rubber strand 2b is indicated by the smaller angle α among the angles formed by a straight line parallel to the lateral direction. In the present invention, the angle α is desirably smaller than 45 degrees, more desirably 30 degrees or less,
Most preferred is 10 degrees or less.

The horizontal elastic composite sheet shown in FIG. 1C is obtained by further laminating a rubber strand 2c obliquely with the rubber strand 2b on the nonwoven fabric 1 in the horizontal elastic composite sheet shown in FIG. It is configured by being joined. In the case shown in FIG. 1C, the rubber strand 2c
Are arranged obliquely in the horizontal direction, and the degree of the obliqueness is indicated by the smaller angle β of the angles formed by the straight lines parallel to the horizontal direction in FIG. . The rubber strand 2c does not necessarily need to be inclined in the horizontal direction, and may be substantially parallel to the horizontal direction.
Oblique angles α, β of the rubber strands 2b, 2c
Are not required to be equal, but it is preferable that each skew angle is 45 degrees or less.

Each of the horizontal elastic composite sheets shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C has a large elasticity in the lateral direction, and has elastic bandages, supporters, clothing cuffs, elastic tape. It is suitably used for clothing, medical treatment, and the like, such as stretch belts, shoulder straps for brassiere, belly bands, pregnant women's belts, gloves and socks, diapers, incontinence pads, and other stretchable elastic parts of sanitary materials.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet according to the present invention is applied.

In the apparatus for manufacturing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a ring-shaped turntable 14 is provided on a top surface of a ring-shaped fixed table 14a fixed by a support member 14b. Attached through. Both central axes of the fixed table 14a and the turntable 14 are arranged on the same straight line parallel to the vertical direction. The turntable 14 is supported by a support mechanism 14c so as to be rotatable on a fixed table 14a about its center axis as a rotation center. On the upper surface of the turntable 14, a number of bobbins 15 around which rubber strands 16 are wound are rotatably mounted. Although only two bobbins 15 are shown in FIG. 2 for simplicity, a large number of bobbins 15 are arranged on the upper surface of the turntable 15 along the circumferential direction of the turntable 14. A thread guide device is constituted by these many bobbins 15, the turntable 14, and the like, and the device guides the rubber strand 16 to the outer surface of the nonwoven fabric 11 on the cylindrical support member 13. The rubber strand 16 has an elasticity of 200% or more in its length direction.

On the outer peripheral surface of the turntable 14, a groove into which the belt 28 is fitted is formed. Belt 28
Is hung on a groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turntable 14 and a pulley 27 attached to one end of the shaft 26. A gear 25b is attached to the other end of the shaft 26, and the gear 25b meshes with a gear 25b attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 24. Motor 24
The power of the motor 24 is changed by the driving operation of the gears 25a, 2a.
5b, the shaft 26, the pulley 27, and the belt 28 are transmitted to the turntable 14, and the turntable 14 is rotated.

Further, the manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with a cylindrical support member 13 which passes inside the fixed table 14a and the turntable 14. Cylindrical support member 1
3 is fixed so that its central axis is arranged on the same straight line as the central axes of the fixed table 14a and the turntable 14. Fixed table 1 of cylindrical support member 13
In the vicinity of the portion below 4a, a cylindrical support member 13 is provided.
1 that guides the strip-shaped nonwoven fabric 11 fed into
2 are provided. The guide 12 has a curved surface that guides the nonwoven fabric 11 to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13 so that the planar nonwoven fabric 11 is formed into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13. . The cylindrical support member 13 is for supporting the nonwoven fabric 11 in a cylindrical shape by contacting the inner surface of the nonwoven fabric 11 shaped into a cylindrical shape. The nonwoven fabric 11 is formed by arranging fibers in a vertical direction, and has an elongation of 100% or more in a horizontal direction, that is, a width direction thereof.

The turntable 1 of the cylindrical support member 13
Above 4, a large number of heating rolls 18 are provided for joining the rubber strand 16 from the bobbin 15 to the nonwoven fabric 11 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13. The plurality of heating rolls 18 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 13.
8 is rotatably supported with its central axis perpendicular to the vertical direction. The nonwoven fabric 11 and the rubber strand 16 are sandwiched between each heating roll 18 and the cylindrical support member 13, and are heated by the heating roll 18, so that the rubber strand 16 is bonded onto the nonwoven fabric 11.

Further, a knife 21 as cutting means for cutting the rubber strand 16 near the widthwise end of the nonwoven fabric 11 is provided above the heating roll 18 of the cylindrical support member 13, and a rubber strand is provided by the knife 21. A guide 22 is provided for guiding the nonwoven fabric 11 from the cylindrical shape to the flat shape after cutting the 16. The nonwoven fabric 1 guided by the guide tool 22 is located near the guide tool 22.
A pair of nip rolls 23a and 23b for picking up 1 are arranged. These nip rolls 23a and 23b
It is a transporting unit for transporting the nonwoven fabric 11 in the manufacturing apparatus, and the nonwoven fabric 11 is supplied to the guide 12 on the upstream side of the transport path by a take-up operation of the nonwoven fabric 11 by these rolls. On the cylindrical support member 13, the nonwoven fabric 11 shaped into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface thereof extends along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13 in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical shape, that is, in the vertical direction. And run.

Next, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

First, the nonwoven fabric 11 fed into the guide 12 is continuously wound around the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13 by the guide 12. Thereby, the nonwoven fabric 1
1 is formed into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member 13, and the nonwoven fabric 11 moves vertically upward on the cylindrical support member 13 while maintaining the cylindrical shape. The motor 24 rotates the turntable 14 around a part of the nonwoven fabric 11 moving on the cylindrical support member 13. The rubber strand 16 is unwound from the bobbin 15 according to the rotation of the turntable 14, and the unwound rubber strand 16 is unwound from the nonwoven fabric 1 on the cylindrical support member 13.
Wrap around one. Thereby, the rubber strand 16
Are arranged on the cylindrical support member 13, that is, on the nonwoven fabric 11 on the member.

