JP2006263074A - Sprinkling device of particulate matter, sprinkling method of particular matter, and absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to manufacture absorbent bodies with a highly absorbent polymer dispersed in a thickness direction. <P>SOLUTION: A sprinkling device of a particulate matter is constituted such that a rotary drum 90b having an projecting hole 90d in a casing 90a having an opening in its lower portion is constituted so as to rotate in a moving direction of a web (in an anticlockwise direction in Fig. 13) and a shutter drum 90c are arranged in the casing 90a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for spraying granular material and an apparatus therefor, and particularly on a substrate such as an aggregate of opened filaments when manufacturing an absorbent body of a disposable absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for spraying powders such as a superabsorbent polymer.

  Absorbent articles such as infant and adult tape-type and pants-type disposable diapers and sanitary napkins are used between the top sheet on the use side, the back sheet that prevents permeation of body fluids on the back side, and between these sheets. And an absorption element that receives and holds the excreted body fluid that has permeated through the top sheet.

  For this basic element, an exterior sheet made of, for example, non-woven fabric is provided on the back side of the back sheet, and a form that improves the touch when a plastic sheet is used as the back sheet, so-called barrier cuffs are formed on both sides of the product. In order to improve the fit around the waist and the abdomen, such as the form, a form that imparts elastic stretchability is appropriately added.

  As an absorbent element that receives and holds the body fluid that has passed through the top sheet on the use surface side, conventionally, a fiber stack of pulp staple fibers is generally used. It is also known to use superabsorbent polymer particles (hereinafter also referred to as “SAP”) to increase the amount of absorption in body fluids.

  In addition to the case where the SAP is dispersed on the piled fiber of short pulp fibers, there are cases where the SAP of the short pulp fibers is dispersed and held (Patent Document 1).

  On the other hand, in Special Tables 2002-524399 (WO99 / 27879: Patent Document 2) and Special Tables 2004-500165 (US Pat. No. 6,646,180: Patent Document 3), continuous fibers are used as absorbent elements. It is disclosed.

  Japanese translations of PCT publication No. 2004-500165 disclose an absorbent element mainly composed of SAP and added with a tow aggregate. This absorbent element is a laminate comprising an absorbent layer between about 50 to 95% by weight of SAP and about 5 to 50% by weight of a water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer such as starch and fibers, provided between an upper layer and a lower layer. This is a structure, which is folded into a C-shaped cross section and a channel is formed in the center. The use of continuous fiber as an example of the fiber is disclosed.

  According to the manufacturing method according to FIG. 10 of JP-T-2004-500165, it is considered that the tow drawn from the bale is used as it is. Accordingly, it is considered that SAP is distributed in a large amount on the lower layer and does not reach the upper surface of the tow even if a part of the SAP penetrates into the fiber layer of the tow by the suction action of the vacuum roller. Therefore, the SAP particles are not considered to be dispersed substantially throughout the thickness direction with respect to the filament aggregate as in the present invention.

  As described above, the absorption element has a sufficient absorption capacity when SAP particles are unevenly distributed in the lower part of the absorption element in view of the function of receiving and holding a large amount of body fluid that has passed through the top sheet as quickly as possible. I can not expect. Further, when the back surface of the absorbent article is touched, the unevenness of the SAP particle group unevenly distributed in the lower part of the absorbent element gives a crisp and uncomfortable feeling and lowers the value of the product.

In addition, there are techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-100067, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-830, and Japanese Patent No. 2525290 as methods for spraying powders and the like that can be used for the production of the absorber. This is a technique of dispersing on the substrate by the weight of the particles, and does not uniformly disperse the particles in the thickness direction of the substrate.
JP 2004-65300 A Special Table 2002-524399 (WO99 / 27879) 2004-500165 (US Pat. No. 6,646,180) JP 7-100067 JP 2004-830 Patent 2525290

  Accordingly, the first problem of the present invention is to make the thickness of the base material to enable the production of an absorbent body excellent in absorption characteristics of body fluids, an absorbent body that is soft and has a relatively high strength. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for spraying a granular material that can uniformly spray the granular material in a direction. Other issues will become apparent from the description below.

The present invention that has solved the above problems is as follows.
<Invention of Claim 1>
A casing having an opening facing the moving substrate;
A rotating drum having a large number of projection holes on its peripheral surface, which rotates in the moving direction of the base material inside the casing;
A shutter drum that is rotatably housed inside the rotating drum and has an opening on the peripheral surface;
By rotating the rotating drum in a state where the opening of the shutter drum is aligned with the opening position of the casing, the powder particles in the shutter drum are directed from the projection hole of the rotating drum toward the base material through the opening of the casing. The apparatus for spraying granular materials characterized by being projected.

(Function and effect)
When the rotating drum rotates with the opening of the shutter drum aligned with the opening position of the casing, the powder particles fall through the projection hole, and at that time, because the rotating drum is rotating, Centrifugal force in the radial direction acts on the granular material, acceleration force more than free fall acts on the granular material, and is sprayed and projected onto the substrate at a high speed. Therefore, compared with the method of free-falling a granular material and spraying on a base material, a strong force can be made to collide a granular material with respect to a base material. As a result, for a substrate having voids such as webs and filament aggregates, the granular material can be deeply penetrated into the voids of the substrate, and the granular material is unevenly distributed only in the upper part. Without being disperse | distributed to the whole thickness direction substantially.

  Note that “the state in which the opening of the shutter drum is aligned with the opening position of the casing” is not only the state in which the opening of the casing and the opening of the shutter drum are completely coincident, but also the opening of the shutter drum is the position of the casing drum. This also includes a partially coincident state that partially overlaps the opening. By rotating the shutter drum and adjusting how much the opening of the shutter drum overlaps the opening of the casing, the effective projection position of the projection hole of the rotating drum (the position where the powder particles can actually be projected) In addition, the effective projection area (the range in which the powder can actually fly out) is adjusted. Thereby, the projection amount and projection position of the granular material with respect to a base material are adjusted.

<Invention of Claim 2>
Projection holes of the rotating drum are formed so as to form a group divided in the circumferential direction, and configured such that the powder particles are intermittently projected onto the base material as the rotating drum rotates. The powder particle spraying device according to claim 1.

(Function and effect)
Since a granular material can be intermittently projected with respect to the moving base material, it becomes possible to form the dispersion zone and non-spreading zone of a granular material on a base material.

  In particular, when applied to an apparatus for obtaining an absorbent used for a body fluid absorbent article by spraying and projecting high-absorbency polymer particles as a granular material on an aggregate of filaments as a base material, the line direction by a cutter device In the process of dividing into individual absorbers, it becomes possible to sever by the cutter device in the non-spray zone, and the blade of the cutter device is worn out in a short time due to the presence of highly absorbent polymer particles Can be suppressed.

<Invention of Claim 3>
The powder particle spraying device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air into the shutter drum.

(Function and effect)
The supply of compressed air agitates the powder particles in the shutter drum to prevent clogging, and the powder particles are projected from the projection hole on the compressed air. As a result, the granular material can be more uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction with respect to a thick substrate.

<Invention of Claim 4>
The powder particle spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising suction means for sucking the powder particles from below the base material.

(Function and effect)
By providing a suction means for sucking the granular material from below the base material, the projection speed of the granular material is improved, and after the granular material reaches the base material, it is sucked toward the inside of the base material. It is possible to reliably and uniformly disperse the granular material in the thickness direction with respect to a particularly thick substrate.

<Invention of Claim 5>
A method for spraying a granular material, characterized in that an external force is applied to the granular material to accelerate the free fall speed or more, the projection is made on a moving base material, and the granular material is allowed to enter the base material.

(Function and effect)
For example, an absorbent body in which a superabsorbent polymer is uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction can be obtained.

<Invention of Claim 6>
A casing having an opening facing the moving substrate;
A rotating drum having a large number of projection holes on its peripheral surface, which rotates in the moving direction of the base material inside the casing;
Of a spraying device for a granular material comprising a shutter drum having an opening on a peripheral surface, which is rotatably housed in a rotating drum,
The opening of the shutter drum is aligned with the opening position of the casing, the rotating drum is rotated, and the powder particles in the shutter drum are projected from the projection hole of the rotating drum toward the base material through the opening of the casing. Dispersion method of the characteristic granular material.

(Function and effect)
The same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be achieved.

