JP2012024242A - Sheet transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer device of sheets which can transfer elastic gas-permeable sheet pieces to other members or the like while stably maintaining their extended condition.SOLUTION: The sheet transfer device has a plurality of holding heads 5 capable of rotating around a shaft and transfers sheet pieces held on the holding surfaces 5a of the holding heads 5 in an extended condition to other members or a device while maintaining the extended condition. The holding surface 5a has a pair of end suction regions 5b, 5b sucking both ends of the sheet piece in its extending direction, and the end suction regions 5b, 5b are formed of a porous material.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an elastic sheet piece to another member while maintaining the stretched state.

The present applicant has previously proposed a breathable sheet holding device (see Patent Document 1). This holding device has a segment for holding a breathable sheet having elasticity in an extended state. In this apparatus, the continuously supplied breathable sheet is locked to the segment in an extended state, and the breathable sheet is cut to a predetermined length while maintaining the extended state. The breathable sheet after cutting is continuously held by the segment, and then the breathable sheet is transferred to another member such as a disposable diaper. This segment is provided with a pair of locking pieces that are in surface contact with the breathable sheet and hold the breathable sheet in an extended state. As the locking piece, for example, a sprayed member is used.
Further, a method and an apparatus are known in which a transported object is sucked and held by a holding head, and the direction of the transported object is rotated by 90 degrees in that state, and then transferred onto another member (Patent Document 2,). 3). In the holding surface of the holding head in Patent Documents 2 and 3, a plurality of circular suction holes in a plan view are formed at intervals greater than the diameter.

JP-A-9-294769 JP-A 63-317576 JP 2002-301679 A

According to the holding device described in Patent Document 1, there is an advantage that the stretched state of the breathable sheet having elasticity can be maintained with a simple structure. However, when the above-mentioned sprayed member is used as the locking piece, the sprayed member gradually wears and the locking force tends to decrease. In such a case, it is necessary to replace the thermal spray member, but since the thermal spray member is an expensive material, frequent replacement is not economical. In addition, since the sprayed member holds the breathable sheet with a constant locking force, the transfer may not be performed smoothly when the breathable sheet held in the segment is transferred to another member or apparatus.
In the methods and apparatuses of Patent Documents 2 and 3, when the object to be conveyed is not contractible or has low air permeability, the object to be conveyed is preferably held by suction. However, when the object to be conveyed is a highly breathable sheet having elasticity, it is difficult to convey and transfer the sheet while maintaining the stretched state.

  The subject of this invention is providing the transfer apparatus of the sheet | seat which can transcribe | transfer the breathable sheet piece provided with elasticity to another member etc. in the state which maintained the expansion | extension state stably.

  The present invention has a plurality of holding heads that can rotate around an axis, and is an elastic sheet piece held in an extended state on the holding surface of each holding head while maintaining the extended state. A transfer device for a sheet to be transferred to the member or device, wherein the holding surface has a pair of end suction areas for adsorbing both ends in the expansion and contraction direction of the sheet piece, and the end suction areas are The present invention provides a sheet transfer device formed of a porous material.

  According to the sheet transfer apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to transfer a breathable sheet piece having elasticity to another member or the like in a state where the stretched state is stably maintained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of a sheet transfer apparatus of the present invention. 2 (a) is a partially broken perspective view showing a sheet piece, and FIG. 2 (b) is a partially broken perspective view showing a part of a continuous sheet in a state before being cut into sheet pieces. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the holding head, and FIG. 3B is a plan view of the holding head shown in FIG. 3A viewed from the holding surface side. 4A is a plan view showing the detachable member, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. It is line sectional drawing. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section of the holding head along the longitudinal direction of the holding head. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the detachable member, the end region forming member, and the central region forming member constituting the holding head in a separated state. FIG. 7 is a view of the state immediately before the sheet piece held by the holding head is transferred to the material sheet, as viewed from the holding surface side of the holding head.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a sheet transfer apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus 1 shown in the figure includes a cutting means 3 for intermittently cutting a continuous belt-like sheet 2 that is continuously conveyed, and a plurality of holding heads 5. The reversing device 4 that rotates 90 degrees around an axis P perpendicular to the plane of each sheet piece 21 and the sheet piece 21 that is rotated 90 degrees from the holding head 5 of the reversing device 4. And transfer means 7 for joining to a strip-shaped material sheet 72 which is another member.

