JP2015085653A - Apparatus and method for manufacturing sheet fused body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fused body capable of manufacturing a sheet fused body having excellent flexibility and touch feeling of seal edges and having practically sufficient fusion strength while preventing inconvenience caused by fume gas.SOLUTION: An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fused body having seal edges which are fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped comprises an irradiation head 312, a support member 21 for supporting one surface of a belt-like sheet laminate and a gas injection device 15, wherein the support member 21 has a slit-like opening 27, the gas injection device 15 comprises an injection nozzle 151 for injecting gas from a side of the support member 21 to a sheet laminate 10 and an injection direction changing mechanism 153 capable of continuously changing an injection direction to a conveyance direction of Y of the sheet laminate and a crossing direction of the sheet laminate. The sheet laminate 10 supported by the support member 21 is divided by irradiating a laser beam 30 along the opening 27 from a side of the support member 21 and the edges divided are fused in a state of being overlapped.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet fusion product manufacturing apparatus and method.

  Conventionally, in a manufacturing process of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a heat roll apparatus is widely used for joining stacked sheets. As another bonding method, a method of welding using a laser beam is also known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is deformed into a shape along the peripheral surface of a rotary roll having a laser light transmitting portion on the peripheral surface, and the sheet is conveyed. A method of irradiating the laminated body with laser light from the inside of the rotary roll to fuse the sheets in the laminated sheet is described.

JP 2010-188629 A

  In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a sheet laminate to be fused is conveyed while being sandwiched between a rotating roll and a belt, and fusion is performed by irradiation with laser light while being conveyed. At the time of fusing, a gas containing resin fume may be generated from the sheet laminate to be fused. Resin fume is minute solid particles generated by solidification of vapor of a solid substance or chemical reaction of a gaseous substance. Therefore, if this resin fume stays in air at a high concentration, it may ignite. In addition, when a slit-shaped opening is provided as a laser light transmitting portion on the cylindrical roll, contamination of the opening due to resin fume becomes a problem, which adversely affects the fusion strength of the fusion portion formed by the laser light. I found out that Therefore, local exhaust of the gas containing resin fume is required. However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is not easy to exhaust the generated gas because the sheet stack is conveyed while being sandwiched between a rotating roll and a non-breathable belt.

  Therefore, the subject of this invention is providing the manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of a sheet fusion body which can eliminate the fault which the prior art mentioned above has.

  The present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped, and at least one irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light. A support member that supports one surface of a belt-like sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are stacked on each part, and a gas jetting device, wherein the support member receives a focused laser beam. The sheet laminate has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, and is capable of passing from the support member side, and the gas injection device is configured to provide the sheet laminate on the support member from the support member side. And an injection direction changing mechanism capable of continuously changing the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle in the conveying direction of the sheet laminate and the crossing direction thereof, and the support. Supported by member The belt-shaped sheet laminate is fused by irradiating the focused laser beam along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side, and is fused in a state where the edge of the division is overlapped. Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body for continuously producing a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge portion.

  The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped, wherein at least a part of the plurality of sheets is a resin material. One surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the strip-shaped sheet laminate is By irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed into the sheet constituting the sheet laminate from the support member side and that generates heat, the belt-like sheet laminate is divided. A step of fusing together cut edges of a plurality of sheets generated by the division to form the seal edge, and at the time of dividing and fusing the sheet laminate in the step, the sheet laminate in the sheet laminate A sheet fusion body that injects gas toward or near the irradiation point of the laser beam and changes the injection direction of the gas so that the portion to which the gas is sprayed moves in conjunction with the movement of the irradiation point The manufacturing method of this is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to produce a sheet fusion body that is excellent in flexibility and touch of the seal edge portion and has practically sufficient fusion strength while effectively preventing inconveniences caused by fume gas. it can.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a pants-type disposable diaper manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams corresponding to FIG. 2 of the side seal part (seal edge part) on one side and the vicinity thereof in a state where the waist opening of the diaper shown in FIG. 2 is expanded. . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a further main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminate) is introduced into the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the main part of the gas injection device used in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8B shows the main part of the gas injection device shown in FIG. It is the figure seen from the rotating shaft direction of the roll, and FIG.8 (c) is the figure which looked at the principal part of the gas injection apparatus shown to Fig.8 (a) from the downstream of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll. FIG. 9 is a developed plan view showing movement of a laser beam irradiation point and a gas spraying part in the method for manufacturing a sheet fusion body using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are perspective views showing how the laser beam irradiation point and the gas sprayed part move in the method for manufacturing a sheet-fused body using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. . FIG. 11: is a perspective view which shows typically the manufacturing process of a diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminated body). 12 (a) to 12 (c) show how the side seal part (seal edge part) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminate) is divided using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining these. FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 12 (c) of another example of a method for manufacturing a pants-type disposable diaper using the laser-type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the main part of a more preferable support member of the production apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are views (a view corresponding to FIG. 12B) showing a modification of the main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 16 (a) to 16 (c) are diagrams showing another example of the injection direction changing mechanism of the gas injection device that can be used in the present invention, and FIG. 16 (a) is viewed from the rotation axis direction of the cylindrical roll. FIG. 16 (b) is a view seen from the downstream side in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll, and FIG. 16 (c) is a plan view seen from above.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The sheet fusion body manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, that is, a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets overlap each other is, for example, FIG. Or it is the underpants type disposable diaper 1 which comprises the exterior | packing body 3 which has a pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 as shown in FIG. First, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaper 1 includes an absorbent main body 2 and an exterior body 3 that is disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body 2 and fixes the absorbent main body 2. And the both side edges of the exterior body 3 on the ventral side 1A and the both side edges of the exterior body on the back side 1B are joined together to form a pair of side seal parts 4, 4, a waist opening 8 and a pair of A pants-type disposable diaper in which leg openings 9, 9 are formed. The side seal portion 4 is a portion corresponding to the “seal edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets overlap”.

  The side seal part 4 is mentioned as one of the main characteristic parts of the diaper 1 manufactured with the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment, and the manufacturing method of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer edge 4 a of the side seal portion 4 generated by the division in the cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the side seal portion 4 (width direction of the diaper 1) is the exterior body 3 ( Of the four sheets 31 and 32 constituting the exterior body 3 on the inner side of the exterior body 3 including the outer edge 4a and further on the inside thereof. A fused portion 40 is formed, and the fused portion 40 has a width that is wider at the center portion in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the exterior body 3 than at both end portions (upper end portion and lower end portion). That is, when the fusion bonded portion 40 is viewed in a cross-section in the width direction of the diaper 1 (a direction perpendicular to the dividing direction by the laser beam), the width of the fusion bonded portion 40 gradually increases toward the central portion in the thickness direction. It is formed in a so-called crescent or half-moon shape. Note that the fused portion 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a crescent shape.

  In general, the side seal part is a cause that reduces the feeling of wearing of the diaper due to the presence of the fused part formed by melting and solidifying the sheet forming material, which is harder and softer than other parts of the diaper. It is a possible part. However, like the side seal part 4 of the diaper 1, if the fusion part 40 is formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1, the fusion part in the conventional side seal part Thus, compared with the case where it is formed in a rectangular shape in the same cross-sectional view, the ratio of the fused portion 40 existing in the corner portion 3S of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 constituting the side seal portion 4 is reduced. This makes it difficult for the corner portion 3S to have inherent flexibility and feel. Therefore, as for the diaper 1, the feeling of wear of a diaper improves compared with a conventional product. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 (the corner 3S and the other surface on one surface side of the exterior body 3 shown in FIG. 3), which is a part that greatly affects the fusion strength of the side seal portion 4. Since a sufficient amount of the fusion part 40 exists in the middle part of the part sandwiched between the side 3S, the side seal part 4 has a practically sufficient fusion strength, and the diaper 1 Inconveniences such as tearing of the side seal 4 during wearing are unlikely to occur.

