JP2018003206A - Apparatus for producing absorbent article and method for producing absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for producing an absorbent article that improves a production efficiency of the absorbent article that comprises an absorber in which water absorptive granular materials are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of a tow, that prevents returning of liquid in the absorbent article, and that enhances cushioning properties of the absorbent article.SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for producing an absorbent article comprises: a gas fiber-opening apparatus 10 that opens a plurality of fibers 60 of a conveyed tow with a gas in at least one fiber-opening chamber 43; an addition apparatus 11 that adds a water absorptive granular material to the tow at an upstream side in a conveyance direction relative to an exit of the fiber-opening chamber 43 at the most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the tow in the gas fiber-opening apparatus; and an attaching apparatus 9 that attaches a binder for combining the plurality of fibers on the tow at an upstream side in the conveyance direction relative to the exit of the fiber-opening chamber at the most downstream side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus and an absorbent article manufacturing method.

  Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pads for preventing urine leakage include, for example, an absorbent that absorbs moisture such as body fluid, and a liquid-permeable top sheet and a back sheet containing pulp and the like. The absorbent body is produced, for example, by opening a plurality of crimped long fibers of cellulose acetate tow. For example, a granular material made of a super absorbent polymer (SAP) is dispersed inside the absorber. In the absorbent article having such a structure, for example, moisture diffuses into the absorbent body through fine holes formed in the top sheet and is absorbed by the particulate matter.

  In absorbent articles, the absorbent body is compressed by the load applied when the user is seated, causing moisture to return from the inside of the absorbent body to the upper surface of the absorbent article, reducing the wearing feeling of the absorbent article There is a case to let you. For this reason, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an absorbent article in which a plurality of fibers of a tow opened by a pair of opening rolls are bonded with a plasticizer and are relatively difficult to move.

JP 2006-014887 A

  However, in the absorbent article disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to sufficiently prevent liquid return, and further improvement is required. Absorbent articles are required to have good cushioning properties before and after water absorption and to be manufactured with high production efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention improves the production efficiency of an absorbent article comprising an absorbent body in which water-absorbing granular materials are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of tow, and prevents liquid return of the absorbent article, It aims at improving the cushioning property of an absorbent article.

  In order to solve the above problems, an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a gas opening device that opens a plurality of fibers of a tow being conveyed with gas in at least one opening chamber. And an addition device for adding water-absorbing particulates to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction from the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device, An attachment device for attaching a binder for bonding the plurality of fibers to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the opening chamber on the downstream side.

  According to the above configuration, the plurality of fibers of the tow being conveyed are opened by the gas in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening device, and more than the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transfer direction. By adding a water-absorbing granular material to the tow on the upstream side in the conveying direction, a plurality of fibers of the tow are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally, and the granular material is dispersed in the fiber gap. As a result, an absorbent article in which the particulate matter is uniformly dispersed in the fiber gap is obtained. Therefore, moisture can be diffused into the fiber gap and the granular material can efficiently absorb water.

  Further, a binder that binds a plurality of fibers of the tow is attached to the tow upstream of the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side, thereby attaching the tow opened by the gas opening device. As a whole, a plurality of fibers of the tow can be combined while maintaining a wide fiber gap. Thereby, even if a load is applied to the absorbent article, the fiber gap can be maintained firmly, moisture can be efficiently circulated from the upper surface to the inside of the absorbent article, and the granular material can absorb water. Therefore, the liquid permeability of the absorbent article can be increased, water can be prevented from staying in the fiber gap of the absorbent article, liquid return of the absorbent article can be prevented, and the absorbent article is good before and after water absorption. A cushioning property can be imparted.

  Moreover, since the absorbent article which prevented the liquid return can be manufactured by attaching a binder to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction from the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side, the liquid return of the absorbent article is prevented. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a separate device or perform a separate process. Thereby, the manufacturing efficiency of an absorbent article can be improved.

  The gas opening device may include a cylindrical main body part in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction part for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body part. As a result, the plurality of fibers of the tow can be efficiently opened in a bulky manner in the opening chamber by the gas introduced from the introducing portion into the opening chamber inside the cylindrical main body. Therefore, the cushioning property of the absorbent article before and after water absorption can be easily improved.

  The addition apparatus may add the granular material to the tow inside the main body. As a result, while adding the granular material to the tow inside the main body of the gas opening device, it is possible to open a plurality of fibers of the tow with gas, and to disperse the granular material uniformly in the fiber gap. it can.

  A plurality of pairs of opening rolls for opening the plurality of fibers in contact with the peripheral surface may be further provided upstream of the gas opening device in the transport direction.

  As a result, a plurality of fibers of the tow opened by a plurality of pairs of opening rolls can be opened while further entangled three-dimensionally by the gas opening device, so that the tow can be opened with the fiber gap widened. These fibers can be easily bonded with a binder, and the liquid permeability of the absorbent article can be further improved.

  The attaching device attaches the binder to the tow between the opening pair of the plurality of pairs of opening rolls and the opening pair of the most downstream in the transport direction and the gas opening apparatus. Also good.

  Accordingly, a binder is attached to a plurality of fibers of the tow opened by a plurality of pairs of opening rolls, and the plurality of fibers of the tow can be opened by the gas opening device. While preventing the binder from adhering to the pair, the binder can be attached to the plurality of fibers of the tow, reducing the maintenance work of the plurality of opening roll pairs, and improving the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article.

  You may further provide the supply apparatus which supplies the sheet | seat which has liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the said tow | toe in the downstream of the said conveyance direction rather than the said attachment apparatus.

  Thereby, since the upper surface of a tow is piled up with the sheet | seat which has liquid permeability and hydrophobicity, the liquid return of an absorbent article can be prevented favorably. In addition, since a plurality of tow fibers are bound together by a binder to improve the liquid permeability of the absorbent article, the sheet supplied by the supply device has high liquid permeability and high hydrophobicity. No sheet can be used, and the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article can be improved by expanding the selection range of the material of the sheet.

  In the method for producing an absorbent article according to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of fibers of the tow being conveyed are opened with gas in at least one opening chamber of a gas opening device, and the gas opening is performed. Water-absorbing particulates are added to the tow by an addition device on the upstream side in the transport direction from the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the device, and the opening on the most downstream side is added. A binder that binds the plurality of fibers is attached to the tow by an attaching device upstream of the exit of the fiber chamber in the transport direction.

  The plurality of fibers are opened by the gas opening device having a cylindrical main body part in which the opening chamber is formed and an introduction part for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body part. May be fine.

  The granular material may be added to the tow by the addition device inside the main body.

  The plurality of fibers may be brought into contact with the peripheral surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening rolls on the upstream side in the transport direction from the gas opening device to open the plurality of fibers. .