<Invention of Claim 7>
The method for spraying granular material according to claim 6, wherein the projection holes of the rotating drum are formed so as to form a group divided in the circumferential direction, and the granular material is intermittently projected onto the base material.

(Function and effect)
The same effects as those of the second aspect of the invention can be achieved.

<Invention of Claim 8>
The method for spraying granular material according to claim 6 or 7, wherein pressurized air is supplied into the shutter drum, and the granular material is projected onto the substrate together with the pressurized air and dispersed.

(Function and effect)
The same effects as those of the third aspect of the invention can be achieved.

<Invention of Claim 9>
The method for spraying a granular material according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the granular material is projected and sucked from below the base material so that the granular material on the base material enters the base material.

(Function and effect)
The same effects as those of the invention of the fourth aspect are achieved.

<Invention of Claim 10>
Absorption produced by spraying superabsorbent polymer particles as a powder particle to an aggregate of filaments obtained by opening a tow as a base material by the powder particle spraying method according to claim 5. An absorbent article comprising a body.

(Function and effect)
By providing the absorbent body manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention, the absorbent article is not affected by the absorbency in the thickness direction.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the powder particles can be uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction of the base material. In particular, an absorbent body used for a body fluid absorbent article is suitably used for production, and in this case, it is possible to produce an absorbent body that has excellent body fluid absorption characteristics, is soft, and has a relatively high strength.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Since the dispersion apparatus and method of the granular material concerning this invention are suitable for manufacture of the absorber used for absorbent articles, such as a disposable diaper, hereafter, it explains in full detail about the case where it applies to a disposable diaper.

<Examples of pants-type disposable diapers>
FIG. 1 shows an absorption obtained by the powder particle dispersion device of the present invention, that is, an absorption in which a superabsorbent polymer as a powder particle is uniformly dispersed in the thickness direction of an aggregate of filaments as a base material. An example of a pants-type disposable diaper with a body is shown. Details of the superabsorbent polymer, the aggregate of filaments, and the spraying device will be described later. The pants-type disposable diaper 10 includes an exterior sheet 12 on the outer surface (back surface) side and an absorbent main body 20 on the inner surface (front surface) side, and the absorbent main body 20 is fixed to the exterior sheet 12. The absorptive main body 20 is a portion that receives and absorbs and retains body fluids such as urine and loose stool (menstrual blood in a sanitary napkin described later). The exterior sheet 12 is a part for mounting on the wearer.

  The exterior sheet 12 has, for example, an hourglass shape as shown in the figure, and both sides are constricted, and this is a part into which a wearer's leg is put. The absorptive main body 20 can take any shape, but is rectangular in the illustrated form.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exterior sheet 12 is folded back and forth after the absorbent main body 20 is installed and fixed at a predetermined position, and joined regions 12A on both sides of the front body 12F and the back body 12B of the exterior sheet 12. Are joined by heat fusion or the like. Thereby, a pants-type disposable diaper having a structure shown in FIG. 1 and having a waist opening WO and a pair of leg openings LO is obtained.

  An intermediate width in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 20 shown in the drawing (that is, the vertical direction in FIG. 2, which is also the front-rear direction of the product) is shorter than the width connecting the constricted portions of the exterior sheet 12. This width relationship may be reversed or the same width.

  The exterior sheet 12 is preferably composed of two sheets of water-repellent nonwoven fabric, for example, and an elastic elastic member is interposed between these sheets, and a form that fits the wearer by the contraction force is desirable. As the elastic elastic member, thread rubber or elastic foam band can be used, but it is desirable to use a large number of thread rubbers. In the illustrated embodiment, the rubber threads 12C, 12C,... Are provided continuously in the width direction in the waist region W, provided only on both sides in the lower waist region U, and not provided in the crotch region L. Since the rubber threads 12C, 12C,... Are provided in both the waist region W and the lower waist region U, even if the shrinkage force of the rubber thread 12C itself is weak, the rubber waist 12C hits the wearer in the lower waist region U as a whole. The product fits well to the wearer.

(Absorbent body)
As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent main body 20 of the embodiment includes a top sheet 30 made of, for example, a nonwoven fabric that allows body fluid to permeate, an intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40, and an absorbent element 50. A body fluid impermeable sheet (also called a back sheet) 70 made of a plastic sheet or the like is provided on the back side of the absorbent body 56. The exterior sheet 12 is provided on the back side of the body fluid impermeable sheet 70. Further, barrier cuffs 60, 60 are provided on both sides.

(Top sheet)
The top sheet 30 has a property of transmitting body fluid. Accordingly, the material of the top sheet 30 is sufficient if it exhibits this body fluid permeability, and examples thereof include a porous or non-porous nonwoven fabric and a porous plastic sheet. Of these, the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited as to what the raw fiber is. Examples include synthetic fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene such as olefins, polyesters and polyamides, recycled fibers such as rayon and cupra, natural fibers such as cotton, and mixed fibers in which two or more of these are used. can do. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric may be manufactured by any processing. Examples of the processing method include known methods such as a spunlace method, a spunbond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, and a needle punch method. For example, the spun lace method is a preferable processing method when the flexibility and drape properties are required, and the thermal bond method is the preferable processing method when the bulkiness and softness are required.

  The top sheet 30 may be composed of a single sheet or a laminated sheet obtained by bonding two or more sheets. Similarly, the top sheet 30 may be composed of one sheet or two or more sheets in the planar direction.

(Intermediate sheet)
In order to quickly transfer the body fluid that has permeated through the top sheet 30 to the absorbent body, an intermediate sheet 40 that is generally referred to as a “second sheet” that has a higher body fluid permeation rate than the top sheet 30 can be provided. This intermediate sheet not only improves the absorption performance of the absorbent body by quickly transferring the body fluid to the absorbent body, but also prevents the “reversal” phenomenon of the absorbed body fluid from the absorbent body, and the top sheet 30 is always dried. State.

  Examples of the intermediate sheet 40 include the same materials as the top sheet 30, spunlace, pulp nonwoven fabric, a mixed sheet of pulp and rayon, point bond, or crepe paper. In particular, an air-through nonwoven fabric and a spunbond nonwoven fabric are preferable.

  The intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is interposed between the top sheet 30 and the covering sheet 58. As shown in FIG. 5, a configuration in which the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is not provided can also be used.

  The intermediate sheet 40 in the illustrated form is disposed in the center shorter than the width of the absorber 56, but may be provided over the entire width. The length of the intermediate sheet 40 in the longitudinal direction may be the same as the length of the absorbent body 56 or may be within a short length range centered on the region that receives the body fluid. A typical material for the intermediate sheet 40 is a nonwoven fabric having excellent body fluid permeability.

(Absorption element)
The absorbent element 50 includes an absorbent body 56 having an aggregate of filaments 52, 52... And a superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54... And a covering sheet 58 that wraps at least the back and side surfaces of the absorbent body 56. And have. Further, a holding sheet 80 is provided between the absorbent body 56 and the rear surface side portion (lower portion) of the covering sheet 58.

(Absorber)
As shown in FIG. 3, the absorbent body 56 has superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54... In an aggregate of filaments 52, 52. And at least in the body fluid receiving region, the superabsorbent polymer particles (SAP particles) are dispersed substantially throughout the thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52. The state of being substantially dispersed throughout the thickness direction is conceptually shown as an enlarged view of the main part of FIG.

  If there is no SAP particle in the upper part, the lower part, and the middle part of the absorber 56, or if there is very little, it cannot be said that the "absorbed throughout the thickness direction". Therefore, “distributed in the entire thickness direction” means “distributed unevenly in the upper, lower, and / or middle portions of the aggregate of filaments, in addition to the form“ uniformly ”distributed in the entire thickness direction. However, it is still included in the form of being dispersed in the upper, lower and middle portions.

  Further, a form in which some SAP particles do not enter the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52... Remain on the surface, and some SAP particles pass through the aggregate of the filament filaments 52, 52. The form on the sheet 58 and the form on the holding sheet 80 as shown in FIG. 6 are not excluded. If gel blocking is not considered, it may be unevenly distributed only in the upper part or only in the middle part, and if it is not considered in reverse, it may be unevenly distributed only in the intermediate part or only in the lower part.

  The method for spraying granular material according to the present invention includes an absorber having a large or small dispersion density of superabsorbent polymer particles with respect to an aggregate of filaments in at least one of the width direction, longitudinal direction and thickness direction of the product. It can also be applied when obtaining.

