JP3719975B2 - Absorber manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an absorbent capable of stably and continuously producing an absorbent body for a disposable absorbent article used for the treatment of excretory liquids such as urine and menstrual blood, such as disposable diapers, incontinence pads, sanitary napkins, etc. The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a body.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 7-28892 describes a disposable diaper in which an absorbent body in the crotch part is composed of a first absorbent body disposed in the center and second absorbent bodies located on both sides thereof.
In this disposable diaper, the region where the second absorbent body is disposed fits around the legs of the wearer, and the wearing feeling and the leakage prevention effect are good.
However, since the 1st absorber and the 2nd absorber have isolate | separated completely, there existed a problem that it was inferior to processing stability and high-speed productivity. That is, during conveyance during manufacturing, the interval between the first absorbent body and the second absorbent body may fluctuate or the second absorbent body may turn over, and accordingly, the formation position of the second absorbent body or There was a possibility that the arrangement position would fluctuate. Furthermore, when attempting to arrange a water-absorbing polymer in the region where the second absorbent body is disposed, there is a risk of polymer leakage.
[0003]
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to stably produce the absorbent body comprising the central absorbent portion and the side absorbent portions located on both sides at a high speed stably, and to contain the water absorbent polymer in the side absorbent portion. Is providing a method for producing an absorbent body in which no polymer leakage occurs.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a method for manufacturing an absorbent body that continuously produces an absorbent body comprising a central absorbent section and side absorbent sections located on both sides of the central absorbent section. Folding step for forming a side absorbent portion composed of two layers of fiber webs by folding back in the width direction, respectively, and laminating the second fiber web on the center portion in the width direction of the first fiber web, comprising two layers of fiber web Manufacturing of an absorbent body comprising a step of forming a central absorbent portion, and a step of cutting the absorbent body continuum on which the side absorbent portion and the central absorbent portion are formed into individual absorbent body dimensions. By providing a method, the above objective has been achieved.
[0005]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof.
First, the absorber manufactured by the method of this embodiment will be described.
The absorber 4 shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2 is distribute | arranged between the liquid-permeable surface sheet 2 and the liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, and is used as an absorber of the disposable diaper 1. FIG.
The absorbent body 4 has a central absorbent portion 42 composed of two layers of fiber webs in the central portion in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction at the time of manufacture (left and right direction in FIG. 2), and on both sides of the central absorbent portion 42, Each has side absorbent portions 43 and 43 made of two layers of fiber web. An intermediate region 44 made of a single layer of fiber web is formed between the central absorbent portion 42 and each of the side absorbent portions 43 and 43. The central absorbent portion 42, both intermediate regions 44, and both side absorbent portions 43 are integrated by covering their periphery with two sheets 11 and 18.
[0006]
Next, the manufacturing method of the absorber 4 mentioned above is demonstrated.
The apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 is an absorber manufacturing apparatus capable of continuously producing the above-described absorber 4 at a high speed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a transport mechanism (not shown) that continuously feeds the transport sheet 11 from the raw roll and continuously transports the transport sheet 11. A first fiber web forming device 13 for laminating the first fiber web 12 on the transporting sheet 11, a polymer spraying device 15 for spraying the polymer 14 on the first fiber web 12, and the first fiber web 12. A folding device 16 that folds both side portions 12a and 12a in the width direction, a second fiber web forming device 13A for laminating the second fiber web 17 on the center portion in the width direction of the first fiber web 12, and a second fiber web 17 The cover sheet supply device 19 for supplying the cover sheet 18 to the upper side, the press device 20 for pressurizing the upper and lower surfaces of the obtained absorber continuous body 40, and the absorber continuous body 40 after pressing are individually provided. And a cutting device 21 for cutting the length of the absorbent body 4.
[0007]
The both fiber web forming devices 13 and 13A each defibrate the supplied raw material pulp 22 with the defibrating drum 23 and scatter it in the air flow, and suck the fibers onto the fiber accumulation surface of the stacking drum 24. The deposited body obtained by the deposition is placed on the transport sheet 11 or the second fiber web 12 laminated thereon as the first fiber web 12 or the second fiber web 17.
