JP4024401B2 - Method for producing fiber compression molded body - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for producing a compression molded body of hydrophilic fibers, particularly a tampon, having improved quality characteristics.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As compression-molded bodies of hydrophilic fibers, menstrual blood treatment tampon and surgical tampon are well known. For example, a tampon for menstrual treatment has conventionally been manufactured through a process schematically shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, hydrophilic fibers 101 such as absorbent cotton and rayon cotton are first defibrated in a carding process and formed into a band-like body 102 called fleece through mixed cotton, deposition, and folding. The strip 102 is cut into a predetermined length by a cutter 103 to form a strip 104. The strip 104 is attached to a central portion so that a string (hereinafter referred to as “drawing string”) 105 for pulling out the used tampon extends from one side, and from the part where the drawing string is attached or from the vicinity thereof. It is folded in half and wound into a cylindrical shape with the folded-back portion 104a as an axis, and at the same time, the draw string 105 is twisted and pressed near the center of one end surface 106a of the cylindrical body, and is wound together. Is formed. Next, the wound body 106 is inserted into a compression mold 107 and is compressed in a direction in which the diameter of the wound body 106 is reduced by applying pressure. As a result, the tampon 110 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. The obtained tampon 110 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the drawing string 105 is collectively pressed against one end surface 110a, and the other end (insertion end) 110b is rounded into a warhead shape.
[0003]
In order to compression-mold the tampon wound body 106, a compression molding die 107 as shown in FIG. 9 is used. That is, first, the wound body 106 is sandwiched between the gaps at the center of the support members 111 arranged radially, and is pressed toward the axis O to a predetermined diameter. Next, the wedge-shaped compression members 112 arranged between the support members 111 are moved centripetally toward the axis O, so that the wound body 106 has a diameter smaller than the diameter described above. Push in. At this time, the wound body 106 is brought into close contact with each other by hydrogen bonding between the hydrophilic fibers under an appropriate humidity, and maintains the compressed shape without being restored even when the pressure is removed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, longitudinal grooves 113 derived from the pressing of the compression members 112 are formed in the main body portion of the tampon 110 obtained by this compression molding method.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the tampon manufacturing process, the strip 104 is formed by cutting the strip 102 into a predetermined length with a cutter 103. Conventionally, for this cutting, a cut-off type cutter that pushes the strip-shaped body with a blade, such as a guillotine cutter or a die cutter, is used. However, when these press-cut type cutters are used, the cutting portion 104b is strongly pressed, so hydrogen bonding occurs in this portion, and the fibers adhere and harden. When the cut portion of the strip 104 is hardened, when the strip 104 is subsequently folded in two and wound, winding and cracking occur, and the shape of the wound body 106 becomes distorted, and the inserted into the compression mold. And the quality shape of the tampon after molding is adversely affected. Further, since the hardened state of the cut portion 104b continues even after compression molding, as shown in FIG. 10, it is left as a hard edge 114 protruding from the surface layer of the tampon 110 and extending in a dam shape in the length direction. This edge 114 not only detracts from the appearance of the tampon product, but it is stiff so as to cause discomfort when the tampon is worn, and also induces delamination along the winding interface of the strip, and easily deforms when absorbing menstrual blood. This causes malfunctions.
The hard edge generated on the surface layer is similarly a problem not only in the menstrual blood treatment tampon but also in a fiber compression molded body such as a surgical tampon, and improvement thereof has been demanded.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and therefore the object of the present invention is to provide a fiber compression molded body in which hard edges are not generated on the surface layer of the molded body when the fiber compression molded body is produced. It is to provide a manufacturing method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention forms a strip by cutting a strip made of hydrophilic fibers into a predetermined length, and after the strip is wound, compression molding is performed to produce a fiber compression molding. In this case, a method for producing a fiber compression molded body in which the strip is cut by tearing is provided.