  The matter “the dispersion density of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the aggregate of filaments is large or small” includes various forms.

  This will be explained as follows. As shown in FIG. 16, with respect to the absorber 56, the width direction of the product is X, the longitudinal direction is Y, and the thickness direction is Z. The case where the density is made larger (higher) than other regions is defined as “close”. Further, the case where the superabsorbent polymer particles have the same dispersion density is defined as “uniform”.

  In Tables 2 to 4, the characteristic of each form is “the dispersion density of the superabsorbent polymer particles with respect to the filament aggregate is large or small in at least one of the width direction, the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction of the product”. The effect of was also shown. Of course, the conditions of the present invention can be used in combination.

  Thus, in all the width direction, longitudinal direction and thickness direction of the product, there is a specific effect as compared with the case where the dispersion density of the superabsorbent polymer particles with respect to the aggregate of filaments is uniform.

  On the other hand, the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52,... Is obtained by opening tows (fiber bundles) configured as continuous fibers that are substantially regarded as continuous fibers. Examples of tow fibers include polysaccharides or derivatives thereof (cellulose, cellulose ester, chitin, chitosan, etc.), synthetic polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, polylactamamide, polyvinyl acetate, etc.), and the like. In particular, cellulose esters and cellulose are preferable.

  As cellulose, cellulose derived from plants such as cotton, linter, and wood pulp, bacterial cellulose, and the like can be used. Regenerated cellulose such as rayon may be used, and the regenerated cellulose may be a spun fiber.

  Examples of cellulose esters that can be suitably used include organic acid esters such as cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, and cellulose propionate; mixed acid esters such as cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate phthalate, and cellulose nitrate acetate. And cellulose ester derivatives such as polycaprolactone-grafted cellulose ester can be used. These cellulose esters can be used alone or in admixture of two or more. The viscosity average degree of polymerization of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 50 to 900, preferably about 200 to 800. The average substitution degree of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 1.5 to 3.0 (for example, 2 to 3).

  The average degree of polymerization of the cellulose ester can be, for example, 10 to 1000, preferably 50 to 900, more preferably about 200 to 800, and the average degree of substitution of the cellulose ester is, for example, about 1 to 3, preferably 1 to 1. 2.15, more preferably about 1.1 to 2.0. The average degree of substitution of the cellulose ester can be selected from the viewpoint of enhancing biodegradability.

  As the cellulose ester, an organic acid ester (for example, an ester with an organic acid having about 2 to 4 carbon atoms), particularly cellulose acetate is suitable. The degree of acetylation of cellulose acetate is often about 43 to 62%, but about 30 to 50% is particularly preferable because it is excellent in biodegradability. A particularly preferred cellulose ester is cellulose diacetate.

  The tow constituent fiber may contain various additives such as a heat stabilizer, a colorant, an oil agent, a yield improver, a whiteness improver, and the like.

  The fineness of the tow constituent fibers is, for example, 1 to 16 dex, preferably 1 to 10 dex, and more preferably 1 to 5 dex. The tow constituent fiber may be a non-crimped fiber, but is preferably a crimped fiber. The crimped degree of the crimped fiber can be, for example, 5 to 75, preferably 10 to 50, and more preferably about 15 to 50 per inch. Further, a crimped fiber that is uniformly crimped is often used. When crimped fibers are used, a bulky and light absorbent body can be produced, and a tow with high unity can be easily produced by entanglement between the fibers. The cross-sectional shape of the tow constituting fiber is not particularly limited, and may be any one of, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape, an irregular shape (for example, a Y shape, an X shape, an I shape, an R shape) or a hollow shape. Also good. The tow constituent fibers are used, for example, in the form of tows (fiber bundles) formed by bundling about 3,000 to 1,000,000, preferably about 5,000 to 1,000,000 single fibers. can do. The fiber bundle is preferably formed by bundling about 3,000 to 1,000,000 continuous fibers.

  Since the entanglement between fibers is weak, a binder having an action of adhering or fusing the contact portions of the fibers can be used mainly for the purpose of maintaining the shape. The binder includes triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dipropionate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, citric acid triethyl ester, and other plastic resins, as well as various resin adhesives, especially thermoplastic resins. Can be used.

  The thermoplastic resin used as the binder is a resin that exhibits an adhesive force when melted and solidified, and includes water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble resins and water-soluble resins. A water-insoluble or poorly water-soluble resin and a water-soluble resin can be used together as necessary.

  Examples of water-insoluble or hardly water-soluble resins include polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and other olefinic homo- or copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, methacryl Acid methyl-acrylic acid ester copolymer, acrylic resin such as copolymer of (meth) acrylic monomer and styrene monomer, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride copolymer, polystyrene, styrene monomer ( Styrenic polymers such as copolymers with (meth) acrylic monomers, polyesters that may be modified, nylon 11, nylon 12, nylon 610, nylon 612 and other polyamides, rosin derivatives (for example, rosin esters), Hydrocarbon resin (eg terpene tree , Dicyclopentadiene resins, and petroleum resins), and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins. One or two or more of these thermoplastic resins can be used.

  Examples of water-soluble resins include various water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl ether, vinyl monomers, and copolymerizable monomers having a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, or a salt thereof. Vinyl water-soluble resins such as copolymers, acrylic water-soluble resins, polyalkylene oxides, water-soluble polyesters, water-soluble polyamides, and the like can be used. These water-soluble resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Various additives such as stabilizers such as antioxidants and ultraviolet absorbers, fillers, plasticizers, preservatives, and antifungal agents may be added to the thermoplastic resin.

  However, the use of binder components that inhibit the entry of superabsorbent polymer particles should be avoided whenever possible. It is best not to use a binder component that inhibits penetration of the superabsorbent polymer particles.

Since tow can be produced by a known method, it will not be described in detail. Cellulose diacetate tow bales that can be suitably used in the absorbent element 50 are commercially available from Celanese, Daicel Chemical Industries, and the like. Cellulose diacetate tow bale has a density of about 0.5 g / cm ³ and a total weight of 400-600 kg.

  From this bale, the tow is peeled off and spread into a wide band so as to have a desired size and bulk. The opening width of the tow is arbitrary, and can be, for example, a width of 100 to 2000 mm, preferably about 100 to 300 mm of the width of the product absorber. Moreover, the density of an absorber can be adjusted by adjusting the degree of tow opening.

  Tow opening methods include, for example, a method in which tow is spread over a plurality of opening rolls, and the tow width is gradually expanded as the tow progresses, and tow tension (elongation) and relaxation (shrinkage). And the like, and a method of widening and opening using compressed air can be used.

(Superabsorbent polymer particles)
Superabsorbent polymer particles mean to include “powder” in addition to “particles”. As the particle diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles, those used for this type of absorbent article can be used as they are, and those having a particle size of 100 to 1000 μm, particularly 150 to 400 μm are desirable. The material of the superabsorbent polymer particles can be used without any particular limitation, but those having a water absorption of 60 g / g or more are suitable. High-absorbent polymer particles include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymers, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose crosslinks. Or an acrylic acid (salt) polymer can be used. As the shape of the superabsorbent polymer particles, a commonly used granular material is suitable, but other shapes can also be used.

  As the superabsorbent polymer particles, those having a water absorption rate of 40 seconds or less are preferably used. When the water absorption speed exceeds 40 seconds, so-called reversal that the body fluid supplied into the absorbent body returns to the outside of the absorbent body tends to occur.

  Further, as the superabsorbent polymer particles, those having a gel strength of 1000 Pa or more are preferably used. Thereby, even if it is a case where it is set as a bulky absorber by using tow | toe, the sticky feeling after bodily fluid absorption can be suppressed effectively.

The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles can be appropriately determined according to the amount of absorption required for the use of the absorber. Therefore, although it cannot be said unconditionally, it can be set to 50 to 350 g / m ² . By setting the basis weight of the polymer to 50 g / m ² or less, it is possible to prevent the lightening effect from becoming difficult to be exhibited by adopting an aggregate of filaments made of tow depending on the weight of the polymer. If it exceeds 350 g / m ² , not only the effect is saturated, but also the above-mentioned crisp and uncomfortable feeling is given due to excess of the superabsorbent polymer particles.

