JP2007061440A - Manufacturing method of absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of an absorbent article which manufactures the absorbent article provided with a prescribed pattern at a prescribed position at low manufacturing cost. <P>SOLUTION: A continuous member 21 is continuously fed and transported. At a transportation path, the continuous member 21 is arranged and fixed to a prescribed position of the absorbent article while it is cut off to have a length for one sheet of the absorbent article. In another manner, after the continuous member 21 is arranged and fixed to the prescribed position of the absorbent article while it is not cut off, the continuous member 21 is cut off to have the length for one sheet of the absorbent article to manufacture the absorbent article. At the continuous member 21, a reference pattern 11 is provided previously by a pitch equal to or shorter than the length of the continuous member 21. The continuous member is shot by an imaging device 31 at each prescribed imaging range T, and the position of the reference pattern 11 is detected from a shot image of the continuous member 21 by a pattern matching method. Then, the feeding speed of the continuous member 21 is controlled so that the detected position of the reference pattern 11 may coincide with the target position of the reference pattern 11, and the reference pattern 11 is provided at a prescribed position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an absorbent article in which a predetermined pattern is provided at a predetermined arrangement position.

  In some absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, for example, a reference pattern (hereinafter referred to as “reference pattern”) is provided at a predetermined arrangement position in order to facilitate discrimination before and after the absorbent article. As a specific example of the reference pattern, a one-point pattern indicating the front side, which is provided at the center in the width direction of the abdominal side, can be cited.

  By the way, when manufacturing an absorbent article provided with a reference pattern, a sheet made of a film, non-woven fabric, paper, or a composite sheet of these is provided with a reference pattern at a predetermined pitch in advance with a uniform tension. It is generally difficult to form. Due to the non-uniform tension, the pitch of the reference pattern changes when the sheet is fed out from the original fabric. Therefore, when manufacturing an absorbent article with a reference pattern provided at a predetermined arrangement position using such a sheet, the sheet of the reference pattern has a different pitch after the sheet is unwound from the original fabric. It is necessary to correct so that the reference pattern on the sheet is arranged at a predetermined position on the absorbent article by increasing or decreasing the feeding speed.

  As a technique for detecting the position of the reference pattern when correcting the position of the reference pattern, a technique for printing the reference pattern with normal ink and detecting the reference pattern with an optical sensor or a color mark sensor (Patent Document 1). , 2), and a technique of printing a reference pattern with fluorescent ink and detecting the reference pattern with a fluorescent sensor (see Patent Document 3).

JP 2001-29385 A JP 2005-80827 A Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-512566

  However, according to the technique for detecting the reference pattern described in Patent Document 1, another pattern cannot be provided in the belt-like region extending in the longitudinal direction including the reference pattern in the sheet, and the reference pattern detection described in Patent Document 2 is used. According to this technique, the belt-like region cannot be given the same or similar color as the reference pattern, and both have design restrictions. Further, according to the technique for detecting the reference pattern described in Patent Document 3, since the fluorescent ink is used, the manufacturing cost is increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an absorbent article that can manufacture an absorbent article having a predetermined pattern at a predetermined arrangement position without design restrictions and at a low manufacturing cost. There is.

  The present invention continuously feeds and conveys a long continuous member, and in the state where the continuous member is cut into a length corresponding to one absorbent article in the conveyance path, a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article After being placed and fixed at a predetermined position of the absorbent article without being cut or cut, the placed and fixed continuous member is cut to the length of one absorbent article for absorption. In this method, a reference pattern that is a reference for the position of the continuous member is provided in advance at a pitch equal to or shorter than the cutting length of the continuous member, and the continuous member is imaged for each predetermined photographing range. The position of the reference pattern is detected by the pattern matching method from the image of the continuous member captured by the device, and the feed speed of the continuous member is adjusted so that the detected position of the reference pattern matches the target position of the reference pattern Control the It is obtained by achieving the above object by providing a method of manufacturing an absorbent article to obtain an absorbent article which is positioned.

  According to the method for manufacturing an absorbent article of the present invention, an absorbent article having a predetermined pattern at a predetermined arrangement position can be manufactured at a low manufacturing cost without design restrictions.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings based on the preferable 1st embodiment.
The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, continuously feeds and conveys a continuous member (first sheet member) 21 having a long shape and extensibility. The continuous member 21 is cut to a length P equivalent to one absorbent article at a predetermined cutting position C2 in the conveyance path, and the cut continuous member 21 is arranged and fixed at a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article for absorption. It is a method of manufacturing a property article. Then, a reference pattern 11 serving as a reference for the position is provided in advance on the continuous member 21 at a pitch Q that is the same as or shorter than the cutting length P of the continuous member 21, and the continuous member 21 is imaged for each predetermined photographing range T. The position of the reference pattern 11 is detected from the captured image of the continuous member 21 by the pattern matching method, and the detected position of the reference pattern 11 matches the target position of the reference pattern 11. By controlling the feeding speed of the continuous member 21, the absorbent article 1 in which the reference pattern 11 is provided at a predetermined arrangement position is obtained.