  Of the plurality of pairs of opening rolls, the binder is attached to the tow by the attaching device between the opening roll pair on the most downstream side in the transport direction and the gas opening device. Also good.

  A sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity may be supplied to the upper surface of the tow by a supply device downstream of the attaching device in the transport direction.

  According to each aspect of the present invention described above, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which water-absorbing granular materials are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of tow, and the liquid of the absorbent article Return can be prevented and the cushioning property of the absorbent article can be enhanced.

1 is an overall view of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is the vertical sectional view seen from the width direction of the tow band of the gas opening device and the addition device of FIG. It is an exploded view of the main-body part of FIG. It is the vertical sectional view seen from the conveyance direction of the absorbent article manufactured by the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is an enlarged view which shows typically the fiber and granular material of an absorbent article which were manufactured with the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a side view of the gas opening apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a fragmentary view of the absorptive article manufacturing device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is the vertical sectional view seen from the conveyance direction of the absorbent article manufactured by the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

  Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The upstream side and the downstream side mentioned below refer to the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction P of the tow band 60 in this order.

(First embodiment)
[Absorbent article manufacturing equipment]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as manufacturing apparatus 1) according to the first embodiment. A packing container 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the manufacturing apparatus 1. In the packing container 50, the tow band 60 is folded in a bale shape and compressed and packed. The packaging container 50 of FIG. 1 has a cross-sectional structure.

  The fibers 70 (see FIG. 5) included in the tow band 60 are long fibers of cellulose acetate tow in this embodiment, but may be other fibers. As an example, in the manufacturing apparatus 1, the toe band 60 is transported in the transport direction P while the width direction is kept horizontal.

  The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first manufacturing unit 2 and a second manufacturing unit 3. The first manufacturing unit 2 includes a first widening device 4, a guide 5, a second widening device 6, a first opening roll pair 7, a second opening roll pair 8, an attaching device 9, a gas opening device 10, and an adding device. 11 and a transport roll pair 12.

  The first widening device 4 widens the tow band 60 lifted from the inside of the packaging container 50 in the width direction. The guide 5 guides the tow band 60 that has passed through the first widening device 4 toward the second widening device 6. The second widening device 6 widens the tow band 60 that has passed through the guide 5 in the width direction. As an example, the first widening device 4 and the second widening device 6 have the same configuration. The first widening device 4 and the second widening device 6 are also referred to as banding jet devices.

  The first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 are opened by bringing the plurality of fibers 70 of the toe band 60 into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the gas opening apparatus 10. The second spread roll pair 8 is disposed on the downstream side of the first spread roll pair 7. The first fiber opening roll pair 7 has a pair of rolls 13 and 14 that are arranged with their peripheral surfaces facing each other. The second fiber opening roll pair 8 has a pair of rolls 15 and 16 that are arranged with their peripheral surfaces facing each other. The second opening roll pair 8 rotates at a peripheral speed faster than the peripheral speed of the first opening roll pair 7.

  The tow band 60 that has passed through the second widening device 6 is inserted between the pair of rolls 13 and 14 and between the pair of rolls 15 and 16. While the tow band 60 is in contact with the peripheral surfaces of the rolls 13 to 16, the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 are tensioned in the transport direction P and are opened in bulk.

  On the peripheral surface of one roll of the pair of rolls 13 and 14 and one roll of the pair of rolls 15 and 16, a groove for opening the tow band 60 in the width direction is formed in a spiral shape around the roll axis. May be.

  The attaching device 9 is a binder that binds the plurality of fibers 70 of the toe band 60 on the upstream side of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c in the present embodiment) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. 66 is attached to the tow band 60. In the present embodiment, the attaching device 9 includes a tow band for the binder 66 between the gas opening device 10 and the second opening roller pair 8 on the most downstream side among the plurality of opening fiber pairs 7 and 8. Attached to 60.

  The attaching device 9 includes a housing 23, a spray unit 24, a guide unit 25, and a discharge unit 26. The spray unit 24 has a nozzle portion that extends in the width direction of the toe band 60, and is provided above the inside of the housing 23. The spray unit 24 sprays a liquid binder 66 from the nozzle portion toward the upper surface of the tow band 60 conveyed inside the housing 23. The upper surface of the tow band 60 referred to here is the surface of the tow band 60 that first comes into contact with moisture when the absorbent article 61 (see FIG. 4) manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 is used. 62 is an upper surface of 62. The binder 66 is supplied to the spray unit 24 through the tube 27 extending from the housing 23 to the outside.

  The guide portion 25 extends in the vertical direction inside the housing 23, supports the upper surface and the lower surface of the toe band 60, and stabilizes the posture of the toe band 60. The discharge unit 26 is disposed below the inside of the housing 23 and discharges a part of the binder 66 sprayed from the spray unit 24 to the outside of the housing 23.

  The spraying method in which the spraying part 24 sprays the binder 66 is not limited. For example, the binder 66 may be diffused and sprayed in a fan shape from the spraying portion 24 toward the toe band 60 in the vertical cross section of the attachment device 9 as viewed from the direction orthogonal to the width direction of the tow band 60. Further, for example, the binder 66 may be sprayed from the spray unit 24 to a plurality of positions of the toe band 60. Further, for example, the binder 66 may be sprayed toward the toe band 60 from the side or the lower side of the toe band 60.

  For example, the attaching device 9 may attach a binder 66 to the tow band 60 between the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8, or the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 7. A binder 66 may be attached to the tow band 60 between the two widening devices 6.

  Further, the method by which the attaching device 9 attaches the binder 66 to the toe band 60 is not limited. For example, the attaching device 9 may attach the binder 66 to the toe band 60 by any one of a rotating brush, a rotating roll, and a rotating disk.

  As the binder 66, for example, various plasticizers that can dissolve the fibers 70 of the tow band 60 can be used. As the plasticizer, for example, ester plasticizers such as triacetin, triethylene, glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dipropionate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, and citric acid triethyl ester can be used. The plasticizer can be appropriately selected according to the type of tow band 60.

  When the tow band 60 contains cellulose acetate tow, it is desirable to use triacetin or cellulose acetate as a plasticizer. By using such a plasticizer, a plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 can be combined, and the plasticizer can be prevented from remaining in the absorbent article 61 by volatilizing the plasticizer. Thereby, the safety | security of the absorbent article 61 can be improved.

  As the binder 66, an adhesive that bonds and bonds the plurality of fibers 70 of the toe band 60 may be used. As this adhesive, various adhesives can be arbitrarily used.