  If necessary, in order to obtain the dispersion pattern of the superabsorbent polymer particles shown in Tables 2 to 4, the superabsorbent polymer particles can be adjusted in spraying density or spraying amount in the plane direction of the absorber 56. For example, the body fluid excretion site can be applied in a larger amount than other sites. When gender differences are taken into account, men can increase the front spray density (amount), while women can increase the center spray density (amount). In addition, a portion where no polymer exists locally (for example, in a spot shape) in the planar direction of the absorber 56 can also be provided.

  If necessary, a plurality of superabsorbent polymer particles having different particle size distributions can be prepared, and can be sequentially dispersed and projected in the thickness direction. For example, the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means 90 is arranged at intervals in a plurality of lines, and after spraying and projecting a particle having a small particle size distribution, the particle having a large particle size distribution is sprayed and projected. Thus, it is possible to distribute a small particle size distribution on the lower side in the absorber 56 and a large particle size distribution on the upper side. This form is effective for allowing a particle having a small particle size distribution to penetrate deeply into an assembly of filaments.

  The ratio between the superabsorbent polymer particles and the aggregate of filaments determines the absorption characteristics. As a weight ratio in a planar area of 5 cm × 5 cm in the region directly receiving the body fluid in the absorbent body 56, it is desirable that the superabsorbent polymer particle / filament weight is 1 to 14, particularly 3 to 9.

(Absorber size / weight)
On the other hand, the size of the absorber 56 is preferably such that the planar projection area is 400 cm ² or more and the thickness is 1 to 10 mm, particularly 1 to 5 mm. When the size of the absorber is within this range, it is extremely advantageous to improve the resilience without increasing the weight, thickness and cost. The weight of the absorber is preferably 25 g or less, particularly 10 to 20 g. When the weight of the absorber is within this range, the advantage of not using a dedicated member becomes particularly remarkable.

(Compressive properties of absorber)
The compression resilience RC of the absorbent body 56 is preferably 40 to 60%, particularly 50 to 60%. Thereby, sufficient restoring property can be exhibited with the absorber itself.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the compression energy WC of the absorbent body 56 is 4.0 to 10.0 gf · cm / cm ² , since it can be compressed compactly to the same level as before or during packaging.

  These compression characteristics can be adjusted by adjusting the fiber density of the aggregate of filaments by opening or the like, selecting the fiber material, selecting the type of binder such as a plasticizer, adjusting the degree of processing, or a combination thereof.

  Here, the compression energy (WC) is energy consumption when pressing the central part of the test piece (holding sheet) cut to a length of 200 mm and a width of 50 mm up to 50 g.

This compression energy can be measured with a handy compression tester (KES-G5, manufactured by Kato Tech). The measurement conditions for this tester are: SENS: 2, force meter type: 1 kg, SPEED RANGE: STD, DEF sensitivity: 20, pressurization area: 2 cm ² , capture interval: 0.1 (standard), STROKE SET: 5.0, upper limit load: 50 gf / cm ² .

  On the other hand, the compression resilience (RC) is a parameter representing the recoverability when the fiber is compressed. Therefore, if the recoverability is good, the compression resilience increases. This compression resilience can be measured with a handy compression tester (KES-G5, manufactured by Kato Tech). The measurement conditions for this tester are the same as for the compression energy.

(Enveloping sheet)
As the covering sheet 58, tissue paper, particularly crepe paper, non-woven fabric, polylaminated non-woven fabric, a sheet with small holes, and the like can be used. However, it is desirable that the superabsorbent polymer particles be a sheet that does not escape. When a nonwoven fabric is used instead of the crepe paper, a hydrophilic SMMS (spunbond / meltblown / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven fabric is particularly suitable, and polypropylene, polyethylene / polypropylene, etc. can be used as the material. The basis weight is preferably 8 to ²⁰ g / m ² , particularly 10 to 15 g / m ² .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the covering sheet 58 has a form of covering the entire layer of the aggregates of the filaments 52, 52... And the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54. It is also possible to cover only the back and side surfaces. Although not shown, only the upper and side surfaces of the absorbent body 56 are covered with crepe paper or nonwoven fabric, and the lower surface is covered with a body fluid-impermeable sheet such as polyethylene, and the upper surface of the absorbent body 56 is covered with crepe paper or nonwoven fabric. For example, the lower surface may be covered with a body fluid impermeable sheet such as polyethylene (each of these materials becomes a component of the covering sheet). If necessary, the aggregate of the filaments 52, 52, and the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, 54 ... may be sandwiched between two upper and lower sheets or arranged only on the lower surface. This is not a desirable form because it is difficult to prevent movement.

(Holding sheet)
The superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are interposed between the holding sheet 80 and the absorbent body 56 by spraying or the like. The superabsorbent polymer particles 54 may pass through the aggregate of filaments 52 at the time of dispersion / projection onto the aggregate of filaments 52 or in the subsequent process or until the consumer uses it. The unevenness of the superabsorbent polymer particles that have passed through the aggregate of filaments gives a sense of incongruity when touched by the hand when the consumer uses it. Therefore, a holding sheet 80 having a holding performance of the absorbent polymer is interposed between the absorbent body 56 and the covering sheet 58. The holding sheet 80 reinforces the stiffness that is not sufficient only by the covering sheet 58 such as tissue paper (crepe paper), and reduces or prevents a sense of incongruity when touched by the hand when the consumer uses it.

  In FIG. 6, when the superabsorbent polymer particles are provided below the absorber 56, or when the superabsorbent polymer particles contained in the absorber 56 are used from the manufacture to the consumer. The case where the filament 52 comes out of the aggregate and gathers on the holding sheet 80 is conceptually shown.

  The material of the holding sheet 80 is not particularly limited as long as it has a holding performance of the absorbent polymer. Specifically, for example, non-woven fabric, crimped pulp, low-absorbency cotton fiber (for example, non-degreased cotton fiber, degreased cotton fiber, rayon fiber treated with a water repellent or a hydrophobizing agent, etc.). ), Polyethylene fiber, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, polypropylene fiber, silk, cotton, hemp, nylon, polyurethane, acetate fiber, and the like.

If the holding sheet 80 and the nonwoven fabric, its holding sheet 80, the compression energy 0.01~10.00gfcm / cm ² based on KES test, preferably, at 0.01~1.00gfcm / cm ^2, and compressed The non-woven fabric has a resilience of 10 to 100%, preferably 70 to 100%.

  The reason for providing the holding sheet 80 is to hold, for example, the absorbent polymer that has fallen down (dropped out) from the absorbent body 56 as described above. Therefore, since the superabsorbent polymer particles that have slipped out come into contact with the user via the covering sheet 58 and the holding sheet 80, there is no possibility of being transmitted to the user as a sense of incongruity. In particular, when the nonwoven fabric has the above-described compression energy and compression resilience, the function as a holding sheet is sufficiently exhibited.

  Further, since the absorbent polymer that has slipped out is held by the holding sheet 60 and does not move on the covering sheet 58, there is no possibility of uneven absorption capacity. In particular, in order to prevent the superabsorbent polymer particles from moving on the holding sheet 80, a hot-melt adhesive having adhesiveness can be applied on the holding sheet 80 in advance. Moreover, you may make it a superabsorbent polymer particle prevent a movement on the holding sheet 80 by making the upper surface (surface which goes to a use surface side) of the holding sheet 80 into a rough surface. Examples of the roughening or fluffing means for this purpose include a non-net surface that is not a net surface during the production of the nonwoven fabric, a marble process, a needle punch process, and a brushing process.

  Even if the holding sheet 80 is provided only below the absorber 56 as shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the holding sheet 80 passes through the side surface of the absorber 56 and extends up to the upper surface of the absorber 56 as shown in FIG. May be. It is also possible to use a plurality of holding sheets 80 in a stacked manner.

  The above example is an example in which a holding sheet is provided between the absorbent body and the back side portion of the covering sheet, but the holding sheet may be on the back side of the covering sheet (the form is not shown). In short, if a holding sheet is provided on the back side with respect to the absorbent body, it is possible to reduce or not cause a crisp discomfort when touching from the back side of the product.