The fiber drum 24 of the second fiber web forming apparatus 13A has a fiber deposition surface that is narrower than the fiber drum 24 of the first fiber web forming apparatus 13.
[0008]
The polymer spraying device 15 can spray the absorbent polymer 14 continuously or intermittently in a plurality of regions in the width direction of the first fiber web 12.
[0009]
The folding device 16 includes a pressurizing unit (a roller and / or a guide plate) 16a that pressurizes the central portion in the width direction of the conveyance sheet 11 in a state where tension is applied to the sheet 11, and a pressure to be applied by the pressurization. Guide means (rollers and / or guide plates, etc., not shown) for bending both side portions 11a and 11a of the sheet 11 standing on both sides of the portion toward the center in the width direction of the sheet.
Both side portions 12 a and 12 a of the first fiber web 12 are folded back inward in the width direction together with both side portions 11 a and 11 a of the transport sheet 11. The folding device 16 is not limited as long as both side portions 12a and 12a of the first fiber web can be folded in the width direction.
[0010]
When the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1 is operated, the belt-shaped conveyance sheet 11 is continuously fed out from the raw roll, and the conveyance sheet 11 is continuously conveyed.
Then, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first fiber web 12 is continuously placed on the conveying sheet 11 that is continuously conveyed by the first fiber web forming device 13. The transport sheet 11 is preferably paper or non-woven fabric from the viewpoints of transport stability, flexibility, breathability, and liquid permeability after the absorber 4 is formed.
[0011]
The first fiber web 12 formed on the conveying sheet 11 is further conveyed while being placed on the conveying sheet 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, the water-absorbing polymer 14 is sprayed on the first fiber web 12 by the polymer spraying device 15. In the present embodiment, the water-absorbing polymer 14 is intermittently applied to a predetermined width region M at the center in the width direction of the first fiber web 12 and a pair of predetermined width regions S and S located on both sides of the region M, respectively. Scattered.
[0012]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, both side portions 12 a and 12 a of the first fiber web 12 are folded back toward the center in the width direction by the folding device 16. Both side portions 12a, 12a of the first fiber web 12 are preferably folded together with the conveying sheet 11, as shown. Even if the first fiber web 12 is a fiber assembly in which the fibers are not entangled or fused by folding both side portions 12a and 12a of the first fiber web 12 together with the conveying sheet 11, the first fiber web 12 is stable. Can be folded.
[0013]
By such a folding process, side absorption parts 43 in which the first fiber webs 12 are laminated in two layers are formed on both sides in the flow direction of the conveyed object. Further, the absorbent polymer 14 dispersed in the region S on both sides is sandwiched between the folded first fiber webs constituting the side absorbent portion 43.
[0014]
Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the second fiber is formed on the first fiber web 12 at the center in the width direction, more specifically on the first fiber web 12 at the center between the side absorbent parts 43. The second fiber web 17 is continuously placed by the fiber web forming device 13A.
In the present embodiment, the width of the second fiber web 17 is made narrower than the width between the side absorbent parts 43, and a predetermined width is provided between the inner edge of the second fiber web 17 and each side absorbent part 43. An intermediate region 44 is formed. It is also possible to eliminate the gap between the central absorbent portion 42 and the side absorbent portions 43 and 43 so that a linear bent portion is formed at the boundary between them.
By such a process of laminating the second fiber web 17, the central absorbent portion 42 in which the first fiber web 12 and the second fiber web 17 are laminated is formed at the center of the conveyed object. Further, the absorbent polymer 14 dispersed in the region M at the center in the width direction of the first fiber web 12 is sandwiched between the second fiber web 17 and the first fiber web 12.
[0015]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the cover sheet 18 supplied by the cover sheet supply device 19 is laminated on the second fiber web 17.
The absorber continuum 40 thus obtained is pressed between the upper and lower surfaces by a known mechanism of the press device 20, and then the pressed absorber continuum 40 is pressed into individual absorbers by the cutting device 21. Cut to length. In addition, the structure of the absorber continuous body 40 is stabilized through the adhesive agent interposed between the desired components of the absorber continuous body 40 by the pressurization with a press apparatus.