  In the disposable diaper 1 as an absorbent article manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, on the non-skin contact surface side of the abdominal side portion A <b> 1 located on the abdomen side of the wearer when worn. A reference pattern 11 made of a one-point pattern discontinuous in the longitudinal direction and the width direction is provided. Further, as a pattern different from the reference pattern 11, an overall pattern 12 having a continuous repeating pattern in the longitudinal direction is provided so as to surround the reference pattern 11.

  Specifically, the disposable diaper 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called pants-type disposable diaper, which is a liquid-permeable top sheet (not shown), a liquid-impermeable or liquid-permeable back sheet 13 and both sheets. An absorbent main body having a liquid retaining absorbent body (not shown) interposed therebetween and an outer layer sheet 14 joined so as to cover the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body.

The outer layer sheet 14 is formed by sandwiching elastic members that respectively form waist gathers, leg gathers, and waist circumference gathers between two sheets. In addition, in Fig.1 (a), it has illustrated in the state which the outer layer sheet | seat 14 can see through and the pattern of the back surface sheet 13 of an absorptive main body can be visually recognized.
As the top sheet, the back sheet 13, the absorbent body, the outer layer sheet 14, and the like, those conventionally used for absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation.

The overall pattern 12 has a continuous repeating pattern in the longitudinal direction, and is entirely provided on the non-skin contact surface side of the back sheet 13 of the absorbent main body. A reference pattern 11 that is discontinuous in the longitudinal direction and the width direction is provided at the center in the width direction of the ventral side A1 of the overall pattern 12. The reference pattern 11 in this embodiment is a pattern to which the characters “mae” indicating the front side (abdominal side A1 side) of the disposable diaper are attached.
Therefore, in the continuous member 21, the entire pattern 12 is provided so as to surround the reference pattern 11 in a macroscopic view in a plan view, and extends in the longitudinal direction including the reference pattern 11 in another way. It is provided so as to overlap the belt-like region.

The reference pattern and the other pattern are not limited to the reference pattern 11 and the overall pattern 12 in the disposable diaper shown in FIG.
The reference pattern 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is a discontinuous pattern in the longitudinal direction. However, from the viewpoint of easy position detection, a pattern having a different shape or design, or a pattern having a different hue is preferable. .

  Another pattern is not limited to the overall pattern 12, but is continuous in the longitudinal direction but discontinuous in the width direction, continuous in the width direction but discontinuous in the longitudinal direction. It may be discontinuous in both the longitudinal direction and the width direction. Another pattern does not necessarily need to be provided so as to overlap with a belt-like region extending in the longitudinal direction including the reference pattern 11, and may not be provided at all.

  A part or the whole of the outer layer sheet 14 is transparent or translucent. Therefore, the reference pattern 11 and the entire pattern 12 are from the non-skin contact surface side of the outer layer sheet 14 arranged so as to cover the back sheet 13. It can be seen through. Since the outer layer sheet 14 is wider than the absorbent main body in the abdominal side part A1 and the back side part A2, the disposable diaper 1 as a whole is long in the center in the width direction on the non-skin contact surface side. An overall pattern 12 of a continuous repetitive pattern is provided in the direction, and a discontinuous reference pattern 11 is provided in the longitudinal direction so as to be surrounded by the overall pattern 12. The crotch part A3 is a region between the abdominal part A1 and the dorsal part A2.

In the present invention, "providing a pattern" only needs to be provided so that the pattern can be recognized from the outside, not only when the pattern is provided directly on the member disposed on the outer surface of the absorbent article, The case where the pattern provided on the internal member (back sheet 13 in this embodiment) is seen through from the external member (outer layer sheet 14 in this embodiment) is also included. Although there is no restriction | limiting in the means to provide a pattern, For example, the means to produce a pattern by adding a physical or chemical process to a sheet | seat other than printing, such as gravure printing and flexographic printing, is mentioned.
The pattern includes a figure, a character, a combination of a figure and a character, and the like. In the case of a diaper, the pattern may be a disposal method of a pants-type or unfolded disposable diaper, a moisture-permeable display, or a center position display or a landing zone position display.