  In the gas opening device 10, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 to be conveyed are transferred to the first gas in at least one opening chamber (first opening chamber 43 b and second opening chamber 43 c in this embodiment). Opening with G1. Specifically, the gas opening device 10 includes an introduction portion 17, a main body portion 18, and a staying portion 19. The introduction part 17 is disposed on the upstream side of the main body part 18. The introduction part 17 introduces the tow band 60 and the first gas G1 into the main body part 18. Moreover, the introduction part 17 mixes the tow band 60 that has passed through the second opening roll pair 8 and the first gas G1.

  The main body 18 has a cylindrical shape, and an opening chamber is formed inside the main body 18. In the present embodiment, a conveyance path 43 extending in the conveyance direction P is formed inside the main body 18. The conveyance path 43 includes a flow path 43a, a first opening chamber 43b, and a second opening chamber 43c that are sequentially arranged from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

  The main body 18 conveys the tow band 60 and the first gas G1 that have passed through the introduction part 17 and the water-absorbing particulate matter 65 and the second gas G2 that have passed through the second pipe part 22 of the addition device 11 to the conveyance path 43. While mixing, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 are opened, and water-absorbing particulates 65 are dispersed and arranged inside the tow band 60. The granular material 65 is made of a highly water absorbent resin.

  The stay part 19 is arranged on the downstream side of the main body part 18. The staying part 19 temporarily restrains the tow band 60 that has passed through the main body part 18, thereby suppressing excessive expansion of the tow band 60 and adjusting the bulk or density of the tow band 60. The staying part 19 has a plurality of long members 39. The long members 39 extend in the transport direction P and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport path 43. The upstream end portion of the long member 39 is connected to the downstream end portion of the main body portion 18. The downstream end portions of the plurality of long members 39 are close to each other from the upstream side toward the downstream side.

  The adding device 11 adds the particulate matter 65 to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. Specifically, the adding device 11 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body 18 of the gas opening device 10. The adding device 11 includes a hopper 20, a first pipe part 21, and a second pipe part 22. The hopper 20, the first pipe portion 21, and the second pipe portion 22 are arranged in order from the top to the bottom. The hopper 20 stores a granular material 65.

  The first tube portion 21 and the second tube portion 22 extend in the vertical direction below the hopper 20. The upper end portion of the first tube portion 21 is connected to the lower end portion of the hopper 20, and the lower end portion of the first tube portion 21 is connected to the upper end portion of the second tube portion 22. The lower end portion of the second pipe portion 22 is connected to the main body portion 18 of the gas opening device 10. The first pipe part 21 mixes the particulate matter 65 falling from the hopper 20 and the second gas G2 introduced into the first pipe part 21. The addition device 11 causes the particulate matter 65 stored in the hopper 20 to flow through the first pipe portion 21 and the second pipe portion 22 together with the second gas G2 in order, and supplies it to the inside of the main body portion 18.

  The addition device 11 may be arranged so as to add the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 in the introduction part 17 of the gas opening device 10. Alternatively, the addition device 11 has the granular material 65 in the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the gas opening device 10 (for example, on the upstream side of the gas opening device 10 and on the downstream side of the second opening roll pair 8). You may arrange | position so that it may add. When the tow band 60 passes through the gas opening device 10, an absorbent body (fiber sheet) 62 is obtained.

  The conveyance roll pair 12 conveys the absorber 62 to the downstream side. The transport roll pair 12 includes a pair of transport rolls (also referred to as take-up rolls) 28 and 29 that are axially supported in parallel. The absorber 62 is inserted between the pair of transport rolls 28 and 29. The absorber 62 is taken up by the pair of transport rolls 28 and 29 and transported to the second manufacturing unit 3 on the downstream side.

  The second manufacturing unit 3 includes a supply device 47, a transport device 48, and a sticking device 49. The supply device 47 is disposed on the downstream side of the attaching device 9, and supplies the back sheet 63 having water absorption to the absorber 62 from below the toe band 60 (here, the absorber 62). Specifically, the supply device 47 feeds the back sheet 63 from the axially supported sheet roll 67 and supplies the back sheet 63 onto the conveyance line L. The back sheet 63 is a pulp sheet in the present embodiment, but is not limited thereto. The granular material 65 is arranged in a dispersed manner in the back sheet 63.

  The conveyance device 48 conveys the back sheet 63 to the conveyance line L. An absorber 62 is supplied on the back sheet 63. The sticking device 49 sticks the back sheet 63 and the absorbent body 62 in a state where the absorbent body 62 is stacked on the back sheet 63. The absorber 62 and the back sheet 63 that have passed through the sticking device 49 are cut to a predetermined size. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 is manufactured.

  The granular material 65 may not be disposed inside the back sheet 63. Moreover, although the absorbent article 61 is a diaper use in this embodiment, of course, other uses may be sufficient, for example, a pad use for urine leakage prevention may be sufficient. When the absorbent article 61 is used for a pad for preventing urine leakage or the like, the back sheet 63 may be omitted.

[Gas opening device and additive device]
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas opening device 10 and the addition device 11 of FIG. The introduction unit 17 includes a first mixing unit 35 and a first nozzle unit 36. The first mixing part 35 is a tubular part extending in the transport direction P. A gas inlet 35 a is provided on the upstream side of the first mixing unit 35. A toe band inlet 35 b is provided at the upstream end of the first mixing unit 35. A downstream end of the first mixing unit 35 is connected to the main body 18.

  The gas introduction port 35 a introduces the pressurized first gas G <b> 1 (air as an example) into the internal space 40 of the first mixing unit 35. The toe band introduction port 35 b introduces the toe band 60 into the internal space 40.

  The first nozzle part 36 is provided on the upstream side of the first mixing part 35 inside the first mixing part 35. A tapered portion 36 a is formed at the downstream end of the first nozzle portion 36. The tapered portion 36a has a tapered shape from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The inner peripheral surface of the first mixing portion 35 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 36a is reduced in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 36a. Thereby, between the outer peripheral surface of the taper part 36a, and the internal peripheral surface of the 1st mixing part 35, the cyclic | annular cross section which jets the 1st gas G1 introduce | transduced from the gas introduction port 35a to the internal space 40 in the shape of a jet is carried out. A jet channel 41 is provided.

  A toe band introduction path 42 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first mixing part 35 from the toe band introduction port 35 b is provided inside the first nozzle part 36. The outlet of the tow band introduction path 42 is provided on the downstream side of the gas introduction port 35a. The tow band 60 that has passed through the tow band introduction path 42 is mixed with the jet-like first gas G <b> 1 that has passed through the jet flow path 41 and flows through the internal space 40.

  The first gas G1 may be a gas other than air. Moreover, the exit of the tow band introduction path 42 and the gas introduction port 35a may be provided at positions overlapping each other when viewed from the vertical direction. Moreover, the exit of the tow band introduction path 42 may be provided on the upstream side of the gas introduction port 35a.

