JP5210848B2 - Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for composite of continuous sheet for absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching workpieces at a predetermined attachment pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet.

Conventionally, in a production line for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a work such as an absorbent main body is attached at a predetermined attachment pitch in the conveying direction of a continuous sheet (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-298193 A

The mounting pitch varies depending on the product size of the absorbent article. For example, the M size has a wide mounting pitch and the S size is narrow. For this reason, some production lines have equipment for attaching workpieces to continuous sheets for each product size of absorbent articles. Each time the size is changed, the equipment is replaced with a corresponding size equipment. Are used.
However, when a dedicated device is used for each product size, the equipment cost increases, and the replacement work of the device becomes large and the operating rate of the production line is greatly reduced.
The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and can easily change the mounting pitch for attaching a workpiece to a continuous sheet, and a method for manufacturing a composite of a continuous sheet according to an absorbent article and An object is to provide a manufacturing apparatus.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
A method of manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of work holding pallets moving side by side along a circular track sequentially receive the work at a receiving position on the circular track, and the workpieces are continuously transferred from the work holding pallet at the transfer position on the circular track. Hand it over to the sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.

Also,
An apparatus for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of workpiece holding pallets that move side by side along the orbit, and the workpiece holding pallet sequentially receives the workpiece at a receiving position on the orbiting track, and receives the workpiece at a delivery position on the orbiting orbit. Delivered to the continuous sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. The manufacturing apparatus of the composite body of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  According to the present invention, the mounting pitch for attaching the workpiece to the continuous sheet can be easily changed.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A method of manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of work holding pallets moving side by side along a circular track sequentially receive the work at a receiving position on the circular track, and the workpieces are continuously transferred from the work holding pallet at the transfer position on the circular track. Hand it over to the sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article.

  According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article, there is a change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets between the first delivery position and the second delivery position. Since it is set, it is possible to easily change the workpiece mounting pitch on the continuous sheet by selecting at least the first delivery position or the second delivery position. As a result, it is possible to easily change the size of the product using the composite of the continuous sheets.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The change area is a first speed change area for changing a moving speed of the work holding pallet;
The pitch between the workpiece holding pallets adjacent after passing through the first shift range is changed from the pitch before passing through the first shift range,
A second speed range for returning the moving speed of the workpiece holding pallet to the target speed at the receiving position is set in a range between the return position from the second delivery position to the receiving position in the orbit. It is desirable.
According to such a method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, a first shift range for changing the moving speed of the workpiece holding pallet is between the first delivery position and the second delivery position. The pitch between the workpiece holding pallets adjacent to each other after passing through the first shift range is changed from the pitch before passing through the first shift range. Therefore, by selecting one of the first delivery position and the second delivery position, it is possible to easily change the workpiece mounting pitch on the continuous sheet.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The first shift range is a deceleration range for decelerating the work holding pallet,
It is desirable that the pitch between the workpiece holding pallets adjacent after passing through the first shift range is narrower than the pitch before passing through the first shift range.
According to such a method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, if the second delivery position is selected, the attachment pitch of the workpieces on the continuous sheet can be surely narrower than the first delivery position. it can. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily make a product of S size and M size.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The workpiece holding pallet sucks and holds the workpiece,
It is desirable that the downstream limit position of the range in which the work is sucked in the orbit is changed according to the selection of the delivery position.
According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article, when the first delivery position is selected, the suction state of the work holding pallet is maintained up to the first delivery position, When the second delivery position is selected, the suction state can be switched to be maintained up to the second delivery position. Therefore, the work holding pallet can suck the work reliably until it is delivered to the continuous sheet while suppressing the energy consumption required for wasteful suction, and as a result, the work delivery operation to the continuous sheet is more reliable. However, running costs can be reduced.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The first delivery position and the second delivery position are each provided with a transport roll for transporting the continuous sheet by the continuous sheet being wound around, and each transport roll has a corresponding delivery hand. It is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat between the position and a standby position away from the delivery position,
It is desirable that the transport roll advances and retreats according to the selection of the delivery position.
According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets related to such an absorbent article, the transport roll at the unselected delivery position is retracted to the standby position, and the transport roll at the selected delivery position is It can be advanced to the delivery position. Therefore, the workpiece can be reliably delivered only to the continuous sheet flowing through the selected delivery position.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
A first constant velocity region is set to the orbiting track so as to include the first delivery position, and a second constant velocity region is set to include the second delivery position,
The moving speed of the workpiece holding pallet in the first constant velocity region is equal to the conveying speed of the continuous sheet at the first delivery position,
The moving speed of the work holding pallet in the second constant velocity region is preferably equal to the conveying speed of the continuous sheet at the second delivery position.
According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article, since the first constant velocity region and the second constant velocity region are set, any of the first delivery position and the second delivery position Even in the position, the stability when the workpiece is transferred to the continuous sheet can be improved.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The circular orbit is a regular circular orbit centered on a predetermined circle center,
The work holding pallet is disposed so that a holding surface for holding the work is directed outward in the radial direction of the orbit, and is provided so as to be pivotable around an axis along the radial direction.
While the work holding pallet moves from the receiving position to the first delivery position, the work holding pallet turns 90 degrees around the axis, thereby changing the direction of the work and the change. The state is maintained until the workpiece holding pallet passes the first delivery position and the second delivery position, and the workpiece holding pallet that has passed the second delivery position reaches the receiving position. It is desirable that the workpiece holding pallet is rotated again by 90 ° around the axis and returned to the original direction.
According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article, the workpiece is in the longitudinal direction and the short direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and necessarily has a shorter dimension than the longitudinal direction). Can be transferred to the continuous sheet by changing the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the workpiece between the receiving position and the transfer position. Here, such treatment is often necessary when assembling an absorbent main body, which is a component of an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, to another component. Therefore, it can be suitably used when manufacturing absorbent articles.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
When the first delivery position is selected, a pair of continuous sheets are conveyed in parallel to each other at the first delivery position with a gap therebetween, and the workpiece is moved to the first delivery position at the first delivery position. Attached between continuous sheets,
On the other hand, when the second delivery position is selected, a pair of continuous sheets are conveyed in parallel to each other at the second delivery position with a space between them, and the workpiece is transferred to the second delivery position at the second delivery position. Attached across a pair of continuous sheets,
The pair of continuous sheets traveling in the first delivery position and the pair of continuous sheets traveling in the second delivery position are different from each other in at least one of the size of the interval or the width of the continuous sheet,
It is desirable that the size of the gap or the width of the continuous sheet be the same as the pitch relationship between the workpiece holding pallets before and after passing through the change area.
According to the method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article, the magnitude relationship between the workpiece mounting pitch when mounted at the first delivery position and the workpiece mounting pitch when installed at the second delivery position. In accordance with the above, the size relationship between the distance between the pair of continuous sheets or the width of the continuous sheets is set. For example, when the attachment pitch at the second delivery position is smaller than the attachment pitch at the first delivery position, the distance between the pair of continuous sheets traveling at the first delivery position according to this magnitude relationship The interval between the pair of continuous sheets traveling at the second delivery position is set to be narrower than that.
Therefore, the size of the composite of the continuous sheet to be manufactured is larger than that of the composite manufactured at the first mounting position with respect to both the transport direction and the direction crossing the transport direction. As a result, it is possible to reliably produce products having different sizes in a plane.

