JP2023034554A - Method of manufacturing absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method capable of stably conveying an outer body in a manufacturing process of an absorbent article.SOLUTION: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article includes a cutting step and an adjusting step as a manufacturing process of an outer body 4. The cutting step forms a pair of outer body cut bodies 4M by cutting an outer body continuum 4L, in which an elastic member 6 having a swing width in a width direction CD is arranged between an outer layer sheet 41 and an inner layer sheet 42 during conveyance along a conveyance direction MD in its width direction central region. At least one of the outer body cut bodies 4M is provided with the elastic member 6. In the outer body cut body 4M with the elastic member 6 provided, the elastic member 6 is unevenly distributed on one widthwise edge side in the outer body cutting body 4M. The adjusting step adjusts the position of the outer body cut body in the width direction during conveyance on the basis of the position of the side edge in the width direction that is located on the far side relative to the position of the elastic member 6 in the outer body cut body 4M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing absorbent articles.

Absorbent articles generally comprise an absorbent body that includes an absorbent body. A disposable diaper, which is an embodiment of the absorbent article, further includes an outer covering disposed on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent main body, and both side edges of the outer covering in the ventral region corresponding to the front body. A pair of side seal portions, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings are formed by joining the side edges of the outer body in the dorsal region corresponding to the back body.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a front exterior body applied to the front abdomen of the wearer and a portion from the rear back to the buttocks of the wearer, and the left and right edges thereof are the left and right edges of the front exterior body. Disposable absorbent articles are disclosed that include a portion and a joined back facing. The document also discloses that this absorbent article has elastic members for the legs in a stretched state in the portions of the back exterior body positioned around the left and right legs of the wearer.

Patent Literature 2 discloses a meandering correction device that is arranged in a manufacturing line of absorbent articles and corrects meandering of continuous sheets that are continuously conveyed in the conveying direction. This meandering correction device has a detection unit for detecting the position of the edge in the width direction of the continuous sheet, and stops the detection unit at the stop position set in the width direction for each predetermined standard having different dimensions in the width direction. The document also discloses that a sensor is provided to detect the position of the sheet edge in the folded state.

Patent Document 3 discloses a web guide used in a manufacturing facility having a manufacturing line for manufacturing products such as cloth, disposable diapers, and nonwoven fabrics while continuously conveying a web, and having a wall separating the manufacturing line. An apparatus is disclosed. The web guiding device includes a position detecting device that detects the edge of the web, a moving mechanism that holds the position detecting device movably in the width direction of the web, and a control section that controls the operation of the moving mechanism. This is also disclosed in the same document.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-302138 JP 2012-25578 A JP 2017-19583 A

For the purpose of improving the fit around the wearer's legs, when manufacturing an absorbent article in which the leg-surrounding elastic members are arranged in the outer body so as to intersect the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the product, It is common to have a step of continuously arranging the elastic member between two sheets so as to have a predetermined amplitude in the width direction to manufacture a continuous body of the exterior body. In this case, there is a portion where the width of the continuum changes due to the unintentional contraction of the elastic member described above and the occurrence of wrinkles in the sheet along with this. It is difficult for the positions of the ends in the width direction of the body to be constant. As a result, when adjusting the meandering of the sheet by detecting the width direction end portion of the continuous wrapping body being conveyed, the meandering cannot be appropriately corrected, and the wrapping body and the manufacturing intermediate including the same cannot be corrected. , and stable transportation and processing of products become difficult. The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not consider how to solve this problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an absorbent article that can stably transport the outer covering during the manufacturing process of the absorbent article.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing absorbent articles.
The absorbent article includes an abdominal region, a dorsal region, and a crotch region located between these regions, an absorbent body arranged in a region from the abdominal region to the dorsal region; It is preferable to have an exterior body arranged on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent main body.
The manufacturing method includes a manufacturing step of the exterior body, and the long strip-shaped outer layer sheet and the long strip-shaped inner layer sheet conveyed in one direction are arranged so as to have an amplitude in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. It is preferable to include a cutting step of cutting the outer continuous body with the elastic member arranged in the middle along the conveying direction at the center region in the width direction to form a pair of cut outer bodies.
Preferably, the manufacturing method includes an adjusting step of adjusting the widthwise position of the outer casing cut body during transportation based on the position of the widthwise end portion of the outer casing cut body.
In the cutting step, at least one of the pair of cut bodies of the exterior body is provided with the elastic member, and in the cut body of the exterior body in which the elastic member is arranged, the elastic member is attached to the cut body of the exterior body. It is preferably formed so as to be unevenly distributed on one of the width direction end sides.
It is preferable that the adjusting step is performed with reference to the end portion in the width direction of the cut body on which the elastic member is arranged, which is located relatively far from the arrangement position of the elastic member.
Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are described below.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is a manufacturing process of an absorbent article. WHEREIN: An exterior body can be conveyed stably.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a disposable diaper, which is one embodiment of absorbent articles manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a developed plan view schematically showing the skin-facing surface of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1 in a developed and stretched state. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing one embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus suitable for use in the manufacturing method of the present invention. 5(a) and 5(b) are plan views schematically showing the positions of the side edges that serve as references in the adjustment process in one embodiment of the manufacturing method of the present invention. 6(a) and 6(b) are plan views schematically showing the position of the side edge that serves as a reference in the adjustment process in another embodiment of the manufacturing method of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is a method suitable for manufacturing absorbent articles, and is suitably employed for manufacturing pants-type disposable diapers as an embodiment of absorbent articles. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of an underpants-type disposable diaper 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as diaper 1) that is preferably manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention.

The diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer, that is, a direction extending from the abdomen to the back through the crotch, and a lateral direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, and absorbs and retains body fluids. and an outer body 4 arranged on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent body 2, and the longitudinal direction X of the outer body 4 in each of the front body F and the back body R A pair of side seal portions S, S, a waist opening portion WH, and a pair of leg opening portions LH, LH are formed by joining the side edge portions 4S along the edges. A pair of leak-proof cuffs 3, 3 are provided on both sides of the absorbent main body 2 along the longitudinal direction X so as to stand on the wearer's skin side when the diaper 1 is worn.

As used herein, the term “skin-facing surface” refers to the surface of an absorbent article or its constituent members (e.g., absorbent body) that faces the wearer's skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the surface facing the wearer's skin. The "non-skin facing side" is the side of the absorbent article or its constituent members that faces away from the skin when the absorbent article is worn, i.e., the side that is relatively close to the wearer's skin. far side. It should be noted that the term "when worn" as used herein means a state in which the absorbent article is maintained in a normal and appropriate wearing position, that is, in a correct wearing position of the absorbent article.

The diaper 1 is arranged in the wearer's crotch region and includes a crotch region B including an excretion facing portion (not shown) facing the wearer's excretion region such as the urethra, and the wearer's abdomen side from the crotch region B. It is divided into three regions: an abdominal region A arranged on the (front side) and a dorsal region C arranged on the back side (rear side) of the wearer from the crotch region B. The diaper 1 is formed symmetrically on one side and the other side across a horizontal center line CLy (see FIG. 2). The abdomen region A is part of the front body F of the diaper 1 , and the back region C is part of the back body R of the diaper 1 . The crotch region B straddles the longitudinal center line CLx (see FIG. 2) in the longitudinal direction X and exists from the front body F to the back body R.
The horizontal center line CLy is an imaginary straight line extending in the vertical direction X by halving the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state as shown in FIG. The vertical center line CLx is an imaginary straight line that extends in the horizontal direction Y by halving the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state in the vertical direction X. As shown in FIG.
The above-mentioned "unfolded and stretched state" means that the diaper 1 is separated at the side seal portion S to be put into the unfolded state, and the elastic members of each part of the diaper 1 in the unfolded state are stretched to the design size (the influence of the elastic member is completely eliminated). It refers to the state in which it is expanded until it reaches the dimension when it is expanded in a flat state.
In the present invention, the abdominal area A, the crotch area B, and the back area C are areas when the diaper 1 in the unfolded and stretched state is divided into three equal parts in the longitudinal direction X. As shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent main body 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and its longitudinal direction is aligned with the vertical direction X of the diaper 1, and the center of the outer body 4 in the horizontal direction Y is positioned. and extends in the longitudinal direction X from the ventral region A to the dorsal region C via the crotch region B. The contour of the absorbent main body 2 in plan view substantially matches the contour of the absorber 22 .
The absorbent main body 2 consists of a liquid-permeable surface sheet 21 arranged at a position relatively close to the wearer's skin, and a liquid-impermeable or liquid-impermeable surface sheet 21 arranged at a position relatively far from the wearer's skin. It comprises a flexible or water-repellent back sheet (not shown) and an absorbent body 22 interposed between the two sheets.
The absorbent body 22 includes an absorbent core (not shown) capable of absorbing and retaining bodily fluids, and a core wrap sheet (not shown) covering the outer surface of the absorbent core including the skin-facing surface and the non-skin-facing surface. is composed of
These members constituting the absorbent main body 2 are integrated by a known bonding method such as an adhesive.

As the members constituting the absorbent main body 2, those commonly used in this type of absorbent article can be used without particular limitation. For example, various non-woven fabrics, perforated films, etc. can be used as the surface sheet 21, and resin films, laminates of resin films and non-woven fabrics, etc. can be used as the back sheet. The absorbent core is typically mainly composed of a water-absorbent material, and contains one or more selected from fiber materials such as wood pulp and water-absorbent polymers as the water-absorbent material. The core wrap sheet has liquid permeability and is typically made of paper, nonwoven fabric, or the like. The core wrap sheet may be omitted.