  Moreover, the side seal part 4 (fusion | fusion part 40) has the characteristic that it is hard to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or natural state (contraction state) of the diaper 1. FIG. 3 shows the side seal portion 4 (fused portion 40) in a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn. In the state where the waist opening portion 8 is expanded, the side seal portion 4 is normally in a state where the fused portion 40 is exposed as shown in FIG. 3A, but the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 is the exterior. It is difficult to visually recognize from the outside due to the convex arc shape toward the inside of the body 3 and the fact that the fused portion 40 is smaller than the conventional side seal portion (fused portion). In particular, the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 has a convex arc shape toward the inner side of the exterior body 3, so that depending on the forming material of the sheets 31, 32, as shown in FIG. In a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn, the corner 3S of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the abdominal side 1A side and the corner of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the back side 1B side The portion 3S may approach and the separation distance between the corner portions 3S and 3S may be reduced. Therefore, the fusion part 40 located between the two corners 3S and 3S is difficult to touch by the hand and is externally located by the two corners 3S and 3S located closer to the outer side of the diaper 1 than the fusion part 40. Therefore, not only the feeling of wearing the diaper 1 but also the appearance is improved.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the side seal part 4 (seal edge part) has a cross section orthogonal to the direction in which the side seal part 4 extends when worn, and the outer edge 4a of the fused part 40 is It has a shape recessed toward the inside of the wearing article. Further, the fused portion 40 in the side seal portion 4 has a narrow width W4 appearing on the outer surface of the diaper in the same cross section, and the width W4 is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less, and even more preferably 2 mm or less. It is.

  In addition, when the side seal part 4 (fusion part 40) becomes difficult to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or the natural state (contracted state) of the diaper 1, for example, after the diaper 1 is used, it is protected from the infant who is the wearer. When a person (for example, a mother) removes the diaper, it is difficult to find the side seal portion 4, and there is a possibility that it takes time to remove the diaper 1. As a means for eliminating such inconvenience due to the decrease in the visibility of the side seal portion 4, for example, the color of the constituent member of the diaper 1 that crosses the side seal portion 4 is set to the ventral side of the side seal portion 4. The method of making it differ by (front side) and back side (rear side) is mentioned. More specifically, for example, the color of the waist elastic member 5 or the exterior body 3 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) between the abdominal side 1A (front body) and the back side 1B (rear body) of the diaper 1. The method of making different is mentioned. By such a method, the side seal portion 4 is positioned at the color switching portion, so the visibility of the side seal portion 4 is increased and the occurrence of the inconvenience is effectively prevented.

Next, the laser bonding apparatus 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention and the manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 (manufacturing apparatus for a sheet-fused body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped) has an irradiation head 312 having a lens 311 for condensing the laser beam 30. And a support member 21 that transports while supporting one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and a gas injection device 15 (FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8). Further, as pressurizing means, an endless pressurizing belt 24 (pressing member) and a plurality of (three) rolls 25a, 25b, 25c that rotate in a state where the pressurizing belt 24 is stretched are provided. A belt type pressure device 26 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 irradiates a continuous diaper 10 (a belt-shaped sheet laminate) separately produced in advance with a laser beam to form a pair of side seal parts 4, 4 ( It is an apparatus for continuously producing a pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) having an exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a seal edge).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment includes a hollow cylindrical roll 23 including an annular support member 21 that rotates around a rotation axis (in the direction of arrow A), and a hollow cylindrical roll 23. An irradiation head 312 is provided that irradiates the laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 that is disposed in the hollow portion and forms the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23. The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 is an apparatus in which a belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is wound around the outer peripheral surface of an annular support member 21 and conveyed.

  The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 includes a tension adjustment mechanism (not shown) that can increase or decrease the tension of the pressure belt 24 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the support member 21 (the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23). The pressure applied to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) can be appropriately adjusted by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an irradiation head 312 that irradiates the laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 that forms the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23 is provided in the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical roll 23. The irradiation head 312 is a galvano scanner that freely scans the laser beam 30, and includes two motors and mirrors attached to the two motors. The position where the laser beam 30 hits the diaper continuum 10 on the support member 21. (Irradiation point) can be moved in both the direction parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23 (direction indicated by the symbol X in FIG. 4) and the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 (direction indicated by the symbol Y in FIG. 4). it can.

  The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes a laser light irradiation mechanism that can irradiate the laser light 30 while changing the irradiation direction of the laser light 30 by the irradiation head 312, and the laser light irradiation mechanism is the irradiation head. The irradiation point P of the laser beam 30 is controlled by a personal computer (control unit, not shown) incorporating a driver for driving a motor for driving the mirror 312 and an operation program (scanning software, etc.). It can move simultaneously in a direction X parallel to the rotation axis of the roll 23 and a circumferential direction Y of the cylindrical roll 23. As shown in FIG. 4, the direction X parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23 corresponds to the conveyance direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) by the support member 21, and the circumferential direction Y of the cylindrical roll 23 is This corresponds to the intersecting direction that intersects the conveying direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminate).

  The support member 21 has a slit-like opening 27 that is long in the width direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (direction indicated by a symbol X in FIG. 4) through which the condensed laser beam 30 can pass from the support member 21 side. doing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the support member 21 forms a peripheral surface portion (contact portion with the workpiece) of the cylindrical roll 23, and forms left and right side edges of the cylindrical roll 23. The pair of annular frames 22 are fixedly held between the pair of annular frames 22 and 22. The support member 21 is composed of a single annular member having the same length as the circumferential length of the annular frame 22, and is made of a metal having heat resistance such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or ceramics. Become.

  FIGS. 5 to 8 show main parts of the laser-type bonding apparatus 20. The laser type bonding apparatus 20 is supported by a pair of side plates 101 erected on the base 100. The laser type bonding apparatus 20 has a fixed shaft 102. The laser-type joining apparatus 20 is supported between the side plates 101 by the fixed shaft 102 being spanned between the pair of opposing side plates 101. A bearing 106 is disposed between the cylindrical roll 23 and the fixed shaft 102 constituting the laser type bonding apparatus 20, and the cylindrical roll 23 is rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft 102 by the bearing 106.

  The cylindrical roll 23 has a pulley 103 positioned between one frame body 22 and one side plate 101. A driving belt 104 is stretched around the pulley 103. The drive belt 104 is connected to a drive source 105 placed on the base 100. By driving the drive source 105, the rotational motion is transmitted to the pulley 103 via the drive belt 104, and the cylindrical roll 23 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 7A and 7B, the support member 21 has the slit-shaped opening 27 that is a light passage portion through which laser light can pass. 7A and 7B, the support member 21, the pressure belt 24, and the diaper continuum 10 sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 are shown for ease of explanation. 7 (a) and 7 (b), it is described as if it is moving horizontally from the left side to the right side. Actually, however, these members are shown in FIG. It is rotationally moved in a curved state corresponding to a cylindrical shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the opening 27 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and its longitudinal direction is the width direction of the support member 21 (the direction indicated by the symbol X in FIG. 7A). In a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical support member 21, and a plurality of the support members 21 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21. The support member 21 allows the laser light to pass through the opening 27, but does not allow the laser light to pass (transmit) at portions other than the opening 27. The method of forming the opening 27 in the support member 21 includes 1) a method of drilling the opening 27 in a predetermined portion of the support member 21 by etching, punching, laser processing, or the like. A method of using a plurality of curved rectangular members in place of one annular member, and arranging the plurality of members between the pair of frame bodies 22 and 22 with a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the frame body 22 Is mentioned. In the method 2) described above, the interval between two adjacent members forms a slit-shaped opening 27.

  In the laser-type bonding apparatus 20, the light passing portion through which the laser light can pass is composed of an opening 27 that penetrates the support member 21 in the thickness direction (slit shape), and therefore the opening 27 in the diaper continuous body 10. The portion that overlaps (the portion 10C to be divided) is merely in contact with the pressure belt 24 and is not sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). Strictly speaking, therefore, the pressing force generated by being sandwiched between the members 21 and 24 is not generated in the parting portion 10C. However, the parting portion 10C that overlaps with the opening 27 itself is not sandwiched between the members 21 and 24, but the vicinity thereof, that is, the portion that overlaps with the vicinity of the opening 27 (opening edge) in the diaper continuous body 10. Is sandwiched between the members 21 and 24, and therefore does not move before and after the laser light irradiation, and therefore, the cutting edge portion generated by the division of the diaper continuous body 10 by the laser light irradiation does not move. That is, the parting planned portion 10C of the diaper continuous body 10 (portion overlapping the opening 27 in the sheet laminate) is a portion restrained by the pressing force between the members 21 and 24, and the pressing force is practically the same. It is an affected part.