A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to such an absorbent article,
The pair of continuous sheets are an abdominal member covering the abdomen of the wearer and a dorsal member covering the dorsal part when the absorbent article is worn, respectively, and the workpiece is the wearer's Desirably, the absorbent body is applied to the crotch and absorbs body fluids.
According to the manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on such an absorbent article, size change of the manufactured absorbent article can be performed easily.

Also,
An apparatus for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of workpiece holding pallets that move side by side along the orbit, and the workpiece holding pallet sequentially receives the workpiece at a receiving position on the orbiting track, and receives the workpiece at a delivery position on the orbiting orbit. Delivered to the continuous sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. An apparatus for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article.
According to the continuous sheet composite manufacturing apparatus according to such an absorbent article, there is a change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets between the first delivery position and the second delivery position. Since it is set, it is possible to easily change the workpiece mounting pitch on the continuous sheet by selecting at least the first delivery position or the second delivery position. As a result, it is possible to easily change the size of the product using the composite of the continuous sheets.

=== First Embodiment ===
The manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus 31 of the composite 1a of the continuous sheet which concern on the absorbent article 1 of 1st Embodiment are applied to the manufacturing line of the disposable diaper 1, for example.
1A to 3 are explanatory diagrams of the disposable diaper 1. 1A and 1B are plan views of a diaper 1 having an S size and an M size, respectively, FIG. 2A is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view of another embodiment of the diaper 1. It is. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the diaper 1.

  The diaper 1 is placed between the belly side band member 20 (corresponding to the abdominal side member) covering the abdomen of the wearer, the back side band member 24 (corresponding to the back side member) covering the same back side, and the crotch. And an absorptive main body 10 that absorbs bodily fluids such as urine. In the deployed state of FIG. 1A, the ventral belt member 20 and the back belt member 24 are arranged in parallel with a distance D between them, and the longitudinal end portions 10e, 10e, 10e is spanned and fixed, and its external shape is substantially H-shaped in plan view. From this state, the absorbent body 10 is folded in half along the longitudinal center C10, and the band members 20, 24 facing each other in the folded state are brought into contact with the wearer's flank. When fastened at the part to be contacted, the band members 20 and 24 are connected to each other in an annular shape, thereby forming a waist opening 3 and a pair of leg openings 5 and 5 as shown in FIG. It becomes the diaper 1 of the worn state.

  In addition, if a non-removable joining structure such as welding is used as the above-described fastening structure, a pants-type diaper is formed. On the other hand, if a detachable joining structure such as a fastening tape member (not shown) is used, an open-type diaper is used. Become a diaper. Hereinafter, each component of the diaper 1 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 1A and FIG. 2A.

  The absorbent main body 10 includes an absorbent body 11 formed by molding liquid absorbent fibers such as pulp fibers into a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, a surface sheet member 12 that covers the absorbent body 11 from the skin side of the wearer, and the absorbent body 11. Is provided from the opposite side of the top sheet member 12 and a back sheet member 13 that also serves as an exterior of the diaper 1. The absorber 11 may contain a superabsorbent polymer. The top sheet member 12 is a liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric having a larger planar size than the absorbent body 11, for example. Moreover, the back surface sheet member 13 is a liquid-impermeable sheet having a larger plane size than the absorber 11, and as an example, a liquid-impermeable leak-proof sheet 14 such as polyethylene, and an exterior sheet 15 such as a nonwoven fabric; A sheet 13 having a two-layer structure in which is attached. And in the state which inserted the absorber 11 between these back surface sheet members 13 and the surface sheet member 12, the back surface sheet member 13 and the surface sheet member 12 are a frame in the part which protrudes outside from the four sides of the absorber 11. Thus, the absorbent main body 10 is formed.

  2A, a liquid-permeable sheet 16 such as tissue paper may be interposed between the top sheet member 12 and the absorbent body 11 or between the back sheet member 13 and the absorbent body 11. good. Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, elastic members 17 such as rubber thread along the longitudinal direction are interposed between the leak-proof sheet 14 and the exterior sheet 15 under extension at both ends in the width direction of the back sheet member 13. The elastic members 17 may form a leg-gathered portion at the leg-gear openings 5 and 5 of the diaper 1 to give stretchability.

  Each of the ventral band member 20 and the back band member 24 is made of a flexible sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. Here, as shown in FIG. 2A, the band members 20 and 24 are formed by stacking two nonwoven fabrics 21 and 21, and the band members 20 and 24 correspond to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10, respectively. Affixed to the ends 10e, 10e. However, as shown in FIG. 2B, the end portions 10e and 10e in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 may be interposed and fixed between the two non-woven fabrics 21 and 21. Further, an elastic member such as a rubber thread may be fixed to each of the band members 20 and 24 under extension, and the band members 20 and 24 may be given elasticity.

  Such a product size change of the diaper 1, that is, a size change is performed mainly by changing only the dimensions related to the band members 20 and 24. For example, in the M size shown in FIG. 1B, the length L of the band members 20, 24 is longer, the width W of the band members 20, 24 is wider than the S size shown in FIG. Although the interval D between 24 is wide, the absorbent body 10 has the same dimensions (that is, the length and width of the absorbent body 10) regardless of the product size such as S size and M size. Specifications are used.

  Such a diaper 1 is completed by joining, for example, various parts to the base material using any of the parts flowing continuously through the production line as the base material. The manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus 31 according to the first embodiment take one step. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the width W of the abdominal band member 20 and the width W of the back side band member 24 are assumed to be the same width. However, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. The width of the side band member 24 is wider.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of processing performed in the manufacturing apparatus 31. Hereinafter, the width direction of the manufacturing apparatus 31 is referred to as “CD direction”, and the direction orthogonal to the CD direction is referred to as “MD direction”. That is, the MD direction means an arbitrary direction in a plane orthogonal to the CD direction. In some cases, the two directions orthogonal to each other in the MD direction may be referred to as “vertical direction” and “front-rear direction”, respectively. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 4 is somewhat deformed. For example, the circular trajectory Tr of the work holding pallet 51 to be described later that conveys the absorbent main body 10 is actually a perfect circle shape, but is shown in an elliptical shape in FIG.

  In this step, the absorbent main body 10 is crossed and pasted to the pair of band members 20 and 24, whereby the semi-finished product of the diaper 1 has a substantially H shape as shown in FIG. 1A.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of band members 20 and 24 at the time of being supplied to the manufacturing apparatus 31 are in the form of continuous bodies 20a and 24a along the MD direction and spaced from each other in the CD direction. Continuously transported in a state of being lined up with D. Further, the absorbent main body 10 is also continuously conveyed in the form of a continuous body 10a continuous in the MD direction. That is, the top sheet member 12 and the back sheet member 13 constituting the absorbent main body 10 are in a continuous sheet state continuous in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10, and the top sheet member 12 and the back sheet member 13 are The absorbers 11 are intermittently arranged in the longitudinal direction while the absorbers 11 are interposed therebetween.