The diaper 1 has an outer body 4 . The outer body 4 is arranged on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent main body 2 . The exterior body 4 in this embodiment has a ventral exterior body 4A forming an abdominal region A and a dorsal exterior body 4C forming a dorsal region C. As shown in FIG. The two exterior bodies 4A and 4C are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction X, and the absorbent main body 2 is fixed across the two exterior bodies 4A and 4C. The outer body 4 of the diaper 1 in this embodiment is not arranged in the crotch region B. As shown in FIG. That is, the diaper 1 in this embodiment is a split-type disposable diaper.
It should be noted that the following description of the exterior body 4 applies to both exterior bodies 4A and 4C unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ventral outer covering 4A has a rectangular shape in which the horizontal direction Y is longer than the vertical direction X in plan view when the diaper 1 is unfolded and stretched.
On the other hand, in the unfolded and stretched state of the diaper 1, the back exterior body 4C has a side relatively far from the longitudinal center line CLx (a region existing at the same position in the longitudinal direction X as the side seal portion S) and a longitudinal center line The planar view shape differs on the side relatively close to CLx. The former has a rectangular shape in which the length in the horizontal direction Y is longer than the vertical direction X in plan view, and the latter has a length (width) in the horizontal direction Y that varies in the vertical direction X, and is more specific. , it gradually decreases toward the longitudinal center line CLx.
The portion of the dorsal exterior body 4C that is rectangular in plan view is arranged around the waist of the wearer together with the portion of the ventral exterior body 4A that is similarly rectangular in plan view (the entirety of the ventral exterior body 4A in this embodiment). A torso portion D is formed. A portion of the back outer body 4C whose width varies in the longitudinal direction X forms a part of the crotch region B, and both side edges 4S, 4S along the longitudinal direction X of the leg opening LH are formed. An opening edge (hereinafter also referred to as "leg edge") LS is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer body 4 has a flap part extending outward from the peripheral edge of the absorbent main body 2. As shown in FIG. Further, of the flap portions, the portions located outside in the lateral direction Y from both side edges along the longitudinal direction X of the absorbent main body 2 and their imaginary extension lines are also called side flap portions.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer layer sheet 41 is arranged at a position relatively far from the absorbent main body 2, and the outer layer sheet 41 is arranged at a position relatively close to the absorbent main body 2. and an inner layer sheet 42 . Both sheets 41 and 42 are bonded together and integrated by a bonding method such as adhesive or fusion.
The outer layer sheet 41 is the outermost layer of the outer body 4, and forms the non-skin-facing surface of the outer body 4 and the outer surface of the diaper 1, except for the case where a folded portion 41E is formed as described later. do. The inner layer sheet 42 is the innermost layer of the exterior body 4 and has a portion forming the skin facing surface of the exterior body 4 . The absorbent main body 2 is joined to the skin facing surface of the inner layer sheet 42 .

As the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42, nonwoven fabrics, resin films, etc. produced by various methods can be used, respectively. Both sheets 41 and 42 may each have a single-layer structure, or may have a laminated structure in which two or more sheets are laminated. Both sheets 41 and 42 may be stretchable sheets having stretchability in the lateral direction Y, or may be non-stretchable sheets having no stretchability. An example of the stretch sheet is the stretch sheet described in JP-A-2009-61743. For example, the stretchable sheet can be used as the outer layer sheet 41 and the non-stretchable sheet can be used as the inner layer sheet 42 .

A waist portion D of each of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C, that is, a region existing at the same position in the vertical direction X as the side seal portion S, has elasticity in the lateral direction Y. As shown in FIG. Specifically, a plurality of waist elastic members 5 are disposed so as to be stretchable in the lateral direction Y between an outer layer sheet 41 and an inner layer sheet 42 that constitute the exterior body 4 of the waist portion D. Due to the elastic stretchability of the elastic member 5, the waist portion D has stretchability in the horizontal direction Y. As shown in FIG.
A plurality of waist elastic members 5 extend in the horizontal direction Y in the waist portion D and are intermittently arranged in the vertical direction X. As shown in FIG. The waist portion D is produced by fixing the elastic member 5 between the sheets 41 and 42 while being stretched in the horizontal direction Y, and then releasing the elastic member 5 from the stretched state. When the diaper 1 is worn, the contraction of the elastic member 5 forms a plurality of pleats extending in the direction intersecting the elastic member 5 (longitudinal direction X) on the surface of the waist portion D. As shown in FIG.
As shown in the present embodiment, at least a part of the portion overlapping the absorbent main body 2 when the waist portion D is viewed from above is divided, for example, by dividing the waist elastic member 5 so that the elasticity of the elastic member 5 is reduced. It is preferably constructed so as not to exhibit stretchability. Thereby, said portion has no elasticity in the transverse direction Y.

In this embodiment, leg gathers are formed at the leg edges LS. The leg gathers include an armor 4, and more specifically, a back armor 4C and a leg elastic member fixed to the back armor 4C and having a portion extending along the leg edge LS. 6. The leg gathers are produced by fixing the elastic member 6 in a stretched state between the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 that constitute the back exterior body 4C, and then releasing the elastic member 6 from the stretched state. there is When the diaper 1 is worn, contraction of the elastic member 6 forms the leg gathers substantially continuous to the leg edges LS.