  In the apparatus 1, a belt-shaped continuous sheet 2 manufacturing apparatus (not shown) is provided upstream of the reversing apparatus 4. The continuous sheet 2 conveyed from the manufacturing apparatus is guided by a guide roll, a direction change roll (not shown) or the like, and is continuously supplied to the reversing apparatus 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the reversing device 4 includes a substantially cylindrical rotating drum 41 that rotates in the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 1, and the rotating drum 41 includes a plurality of holding heads 5 on the peripheral surface portion thereof. . The holding head 5 moves in one direction along the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 41. The holding head 5 has a holding surface 5a. On the holding surface 5a, a sheet piece 21 of each leaf generated by cutting the belt-like continuous sheet 2 is held, and in this state, the holding head 5 rotates in the direction of the arrow R1. The sheet piece 21 can be conveyed in the same direction.

  In the apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, a strip-shaped continuous sheet 2 is supplied onto the peripheral surface portion of the rotating drum 41, and the continuous sheet 2 is formed on the peripheral surface of the rotating drum 41. A cutter 3 as a cutting means is arranged around the position where the holding head is moved by about one. The cutter 3 is configured to be inserted between the holding heads 5 adjacent to each other along the rotation direction of the rotary drum 41 to cut the continuous sheet 2 in the width direction. In order to prevent interference with the moving holding head 5, the cutter 3 reciprocates so as to draw an elliptical orbit in the rotation surface of the rotary drum 41. In this elliptical orbit, the radial direction of the rotating drum 41 is the major axis of the ellipse.

  Each of the holding heads 5 in the reversing device 4 rotates 90 degrees around an axis substantially perpendicular to the holding surface 5a, whereby the sheet piece 21 held on the holding surface 5a of the holding head 5 is moved to the sheet piece 21. And 90 degrees around an axis P perpendicular to the holding surface 5a. The rotation around the axis P is not limited to 90 degrees, and the angle may be changed as necessary.

  In addition, each holding head 5 is measured along the distance between adjacent holding heads (the holding head 5 moves in one direction which is the rotation direction of the rotary drum 41 while rotating in the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. The distance) is shortened or extended. That is, while each holding head 5 moves in a range from the introduction portion A of the continuous sheet 2 to a position slightly beyond the cutting portion B by the cutting means 3, each holding head 5 is in a direction perpendicular to the holding surface 5a. The longitudinal direction of the holding head when viewed from the side is directed to the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 41 so that there is almost no gap between them, but the area slightly beyond the cutting portion B by the cutter 3 Thus, the distance between the holding heads slightly increases, and in this state, the 90-degree rotation of the head described above starts, and the distance between the holding heads further increases from the middle of the 90-degree rotation. Then, the sheet piece 21 is transferred in a state where the distance between the holding heads is increased from the beginning.

  The sheet piece 21 after the transfer functions as one of the components of the workpiece. In this manufacturing method, it is preferable that a plurality of types of workpieces having different sizes and functions can be processed. In this case, since the distance between the adjacent sheet pieces 21 along the rotation direction R1 varies depending on the type of the workpiece, the distance between the adjacent holding heads is smaller than the distance at the introduction portion A of the continuous sheet 2. It can be changed to either increase or decrease, and it is preferable that the pitch can be re-pitched at a desired interval. Here, the distance between adjacent holding heads is the distance between the end portions facing each other in adjacent holding heads along the rotation direction R1.

  The distance between the holding heads decreases after the transfer of the sheet piece 21 is completed and before the holding head 5 returns to the introduction part A of the continuous sheet 2. In the meantime, each holding head 5 rotates 90 degrees around an axis substantially perpendicular to the holding surface 5a. The rotation direction at this time is opposite to the rotation direction of the holding head 5 before the sheet piece 21 is delivered, and the holding head 5 returns to the original position and state by this rotation. Further, the rotation until returning to the introduction part A may be performed in the same direction as the rotation direction of the holding head 5 before the sheet piece 21 is delivered.