[0006]
If the strip is cut by tearing, not only a clear cutting line is not generated at the cut portion but also the thickness is gradually reduced toward the tip, so this cut portion is formed by winding. It is easily integrated with the peripheral surface of the rotating body, and since this cut portion is not pressed, hardening due to hydrogen bonding does not occur, and a hard edge is not generated in a fiber compression molded body obtained by compression molding.
[0007]
The tearing is performed by holding both sides of the cut portion of the belt-like body between the surfaces and pulling so that the length of the belt-like body increases . If both sides of the cut portion are sandwiched between the surfaces, the pressure for sandwiching the belt-like body is dispersed, so that hardening due to hydrogen bonding in the sandwich portion is alleviated. The pulling is preferably performed by moving at least one of the sandwiching portions in a direction in which the interval between the both sandwiching portions increases. Here, the direction in which the distance between both the sandwiching portions increases may be the transport direction of the belt-shaped body, or may be a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the strip-shaped body. Further, the pulling may be performed by projecting a transverse member that tears the belt-like body by increasing its length from between the supply-side clamping unit and the unloading-side clamping unit .
[0008]
When compression molding is performed after winding the strip, it is preferable that a vertical groove is formed on the peripheral surface of the strip wound body, and the cut portion is accommodated in the vertical groove. As a result, the cut portion becomes inconspicuous and the layered peeling does not occur from the cut portion.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. This example relates to the manufacture of a tampon for menstrual blood treatment. In the following description, the description of the same parts as those in the conventional manufacturing method described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is omitted or simplified.
First, absorbent cotton and rayon cotton and other hydrophilic fibers are disentangled in the cocoon cotton process, formed into a thin mat after mixing and deposition, and then folded into an accordion, width of about 40mm to 50mm, thickness of about 3mm to 4mm The band (fleece) is formed. Next, the strip is cut to form a strip having a length of about 200 mm to 300 mm. The cutting at this time is performed by tearing.
[0010]
Example 1
In this embodiment, the tearing is performed by the tearing machine shown in FIG. This tearing machine generally includes a clamping unit 11 and a clamping unit 12.
The clamping unit 11 includes a supply-side base 13 that conveys the belt-like body 1 to the right in the drawing and a pressing plate 14 that is attached to the terminal. The holding plate 14 has a width wider than that of the belt-like body 1, can be turned by the rotation shaft 15, and relatively wide surface between the belt-like body 1 and the base 13 when rotated downward. Can be pinched and can be pinched by rotating upward so that the belt-like body 1 can move toward the carry-out side on the base 13.
[0011]
The sandwiching portion 12 has arms 17a and 17b that are driven by the drive shafts 16a and 16b and rotate in opposite directions, respectively, and sandwiching members 18a and 18b are respectively biased outward at the tips of the arms. It is installed. The clamping members 18a and 18b have a width wider than the width of the belt-like body 1, and the surfaces thereof are curved in a circular arc shape centering on the drive shafts 16a and 16b, respectively, and are roughened to prevent slippage. It is considered as a surface. When the clamping members 18a and 18b are rotated in opposite directions by the drive shafts 16a and 16b, the band-like body 1 supplied between the curved surfaces is relatively wide so that the right side of the figure is shown. It can be pulled to the carry-out side.