  The support member 21 has a recess 28 on its outer surface (contact surface with the workpiece). A plurality of recesses 28 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21, and a slit-shaped opening 27 is formed in a region (convex part) located between two adjacent recesses 28, 28. Is formed. The opening 27 is formed in the center in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21 in the convex portion.

  Thus, when the thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 is not uniform because the concave portion 28 is formed on the outer surface of the support member 21, a relatively thick portion (for example, an absorbent main body) in the diaper continuous body 10. It is possible to introduce the diaper continuous body 10 onto the outer surface of the support member 21 so that the second arrangement region 2 is within the recess 28. Then, when the diaper continuous body 10 is introduced onto the support member 21 as such, the contact surface (the other surface 10b) of the diaper continuous body 10 with the pressure belt 24 is substantially as shown in FIG. When the pressure belt 24 is pressed against the diaper continuum 10, the portion of the diaper continuum 10 that is located on the convex portion in which the opening 27 is formed (divided by reference numeral 10 </ b> C in FIG. 7). The predetermined portion and the vicinity thereof) are uniformly pressed in the thickness direction at a predetermined pressure by wrapping the diaper continuous body 10 around the support member 21 with a predetermined tension and the pressure belt 24. Thus, when the portion that has been pressed in the thickness direction from before being divided by the irradiation of the laser light is divided by irradiating the portion with the laser light, a plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion Cutting edge What is it becomes possible to more reliably fuse the, further improvement in fusion strength of the side seal portion 4 (sealing edge) is achieved.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support member 21 includes a first support portion 111 having the above-described recess portion 28 and a second support portion constituting a protrusion portion positioned between the two adjacent recess portions 28 and 28. 112. The first support portions 111 and the second support portions 112 are alternately arranged along the rotation direction of the cylindrical roll 23. 5 and 6 show a state in which a part of the first support portions 111 has been removed in order to help understanding of the internal structure of the cylindrical roll 23. Actually, the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 is configured by the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112, and the inside of the cylindrical roll 23 cannot be visually recognized through the circumferential surface.

FIG. 6 shows a main part inside the cylindrical roll 23. As shown in the figure, the second support portion 112 constituting the support member 21 has a recess 120 on the inner surface, that is, the surface facing the irradiation head 312. The bottom of the recess 120 is open, and the slit-shaped opening 27 is exposed at the position of the opening.
As for the 2nd support part 112, the outer surface, ie, the surface which opposes the diaper continuous body 10, is comprised by another member 122,122. By doing so, the gap between the slit-shaped openings 27 can be easily adjusted, and the diaper continuous body 10 can be divided and fused by irradiation with the laser beam 30 more successfully. The separate member 122 has a plate shape, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first support portion 111 is provided with a large number of suction holes 111 a that are open on the outer surface thereof, that is, on the surface facing the diaper continuous body 10. The suction hole 111 a communicates with a communication hole 111 b formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first support portion 111. The communication hole 111 b extends in the same direction as the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. The communication hole 111 b is open on the side surface of the first support portion 111.

  The communication hole 111b of the first support portion 111 communicates with the suction ring 130 shown in FIG. Specifically, the suction ring 130 is disposed on the side surface of the cylindrical roll 23 and is in a fixed state independently of the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23. An opening (not shown) is provided on the surface of the suction ring 130 facing the cylindrical roll 23. The opening is provided at a position communicating with the communication hole 111 b of the first support member 111. Further, this opening communicates with a suction source (not shown). Therefore, when the support member 21 is rotating, the communication hole 111b communicating with the opening of the suction ring 130 forms a suction path, and suction is performed from the suction hole 111a on the extension of the suction path. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, an injection nozzle 151 of the gas injection device 15 is disposed inside the cylindrical roll 23. The injection nozzle 151 has a gas flow passage (not shown) communicated with a gas supply passage (not shown) inside, and from the tip thereof toward the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body). The gas is injected. The gas injected by the gas injection device 15 is preferably air or an inert gas. Examples of the inert gas include nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas. By using an inert gas, it is possible to effectively prevent inconveniences such as discoloration and deterioration of the sheet that may be caused by irradiating laser light in the presence of air.

The gas injection device 15 in the present embodiment includes an injection nozzle 151 that injects gas from the support member 21 side toward the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminate) on the support member 21, and a gas injection direction 152 of the injection nozzle 151. Is provided with an injection direction changing mechanism 153 that can continuously change the circumferential direction Y of the cylindrical roll 23, which is the conveying direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body), and the crossing direction thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the ejection direction changing mechanism 153 includes a support base 154 of the injection nozzle 151, a first servo motor 156 that swings the support base 154 around the rotation shaft 155, and a first servo motor 156. The fixed support base 157 is provided with a second servo motor 159 that swings around the rotation shaft 158. By rotating (swinging) the rotation shaft 155 by the first servo motor 156, the injection nozzle 151 The gas injection direction 152 changes in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical roll 23, and the rotation direction (swing) of the rotation shaft 158 by the second servomotor 159 causes the gas injection direction 152 of the injection nozzle 151 to change to the cylindrical roll. 23 changes in the circumferential direction. The rotation (swing) of the rotating shaft 158 by the second servomotor 159 may be performed via a known power transmission mechanism including a pulley and a belt as shown in the figure, or the rotating shaft of the second servomotor 159. Alternatively, the rotary shaft 158 may be directly connected. The same applies to the rotation (swing) of the rotating shaft 155 by the first servo motor 156.

The gas injection device 15 of the present embodiment has such a configuration, so that the gas injection direction 152 from the injection nozzle 151 is changed to the circumference of the cylindrical roll 23 that is the conveyance direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body). It can be moved in both the direction Y and the direction X orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and by changing in both directions simultaneously, both the circumferential direction Y (sheet conveyance direction) and the orthogonal direction X The angle can be changed in an oblique direction.
In addition, supply of the gas to the injection nozzle 151 can control the amount of blown air to, for example, a gas supply path communicated with the gas flow passage when the gas injected by the gas injection device 15 is air. When the gas is nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or the like, for example, when the gas is nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or the like, for example, the gas supply path communicated with the gas flow path is connected to the supply amount adjustment device. It can be performed by connecting a gas cylinder or the like. The gas supply path in the vicinity of the injection nozzle 151, for example, the gas supply path for introducing gas into the inside from the outside of the cylindrical roll 23, is preferably constituted by a flexible pipe line such as a silicon tube.

  The laser type bonding apparatus 20 in the present embodiment includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle 151. The control unit is, for example, a personal computer or the like incorporating a driver for moving the first and second servo motors 156 and 158 of the ejection direction changing mechanism 153, an operation program for controlling the operation of both motors, and the like. In the manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, a personal computer as a control unit that controls the gas injection direction also serves as the control unit of the laser light irradiation mechanism described above.

  Further, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes a fume including a resin fume that is generated inside the cylindrical roll 23 when the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is divided and fused as shown in FIG. An exhaust device 16 for sucking and removing the gas is provided. The exhaust device 16 is supported in a state in which the position is fixed to a support body (not shown), and the gas sucked from a suction port (not shown) opened near the inner surface of the cylindrical roll 23 is discharged outside the cylindrical roll 23. An exhaust passage (not shown) for discharging is provided. The negative pressure required for suction is generated, for example, by providing an exhaust fan in the middle or at the end of the exhaust path.