Unless otherwise specified, elastic materials commonly used in absorbent articles of this type can be used without particular limitation as materials for the various elastic members constituting the diaper 1 . Examples of the elastic member include synthetic rubber such as styrene-butadiene, butadiene, isoprene and neoprene, natural rubber, EVA, elastic polyolefin, polyurethane and the like. As for the shape of the elastic member, it is preferable to use a thread-like (string rubber, etc.) or string-like (flat rubber, etc.) having a rectangular, square, circular, polygonal cross section, or a multi-filament type thread-like one. can. These materials may be the same for each elastic member, or may be different for each.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the outer layer sheet 41 of each of the ventral exterior body 4A and the dorsal exterior body 4C extends outward from the end of the inner layer sheet 42 in the longitudinal direction X. It is preferable to have a folded portion 41E. The folded portion 41E is folded back toward the absorbent main body 2 and covers the longitudinal direction X end of the absorbent main body 2 . The folded portion 41E folded back toward the absorbent main body 2 is joined with an adhesive to another member facing the folded portion 41E. Other members that face the folded portion 41E include, for example, the inner layer sheet 42 and the surface sheet 21 .

Next, an embodiment of the absorbent article manufacturing method of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a case where a manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 is used as a suitable manufacturing method for the diaper 1 described above. This manufacturing method includes a manufacturing process of the exterior body 4 . In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction MD is defined as the width direction CD. Further, in the following description, the length along the width direction CD is also referred to as width.

First, the long strip-shaped outer layer sheet 41 and the long strip-shaped inner layer sheet 42 are continuously fed out from respective rolls (not shown) and transported along the transport direction MD. Between these sheets 41 and 42, a plurality of waist elastic members 5 and leg elastic members 6 are respectively arranged in a stretched state with a predetermined stretch ratio, and these members are superimposed. .
Before superimposing the strip-shaped outer layer sheet 41 and the strip-shaped inner layer sheet 42, an adhesive coating machine (not shown) is applied to a predetermined portion of either or both of the sheets 41 and 42 facing each other. ) to apply an adhesive such as a hot-melt adhesive.

At this time, it is preferable that the waist elastic member 5 is continuously arranged so as to extend in the transport direction MD at a position outside the planned arrangement position of the leg elastic member 6 in the width direction CD.
In addition, the leg elastic member 6 is arranged at a position inside the width direction CD from the planned arrangement position of the waist elastic member 5 via a swing guide (not shown) that reciprocates in the width direction CD. It is preferable that the leg elastic members 6 meander so as to have an amplitude in the width direction CD and are continuously arranged while forming a predetermined leg circumference pattern.

In the process before the long strip-shaped outer layer sheet 41 and the long strip-shaped inner layer sheet 42 are superimposed, as shown in FIG. During the transport process, it is preferable that the position of the sheet in the width direction CD during transport be adjusted based on the position of one side edge in the width direction CD of the sheet. As a result, the width of the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, which are the raw materials for manufacturing the exterior body, vary between lots, the original sheet is spliced, and unintended meandering occurs during the transportation of these sheets. However, by adjusting the position in the sheet width direction to a predetermined position, the sheet can be conveyed stably. As a result, it is possible to improve the dimensional accuracy of the outer body to be manufactured, and to manufacture a high-quality outer body and an absorbent article using the same.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, before the long strip-shaped outer layer sheet 41 and the long strip-shaped inner layer sheet 42 are superimposed, that is, on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the overlapping position of the two sheets 41 and 42, these sheets are A sensor 110 is provided for detecting the side edge in the width direction CD of the . This sensor 110 is for detecting the position of the side edge of the conveyed sheet. In the embodiment shown in the figure, for convenience of explanation, the sensor 110 is arranged only on one side edge in the width direction CD. It may be configured so that both side edges can be detected.

As such a sensor 110, for example, an optical imaging device such as a camera, or a non-contact sensor such as a photoelectric sensor or a laser sensor can be used. If necessary, the position of the side edge in the width direction of the sheet may be detected by subjecting the obtained image data to edge detection processing using image processing means (not shown).

The manufacturing apparatus 100 also includes a control unit (not shown) that adjusts the sheet conveying trajectory, such as the position of the sheet in the width direction, based on the electrical signal transmitted according to whether the position of the side edge of the sheet is detected by the sensor 110. ) may be further provided. The controller is in direct contact with or electrically connected to an adjusting member for adjusting the sheet conveying trajectory, such as the position of the sheet in the width direction, and based on the electrical signal emitted from the sensor 110, The position, orientation, angle, etc. of the adjustment member can be adjusted and controlled.

Examples of the adjustment member described above include members that constitute a part of the manufacturing apparatus, such as guide rolls and pinch rolls. , the inclination of the rolls in the axial direction is adjusted, or the degree of contact between the rolls and the interval between the rolls in the conveying direction are adjusted to change the tension of the sheet. The position can be adjusted as appropriate. As a result, wrinkles caused by the expansion and contraction of the leg elastic member can be suppressed, and the sheet can be transported to the subsequent processes while maintaining the appropriate position of the sheet.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, for convenience of illustration and explanation, the length of the width direction CD of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 (that is, the width of the sheet) is the same, and the width direction CD of both the sheets 41 and 42 is the same. Although the embodiment has been described as an example in which the two side edges are overlapped so as to match each other, the embodiment is not limited to this embodiment.