When the material of the rubber strand 16 is a thermoplastic elastomer, the nonwoven fabric 11 and the rubber strand 16 are sandwiched between the non-woven fabric 11 and the cylindrical support member 13 by the heating roll 18 which is rotating. The junction 19 with the part 16 is partially formed. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the heating roll 18 is preferably driven to rotate by a driving unit such as a motor.

The nonwoven fabric 11 is formed by a large number of heating rolls 18.
The laterally stretchable composite sheet 20 in which the rubber strand 16 and the rubber strand 16 are partially joined is separated from the cylindrical support member 13 after the rubber strand 16 is cut off by the knife 21 near both ends in the width direction of the nonwoven fabric 11. Guide 2
2, the flat shape is continuously developed and returned from the cylindrical shape to the planar shape. Thus, the cylindrical support member 1
The laterally stretchable composite sheet 20 taken out of 3 is taken up by the nip rolls 23a and 23b.

The horizontal elastic composite sheet 20 in which the rubber strands 16 are partially joined onto the nonwoven fabric 11 is often flattened and then further joined together by joining the nonwoven fabric 11 and the rubber strands 16 together. .

FIG. 2 shows an example in which one turntable 14 is used. However, two turntables 14 are provided in the manufacturing apparatus,
By rotating the two turntables 14 in opposite directions, an oblique rubber array in which the rubber strands are oblique to each other can be manufactured as shown in FIG. Then, by laminating the skewed rubber array on the nonwoven fabric 11, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet having the configuration shown in FIG. 1C is manufactured. In this manufacturing apparatus, the rubber strand 1 laminated on the nonwoven fabric 11 is adjusted by adjusting the feed speed of the nonwoven fabric 11 and the rotation speed of the turntable 14.
6 can be made substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, or can be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus in the case where the material of the rubber strand 16 is a thermoplastic elastomer. However, if the material of the rubber strand 16 is a natural rubber or the like which does not show thermoplasticity, When the strand 16 is unreeled from the bobbin 15, the rubber strand 16 is sprayed and applied to the rubber strand 16 or the like.
An adhesive supply means to 6 is required.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another example of an apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet of the present invention is applied.

In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, a pair of belt-like thread support members 31 stretched in parallel with each other at a horizontal interval are circulated. By wrapping 16a, the horizontal array body 34 is manufactured. Then, the laterally stretched composite sheet 37 is manufactured by joining the laterally arranged body 34 to the nonwoven fabric.
In this manufacturing apparatus, one of the pair of thread support members 31 is formed of a belt wheel 42a attached to one end of a shaft 41a, a belt wheel 42b attached to one end of a shaft 41b, and a shaft 41c. It is stretched by the belt wheel 42c attached to one end and one end of the roll 50. The other thread support member 31 is
Belt wheel 42 attached to the other end of shaft 41a
a, the belt wheel 42b attached to the other end of the shaft 41b, the belt wheel 42c attached to the other end of the shaft 41c, and the other end of the roll 50.

A gear 46c is attached to one belt wheel 42c, and a gear 46 meshed with the gear 46c is provided.
b is attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 46b. By rotating the motor 46b, the power of the motor 46b is transmitted to the shaft 41c and the belt wheels 42c at both ends of the shaft 41c via the gears 46b and 46c. Thereby, the shaft 41 and the pair of belt wheels 4
2c is rotated, and each yarn support member 31 is caused to run in the vertical direction at the same speed in a state where a substantially constant interval is provided in the horizontal direction between the pair of yarn support members 31.

The belt wheel 4 of the pair of thread support members 31
The portion between 2a and the roll 50 is
1 passes through the inside of a ring 32 constituting a mechanism for winding the rubber strand 16a. The center axis of the ring 32 is parallel to the running direction of the yarn support member 31 passing inside. The ring 32 is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers 49 in contact with the outer peripheral surface thereof around the center axis of the ring 32 as a center of rotation. Ring 32
Are formed on its inner peripheral surface with internal teeth 32a arranged in the circumferential direction. A gear 45a attached to a shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 46a meshes with the internal teeth 32a. The power of the motor 46a is the gear 45a and the internal teeth 32a.
Transmitted to the ring 32 by the ring 3
2 rotates around each part of the pair of thread support members 31.

The ring 32 is provided with a number of bobbins 33 located inside the ring 32. Each bobbin 33 is rotatably attached to the ring 32 by a shaft 33a. Although only one bobbin 33 is shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity, a number of bobbins 33 are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the ring 32 along the circumferential direction. Each bobbin 33 has a rubber strand 16
a is wound. The rubber strand 16a has an elasticity of 200% or more in its length direction. Further, a plurality of guide members 53 each having a small hole for guiding the rubber strand 16 a unwound from the bobbin 33 are attached to the inner peripheral surface of the ring 32 so as to correspond to each bobbin 33. The ring 32, the number of bobbins 33, the guide member 53, and the like constitute a yarn guide device that rotates around a pair of the yarn support members 31. The rubber strand 16a is guided by the thread guide device so that the rubber strand 16a can be wound around the pair of thread support members 31.

In the pair of yarn support members 31, the respective yarn support members 31 are engaged with the portion around which the rubber strand 31 is wound and in the vicinity thereof so as to prevent the interval between the yarn support members 31 from becoming narrow. Table 48
May be provided. An adjustment bolt 48b for adjusting the width is attached to the table 48. The yarn supporting members 3 are provided on both sides of the table 48b.
1 is formed with a groove 48a slidably engaged therewith. By adjusting the width of the table 48 with the adjusting bolt 48b, the state in which each thread support member 31 is engaged with the groove 48a is maintained.