  Therefore, in this manufacturing apparatus 31, first, the continuous body 10a of the absorbent main body is divided along the CD direction at a portion between the absorbent bodies 11 and 11, whereby the absorption in which the longitudinal direction faces the MD direction. The sex body 10 is generated. Then, while moving the absorbent main body 10 to a predetermined delivery position Qout, the absorbent main body 10 is turned 90 ° around the center of the plane, whereby the longitudinal direction thereof is changed from the MD direction to the continuous member 20a. , 24a in the CD direction, which is the parallel direction. When the delivery position Qout is reached, the absorbent main body 10 is attached to the continuous body 20a, 24a of a pair of band members in the CD direction and flows in the MD direction at the predetermined position pitch P at both ends 10e in the longitudinal direction. , 10e, so that the substantially ladder-shaped semi-finished product 1a shown in FIG. This is the processing range in charge of the manufacturing apparatus 31. By the way, in this example, the absorbent main body 10 corresponds to “work”, the continuous body 20a, 24a of a pair of belt members corresponds to “continuous sheet”, and the substantially ladder-like semi-finished product 1a is “composite of continuous sheets”. The MD direction corresponds to the “conveying direction”.

  Here, when considering the process of this process by paying attention to the product size, from the comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 1A, among the above three conditions for determining the product size by the mounting pitch P of the absorbent main body 10 described above. It can be seen that the length L of the band members 20 and 24 as the first condition is determined. Further, the band members 20 and 24 of the diaper 1 as the remaining two conditions for determining the product size are determined by the distance D between the continuous bodies 20a and 24a of the pair of belt members to be conveyed and the width W of each of the continuous bodies 20a and 24a. It can also be seen that the distance D between them and the width W of the band members 20, 24 are determined.

  Therefore, in this manufacturing apparatus 31, the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 for delivering the absorbent main body 10 to the continuums 20a and 24a of the band members are set to 2 so that the product size can be produced at two levels of S size and M size. It is possible to change the mounting pitch P of the absorbent main body 10 between these delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2, and each delivery position Qout1 and Qout2 has dimensions corresponding to each product size. The continuous members 20a and 24a of the W and D belt members are configured to be able to travel in pairs. Then, the product sizes are separately created by alternatively selecting the delivery position Qout1 for M size and the delivery position Qout2 for S size.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 31. In FIG. 5, the MD direction is an arbitrary direction along the paper surface of FIG. 5, and the CD direction is a direction penetrating the paper surface of FIG.

  The manufacturing apparatus 31 includes a rotating drum device 41 as a main body. The rotary drum device 41 has a plurality of (9 in the illustrated example) work holding pallets 51. Each work holding pallet 51 circulates in a predetermined speed pattern counterclockwise along a circular circulatory trajectory Tr having an axis C41 facing the CD direction as a center. A cutter device 61 is disposed at a predetermined position Qin on the circular trajectory Tr, and the absorbent main body 10 is generated by dividing the continuous body 10a of the absorbent main body that is continuously sent from the upper process. Then, the workpiece holding pallet 51 sequentially receives the absorbent main body 10 from the cutter device 61 with the position Qin as the reception position Qin of the absorbent main body 10. In addition, delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 for delivering the absorbent main body 10 from the work holding pallet 51 to the belt member continuums 20a and 24a are alternatively set at two positions on the circuit track Tr. ing. Then, the workpiece holding pallet 51 that has received the absorbent main body 10 at the receiving position Qin turns 90 ° so as to change the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 from the MD direction to the CD direction, and the selected delivery position Qout. Move up.

  Here, when the upstream delivery position Qout1 (corresponding to the first delivery position) is selected, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 5, a pair of belt members is previously placed on the transport roller 71 at the delivery position Qout1. The continuous bodies 20a and 24a are wound around and conveyed in the MD direction at a predetermined conveyance speed VL. Therefore, when each work holding pallet 51 passes through the delivery position Qout1, the absorbent main body 10 is attached to the continuous body 20a, 24a of the pair of belt members and delivered.

  On the other hand, when the delivery position Qout2 (corresponding to the second delivery position) on the downstream side of the delivery position Qout1 is selected, instead of the delivery position Qout1, the transport roller 72 at the delivery position Qout2 is previously set. A pair of belt member continuums 20a and 24a are wound around and conveyed in the MD direction at a predetermined conveyance speed VS (see a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5). Therefore, when each work holding pallet 51 passes through the delivery position Qout2, the absorbent main body 10 is attached to the continuous body 20a, 24a of the pair of band members and delivered.

  Here, the attachment pitch P for attaching the absorbent main body 10 to the continuous members 20a, 24a of the band members is substantially the same as the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51, 51 adjacent to each other during delivery. Therefore, if the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51, 51 is configured to be changed between the delivery position Qout1 and the delivery position Qout2, the mounting pitch P for delivery at the delivery position Qout2 is set at the delivery position Qout1. It can be changed from the mounting pitch P in the case of delivery.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a speed change range (corresponding to the change range) for changing the moving speed V51 of the work holding pallet 51 is set between the transfer position Qout1 and the transfer position Qout2 in the orbital track Tr. Specifically, a deceleration range is set. Therefore, the workpiece holding pallet 51 is decelerated while passing through the deceleration area, and accordingly, the workpiece holding pallet 51 catches up with the preceding workpiece holding pallet 51 moving adjacent to the downstream side and moves between the two. The pitch P51 is gradually clogged. That is, the pitch P51 after passing through the deceleration range is narrower than the pitch P51 before passing through the deceleration range. As a result, the pitch P51 between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets 51, 51 is narrower at the pitch P51 at the downstream delivery position Qout2 than at the delivery position Qout1, so that for the S size. The mounting pitch P of the absorbent body 10 at the delivery position Qout2 can be made narrower than the mounting pitch P at the delivery position Qout1 for the M size.

  Further, the distance D between the pair of belt members 20a, 24a flowing through the transport rollers 71, 72 at the delivery positions Qout1, Qout2 and the width W of the belt members 20a, 24a are also the product sizes of the delivery positions Qout1, Qout2, respectively. It is set to the dimension corresponding to. That is, at the delivery position Qout1 for the M size, the transport roller 71 is arranged so that the band members 20a, 24a having a wide width W for the M size can flow in pairs, and the pair of belt members 20a, 24a Is also set wide, and on the other hand, the conveying roller 72 is arranged at the delivery position Qout2 for the S size so that the band members 20a, 24a having the narrow width W for the S size can flow in pairs. The distance D between the pair of belt members 20a and 24a is also set narrow.

  Therefore, through the change in the mounting pitch P and the change in the dimensions W and D of the band members 20a and 24a, the change in the product size is achieved by alternative selection of the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2. Incidentally, the product size change by the selection of the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 is performed every time one kind of product size is processed for the planned number. For example, when the delivery position Qout2 is selected and the S size is processed by the planned number, the delivery position Qout1 is selected instead of the delivery position Qout2, and the M size is processed by the planned number, and these are repeated. Hereinafter, each component 41, 61, 71, 72 grade | etc., Of the manufacturing apparatus 31 is demonstrated in detail.