Specifically, in place of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the sheet widths of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 are the same, and both side edges of the sheets 41 and 42 in the width direction CD are overlapped so as not to match each other. may be Alternatively, the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 having different widths are used, and are overlapped so that one side edges in the width direction CD are aligned, or are overlapped so that the side edges are not aligned. It is good also as an aspect. In either case, it is preferable to overlap the sheets 41 and 42 so as to have overlapping portions. In either case, it is preferable that both the waist elastic member 5 and the leg elastic members 6 are arranged at the portions where the sheets 41 and 42 overlap and are joined together with the sheets 41 and 42 .

Of these, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable to use the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 having different widths, and the outer layer sheet 41 having a width larger than the inner layer sheet 42 is used. is more preferable. In addition to this, in the process of conveying the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 before being superimposed, the side edge in the width direction CD of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 having the larger width is targeted. It is preferable that the position of the sheet in the width direction CD is adjusted based on the position of .

Next, between a pair of nip rolls 151, 151, the strip-shaped outer layer sheet 41 and the strip-shaped inner layer sheet 42 sandwiching the respective elastic members 5, 6 in a stretched state are introduced and pressed. As a result, an exterior body continuum 4L in which a plurality of elastic members 5 and 6 are arranged in a stretched state between the belt-like sheets 41 and 42 is formed.
After that, using the elastic member dividing portions 152, 152, a part or all of the respective elastic members 5, 6 at the position where the absorbent main body 2 is to be arranged in the exterior body 4 is divided into a plurality of respective elastic members 5. , 6 are treated so as not to exhibit elastic stretchability.

Subsequently, the continuous body 4L is divided into two in the width direction CD by the cutting portion 160 to form a pair of cut bodies 4M (cutting step). The division of the outer packaging continuous body 4L is performed by continuously cutting along the transport direction MD in the width direction CD central region of the outer packaging continuous body 4L, preferably at the portion where both the sheets 41 and 42 overlap. . As a result, a pair of cut pieces 4M each having a width shorter than the width of the continuum 4L of the cladding are formed as a long belt-like continuum. The width of the pair of outer casing cut pieces 4M may be the same as or different from each other.
If necessary, these outer casing cut bodies 4M are separated from each other in the width direction CD by using a widening member (not shown) or the like, and then arranged parallel to each other by guide rolls or the like. It is then transported to subsequent processes.

As the cutting unit 160, various known cutting devices capable of continuously cutting the sheet can be used. As such examples, a cylindrical or disk-shaped cutter having an annular blade on the peripheral surface or peripheral edge, a laser cutter, a high-pressure water jet cutter, or the like can be used.

An inner edge 4h in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M (hereinafter also referred to as a width direction inner edge 4h) generated by cutting the outer body continuous body 4L is formed by the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42. Further, the widthwise outer region 4E of the cut body 4M is formed by at least one of the sheets 41 and 42. As shown in FIG. The pair of cut pieces 4M of the outer covering are respectively used for forming the abdominal outer covering and the back outer covering in the split type diaper described above.

The outer body cut body 4M formed in this manner includes at least a waist elastic member 5 arranged to extend in the transport direction MD. In addition, at least one of the pair of cut bodies 4M is determined according to the cutting position of the continuous body 4L and the arrangement position of the leg elastic members 6 arranged to have an amplitude in the width direction CD. is provided with the leg elastic member 6 .

In the cut body 4M having the leg elastic members 6, it is preferable that the leg elastic members 6 are unevenly distributed at one end in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M.

As such an embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the leg elastic member 6 is positioned between the seats 41 and 42 so that the leg elastic member 6 is positioned near the center in the width direction. It can be formed by supplying and forming the exterior body continuous body 4L, and then cutting and dividing it at a predetermined position along the transport direction MD by the cutting section 160 . The imaginary straight line denoted by symbol DL is a planned cutting line that virtually indicates the cutting position by the cutting section 160, and extends along the transport direction MD.

In the present embodiment, the leg elastic member 6 is cut at a position not straddling the leg elastic member 6 and between the leg elastic member 6 and the waist elastic member 5 adjacent to the leg elastic member 6 in the width direction CD. As a result, one of the pair of cut bodies 4M is cut so that the leg elastic member 6 is disposed on one of them. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(b), one cut body 4M is formed so that only the waist elastic member 5 exists and the leg elastic member 6 does not exist. Also, the other cut body 4M is formed so that both the waist elastic member 5 and the leg elastic member 6 are present. The leg elastic member 6 is unevenly distributed on the side of the width direction inner edge 4h which is the inner end portion in the width direction CD of the other cut body 4M.