  The main body 18 includes a first member 31 and a second member 32. The first member 31 and the second member 32 have plate portions 31a and 32a. The plate surfaces of the plate portions 31a and 32a extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The second member 32 is disposed above the first member 31. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are combined with each other using a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The second pipe portion 22 penetrates the plate portion 32a of the second member 32 in the thickness direction.

  A staying chamber 46 surrounded by a plurality of long members 39 is formed in the staying part 19. The cross section (flow path cross section) perpendicular to the conveyance direction P of the retention chamber 46 is gradually reduced from the upstream side toward the downstream side. In the staying chamber 46, the pressing force that the tow band 60 receives from each elongated member 39 increases as the tow band 60 is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side of the staying chamber 46. As a result, the tow band 60 is compressed in the transport direction P by the plurality of long members 39 while staying in the stay chamber 46, and the density increases. The first gas G <b> 1 and the second gas G <b> 2 discharged from the main body portion 18 escape to the outside through the gaps between the plurality of long members 39.

  Although the elongate member 39 is comprised by the rod-shaped member as an example, it is not limited to this, For example, a plate member may be sufficient. When the long member 39 is formed of a plate member, the plate surface of the plate member is brought into surface contact with the toe band 60.

  The first pipe part 21 has a second mixing part 37 and a second nozzle part 38. The second mixing portion 37 and the second nozzle portion 38 are provided in the middle of the first pipe portion 21 in the longitudinal direction. The second mixing part 37 is a tubular part extending in the vertical direction. A gas introduction port 37 a is provided on the upper side portion of the second mixing unit 37. A granular material inlet 37b is provided at the upper end of the second mixing unit.

  The gas introduction port 37 a introduces the pressurized second gas G <b> 2 (air as an example) into the internal space 53 of the second mixing unit 37. The particulate matter introduction port 37 b introduces the particulate matter 65 from the hopper 20 into the internal space 53.

  The second nozzle part 38 is provided inside the second mixing part 37. A tapered portion 38 a is provided at the lower end of the second nozzle portion 38. The tapered portion 38a has a tapered shape from the top to the bottom. The inner peripheral surface of the second mixing portion 37 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 38a is reduced in diameter from the upper side to the lower side while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 38a. Thereby, between the outer peripheral surface of the taper part 38a and the inner peripheral surface of the 2nd mixing part 37, the 2nd gas G2 introduce | transduced from the gas introduction port 37a is jet-like to the internal space 53 of the 1st pipe part 21. A jet passage 44 having an annular cross section to be ejected is provided.

  Inside the second nozzle portion 38, a particulate matter introduction path 45 extending in the longitudinal direction of the second mixing portion 37 from the particulate matter introduction port 37b is provided. The outlet of the granular material introduction path 45 is provided below the gas introduction port 37a. The outlet 22a at the lower end of the second tube portion 22 is open inside the first opening chamber 43b. The particulate matter 65 that has passed through the particulate matter introduction passage 45 is mixed with the jet-like second gas G <b> 2 that has passed through the jet passage 44, and the internal space 53 of the first pipe portion 21 and the internal space of the second pipe portion 22. 54 and is ejected from the outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 into the first opening chamber 43b. As an example, the outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 is disposed upstream of the outlet of the second opening chamber 43c and downstream of the center of the main body portion 18 in the transport direction P. Further, the outlet 22 a of the second pipe portion 22 is disposed at a position separated from the inner peripheral surface 18 c of the main body portion 18.

  The second gas G2 is not limited to a pressurized gas, and may be a gas set to atmospheric pressure or negative pressure. The second gas G2 may be a gas other than air. Moreover, the exit of the granular material introduction path 45 and the gas introduction port 37a may be provided at a position overlapping in the side view. Moreover, the exit of the granular material introduction path 45 may be provided above the gas introduction port 37a.

  A lower end portion of the second pipe portion 22 extends in the transport direction P inside the transport path 43. As an example, the lower end portion of the second pipe portion 22 and the transport path 43 extend in parallel with the transport direction P. The outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 opens toward the downstream side.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main body 18 of FIG. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the vertical direction is the thickness direction, the transport direction P is the longitudinal direction, and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction P in the horizontal plane is the width direction. ing.

  Groove portions 31b and 32b extending in the transport direction P are formed in the center of the plate surfaces of the plate portions 31a and 32a facing each other. The portions on both sides of the first member 31 sandwiching the groove portion 31b are in surface contact with the portions on both sides of the second member 32 sandwiching the groove portion 32b. Thereby, the groove portions 31 b and 32 b are combined, the inner surfaces of the first member 31 and the second member 32 are continuous, and the inner peripheral surface 18 c of the main body portion 18 is formed. A conveyance path 43 including a flow path 43a, a first opening chamber 43b, and a second opening chamber 43c is formed by the inner peripheral surface 18c.

  The second pipe portion 22 is disposed at the center in the width direction of the second member 32. As an example, the second pipe portion 22 is joined to the second member 32 by welding while penetrating the second member 32. The cross section of the flow path of the second tube portion 22 is circular as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. In addition, the second pipe portion 22 may be disposed at a position other than the center of the second member 32 in the width direction.

  A downstream end of the introduction part 17 is connected to the inlet 18 a of the main body part 18, and the flow path 43 a is connected to the internal space 40 of the first mixing part 35. The main body 18 has an upstream side 18d and a downstream side 18e. A flow path 43a and a first opening chamber 43b are formed in the upstream side portion 18d. The flow path 43a is located on the upstream side of the upstream side portion 18d, and the first opening chamber 43b is located on the downstream side of the upstream side portion 18d. The first opening chamber 43b includes an upstream opening chamber 43b1 and a downstream opening chamber 43b2. The width W1 of the upstream opening chamber 43b1 gradually increases from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The width W2 of the downstream side opening chamber 43b2 is gradually increased from the upstream side toward the downstream side at a faster rate than the width W1 of the upstream side opening chamber 43b1. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first opening chamber 43b is gradually increased from the upstream side toward the downstream side. Thus, the main body 18 has a region in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the transport path 43 increases in the direction from the inlet 18a to the outlet 18b.

  When the tow band 60 is conveyed through the first opening chamber 43b, the tow band 60 expands corresponding to the shape of the first opening chamber 43b, and the plurality of fibers 70 are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally. . Further, the particulate matter 65 ejected from the outlet 22 a of the second pipe portion 22 is efficiently dispersed and arranged in the fiber gap 72 of the tow band 60.