  The change of the distance between the holding heads 5 and the rotation of the holding head 5 by 90 degrees in the reversing device 4 can be performed by using known methods and apparatuses, respectively. For example, the method of changing the distance between the holding heads 5 and the method (and apparatus) for rotating the holding head 5 are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-317576, 2003-135517, and 3-22651. The described methods and apparatus can be used. Further, the movement of the holding head 5 provided in the reversing device 4 is performed by a plurality of arms (not shown) having a coaxial rotating shaft and having an end on the opposite side of the rotating shaft or the vicinity thereof connected to each holding head. ) May be rotated. In this case, the rotation speed of each arm may be individually controlled by a servo motor or the like connected to the rotation shaft of each arm. As means for rotating the holding head 5 by 90 degrees about an axis substantially perpendicular to the holding surface 5a, a cam groove is provided in the vicinity of the track of the holding head 5, and a cam groove connected to each holding head is provided in the cam groove. There is a method of inserting a protrusion and converting the reciprocating motion of the follower node that occurs as the holding head 5 moves into the rotational motion of the head by a known method. A cylindrical groove cam or the like can be used as the cam. Further, instead of providing the cam groove, it is also possible to provide a ridge portion and slide the driven node.

  In the apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the transfer of the sheet piece 21 is performed by an adhesive (not shown) previously applied to a predetermined position on the surface of the material sheet 72. Instead of applying the adhesive to the material sheet 72, or applying the adhesive to the material sheet 72, the adhesive is applied to a predetermined position of the continuous sheet 2, and the sheet piece 21 passes through this adhesive. It may be fixed to the material sheet 72. Alternatively, transfer can also be performed by using a suction roll as the roll 71 provided in the transfer means 7 instead of or together with the adhesive. Furthermore, other known transfer means can be used without particular limitation.

  The roll 71 rotates at a predetermined speed in the direction R2 in FIG. When a suction roll is used as the roll 71, the suction roll 71 sucks the air inside the roll and holds it in a negative pressure state, whereby the sheet piece 21 is placed on the peripheral surface via the material sheet 72. receive. The suction roll 71 has a large number of holes on its peripheral surface. This hole is connected to suction means (not shown). By operating the suction means, the suction roll 71 can suck air from its peripheral surface toward the inside.

  FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a sheet piece 21 to be transferred by the apparatus 1. The sheet piece 21 has a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction a and a width direction b orthogonal thereto. The sheet piece 21 is obtained by folding a rectangular base sheet 21a in two and overlapping two sheets, and joining and fixing a plurality of elastic members 21b made of thread rubber or the like between the two sheets in an expanded state. The elastic member 21b includes a first elastic member 211b disposed so as to extend in one direction over the entire area in the longitudinal direction a of the base sheet 21a, and a front area and a rear area in the longitudinal direction a of the base sheet 21a. The second elastic member 212b is arranged so as to extend only in one direction. The second elastic member 212b is inelastic in the central region of the base sheet 21a in the longitudinal direction a.

  In the base material sheet 21a folded in half, the opposing surfaces of the base material sheets 21a are joined by an adhesive applied to the elastic member 21b. In other words, in the sheet piece 21, the three of the folded base sheet 21a and the elastic member 21b are joined at a portion where the elastic member 21b exists. In the portion where the elastic member 21b does not exist, the base sheet 21a folded in half is in a non-bonded state. By being in such a joined state, the sheet piece 21 becomes a stretchable sheet that is soft and has good air permeability.

  Further, when the sheet piece 21 is viewed along the width direction b, the sheet piece 21 has a portion where the elastic member 21b is arranged (hereinafter referred to as “elastic portion”) 23 and no elastic member. It is roughly classified into a part (hereinafter referred to as “inelastic part”) 24. Both the elastic part 23 and the non-elastic part 24 extend along the longitudinal direction a of the sheet piece 21.

  The base material sheet 21a is comprised from fiber sheets, such as a nonwoven fabric and paper, and a shaping | molding film. When the base sheet 21a is composed of a fiber sheet, the sheet piece 21 generally has air permeability. When the base sheet 21a is formed of a molded film, it generally does not have air permeability, but it is microscopic depending on the macroscopic opening of the film or the constituent raw materials and manufacturing method of the film. Air permeability may be imparted by forming pores and imparting air permeability, although it is hardly liquid permeable. In addition, the sheet piece 21 can be expanded and contracted along the extending direction of the elastic member 21b by the action of the elastic member 21b disposed in an extended state. As a result, the sheet piece 21 has elasticity and air permeability. Such a sheet piece 21 contributes to the improvement of the fitting property of this diaper by arrange | positioning this in the waist part of a disposable diaper, for example. In particular, when the sheet piece 21 has air permeability, not only the fit of the diaper is improved, but also the anti-steaming effect is improved.