  The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 configured as described above slits the laser light 30 collected from the support member 21 side into the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) in a pressurized state by the pressure belt 24. A sheet fusion body (exterior having a pair of side seal portions 4, 4) that is irradiated and cut along the opening 27 and is fused in a state where the edges of the division are overlapped. A plurality of pants-type disposable diapers 1) having the body 3 can be manufactured continuously. Further, by controlling the laser light irradiation mechanism and the gas injection device 15 by the control unit, the gas is directed toward or near the laser light irradiation point in the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) at the time of division and fusion. 9 and FIG. 10, the gas injection direction is changed so that the portion Q to which the gas is blown moves in conjunction with the movement of the irradiation point P of the laser light.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the diaper continuum 10 is divided in the width direction by irradiating a laser beam to one division scheduled portion 10C of the diaper continuum 10 (sheet laminated body), and is denoted by reference symbol P1. The part indicated by is the irradiation start part where the laser beam is first irradiated to one parting planned portion 10C, and the part indicated by symbol P2 is the irradiation where the irradiation of the laser light to one parting scheduled part 10C is completed. This is the end site. By the laser beam irradiation mechanism described above, the laser beam 30 is irradiated so that the laser beam irradiation point P with respect to the sheet laminate 10 moves simultaneously in both the transport direction Y of the diaper continuous body 10 and its crossing direction X. Then, by irradiating the laser beam 3 from the irradiation start site P1 to the irradiation end site P2, the diaper continuous body 10 can be divided in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and on both sides of the dividing portion. The seal edges 4 and 4 in which the divided edges are heat-sealed can be formed.
In addition, the part Q where the gas is blown is moved from the part indicated by the reference sign Q1 to the part indicated by the reference sign Q2 in conjunction with the movement of the irradiation point P of the laser light, so that the resin fumes generated by the laser light irradiation can be reduced. The contained gas can be efficiently blown off from the optical path of the laser beam, thereby efficiently preventing problems such as insufficient fusion strength at the fusion part. When the fume gas stays on the laser beam path, the energy necessary for dividing and fusing the laser beam sheet is attenuated by the fume gas.

Similarly to the laser light irradiation point P, the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle 151 is preferably controlled so that the portion Q to which the gas is blown moves along the slit-shaped opening 27. It is preferable to control so that the irradiation point P of the laser beam is included in the part Q where the gas is blown over the entire path from the irradiation start part P1 to the irradiation end part P2. Moreover, it is preferable that the moving speed of the irradiation point P of the laser beam and the moving speed of the part Q to which the gas is blown are substantially the same speed. Moreover, the injection direction of the gas by the injection nozzle 151 is controlled so that the part Q to which the gas is sprayed moves following the irradiation point P of the laser beam, as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). It is preferable to do. Moreover, it is preferable to perform injection of gas so that the injected gas may spray toward a part of the width direction of a sheet laminated body, and it is preferable not to spray on the full width of a sheet laminated body simultaneously.
Note that the laser beam irradiation and the gas spraying are temporarily stopped after the laser beam irradiation point P reaches the irradiation end site P2, and the laser beam irradiation is started again for the next portion 10C to be divided. It is preferable to start the gas blowing.

  In addition, since the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes the annular support member 21, the sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion (an outer package having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4) is more efficiently provided. A pants-type disposable diaper 1) having a body 3 can be continuously produced. This is because the support member 21 is annular, and in the state where the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 is wound around the support member 21, the applied pressure is evenly applied to the diaper continuous body 10 and is continuous. This is because an applied pressure can be applied.

Exhaust by the exhaust device 16 may be performed only while the laser beam is irradiated toward the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) or while the laser beam irradiation is continued, or a laser-type bonding device You may carry out continuously while driving 20.
By exhausting with the exhaust device 16, it is possible to more reliably prevent problems such as ignition, contamination of the slit-shaped opening, and insufficient fusion strength due to the gas containing the resin fume.

  The slit irradiated with the laser beam 30 from the viewpoint of imparting practically sufficient fusion strength to the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) and reducing the processing energy necessary for producing the sheet fusion product. Light in the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) with respect to the width W of the opening 27 (see FIG. 7B, the length of the opening 27 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23). The ratio (φ / W) of the diameter φ of 30 spots (portions irradiated with the laser beam 30) is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more, particularly preferably 0.4 or more, and , Preferably 8 or less, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 2 or less, more specifically preferably 0.05 to 8, more preferably 0.1 to 7, particularly preferably 0.4 to 2. is there. For example, the width W of the slit-shaped opening 27 is 0.1 to 4.0 mm.

As the laser light 30, laser light having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10 and generates heat is used. Here, the “sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10” is not limited to a sheet (for example, the outer layer sheet 31 in the above embodiment) constituting one surface of the sheet laminate (a contact surface with the support member), Any sheet may be used as long as it constitutes the sheet laminate. Whether or not the laser light applied to the diaper continuous body 10 is an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet and generates heat for the individual sheets constituting the sheet laminated body is used depending on the material of the sheet. It is determined by the relationship with the oscillation wavelength of the laser beam. When the sheet constituting the sheet laminate is a non-woven fabric or film made of synthetic resin, a CO ₂ laser, a YAG laser, an LD laser (semiconductor laser), a YVO ₄ laser, a fiber laser, or the like may be used as the laser light. preferable. Moreover, when the sheet | seat which comprises the diaper continuous body 10 contains polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene etc. as a synthetic resin, as an oscillation wavelength which can be absorbed into this sheet | seat and can make this sheet | seat generate | occur | produce favorably, it is 8.0, for example. It is preferable to use ˜15 μm, and it is particularly preferable to use 9.0 to 11.0 μm of the oscillation wavelength of the CO ₂ laser in which a high-power laser device exists. The laser output and the like of the laser beam 30 can be appropriately selected in consideration of the material and thickness of the sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10.

Subsequently, an embodiment of the method for producing a sheet fusion body of the present invention having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap each other is referred to as the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the above-described embodiment. The case where it is used will be described as an example. The preferable control method of the gas injection direction described above with respect to the laser type bonding apparatus 20 is similarly applied to the manufacturing method of the present embodiment.
The manufacturing method of the present embodiment is a sheet laminate in which the condensed laser beam 30 can pass through one surface 10a of a belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. The belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) conveyed while being pressed against a support member 21 having a slit-like opening 27 that is long in the width direction (X direction) of the diaper continuum 10). On the other hand, the irradiation head emits laser light 30 having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side and heats the sheet. By irradiating from 312, the strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) is divided, and at the same time, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division are fused. And a sealing edge forming step of forming sealing edge (side seal portions 4) Te. At the time of dividing and fusing the sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) in this step, a gas Q is injected toward or near the irradiation point P of the laser beam in the sheet laminate, and a portion Q to which the gas is blown is provided. The sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) is changed while changing the jet direction of the gas so as to move in conjunction with the movement of the irradiation point, thereby blowing off and removing the gas generated at the time of division and fusion. ) And heat fusion. This will be specifically described below.

  In the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as a “band-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, a plurality of sheet laminates (precursor of a pants-type disposable diaper in which the side seal portion 4 is not formed) The diaper continuous body 10 in which the body) is continuous in one direction is separately manufactured, and the diaper continuous body 10 is individually divided by irradiation of the laser beam 30, and at the same time, the pressurized state generated by the division is obtained. The side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) are formed by fusing the cut edge portions of a plurality of sheets.

  In the “band-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, it is preferable that at least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material and is formed using the resin material as a main component. Specifically, for example, the resin material preferably includes a heat-sealable synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene, and is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric, a film, a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film, or the like. As the nonwoven fabric, those normally used in the technical field can be used without particular limitation, and specific examples include an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, and a meltblown nonwoven fabric. . In the sheet laminate, it is preferable that all of a plurality of sheets constituting the sheet laminate include a resin material. Hereinafter, first, the manufacturing method of the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, a strip-shaped outer layer sheet 31 continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown), and a strip-shaped inner layer sheet continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown). In the stretched state, the waist elastic member 5 forming the waist gathers, the waist elastic member 6 forming the waist gathers, and the leg elastic member 7 forming the leg gathers are stretched to a predetermined stretch rate. Distribute multiple pieces each. At this time, in this embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is continuously or intermittently applied to the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 by an adhesive application machine (not shown), The leg elastic member 7 is disposed while forming a predetermined leg-circumferential pattern via a known swing guide (not shown) that reciprocates perpendicular to the sheet flow direction. Further, before the belt-like outer layer sheet 31 and the belt-like inner layer sheet 32 are overlapped with each other, an adhesive coating machine (not shown) is attached to a predetermined portion of one or both of the two sheets. ) To apply hot melt adhesive. Note that the elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 are divided by the laser light irradiation in the sheets 31 and 32 (parts where the side seal portion 4 is to be formed) (described above). In order to avoid inconveniences such as significant shrinkage of the elastic member and disconnection of the elastic member after the division, when arranged in an extended state so as to straddle the portion to be divided indicated by reference numeral 10C in FIG. It is preferable to apply an adhesive to the portion and the vicinity thereof.