  Further, “having extensibility” means that it can be stretched in the longitudinal direction, and “cut continuous member” means an individual short member generated by cutting the continuous member. The continuous member is preferably further stretchable. “Length of one absorbent article” (cutting length) means a predetermined length in a state where it is used for one absorbent article, and therefore may be shorter than the total length of the absorbent article. is there.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article of a 1st embodiment and the 1st manufacturing apparatus used for the implementation are demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the back sheet 13 is a first sheet member 21 as a long continuous member before being joined to the absorber. In addition, illustration of the whole pattern 12 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. The first sheet member 21 is provided with the reference pattern 11 at a predetermined pitch Q. The pitch Q of the reference pattern 11 is the same as the cutting length P of the first sheet member 21 (back sheet 13). Therefore, the first sheet member 21 is moved to a predetermined cutting position C2 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). ), The back sheet 13 provided on the reference pattern 11 at a predetermined arrangement position is obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet member 21 is transported to the integrated mechanism by the first transport mechanism after the position of the reference pattern 11 is detected by the pattern position detection device 30, and integrated with the absorber and the like. In FIG. 3, in order to show the main part of the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the first sheet member 21 is schematically illustrated by the pattern position detection device 30. After the position of the reference pattern 11 is detected, it is shown to be cut by the cutting device 34 immediately. Such illustration is similarly performed in the drawings showing the main part of the manufacturing method of another embodiment described later.

  As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the first manufacturing apparatus is fed by a feeding mechanism that continuously feeds the first sheet member 21 as a long continuous member from the raw fabric 20 and a feeding mechanism. A first transport mechanism that transports the first sheet member 21 to the joining position C1 with the second member 22, a second transport mechanism that transports the second member 22 to the joining position C1, the joined first sheet member 21 and the first An integrated mechanism for joining and integrating the two members 22 to form a long composite material 23, and cutting for cutting the composite material 23 into a length P corresponding to one absorbent article at a cutting position C2 in the flow direction. And a positioning control mechanism that aligns the detection position of the reference pattern 11 with the target position with respect to the first sheet member 21 fed by the feeding mechanism. The second member 22 is a long sheet material.

As shown in FIG. 4, the feeding mechanism is mainly composed of a power source 41, a differential device 42 and a feeding belt 43, and the raw fabric 20 of the first sheet member 21 is frictionally engaged with the feeding belt 43. The first sheet member 21 is continuously fed out from the original fabric 20 by being rotated. The driving roller 43 a that rotates the feeding belt 43 is rotated by the power source 41 via the differential device 42. The power source 41 also serves as a power source such as a cutting device 34 and a drive roller 44, which will be described later, but the drive roller 43a uses an independent servo motor or the like provided separately from the power source 41. It is good.
The differential device 42 increases or decreases the rotational speed of the drive roller 43a based on a control signal [13] output from the feed speed control device 33 of the alignment control mechanism (details will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first transport mechanism and the second transport mechanism are respectively a power source 41, drive rollers 44, 44... Driven by the power source 41, and guide rollers 45, 45. -It comprises, etc., and can respectively convey the 1st sheet | seat member 21 and the 2nd member 22 to the confluence | merging position C1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the integration mechanism includes a pair of endless conveying belts 46, 46 arranged opposite to each other, and a coating device 47 that applies an adhesive to the first sheet member 21 on the upstream side of the joining position C1. Is the main constituent. The integration mechanism sandwiches the joined first sheet member 21 (the adhesive is applied by the coating device 47 before joining) and the upper and lower surfaces of the second member 22 between the pair of conveying belts 46 and 46. The first sheet member 21 and the second member 22 are joined and integrated to form a long composite material 23, and the formed composite material 23 is conveyed to the downstream cutting position C2. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutting mechanism includes a cutting device 34 that receives the power of the power source 41 and cuts the composite material 23 including the first sheet member 21 with a predetermined cutting length P. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 34 is composed of a pair of cutter rolls and a receiving roll that repeats a periodic motion. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting device 34 is a long shape that has been continuously conveyed from the integrated mechanism at a constant speed. The composite material 23 is cut with a cutting length (product pitch) P for one absorbent article at a cutting position C2 in the flow direction.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the alignment control mechanism is mainly configured by a machine position detection device 35, a pattern position detection device 30, and a feeding speed control device 33.
The machine position detection device 35 detects the machine position (rotation position) of the cutting device 34. For example, a device that provides a dog on a part of the cutting device 34 that repeats periodic movement and detects it by a proximity switch, cutting Examples of the device 34 include an angle detector provided in the drive unit (one rotation per absorbent article) for detection, and a device for detecting a machine position by detecting a fixed position of a product or material. In the first manufacturing apparatus, an angle detector such as a rotary encoder is used as the machine position detecting device 35.