A roll 43b for supplying the nonwoven fabric 11a to a space between the pair of thread support members 31 is disposed upstream of the ring 32 in the running direction of the thread support member 31. The nonwoven fabric 11a is formed by arranging fibers in the vertical direction, and has an elongation of 100% or more in the horizontal direction. Above the roll 43b, the roll 4
Roll 43 for sending out nonwoven fabric 11a toward 3b
a is arranged. On the downstream side of the ring 32 in the running direction of the yarn support member 31, the heating cylinder 35a and the roll 44a are located above the pair of yarn support members 31.
The release sheet 36a stretched by the heating cylinder 35b and the roll 44b run under the pair of thread support members 31. The respective heating cylinders are arranged such that the release sheets 36a and 36b are sandwiched between the heating cylinders 35a and 35b. Heating cylinder 35a, 3
Grooves into which the thread support members 31 fit are formed at both ends of each of the members 5b. Further, the pair of thread support members 31
A roll 43c for feeding the nonwoven fabric 11b from above is disposed between the release sheets 36a and 36b. Rolls 43d and 43e for feeding the nonwoven fabric 11c from below are disposed between the release sheets 36a and 36b below the heating cylinder 35a. The nonwoven fabrics 11b and 11c are also formed by arranging fibers in the vertical direction, and have an elongation of 100% or more in the horizontal direction.

The material of the rubber strand 16a is a thermoplastic elastomer.
a, 11b, and 11c, the heating cylinders 35a, 35b and the release sheets 36a, 36
6b is provided. The release sheets 36a, 36b circulated by the rolls 44a, 44b and the heating cylinders 35a, 35b run at the same speed as the yarn support member 31. Thereby, the nonwoven fabrics 11a to 11a
c and the rubber strand 16a are connected to the heating cylinder 35.
release sheets 36a, 36b by the nip of a, 35b
Done between.

A shaft having rotating knives 47 at both ends, which rotate with the roll, is disposed above the roll 50. A pair of rotary knives 47 provided on the shaft are for cutting the rubber strands 16a wound around the yarn supporting members 31 near the respective yarn supporting members 31. A roll 43f is arranged near a shaft provided with a pair of rotary knives 47, and the rubber strand 1 is rotated by the rotary knives 47 as described later.
The transversely stretchable composite sheet 37 detached from the yarn supporting member 31 by cutting 6a is sent out to the take-up roll 38 via the roll 43f. Horizontal elastic composite sheet 37
Is applied to the non-woven fabric 11a by a rubber strand 16 as described later.
a and the nonwoven fabrics 11b and 11c are laminated. The take-up roll 38 is rotated by a rotation drive device (not shown), and the laterally stretchable composite sheet 37 is taken up by the take-up roll 38. The driving device for rotating the take-up roll 38 is a transporting unit for transporting the nonwoven fabrics 11a, 11b, 11c along the production line. Each of the nonwoven fabrics 11a, 11b, 11c is supplied.

Next, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, the nonwoven fabric 11a is supplied to the space between the pair of thread supporting members 31 by the rolls 43a, 43a while running the pair of thread supporting members 31 in the longitudinal direction. The nonwoven fabric 11a and the pair of thread support members 31 pass inside the rotating collection ring 32. At the time of the passage, the rubber strand 16a from each bobbin 33 is wound around the pair of thread support members 31 and the nonwoven fabric 11a according to the rotation of the ring 32. Thereby, the horizontal arrangement body 34 in which the rubber strands 16a are arranged in the horizontal direction between the pair of thread support members 31 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the nonwoven fabric 11a.

The horizontal arrangement pair 34 and the nonwoven fabric 11a, together with the nonwoven fabric 11b supplied from the upper side and the nonwoven fabric 11c supplied from the lower side, are heated by the heating cylinders 35a and 35b between the release sheets 36a and 36b, that is, the heating cylinder. It is sandwiched between 35a and 35b. Thereby, the horizontal array body 34 is joined to each of the nonwoven fabrics 11a, 11b, and 11c by the heating cylinders, and the horizontal stretch composite sheet 37 formed by laminating the nonwoven fabrics is produced. In the elastic composite sheet 37, the nonwoven fabric 11b is joined to the upper surface of the nonwoven fabric 11a via the horizontal array 34, and the nonwoven fabric 11c is connected to the lower surface of the nonwoven 11a via the horizontal array 34.
Are laminated.

Thereafter, both ends in the horizontal direction of the horizontal array 34 are
By being sandwiched between the roll 50 and the rotary knife 47, the rubber strand 16a is cut by the rotary knife 47 near the yarn support member 31. As a result, the horizontal elastic composite sheet 37 is cut off from each of the pair of thread support members 31, and the separated horizontal elastic composite sheet 37 is taken up by the take-up roll 38 via the roll 43f. The rubber strand 16a separated from the laterally stretchable composite sheet 37 and adhered to the yarn supporting member 31 is removed by the removing member 51.
Is removed from the yarn supporting member 31.

In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3, one example of the yarn guide device including the ring 32 and the bobbin 33 is shown. However, two yarn guide devices are provided, and the yarn guide devices are rotated in directions opposite to each other. This makes it possible to produce an oblique rubber array in which the rubber strands are oblique to each other as shown in FIG. Then, by laminating the skewed rubber array on the nonwoven fabric, a laterally stretchable composite sheet having the configuration shown in FIG. 1C is manufactured. In this manufacturing apparatus, the running speed of the yarn supporting member 31 and the rotation speed of the ring 32 are adjusted to make the rubber strand 16a unwound from the bobbin 33 substantially parallel to the lateral direction, or skew with respect to the lateral direction. Or can be.

In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.
Is supplied to the production line on the upstream side of the location where the rubber strand 16a is wound around the yarn support member 31. In such a case, when two nonwoven fabrics are superimposedly supplied on the supply path of the nonwoven fabric 11a, two horizontally stretchable composite sheets are manufactured in one manufacturing process. When the nonwoven fabric 11a is supplied on the upstream side of the ring 32 in the production line and the nonwoven fabrics 11b and 11c are not supplied to the production line, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet in which rubber strands 16a are joined to both sides of the nonwoven fabric 11a is produced. Is done.