As another embodiment in which the leg elastic members 6 are unevenly distributed in one width direction of the cut body 4M, for example, as shown in FIG. The exterior body continuum 4L is formed so that the leg elastic members 6 are arranged, and then cut along the intended cutting line DL at positions between the adjacent leg elastic members 6 to divide. In this embodiment, two leg elastic members 6 are cut at a position between the adjacent leg elastic members 6, so that the leg elastic members 6 arranged continuously form a pair of outer body cut bodies. It is formed so as to be arranged on both sides of 4M. As shown in FIG. 6(b), each of the outer body cut pieces 4M thus formed is formed so that both the waist elastic member 5 and the leg elastic member 6 are present. The leg elastic members 6 of each cut body 4M are unevenly distributed on the side of the widthwise inner edge 4h.

In the present invention, when the pair of outer body cut bodies 4M formed in the cutting process are conveyed to the subsequent processes, the leg elastic members 6 are placed in the outer body cut bodies 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged. One of the characteristics is that the position of the outer casing cut body 4M in the width direction CD during transportation is adjusted based on the position of the side edge in the width direction CD located on the side relatively far from the arrangement position of (Adjustment process).

As described above, the pair of outer body cut bodies 4M formed by the cutting process includes the waist elastic members 5 arranged in a stretched state so as to extend in the conveying direction MD. It has elasticity in the transport direction MD. When only the waist elastic member 5 of the outer body cut body 4M formed is arranged, the stretchability in the width direction CD is hardly exhibited, so both side edges in the width direction CD are generally linear. there is

On the other hand, the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged is compared with the case where the leg elastic members 6 are not arranged due to the meandering arrangement of the leg elastic members 6. As a result, stretchability is also exhibited in the width direction CD of the outer casing cut body 4M, so that unintended contraction of the sheet in the width direction CD direction, twisting, wrinkling, and other inconveniences are likely to occur during transportation. In addition, these inconveniences tend to occur at the side edges in the width direction CD of the outer body cut body 4M relatively close to the leg elastic members 6 and the regions in the vicinity thereof. As a result, the side edge in the width direction CD on the side relatively close to the leg elastic member 6 of the outer body cut body 4M has a curved shape or an arbitrary combination of straight and curved shapes.
In this state, when adjusting the transport trajectory of the cut body 4M based on the position of the side edge, the shape of the side edge of the cut body 4M is changed to an arbitrary shape. , the position of the reference side edge also varies in the width direction CD. As a result, the cut body 4M is not stably conveyed due to meandering or the like, or even if the cut body 4M is stably conveyed on an appropriate trajectory, the conveyance is not intended. The position of the outer casing cut body 4M may be adjusted so as to be unstable.

As a result of intensive studies by the present inventors on this point, it was found that the width located relatively far from the arrangement position of the leg elastic member 6, which is the side edge that is less affected by the shape change due to the elasticity in the width direction CD By performing the adjustment step of adjusting the position of the cut body 4M in the width direction CD during transportation with reference to the side edge in the direction CD, the cut body 4M can be stably conveyed to subsequent processes, The present inventors have found that high-quality absorbent articles can be manufactured by increasing the accuracy of the arrangement position and dimensions when forming the outer covering.

In the adjusting process, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, after a pair of outer casing cut bodies 4M are formed through the cutting process, they are widened in the width direction CD as necessary, Each outer casing cut body 4M is conveyed in a parallel state. At this time, in the outer body cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged, the width direction that is one side edge in the width direction CD located relatively far from the arrangement position of the leg elastic members 6 Based on the position of the outer edge 4k, the position in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M being transported is adjusted.

5(b) and 6(b), the sensor 110 is provided at the widthwise outer edge 4k of the outer body cut body 4M on which the leg elastic member 6 is arranged, and the sensor 110 is provided at the widthwise inner edge 4h. Sensor 110 is not provided. In this state, the outer casing cut body 4M is conveyed, and the position of the side edge of the outer casing cut body 4M during conveyance is detected by the sensor 110, and the width direction of the outer casing cut body 4M is detected via, for example, the above-described control unit. Adjust the position of the CD. As a result, the transport position of the cut body 4M can be stabilized, the cut body 4M can be stably transported, and the production efficiency can be further increased. For the description of the sensor 110 and the controller used in this step, the description of the above-described embodiment is appropriately applied.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when adjusting the position in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M being transported for the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic member 6 is not arranged, The sensor 110 may be provided at the widthwise inner edge 4h of the cut body 4M to be adjusted, and the adjustment process may be performed using the position of the widthwise inner edge 4h as a reference. Alternatively, the sensor 110 may be provided at the widthwise outer edge 4k of the outer casing cut body 4M to be adjusted, and the adjustment process may be performed using the position of the widthwise outer edge 4k as a reference.
Among these, when adjusting the position in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M being transported in the cut body 4M in which the leg elastic member 6 is not arranged, the width of the cut body 4M to be adjusted is It is preferable to perform the adjustment process with reference to the position of the direction inner edge 4h. By performing the adjustment process in this manner, even if the width of the original fabric roll unintentionally varies in the cut body 4M to which the leg elastic member is not arranged, the conveying position of the inner edge 4h does not change. can be controlled with high precision. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the obtained absorbent article, particularly the dimensional accuracy of the crotch region, can be improved, and the fit and leakage prevention of the article can be improved.