The pattern position detection device 30 detects the position of the reference pattern 11 in the first sheet member 21 that is fed out and conveyed from the original fabric 20, and is mainly composed of an imaging device 31 and an image processing device 32. .
As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 31 photographs the first sheet member 21 that is a continuous member for each predetermined photographing range T. For example, a CCD camera, a C-MOS camera, or the like is used. You may provide the illumination which illuminates the imaging | photography range T as needed.

  The image processing device 32 detects the position of the reference pattern 11 from the image of the first sheet member 21 photographed by the imaging device 31 by the pattern matching method. The pattern matching method is a method of comparing a pattern in a photographed image with a registered image registered in advance and detecting a pattern similar to a registered image as a reference pattern 11 as a reference pattern 11. If no pattern similar to the registered image is detected in the registered image for a certain level or more, it is detected that “the reference pattern 11 does not exist”. According to the image processing device 32, it is possible to measure the amount of positional deviation from the registered image registered by the pattern matching method and the position of the detected reference pattern 11.

  The image processing device 32 is roughly classified into a gray processing type and a color processing type according to an image processing method. The gray processing type has a merit that the processing speed is high because the image processing is processed in black and white (light and shade), and is effective for a reference pattern with a clear contrast such as a brand logo. The color processing type is effective for a reference pattern using multiple colors such as a character design because image processing is performed in color (RGB).

  The feeding speed control device 33 is configured so that the detection position (actual position) S1 of the reference pattern 11 detected by the pattern position detection device 30 matches the target position (position to be arranged) S0 of the reference pattern 11 ( For “S1” and “S0”, refer to FIG. 7), the feeding speed of the first sheet member 21 is controlled. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the feeding speed control device 33 sends the target position trigger signal [3] to the image processing device 32 based on the machine position detection signal [3] from the machine position detection device 35. 6] and the reference pattern 11 based on the detection signal [3] of the machine position from the machine position detection device 35 and the detection signal [7] of the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 from the pattern position detection device 30. A predetermined calculation is performed in order to match the detected position S1 and the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11, and a control signal [13] is output to the differential device 42 based on the calculation result (control). The process will be described later).

A control process in the alignment control mechanism (including the machine position detection device 35, the pattern position detection device 30, and the feeding speed control device 33) will be described with reference to FIGS. The following [n (= 1 to 13)] corresponds to each [n (= 1 to 13)] in each drawing.
[1] Data (mm) of the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11 is input (set) to the feeding speed control device 33.
[2] Data of the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11 is converted from length (mm) to angle (rad).
[3] The machine position (pulse) of the cutting device 34 (one rotation per absorbent article) is counted.

[4] The machine position (pulse) of the cutting device 34 is converted into an angle (rad).
[5] When the machine position of the cutting device 34 matches the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11, a target position trigger signal is output to the image processing device 32.
[6] The continuous member 21 is imaged by the imaging device 31 using the target position trigger signal as an imaging start trigger.
[7] A positional deviation amount L (mm) (see FIG. 7) between the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 and the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11 is measured.
[8] The positional deviation amount L (mm) is converted into an angle (rad), and the PI control unit [P control (proportional control) in which the control input becomes smaller as the output approaches the target position and deviation due to residual error I is eliminated. Control (integral control) is also used for feedback control].

[9] The target position S0 (rad) converted into an angle is output to the PI control unit.
[10] The target position S0 (rad) and the positional deviation amount L (rad) input to the PI control unit are calculated and output as deviation speed command data.
[11] The machine position (pulse) of the cutting device 34 is converted into machine speed command data.
[12] The speed command data and the machine speed command data are integrated by the deviation.
[13] The integrated speed command data is converted into a speed analog signal by D / A conversion and output as a speed command of the differential device 42.

Next, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article of the 1st embodiment using the 1st manufacturing apparatus is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 4-7.
In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the elongate 1st sheet member 21 is used as a continuous member which forms the back surface sheet 13, and the elongate 2nd member 22 is used as a member which forms an absorber. That is, the back sheet 13 is formed by the first sheet member 21, and the absorber is formed by the second member 22.

  In order to manufacture the disposable diaper 1 shown in FIG. 1 in which the reference pattern 11 is provided at a predetermined arrangement position, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the reference pattern 11 is formed on the first sheet member 21. It is conveyed in the state arrange | positioned by the predetermined pitch Q at equal intervals. The pitch Q of the reference pattern 11 is the same as the cutting length P of the first sheet member 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet member 21 is wound into a roll shape to form an original fabric 20. Also, the dancer roll is not arranged, and the length of the transport path from the feeding position of the first sheet member 21 to the second member 22 is a fixed length.