Further, of the nonwoven fabrics 11a to 11c, only the nonwoven fabric 11b may be supplied to the production line without supplying the nonwoven fabrics 11a and 11c.
A non-woven fabric 11c alone may be supplied without supplying a and 11b. In this case, after the rubber strand 16a is wound around the yarn supporting member 31, the nonwoven fabric 11b or 11c
A laterally stretchable composite sheet having a rubber strand 16a bonded to one side of the composite sheet is manufactured. When the nonwoven fabrics 11b and 11c are supplied without supplying the nonwoven fabric 11a, two nonwoven fabrics 1
A horizontally stretchable composite sheet in which the rubber strand 16a is sandwiched between 1b and 11c is manufactured.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which each of the pair of thread support members 31 circulates. However, the thread support members need not necessarily circulate. For example, a strong yarn may be used as the yarn supporting member, and the yarn may be run together with the product. In that case, the supporting yarn is removed when the final product is made. The production of such a method is carried out by using nonwoven fabrics 11a, 11b, 11c having no dimensional stability in the longitudinal direction.
May be more suitable when using.

In FIG. 3, the yarn supporting member 31 is
Although an example using a circulating cable has been described, it is not necessary to use a circulating cable, and a single sheet-like circulating belt may be used as the yarn supporting member. FIG. 3 also shows an example of an apparatus in which the material of the rubber strand 16a is a thermoplastic elastomer.
When the material of 6a is a natural rubber or the like that does not show thermoplasticity, the rubber strand 16a is sprayed and applied to the rubber strand 16a when the rubber strand 16a is unwound from the bobbin 33. An adhesive supply means is required.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing still another example of an apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a top view of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the yarn supporting member shown in FIGS.

In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
A pair of elongate tubular thread support members 71 are arranged parallel to one another at lateral intervals. Each thread support member 71 has a pair of bearings 91 attached to both ends thereof.
And is rotatably mounted on the frame 82. Each thread support member 71 is supported by the frame 82 and the bearing 91. These thread support members 71 are rotated in the same direction by a mechanism described later.

A yarn guiding device 72 for winding the rubber strand 16b around each end of the pair of yarn supporting members 71.
Is rotatably supported by a support mechanism (not shown) about a rotation axis parallel to the yarn support member 71. The yarn guide device 72 is rotated around a pair of yarn support members 71 by a mechanism described later. Rubber strand 16b
Has an elasticity of 200% or more in its length direction. The yarn guiding device 72 includes a hollow shaft 72a, a vertical portion 72
b, a parallel member 73c, and a pipe member extending continuously in the order of the tip portion 73d. Yarn guide device 72
The hollow shaft 72a is disposed at the rotation center of the hollow shaft 7a.
A sprocket 84d is provided on the outer peripheral surface of 2a. The vertical portion 72b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the hollow shaft 72a, and the parallel portion 72c extends in a direction parallel to the hollow shaft 72a. The tip portion 73d is a parallel portion 72c.
Extending toward the rotation center of the yarn guiding device 72 from
The circumference of the pair of thread support members 71 can be rotated.

In the hollow shaft 72a of the yarn guiding device 72, the rubber strand 16b is fed from a bobbin 75 around which the rubber strand 16b is wound. The rubber strand 16b supplied to the hollow shaft 72a is guided out of the thread guide device 72 and then unreeled from the distal end 73d, and is wound around the pair of thread support members 71 by the rotation of the thread guide device 72. A hole 87a is provided between the hollow shaft 72a and the bobbin 72.
A guide plate 87 on which a bobbin 72 is formed is disposed.
Is fed into the hollow shaft 72a through the hole 87a. Hollow shaft 72a and vertical portion 72
A weight 92 is attached to a connection portion with the b by a mounting rod 93 parallel to the parallel portion 72b for balancing with a portion of the yarn guide device 72 other than the hollow shaft 72a.

As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of thread support members 71
On each outer peripheral surface, a screw groove 74a as an engaging portion with which the rubber strand 16b wound around the member is engaged is formed from one end to the other end in the length direction of the yarn support member 71. ing. The screw groove 74a is
This is for moving the rubber strand 16b fitted in the groove in the length direction of the thread support member 71, that is, in the longitudinal direction, with the rotation operation of the thread support member 71.
Each thread support member 71 is provided with a gear 86a for rotating the thread support member 71, and a screw groove 74b overlapping a part of the screw groove 74a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of each gear 86a. ing. In the pair of yarn support members 71 having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 5, a horizontal arrangement body 73 in which the rubber strands 16 b are arranged in the horizontal direction between them, as the yarn support members 71 rotate, The horizontal array 73 is formed and transported in the vertical direction. At this time, when the rubber strand 16b conveyed on the yarn support member 71 passes through the inside of the bearing 91 and the gear 86a, the rubber strand 16b comes into contact with members other than the yarn support member 71 due to the configuration of the screw grooves 74a and 74b. Instead, they are transported vertically.

A pair of nip rolls 76a and a pair of nip rolls 76a,
76b is arranged. Also, nip rolls 76a,
A roll 81a for supplying the nonwoven fabric 11d from above is disposed between the rolls above the rolls 76b, and a nonwoven fabric 11e is supplied below from between the rolls below the nip rolls 76a and 76b. Roll 81b
Is arranged. In such a configuration, the horizontal arrangement body 73 can be sandwiched between the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e by the nip rolls 76a and 76b, and they can be laminated, whereby the horizontal arrangement body 73 and the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 1d can be stacked.
A horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 made of 1e is produced. Each of the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e is formed by arranging fibers in the vertical direction, and has 10 fibers in the horizontal direction (width direction).
It has an elongation of 0% or more.