(Body fluid impermeable sheet)
The body fluid impermeable sheet 70 simply means a sheet disposed on the back surface side of the absorber 56, and in the present embodiment, is a sheet in which the absorber 56 is interposed between the top sheet 30. Therefore, the material of the main body liquid impermeable sheet is not particularly limited. Specifically, for example, an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminated nonwoven fabric obtained by laminating a nonwoven fabric on a polyethylene sheet or the like, a nonwoven fabric that substantially ensures liquid impermeability by interposing a waterproof film (in this case, A body fluid impermeable sheet is comprised with a waterproof film and a nonwoven fabric.) Etc. can be illustrated. Of course, in addition to this, materials having liquid impermeability and moisture permeability, which have been used and used in recent years from the viewpoint of preventing stuffiness, can also be exemplified. As the sheet of the material having liquid impermeability and moisture permeability, for example, an inorganic filler is kneaded in an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, and the sheet is formed, and then stretched in a uniaxial or biaxial direction. Examples of the microporous sheet obtained in this way can be given.

  The body fluid impervious sheet 70 can be prevented from side leakage of body fluid by extending it to the use surface in a so-called forehead form (not shown). This is prevented by interposing a second body fluid impermeable sheet 72 between the double barrier sheets 64 forming 60. According to this embodiment, since the second body fluid impermeable sheet 72 extends until the barrier cuff 60 stands up, the body fluid diffused laterally through the top sheet 30 and the side of the soft stool between the barrier cuffs 60, 60 There is also an advantage that leakage can be prevented.

(Barrier cuffs)
Barrier cuffs 60, 60 provided on both sides of the product are provided to prevent urine and soft stool that travel laterally along the top sheet 30 and prevent side leakage. It is.

  The illustrated barrier cuff 60 is a doubled water-repellent non-woven sheet, and is formed so as to protrude from the back side of the absorbent body 56 to the lower side of the top sheet 30 and to protrude to the front side. Yes. In order to prevent urine moving in the lateral direction along the top sheet 30, in particular, the side part of the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 is inserted between the double nonwoven fabric sheets, and the barrier cuff 60 protruding from the surface side is provided. It extends halfway.

  The shape of the barrier cuff 60 itself can be designed as appropriate. However, in the example shown in the drawing, an elastic elastic member, for example, a rubber thread 62 is fixed to the tip and middle of the protruding portion of the barrier cuff 60 under stretch, The barrier cuff 60 stands up due to the contraction force in use. As shown in FIG. 3, the base side of the barrier cuff 60 is positioned so that the middle rubber thread 62 is positioned at the center side of the front rubber thread 62, 62 and fixed to the front and rear end portions of the top sheet 30. It rises diagonally toward the center side, and the tip part stands up diagonally outward from the intermediate part.

(Embossing)
You may form the ditch | groove E by embossing from the surface side of the top sheet 30 to the thickness direction. In this case, in addition to forming the groove E by embossing only in the top sheet 30, as shown in FIG. 7, the groove E by embossing may be formed in both the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40. A concave portion by embossing can be formed (not shown) so as to reach a part of the absorbent body 56 in the thickness direction or substantially the whole from the surface side. In order to form the recess E by embossing in both the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40, the intermediate sheet 40 has a basis weight of 8 to 40 g / m ² , a thickness of 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and a top sheet. As for 30, it is desirable that the basis weight is in the range of 15 to 80 g / m ² and the thickness is in the range of 0.2 to 3.5 mm in that embossing can be sufficiently performed under the condition that liquid permeability is not impaired.

  Moreover, you may form the recessed part by embossing only in the intermediate sheet 40, without forming a recessed part in the top sheet 30, and also emboss only in the absorption element 56, without forming a recessed part in the top sheet 30 and the intermediate sheet 40. In addition, the embossed recess may be formed only in the absorbent body 58 without forming the recess in the top sheet 30, the intermediate sheet 40, and the covering sheet 58.

  The recess E has an effect of inducing and diffusing body fluid in the direction in which the recess E extends. Therefore, when the recesses E are substantially continuous in a groove shape (including the case where a plurality of recesses are arranged at intervals and form a single groove), the body fluid reaches the absorber before reaching the absorber. It becomes diffused along the recess E, so that a wider part of the absorber can be used for absorption. Therefore, the absorbent capacity of the entire product is increased, and the absorbent article is less likely to cause side leakage or reversal due to insufficient absorbent capacity.

  On the other hand, the absorber 56 made of tow is liable to be less rigid than a conventional pulp product, but it is preferable to form a recess by embossing in the absorber 56 because the rigidity can be increased. Although not shown, in order to increase the rigidity of the absorbent element 50, it is also a preferred form to form a concave portion by embossing in the thickness direction from the back surface side (the side opposite to the top sheet 30 side) of the absorbent body 56. In order to form the recess on the back surface side, embossing is integrally performed so as to reach the absorber 56 from the back surface side of the holding sheet 80, the covering sheet 58, the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 or the exterior sheet 12. Can do. Moreover, it is preferable to form such a concave portion on the back surface side together with the concave portion E on the front surface side, but it is also possible to form only the concave portion on the back surface side without forming the concave portion E on the front surface side. When the concave portions are provided on both the front and back sides, the shape of the concave portions may be common to the front and back sides, or may be different from each other.

  The embossed recess has the effect of inducing and diffusing body fluid in the extending direction. It also has the effect of increasing rigidity. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the shape of the embossed recess in consideration of these effects. For example, the recesses are substantially continuous in the shape of a groove (including the case where a plurality of recesses are arranged in a row and form a single groove), and the plurality of recesses are arranged in a dotted pattern at intervals. It may be. In addition, as the planar pattern, groove-shaped or dot-shaped concave portions are arranged in the longitudinal direction, the width direction, a lattice shape combining these, a zigzag shape (zigzag shape) reciprocating in the width direction, or irregularly arranged. Forms can be taken. Furthermore, appropriate forms such as a pin shape, a Mt. Fuji shape, and a bellows shape can be adopted.

(Other)
In addition, although not shown in figure, each structural member of the absorptive main body 20 is mutually fixed by solid, beads, spiral application | coating, etc., such as a hot-melt-adhesive agent.

(Example of tape-type disposable diapers)
8 and 9 show examples of tape-type disposable diapers. FIG. 9 is a view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8, but the absorbent main body 20 is slightly exaggerated.

  The tape-type disposable diaper 10A has fastening pieces attached to both end portions on the back side of the diaper, has a hook element on a fastening surface of the fastening piece, and a back sheet constituting the back side of the diaper is laminated with a nonwoven fabric. The diaper is configured to be able to engage with a hook element of the fastening piece at an arbitrary position on the surface of the back sheet when the diaper is used as a body.

  The absorbent main body 20 has an absorbent body 56 interposed between the top sheet 30 and the body fluid impermeable sheet 70. The absorbent body 56 is entirely wrapped by a covering sheet 58 made of tissue paper, and has a rectangular shape in plan view. A holding sheet 80 is provided between the absorber 56 and the covering sheet 58.

  Further, an intermediate sheet 40 is interposed between the top sheet 30 and the absorber 56. The body fluid impermeable sheet 70 has a rectangular shape wider than the absorbent body 56, and a back sheet 12A made of an hourglass-shaped non-woven fabric is provided on the outer side thereof.

  The top sheet 30 has a rectangular shape wider than the absorbent body 56, extends slightly outward from the side edge of the absorbent body 56, and is fixed to the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 with a hot melt adhesive or the like.

  Barrier cuffs 60A projecting to the use surface side are formed on both sides of the diaper. The barrier cuffs 60A are formed of a barrier sheet 64 made of a nonwoven fabric substantially continuous in the width direction, and an elastic elastic member such as a thread rubber. And one or a plurality of leg rubber elastic members 62 as elastic elastic members for the leg periphery. 130 is a fastening piece by a hook-and-loop fastener.

  The inner surface of the barrier sheet 64 has a fixing start edge at a position separated from the side edge of the top sheet 30, and the outer portion in the width direction extends from the fixing start edge to the extending edge of the body fluid impermeable sheet 70. It is fixed by. The outer surface of the barrier sheet 64 is fixed to the back sheet 12A with a hot melt adhesive or the like on the lower surface thereof. Further, an elastic expansion / contraction member for gasket cuff, for example, thread rubber 66 is provided.

  The starting end of the inner surface of the barrier sheet 64 fixed to the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 forms an upstanding end of the barrier cuff 60A. Around the leg, the inside of the standing end is a free part that is not fixed to the product body, and this free part comes to stand by the contraction force of the rubber thread 62.