When adjusting the position in the width direction CD of the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged, the width direction side edges of the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged serve as a reference. , the side edge located on the same side as the width direction side edge to be adjusted in the conveying process of the outer layer sheet 41 and/or the inner layer sheet 42 is preferably targeted.

Specifically, when the widths of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 are different from each other, the leg elastic member 6 is disposed on the side edge of the wider sheet among the two sheets 41 and 42, which serves as a reference for position adjustment. In the outer body cut body 4</b>M that has been cut, it is preferable to target the side edge on the side where the width direction side edge located relatively far from the arrangement position of the leg elastic member 6 exists. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the widthwise outer edge 4k of the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged, and the widthwise outer edge 4k of the outer layer sheet 41 and/or the inner layer sheet 42 A sensor 110 is arranged on each of one width direction side edge located on the same side as the .
By adopting such a configuration, even when the width of the original roll fluctuates unintentionally, the width of the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged is less fluctuated, and the cut body 4M can be stably conveyed. can be done.

Furthermore, when the widths of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 are different from each other, in the adjustment process, the position of the width direction side edge that serves as a reference for adjusting the position of the outer body cut body 4M on which the leg elastic member 6 is arranged and the positions of the side edges in the width direction of the sheet having the larger width among the sheets 41 and 42, which serve as the reference for position adjustment, are the same when viewed along the transport direction MD. is adjusted and transported. That is, when considering an imaginary straight line extending along the conveying direction MD, on the imaginary straight line, the side edge in the width direction serving as a reference for position adjustment of the sheet having the larger width among the two sheets 41 and 42, and the leg portion It is preferable that the position of each member is adjusted and conveyed so that the width direction side edge serving as a reference for position adjustment of the outer casing cut body 4M on which the elastic member 6 is arranged exists together.
By adopting such a configuration, even when the width of the original roll fluctuates unintentionally, the width of the cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged is less fluctuated, and the cut body 4M is conveyed more stably. be able to.

The cut bodies 4M formed and transported through the cutting process and the adjustment process are continuously transported with a predetermined gap between them, and the absorbent main body 2 is cut into a pair of cut bodies. It is fixed so as to span the body 4M. The absorbent main body 2 is arranged on the side of the inner layer sheet 42 of each cut body 4M with an interval in the conveying direction and straddling both the cut bodies 4M. It matches the direction CD.

Specifically, the absorbent body 2 manufactured in a separate process is coated with an adhesive on the side facing the inner layer sheet 42 . Then, on the inner layer sheet 42 of the exterior body continuum 4L, the absorbent bodies 2 coated with an adhesive are arranged at intervals in the transport direction MD and fixed. The absorbent main body 2 is fixed so that its longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the transport direction MD. Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to the inner layer sheet 42 at a predetermined position facing the absorbent main body 2, and the absorbent main body 2 may be arranged on the adhesive.

Subsequently, as a folding step, it is preferable to fold at least one of the widthwise outer regions 4E of each cut body 4M toward the absorbent main body 2, and the cut body 4M in which the leg elastic members 6 are not arranged is preferably folded back. It is more preferable to fold the widthwise outer region 4E in the direction toward the absorbent main body 2 side. Specifically, when the outer cut body 4M with the absorbent main body 2 spanned thereon is conveyed in the conveying direction MD, the widthwise outer region 4E of one cut outer body 4M is folded back inward in the width direction. . The folded portion covers one longitudinal end region of the absorbent main body 2 .
In the present embodiment, in addition to this, the folded portion of the widthwise outer portion 4E of the other cut body 4M covers the other longitudinal end region of the absorbent main body 2. As shown in FIG. These folded portions constitute the folded portions 41E of the intended diaper 1 . The folding described above is performed, for example, by bringing the cut body 4M into contact with a guide member that rises upward from the side while it is being conveyed, or by introducing it between a pair of guide rolls 170, 170. can be done.

By performing such a process, even if the outer layer sheet 41 or the inner layer sheet 42 is unintentionally shaken in the width direction during the transportation in the process of forming the outer casing cut body 4M, Since the deflection can be included in the folded portion, it is possible to stably manufacture high-quality absorbent articles with a good appearance and high productivity without adversely affecting the outer dimensions of the intended absorbent article. .
In addition to this, the widthwise outer edges 4k of the outer body cut body 4M are manufactured so as to be positioned on the side of the waist opening of the diaper. Otherwise, when the diaper is worn, the widthwise outer edges 4k come into contact with the skin, resulting in a poor feel. By forming the folded portion, the widthwise outer edge 4k can be configured to be located on the inner side of the diaper, so that the open end of the waist looks good and the open end feels good on the skin.
The above effect is more advantageous when the widths of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 are different, and particularly when the width of the outer layer sheet 41 is greater than the width of the inner layer sheet 42, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. be done.