Rolls 8 are provided on the downstream side in the moving direction of the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 sent out from the pair of thread support members 71.
1c and a heating cylinder 78a and a nip roll 79a that sandwich the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 delivered from the roll. Further downstream,
Heating cylinder 78b sandwiching the horizontal stretch composite sheet 77
A nip roll 79b and a take-up roll 81e that winds the laterally stretchable composite sheet 77 sent out between the nip rolls 79b via a roll 81d are arranged. The take-up roll 81e is connected to a motor (not shown) as a rotation driving device for rotating the take-up roll 81e. When the horizontal elastic composite sheet 77 passes over the heating cylinder 78a, the horizontal elastic composite sheet 77 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heating cylinder 78a so that the nonwoven fabric 11e comes into contact with the cylinder. When passing, the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the heating cylinder 78b so that the nonwoven fabric 11d contacts the cylinder.

The manufacturing apparatus includes a yarn guiding device 72.
A motor 83 is provided as a driving means for rotating the yarn support members 71. The rotation shaft of the motor 83 is connected to a yarn guiding device 72 and a rotation shaft 85a for rotating one of the yarn support members 71, and the other yarn support member 71 is rotated via a rotation shaft 85b or the like. Sprocket 84a is attached. A sprocket 84c for transmitting the power of the motor 83 to the yarn guiding device 72 and one of the yarn supporting members 71 are provided on the rotating shaft 85a.
A gear 86b that meshes with the gear 86a is mounted. A chain 89a for transmitting power is attached to the sprockets 84c and 84d. On the other hand, a sprocket 84b is attached to one end of the rotating shaft 85b, and a gear 86b meshing with the gear 86a of the other thread support member 71 is attached to the other end. The sprockets 84a and 84b have a chain 8 for transmitting power.
9b is attached.

Further, the yarn supporting member 7
1. A bobbin 75a around which a thread 90 supplied inside is wound.
May be provided as needed. The yarn 90 fed from the bobbin 75a is supplied into the yarn support member 71 from the opening end of the yarn support member 71 on the upstream side in the moving direction of the horizontal array 73, and passes through the member. Therefore, the thread 9
0 is a rubber strand 1 at both ends in the horizontal direction of the horizontal array 73.
It is conveyed through the inside of the thread support member 71 so as to be located inside the loop of 6b. By passing the thread 90 through both ends of the horizontal arrangement 73 in this manner, the rubber strand 16b is supported by the thread 90 on the production line. As a result, the arrangement of the rubber strands 16b in the horizontal arrangement body 73 is held by the thread 90, and the strength of the horizontal elastic composite sheet 77 is improved. When the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 passes through the heating cylinders 78a and 78b, if the sheet is about to be adhered to the heating cylinder, the thread 90
However, it functions to separate the laterally stretchable composite sheet 77 from the heating cylinder.

Next, the operation of the manufacturing apparatus will be described.

First, the rubber strand 16b is fed out of the bobbin 75 with the rotation of the yarn guiding device 72, and the rubber strand 16b is supplied to the yarn supporting member 71 through the yarn guiding device 72. The supplied rubber strand 16b is wound around the pair of thread support members 71, and is fitted in the respective screw grooves 74a. The rubber strands 16b fitted into the thread grooves 74b are rotated in the longitudinal direction of the thread support members 71 by the rotation of the thread support members 71.
It is sent inside a. And, by the rubber strand 16b continuously supplied by the rotation of the yarn guiding device 72,
A horizontal arrangement 7 of rubber strands between a pair of thread support members 71
3 is formed.

Next, the non-woven fabric 11d is supplied to the upper surface of the horizontal array 73 and the non-woven fabric 11e is supplied to the lower surface of the horizontal array 73 by the nip rolls 76a and 76b. It is sandwiched between the nip rolls 76a and 76b simultaneously with the horizontal arrangement 73.

When the material of the rubber strand 16b is a thermoplastic elastomer, the nip rolls 76a and 76b are heated so that the rubber strand 16b is bonded to the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e.
It becomes 7. Thereafter, the horizontal stretchable composite sheet 77 is sandwiched between the heating cylinder 78a and the nip roll 76a, and further sandwiched between the heating cylinder 78b and the nip roll 76b, whereby the rubber strand 16b and the nonwoven fabric 11 are removed.
The bonding with d and 11e is strengthened. Then, the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 is formed into a roll 80 wound around a winding roll 81e.

When it is difficult to transport the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 on the production line, such as when the basis weights of the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e are small, the inelastic high-strength thread 90 is laid as described above. The composite sheet 77 may be inserted into the ears or the like on both sides of the array body 73, and the thread 90 may be used to facilitate the conveyance of the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77. In this case, the portion into which the thread 90 has been inserted can be removed, and the horizontally stretchable composite sheet 77 can be used.

In the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the nonwoven fabric is supplied to both sides of the horizontal array 73 and the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e are supplied.
Thus, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet in which the rubber strands 16b were sandwiched from above and below was manufactured. On the contrary,
A laterally stretchable composite sheet can also be manufactured by supplying only one of the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e and joining it to the horizontal array 73.

Although FIGS. 4 and 5 show the case where the number of the yarn guide devices 72 is one, a plurality of yarn supply ports are provided to supply a plurality of rubber strands, or the yarn guide devices are provided in multiple stages. Thereby, the productivity of the horizontally stretchable composite sheet can be improved. Further, as described in the manufacturing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3, a yarn guide device may be provided in multiple stages in order to produce a horizontally stretchable composite sheet in which rubber strands are obliquely interspersed. In this manufacturing apparatus, the rubber strand 16b fed from the yarn guide device 72 is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction depending on the configuration of the screw grooves 74a and 74b formed in the pair of yarn support members 71 and the positional relationship between the pair of screw grooves. Or skew in the horizontal direction.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show an example in which the rubber strands 16b are integrated with the nonwoven fabrics 11d and 11e by the nip rolls 76a and 76b disposed between the pair of thread supporting members 71. A group of rubber strands 16b arranged in the horizontal direction between the members 71 can be transferred onto the heating cylinder 78a with a large number of circulating yarns or the like, and integrated with the nonwoven fabric supplied on the cylinder.

Next, the materials used in each of the above-described manufacturing apparatuses and the features of the manufacturing apparatuses will be described in detail.