  In this example, by using a hook-and-loop fastener as the fastening piece 130, it can be mechanically fastened to the backsheet 12A. Therefore, a so-called target tape can be omitted, and a fastening position by the fastening piece 130 can be freely selected.

  The fastening piece 130 has a base portion of a fastening base material such as plastic, polylaminated nonwoven fabric, or paper, joined to the back sheet 12A by an adhesive, for example, and has a hook element 130A on the tip side. The hook element 130A is bonded to the fastening substrate with an adhesive. The hook element 130A has a large number of engaging pieces on the outer surface side thereof. A temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B is provided on the tip side from the hook element 130A. At the end of the assembly of the product, the temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B is bonded to the barrier sheet 64 to prevent peeling of the fastening piece 130 on the front end side. At the time of use, it peels off against the adhesive force and brings the front end of the fastening piece 130 to the front body. The fastening base material is exposed at the tip side from the temporary fixing adhesive portion 130B, and is a tab portion.

  A target printing sheet 74 as a design sheet is provided on the inner surface side of the back sheet 12A on the opening side of the front body, and a design that serves as a guide for the position at which the hook element 130A of the fastening piece 130 is fastened is applied. Target printing is performed so that the target can be visually recognized through the back sheet 12A.

  When the diaper is mounted, the diaper is mounted on the body in the shape of a boat, and the contraction force of the rubber thread 62 acts. Therefore, the barrier cuff 60A stands up around the leg by the contraction force of the rubber thread 62.

  The space surrounded by the standing part forms a confined space for urine or soft stool. When urinating into this space, the urine is absorbed into the absorbent body 56 through the top sheet 30, and the rising part of the barrier cuff 60A becomes a barrier for the solid matter of soft stool, and the overpass is prevented. The In the unlikely event that urine leaks laterally over the standing distal side edge of the standing part, side leakage is prevented by the stop function by the flat contact part.

In this embodiment, it is desirable that the barrier sheet 64 forming each standing cuff is not liquid-permeable but substantially liquid-impervious (may be semi-liquid-permeable). Further, the surface sheet (nonwoven fabric laminate) of the present invention may have a property of repelling liquid by silicon treatment or the like. In any case, it is preferable that the barrier sheet 64 and the back sheet 12A are air permeable, and the barrier sheet 64 and the back sheet 12A are sheets having a water pressure resistance of 100 mmH ₂ O or more. Thereby, it becomes air permeable in the width direction side part of a product, and a wearer's stuffiness can be prevented.

  The other points, for example, the material used for each part, etc. are the same as in the case of the above-described pants-type paper diaper, so the description will be omitted.

<Example of how to make disposable diapers>
A manufacturing example of the above-described paper diaper will be described. The example shown in FIG.10 and FIG.11 has shown the manufacturing equipment example of the pants-type disposable diaper shown in FIG.1, FIG.2 and FIG.6.

  The covering sheet 58 is supplied to the line from the upstream side, and then the holding sheet 80 is supplied. Subsequently, an assembly 52Z of filaments 52 in which the tow has been opened is supplied from above through a fiber-opening process described in detail later, and the assembly of filaments 52 from above is supplied by the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means 90. The superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are dispersed over the entire thickness direction of the filament aggregate. Then, the wrapping sheet 58 wraps the absorbent element 50 by passing the sailor 92. Next, it is divided in the line direction by the cutter device 94 to obtain individual absorbent elements 50.

  Furthermore, since the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 has a structure shorter than the entire length of the absorbent element 50 in the embodiment, the intermediate sheet (second sheet) is supplied intermittently.

  Subsequently, the components of the barrier cuff 60 and the top sheet 30 are supplied from above, and the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 is supplied from below. Here, in the supply line of the barrier sheet 64 constituting the barrier cuff 60, the thread rubber 62 is stretched between the two nonwoven fabrics and the second bodily fluid impermeable sheet 72 is fixed in advance by an apparatus (not shown). Supply is made in a state and is supplied to the main line together with the top sheet 30. The components of the barrier cuff 60, the top sheet 30 and the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 supplied to the main line are folded into a shape shown in FIG.

  At the end of the line of the absorbent main body 20, the rectangular absorbent main body 20 having a longitudinal direction along the line is obtained by cutting with the cutter device 98.

  The obtained absorbent main body 20 is turned 90 degrees by the turning device 100 so that the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 20 is orthogonal to the line.

  On the other hand, in the line of the exterior sheet 12, the thread rubber 12C flows in a state where the nonwoven fabric sheet is interposed in advance (not shown in FIG. 10), and a cutter is used to form a leg-surrounding portion. (Not shown) is hollowed out into an oval shape and reaches the combination station 102, and then the absorbent main body 20 that has been rotated is installed between the hollowed portions, and is fixed by a hot melt adhesive or the like. Combined with the sheet 12. Then, it is folded up and down with the horizontal line in FIG. 10 as a boundary, and the joining regions 12A on both sides of the front body 12F and the back body 12B of the exterior sheet 12 are joined by heat fusion or the like. Thereafter, the product is divided in the line direction (the dividing means is not shown) to obtain individual products.

  The opening from the bale 52X is performed, for example, in the form shown in FIG. That is, the toe 52Y is pulled out from the bail 52X, the angle is changed by the turn portion 122 through the guide 120, passes through the nip of the pretension roll 124, passes through the first nip 126A, the second nip 126B, and the third nip 126C. It is guided to the second fiber opening device 110, where final fiber opening is performed, and the filament assembly 52Z is fed into the sailor 92. Here, one roller of the second nip 126B is formed with a large number of grooves continuous in the circumferential direction with a small interval in the longitudinal direction. This groove has a function of promoting the opening by allowing the filament to enter a large number of grooves.

  Tension is applied between the first nip 126A and the second nip 126B so as to apply tension to the tow 52Y, and conversely, the second nip 126B and the third nip 126C are relaxed. The peripheral speed of each nip roll is set. The pretension roll 124 is configured to control the tension of the tow 52Y peeled off from the bail 52X in order to smoothly supply the tow 52Y to the first nip 126A.

  In the first opening device configured as described above, the tension is applied to the toe 52Y so that the crimp is removed to some extent and the separation of the filament is promoted, and then the second nip 126B and the third nip 126C are used. As the toe 52Y is relaxed, the toe 52Y mainly spreads in the width direction.

  Next, it is guided to the second spreader 110. The second fiber opening device 110 has a structure similar to that disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-500292 (WO 83/03267). As shown schematically in FIG. A venturi portion 110b is formed between the outlet 110B, a pressure air inlet 110a on the inlet side, and an air exhaust hole 110c in the venturi portion 110b. In plan view, it has a substantially rectangular shape and is flat in a direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG.

  When the compressed air is blown from the blowing port 110a, air enters from the inlet 110A by the ejector effect, and as a result, the tow 52Y is drawn and a forward force is applied. When the tow 52Y reaches the venturi portion 110b, the air is exhausted from the air exhaust hole 110c and the space of the venturi portion 110b is expanded, so that the tow 52Y is mainly opened in the thickness direction. At that time, as shown in the lower part of FIG.

  The inventors of the present invention are that the opening is not sufficient with the second opening device 110 alone, and it is desirable to open the tow 52Y in advance for tension and relaxation with the first opening device. I found out. Therefore, it is desirable to employ a combination of the above-mentioned two spread forms.

  As the superabsorbent polymer particle dispersion means 90 for dispersing the superabsorbent polymer particles in the entire thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of filaments according to the present invention, the superabsorbent polymer particles themselves fall by their own weight. It is a means to give not only power but also acceleration power. An example of this is shown in FIG. That is, a rotating drum 90b having a projection hole 90d is rotated in a casing 90a having an opening in the lower part in the moving direction of the web (counterclockwise in FIG. 13), and a shutter drum 90c is provided therein. It is a thing. The projection unit 90A including these elements is connected to the hopper 90B (see FIG. 11), and the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means 90 is configured.

  The superabsorbent polymer particles 54 from the hopper 90B are configured to be supplied into the rotary drum 90b. Here, the opening position of the shutter drum 90c is adjusted in advance with respect to the opening position of the casing 90a. Although the state shown in FIG. 13 shows a fully opened state that is completely coincident, the opening of the shutter drum and the opening of the casing may be partially coincident.