<<< cutter device 61 >>>
As shown in FIG. 5, the cutter device 61 includes a pair of upper and lower rolls 61 a and 61 b that are continuously driven and rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed V61 around the axis C61 a and C61 b along the CD direction. For example, the circumferential speed V61 is set to be substantially the same speed as the transport speed V10a of the absorbent body continuous body 10a.

  Here, the outer peripheral surface of the upper roll 61a is a smooth surface. And the upper roll 61a is arrange | positioned so that the outer peripheral surface may most closely oppose the rotating drum apparatus 41 in the said receiving position Qin. Further, a single flat blade 62 along the CD direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower roll 61b, and the peripheral length of the outer peripheral surface is substantially the same as the design length of the absorbent main body 10. Therefore, in the process in which the continuous body 10a of the absorbent main body is continuously fed in the MD direction by driving rotation of the upper and lower rolls 61a and 61b, the flat blade 62 of the lower roll 61b faces the outer peripheral surface of the upper roll 61a and absorbs it. By sandwiching the continuous body 10a of the adhesive main body, the absorbent main body 10 corresponding to the design length is divided and generated on the distal end side of the continuous body 10a.

  The upper roll 61a has a plurality of intake holes (not shown) on its outer peripheral surface. And the suction operation by these suction holes is always performed over the range from the position closest to the lower roll 61b to the position facing the receiving position Qin in the circumferential direction of the upper roll 61a. Accordingly, the absorbent main body 10 that is divided and the tip of the continuous body 10a that is newly formed by the division are both firmly sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the upper roll 61a, so that the rotary drum device 41 is reliably received. Sent to position Qin.

<<<< Rotating Drum Device 41 >>>>
The rotary drum device 41 includes a rotary drum 42 that rotates around an axis C41 along the CD direction, and a plurality of work holding pallets 51 that are supported on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 42 in a circumferential direction. ing.

  The rotating drum 42 is a substantially cylindrical member, and is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed V42, for example, in one counterclockwise direction using a suitable motor or the like as a driving source. In the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 42, the receiving position Qin and the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 are set. At the receiving position Qin, each work holding pallet 51 removes the absorbent main body 10 from the cutter device 61. In the receiving and delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2), the absorbent main body 10 on the work holding pallet 51 is joined to the continuous body 20a, 24a of a pair of belt members in cooperation with the transport roller 71 (or transport roller 72). Then hand it over.

  6A is a front view of the work holding pallet 51, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are a BB arrow view and a CC arrow view in FIG. 6A, respectively.

  The work holding pallet 51 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member having a holding surface 53 for holding the absorbent main body 10 in a surface contact state, and the holding surface 53 is arranged in the rotational radius direction of the rotary drum 42 as shown in FIG. The outside is facing. As shown in FIG. 6A, the holding surface 53 is formed with a plurality of intake holes 54 over substantially the entire surface, and these intake holes 54 pass through appropriate pipes and are connected to the negative pressure chamber SP in the rotary drum 42. It is connected to. Therefore, suction force for holding the absorbent main body 10 is generated on the holding surface 53 by the intake air from the intake holes 54. This intake operation is performed over a range from the receiving position Qin in FIG. 5 to the selected delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2), and is stopped in other ranges. That is, the operation range of the intake operation is switched according to the selection of the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2. This will be described later.

  Further, the longitudinal direction of the holding surface 53 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the workpiece holding pallet 51. Therefore, as will be described later, if the longitudinal direction of the work holding pallet 51 at the receiving position Qin is directed to the MD direction, the absorbent main body 10 is sent from the cutter device 61 in a state where the longitudinal direction is directed to the MD direction. Can be firmly held by the holding surface 53. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the holding surface 53 is formed in an arc shape along the longitudinal direction, and the radius of curvature thereof is approximately the same as the radius of rotation of the circular orbit Tr in FIG. Therefore, the moving speed V51 of the work holding pallet 51 at the receiving position Qin can be maintained at a constant speed over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the work holding pallet 51, and this moving speed V51 is conveyed by the continuous body 10a of the absorbent main body. If it arrange | positions with speed V10a, the workpiece | work holding pallet 51 can receive the absorptive main body 10 sent from the cutter apparatus 61, suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a wrinkle over the full length.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 6C, the work holding pallet 51 can turn around a turning axis C <b> 53 that passes through the center of the holding surface 53 and extends along the rotation radial direction of the rotary drum 42. Therefore, when the work holding pallet 51 is turned around the turning axis C53, the absorbent main body 10 on the work holding pallet 51 is also turned together with the work holding pallet 51 around the turning axis C53. Thus, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10 is changed from the MD direction to the CD direction. When the absorbent main body 10 is delivered at the delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2), the absorbent body 10 is turned by 90 ° again to receive the absorbent main body 10 at the reception position Qin, whereby the longitudinal direction of the work holding pallet 51 is changed from the CD direction to the MD direction. Back in the direction. An appropriate motor or the like can be used as a driving source for the turning operation.

  By the way, each work holding pallet 51 shown in FIG. 5 is provided independently and reciprocally movable in the circumferential direction of the rotating drum 42 relative to the rotating drum 42. Specifically, the rotating drum 42 has a circular rail 44 having a circular track concentric with the circular track Tr, and an engagement element 55 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is engaged with the annular rail 44, whereby the workpiece holding pallet 51 is The rotary drum 42 is guided so as to be able to reciprocate back and forth in the circumferential direction. Then, power is input from a reciprocating drive mechanism described later, and each work holding pallet 51 reciprocates back and forth in the circumferential direction.

  However, the rotating drum 42 itself is rotating at a predetermined speed V42. Accordingly, the orbiting operation of each work holding pallet 51 in the absolute coordinate system is a combined operation in which the individual reciprocating motions are combined with the counterclockwise rotating operation of the rotating drum 42 itself.

  Here, the reciprocating motion of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is assigned in association with each rotational position on the circular trajectory Tr. Therefore, the revolving operation of the work holding pallet 51 in the absolute coordinate system is also performed based on a predetermined speed pattern in which the circumferential movement speed V51 is associated with each rotational position, that is, each work holding pallet. 51 repeats the orbiting operation based on a speed pattern in which one rotation of 360 ° is one cycle.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the speed pattern of the orbiting operation of the work holding pallet 51. This speed pattern is a speed pattern of the plane center C53 of the holding surface 53 of the work holding pallet 51.

  In the illustrated example, the receiving position Qin is set at the rotational position of about 3 o'clock on the circular trajectory Tr, and the delivery position Qout1 for M size is at the rotational position of about 10 o'clock downstream of the counterclockwise direction. Further, a delivery position Qout2 for S size is set at a rotational position at about 8 o'clock on the downstream side.