In the production method of the present invention, as the material of the rubber strand, that is, the rubber used as the elastic elastomer, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or a thermoplastic elastomer molded into a strand is used. As such rubber strands, not only those having a round cross-sectional shape but also various shapes such as a tape having a rectangular cross-sectional shape may be used, and the strand may be formed of a monofilament. Alternatively, a multifilament which is an aggregate of filaments may be used. In addition, not only the strand manufactured in a step different from the step described with reference to the drawings, but also in the present invention, the rubber strand is spun just before the step of winding the rubber strand around the yarn supporting member, and subsequently the rubber strand is formed. By wrapping around a support member or laminating on a nonwoven fabric,
The process can be shortened.

In each of the above-described manufacturing methods, the use of a strand-shaped material as the elastic body means that a strand formed by vulcanization or the like so that rubber elasticity is most easily exerted can be used. There are advantages. Further, by arranging the strands efficiently in the expansion and contraction direction of the composite sheet, it is suitable for using the minimum amount of rubber elastic body most effectively. Further, rubber elastic bodies generally have poor moldability, and in particular, rubber elastic bodies that require such stretchability, such as diaper elastic materials that can repeatedly undergo large expansion and contraction of 200% or more, have poor moldability. Therefore, it is most suitable to employ the simplest molding method, that is, strand molding.

In the above-mentioned manufacturing method, the material of the rubber strand is a thermoplastic elastomer, a synthetic rubber, a natural rubber or the like as described above, and a strand having a rubber elasticity of 200% or more is used. However, it is not required that the residual distortion is zero when the rubber strand recovers after being stretched by 200%, and it can be used even if it has a residual distortion of several tens percent.

In the production method of the present invention, a thermoplastic elastomer is particularly suitable as the material of the rubber strand.
With the thermoplastic elastomer, the bonding between the rubber strand and the nonwoven fabric can be performed only by heat, and the process can be simplified, so that the laterally stretchable composite sheet can be manufactured at a significantly lower cost.

As the thermoplastic elastomer of the rubber strand, an elastomer such as polyolefin, synthetic rubber, polyester, polyamide or polyurethane is used. Of these, synthetic rubbers and polyurethanes in which styrene and olefin are copolymerized expand and contract at a high magnification, and the stress during expansion and contraction is small, so that they are most suitable as rubber strand elastomers. Among the rubber strands, those made of natural rubber or vulcanized synthetic rubber, which are difficult to bond to the nonwoven fabric due to heat or the like, adhere to the nonwoven fabric with latex of synthetic rubber or natural rubber.

The fibers constituting the non-woven fabric used as the material of the laterally stretchable composite sheet mean fibers in a broad sense meaning both short fibers (short fibers) and continuous filaments. The fibers may be made of ordinary fibers for synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, polyamide and polyester, or may be made of fibers of natural fibers such as cotton and silk, and may be fibers of semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon and acetate. Good.

[0077] The nonwoven fabric used in producing the horizontally stretchable composite sheet must have an elongation of at least 100% in a certain direction. As an example of such a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more, there is a nonwoven fabric in which fibers are arranged in one direction, as described in JP-A-8-174664 and JP-A-11-222759. The elongation of the nonwoven fabric in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction becomes 100% or more.

In the production method of the present invention, 100%
The above elongation is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the fibers are arranged. In the direction in which the fibers are arranged, the elongation is from several percent to several tens of percent, and the elongation stress is large. A composite sheet is obtained.

Examples of the nonwoven fabric for the stretchable composite sheet include a nonwoven fabric obtained by stretching a spunbonded nonwoven fabric or a melt-blown nonwoven fabric, and a vertically stretched nonwoven fabric of the present invention by the present inventors (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-36948, JP-A-10-204767).
Non-woven fabrics composed of long fiber filaments, such as the nonwoven fabric described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-260, or a nonwoven fabric in which tows are opened and arranged in one direction, are used. These long-filament filaments do not fall off even after several hundred repetitions of expansion and contraction, and are suitable for so-called lint-free applications. Further, since the stretched nonwoven fabric has strength and dimensional stability in the stretching direction, and since the stretched nonwoven fabric is a glossy nonwoven fabric, the properties of this stretching can also be used in clothing and the like.

In the present invention, the nonwoven fabric for the horizontally stretchable composite sheet is described as a nonwoven fabric stretched in the longitudinal direction.
The nonwoven fabric stretched in the longitudinal direction (one direction) of the present invention includes a nonwoven fabric stretched in the longitudinal direction (one direction), even if the nonwoven fabric is stretched in two directions, and the vertical and horizontal balance is lost by increasing the stretching ratio in the vertical direction.

Further, as the nonwoven fabric for the horizontally stretchable composite sheet, a nonwoven fabric in which short fibers are arranged in one direction is also applicable. Non-woven fabrics made of short fibers have a cotton-like feel, have a good feel, and are preferred for applications that directly touch the skin. As a nonwoven fabric in which fibers made of short fibers are arranged, there is a card-lifted web or the like.

As another example of a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more, a spunbonded nonwoven fabric or a normal short-fiber nonwoven fabric is subjected to softening, shrinking, or crimping including folding and pleating. By performing such operations, the substrate may be processed so as to have elongation in the lateral direction.

The softening means not only a softening in a narrow sense in which a softening agent is applied to the nonwoven fabric, but also a shrink-proofing process such as a sanforizing process, a softening process by embossing or other physical means such that a pleat is not visually observed. Processing to make a large nonwoven fabric is also included.

The shrinking process is a process for physically or chemically shrinking the cloth, and includes a shrinking process in which fibers are entangled with each other. The shrinking process is partially common to the above-described softening process. As a method of physically shrinking the cloth in the vertical or horizontal direction, for example, there is a method disclosed in JP-A-6-57620.