  And as shown in FIG. 11, between the pair of nip rolls 11, 11, a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 31 and a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 5 in which a waist elastic member 5, a waistline elastic member 6 and a leg elastic member 7 are sandwiched in an expanded state. By feeding and pressurizing the inner layer sheet 32, the band-shaped exterior body 3 in which a plurality of elastic members 5, 6, 7 are arranged in an expanded state between the band-shaped sheets 31, 32 is formed. Thereafter, in the present embodiment, a plurality of waistline elastic members 6 and a plurality of leg portions are formed using an elastic member precutting means (not shown) so as to correspond to positions where the absorbent main body 2 described later is disposed. The elastic member 7 is pressed and divided into a plurality of pieces so that the contraction function is not expressed. Examples of the elastic member precut means include an elastic member dividing portion used in the method for manufacturing a composite elastic member described in JP-A-2002-253605.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is applied in advance to the absorbent main body 2 manufactured in a separate process, and the absorbent main body 2 is rotated 90 degrees to form a belt-shaped outer package. 3 is intermittently supplied and fixed on the inner layer sheet 32 constituting the sheet 3. The adhesive for fixing the absorbent main body may be applied in advance to the position where the absorbent main body 2 is arranged in the inner layer sheet 32 instead of the absorbent main body 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, a leg hole LO ′ is formed inside the annular portion surrounded by the leg elastic member 7 in the belt-shaped exterior body 3 in which the absorbent main body 2 is disposed. This leg hole forming step can be carried out by using a technique similar to that in a conventional method for manufacturing this type of article, such as a rotary cutter and a laser cutter. In the present embodiment, the leg holes are formed after the absorbent main body 2 is arranged on the belt-shaped outer package 3, but the leg holes may be formed before the absorbent main body 2 is arranged.

  Next, the belt-shaped exterior body 3 is folded in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the exterior body 3). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, both side portions 3 a, 3 a along the conveying direction of the strip-shaped exterior body 3 are folded back so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2. After fixing both ends in the longitudinal direction, the outer package 3 is folded in the width direction together with the absorbent main body 2. In this way, the target diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is obtained.

In the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-shaped sheet laminate) separately manufactured in this manner is divided and divided using a laser bonding apparatus 20 as shown in FIG. By performing fusion of the edges, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) having a pair of side seal parts 4, 4 (seal edges) is continuously manufactured.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is applied in the direction of arrow A in a state where a predetermined tension is applied by a guide roll (not shown). Introduced on the outer surface of the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the rotationally driven cylindrical roll 23, wound around the outer peripheral surface of the annular support member 21, and conveyed in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23. After that, the support member 21 is separated by an unillustrated lead roll, nip roll, or the like. As described above, the diaper continuous body 10 is wound around the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23 with a predetermined tension and is conveyed so as to be in pressure contact with the pressure belt 24. Since the portion sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 of the belt-type pressure device 26 and the vicinity thereof are pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction from before being divided by the irradiation of the laser beam, When the diaper continuous body 10 includes a nonwoven fabric, the diaper continuous body 10 can be more efficiently compressed. As a result, the diaper continuous body 10 during the compression is irradiated with laser light. , The cutting edge portions of a plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion can be fused more reliably, and the side seal portion 4 (seal edge portion) can be fused. Further improvement in the fusion strength is achieved. In addition, since the fumes gas generated at the time of splitting and fusing is blown off by the gas jetted from the jet nozzle 151, it is possible to eliminate or reduce the concentration of resin fumes present on the optical path of the laser beam. Problems that may occur due to the presence of the resin fume, such as problems such as insufficient fusion strength at the formed seal edge, are less likely to occur.

  The fume gas including the resin fume blown off by the gas injected from the injection nozzle 151 is preferably exhausted by the exhaust device 16, but the exhaust device 16 is not essential. When the exhaust device 16 is not provided, for example, the fume gas including the resin fume is discharged into a space through which the laser beam does not pass through the side opening of the cylindrical roll 23 in which the gas injection device 15 is inserted. You can also.

Exhaust of the gas by the exhaust device 16 may be performed only while the laser beam is irradiated toward the opening 27, or may be continuously performed while the laser type bonding device 20 is being operated. When exhausting continuously, the exhaust is performed before the laser beam is irradiated. By doing so, the fume gas around the opening 27 can be efficiently removed, and the possibility of ignition due to the fume gas and the contamination of the slit-like opening can be further prevented, which is preferable.
It is preferable that the opening 27 protrudes and opens toward the pressure member that is a pressing member.

  The rotation angle of the support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23) from when the diaper continuous body 10 is introduced onto the support member 21 to when the diaper continuous body 10 leaves the diaper continuous body 10 can be, for example, 90 to 270 degrees, and more preferably 120. ~ 270 degrees. Further, the range of the angle (pressure contact angle) at which the diaper continuous body 10 is pressed against the support member 21 by the pressure belt 24 of the belt type pressure device 26 is the entire circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23). In the case where the pressure contact over the circumference is 360 degrees, it is preferably 90 to 270 degrees, and more preferably 120 to 270 degrees.

  The seal edge portion forming step for forming the seal edge portions (side seal portions 4 and 4) in the diaper manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. The pressure belt 24 is pressed against the other surface 10b of the diaper continuous body 10 (the surface on the opposite side to the one surface 10a that is a contact surface with the support member 21). Then, while conveying the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state, the irradiation head 312 irradiates the diaper continuum 10 from the irradiation head 312 along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side. The diaper continuous body 10 is divided into individual pieces, and at the same time, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state caused by the division are fused together to form side seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edge parts). The pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) comprising the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) is continuously manufactured. As described above, the irradiation of the laser beam 30 was performed on the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state (compressed state) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 by the irradiation. This is preferable from the viewpoint of reliably fusing the cutting edges of a plurality of sheets to improve the fusing strength of the side seal portion 4.

  12 (a) and 12 (b) show how the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body 10 (band-like sheet laminate) is divided using the laser-type bonding apparatus 20. FIG. FIG. FIG. 12A schematically shows a portion 10 </ b> C to be divided by the laser beam 30 of the diaper continuum 10 and the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the diaper continuous body 10C in the present embodiment is divided in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) in the region where the absorbent main body 2 of the diaper continuous body 10 is not disposed. It is the center of A). Such a portion 10C to be divided includes an end portion of the waist opening 8 (see FIG. 1) and its vicinity, an eight-layer structure portion in which eight sheets are stacked, and the other portions are four sheets. It is a four-layer structure part that is superimposed. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the four-layer structure portion includes two sheets (an outer layer sheet 31 and an inner layer sheet 32) constituting one exterior body 3 in the ventral side portion 1A, and a back side portion 1B. It consists of the same two sheets 31 and 32 that constitute one exterior body 3, and these four sheets are laminated. On the other hand, as described above, the eight-layer structure portion is folded so that both side portions 3a and 3a of the strip-shaped outer package 3 cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2 when the diaper continuous body 10 is manufactured ( 11)), two exterior bodies 3 exist on each of the abdominal portion 1A and the back side portion 1B, and a total of these four exterior bodies 3 and 3 are laminated. As a result, 8 The sheets 31 and 32 are laminated. In each of the four-layer structure portion and the eight-layer structure portion, elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 may be interposed between the overlapping sheets 31 and 32, In FIG. 12, the illustration of the elastic member is omitted from the viewpoint of easy explanation. Hereinafter, the 4-layer structure portion will be mainly described, but unless otherwise specified, the 8-layer structure portion is configured in the same manner as the 4-layer structure portion, and the side seal portion 4 is formed.