  The sheet piece 21 can be expanded and contracted along the direction in which the elastic member 21b extends, which is the longitudinal direction a, but does not have elasticity in the width direction b orthogonal to the direction. However, it is not impeded that the sheet piece 21 has elasticity in the direction b orthogonal to the direction in which the elastic member 21b extends. In that case, the effect of the present invention is more conspicuous when the elastic force in the extending direction a of the elastic member 21b is higher than the elastic force in the width direction b perpendicular to the direction.

  FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a part of the continuous sheet 2 in a state before the sheet piece 21 is cut into each leaf. The continuous sheet 2 is cut in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the continuous sheet 2 at a position C that bisects the second elastic member 212b in the length direction.

  3A and 3B show the holding head 5 provided in the apparatus 1. The holding head 5 has a holding surface 5a on its upper surface. The holding surface 5a includes a pair of first sides 51 and 51 located at both ends in the direction (X direction) corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the continuous sheet 2 and the longitudinal direction a of the sheet piece 21, and the width direction of the continuous sheet 2 and The sheet piece 21 has a pair of second sides 52 and 52 located at both ends in the direction (Y direction) corresponding to the width direction b of the sheet piece 21. The holding surface 5a has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the X direction. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the direction extending in the same direction as the second side 52 on the holding surface 5 a is also referred to as the longitudinal direction X, and the direction extending in the same direction as the first side 51 is also referred to as the width direction Y. The holding surface 5a is curved in a gentle convex shape along the width direction Y thereof. The holding surface 5a is formed linearly along the longitudinal direction X, but may instead be curved in a gentle convex shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the holding surface 5 a has end portions 51 a and 51 a extending along the first side 51, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction a (stretching direction) of the sheet piece 21. Has a pair of end suction areas 5b, 5b. The end suction region 5b is formed in a part of the end region 51a extending along the first side 51 with a predetermined width. More specifically, it is formed in a portion where the end portion of the elastic portion 23 of the sheet piece 21 is placed in the end region 51a.

The end suction region 5b uses a gas permeable member made of a porous material. As shown in FIG. 4A, the end suction region 5b is made of a wire mesh 53 as a breathable member, and the end suction region 5b has a large number of holes 53a having a predetermined opening area. Yes. The hole 53a penetrates the breathable member, and the opening area when the breathable member is a net made of metal or synthetic resin is the same as the orthographic projection area of the mesh.
From the viewpoint of securing the suction holding force, the opening area ratio of the end suction region 5b is preferably 30 to 80%, and more preferably 50 to 80%.
The opening area ratio (%) of the edge suction region 5b is calculated by the equation (S1 / S2) × 100, where S2 is the area of the edge suction region 5b and S1 is the total opening area of the individual openings. Is done.
Although it is necessary to secure a so-called “margin” for attaching the porous material, from the viewpoint of stable holding of the sheet piece 21, it is preferable that the end suction region exists up to the vicinity of the edge portion. The distance from the edge is preferably 1 to 2 mm.

  As the breathable member disposed in the end suction region 5b, various members that can achieve the opening area and the opening area ratio of the hole described above can be used in place of a wire net or a synthetic resin net. For example, a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate in which a large number of through holes are formed by metal etching or punching can be used. Further, the suction is generally performed from the central portion of the holding head, and the suction force tends to decrease toward the end. In the end suction region 5b, from the viewpoint of securing the suction holding force, it is more preferable that the air permeability increases as it is closer to the holding head edge in the region.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 5, each of the end regions 51 a and 51 a on the holding surface 5 a has a stepped portion 54 that is positioned lower than the main region (other region) of the holding surface 5 a. Is formed. The step portion 54 is formed in a part of the end region 51 a extending along the first side 51 with a predetermined width. More specifically, the step portion 54 is formed in a central region that is separated from both the end portions 55 and 56 in the direction along the first side 51 in each end region 51a. On the other hand, the region from the step 54 to the one end 55 and the region from the step 54 to the other end 56 in each end region 51a are the same height as the main region of the holding surface 5a. It is not a step part. Here, the main region is a region that mainly contacts the sheet piece 21 on the holding surface 5a. For example, the region between the pair of end regions 51a and 51a occupies most of the main region.