The pleating process includes a folding process, a pleating process, and the like, and a process of providing a large number of small or irregular wrinkles or folds on a cloth to impart extensibility to the cloth. As an example of increasing the elongation in the vertical direction by forming a fold in the horizontal direction, sun holing (US Pat. No. 2,324,245)
No. 5) and a wide stuffing box (Japanese
No. 4,174,742), a process utilizing a method of producing crepe paper in the papermaking industry, a process of forming a pleat in the longitudinal direction by combining two rollers having a large number of grooves in the axial direction, and the like. Is mentioned. In addition, by devising the emboss pattern, a nonwoven fabric having elasticity in the vertical or horizontal direction can be obtained. Regardless of the type of processing, any occurrence of folds is included in the pleating processing referred to in this specification.

The non-woven fabric for the horizontally stretchable composite sheet is required to have an elongation of at least 100% in one direction, preferably 200% or more. If the elongation in one direction of the nonwoven fabric is 100% or more, the composite sheet with the elastomer is 20%.
From the experimental results, it was confirmed that the film exhibited elasticity of 0% or more repeatedly.

The method of the present invention for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet using these rubber strands and nonwoven fabric has a process for producing a horizontal array of rubber strands arranged substantially in the horizontal direction as described above. .

The horizontal arrangement of rubber strands is one in which the rubber strands are arranged in the horizontal direction, that is, in the horizontal direction (width direction) of the nonwoven fabric, and includes the case where the rubber strands are slightly inclined from the horizontal direction. However, the smaller angle between the lateral direction and the rubber strand is smaller than 45 degrees.

The advantage that the rubber strands are arranged horizontally as described above is that the strands can be effectively arranged in a desired direction by simple means. In addition, the elasticity in the horizontal direction can be provided with the minimum strand amount. Further, when the rubber strands are slightly skewed or crossed, the stretching tension of the laterally stretchable composite sheet can be adjusted by the degree of the diagonal, and the initial tensile tension in the composite sheet is small, There is also a merit of becoming a weighted extension curve.

The advantage of using a rubber strand in the present invention is that an existing rubber strand manufactured for the purpose of rubber elasticity, elongation, durability and the like can be used efficiently. That is, compared to the case of using a rubber elastic body net, nonwoven fabric, film, etc., it does not have a morphological defect that the intersections between the elastic bodies become thicker, and it is molded from natural rubber latex which is difficult to mold This is because a wide range of materials can be selected, for example, a stretched strand can be used. Further, from these facts, it is possible to realize the target weighted elongation curve, hysteresis curve and the like with the minimum rubber amount. The use of a small amount of rubber is not only economical, but in recent products where thin and light products are desired,
It is also important in terms of such product characteristics.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, means for winding the rubber strand on the support member is used. A typical means for winding a normal thread having no rubber elasticity around the support member is a technique developed by Shabano of France (Additional Patent No. 79765), and various improvements are also made. (French patent 1
No. 208968, JP-B-47-14791, JP-B-51-2543, JP-A-51-78879, etc.). These are means for producing a horizontal array of yarns by guiding a normal yarn to a rotating yarn guiding device and winding the yarn around a pair of spaced, elongated rotatable yarn support members. It is an example.

As another example of winding another yarn different from the rubber strand around the support member, a sheet belt or a pair of rope belts as a yarn support member is run, and the yarn is wound around the support member. There is a method to go.
As a typical example of a normal yarn having no rubber elasticity, U.S. Pat.
No. 49796, and the like.

Further, as an example of winding another yarn different from the rubber strand around the support member, a typical example of winding a normal yarn having no rubber elasticity around a cylindrical support member is as follows. It is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,728 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 40-35506.

The present invention utilizes a method for manufacturing a net which is established with ordinary yarns other than rubber, thereby making effective use of an elastic body used for manufacturing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet, and providing a simple method. The object of the present invention is to enable high-speed production of a horizontally stretchable composite sheet in a production process. That is, the present invention applies the above-described ordinary yarn horizontal arrangement means to a rubber strand having an elasticity of 200% or more, and further converts the rubber strand to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in the horizontal direction. It is characterized in that by joining, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet can be manufactured.

[0095]

EXAMPLES (Example 1) A laterally stretchable composite sheet was manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. As the nonwoven fabric 11, a vertically arranged nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 20 g / m ² obtained by stretching a spunbond nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene having a basis weight (mass per unit area) of 50 g / m ² 2.5 times in the longitudinal direction is used. Was. The nonwoven fabric 11 having a width of 1200 mm is wound around a cylindrical support member 13 having a diameter of 320 mm and subjected to a release treatment with Teflon (registered trademark). Then, the nonwoven fabric 11 is run on the cylindrical support member 13, and natural rubber latex is sprayed on the vulcanized natural rubber strand (total fineness: 250 tex). Wrap at pitch intervals.

[0096] A horizontally stretchable composite sheet was manufactured by laminating and joining rubber strands on the nonwoven fabric 11 in this manner. The grammage of the obtained horizontally stretchable composite sheet is 172.
g / m ² , and 200% expansion / contraction in the lateral direction of the sheet
After repeating 0 times, the residual strain was 7%.

Example 2 A horizontally stretchable composite sheet was manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. Strands (total fineness: 180 tex) of SEBS (styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene) resin (Clayton G1857 manufactured by Shell Japan) were wound around a pair of thread support members 31 at intervals of 5 mm to form a horizontal array 34.

Then, 100% in the horizontal direction by shrinking
The cotton card web having the above elongation was joined to the horizontal array 34 to produce a horizontal stretch composite sheet having a basis weight of 145 g / m ² . A horizontally stretchable composite sheet having a stretch of 15% with a residual strain of 15% was obtained even when the stretch of 200% in the transverse direction of the sheet was repeated 10 times.

[0099]

As described above, according to the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet of the present invention, a rubber strand is laminated on a non-woven fabric formed into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical support member. Or, by wrapping a rubber strand around a pair of thread support members spaced apart in the horizontal direction to form a horizontal array, and joining the horizontal array to the nonwoven fabric, the material of the rubber strand is minimized. Thus, a horizontally stretchable composite sheet capable of exhibiting stretchability most efficiently can be manufactured by a simple and high-speed method, and it becomes possible to mass-produce the horizontally stretchable composite sheet at low cost. That is, the elastic body used as the material of the rubber strand can be effectively used, and there is an effect that the laterally stretchable composite sheet can be manufactured at high speed by a simple manufacturing process. Also, by obliquely intersecting the strands on the nonwoven fabric, it becomes possible to produce a transversely stretchable composite sheet having the advantage of having a low initial tensile tension and a gradual weighted elongation curve.