  Further, the projection holes 90d of the rotary drum 90b are divided into four groups in the circumferential direction as shown in the drawing as a group divided in the circumferential direction. Therefore, in the process shown in the drawing, four sheets of paper diapers are rotated. In contrast, superabsorbent polymer particles are dispersed and projected.

  When the rotating drum 90b rotates with the casing 90a and the pre-positioned shutter drum 90c fixed without rotating, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 fall through the projection holes 90d. Due to the rotation of the rotating drum 90b, a radial centrifugal force acts on the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, and an acceleration force more than free fall acts on the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 at a high speed. It is scattered and projected onto the aggregate of filaments 52. Therefore, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 can penetrate deeply into the gaps between the filaments 52. In a method that depends only on the free fall of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54, the superabsorbent polymer particles are unevenly distributed mainly in only the upper part of the aggregate of the filaments 52, and the superabsorbent polymer particles are substantially in the entire thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of filaments. It is difficult to disperse.

  The superabsorbent polymer particles 54 may be continuously dispersed and projected onto the aggregate of the filaments 52. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the absorbent element 50 is divided in the line direction by the cutter device 94, and individually. When the absorbent element 50 is used, the blade of the cutter device 94 is worn out in a short time due to the presence of the superabsorbent polymer particles 54. Therefore, it is desirable that the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are not dispersed and projected continuously, but intermittently dispersed and projected only in the zone Z as shown in FIG.

  For this reason, as described above, the projection holes 90d of the rotary drum 90b are formed as a group divided in the circumferential direction, in the figure, divided into four groups in the circumferential direction, thereby forming the superabsorbent polymer particles 54. Is intermittently scattered and projected only in the zone Z. As a result, the zone Z can be divided between the zones Z by the cutter device 94, and wear of the blade of the cutter device 94 can be suppressed.

  It should be noted that the amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles sprayed mainly depends on the diameter of the projection hole 90d, the number of holes, the rotational speed of the rotating drum, particularly the speed when passing through the opening of the rotating drum, or the opening of the casing 90a. By adjusting the opening position of the shutter drum 90c with respect to the position, it is possible to adjust to an arbitrary spreading amount. Here, the position of the opening of the shutter drum 90c with respect to the opening position of the casing 90a is preferably followed in accordance with the speed of the processing line. The dispersion pattern of the superabsorbent polymer particles can be adjusted by the arrangement of the divided projection holes 90d.

  On the other hand, if necessary, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 are dispersed and projected onto the aggregate of the filaments 52 together with the pressure air, so that the superabsorbent polymer particles are substantially entirely in the thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of filaments. It is also possible to disperse them. However, it is not recommended because the superabsorbent polymer particles dispersed and projected on the aggregate of filaments 52 are scattered by the pressure air and scattered outside the predetermined region.

  Further, together with or instead of the superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means 90, the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 sprayed on the filament aggregate may be sucked from below the filament aggregate.

  On the other hand, FIG. 14 has shown the example of a manufacturing method of the tape-type disposable diaper shown in FIG.8 and FIG.9. Up to the supply of the intermediate sheet (second sheet) 40 is the same as in the case of the pants type. After the intermediate sheet 40 is intermittently supplied, the top sheet 30 is supplied from above, and the body fluid impermeable sheet 70 is supplied from below, and then the barrier sheet 64 constituting the barrier cuff 60 is supplied. In the supply line of the barrier sheet 64, supply is performed in a state where the thread rubber 62 is fixed under stretch between two nonwoven fabrics in advance by a device (not shown). At the end of the line, the semi-finished product with the absorbent main body is divided by the cutter device 98 and the product 10 is obtained.

  Using the aggregate of filaments obtained by opening the tow of cellulose diacetate fiber shown in Table 1, absorbents and products (Examples) obtained by the production method of FIGS. As shown in FIG. 15, the absorbent body and the product (conventional example) and the rotating roll of FIG. It was obtained by spraying the superabsorbent polymer particles 54 onto the aggregate 52Z of the filaments 52 from above the vacuum roll 106 by a general-purpose superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means in the form of dropping the superabsorbent polymer particles by its own weight. The following measurements were performed on the absorber and the product (comparative example). Table 5 also shows the evaluation results.

  Here, when looking at the product of the comparative example, there are a lot of superabsorbent polymer particles mainly on the holding sheet, and although the superabsorbent polymer particles intrude below the aggregate 52Z of the filament 52, By the time the superabsorbent polymer particles have not penetrated (therefore, the superabsorbent polymer particles are not substantially dispersed in the entire thickness direction with respect to the aggregate of filaments).

(Measurement of water absorption of superabsorbent polymer particles)
In a 1 liter beaker containing a rotor, 500.00 ± 0.10 g of 0.9% aqueous sodium chloride solution (prepared by dissolving 9.00 g of reagent-grade sodium chloride in 991.0 g of ion-exchanged water) was added, and magnetic While stirring the liquid with a stirrer, add 2.000 ± 0.0002 g of sample, cover with Saran wrap and stir for 1 hour.
The beaker content is filtered using a standard sieve (38 μm, 200 mmφ × 45 mm), the gel remaining on the sieve is drained with a Teflon plate and left for 15 minutes. The weight A of the gel remaining on the sieve is measured, and the amount of water absorption is calculated by the following formula.
C = A / S (1)
Here, C is the amount of raw water absorbed (g / g), A is the weight of the gel remaining on the sieve (g), and S is the sample weight (g).

(Measurement of water content of superabsorbent polymer particles)
Put 80% of 0.9% sodium chloride aqueous solution into a stainless steel container.
A sample 2.0000 ± 0.0002 g is precisely weighed and placed in a cotton bag (Membrode # 60 100 mm × 200 mm), then about 100 ml of a 0.9% sodium chloride aqueous solution is poured into the cotton bag, and at the same time Is immersed in an aqueous solution in a stainless steel container.
The upper part of the cotton bag is tied with a rubber band and immersed for 15 minutes, then dehydrated for 1 minute with a dehydrator (167G), and the weight of the cotton bag and gel is measured.
The same operation is carried out without putting a sample, and the wet weight of an empty cotton bag is measured.
The water retention amount is calculated by the following formula.
C = (A−B) / S (2)
Here, C: water retention amount (g / g), A: weight of cotton bag and gel (g), B: weight of wet cotton bag when wet (g), and S: sample weight (g).

(Measurement of absorption rate of superabsorbent polymer particles)
Add 50.00 ± 0.01 g of 0.9% aqueous sodium chloride solution to a 100 ml beaker containing a rotor, and keep the temperature constant at 25 ± 0.2 ° C. in a constant temperature water bath.
Stir at a rotational speed of 600 ± 10 rpm using a magnetic stirrer and rotator.
2.000 ± 0.0002 g of sample is weighed and put into a vortex in a beaker, and measurement with a stopwatch is started at the same time. Record the time (seconds) from when the vortex disappears until the liquid level becomes horizontal, and use it as the absorption speed.

(Measurement of absorption amount of superabsorbent polymer particles under pressure)
As shown in FIG. 15, an acrylic resin cylinder 203 (with an inner diameter of 2 cm, a height of 5 cm, and a 75 μm nylon net 201N attached to the bottom) with the center aligned with the upper and lower through holes in the center of the support base 201, A sample 200 of 0.100 ± 0.0002 g is placed in the cylinder 203, and a cylindrical weight 202 (diameter 1.9 cm, weight 120 g) is placed on the sample 200.
The outlet of the burette 204 is connected to the lower opening of the through hole of the support base 201 by a conduit 206, and the scale value before opening the valves V1 and V2 and the scale value after 30 minutes are read.
The absorption under pressure is calculated by the following formula.
C = (A−B) / S (3)
Here, C: absorption amount under pressure (ml / g), A: scale value (ml) 30 minutes after the start of water absorption, B: scale value (ml) before water absorption, S: sample weight (g).