  The step suction region 5b is formed in the step portion 54, and the end suction region 5b is substantially in the same range as the step portion 54. In the present embodiment, the end suction region 5b is formed in the step portion 54 formed in the central region of the end region 51a. Instead, one end 55 and / or the end region 51a is provided in the end region 51a. Alternatively, a step portion extending over the other end portion 56 may be provided, and the end suction region 5b may be provided in the step portion.

In the holding head 5 of the present embodiment, the wire mesh (breathable member) 53 that forms the end suction region 5b is attached to a detachable member 57 that is detachably fixed to the holding head 5, as shown in FIGS. Is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the detachable member 57 includes a rectangular tube-shaped main body 57a and a wire mesh fixed to the upper end opening of the main body 57a so as to be fitted to the inner peripheral surface side of the opening. (Breathable member) 53. The wire mesh 53 may be fixed to the upper surface without being fitted. Of the four side walls surrounding the hollow part of the detachable member 57, the lower part on the outer surface side is inclined in order to avoid interference with the cutter 3. As a method for fixing the air-permeable member such as the wire mesh 53 to the main body 57a, any method such as fusion such as welding or an adhesive can be employed. Two fastening portions 57d having screw holes 57c are integrally formed at the lower end opening of the main body 57a.
As shown in FIG. 5, the detachable member 57 has a screw 57 e (fastening member) in a fixing hole 59 a provided in an end region forming member 59 constituting a part of the main body 58 of the holding head 5. Then, it can be detachably attached to the main body 58 of the holding head 5 by being inserted from below and screwed into the screw hole 57c. Therefore, the detachable member 57 can be fixed without causing the screw 57e for fixing the detachable member 57 to protrude from the surface of the end suction region 5b. Also, by removing the screw 57e, the detachable member 57 may be replaced with a new detachable member 57 having the same configuration or another detachable member provided with a breathable member having a different hole size and / or arrangement. it can.

  The main body portion 58 of the holding head 5 is a portion other than the detachable member 57 in the holding head 5. The main body 58 in the present embodiment includes a pair of end region forming members 59 that form portions other than the end suction region 5b in the end region 51a of the holding surface 5a, and portions other than the end region 51a in the holding surface 5a. And a tray-shaped pedestal portion 61 whose upper end opening is closed by these members 59, 59, 60. The pedestal 61 is connected to a suction main pipe 61a that communicates with external suction means (a suction pump or the like, not shown). As shown in FIG. 3, the pair of end region forming members 59 and the center region forming member 60 are fixed to the pedestal portion 61 by fastening members (not shown) such as screws, bolts, etc. A space 62 that can be decompressed is formed inside 5. When the external suction means is operated, the space 62 is depressurized, and suction is performed through the hole 53a of the metal mesh (breathable member) 53 in the end suction region 5b. As a result, the end of the sheet piece 21 is sucked and held in the end suction region 5b.

  In the end regions 51a and 51a of the holding surface 5a, a plurality of first suction holes 5c are provided in a region between the end suction region 5b and the one end 56 in the length direction of the first side 51. Is formed. A plurality of second suction holes 5d are provided in the region between the pair of end regions 51a and 51a on the holding surface 5a. Each suction hole 5c, 5d is a drill hole formed by drilling with a drill, and communicates with the space 62 through a pipe line that opens to the holding surface 5a and extends in the height direction of the holding head 5. . Then, by operating the suction means communicated with the space 62, a suction force is generated in each of the suction holes 5c and 5d, and the sheet piece 21 is also applied to the first suction hole 5c and the second suction hole 5d. Adsorbed.

  A method for transferring the sheet piece 21 using the apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described. The continuous sheet 2 shown in FIG. 2B is guided by the above-described direction changing roll or the like and supplied to the rotating drum 41 that regularly rotates in the direction of the arrow R1. At this time, tension is applied to the continuous sheet 2 and the continuous sheet 2 is in an extended state. The continuous sheet 2 is held by the holding head 5 while the stretched state is maintained. Holding of the continuous sheet 2 is achieved by suction by the end suction region 5b and suction by the suction holes 5c and 5d. The continuous sheet 2 is conveyed to the position of the cutter 3 while being held by the holding head 5, and is cut by the cutter 3 intermittently in the longitudinal direction and across the entire width direction at each cutting point. The length of the sheet piece 21 produced by cutting the continuous sheet 2 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the length of the holding surface 5a of the holding head 5 in the longitudinal direction.