  Here, first, an acceleration region A, a constant velocity region A, and a deceleration region A are sequentially set in a range from the receiving position Qin to the delivery position Qout1 on the circular trajectory Tr. Then, the workpiece holding pallet 51 that has received the absorbent main body 10 at the receiving position Qin turns 90 ° around the turning axis C53 while passing through the acceleration region A to the deceleration region A, and the length of the absorbent main body 10 is increased. The direction is changed from the MD direction to the CD direction.

  Incidentally, the reason why the acceleration area A is provided is to prevent collision with the subsequent workpiece holding pallet 51 adjacent to the upstream side when turning 90 °. That is, at the receiving position Qin, the longitudinal direction of the work holding pallet 51 faces the circumferential direction of the rotary drum 42, and the gap between the adjacent work holding pallets 51, 51 is in a state of being almost zero. If it turns 90 ° in this state, there is a risk of hitting at least at the corners of the four corners of the workpiece holding pallet 51. Therefore, by accelerating in the acceleration region A, the interval between the upstream workpiece holding pallet 51 adjacent to the upstream side is increased.

  In addition, the constant velocity region A and the deceleration region A are set downstream of the acceleration region A because the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51 and 51 at the delivery position Qout1 is set to the attachment pitch P for M size. This is for adjustment. Therefore, if this adjustment can be successfully performed only by setting the acceleration pattern of the acceleration region A, it is not necessary to set the constant velocity region A and the deceleration region A. That is, the acceleration region A extends to these ranges. May be extended.

  Next, in the range from the delivery position Qout1 to the delivery position Qout2 on the orbital track Tr, a deceleration region B (corresponding to a change region and a first shift region) is set. Therefore, the workpiece holding pallet 51 closes the space between the workpiece holding pallet 51 and the preceding workpiece holding pallet 51 moving downstream thereof while passing through the deceleration area B. That is, the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51 and 51 is reduced. As a result, the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51 and 51 at the delivery position Qout2 is changed from the M size mounting pitch P to the smaller S size mounting pitch P.

  Finally, an acceleration region C, a constant velocity region C, and a deceleration region C (corresponding to the second shift region) are sequentially set in a range from the delivery position Qout2 to the reception position Qin on the circular trajectory Tr. Then, the workpiece holding pallet 51 turns 90 ° around the turning axis C53 again while passing through the acceleration region C to the deceleration region C, and returns the longitudinal direction of the workpiece holding pallet 51 from the CD direction to the MD direction. To prepare to receive the absorbent main body 10 at the receiving position Qin.

  Incidentally, the reason why the acceleration region C is provided is the same as that of the acceleration region A described above, that is, to prevent interference during 90 ° turn. The reason why the constant velocity region C and the deceleration region C are provided is that the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51, 51 that is excessively widened in the acceleration region C is reduced to reduce the pitch required at the receiving position Qin, that is, the workpiece holding. Another reason is that the pallets 51, 51 are returned to a pitch in which the interval between the pallets 51 is almost zero and can be held by the holding surface 53 over the entire length of the absorbent main body 10 at the receiving position Qin. The reason is that the moving speed V51 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 that has accelerated too much is decelerated back to the target speed V51t at the receiving position Qin. Therefore, if these adjustments can be successfully performed by setting the acceleration pattern in the acceleration region C and the deceleration pattern in the deceleration region C, the constant velocity region C need not be set. The target speed V51t of the workpiece holding pallet 51 at the receiving position Qin is preferably within the same value as the transport speed V10a of the absorbent body continuous body 10a or within a range of ± 1%. The absorbent main body 10 can be smoothly received from the cutter device 61.

  Desirably, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the delivery position Qout1 and delivery position Qout2 is equivalent to the constant velocity region (corresponding to the first constant velocity region and the second constant velocity region) so as to include the corresponding positions Qout1, Qout2. ), And the moving speed V51 in each constant velocity region is set to the same value as the transport speeds VL and VS of the belt member continuous bodies 20a and 24a at the corresponding positions Qout1 and Qout2, respectively, or ± 1 It should be in the range of%. In this way, when the absorbent main body 10 is handed over to the belt member continuums 20a, 24a, it is possible to effectively prevent mutual pulling due to the relative speed difference between the two, and the stability of the handing-over operation. Can be increased.

  More preferably, the length of the constant velocity region at each delivery position Qout1, Qout2 is equal to or greater than the width of the holding surface 53 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), and It is preferable to set each constant velocity region so that the center of the constant velocity region coincides with each delivery position Qout1, Qout2 while being set to a range that is twice or less the width. In this way, the moving speed V51 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is set to be the belt member continuum 20a, over the entire time required for the workpiece holding pallet 51 to pass through each delivery position Qout1, Qout2. It is maintained at substantially the same speed as the transport speeds VL and VS of 24a. Therefore, the stability of the delivery operation can be further improved.

  Note that the effect of stabilizing the delivery operation by setting the constant velocity region can be similarly expected for the receiving position Qin of the absorbent main body 10. Therefore, in this manufacturing apparatus 31, as shown in FIG. 7, the constant velocity region is set with an equal length on the upstream side and the downstream side so that the reception position Qin also includes the same position Qin. Here, the total length of the constant velocity region straddling the receiving position Qin is set in a range not less than the length (arc length) in the longitudinal direction of the holding surface 53 of the work holding pallet 51 and not more than twice the length. In this case, the stability of the receiving operation of the absorbent main body 10 can be improved with the same reasoning as described above.

  A reciprocating drive mechanism that causes the work holding pallet 51 to perform the revolving operation of such a speed pattern in cooperation with the rotation operation of the rotary drum 42 is configured by combining a cam mechanism, a link mechanism, and the like, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the arm member 56 is supported on the rotary drum 42 so as to be swingable around a predetermined fulcrum C56 for each work holding pallet 51. Corresponding work holding pallets 51 are connected via link members 57. In addition, an annular groove is formed as a front cam on a cam member (not shown) fixed to the ground side, and an engagement element (not shown) that engages with the annular groove is provided for each arm member 56. At the same time, the cam curve as the shape of the annular groove is set based on the above-described speed pattern. Therefore, when the rotary drum 42 rotates around the axis C41, the arm member 56 swings according to each rotational position by the engagement between the annular groove serving as the front cam and the engagement element, and as a result, The work holding pallet 51 reciprocates along the annular rail 44. A configuration example using such a cam mechanism is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-298193. However, the configuration of the reciprocating drive mechanism is not limited to this. For example, a servo motor is provided for each work holding pallet 51 as a driving source for the reciprocating movement, and each servo motor is controlled by a control device such as a computer so that the work holding pallet 51 rotates in the above speed pattern. You may do it.

<<< Conveyance rollers 71, 72 >>>
At each delivery position Qout1, Qout2, transport rollers 71, 72 for transporting a pair of belt member continuous bodies 20a, 24a are provided, respectively. In addition, since both are substantially the same structure, the conveyance roller 72 of the downstream delivery position Qout2 is demonstrated here.