  A second opening chamber 43c is formed in the downstream side portion 18e. The second opening chamber 43c is continuous with the first opening chamber 43b. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is wider than the width W2 at the outlet of the downstream opening chamber 43b2. Thereby, the flow-path cross-sectional area of the 2nd opening chamber 43c is expanded rather than the flow-path cross-sectional area in the exit of the downstream opening chamber 43b2. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is constant in the transport direction P. When the tow band 60 is conveyed through the second opening chamber 43c, the plurality of fibers 70 are further opened and expanded.

  The flow path cross sections of the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c have a substantially elliptical shape in which the width direction is the major axis direction and the vertical direction is the minor axis direction. Thereby, the flow path cross section of the 1st opening chamber 43b and the 2nd opening chamber 43c has a flat shape which makes the width direction a longitudinal direction. The flow path cross section of the 1st opening chamber 43b and the 2nd opening chamber 43c should just be other than rectangular shape, for example, circular shape may be sufficient as it.

  An annular end surface 18f orthogonal to the transport direction P is formed at the boundary between the upstream side portion 18d and the downstream side portion 18e. The end face 18f extends in the circumferential direction of the second opening chamber 43c. A plurality of holes 18g are provided in the end face 18f. A long member 39 is connected to the hole 18g. Thereby, the shape of the channel cross section of the retention chamber 46 is similar to the shape of the channel cross section of the transport path 43 at the connection position where the long member 39 is connected to the end face 18f. Therefore, the shape of the tow band 60 that is molded while being opened by the first opening chamber 43 b and the second opening chamber 43 c is also maintained in the staying chamber 46.

  FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent article 61 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing the fiber 70 and the granular material 65 of the absorbent article 61 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vertical cross section seen from the conveyance direction P of the absorbent article 61 has a substantially rectangular shape as a whole in which the dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the thickness direction. Moreover, the vertical cross section seen from the conveyance direction P of the absorber 62 has a substantially elliptical shape in which the dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction.

  In the production apparatus 1, the binder 66 is attached to the tow band 60 by the attaching device 9 on the upstream side of the opening of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43 c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. The fiber device 10 opens the plurality of fibers 70 while being entangled three-dimensionally. Thereby, the plurality of fibers 70 are combined in the entire interior of the tow band 60 while maintaining the state where the tow band 60 is opened by the first gas G <b> 1 and swollen.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of coupling portions 71 formed by a plurality of fibers 70 coupled to each other by the binder 66 are formed in the entire interior of the absorber 62. In the absorbent body 62, the plurality of fibers 70 are joined together by the joining portion 71 while the network structure of the plurality of fibers 70 is formed by opening the plurality of fibers 70 while being entangled three-dimensionally. Yes.

  The particulate matter 65 is added to the tow band 60 in the first opening chamber 43 b of the gas opening device 10, thereby being diffused throughout the inside of the tow band 60 and uniformly dispersed throughout the inside of the absorber 62. Has been placed. In the absorbent body 62, the granular material 65 is held in the fiber gaps 72 of the plurality of fibers 70 joined by the joining portion 71. Therefore, the granular material 65 arranged inside the absorber 62 is unlikely to fall off the absorber 62.

  In the absorbent body 62, the fiber gap 72 is maintained by the coupling portion 71. Therefore, when moisture contacts the absorbent article 61 from above, the fiber gap 72 is maintained and the upper portion 62a is below the upper portion 62a. Moisture easily passes through the fiber gap 72, and moisture hardly stays in the fiber gap 72. Thereby, the liquid permeability of the absorbent article 61 is improved.

  Further, in the absorbent body 62, the fiber gap 72 is maintained by the coupling portion 71, so that the air permeability of the absorbent body 62 is enhanced, so that occurrence of stuffiness during use of the absorbent article 61 is suppressed. ing.

  In addition, since the relative movement of the plurality of fibers 70 is restricted by the plurality of coupling portions 71, the fiber gap 72 is firmly maintained even when a load or the like when the user is seated reaches the absorbent article 61. Thus, the form of the absorbent article 61 is easily kept good.

  Further, moisture that has contacted the absorbent body 62 from above the absorbent article 61 is quickly diffused into the absorbent body 62 and the back sheet 63. For this reason, moisture is easily absorbed by the plurality of granular materials 65 that are dispersed inside the absorber 62 and the back sheet 63. Thereby, in the absorbent article 61, the moisture that has passed through the upper part of the absorbent body 62 is unlikely to return to the upper surface of the absorbent article 61, and stickiness of the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 after water absorption is effectively reduced.

  Moreover, since the area | region of the fiber 70 which is not mutually couple | bonded remains abundantly in the inside of the absorber 62, the soft soft touch feeling is maintained. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 has a high cushioning property.

  As described above, according to the manufacturing apparatus 1, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 to be transported are at least one opening chamber (in the present embodiment, the first opening chamber 43 b) of the gas opening apparatus 10. And the second opening chamber 43c) are opened by the first gas G1, and are upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. By adding the granular material 65 to the tow band 60, the plurality of fibers 70 are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally, and the granular material 65 is dispersed in the fiber gap 72. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 in which the particulate matter 65 is uniformly dispersed in the fiber gap 72 is obtained. Therefore, the moisture can be diffused into the fiber gap 72 and the granular material 65 can efficiently absorb water.

  In addition, the binder 66 is attached to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the opening of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10, so that the gas opening device 10 opens the binder 66. A plurality of fibers 70 can be bonded together while maintaining the fiber gap 72 wide across the entire tow band 60 that has been fibrillated. Thereby, even if a load is applied to the absorbent article 61, the fiber gap 72 is maintained firmly, moisture can be efficiently circulated from the upper surface to the inside of the absorbent article 61, and the granular material 65 can absorb water. it can. Therefore, the liquid permeability of the absorbent article 61 can be increased, water can be prevented from staying in the fiber gaps 72 of the absorbent article 61, the liquid return of the absorbent article 61 can be prevented, and the absorbent property can be absorbed before and after water absorption. Good cushioning properties can be imparted to the article 61.

  Moreover, the absorbent article 61 which prevented the liquid return by adhering the binder 66 to the tow band 60 upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. Therefore, in order to prevent the liquid return of the absorbent article 61, it is not necessary to prepare a separate device or perform a separate process. Thereby, in the absorbent article 61, for example, it is not necessary to provide a sheet for suppressing liquid return on the upper surface of the absorbent body 62. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article 61 can be improved.

  Further, the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening are caused by the first gas G1 introduced from the introduction portion 17 into the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c inside the cylindrical main body portion 18. In the chamber 43c, the plurality of fibers 70 can be efficiently opened in a bulky manner. Therefore, the cushioning property of the absorbent article 61 before and after water absorption can be easily improved.