  When a sheet is slackened, it is generally difficult to remove wrinkles, meanders and the like. In addition, it is difficult to remove wrinkles and width shrinkage even if the sheet is too tight. Accordingly, it is necessary to convey the sheet under tension within an appropriate range, and by doing so, it is possible to adjust the meandering without wrinkles, to supply the sheet without shrinkage, and to manufacture a product with good quality. . From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the pitch of the reference pattern 11 in the original fabric 20 is provided at a pitch shorter than the pitch of the reference pattern 11 in the product. It is determined from the winding tension.

In the present invention, the pitch Q of the reference pattern 11 in the first sheet member 21 can be set shorter than the cutting length P of the first sheet member 21, and in this case, the first sheet member 21. The cutting length P is preferably 0.5 to 50% shorter, more preferably 0.5 to 10% shorter.
Here, the pitch Q of the reference pattern 11 is cut out from the first sheet member 21 before use in a no-load state so as to include the plurality of reference patterns 11, and corresponding positions in the adjacent reference patterns 11. Measured by measuring the distance between.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the imaging apparatus 31 uses an imaging range T that is the same as or slightly wider than the cutting length P of the first sheet member 21 (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11). As shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet member 21 fed out from the original fabric 20 by the feeding belt 43 is conveyed for a while and is photographed in the photographing range T by the imaging device 31 at a predetermined photographing position. Usually, one reference pattern 11 is present in the image of the first sheet member 21 photographed at one time. The position of the reference pattern 11 is detected by a pattern matching method by the image processing device 32 from the captured image of the first sheet member 21.

  FIG. 7A shows a state where the reference pattern 11 is arranged at the target position S0, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 is shifted from the target position S0 (position). The deviation amount L) is shown. In FIG. 7, the shooting range T is indicated by a broken-line rectangle, and the target position S0 of the reference pattern 11 is indicated by a one-dot chain line. In FIG. 7B, the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  It is considered that there is basically no fluctuation in tension between the pattern position detection device 30 (imaging device 31) and the merge position C1, and the detection position S1 and the reference pattern of the reference pattern 11 detected by the pattern position detection device 30 are considered. The difference (position deviation amount) L from the 11 target position S0 is calculated by the feeding speed control device 33, and the differential belt 42 eliminates the position deviation amount L based on the calculated position deviation amount L. The rotational speed of the drive roller 43a is increased or decreased.

  In this way, by increasing or decreasing the rotational speed of the driving roller 43a of the feeding belt 43, the first sheet member 21 is continuously fed from the original fabric 20 while the feeding speed is adjusted. The fed first sheet member 21 is conveyed to the merging position C1 by the first conveying mechanism. The long second member 22 is conveyed to the merge position C1 by the second conveyance mechanism, and merges with the long first sheet member 21 at the merge position C1.

  The merged first sheet member 21 and second member 22 are joined and integrated to form a composite material 23 in which the reference pattern 11 is aligned at a predetermined pitch Q. Then, the composite material 23 is cut by the cutting device 34 at a predetermined cutting length P at the cutting position C2. By cutting the composite material 23, the first sheet member 21 and the second member 22 are both cut.

  During the operation of the first manufacturing apparatus, the feeding speed control device 33 controls the feeding speed of the first sheet member 21 from the original fabric 20 as described above. Therefore, the reference pattern 11 is provided at a predetermined arrangement position in the composite material 24 cut by the length P.

  The cut composite material 24 is joined to the long outer layer sheet forming sheet that has been separately conveyed on the back sheet 13 side, and the long surface sheet that has been separately conveyed to the absorber side. Join the sheets. Then, the disposable diaper 1 is obtained by cutting the long article into individual product dimensions. Note that other necessary members such as fastening fasteners are attached at appropriate stages.

  Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the first embodiment, the reference pattern 11 is provided at a predetermined arrangement position (in the first embodiment, the width direction central portion on the skin contact surface side of the ventral side portion A1 of the outer layer sheet 14). The provided disposable diaper 1 is free from design restrictions and can be manufactured at a low manufacturing cost. Specifically, without using special and high-cost ink such as fluorescent ink, another pattern is provided in the band-like region extending in the longitudinal direction including the reference pattern 11, or the same or similar color as the reference pattern is provided. Can be attached.

  Next, another embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention and a production apparatus used for the implementation will be described. The other embodiments and the manufacturing apparatus used for the implementation will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first embodiment and the first manufacturing apparatus described above. . The points described above are appropriately applied to points that are not particularly described. In another embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment is achieved.