  8A is an enlarged view of the transport roller 72, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 8A. The transport roller 72 is a driven roller 72 that is rotatably supported at one end of a predetermined arm member 73, and its rotation axis C72 faces the CD direction. The arm member 73 is supported by an appropriate stay member 75 with a position different from the rotation axis C72 of the transport roller 72 as a fulcrum C73, and can swing within a plane parallel to the MD direction around the fulcrum C73. Is provided. Therefore, by swinging the arm member 73 using an appropriate actuator 74 such as an air cylinder, the transport roller 72 is moved to the delivery position Qout2 on the orbital track Tr and the standby position apart from the delivery position Qout2 (FIG. 8A). The position is moved forward and backward between the transport roller 72 indicated by a two-dot chain line. That is, of the two delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2, the transport roller 71 (or 72) at the delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2) that is not selected is retracted to the standby position, and the selected delivery position The transport roller 72 (or 71) can be advanced to the delivery position Qout2 (or Qout1). Therefore, the absorptive main body 10 can be reliably delivered only to the continuum 20a, 24a of the pair of band members flowing through the selected delivery position Qout2 (or Qout1).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the outer shape of the transport roller 72 is a shape in which the central portion in the CD direction is recessed corresponding to the convex shape (FIG. 6B) of the holding surface 53 of the work holding pallet 51. Specifically, at the delivery position Qout2, the longitudinal direction of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is directed in the CD direction, and the shape of the holding surface 53 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is rotated more in the center than at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The drum 42 has an arc shape bulging outward in the rotational radius direction. Accordingly, in correspondence with this arc shape, the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the transport roller 72 is set to an arc-shaped roll curve such that the radius of the transport roller 72 gradually decreases from the end in the CD direction to the center. Yes. As a result, the absorbent main body 10 is sandwiched substantially uniformly over the entire length in the CD direction between the workpiece holding pallet 51 passing through the position of the transport roller 72 and can be reliably held.

  Desirably, the radius of curvature R72 of the roll curve is preferably not less than the radius of curvature R53 related to the arc shape of the work holding pallet 51 and not more than 1.2 times the radius of curvature R53. A radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature R53 is preferable. If it does in this way, it can prevent that the holding surface 53 and the conveyance roller 72 strike the absorptive main body 10 locally in the both ends of CD direction, and can reduce the damage which the absorptive main body 10 can receive as a result. . In addition, as a standard in the case of setting the curvature radius R72 larger than the above-mentioned curvature radius R53, for example, increasing by the design thickness of the absorbent main body 10 can be cited.

  The material of the transport roller 72 is preferably a flexible material in which at least the outer peripheral portion is elastically deformed by the contact pressure when the work holding pallet 51 comes into contact, and one example thereof is sponge-like urethane rubber. If such a material is used, it is possible to prevent the absorbent main body 10 sandwiched between the workpiece holding pallet 51 and the transport roller 72 from being damaged significantly during delivery.

<<< Operation Range of Intake Operation of Work Holding Pallet 51 >>>
By the way, in the description of the rotary drum device 41 described above, it is described above that “the operation range of the intake operation of the work holding pallet 51 on the orbital track Tr is switched according to the selection of the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2”. This will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operating range of this intake operation.

  When the delivery position Qout1 for M size is selected as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the intake operation is performed over the range from the reception position Qin to the delivery position Qout1 for M size. On the other hand, when the delivery position Qout2 for S size is selected as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, the downstream limit position of the intake operation is S which exceeds the delivery position Qout1 for M size downstream. The size is expanded to the size delivery position Qout2. As a result, the absorbent main body 10 is reliably sucked and held by the workpiece holding pallet 51 until it is delivered to the belt member continuous bodies 20a and 24a regardless of the product sizes of S size and M size.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the intake mechanism for performing such an intake operation is arranged on the inner side of the inner peripheral surface 42 a of the rotary drum 42, and is a circular negative pressure chamber SP concentric with the rotary drum 42. And a pipe member (not shown) that is provided for each work holding pallet 51 so as to suck air from the intake hole 54 of the work holding pallet 51 and one end of the pipe communicated with the intake hole 54. And have.

  The other pipe end 47 of each tube member is fixed to the inner peripheral surface 42a of the rotating drum 42 in a state of facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner wall 46, whereby each tube member The tube end 47 is integrated with the rotary drum 42 and rotates relative to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner wall 46. In addition, an opening 46a along the circumferential direction is cut out in the cylindrical inner wall 46 in a range from the delivery position Qin to the delivery position Qout2 for S size.

  Therefore, while the work holding pallet 51 moves from the delivery position Qin to the delivery position Qout2 for S size, the pipe end 47 of the pipe member is communicated with the negative pressure chamber SP through the opening 46a. As a result, the air is sucked from the suction hole 54 of the work holding pallet 51. In contrast, since the opening 46a is not formed in the cylindrical inner wall 46 in the range from the delivery position Qout2 for S size to the delivery position Qin, the pipe end 47 of the pipe member is connected to the negative pressure chamber SP. Is blocked so that air cannot pass through, and the intake operation of the workpiece holding pallet 51 that moves from the delivery position Qout2 to the delivery position Qin is stopped.

  However, the manufacturing apparatus 31 of the first embodiment has a movable wall 48 that moves along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner wall 46. The movable wall 48 is configured to move between the M size delivery position Qout1 and the S size delivery position Qout2, so that the opening 46a in this range can be opened and closed.

  Therefore, when the delivery position Qout2 for S size is selected, the movable wall 48 moves clockwise to the delivery position Qout1 for M size, and the range from the same position Qout1 to the delivery position Qout2 for S size. When the M size delivery position Qout1 is selected, the movable wall 48 moves counterclockwise to the S size delivery position Qout2, and the M size delivery position Qout1 is closed. A portion of the opening 46a in a range from the position Qout1 to the delivery position Qout2 for S size is opened.

=== Second Embodiment ===
In the first embodiment described above, the absorbent main body 10 is exemplified as the “work”, and the continuous bodies 20a and 24a of the pair of belt members are illustrated as the “continuous sheet”. In the second embodiment, the “continuous sheet” is illustrated. "Is a semi-finished product 1a of the diaper 1 shown in FIG. 4, and the" work "is a fastening tape member 26.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the fastening tape member 26 is a member for fastening the ventral belt member 20 and the back belt member 24 of the diaper 1 and connecting them in an annular shape, as shown in FIG. 10. Further, it is affixed to the outer surface of the back band member 24. Specifically, the fastening tape member 26 of the diaper 1 before wearing has a non-woven fabric band 26 in which both end portions 26e and 26e in the longitudinal direction (width direction in the diaper 1) are attached to the back band member 24 as a main body. In the central part, male members of a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners are provided opposite to each other as fastening portions 27 and 27. Therefore, when wearing the diaper 1, the fastening tape member 26 is divided at the perforation 28 between the pair of fastening portions 27, 27, and the fastening portion 27 is opened outward in the width direction of the diaper 1. . Then, the diaper 1 is folded in half at the longitudinal central portion C10 of the absorbent main body 10, and the fastening portions 27, 27 are fastened to the ventral belt member 20 in this folded state.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of processing performed in the manufacturing apparatus 31a. In the manufacturing apparatus 31a, the fastening tape member 26 is attached to each semi-finished product 1a of the diaper 1 that flows continuously.