  Moreover, since the addition apparatus 11 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body part 18 of the gas opening device 10, while adding the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body part 18, a plurality of the addition apparatuses 11 are provided. The fibers 70 can be opened by the first gas G1, and the particles 65 can be easily dispersed and arranged in the fiber gaps 72.

  Further, a plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 opened by the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 can be opened by the gas opening apparatus 10 while being entangled three-dimensionally. Therefore, it is possible to easily combine the plurality of fibers 70 with the binder 66 in a state where the fiber gap 72 is widened, and to further improve the liquid permeability of the absorbent article 61.

  Further, since the attaching device 9 attaches the binder 66 to the tow band 60 between the gas opening device 10 and the second opening roll pair 8 on the most downstream side among the plurality of pairs of opening rolls. A binder 66 is attached to a plurality of fibers 70 opened by the pair of opening rolls (first opening roll pair 7 and second opening roll pair 8), and a plurality of fibers are opened by the gas opening device 10. The fiber 70 can be opened. Accordingly, the binder 66 can be attached to the plurality of fibers 70 while preventing the binder 66 from adhering to the plurality of opening roll pairs 7, 8, thereby reducing the maintenance work of the plurality of opening roll pairs 7, 8. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article 61 can be improved. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a side view of the gas opening device 110 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 118 of the gas opening device 110 is formed with a binder inlet 118i upstream of the outlet of the second opening chamber 143c. The second pipe portion 22 of the adding device 11 is disposed on the downstream side of the binder introduction port 118i. An attachment device 109 is disposed above the binder introduction port 118i.

  The adhering device 109 includes a tank 55 that stores a liquid binder 66, and a pump 56 that supplies the binder 66 inside the tank 55 to the binder introduction port 118i. In the second embodiment, the binder 66 inside the tank 55 is sprayed to the first opening chamber 143b of the main body 118 through the binder introduction port 118i by the driving force of the pump 56.

  Thus, in the gas opening device 110, the binder 66 is attached to the tow band 60 and the particulate matter 65 is added while the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 are opened by the first gas G1. Therefore, the binder 66 is attached to the plurality of fibers 70 to be opened of the tow band 60 while suppressing the bias, and the plurality of granular materials 65 are easily dispersed and arranged in the plurality of fiber gaps 72. be able to. The binder introduction port 118i may be disposed on the downstream side of the second pipe portion 22, or may be disposed in the introduction portion 117.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a partial view of the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second manufacturing unit 103 of the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a supply device 30, a coating device 34, and a guide roll pair 69.

  The supply device 30 supplies a top sheet 64 having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the toe band 60 (absorbent body 62 in the present embodiment) on the downstream side of the attaching device 9. Specifically, in the second manufacturing unit 103, the top sheet 64 is fed from the axially supported sheet roll 68 and supplied to the transport line L. In the present embodiment, the top sheet 64 is a polypropylene (PP) sheet in which a plurality of fine holes penetrating in the thickness direction are formed.

  The coating device 34 applies an adhesive to the top sheet 64 that is transported from the sheet roll 68 toward the transport line L. The guide roll pair 69 has a pair of guide rolls 51 and 52. Between the guide rolls 51 and 52, the back sheet 63, the absorber 62, and the top sheet 64 are inserted in a state where the absorber 62 and the top sheet 64 are sequentially stacked on the back sheet 63. The back sheet 63, the absorber 62, and the top sheet 64 that have passed through the guide roll pair 69 are pasted by the pasting device 49 and cut into predetermined dimensions. Thereby, the absorbent article 161 is manufactured.

  FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 161 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, since the upper surface of the absorbent body 62 is overlapped with the top sheet 64, the liquid return of the absorbent article 161 can be prevented even better. Similarly to the first embodiment, since the plurality of fibers 70 are combined by the binder 66 in the entire interior of the absorbent body 62 and the liquid permeability is enhanced, the top sheet 64 supplied by the supply device 30. As described above, a sheet that does not have high liquid permeability or high hydrophobicity can be used, and the production efficiency of the absorbent article 161 can be improved by expanding the selection range of the material of the top sheet 64.

(Confirmation experiment)
[Experiment 1]
Using the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, an absorbent article consisting only of the absorber 62 was manufactured as Example 1. Using an apparatus in which the gas opening device 10 is omitted from the manufacturing apparatus 1, an absorbent article consisting only of an absorbent was manufactured as Comparative Example 1.

  The absorbent article which consists only of an absorber was manufactured as the comparative example 2 using the apparatus which abbreviate | omitted the attachment apparatus 9 from the manufacturing apparatus 1. FIG. Using an apparatus in which the gas opening apparatus 10 and the attaching apparatus 9 are omitted from the manufacturing apparatus 1, an absorbent article made only of an absorbent was manufactured as Comparative Example 3. In Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 3, particulates were added to the tow band from above the tow band at a position upstream of the transport roll pair 12 and downstream of the attachment device 9 and the second fiber opening roll pair. .

  As a comparative example 4, a top having the same structure as the top sheet 64 of the second embodiment on the pulp sheet in which the same granular material as the granular material 65 contained in the absorbent body 62 of the example 1 is dispersed and arranged. An absorbent article formed by stacking sheets was manufactured.

  The addition position of the granular material 65 with respect to the tow band 60 is a position downstream of the opening of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10 (in this experiment, a position in the retention chamber 46). The absorbent article which consists only of an absorber was manufactured as the comparative example 5 using the apparatus which has the structure similar to the manufacturing apparatus 1 except being set to). The weight of the tow and the weight of the granular material of the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were set as shown in Table 1.

  About the absorbent article of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-5, confirmation experiment was done with the following procedures. A glass cylinder having an inner diameter of 6 cm was placed on the upper surfaces of the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 with the opening directed in the vertical direction. In this state, 50 ml of physiological saline colored blue was poured into the glass tube at once. The elapsed time from when physiological saline was poured into the glass tube until all of the physiological saline was absorbed by the absorbent article was measured as the liquid absorption time.

  After 3 minutes had passed since the physiological saline was poured into the glass tube, the liquid diffusion length (longitudinal diffusion length and lateral diffusion length) of the physiological saline formed on the upper surface of the absorbent article was measured. The longitudinal diffusion length was the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and the lateral diffusion length was the width direction of the absorbent article. Here, it can be evaluated that the greater the liquid diffusion length is, the easier it is for the physiological saline to come into contact with the particulate matter contained in the absorbent article, so that the water absorption is excellent.