  In general, in order to increase the imaging range T of the imaging device 31, the distance between the continuous member 21 that is the subject to be imaged and the imaging device 31 may be increased. However, because of the production line, the distance between the continuous member 21 and the imaging device 31 cannot be increased, and the cutting length P for one absorbent article can be obtained by one imaging with one imaging device 31. Shooting may not be possible. Further, when the absorbent article has a large area like an adult diaper, the cutting length P for one absorbent article may not be photographed by one photographing with one imaging device 31. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of the second embodiment is a preferred embodiment in such a case.

  In FIG. 8, the principal part of the manufacturing method of the absorbent article of a 2nd embodiment and the 2nd manufacturing apparatus used for the implementation is shown. In the manufacturing method of the second embodiment, the imaging ranges T1 and T2 in the imaging device 31 are shorter than the cutting length P of the continuous member (first sheet member) 21 (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11). The continuous member 21 is photographed over the cutting length P by photographing the continuous member 21 in a plurality of times by one imaging device 31. Specifically, the shooting ranges T1 and T2 are about ½ of the cutting length P of the continuous member 21, and therefore the cutting length P of the continuous member 21 can be shot by two shootings. Can do. Therefore, during the operation of the second manufacturing apparatus, the shooting range in which the reference pattern 11 exists and the shooting range in which the reference pattern 11 does not appear alternately every other shooting.

A process for detecting the position of the reference pattern 11 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 9, shooting ranges T1 and T2 indicate a shooting range shot by the first shooting and a shooting range shot by the second shooting, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the reference pattern 11 exists in the first shooting range T1 (normal case), the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 and the target in the first shooting range T1. The alignment control is performed based on the positional deviation amount L with respect to the position S0. On the other hand, in the second shooting range T2, since the reference pattern 11 does not normally exist, the alignment control is not performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the reference pattern 11 does not exist in the first shooting range T1, and the reference pattern 11 exists in the second shooting range T2, as shown in FIG. May exist. In this case, since the reference pattern 11 is not detected in the first shooting range T1, the alignment control is not performed, and the reference pattern 11 is detected in the second shooting range T2, and based on the calculated positional shift amount L. Positioning control is performed. In this case, the continuous member 21 is also advanced or delayed by a half of the cutting length P.

  In the second embodiment, the imaging ranges T1 and T2 of the imaging device 31 are about ½ of the cutting length P of the continuous member 21 (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11). In the present invention, the imaging range of the imaging device 31 is set to about 1 / n (n = an integer equal to or greater than 3) of the cutting length P of the continuous member 21. It is also possible to set so that the pattern 11 exists once in n times in the shooting range.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article according to the third embodiment includes two or more (three types in the present embodiment) reference patterns 11 </ b> A to 11 </ b> C of the imaging device 31 as the continuous member 21. What is provided with pitches Q21, Q13, and Q32 shorter than the photographing range T is used.

  As shown in FIG. 10B, the pitch Q21 between the second reference pattern 11B and the first reference pattern 11A, the pitch Q13 between the first reference pattern 11A and the third reference pattern 11C, and the third reference pattern 11C. The pitch Q32 between the reference pattern 11C and the second reference pattern 11B is shorter than the shooting range T of the imaging device 31. In the present embodiment, the imaging range T of the imaging device 31 is about ½ of the cutting length P of the continuous member 21 (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11), and the pitch Q21 in the reference patterns 11A to 11C, Q13 and Q32 are the same pitch (about 1/3 of the cutting length P of the continuous member 21). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, at least one of the reference patterns 11A to 11C exists in the shooting range T shot by one shooting.

  In the manufacturing method of the third embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the entire first reference pattern 11A is present in the shooting range T, the first reference pattern 11A is used. Based on the corresponding target position S0A and the detected position S1A of the first reference pattern 11A, the alignment control is performed so that the positional deviation amount L1 is eliminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the entire second reference pattern 11B exists in the shooting range T, the target position S0B and the second reference corresponding to the second reference pattern 11B are present. Based on the detection position S1B of the pattern 11B, the alignment control is performed so that the positional deviation amount L2 is eliminated. Further, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the entire third reference pattern 11C exists in the shooting range T, the target position S0C and the third reference corresponding to the third reference pattern 11C. Based on the detection position S1C of the pattern 11C, alignment control is performed so that the positional deviation amount L3 is eliminated.