  The sheet piece 21 generated by the cutting is held on the holding surface 5a such that its longitudinal direction a (that is, the direction in which the elastic member 21b extends) coincides with the longitudinal direction X of the holding surface 5a of the holding head 5. Specifically, both end portions of the sheet piece 21 in the expansion / contraction direction (longitudinal direction a) are adsorbed by the end suction region 5b, and the length of the sheet piece 21 in the non-elastic part 24 in the first suction hole 5c. Both end portions in the direction a are adsorbed, and further, a region between both end portions of the elastic portion 23 of the sheet piece 21 is adsorbed in the second suction hole 5d. Even in this state, the stretched state of the sheet piece 21 is maintained.

  The sheet piece 21 is conveyed while being held by the holding head 5, and is rotated 90 degrees around the axis P perpendicular to the plane of the sheet piece 21 by the rotation of the holding head 5 during the conveyance. The sheet piece 21 rotated by 90 degrees has a pitch between the holding heads 5 as compared to a state in which the longitudinal direction of the head when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the holding surface 5a is directed in the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 41, When the holding head 5 is rotated 90 degrees, the width direction of the head when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the holding surface 5 a is increased in the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 41. In the state where the distance between the holding heads 5 is increased, the sheet pieces 21, 21... Conveyed to the holding head 5 are separately supplied material sheets at the position of the roll 71 provided in the transfer unit 7. 72 is delivered to the surface. As a result, the sheet piece 21 is regularly arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the material sheet 72 with the width direction (short direction) before the 90-degree rotation coincides with the longitudinal direction of the material sheet 72. Is done. In this case, it is preferable that an adhesive is applied in advance to the surface of the continuous sheet 2 (sheet piece 21) and / or the material sheet 72, and both are bonded and fixed.

  FIG. 7 shows a state immediately before the 90-degree rotation of the holding head 5 is completed and the sheet piece 21 held by the holding head 5 is transferred to a material sheet (not shown). . In the figure, the direction of the arrow R1 is the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 41 (see FIG. 1). In this state, the direction of the holding head 5 is such that the direction along the length direction of the first side 51 on the holding surface 5a (the Y direction in FIG. 4) is the conveyance direction R2 (see FIG. 1) of the material sheet 72. Match.

When transferring the sheet piece 21 to the material sheet 72, the suction by the end suction areas 5b and 5b of the holding head 5 and the suction by the first and second suction holes 5c and 5d are stopped. Instead of stopping all the suction, it is possible to stop only the suction by the first and / or second suction holes 5c and 5d or only the suction of the end suction regions 5b and 5b. By this operation, the holding of the sheet piece 21 by the suction to the holding head 5 is released, or the holding force is reduced, and the holding force of the sheet piece 21 by the holding head 5 is reduced. When a suction roll is used as the roll 71, an operation of sucking the roll 71 from its peripheral surface toward the inside may be performed in synchronization with the stop of suction of the end suction areas 5b, 5b and the like.
By these operations, the transfer of the sheet piece 21 from the holding head 5 toward the roll 71 of the transfer means 7 is reliably performed. In some cases, instead of stopping the suction of the end suction regions 5b, 5b, etc., an operation for reducing these suction forces may be performed.

  Since the sheet piece 21 is provided with the elastic member 21b along the longitudinal direction a, the sheet piece 21 is held in the extended state on the holding head 5 and is held even if it is to be transferred to the material sheet 72 in that state. If the sheet piece 21 is insufficient, the sheet piece 21 contracts, and the arrangement position of the sheet piece 21 with respect to the material sheet 72, particularly the position of the end portion thereof, is liable to occur. By providing the end suction regions 5b and 5b having a specific opening area and opening area ratio as in this embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress the sheet piece 21 from contracting in the expansion / contraction direction. Therefore, the highly breathable sheet piece 21 having elasticity can be transferred to another member or the like while maintaining its extended state stably.