  Specifically, at the time of the manufacturing apparatus 31a, the semi-finished product 1a of the diaper 1 is continuously conveyed in the MD direction in a ladder state in which the absorbent main body 10 is bridged between a pair of continuous members 20a and 24a of band members. ing. This state is also a so-called lateral flow state in which the width direction of the diaper 1 is aligned in the MD direction.

 On the other hand, the fastening tape member 26 is also supplied to the manufacturing apparatus 31a in a continuous body 26a continuous in the MD direction. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the fastening tape member 26 is the CD direction. It is suitable. That is, the above-described perforation 28 is located at the center in the CD direction, and the fastening portions 27 are arranged side by side in the CD direction with the perforation 28 interposed therebetween. Therefore, in this manufacturing apparatus 31a, first, the fastening tape member continuous body 26a is divided along the CD direction to generate the fastening tape member 26 whose longitudinal direction is oriented in the CD direction, and this division and generation is performed. By turning the fastening tape member 26 by 90 ° around the plane center, the longitudinal direction is changed from the CD direction to the MD direction so as to be along the width direction of the diaper 1. Then, after that, the fastening tape member 26 is attached to the belt member continuum 24a in the ladder-like semi-finished product 1a conveyed in the MD direction by the lateral flow in a unit that finally becomes the diaper 1.

 Here, the mounting pitch P of the fastening tape member 26 varies depending on the product size. That is, the M size is larger than the S size.

 Therefore, in this manufacturing apparatus 31a, two delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 for delivering the fastening tape member 26 to the semi-finished product 1a are prepared so that the product size can be manufactured in two levels of S size and M size. The fastening pitch P of the fastening tape member 26 can be changed between the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2, and the semi-finished products 1a having dimensions corresponding to the respective product sizes are provided at the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2. I can run. Then, by selectively selecting the delivery position Qout1 for the S size and the delivery position Qout2 for the M size, the product sizes are separately created.

 FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the manufacturing apparatus 31a of the second embodiment. Here, as can be seen from the comparison with FIG. 5, the rotary drum device 41 a of the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as the rotary drum device 41 of the first embodiment. The difference between them is that the relationship in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece (fastening tape member 26) is reversed between the receiving position Qin and the delivery positions Qout1, Qout2. That is, in the second embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the fastening tape member 26 at the receiving position Qin faces the CD direction, and the longitudinal direction of the fastening tape member 26 at the delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 faces the MD direction. ing.

  For this reason, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the receiving position Qin is set in a range in which the longitudinal direction of the work holding pallet 51 faces the CD direction on the circular track Tr, and the longitudinal direction is the MD direction. Two delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 are set in the range facing. The other points are almost the same as in the first embodiment.

  A cutter device 81 is disposed at the receiving position Qin, and the fastening tape member 26 is generated by dividing the continuous body 26a of the fastening tape member continuously fed from the upper process. When passing through the position Qin, each workpiece holding pallet 51 sequentially receives the fastening tape member 26 from the cutter device 81. Each workpiece holding pallet 51 moves to the selected delivery position Qout while turning 90 ° to change the longitudinal direction of the fastening tape member 26 from the CD direction to the MD direction. In the selected delivery position Qout, the semi-finished product 1a of the diaper 1 is continuously transported by being wound around the transport roller 91 (or the transport roller 92). Therefore, when the workpiece holding pallet 51 passes through the delivery position Qout, the fastening tape member 26 of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is attached to the semi-finished product 1a and delivered.

  Here, an acceleration area of the workpiece holding pallet 51 is set between the delivery position Qout1 for S size and the delivery position Qout2 for M size. Therefore, the workpiece holding pallet 51 is accelerated while passing through the acceleration region, and accordingly, the workpiece holding pallet 51 is separated from the succeeding workpiece holding pallet 51 moving adjacent to the downstream side thereof. The pitch P51 in between gradually increases. That is, the pitch P51 after passing through the acceleration region is wider than the pitch P51 before passing through the acceleration region. As a result, the pitch P51 between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets 51 and 51 is larger in the pitch P51 at the delivery position Qout2 on the downstream side than the pitch P51 at the delivery position Qout1. The mounting pitch P of the absorber body 10 at the delivery position Qout2 can be made wider than the mounting pitch P at the delivery position Qout1 for S size.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this embodiment, The deformation | transformation as shown below is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the two delivery positions Qout1 and Qout2 are set on the circular trajectory Tr of the workpiece holding pallet 51 in order to make the S size and the M size separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three or more delivery positions Qout, Qout,... Qout are set on the circular trajectory Tr, and a change range of the mounting pitch P such as a deceleration area is set between the delivery positions Qout, Qout. By selectively selecting any delivery position Qout, products of three sizes or more such as S size, M size, and L size may be created.

  In the first embodiment described above, the deceleration area is illustrated as an example of the change area in which the pitch P51 between the workpiece holding pallets 51 and 51 is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mixed shift range formed by combining at least two shift ranges of an acceleration range or an acceleration range, a deceleration range, and a constant speed range between the first delivery position Qout1 and the second delivery position Qout2. By setting, the pitch P51 between the work holding pallets 51, 51 may be changed.

  In the first embodiment described above, the length L of the band members 20, 24, the width W of the band members 20, 24, and the distance D between the pair of band members 20, 24 are changed in order to change the size. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the size may be changed by changing only one of the width W and the interval D.

  In the above-described embodiment, the work holding pallet 51 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 42, and the round circular orbit Tr is moved to the work holding pallet 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may move a square-shaped orbit.

  In the first embodiment described above, the diaper 1 of the mode of FIG. 2A is manufactured. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the diaper 1 of the mode of FIG. 2B is manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 31 of FIG. It is also possible. In this case, the continuums 20a and 24a of the pair of belt members at the delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2) are not conveyed in a state where the nonwoven fabrics 21 are overlapped, and each of the continuums 20a and 24a is one sheet each. It is conveyed in the state. And in the delivery position Qout1 (or Qout2), the absorptive main body 10 is affixed with respect to the continuous body 20a, 24a of the strip member which consists of the said one nonwoven fabric 21, and it is made a ladder-like semi-finished product. And in the lower process of this manufacturing apparatus 31, the continuous body 20a, 24a of the strip member which consists of one sheet of nonwoven fabric is further merged with the said semi-finished product, and the said continuous body 20a, 24a is the band in the said semi-finished product. The diaper 1 semi-finished product corresponding to FIG. 2B is manufactured on the continuum 20a, 24a of the member by overlapping each other so as to sandwich the end portions 0e, 10e in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent main body 10. Is done.

  In the above-described embodiment, the cutter device 61 has a configuration having a pair of upper and lower rolls 61a and 61b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only one cutter roll having a flat blade on the outer peripheral surface is arranged at the receiving position Qin, and the flat blade is held on the work holding pallet 51 of the rotary drum device 41 while driving and rotating the cutter roll. The continuous body 10 a of the absorbent main body may be divided by being applied to the surface 53.