Depending on conditions, the entire two of the reference patterns 11A to 11C may exist in the shooting range T. In such a case, a priority order may be set among the reference patterns 11A to 11C, and alignment control may be performed based on a reference pattern having a higher priority order.
In the third embodiment, three types of reference patterns 11A to 11C are provided for each cutting length P of the continuous member 21. However, in the present invention, two reference patterns 11A to 11C are provided for each cutting length P of the continuous member 21. Types or four or more types of reference patterns may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 12, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article according to the fourth embodiment uses a plurality (two in this embodiment) of imaging devices 31 and 31 so that the continuous member 21 can be obtained in one image. The cutting length P (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11) is photographed.
In the fourth manufacturing apparatus that performs the manufacturing method according to the fourth embodiment, the two imaging devices 31, 31 are provided along the longitudinal direction of the continuous member 21. Other than that is the same as that of the 2nd manufacturing apparatus which enforces the manufacturing method of a 2nd embodiment.

The respective shooting ranges T1, T2 are connected to form an integral shooting range. This integral photographing range is equal to or longer than the cutting length P of the continuous member 21 (≈pitch Q of the reference pattern 11). For this reason, even if one imaging device 31 cannot secure an imaging range equal to or longer than the cutting length P of the continuous member 21, it is possible to image a range equal to or longer than the cutting length P of the continuous member 21 by one imaging. The detection time of the reference pattern 11 can be shortened.
In the fourth embodiment, two imaging devices 31 are provided for each cutting length P of the continuous member 21. However, in the present invention, three or more cutting devices P are provided for each cutting length P of the continuous member 21. An imaging device 31 may be provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the fifth embodiment is such that the reference pattern is different for each cut continuous member 21. The continuous member 21 is sequentially provided with three types of reference patterns 11A to 11C. The first reference pattern 11A is a rabbit pattern, the second reference pattern 11B is a turtle pattern, and the third reference pattern 11C is a star pattern. The pitch Q of the adjacent reference pattern is substantially the same as the cutting length P of the continuous member 21. Accordingly, three types of reference patterns 11 </ b> A to 11 </ b> C are sequentially provided for each cut continuous member 21, and the cut continuous member 21 has a different reference pattern from the adjacent cut continuous member 21. become. Other than that is the same as the manufacturing method of the second embodiment.

In the manufacturing method of the fifth embodiment, the image processing apparatus 32 uses three types of registered images (comparison of reference patterns) corresponding to the first reference pattern 11A, the second reference pattern 11B, and the third reference pattern 11C. Prepare the target pattern). Therefore, when any of the first reference pattern 11A, the second reference pattern 11B, or the third reference pattern 11C exists in the photographing range T1, the position of any of the reference patterns 11A, 11B, or 11C Is detected, and based on this, the alignment control can be performed so that the positional deviation amount L is eliminated.
In the fifth embodiment, there are three types of reference patterns 11A to 11C. However, in the present invention, two or more types of reference patterns may be used.

  Depending on the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus, the conveyance path from the pattern position detection device 30 to the integration mechanism becomes long, and even if alignment control is performed based on the detection position S1 of the reference pattern 11 detected by the pattern position detection device 30, In some cases, the reference pattern 11 may be misaligned in the subsequent transport path. The factors include, for example, variations in sheet expansion / contraction ratio at the time of manufacturing the continuous member 21, accuracy when the reference pattern 11 is provided on the continuous member 21, elongation of the continuous member 21 due to tension when winding on the original fabric 20, conveyance There is an extension of the continuous member 21 due to the tension inside.

  In order to eliminate again the positional deviation that occurs after such alignment control is once performed, another alignment control mechanism (including the machine position detection device 35, the pattern position detection device 30, and the feeding speed control device 33) is provided. Can be provided. Another positioning control mechanism is disposed at a position immediately before the joining position C1 at which the continuous member 21 joins the second member 22, as in the sixth manufacturing apparatus that implements the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. It is preferable.

In the sixth manufacturing apparatus, the feeding speed control device 33 is also used as two alignment control mechanisms, and another differential device 42 is provided for another alignment control mechanism. By another differential device 42, the rotational speed of the drive roller 44 provided immediately before the merging position C1 can be increased or decreased.
In the sixth embodiment, two sets of alignment control mechanisms are provided. However, in the present invention, three or more sets of alignment control mechanisms can be provided.

The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of this invention is not restrict | limited to the embodiment mentioned above, and can be suitably changed unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.
In the above embodiment, the continuous member 21 is arranged and fixed at a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article in a state where the continuous member 21 is cut to the length of one absorbent article in the conveyance path. After the continuous member is arranged and fixed at a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article without being cut in the conveyance path, one piece of the absorbent article is disposed in the intermediate process or the final process of the arranged and fixed continuous member. The absorbent article can also be produced by cutting into minutes.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the 1st sheet | seat member 21 which is a continuous member is cut | disconnected independently without joining to the 2nd member 22, and it arrange | positions in the predetermined arrangement | positioning position of an absorbent article. Also good. Moreover, the 2nd member 22 may be the material sent intermittently instead of a continuous body. The surface sheet forming sheet may be integrated in advance with the second member 22 which is an absorbent body forming sheet.