  After 5 minutes have passed since the physiological saline was poured into the glass tube, three filter papers whose dry weights were measured in advance were stacked and placed on the upper surface of the absorbent article, and 3. on the uppermost filter paper. A 5 kg weight was placed. After 8 minutes had passed since the physiological saline was poured into the glass cylinder, the weight was removed, three filter papers were taken out, and the amount of physiological saline absorbed by the three filter papers was calculated as the liquid return amount. Moreover, the upper surface of the absorbent article immediately after taking out three filter papers was touched by hand, and the stickiness and cushioning properties of the upper surface of the absorbent article were evaluated. The cushioning property was evaluated in four stages of A (good), B (slightly good), C (slightly weak), or D (very weak). The results of the confirmation experiment are shown in Table 2.

  “Roll” in Table 1 indicates “opening roll pair”, and “gas” indicates “gas opening device”. As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the absorbent article of Example 1 had the same weight as that of the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 and the weight of the granular material, while the weight of tow was less than or equal to that of Comparative Example 1. It was found that the liquid absorption time was short and the liquid return amount was small compared to the absorbent articles of ˜5. Moreover, it turned out that the vertical and horizontal liquid diffusion length of the absorbent article of Example 1 is substantially equivalent to the absorbent article of Comparative Examples 1-3. Moreover, it turned out that the absorbent article of Example 1 has little stickiness of the upper surface after liquid absorption, can maintain a favorable touch, and has good cushioning properties.

  As a reason for this, in the absorbent article of Example 1, a plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 are diffused while being three-dimensionally entangled by the gas opening device 10, and a plurality of fibers in the absorber 62 are diffused by the attaching device 9. Since the fibers 70 of the absorbent body 62 are combined and the liquid permeability of the absorbent body 62 is increased, the physiological saline quickly passes through the fiber gaps 72 of the plurality of fibers 70 of the absorbent body 62 and efficiently forms the plurality of granular materials 65. It is considered that the saline was absorbed well and the physiological saline was less likely to stay in the fiber gap 72.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 1 was found to have a slower liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 1, the liquid return amount reached 2.2 times or more, and the cushioning properties were not excellent. As a reason for this, in Comparative Example 1, the plurality of fibers in the tow band were not opened using the gas opening device 10, and the plurality of fibers in the tow band were combined by the binder 66 in a state where the fiber gap was not sufficient. Thus, it is considered that the cushioning property is reduced and the amount of physiological saline staying in the fiber gap is increased.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 2 has a longer liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 1, the liquid return amount reaches 2.8 times, the sticking occurs on the upper surface after liquid absorption, and the cushion. It turns out that the sex is somewhat weak.

  The reason for this is that in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 2, the binder 66 was not attached to the tow band using the attaching device 9, so that a plurality of fibers of the absorbent article were pressed by the weight and the fiber gap was reduced. Thus, it can be considered that the cushioning property is reduced as compared with Comparative Example 1 and the amount of physiological saline staying in the fiber gap is increased.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 3 has a slower liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 1, the liquid return amount reaches about 3.3 times, and stickiness occurs on the upper surface after liquid absorption. It was found that the cushioning property was very weak.

  As a reason for this, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 3, since the plurality of fibers of the tow band were not opened using the gas opening device 10, the fiber gap was not sufficient compared to Comparative Example 2 and stayed in the fiber gap. Since the amount of physiological saline to be increased or the binder 66 was not attached to the tow band using the attaching device 9, a plurality of fibers of the absorbent article were pressurized by the weight, and the fiber gap was larger than that of Comparative Example 2. It is possible that it has shrunk.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 4 had less stickiness on the upper surface after liquid absorption, and had a longer vertical and horizontal diffusion length than the absorbent article of Example 1, but liquid absorption compared to the absorbent article of Example 1. It was found that the time was slow, the amount of liquid returned was large, and the cushioning property was very weak.

  The reason for this is that the pulp has higher hydrophilicity than the tow, and the pulp fibers have absorbed physiological saline, and the return of liquid is likely to occur due to the physiological saline absorbed by the pulp fibers.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 5 is arranged such that the particulate matter is localized in the upper region of the absorbent body by adding the particulate matter to the upper surface of the tow band downstream from the outlet of the second opening chamber 43c. It was found to have a structure. The reason why such an absorbent article is obtained is that the inside of the first opening chamber 43b is more downstream than the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10. In addition, it is conceivable that the plurality of fibers are relatively difficult to move and the granular material 65 is difficult to disperse compared to each position inside the second opening chamber 43c.

  In addition, it was found that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5 had a smaller lateral diffusion length, a longer liquid absorption time, and a liquid return amount of 3 times or more than that of Example 1 compared with the absorbent article of Example 1. . Moreover, although the absorbent article of the comparative example 5 had good cushioning properties, it turned out that there is much stickiness of the upper surface after liquid absorption.

  As a reason for this, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5, as in the absorbent article of Example 1, a plurality of fibers 70 of the absorbent body are joined while being entangled three-dimensionally, but the upper region of the absorbent body As a result, the physiological saline is concentrated and absorbed in the granular material located locally, making it difficult for the physiological saline to diffuse into the fiber gap, and absorbing the physiological saline in the upper region of the absorber. It is conceivable that the swelled granular material makes it difficult for the physiological saline to pass through the upper region of the absorbent body, and the physiological saline stays in the upper region of the absorbent body.

  From the result of Comparative Example 5, in order to obtain the same effect as in Example 1, on the upstream side from the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 10, It is considered necessary to add the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 and disperse the granular material 65 uniformly in the fiber gap of the tow band 60.

[Experiment 2]
The absorbent articles of Example 2, Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and Comparative Example 10 were produced by overlaying the back sheet on the absorbent articles of Example 1, Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and Comparative Example 5. In the back sheet, the same granular material as the granular material 65 of Example 1 is dispersed in the pulp sheet having a larger thickness dimension than the pulp sheet of Comparative Example 4 than the amount of granular material of the pulp sheet of Comparative Example 4. It was manufactured by arranging. The absorbent article of Example 2 was the same as the absorbent article 61 of the first embodiment, and was manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 1. As Comparative Example 9, a top sheet having the same structure as the top sheet 64 of the second embodiment is overlaid on the same back sheet as that of Example 2, Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and Comparative Example 10. Absorbent articles were produced. The amount of particulate matter per unit volume of the absorbent body and the back sheet of the absorbent article was made equal.

  The weight of the tow, the weight of the granular material, and the weight of the pulp of the back sheet contained in the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 were set as shown in Table 3. About the absorbent article of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6-10, confirmation experiment was done in the procedure similar to Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1-5. The amount of physiological saline absorbed by the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 was set to 240 ml. Table 4 shows the results of the confirmation experiment.