The horizontally stretchable composite sheet obtained by the production method of the present invention can be used for elastic bandages, supporters, clothing cuffs, elastic tape, stretch belts, bra straps, belly bands, pregnant women's belts, gloves and socks. It is suitable for use in clothing, medical treatment, etc., such as slip stoppers, stretchable elastic parts of sanitary materials such as diapers and incontinence pads.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet produced by a production method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another example of an apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another example of the apparatus to which the method for producing a horizontally stretchable composite sheet of the present invention is applied.

5 is a top view of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the yarn supporting member shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e
Nonwoven fabric 2a, 2b, 2c, 16, 16a, 16b Rubber strand 12 Guide 13 Cylindrical support member 14 Turntable 14a Fixed table 14b Support member 14c Support mechanism 15 Bobbin 17, 34, 73 Horizontal array body 18 Heating roll 19 Joining part 20 , 37, 77 Horizontal elastic composite sheet 21 Knife 22 Guide 23a, 23b Nip roll 24, 46a, 46b, 83 Motor 25a, 25b, 45a, 45b, 45c Gear 26 Shaft 27 Pulley 28 Belt 31, 71 Thread support member 32 Ring 32a Internal teeth 33 Bobbin 33a Shaft 35a, 35b, 78a, 78b Heating cylinder 36a, 36b Release sheet 38 Take-up roll 41a-41c Shaft 42a-42c Belt wheels 43a-43f, 44a, 44b, 50, 80, 81
a, 81b, 81c, 81d Roll 47 Rotating knife 48 Table 48a Groove 48b Adjusting bolt 48c Shaft 49 Roller 51 Remover 52 Spray nozzle 53 Guide member 72 Thread guide device 72a Hollow shaft 72b Vertical portion 72c Parallel portion 72d Tip 74a, 74b Screw grooves 75, 75a Bobbins 76a, 76b, 79a, 79b Nip roll 81 Take-up roll 82 Frame 84a, 84b, 84c, 84d Sprocket 85a, 85b Rotary shaft 86a, 86b Gear 87 Guide plate 87a Hole 89a, 89b Chain 90 Thread 91 Bearing 92 weight 93 mounting rod

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Dai Ishida 584-1 Towada Narita-shi, Chiba F-term (reference) 3B029 BF07 HA03 HB00 4F100 AK07A AN00B AN01B BA02 BA10A BA10B DC21B DG15A EC032 EJ422 GB66 GB72 JK08

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for producing a composite sheet comprising a non-woven fabric and rubber strands bonded thereto and having elasticity in a lateral direction, comprising: a cylindrical supporting member for shaping and supporting the non-woven fabric in a cylindrical shape. And preparing a yarn guiding device that rotates the outside of the cylindrical support member around the central axis of the cylindrical support member as a center of rotation and guides the rubber strand on the nonwoven fabric supported by the cylindrical support member. Guiding a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more in the lateral direction to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member, and continuously forming the nonwoven fabric into a cylindrical shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical support member. And moving the nonwoven fabric formed into a cylindrical shape in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical support member, and a rubber strand having a stretchability of 200% or more by the yarn guide device. A step of winding the rubber strand on the non-woven fabric running in a cylindrical shape by rotating the yarn guiding device while guiding the non-woven fabric on the holding member; and winding the rubber strand on the running non-woven fabric. A step of joining rubber strands, and a step of continuously developing and taking out the nonwoven fabric from a cylindrical shape to a planar shape while separating the nonwoven fabric to which the strands are joined from the cylindrical support member. Production method. 2. A method for producing a composite sheet having a rubber strand bonded to a nonwoven fabric and having elasticity in the lateral direction, wherein the rubber strand is supported on the nonwoven fabric when the rubber strand is laminated. A pair of thread support members running in the same direction while maintaining a state where they are arranged at substantially constant intervals in the lateral direction, and rotating around the pair of thread support members, a rubber strand is attached to the pair of thread support members. A step of preparing a yarn guide device for guiding the rubber strand so as to be wound; and 200% or more expansion / contraction by the yarn guide device rotating around the pair while supporting the pair of yarn support members in the longitudinal direction. By wrapping a rubber strand having a property around the pair of thread support members, whereby the rubber strands are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction between the pair of thread support members. Forming the lateral array, the transverse stretch method of manufacturing a composite sheet and a step of joined laterally nonwoven fabric having elongation of 100% or more to produce a transverse elastic composite sheet. 3. A method for producing a composite sheet having a rubber strand bonded to a nonwoven fabric and having elasticity in a lateral direction, wherein the rubber strand is supported when the rubber strand is laminated on the nonwoven fabric. Each has an engaging portion which is arranged at a lateral interval so as to be engaged with the rubber strand in order to move the supporting rubber strand in the vertical direction, and is engaged with the engaging portion. A pair of support members, each rotating to move the rubber strand in the longitudinal direction, and a pair of support members that rotate around the pair of support members and engage the rubber strands with the engagement portions of the support members. Providing a yarn guiding device for guiding the rubber strand so that the rubber strand is wound around the supporting member; and the yarn guide rotating the rubber strand having a stretchability of 200% or more. By wrapping the rubber strands around the pair of support members by the placement and engaging the rubber strands with the engagement portions, the rubber strands engaged with the engagement portions are moved with each rotation of the support member. Forming a horizontal array body in which the rubber strands are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction between the pair of support members; and forming the horizontal array body, which is moved by rotation of the pair of support members, in a horizontal direction. Bonding to a nonwoven fabric having an elongation of 100% or more to produce a horizontally stretchable composite sheet.