  In the above-described embodiment, the disposable diaper 1 that absorbs excretory fluid such as urine is illustrated as an absorbent article. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to the manufacture of sanitary napkins that absorb excretory fluid such as menstrual blood. You may do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the work holding pallet 51 can turn around the turning axis C53 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the turning may be impossible.

1A and 1B are plan views of a diaper 1 having an S size and an M size, respectively. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the diaper 1. 1 is a perspective view of a diaper 1. It is a schematic diagram of the process performed with the manufacturing apparatus 31 of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing apparatus 31 of 1st Embodiment. 6A is a front view of the work holding pallet 51, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are a BB arrow view and a CC arrow view in FIG. 6A, respectively. It is explanatory drawing of the speed pattern of the rotation operation | work of the workpiece | work holding pallet 51. FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the transport roller 72, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 8A. It is explanatory drawing of the operation | movement range of the intake operation | movement of the workpiece | work holding pallet. It is a top view of the diaper 1 produced | generated using the manufacturing apparatus 31a of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the process performed with the manufacturing apparatus 31a of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing apparatus 31a of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 diaper (absorbent article), 1a semi-finished product (continuous sheet composite),
3 trunk opening, 5 leg opening,
10 Absorbent body (work), 10a Continuous body of absorbent body, 10e End,
11 Absorber,
12 surface sheet member, 13 back sheet member,
14 leak-proof sheet, 15 exterior sheet,
16 liquid permeable sheet,
17 elastic member,
20 ventral side belt member (ventral side member), 20a continuous body of ventral side belt member (continuous sheet),
21 Nonwoven fabric,
24 back side belt member (back side member), 24a continuum of back side belt member (continuous sheet),
26 fastening tape member (work), 26a continuum of fastening tape member,
26e both ends, 27 fastening part, 28 perforation,
31 manufacturing equipment, 31a manufacturing equipment,
41 rotating drum device, 41a rotating drum device,
42 rotating drum, 42a inner peripheral surface, 44 annular rail,
46 cylindrical inner wall, 46a opening,
47 pipe end, 48 movable wall,
51 Work holding pallet, 53 Holding surface,
54 intake holes, 55 engaging elements, 56 arm members, 57 link members,
61 cutter device, 61a upper roll, 61b lower roll, 62 flat blade,
71 transport rollers, 72 transport rollers,
73 arm member, 74 actuator, 75 stay member,
81 cutter device, 91 transport roller, 92 transport roller,
SP negative pressure chamber, Tr orbit,
C10 center,
C41 axis, C53 pivot axis, C56 fulcrum,
C61a shaft core, C61b shaft core,
C72 rotation axis, C73 fulcrum,
Qin receiving position,
Qout1 delivery position (first delivery position),
Qout2 delivery position (second delivery position)

Claims (10)

A method of manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of work holding pallets moving side by side along a circular track sequentially receive the work at a receiving position on the circular track, and the workpieces are continuously transferred from the work holding pallet at the transfer position on the circular track. Hand it over to the sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1,
The change area is a first speed change area for changing a moving speed of the work holding pallet;
The pitch between the workpiece holding pallets adjacent after passing through the first shift range is changed from the pitch before passing through the first shift range,
A second speed range for returning the moving speed of the workpiece holding pallet to the target speed at the receiving position is set in a range between the return position from the second delivery position to the receiving position in the orbit. A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet concerning the absorptive article according to claim 2,
The first shift range is a deceleration range for decelerating the work holding pallet,
The manufacture of a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein a pitch between the workpiece holding pallets adjacent after passing through the first shift range is narrower than a pitch before passing through the first shift range. Method. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, Comprising:
The workpiece holding pallet sucks and holds the workpiece,
A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein a downstream limit position of a range in which the workpiece is sucked in the orbit is changed according to selection of the delivery position. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4, Comprising:
The first delivery position and the second delivery position are each provided with a transport roll for transporting the continuous sheet by the continuous sheet being wound around, and each transport roll has a corresponding delivery hand. It is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat between the position and a standby position away from the delivery position,
The method for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein the transport roll advances and retreats according to the selection of the delivery position. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5, Comprising:
A first constant velocity region is set to the orbiting track so as to include the first delivery position, and a second constant velocity region is set to include the second delivery position,
The moving speed of the workpiece holding pallet in the first constant velocity region is equal to the conveying speed of the continuous sheet at the first delivery position,
The method of manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein a moving speed of the work holding pallet in the second constant velocity region is equal to a conveying speed of the continuous sheet at the second delivery position. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6, Comprising:
The circular orbit is a regular circular orbit centered on a predetermined circle center,
The work holding pallet is disposed so that a holding surface for holding the work is directed outward in the radial direction of the orbit, and is provided so as to be pivotable around an axis along the radial direction.
While the work holding pallet moves from the receiving position to the first delivery position, the work holding pallet turns 90 degrees around the axis, thereby changing the direction of the work and the change. The state is maintained until the workpiece holding pallet passes the first delivery position and the second delivery position, and the workpiece holding pallet that has passed the second delivery position reaches the receiving position. The method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein the work holding pallet is rotated again by 90 ° around the axis and returned to its original orientation. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
When the first delivery position is selected, a pair of continuous sheets are conveyed in parallel to each other at the first delivery position with a gap therebetween, and the workpiece is moved to the first delivery position at the first delivery position. Attached between continuous sheets,
On the other hand, when the second delivery position is selected, a pair of continuous sheets are conveyed in parallel to each other at the second delivery position with a space between them, and the workpiece is transferred to the second delivery position at the second delivery position. Attached across a pair of continuous sheets,
The pair of continuous sheets traveling in the first delivery position and the pair of continuous sheets traveling in the second delivery position are different from each other in at least one of the size of the interval or the width of the continuous sheet,
The size of the gap or the size relationship of the width of the continuous sheet is the same as the size relationship of the pitch between the work holding pallets before and after passing through the change area. A method for producing a composite. It is a manufacturing method of the composite of the continuous sheet which concerns on the absorbent article of Claim 8, Comprising:
The pair of continuous sheets are an abdominal member covering the abdomen of the wearer and a dorsal member covering the dorsal part when the absorbent article is worn, respectively, and the workpiece is the wearer's A method for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article, wherein the absorbent body is an absorbent main body that is applied to the crotch and absorbs bodily fluids. An apparatus for manufacturing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article by attaching a workpiece at a predetermined mounting pitch in the conveyance direction of the continuous sheet to a continuous sheet that is continuously conveyed,
A plurality of workpiece holding pallets that move side by side along the orbit, and the workpiece holding pallet sequentially receives the workpiece at a receiving position on the orbiting track, and receives the workpiece at a delivery position on the orbiting orbit. Delivered to the continuous sheet,
In the orbit, it is set so that at least two delivery positions are alternatively selected,
A change area for changing the pitch between the adjacent workpiece holding pallets is set between the first delivery position on the orbit and the second delivery position downstream of the first delivery position. An apparatus for producing a composite of continuous sheets according to an absorbent article.