[0012]
In order to tear the strip 1 using this tearing machine, first, the drive shafts 16a and 16b are driven to rotate the clamping members 18a and 18b as described above, and the pressing plate 14 is opened. The belt-like body 1 is passed between the pressing plate 14 and the base 13 and further conveyed to the right in the drawing until the rotating clamping members 18a and 18b grip the tip of the belt-like body 1. When the holding members 18 a and 18 b hold the belt-like body 1, the pressing plate 14 is immediately rotated to sandwich the belt-like body 1 with the base 13. As a result, the band 1 is pulled between the pressing plate 14 and the clamping members 18 a and 18 b and is torn off at the cutting portion 2. If this operation is repeated, the strip 1 is torn to a predetermined length, the strips 3 having the cut portions 2 and 2 at both ends are formed one after another, and conveyed to the next tying and winding step.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the strip 3 formed by this tearing machine has not only clear cutting lines formed at the cutting portions 2a and 2b, but also the thickness gradually decreases toward the tip. Since the cut portions 2a and 2b are not pressed at the time of cutting, hardening due to hydrogen bonding does not occur. In addition, the portions sandwiched by the pressing plate 14 and the sandwiching members 18a and 18b are also compressed in the thickness direction while being sandwiched, but the pressure is dispersed because each sandwiched area is relatively wide, and due to hydrogen bonding Curing does not occur, and if the pinching pressure is released, the original thickness is easily restored.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the strip 3 sent to the stringing and winding process is folded with a drawing string 4 and folded in half with a winding rod (not shown) sandwiched from the portion (3 a) where the string is hung. Wrapped. At this time, the folded portion 3a is set at a position slightly deviated from the center of the strip 3 so that the two cut portions 2a and 2b do not overlap each other. Next, the strip 3 is wound with the withdrawal string 4 around the folded portion 3a to form a wound body 5, and the withdrawal string 4 is pressure-bonded to the wound body 5 when the winding rod is pulled out. . At this time, it winds so that the cutting | disconnection part 2a near the folding | returning part 3a may become inside.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4, the wound body 5 formed by this winding has a cylindrical body in a state in which the drawn string 4 is gathered and pressure-bonded from one end surface 5 a and the cut portion 2 b is exposed on the peripheral surface. It has become. Although the cut portion 2b is exposed, the thickness is gradually reduced toward the tip as well as there is no clear cut line, so that a dam-like step or edge is formed on the peripheral surface of the wound body 5. There is nothing, and it is gently integrated with the peripheral surface.
[0016]
Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the wound body 5 is inserted into a compression molding die 107 similar to that shown in FIG. 9, and pressure is applied so that the diameter of the wound body 5 decreases. Compressed. At this time, the wound body 5 is disposed in the compression mold 107 so that the peripheral cut portion 2b is pressed by any one of the compression members 112 of the compression mold 107. When compression molding is performed in this state, the cutting portion 2b is pushed into the wound body 5 formed by the compression member 112, and is received in the vertical groove formed by the compression member 112, and is not noticeable. There is no longer any occurrence of delamination from the cut portion 2b.
In this compression molding process, at the same time, one end face 5b of the wound body 5 is rounded by a rounding mold (108 in FIG. 8), and a tampon without an edge is manufactured.
[0017]
(Example 2)
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the tearing machine is different. As shown in FIG. 6, the tearing machine used in the second embodiment includes a holding part 21 on the belt supply side and a holding part 22 on the carry-out side, and each holding part 21 is a set of a pressing plate 23 and a base 24. The sandwiching portion 22 includes a set of a pressing plate 25 and a base 26. These pressing plates 23 and 25 are both the same as the pressing plate 14 of the first embodiment, and are mounted to face the terminals of the bases 24 and 26 which are separated from each other. The clamping unit 22 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the clamping unit 21.
[0018]
In order to tear the strip 1 using this tearing machine, first, the base 26 is placed in a horizontal position with respect to the base 24, and the pressing plates 23 and 25 are opened to release the strip 1. Is conveyed by the required length of the strip 3 to the right in the figure. Next, the pressing plates 23 and 25 are closed to hold the belt-like body 1 between the bases, and the holding portion 22 is vertically moved, for example, upward. As a result, the portions of the band-like body 1 sandwiched between the both sandwiching portions 21 and 22 are pulled and torn, and the cutting portions 2 and 2 are formed in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the tip without a clear cutting line.
[0019]
(Example 3)
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the configuration of the tearing machine is different. As shown in FIG. 7, the tearing machine used in the third embodiment is composed of a holding part 31 on the belt-like body supply side, a holding part 32 on the carry-out side, and a transverse member 33 disposed therebetween. The sandwiching portion 31 includes a set of a pressing plate 34 and a base 35, and the sandwiching portion 32 includes a set of a pressing plate 36 and a base 37. These pressing plates 34 and 36 are both the same as the pressing plate 14 of the first embodiment, and are mounted to face the terminals of the bases 35 and 37 which are separated from each other. The cross member 33 is made of a plate material whose upper end is rounded, has a surface perpendicular to the strip 1 and is movable in the vertical direction.