  Other than the sheet constituting the outer layer sheet 31 and the one surface 10a constituting the one surface 10a (the contact surface with the support member 21) of the diaper continuum 10 in the planned division portion 10C of the four-layer structure in the diaper continuum 10 The sheet (inner layer sheet 32) is a sheet in which either one or both absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. In the present embodiment, all of the four sheets 31 and 32 constituting the parting planned portion 10 </ b> C are sheets (nonwoven fabrics) that absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. Further, the two overlapping sheets in the vicinity of the parting portion 10 </ b> C and the vicinity thereof may be joined by an adhesive or the like before irradiation with the laser beam 30, or may not be joined at all.

  As shown in FIG. 12B, the diaper continuous body 10 is arranged in the direction of arrow A so that one surface 10a abuts on the support member 21 and the parting portion 10C is positioned on the slit-shaped opening 27. While being introduced onto the rotating support member 21 and being pressed against the other surface 10b, the pressure belt 24 is pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction while being conveyed in the direction of arrow A. And the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening part 27 from the supporting member 21 side with respect to 10 C of division parts 10C in the conveyance and pressurization state. As described above, the irradiation point of the laser beam 30 is configured to be arbitrarily movable in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 by a galvano scanner (not shown), and the opening 27 moves along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the laser beam 30 is continuously irradiated for a certain period of time during the conveyance of the parting planned portion 10C located on the opening 27.

  When the laser beam 30 is irradiated to the parting portion 10C having the four-layer structure, the forming materials (fibers, etc.) of the sheets 31 and 32 existing in the parting portion 10C are vaporized by the heat generated by the direct irradiation of the laser light 30 and disappear. The forming material existing in the vicinity of the parting portion 10 </ b> C is indirectly heated by the laser beam 30 and melted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the parting portion 10C having a four-layer structure is melted and a single sheet sheet laminate (diaper precursor) is cut from the diaper continuous body 10, At the same time that the diaper continuum 10 is divided, the cut edges of the four sheets 31 and 32 in the sheet laminate of the single sheets produced by the division, and the diaper continuous 10 separated. The cut edges of the four sheets 31 and 32 are fused to form the fused portion 40. Each of these cut edges is pressed (compressed) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 from before the formation (before the diaper continuous body 10 is divided by irradiation with the laser beam 30). ). The shape of the fusion | melting part 40 becomes a crescent moon, for example, as shown in FIG.12 (c).

  Thus, the reason why the fused portion 40 of the side seal portion 4 is formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 is as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c). The diaper continuum 10 (scheduled part 10C) made of a nonwoven fabric includes a support member 21 made of a metal material and a pressure belt 24 during and immediately after irradiation of the laser beam 30 onto the parted part 10C of the diaper continuous body 10. It is presumed that it is interposed between the two. That is, the metal material which is the main forming material of the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) that sandwich the diaper continuous body 10 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) from above and below is the main material of the sheets 31 and 32. Since the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the nonwoven fabric as the forming material, the heat generated in the sheets 31 and 32 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is cooled by the outside air, and at the same time, the support member 21 in contact with the sheets 31 and 32 or The corner of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 constituting the side seal portion 4 formed by dividing the diaper continuous body 10 by irradiation of the laser beam 30 where it is easily absorbed by the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). Since the portion 3S is in contact with the support member 21 or the pressure belt 24 having a higher thermal conductivity than the corner portion 3S, the heat generated in the corner portion 3 is generated by the members 21, 4 is rapidly absorbed in, as a result, the corner portion 3 is hardly become a hot extent that the fused portion 40 is formed, therefore, the proportion of fused portion 40 is very small site. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge portion of the outer package 3 (the central portion of the portion sandwiched between the corner 3S on the one surface side of the outer package 3 and the 3S on the other surface side) has high thermal conductivity. Since the members 21 and 24 are not in contact with each other, the heat generated in the central portion by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 stays in the central portion and melts the central portion. As a result, there are many fused portions 40 in the central portion. It becomes unevenly distributed.

  Therefore, in order to form the fused part 40 in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 and to achieve the above-described effects, the support member 21 and the additional member 21 are added as in the present embodiment. The pressure belt 24 is made of a metal material such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or ceramics, and at least a part of the plurality of sheets 31 and 32 constituting the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate). (In particular, the outer layer sheet 31 forming the outer surface of the outer package 3) includes a resin material in a part thereof, and specifically, for example, is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric. In particular, the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) is preferably made of a metal material having air permeability, and is preferably made of, for example, a metal mesh or a metal punching metal. Moreover, it is preferable that the resin material is contained in all the sheets of the plurality of sheets 31. As a nonwoven fabric, what is normally used in the said technical field can be especially used without a restriction | limiting.

  By the way, in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 (manufacturing apparatus for a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped), a light passage portion through which laser light can pass is provided. Since it consists of the opening part 27 (slit shape) which penetrates the supporting member 21 in the thickness direction, the part which overlaps with the opening part 27 (scheduled part 10C) in the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) and the supporting member 21 The pressurizing force generated by being sandwiched between the pressure belt 24 is not generated. Since the portion 10C is a portion where the applied pressure is practically affected, the fused portion 40 is formed. In order to form the fused portion 40 more stably, it is effective to further increase the pressure applied by the clamping between the members 21 and 24.

  Therefore, means for enabling more stable formation of the fusion part 40 is shown in FIG. 14 which is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of FIG. In FIG. 14, in the outer surface 21a of the support member 21 on which the diaper continuous body 10 is arranged, the outer surface 21a is located near the slit-shaped opening 27 (region within 35 mm from the edge of the opening 27) rather than the peripheral portion. A projecting portion 45 projecting to the upper diaper continuous body 10 side (pressure belt 24 side) is formed. More specifically, the protrusion 45 is formed on each of a pair of opening edges extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of openings 27 (the width direction of the support member 21) on the outer surface 21 a of the support member 21. Each protrusion 45 is continuous over the entire length in the longitudinal direction along the opening 27 and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The protrusion height 45 h (protrusion height from the peripheral portion) of each protrusion 45 is constant without changing over the entire length of the protrusion 45. The top of the protrusion 45 may be flat or a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and the curved surface may be parallel to the outer surface 21 a of the cylindrical support member 21.

  In this way, the protrusion 45 is formed in the vicinity (opening edge) of the outer surface 21a of the support member 21 and a step is provided between the vicinity of the opening 27 and the peripheral portion thereof. Since the vicinity of the part to be divided in the diaper continuous body 10 is located at the top of the projecting part 45 at a higher position, the applied pressure at the corresponding part in the vicinity of the opening locally increases. Therefore, the fall of the local pressurizing force in the diaper continuous body 10 is effectively prevented, the fusing of the diaper continuous body 10 is performed more stably, and the finally obtained diaper 1 (sheet fusion) The fusing strength of the side seal part 4 (seal edge part) in the body is further improved.

From the viewpoint of more surely exhibiting such operational effects, the protrusion height 45h (see FIG. 14) of the protrusion 45 is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, and preferably 10 mm or less. More preferably, it is 8 mm or less, more specifically, it is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 8 mm or less.
Further, the width 45w of the protrusion 45 (see FIG. 12, the length in the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the support member 21) is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably. Is 10 mm or less, more specifically, preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the diaper of the present embodiment, as described above, by the irradiation of the laser beam once, the strip-shaped sheet laminated body is divided and the two pressed states generated by the division are obtained. In order to carry out the fusion of cutting edges of a sheet at the same time, it is approximately half compared to a method of fusion of two fusion spots by two laser beam irradiations (method outside the scope of the present invention). Sheet fusion body (pants-type disposable diaper 1) having a sealing edge portion (side seal portion 4) fused in a state where the edge portions of the sheets overlap with each other with the laser output of Can be efficiently manufactured. In addition, since fusion and division can be performed in the same process, a non-sealing edge in which the cut edges of the sheet are not fused is not generated, so that there is an effect of reducing material.