[0016]
According to the manufacturing method of the absorbent body of the present embodiment, the side absorbent parts 43, 43 and the central absorbent part 42 are formed in order to form the side absorbent parts 43, 43 by folding the both side parts 12a, 12a of the first fiber web 12. There are no inconveniences such as fluctuation of the gap between the two and the fiber webs constituting the side absorption parts 43, 43 being turned during conveyance. Moreover, it is prevented that the form of the side absorption part 43 fluctuates. Furthermore, the water-absorbing polymer 14 sprayed on the side absorbent parts 43 and 43 is also significantly suppressed from leaking out during production or use of the absorbent article.
[0017]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which the absorbent body 4 thus obtained is used as an absorbent body for adult disposable diapers.
The disposable diaper shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called unfolded diaper, which is a liquid-permeable top sheet 2, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, and a liquid-retaining absorbent interposed between the two sheets 2 and 3. The above-described absorber 4 is used as the absorber. According to this disposable diaper, since the absorbent body 4 described above is used, the central absorbent section 42 and the side absorbent sections 43, 43 of the absorbent body 4 are flexibly bent, and the side absorbent section 43 is disposed. Therefore, the region fits well around the wearer's legs without any discomfort, and an excellent wearing feeling and leakage prevention effect can be obtained. Note that P in the figure indicates a region where the polymer 14 is dispersed.
[0018]
In the absorbent article using the absorbent body 4, the elastic member 7 is disposed along the longitudinal direction in the region where the side absorbent portion 43 is disposed, so that the fit around the legs and the leakage prevention effect are achieved. Since it can improve, it is preferable.
That is, in the manufacturing method of the absorber of the present invention, the absorber continuous body 40 or the absorber 4 is provided between the liquid-permeable top sheet 2 and the liquid-impermeable back sheet 3, In the process, it is preferable to dispose the elastic member 7 between the top sheet 2 or the back sheet 3 and the side absorbent portion 43.
In the case where an elastic member is provided in the intermediate region 44, wrinkles are generated in the central absorption portion 42 due to the contraction force, and there is a risk that liquid leakage such as urine and menstrual blood may be promoted by the wrinkles.
[0019]
The formation material of the absorber 4 mentioned above is demonstrated.
As a material for forming the first and second fiber webs 12 and 17, fiber materials conventionally used for absorbent bodies of disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins can be used without particular limitation. Examples thereof include cellulose fibers such as pulp fibers, cotton, and rayon, synthetic fibers and composite fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester, and a mixture of a plurality of types of fibers.
The first and second fiber webs 12 and 17 may be formed of the same material or different materials. The first and second fiber webs 12 and 17 may include a colorant other than the fiber material and an absorbent polymer, respectively. Etc. may be blended.
[0020]
As the transport sheet 11 and the cover sheet 18, various sheet materials that are conventionally used in the absorbent body can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include paper and nonwoven fabric.
As the water-absorbing polymer 14, those conventionally used for absorbent bodies of disposable absorbent articles can be used without particular limitation, but those capable of absorbing and holding a liquid 20 times or more of its own weight and capable of gelling are preferable. Examples thereof include starch, crosslinked carboxylmethylated cellulose, a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkali metal acrylate, and polyacrylic acid and a salt thereof and a polyacrylate graft polymer.
[0021]
Examples of the material for forming the elastic member 7 include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, spandex, and the like. Examples of the form include a thread shape, a belt shape, and a film shape. The elastic member is preferably a thread rubber or a flat rubber from the viewpoints of shrinkability around the legs, processability, cost, and the like.
[0022]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the second fiber web lamination step is performed after the folding step, but the order of both steps may be reversed, and the folding step may be performed after the second fiber web lamination step.