(Measurement of gel strength of superabsorbent polymer particles)
20.0 g of urea, 8.0 g of sodium chloride, 0.3 g of calcium chloride, 0.8 g of magnesium sulfate, 970.9 g of ion-exchanged water, and 0.25 g of ferrous sulfate were mixed to make a total of 1 liter of human urine ( Iron ions 50 ppm).
Add 49 ± 0.1 g of artificial urine containing 50 ppm of iron ions to a 100 ml beaker containing a rotor, and stir using a magnetic stirrer. A sample 1.0000 ± 0.0002 g is weighed and put into a vortex in a beaker, and then stirred until the vortex disappears and the liquid level becomes horizontal.
The produced gel is left in a constant temperature and humidity machine of 40 ° C. × 60% RH for 3 hours.
After immersing in a constant temperature water bath at 25 ° C. for 5 minutes, the gel strength is measured with a neo-card meter. The measured value is converted into a unit by the following formula, and the gel strength (Pa) is calculated.
C = A × 0.1 (4)
Here, C: gel strength (Pa), A: gel strength (dyne / cm ² ) obtained from a neocardometer, and 0.1: constant.

(Measurement of absorption under pressure in diapers)
First, the weight of the unabsorbed sample is measured.
Next, as shown in FIG. 16, a portion of the sample diaper 10 that contracts with rubber thread, for example, a waist portion or a gather portion, is cut at intervals of 2 cm as indicated by double-ended arrows, and the diaper is not forced. To be flat (naturally).
Human urine with the use surface (inner surface) facing up, a sample sandwiched flat between an acrylic plate and a metal plate, a weight (10 kg) placed on the acrylic plate, and maintained at 37 ° C. (as described above) Immerse in for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, the sample is pulled up from the human urine, the weight and the acrylic plate are removed, and then the sample is folded in three and placed on a scale to measure the weight.
The amount of absorption under pressure (g) is calculated by subtracting the unabsorbed sample weight from the sample weight after absorption.

(Measurement of absorption rate in diapers)
A U-shaped instrument is used which is made of a U-shaped plate formed assuming a portion extending from the crotch to the buttocks, and has an injection port formed at the center in the width direction at the lowest position.
Mark the longitudinal center position of the absorbent body in the sample diaper and align the mark position with the inlet to secure the sample to the outer surface of the U-shaped instrument.
Place a U-shaped instrument with a fixed sample on the hammock so that it does not tilt.
A weight (1 kg, 10 cm × 10 cm) having a through hole in the center is placed on the U-shaped instrument. At this time, the through hole of the weight is aligned with the inlet of the U-shaped instrument.
100 cc of artificial urine (as described above) is injected into the sample through the weight through hole and the injection port of the U-shaped instrument, and the time required for absorption of the entire amount is measured to obtain the absorption rate (seconds).

(Measurement of the amount of return in diapers)
A top sheet is placed on an absorber cut to 100 mm × 300 mm, and four sides are sealed to obtain a sample.
A cylindrical instrument (support 150 mm × 150 mm) with an inner diameter of 27 mm is placed in the center of the sample. The cylindrical instrument is weighted as necessary.
Artificial urine is dropped 3 times at an interval of 10 minutes in an amount of 50 cc.
Ten minutes after the third dropping, a filter paper (ADVANTEC No. 2, 10 cm × 10 cm, 30 sheets stacked) was put on, and after applying a load with a 5 kg weight for 10 seconds, the weight of the kitchen paper was measured and measured in advance. By subtracting the weight of the unabsorbed kitchen paper, the amount of human urine transferred to the kitchen paper is calculated and set as the reversal amount (g).

(Measurement of compression resilience RC and compression energy WC)
Using a compression tester manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd., the sample was compressed under the conditions of speed: 0.01 cm / sec, compression area: 2 cm ² , sensitivity: 2 (force meter 200 g / 10 v), compression load: 50 gf / cm ² Then, the compression resilience RC and the compression energy WC are calculated from the correlation diagram between the pressure and the deformation amount. The compression resilience RC means that the greater the value, the higher the recoverability after compression, and the compression energy WC means that the greater the value, the easier the compression.

(Sensory evaluation of resilience)
Paper diaper samples were manufactured using each absorbent body and using the same structure except for the absorbent body. What was not compressed after manufacture and what was unpacked after being compressed and packaged in a common form were prepared, and the restorability was evaluated visually and touched by 20 subjects. Evaluation was based on the conventional example, and in comparison with this, the case where almost no change was felt was indicated by Δ, and the case where the restoration property was high and the flexibility was high was indicated by ○.

  The present invention is suitable for the production of absorbents in the production of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, and absorbent pads used in combination with diaper covers. It is applicable to all.

It is a perspective view of a pants-type disposable diaper. It is an expanded state top view of a pants type disposable diaper. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of a modification. It is sectional drawing equivalent to the 3-3 line of another example. It is an expanded state top view of a tape type disposable diaper. It is IX-IX sectional drawing of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of manufacturing facilities of a pants-type paper diaper. It is the principal part schematic diagram. It is a schematic diagram of a fiber-spreading apparatus. It is a schematic diagram of the example of a superabsorbent polymer particle dispersion | distribution means. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of manufacturing equipment of a tape-type disposable paper diaper. It is a schematic diagram which shows the manufacturing equipment example of the paper diaper which employ | adopted the superabsorbent polymer particle dispersion | distribution form different from this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the direction of an absorber.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pants type disposable diaper, 10A ... Tape type disposable diaper, 12 ... Exterior sheet, 12A ... Back sheet, 20 ... Absorbent main body, 30 ... Top sheet, 40 ... Intermediate sheet, 50 ... Absorbing element, 52 ... Filament, 52X ... Veil, 52Y ... Tow, 52Z ... Aggregation of filaments, 54 ... Superabsorbent polymer particles, 56 ... Absorber, 58 ... Cover sheet, 60, 60A ... Barrier cuff, 64 ... Barrier sheet, 70 ... Impermeable to body fluid , 72 ... second body fluid impermeable sheet, 80 ... holding sheet, 90 ... superabsorbent polymer particle spraying means, 90A ... projection section, 90a ... casing, 90b ... rotary drum, 90c ... shutter drum, 92 ... sailor 94 ... Cutter device, 98 ... Cutter device, 100 ... Turning device, 102 ... Combination station, 104 ... Viscosity Agent application device 110 ... second fiber opening device 110a ... pressure air blowing port 110b ... venturi section 124 ... pretension roll 126A ... first nip 126B ... second nip 126C ... third nip 130 ... Fastening piece, E ... concave groove, Z ... super absorbent polymer particle spreading zone.

Claims (10)

A casing having an opening facing the moving substrate;
A rotating drum having a large number of projection holes on its peripheral surface, which rotates in the moving direction of the base material inside the casing;
A shutter drum that is rotatably housed inside the rotating drum and has an opening on the peripheral surface;
By rotating the rotating drum in a state where the opening of the shutter drum is aligned with the opening position of the casing, the powder particles in the shutter drum are directed from the projection hole of the rotating drum toward the base material through the opening of the casing. The apparatus for spraying granular materials characterized by being projected.   Projection holes of the rotating drum are formed so as to form a group divided in the circumferential direction, and configured such that the powder particles are intermittently projected onto the base material as the rotating drum rotates. The powder particle spraying device according to claim 1.   The powder particle spraying device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising compressed air supply means for supplying compressed air into the shutter drum.   The powder particle spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising suction means for sucking the powder particles from below the base material.   A method for spraying a granular material, characterized in that an external force is applied to the granular material to accelerate the free fall speed or more, the projection is made on a moving base material, and the granular material is allowed to enter the base material. A casing having an opening facing the moving substrate;
A rotating drum having a large number of projection holes on its peripheral surface, which rotates in the moving direction of the base material inside the casing;
Of a spraying device for a granular material comprising a shutter drum having an opening on a peripheral surface, which is rotatably housed in a rotating drum,
The opening of the shutter drum is aligned with the opening position of the casing, the rotating drum is rotated, and the powder particles in the shutter drum are projected from the projection hole of the rotating drum toward the base material through the opening of the casing. Dispersion method of the characteristic granular material.   The method for spraying granular material according to claim 6, wherein the projection holes of the rotating drum are formed so as to form a group divided in the circumferential direction, and the granular material is intermittently projected onto the base material.   The method for spraying granular material according to claim 6 or 7, wherein pressurized air is supplied into the shutter drum, and the granular material is projected onto the substrate together with the pressurized air and dispersed.   The method for spraying a granular material according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the granular material is projected and sucked from below the base material so that the granular material on the base material enters the base material.   Absorption produced by spraying superabsorbent polymer particles as a powder particle to an aggregate of filaments obtained by opening a tow as a base material by the powder particle spraying method according to claim 5. An absorbent article comprising a body.

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