  As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the absorbent article of Example 2 was the same as the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 6 to 10, while the weight of the particulate matter was the same, and the weight of the pulp was less than or equal to the comparative example. It was found that the liquid absorption time can be shortened and the liquid return amount can be suppressed to about 1/3 or less as compared with 6 to 10 absorbent articles. Moreover, the liquid diffusion length of the absorbent article of Example 2 was equivalent to the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 6 to 10, and it was found that the upper surface after liquid absorption was less sticky and the cushioning property was good.

  The reason why such a result is obtained can be the same reason as in Example 1. Moreover, although it is estimated that a part of the physiological saline absorbed in the absorbent article of Example 2 was absorbed by the pulp fibers of the backsheet 63, the upper portion of the absorbent body 62 is connected to the backsheet 63. Since the physiological saline is effectively absorbed by the granular material 65 contained in the absorber 62 and the back sheet 63 while being separated by a relatively long distance, the amount of liquid return can be reduced. It is thought that the stickiness of the upper surface could be prevented.

  Although the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6 has less stickiness on the upper surface after liquid absorption, the liquid absorption time is slower than the absorbent article of Example 2, and the liquid return amount is 2.9 times that of Example 2. As a result, it was found that the cushioning property was slightly lowered.

  The reason for this is that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6 does not have enough fiber gaps because a plurality of fibers in the tow band were not opened by the gas opening device, and permeated a larger amount of physiological saline than in Experiment 1. It is conceivable that the liquid permeability for causing the solution was insufficient and the physiological saline was not effectively absorbed by the plurality of granular materials.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 7 has a slower liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 2, the liquid return amount reaches 3.1 times that of Example 2, and stickiness occurs on the upper surface after liquid absorption. In addition, it was found that the cushioning properties were slightly weak.

  For this reason, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 7, since a plurality of fibers of the absorbent body are not bonded, the fiber gap of the absorbent body is reduced by the load of the weight, and the amount of physiological saline staying in this fiber gap It is possible that

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 8 has a slower liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 2, the liquid return amount reaches 3.5 times that of Example 2, and stickiness occurs on the upper surface after liquid absorption. In addition, the cushioning properties were found to be very weak.

  The reason for this is that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 8 does not have sufficient fiber gaps as in Comparative Example 3, and the liquid permeability of the absorbent for allowing a large amount of physiological saline to pass through in comparison with Experiment 1 is comparative. It is conceivable that the amount was further insufficient than the absorbent article of Example 7 and the physiological saline was not effectively absorbed by the plurality of granular materials.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 9 has less stickiness on the upper surface after liquid absorption, but the liquid absorption time is slower than the absorbent article of Example 2, and the liquid return amount reaches 3.7 times that of Example 2. It was found that the cushioning property was very weak.

  The reason for this is that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 9 has a larger pulp weight than the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and a large amount of physiological saline absorbed by the pulp fibers is a thin topsheet. It can be considered that the liquid has returned to the top sheet through a plurality of fine holes, and liquid return has increased.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 10 was found to have a smaller lateral diffusion length, a slower liquid absorption time, and a liquid return amount equivalent to that of Comparative Example 9 than the absorbent article of Example 2. Moreover, although the absorbent article of the comparative example 10 had good cushioning properties, it turned out that there is much stickiness of the upper surface after liquid absorption.

  As this reason, the reason equivalent to the absorbent article of the comparative example 5 can be considered. Further, the absorbent article of Comparative Example 10 uses a back sheet containing particulate matter, so that the weight of the particulate matter is increased as compared with the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5. Since the existing granular material absorbed the physiological saline and swelled, it became difficult for the physiological saline to pass through the upper region of the absorber, making it difficult for all the granular materials to absorb the physiological saline. It can be considered that physiological saline charged in a large amount compared to Experiment 1 stayed in the upper region of the absorber, and the liquid return increased.

  The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and the configuration and method thereof can be changed, added, or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Another sheet or another absorbent article may be stacked on the surface of the absorbent body manufactured in each embodiment.

  As described above, according to the present invention, while improving the production efficiency of an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which water-absorbing granular materials are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of tow, the liquid return of the absorbent article is improved. It has the outstanding effect which can prevent that and can improve the cushioning property of the said absorbent article. Therefore, it is beneficial to apply widely as an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus and an absorbent article manufacturing method capable of exhibiting the significance of this effect.

G1 1st gas (gas)
P Conveyance direction 1,100 Absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 7 First opening roll pair (opening roll)
8 Second opening roll pair (opening roll)
9, 109 Adhering device 10, 110 Gas opening device (opening device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Addition apparatus 17 Introduction | transduction part 18,118 Main-body part 30 Supply apparatus 43b 1st opening chamber (opening chamber)
43c Second opening room (opening room)
60 Tow Band (Tow)
61, 161 Absorbent article 64 Top sheet (sheet)
66 binder

Claims (12)

A gas opening device for opening a plurality of fibers of the tow being conveyed with gas in at least one opening chamber;
An addition device for adding water-absorbing particulate matter to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction from the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device;
An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus comprising: an attachment device that attaches a binder that binds the plurality of fibers to the tow upstream of the opening of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction.   2. The absorption according to claim 1, wherein the gas opening device has a cylindrical main body part in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction part for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body part. Equipment manufacturing equipment.   The said addition apparatus is an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of Claim 2 which adds the said granular material to the said tow | toe inside the said main-body part.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pairs of opening rolls that open the plurality of fibers in contact with a peripheral surface upstream of the gas opening device in the transport direction. The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to item 1.   The attaching device attaches the binder to the tow between the plurality of pairs of the opening rolls and the gas opening apparatus between the opening roll pair on the most downstream side in the transport direction, The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.   6. The supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a supply device that supplies a sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the tow on the downstream side in the transport direction with respect to the attaching device. Absorbent article manufacturing equipment. A plurality of fibers of the tow being conveyed are opened with gas in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening device,
On the upstream side in the transport direction from the opening of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device, by the addition device, water-absorbing particulates are added to the tow,
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein a binder that binds the plurality of fibers is attached to the tow by an attaching device on an upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side.   The plurality of fibers are opened by the gas opening device having a cylindrical main body part in which the opening chamber is formed and an introduction part for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body part. The method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the absorbent article is fine.   The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of Claim 8 which adds the said granular material to the said tow with the said addition apparatus inside the said main-body part.   The upstream of the conveyance direction rather than the gas opening device, the plurality of the fibers are brought into contact with the peripheral surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening rolls to open the plurality of fibers. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of any one of 7-9.   Among the plurality of pairs of opening rolls, the binder is attached to the tow by the attaching device between the opening roll pair on the most downstream side in the transport direction and the gas opening device. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article of Claim 10.   The absorption according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity is supplied to an upper surface of the tow by a supply device at a downstream side in the transport direction from the attaching device. A method for producing a functional article.

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