Further, as already described, the sheet piece 21 is composed of the elastic part 23 and the non-elastic part 24. In the present apparatus 1, the sheet piece mainly in the elastic part 23 among these two parts. While the both end portions in the longitudinal direction a of the sheet 21 are sucked and held by the end suction region 5b, the both ends in the longitudinal direction a of the sheet piece 21 mainly in the non-elastic portion 24 are sucked and held by the first suction holes 5c. Yes.
Since the first suction hole 5c has a larger ventilation resistance than the end suction region 5b, the suction force applied through the common space 62 is a region in which the first suction hole 5c is provided. Rather than in the end suction region 5b. Therefore, the highly air-permeable sheet piece 21 can be held in a more stable state on the holding surface 5a, whereby transfer to another member or the like can be performed more stably and reliably. In addition, since the non-elastic part 24 does not have a large contracting force, the non-elastic part 24 can be reliably held even when the suction force by the first suction hole 5c and / or the second suction hole 5d is used. It can be carried out.
Further, when the highly air-permeable sheet piece 21 is used, the suction force applied through the space 62 is transmitted through the first suction hole 5c, the second suction hole 5d, and the end suction areas 5b and 5b. A suction force is generated on the holding surface 5a, and an air flow is generated from the outside of the holding head 5 toward the holding surface 5a. The generated air flow causes a pressing force against the holding surface 5a against the sheet piece 21, and particularly in the end suction region 5b formed of the porous material, the contact point between the sheet piece 21 and the porous material is Since there are many, it becomes a more stable holding state.

  Further, since the end suction region 5b is formed in the step portion 54, when the sheet piece 21 is transferred onto the roll 71 or the material sheet 72 supported by the roll 71, the end suction region 5b Can be prevented from strongly hitting the roll 71 supporting the. As a result, it is possible to prevent wear, breakage, deterioration, etc. of the breathable member and the detachable member used for forming the end suction region 5b and the region 5b, and it is necessary to replace the breathable member and the detachable member. The frequency of replacement can be reduced. Further, the boundary portion between the step portion 54 and the other portion strongly hits the sheet piece, thereby preventing the sheet piece 21 from being displaced. Thereby, shrinkage | contraction of the sheet piece 21 is suppressed more effectively. The step of the step portion 54 is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, particularly preferably 1.5 to 2.5 mm. By reducing the surface of the end suction region 5b from the other regions of the holding surface 5a with such a level difference, the wear of the end suction region 5b is maintained while maintaining the suction holding force by the end suction region 5b. And damage, deterioration, etc. can be effectively suppressed.

  As the material sheet 72, for example, a fiber sheet such as a nonwoven fabric, a molded film, or the like can be used. The width of the material sheet 72 is not particularly limited, but is generally equal to or longer than the length of the sheet piece 21 in the longitudinal direction.

  In the above description, the apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to the process of manufacturing the sheet piece 21 of each leaf from the continuous sheet 2 made of a belt-like continuous body and arranging the sheet piece 21 on the material sheet 72. It is. Although this apparatus 1 can be used for various uses, it is used suitably especially for manufacture of absorbent articles, such as a disposable diaper. Specifically, as the elastic sheet disposed around the waist of the disposable diaper, the above-mentioned material is used as the exterior sheet constituting the outer surface of the disposable diaper or the surface sheet constituting the inner surface of the diaper while using the sheet piece 21 described above. A disposable diaper can be manufactured by arranging the sheet piece 21 on the material sheet 72 using the sheet 72, and then sequentially arranging the absorbent body and the topsheet or the exterior sheet. it can.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the preferable embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first and second suction holes 5c and 5d are provided on the holding surface 5a. However, the first or second suction holes 5c and 5d can be omitted, and the end faces can be omitted. In the case where the sheet piece 21 can be reliably held only by suction by the partial suction region 5b, both can be omitted.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although only one part of each edge part area | region 51a extended along the 1st edge | side 51 of the holding surface 5a was made into the level | step-difference part 54, it replaces with this, You may form the level | step-difference part covering the whole area of the longitudinal direction of the edge | side 51 of this. The end suction region 5b may be formed only in a part of the end region 51a, or may be formed in the end region 51a so as to cover substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the first side 51.

  In the embodiment, the holding head 5 rotates around the axis P perpendicular to the holding surface 5 a until the sheet piece 21 held by the holding head 5 is transferred to the material sheet 72. The distance between adjacent holding heads 5 is shortened or extended, but only one of these operations may be performed instead.