When forming the exterior body continuum 4L, the width of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42 are the same and both ends in the width direction are aligned, or the width of the outer layer sheet 41 is greater than the width of the inner layer sheet 42. When the inner layer sheet 42 is large and formed in a state of being located inward of both width direction end portions of the outer layer sheet 41, all of the folded portions 41E formed through the folding process have their skin-facing surfaces facing the outer layer. It is formed by sheet 41 . In cases other than these modes, the skin-facing surface of the folded portion 41E may be the outer layer sheet 41 alone, the inner layer sheet 42 alone, or the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 41, depending on the width and arrangement of the outer layer sheet 41 and the inner layer sheet 42. 42.

Finally, the cut outer body 4M to which the absorbent main body 2 is joined is folded in two at the central region in the width direction of the absorbent main body to form a diaper continuous body 1A as an absorbent article continuous body. Then, the diaper continuous body 1A is joined and cut along the width direction of the diaper continuous body 1A between the absorbent main bodies 2 adjacent to each other in the conveying direction MD. As a result, the cut portion of the diaper continuous body 1A becomes the side seal portion S, and the diapers 1 having the outer packaging 4 having the pair of side seal portions S can be continuously manufactured.

In the diaper 1 manufactured through the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5(b), the abdomen-side exterior body 4A is derived from the exterior body cut body 4M in which the leg elastic members 6 are not arranged. It is formed. Further, the back side exterior body 4C of the diaper 1 is formed from the exterior body cut body 4M on which the leg elastic members 6 are arranged. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the above-described folding step, at least the widthwise outer region 4E of the outer body cut body 4M where the leg elastic member 6 is not arranged is folded back, thereby reducing the movement of the wearer. Even when the abdomen side exterior body 4A comes into contact with the abdomen side, which has a large amount of waist, it is possible to improve the feel of the waist opening end, which is further preferable.

Although the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

1 Absorbent article (underpants-type disposable diaper)
1A Absorbent article continuum (diaper continuum)
2 Absorbent Main Body 3 Leak-Preventing Cuff 4 Exterior Body 4A Abdominal Exterior Body 4C Back Exterior Body 41 Outer Layer Sheet 42 Inner Layer Sheet 4L Exterior Body Continuum 4M Exterior Body Cut Body 6 Leg Elastic Member 100 Manufacturing Device MD Conveying Direction CD Width direction

Claims (5)

comprising a ventral region, a dorsal region, and a crotch region located between these regions;
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article having an absorbent main body arranged in a region from the abdominal region to the dorsal region, and an outer covering body arranged on the non-skin facing side of the absorbent main body,
The manufacturing method includes a manufacturing step of the exterior body,
In the manufacturing process of the exterior body, an elastic member is provided between the long strip-shaped outer layer sheet and the long strip-shaped inner layer sheet conveyed in one direction so as to have an amplitude in the width direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. a cutting step of cutting the arranged outer continuous body along the conveying direction at the central region in the width direction to form a pair of cut outer body bodies;
an adjusting step of adjusting the position in the width direction of the cut body of the exterior body being transported based on the position of the side edge in the width direction of the cut body of the exterior body,
In the cutting step, at least one of the pair of cut bodies of the exterior body is provided with the elastic member, and in the cut body of the exterior body in which the elastic member is arranged, the elastic member is attached to the cut body of the exterior body. formed so as to be unevenly distributed on one of the width direction end sides,
In the cut body of the outer covering having the elastic member, the adjusting step is performed with reference to the side edge in the width direction that is located relatively far from the arrangement position of the elastic member. Production method. The outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet have different widths,
In the process of conveying the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, the position of the sheet in the width direction is determined based on the position of the side edge in the width direction of the sheet having the larger width among the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet. adjust and then
In the cutting step, the outer casing cut body is formed so that the elastic member is disposed on either one of the pair of outer casing cut bodies, and thereafter,
2. The position in the width direction of the cut body of the outer packaging being transported is adjusted based on the position of the inner edge in the width direction of the cut body of the outer packaging in which the elastic member is not arranged. manufacturing method. The outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet have different widths,
In the process of conveying the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, the position of the sheet in the width direction is determined based on the position of the side edge in the width direction of the sheet having the larger width among the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet. adjust and then
In the cutting step, a step of forming the outer casing cut body so that the elastic member is disposed on one of the pair of outer casing cut bodies,
Among the outer layer sheet and the inner layer sheet, the side edge serving as a reference in the sheet having a large width is the side edge in the width direction serving as a reference for the adjustment process in the outer body cut body on which the elastic member is arranged. 3. The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or 2, located on the side to do. The absorbent main body is placed on the inner layer sheet side of each cut body of the outer packaging body at intervals in the conveying direction and straddling both cut bodies so that the width direction and the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body are aligned. and after that,
4. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one outer region in the width direction of each outer body cut body is folded back toward the absorbent main body. 5. The manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the widthwise outer region of the outer body cut body in which the elastic member is not arranged is folded back toward the absorbent main body.

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