[0020]
In order to tear the strip 1 using this tearing machine, first, the transverse member 33 is moved downward so as not to interfere with the transport of the strip 1, and the pressing plates 34 and 36 are opened to release the strip. 1 is conveyed to the right in the figure by the required length of the strip 3. Next, the pressing plates 34 and 36 are closed, the belt-like body 1 is sandwiched between the respective bases, and the transverse member 33 is protruded upward. As a result, the band-like body 1 between the sandwiching portions 31 and 32 is torn off by increasing the length thereof, and the cut portions 2 and 2 are formed in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the tip without a clear cut line. .
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
Since the method for producing a fiber compression molded body of the present invention is to cut the strip by tearing, the cut portion does not harden, a clear cutting line cannot be formed, and the thickness gradually decreases toward the tip. In addition, when the formed strip is wound and compression molded, a fiber compression molded body excellent in appearance and feeling of use, in which the cut portion is integrated with the peripheral surface of the molded body and is not noticeable, and a hard edge is not formed. Can be manufactured.
In compression molding, if the cut portion on the circumferential surface of the wound body is compressed so as to be accommodated in the vertical groove formed on the circumferential surface of the wound body, the cut portion becomes more inconspicuous and Delamination can also be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a strip formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an intermediate product according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another intermediate product in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side view of an apparatus and an intermediate product in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view of an apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a process diagram showing a conventional manufacturing process. FIG. 9 is a side view of an apparatus and an intermediate product in the conventional manufacturing process. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional product.
1: strips 2, 2a, 2b: cut part 3: strip 3a: folded part 4: drawn string 5: wound body 5a, 5b: end surfaces 11, 12, 21, 22, 31, 32 of (wound body) : Clamping parts 13, 24, 26, 35, 37: bases 14, 23, 25, 34, 36: holding plate 15: rotating shafts 16 a and 16 b: driving shafts 17 a and 17 b: arms 18 a and 18 b: clamping members 33 : Cross member 107: Compression mold 111: Support member 112: Compression member

Claims (4)

When manufacturing a fiber compression molded body, comprising a step of cutting a strip formed of hydrophilic fibers into a predetermined length to form a strip, and a compression molding step of compressing and molding the strip after winding the strip. In the method for producing a fiber compression molded body in which the cutting of the strip is performed by tearing,
The step of forming the strip includes holding the both sides of the cut portion of the belt-like body between the surfaces and pulling and tearing so as to increase the length of the belt-like body ,
In the compression molding step, the strip wound body is compressed by a compression mold so that the cut portion exposed to the circumferential surface of the wound body is pressed by a compression member that forms a vertical groove on the circumferential surface of the strip wound body. Place the cutting part in this vertical groove
A method for producing a fiber compression molded product. The supply side of the band-like body is sandwiched between the base and the holding plate that conveys the band-like body,
The unloading side of the belt-like body is clamped on the surface by an arm having a pair of arms that rotate in opposite directions, each of which has a clamping member that is curved in an arc shape and biased outward in the rotation direction. And
The method for producing a fiber compression molded body according to claim 1, wherein the band-shaped body is pulled and pulled between the pressing plate and the holding member. The supply side and the carry-out side of the belt-like body are sandwiched between the surfaces by a sandwiching portion composed of a base and a pressing plate for transporting the belt-like body,
The method for producing a fiber compression molded body according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sandwiching portions is moved in a direction in which an interval between both of the sandwiching portions is increased to pull and tear the band-shaped body. The supply side and the carry-out side of the belt-like body are sandwiched between the surfaces by a sandwiching portion composed of a base and a pressing plate for transporting the belt-like body,
It is characterized in that a cross member for tearing the strip-like body by increasing its length is projected upward from between the supply-side sandwiching portion and the unloading-side sandwiching portion, and the strip-like body is pulled to tear. The manufacturing method of the fiber compression molding of Claim 1.

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