Specifically, after the steps shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, after the second fiber web 17 is laminated on the widthwise central portion of the first fiber web 12, and the cover sheet 18 is further laminated. The both side portions 12a and 12a of the first fiber web 12 may be folded back. FIG. 5 shows an example of the absorber obtained in this case. According to such an embodiment, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0023]
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a through hole 12b having a predetermined shape is formed inside a portion of the first fiber web 12 where the both side portions 12a and 12a are laminated, and the second fiber web 17 is connected to the first fiber web 17. The fiber web 12 may be laminated so that a gap overlapping the through-hole 12b is formed between both side edges 12a, 12a of the folded back side of the fiber web 12. According to this method, it is possible to manufacture an absorbent body having a configuration in which no fiber web is present in the intermediate region 44 between the central absorbent portion 42 at the central portion in the longitudinal direction and the side absorbent portions 43 and 43.
Further, the second fiber web 17 may be intermittently placed on the first fiber web 12.
[0024]
The shape and dimensions of each part of the absorbent body according to the present invention, for example, the width of the central absorbent part 42, both side absorbent parts 43, and the intermediate region 44, etc. It can be appropriately determined depending on whether it is for use. Further, the water-absorbing polymer may be dispersed so as to cover the entire area of the individual absorbent bodies 4 in the longitudinal direction.
[0025]
The absorbent body according to the present invention is preferably used as an absorbent body of a disposable absorbent article used for the treatment of excreted liquid such as urine and menstrual blood, such as an incontinence pad and a sanitary napkin, particularly as an absorbent body of a disposable diaper.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the method for producing an absorbent body of the present invention, an absorbent body comprising a central absorbent portion and side absorbent portions located on both sides thereof can be stably and continuously produced at a high speed, and a water-absorbing polymer is provided in the side absorbent portion. Even in the case of containing, no polymer leakage occurs.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a state in which an absorbent body produced by the method of the present invention is used as an absorbent body for adult disposable diapers.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross-section in the width direction at the center in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of an apparatus for carrying out the method for producing an absorbent body of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing a schematic form of a conveyed product at each stage of the manufacturing process of the absorber, and FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (e) are shown by arrows A to E in FIG. The to-be-conveyed object in the site | part to show is shown in order.
FIG. 5 is a view (corresponding to FIG. 2) showing another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 (a) is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 (b), and FIG. 6 (c) is a diagram corresponding to FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 disposable diaper (disposable absorbent article)
2 Surface sheet 3 Back sheet 4 Absorber 42 Central absorbent part 43 Side absorbent part 44 Intermediate region 11 Conveying sheet 12 First fiber web 12a Side part of first fiber web 14 Water absorbent polymer 17 Second fiber web 18 Cover sheet

Claims (5)

A manufacturing method of an absorbent body that continuously produces an absorbent body comprising a central absorbent section and side absorbent sections located on both sides thereof,
A folding step in which both side portions of the belt-like first fiber web that is continuously conveyed are folded in the width direction to form a side absorbent portion composed of two layers of fiber webs, the second on the center portion in the width direction of the first fiber web Laminating fiber webs to form a central absorbent section composed of two layers of fiber webs, and cutting the absorbent core continuum formed with the side absorbent sections and the central absorbent sections into individual absorbent body dimensions The manufacturing method of the absorber characterized by including the process to do. Before the folding step, the absorbent polymer is sprayed on the portion where the both side portions are laminated on the first fiber web, and in the folding step, the absorbent polymer is sandwiched between the both side portions of the first fiber web. The manufacturing method of the absorber of Claim 1 turned up. Prior to the step of laminating the second fiber web, the absorbent polymer is spread on the central portion in the width direction of the first fiber web, and in the step of laminating the second fiber web, the absorbent polymer is dispersed in the second region. The manufacturing method of the absorber of Claim 1 or 2 pinched with a fiber web and a 1st fiber web. The absorbent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first fiber web is transported in a state of being placed on a transport sheet, and in the folding step, both side portions of the first fiber web are folded together with the transport sheet. Production method. A step of disposing the absorbent continuous body or the absorbent body between a liquid-permeable top sheet and a liquid-impervious back sheet, wherein the top sheet or the back sheet and the side absorption are provided; The manufacturing method of the absorber in any one of Claims 1-4 which arrange | positions an elastic member between parts.

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