  The cut edges of the sheets 31 and 32 are heated and melted during the irradiation of the laser beam 30 and immediately after the end of the irradiation, but are separated from the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30. The leaf sheet laminate (diaper precursor) and the diaper continuum 10 are maintained in a pressurized state by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24, and after the irradiation is completed, the outside air and the support member 21 are added. The material is quickly cooled and solidified by heat transfer to the pressure belt 24 to form the fused portion 40 in which the forming material (fiber or the like) of the cut edge is fused and integrated. Thus, by forming the fused part 40, one of the pair of side seal parts 4, 4 in one diaper 1 is formed. In addition, if necessary, the cutting edge portions of the sheets 31 and 32 may be forcibly cooled by using known cooling means such as a suction device and an exhaust device to promote the formation of the fused portion 40.

  When one portion 10C to be divided is divided in this way, the laser beam 30 is moved so that the irradiation point hits another opening 27 adjacent in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction A, and the other opening 27 10C is irradiated to another portion 10C that is to be divided. As a result, another part 10C to be divided is divided and fused in the same manner as described above, and the other side seal part 4 (fused part 40) that forms a pair with the previously formed side seal part 4 is formed. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) including the exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) is continuous. Manufactured.

  Note that the diaper is larger than the width W of the slit-like opening 27 irradiated with the laser beam 30 (see FIG. 12B. The length of the opening 27 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23). When the diameter φ of the spot of the laser beam 30 (the portion irradiated with the laser beam 30) in the continuum 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is small (when φ / W is less than 1), it is shown in FIG. As described above, the pair of side seal portions 4, 4 (fused portions 40, 40) formed by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 overlaps with the opening portion 27 in the diaper continuous body 10 (slit-like opening in plan view). The portion 27 may be located at a portion sandwiched between a pair of opening edges along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A. That is, even in the diaper continuous body 10, even in a portion not sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member), the vicinity of the opening 27 (opening edge), that is, as described above, both The fused part 40 can be formed if the pressure applied by the clamping between the members 21 and 24 is practically affected.

  The light passage part in each of the above embodiments is a slit-like opening part that penetrates the support member 21 in the thickness direction, for example, the opening part 27 shown in FIG. 12B, but the light passage part according to the present invention is used. The portion is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the vicinity (the portion where the support member does not exist) of the end portion (outer edge) 21s of the support member 21 can be used as the light passage portion. it can. In that case, the sheet laminate 10 includes a portion 10A sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24, and a portion 10B that is not in contact with the support member 21, and the portion 10A and the vicinity thereof are laser light. Since the portion 10B has been pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction before being divided by irradiation, the portion of the portion 10B excluding the vicinity of the portion 10A (the portion separated from the end portion 21s of the support member 21 by a predetermined distance or more) is not Pressurized (non-compressed) state. As shown in FIG. 15 (a), the laser beam 30 is applied to the diaper continuum 10 in a state where only one side is pressurized with reference to the portion irradiated with the laser beam as described above. When the diaper continuous body 10 is divided into the part 10A side and the part 10B side, the cut edges of the sheet on the part 10A side are pressed from before the parting. The sheets are fused because they are in the state, but the cut edges of the sheet on the part 10B side are not fused because they are in a non-pressurized state from before the division. Here, “in the vicinity of the end (outer edge) 21 s of the support member 21” is a region where the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is in a pressurized state by the support member 21, more specifically. Is a region within 2 mm, more preferably within 1 mm from the end 21 s of the support member 21.

  As shown in FIG. 15 (a), the light passage portion is in the vicinity of the end portion 21s of the support member 21, and the laser light 30 is passed through the light passage portion with respect to the diaper continuum 10 in a one-side pressurized state. In the case of dividing by irradiation, the fusion part 40 is surely formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 and is practically sufficiently melted in the side seal part 4 (seal edge part). From the viewpoint of imparting adhesion strength and reducing the processing energy required for manufacturing the sheet fusion product, the spot of the laser beam 30 (the laser beam 30 is reflected from the end portion 21s of the support member 21 to the diaper continuous body 10). The ratio (φ / W ′) of the diameter φ of the spot to the distance W ′ to the center of the irradiated portion) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, particularly preferably 0.8. 8 or more, and , Preferably 16 or less, more preferably 14 or less, particularly preferably 8 or less, more specifically preferably 0.1 to 16, more preferably 0.2 to 14, particularly preferably 0.8 to 8. is there.

  Further, the pressure belt 24 (see FIG. 12B) as the pressing member in the embodiment corresponds to the opening 27 (light passage portion) on the support member 21 side, as shown in FIG. 15B. You may have the opening part 29 in the part. The opening 29 has the same shape and dimensions as the opening 27 in plan view. In the case where the opening 29 is provided, as shown in FIG. 10, it is located at a position outside the cylindrical roll 23 for the purpose of collecting the gas released to the outside of the cylindrical roll 23 in association with the ejection of air. Moreover, it is preferable to dispose a gas collection hood 143 as a dust collection member at the position of the opening 29. As described above, the opening 29 is provided in a portion of the pressing member facing the opening 27 (light passage portion) across the sheet laminate 10, and the hood 143 is provided in a position facing the opening 29. In this case, in addition to sucking the gas generated by the laser light irradiation through the suction hole 112a, the air ejected through the opening 29 can be sucked by the hood 143, so that the gas can be removed more efficiently. can do. In addition, effects such as prevention of contamination of the pressing member, suppression of overheating of the pressing member, promotion of cooling of the pressing member, and promotion of cooling of the fused portion 40 can be expected. As shown in FIG. 15B, when the belt-shaped sheet laminate 10 is irradiated with the laser beam 30 through the opening 27 to divide it, the cut edge of the sheet on one side across the opening 27. Both the cut edges of the sheet on the other side and the other side are fused since they are in a pressurized state before the cutting.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably.
For example, the sheet laminated body may be one in which two sheets, three sheets, five sheets or more are stacked in addition to those in which four sheets are stacked as shown in FIG. Further, the tension of the diaper continuous body 10 is controlled on the laser bonding apparatus 20 in order to wrap the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) around the cylindrical roll 23 (support member 21) without generating wrinkles or sagging. A mechanism may be provided. Further, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 may include a mechanism for removing resin or the like attached to the contact surface of the pressure belt 24 with the diaper continuous body 10. All the parts of only one embodiment described above can be used as appropriate.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the laser type joining apparatus 20 provided with the cylindrical roll 23 was used, it replaced with the cylindrical roll 23 and you may use the laser type joining apparatus 20 provided with the flat member.

  Also, as the injection direction changing mechanism for changing the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle, ones having various configurations can be used. For example, as shown in FIGS. A slide mechanism 160 for moving the fixed support base 154 forward and backward in a direction X parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23; and a servo motor 159 for swinging the slide mechanism 160 about the rotation axis 158; By moving the support base 154 forward and backward by the slide mechanism 160, the gas injection direction 152 by the injection nozzle 151 is changed to the direction X parallel to the axis of the cylindrical roll 23, while the rotation (swing) of the rotation shaft 158 by the servo motor 159 is changed. The gas injection direction 152 by the injection nozzle 151 may be changed to the circumferential direction Y of the cylindrical roll 23 by movement). The slide mechanism 160 is preferably one that slides the support base 154 with a linear motor, but may be driven using a servo motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic motor, or the like.

In the present invention, the exterior body is divided and the fusion part is formed by melting the exterior body using a heat source, and the formation of the fusion part causes the protrusion of the diaper to be worn. The melting of the outer package using a heat source is not limited to the irradiation of the laser beam to the outer package, as described above, and infrared or halogen light may be used as a non-contact heat source. Other methods may be used, for example, thermocompression bonding of the exterior body using a known heat roll device or the like, or applying ultrasonic vibration to the exterior body using a known ultrasonic vibration device or the like. it can.
Moreover, the division of the outer package and the formation of the fusion part may be performed simultaneously or after the formation of the fusion part.