The continuous member is not limited to a material, physical properties, or the like that are uniform in the longitudinal direction. It is possible to use a film, paper or nonwoven fabric provided with a film, or a composite material partially embossed by pattern embossing on a release paper or film.
The method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention can also be applied to unfolded disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, and the like. In the sanitary napkin, for example, a brand name or a processing method can be provided as a reference pattern on a release tape, an individual film, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a disposable diaper which is an absorbent article obtained by the first embodiment of the method for producing an absorbent article of the present invention, and (a) is a development view viewed from the non-skin contact surface side. b) is a partially enlarged view showing the periphery of the reference pattern. FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a transport state of a continuous member in the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic view schematically showing a main part of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view schematically showing an entire first manufacturing apparatus for carrying out the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing a control process of the alignment control mechanism in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing a main part of the method for producing an absorbent article according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing alignment control in the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the first embodiment, and (a) is a diagram showing a state where the detection position of the reference pattern and the target position coincide with each other. (B) is a figure which shows the state which the detection position of a reference pattern and the target position have shifted | deviated. FIG. 8 is a schematic view (corresponding to FIG. 6) schematically showing a main part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view (corresponding to FIG. 7) schematically showing alignment control in the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a reference pattern in the first shooting range. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which a reference pattern exists in the second shooting range. FIG. 10 (a) is a schematic view (corresponding to FIG. 6) schematically showing the main part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 (b) shows the cutting length of the continuous member. FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view (corresponding to FIG. 7) schematically showing alignment control in the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to the third embodiment, and FIGS. It is a figure which shows the state in which the reference pattern, the 2nd reference pattern, and the 3rd reference pattern exist. FIG. 12 is a schematic view (corresponding to FIG. 6) schematically showing a main part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic view (corresponding to FIG. 6) schematically showing a main part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view (corresponding to FIG. 7) schematically showing alignment control in the method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to the fifth embodiment, and FIGS. It is a figure which shows the state in which the reference pattern, the 2nd reference pattern, and the 3rd reference pattern exist. FIG. 15 is a schematic view (corresponding to FIG. 4) schematically showing the entire sixth manufacturing apparatus for carrying out the manufacturing method of the sixth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Absorbent article (disposable diaper)
11, 11A, 11B, 11C Reference pattern 12 Another pattern (entire pattern)
13 Back sheet 14 Outer sheet 20 Original fabric 21 Continuous member (first sheet member)
22 Second member 23 Composite material 24 Cut composite material 30 Pattern position detection device 31 Imaging device 32 Image processing device 33 Feeding speed control device 34 Cutting device 35 Machine position detection device 41 Power source 42 Differential device 43 Feeding belt 44 Drive Roller 45 Guide roller 46 Conveying belt 47 Coating device A1 Abdominal side part A2 Back side part A3 Crotch part C1 Joining position C2 Cutting position P Cutting length Q of continuous member Reference pattern pitch S0 Reference pattern target position S1 Reference pattern detection Position T, T1, T2

Claims (5)

A long continuous member is continuously fed out and conveyed, and the continuous member is arranged and fixed at a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article in a state where the continuous member is cut to the length of one absorbent article in the conveyance path. The absorbent article is manufactured by arranging or fixing the absorbent article at a predetermined arrangement position of the absorbent article without cutting or cutting the continuous member arranged and fixed to the length of one absorbent article. A way to
The continuous member is preliminarily provided with a reference pattern as a reference for its position on the continuous member at a pitch equal to or shorter than the cutting length of the continuous member, and the continuous member is photographed with an imaging device for each predetermined photographing range, and photographed. The position of the reference pattern is detected from the image by the pattern matching method, and the feeding speed of the continuous member is controlled so that the detected position of the detected reference pattern and the target position of the reference pattern coincide with each other. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article which obtains the absorbent article provided in the arrangement position.   The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein a pattern different from the reference pattern is provided on the continuous member so as to overlap a belt-like region extending in a longitudinal direction including the reference pattern.   The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the another pattern is provided so as to surround the reference pattern.   The imaging range of the imaging device is shorter than the cutting length of the continuous member, and the continuous member is taken over the cutting length by photographing the continuous member in multiple times with one imaging device. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1-3 image | photographed. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the continuous member is provided with two or more types of the reference patterns at a pitch shorter than the imaging range of the imaging device.

Images