  In the embodiment, the sheet piece 21 held by the holding head 5 is transferred to the material sheet 72 which is another member. Instead, the sheet piece 21 is transferred separately from the transfer device 1. The image may be transferred to another apparatus provided in the apparatus.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example and a comparative example demonstrate this invention further in detail, this invention is not restrict | limited at all by the following examples.

[Example 1]
The detachable member shown in FIG. 4 was fixed to the end region forming member 59 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. Further, the detachable member having the same configuration as that of the detachable member shown in FIG. 4 is formed in the same manner as the detachable member having the same configuration as that of the end region forming member 59 shown in FIGS. Fixed to the member. Then, they are fixed on a pedestal portion having substantially the same structure as the pedestal portion 61 shown in FIG. 6 together with the central region forming member 60 shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. Configured. To this pedestal portion, SF-7500 of Nishimura Electric was connected as a suction means.
A sheet piece 21 having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 was placed on a test holding pad. The length of the sheet piece 21 in the expansion / contraction direction (longitudinal direction a) was slightly longer than the length of the holding head in the longitudinal direction. Marks were placed on portions of the sheet piece 21 located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the holding head.
In order to prevent the sheet piece 21 from contracting, the suction means was operated with both ends thereof held. Under the conditions of an air volume of 4.3 m 3 / min and a static pressure of 19.9 kPa, the fixing of both ends of the sheet piece 21 was released, and how much the position of the mark deviated from the original position was recorded.

  The edge suction area was formed in a rectangular shape of 6 cm × 2.75 cm using a wire mesh with a mesh opening of 4.18 mm as a breathable member. The wire mesh used had a wire diameter of 0.9 mm, and the opening area ratio of the wire mesh was 67.7%. Moreover, the sheet piece 21 used an SMS nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of 15 gms as a base material sheet, and a 470 dtex thread-like elastic body was stretched approximately twice as an elastic member 21b and fixed. On the holding surface, a step of 2 mm was provided between the end suction region and the other region.

[Example 2]
Instead of using a metal mesh as the air-permeable member, a perforated plate in which a large number of holes (through holes having a circular opening shape) were formed by etching on a metal plate was used. The holes were formed in a staggered pattern with an opening area of about 0.05 mm ² . The aperture area ratio of the perforated plate was 49%. Other than that, the same test as in Example 1 was performed.

The results were as follows.
Example 1: Amount of misalignment of mark (total amount of misalignment at both ends), 5.3 mm
Example 2: Amount of misalignment of mark (total amount of misalignment at both ends), 3.3 mm

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transfer apparatus 2 Continuous sheet 21 Sheet piece 3 Cutter (cutting means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Reversing device 41 Rotating drum 5 Holding head 5a Holding surface 5b End suction area 5c First suction hole 5d Second suction hole 51 First side 51a End area 52 Second side 53 Wire mesh (breathable member)
57 Desorption member 58 Main body of holding head 59 End region forming member 60 Center region forming member 7 Transfer means 71 Suction roll 72 Material sheet

Claims (8)

Another member or device having a plurality of holding heads rotatable around an axis and holding the elastic sheet piece held in an extended state on the holding surface of each holding head while maintaining the extended state A transfer device for a sheet to be transferred to
The sheet transfer apparatus, wherein the holding surface has a pair of end suction areas that adsorb both ends of the sheet piece in the expansion / contraction direction, and the end suction areas are formed of a porous material.   2. The sheet transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the porous material is a metal or synthetic resin net, or a breathable member having a through hole formed by etching or punching.   The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the end suction region has a substantially constant air permeability in the region.   The sheet transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the edge suction region is formed in a stepped portion having a step with another region of the holding surface.   The sheet transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the breathable member is provided on a detachable member that is detachably fixed to a holding head.   6. The sheet transfer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detachable member is fixable to the holding head body by a fastening member that is not exposed to the holding surface side.   2. The holding head is configured to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the holding surface until the sheet piece held by the holding head is transferred to another member or apparatus. The sheet transfer device according to any one of -6. A plurality of holding heads, each holding head is adapted to move in one direction;
The distance between adjacent holding heads is shortened or extended until the sheet piece held by each holding head is transferred to another member or apparatus. The sheet transfer apparatus according to 1.

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