In addition to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following additional notes (sheet fusion product manufacturing method, sheet fusion product, absorbent article manufacturing method) are disclosed.
<1>
An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, a support member that supports one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and a gas ejection device Equipped,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
The gas injection device includes: an injection nozzle that injects gas from the support member side toward the sheet laminate on the support member; a gas injection direction of the injection nozzle; An injection direction changing mechanism that can be continuously changed in the cross direction,
The band-shaped sheet laminate supported by the support member is divided by irradiating the condensed laser light along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side, and the edge of the division is divided. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the sealing edge are continuously manufactured by fusing in an overlapping state.
<2>
By changing the jet direction of the gas from the jet nozzle simultaneously in both the transport direction of the sheet laminate and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, an angle is set with respect to both the transport direction and the orthogonal direction of the sheet laminate. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <1>, which can be changed in an oblique direction.
<3>
The injection direction changing mechanism includes a support base for the injection nozzle, a first servo motor that swings the support base around the rotation axis, and a first support that swings the support base to which the first servo motor is fixed around the rotation axis. 2 servo motors, and by rotating (swinging) the rotation shaft by the first servo motor, the gas injection direction by the injection nozzle changes to a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical roll, and the second servo The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <1> or <2>, in which a gas injection direction by the injection nozzle is changed in a circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll by rotation (swing) of a rotation shaft by a motor.
<4>
The rotation (swing) of the rotating shaft by the second servo motor is performed through a power transmission mechanism including a pulley and a belt, or the rotating shaft is directly connected to the rotating shaft of the second servo motor. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet | seat melted body as described in>.
<5>
The rotation (swing) of the rotating shaft by the first servomotor is performed through a power transmission mechanism including a pulley and a belt, or the rotating shaft is directly connected to the rotating shaft of the first servomotor. > To <4> The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of the above.
<6>
The injection direction changing mechanism includes a slide mechanism for moving a support base on which an injection nozzle is fixed in a direction X parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll, and a servo motor for swinging the slide mechanism around the rotation axis. It is equipped with a slide mechanism that moves the support base forward and backward to change the gas injection direction by the injection nozzle to a direction X parallel to the axis of the cylindrical roll, while the rotation axis of the servo motor swings the injection nozzle. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <1> or <2>, wherein the gas jetting direction is changed in the circumferential direction Y of the cylindrical roll.
<7>
The slide mechanism is configured to slide the support base with a linear motor, or to drive the support base using a servo motor, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic motor. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet | seat melted body as described in>.
<8>
The sheet laminate includes a resin fume in which at least a part of a plurality of sheets includes a resin material and is formed using the resin material as a main component, and is generated when the sheet laminate is divided and fused. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <7>, further including an exhaust device that sucks and removes the fume gas containing the gas.
<9>
A control unit that controls the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle is provided, and the control unit injects gas toward or near the irradiation point of the laser beam in the sheet laminate, and a portion for blowing the gas. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the gas injection direction is changed so as to move in conjunction with movement of the irradiation point.
<10>
<1>, comprising a cylindrical roll having the slit-shaped openings intermittently in the circumferential direction, and irradiating the laser beam and blowing the gas to the sheet laminate conveyed by the cylindrical roll. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of ~ 9.
<11>
A hollow cylindrical roll provided with the annular support member that rotates around the rotation axis, and a laser beam irradiated toward the support member that is disposed in the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical roll and forms the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <10>, including the irradiation head that performs the above.
<12>
The irradiation head is a galvano scanner that freely scans laser light, and includes two motors and mirrors attached to the two motors. The position where the laser light hits the sheet laminate on a support member is a cylinder. The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the apparatus can be moved in both a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the roll and a circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll.
<13>
The sheet fusion body includes an absorbent main body and an exterior body that is disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body and fixes the absorbent main body, <1 which is a pants-type disposable diaper in which a pair of side seals, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining both side edges and both side edges of the exterior body at the back side. > To <12> The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of the above.
<14>
A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
One surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the support member side with respect to the strip-shaped sheet laminate The band-shaped sheet laminate is divided by irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate and generating heat from the sheet through the opening. A step of fusing the cut edges of the plurality of sheets to form the seal edge,
At the time of dividing and fusing the sheet laminate in the step, the gas is injected toward or near the irradiation point of the laser beam in the sheet laminate, and the portion where the gas is blown is linked to the movement of the irradiation point. Then, the method for manufacturing the sheet fusion body is such that the gas injection direction is changed so as to move.
<15>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to <14>, wherein the moving speed of the irradiation point P of the laser beam and the moving speed of the portion Q to which the gas is blown are substantially the same.
<16>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to <14> or <15>, wherein the gas injection direction is changed so that the portion Q to which the gas is blown moves following the irradiation point P of the laser beam.
<17>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <14> to <15>, wherein the gas is jetted so that the jetted gas is blown toward a part in a width direction of the sheet laminate. .
<18>
The laser beam irradiation and gas spraying are temporarily stopped after the laser beam irradiation point P reaches the irradiation end site P2, and when the laser beam irradiation is started for the next portion 10C to be divided, The method for producing a sheet fusion bonded body according to any one of <14> to <17>, wherein spraying is started.
<19>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <14> to <18>, wherein the gas generated during the division and fusion of the sheet laminate is sucked and removed.
<20>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <14> to <19>, wherein the gas ejected by the gas ejection device is air or an inert gas.
<21>
The method for producing a fused sheet according to <20>, wherein the gas to be injected is an inert gas.
<22>
The method for producing a sheet-fused body according to <21>, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen gas or carbon dioxide gas.
<23>
The sheet fusion body includes an absorbent main body and an exterior body that is disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body and fixes the absorbent main body, <14 which is a pants-type disposable diaper in which a pair of side seal portions, a waist opening portion, and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining both side edge portions and both side edge portions of the exterior body at the back side portion. The manufacturing method of the sheet | seat melt | fusion body any one of>-<22>.
<24>
The sheet according to any one of <14> to <23>, wherein the sheet laminate is a sheet (for example, a nonwoven fabric) in which at least a part of the plurality of sheets absorbs laser light and generates heat. A method for producing a fused body.

1 Pants-type disposable diaper (absorbent article, sheet fusion product)
1A Abdominal side 1B Back side 2 Absorbent body 3 Exterior body (sheet fusion body)
31 Outer layer sheet 32 Inner layer sheet 4 Side seal part (seal edge)
40 Fusion part 10 Diaper continuum (band-shaped sheet laminate)
10C Planned part 15 Gas injection device 151 Injection nozzle 153 Injection direction change mechanism 16 Exhaust device 20 Laser type bonding device 21 Support member 23 Cylindrical roll (pressing member)
24 Pressure belt (pressing member)
26 belt type pressure device 27 opening (light passage part)
28 Recess 30 Laser light

Claims (6)

An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, a support member that supports one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material at least partially are stacked, and a gas ejection device Equipped,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
The gas injection device includes: an injection nozzle that injects gas from the support member side toward the sheet laminate on the support member; a gas injection direction of the injection nozzle; An injection direction changing mechanism that can be continuously changed in the cross direction,
The band-shaped sheet laminate supported by the support member is divided by irradiating the condensed laser light along the slit-shaped opening from the support member side, and the edge of the division is divided. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the sealing edge are continuously manufactured by fusing in an overlapping state.   A control unit that controls the gas injection direction of the injection nozzle is provided, and the control unit injects gas toward or near the irradiation point of the laser beam in the sheet laminate, and a portion for blowing the gas. The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas injection direction is changed so as to move in conjunction with movement of the irradiation point.   A cylindrical roll having the slit-shaped openings intermittently in the circumferential direction is provided, and the laser beam irradiation and the gas spraying are performed on the sheet laminate conveyed by the cylindrical roll. 2. The apparatus for producing a fused sheet according to 2. A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
One surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the support member side with respect to the strip-shaped sheet laminate The band-shaped sheet laminate is divided by irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate and generating heat from the sheet through the opening. A step of fusing the cut edges of the plurality of sheets to form the seal edge,
At the time of dividing and fusing the sheet laminate in the step, the gas is injected toward or near the irradiation point of the laser beam in the sheet laminate, and the portion where the gas is blown is linked to the movement of the irradiation point. Then, the method for manufacturing the sheet fusion body is such that the gas injection direction is changed so as to move.   The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to claim 4, wherein a gas generated during the division and fusion of the sheet laminate is removed by suction.   The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the gas to be injected is an inert gas.

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