JP6018164B2 - Absorbent article manufacturing method and absorbent article manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an absorbent article manufacturing method and an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, and in particular, an absorbent article manufacturing method in which a stretched sheet is joined to a constituent member of the absorbent article after the sheet is stretched. About.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus that joins a stretched sheet to a constituent member of an absorbent article. The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of Patent Literature 1 joins the stretched sheet to the constituent members of the absorbent article after stretching the sheet with uniform stretchability.

  In recent years, demands for the fit of absorbent articles have increased, and the stretching ratio of some areas of the sheet and the stretching ratio of other areas have been made different. Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article that stretches a sheet by a pair of tooth groove rolls that mesh with each other, and the apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article that partially differs in the draw ratio of the tooth groove roll. Yes. The sheet manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 2 is maintained in a state of being stretched by the tooth gap roll, and is further joined to the constituent member of the absorbent article without being stretched. Therefore, the sheet | seat of patent document 2 expresses the elasticity corresponding to the draw ratio extended | stretched by the tooth space roll. Therefore, the sheet | seat manufactured with the manufacturing apparatus of patent document 2 is formed with the area | region excellent in the elasticity, and the area | region where a elasticity is inferior to the said area | region.

JP-A-5-7605 JP 2008-61691 A

  Moreover, depending on the manufacturing method of an absorbent article, it is possible to extend the sheet | seat extended | stretched by the different draw ratio like patent document 2 using the manufacturing apparatus of patent document 1. FIG. However, when a sheet having different stretching ratios is stretched using the manufacturing apparatus of Patent Document 1, a region having excellent stretchability and a region having poor stretchability are stretched at the same stretch rate and excellent stretchability. In some cases, the region and the region having less elasticity than the region cannot be expressed.

  Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an absorbent article manufacturing method and an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus capable of extending sheets stretched at different stretching ratios and expressing different stretch ratios. The purpose is to provide.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to the present disclosure, the first region of the sheet (sheet continuous body W85) constituting the absorbent article is stretched at the first stretch ratio, and the second region of the sheet is stretched from the first stretch ratio. A stretching step (stretching step S101) for stretching at a high second stretching ratio, a cutting step (cutting step S103) for cutting the sheet along the stretching direction of the sheet, and the stretched sheet in the stretching direction A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, comprising: an extending step (elongating step S107) that elongates; and a sheet joining step (sheet joining step S109) that joins the stretched sheet to a constituent member of the absorbent article. Then, the gist of the stretching step is to stretch the sheet at a magnification exceeding the first stretching magnification of the first region.

  Moreover, the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article which concerns on this indication extends | stretches the 1st area | region of the sheet | seat (sheet continuous body) which comprises an absorbent article by 1st draw ratio, and makes 2nd area | region of the said sheet | seat 1st draw ratio. A stretching mechanism (stretching mechanism 101) that stretches at a higher second stretching ratio, a cutting mechanism (cutting mechanism 103) that cuts the sheet along the stretching direction of the sheet, and the stretched sheet in the stretching direction An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus comprising: an extension mechanism (elongation mechanism 107) that extends to a sheet; and a sheet joining mechanism that joins the stretched sheet to a constituent member of the absorbent article, The gist of the stretching mechanism is to stretch the sheet at a magnification exceeding the first stretching magnification of the first region.

  According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing an absorbent article and an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article that can stretch sheets that have been stretched at different stretch ratios and express different stretch ratios.

It is a top view of an absorptive article concerning an embodiment. It is F1-F1 sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed typically the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the state of a sheet | seat. It is a front view of the expansion | extension mechanism of the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment. It is a perspective view of the expansion | extension mechanism of the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the absorbent article which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an absorbent article manufacturing method and an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Specifically, (1) configuration of absorbent article, (2) configuration of absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, (3) method of manufacturing absorbent article, (4) action / effect, (5) other embodiments Will be described.

  In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Absorbent Article First, the configuration of the absorbent article 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an absorbent article 10 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F1-F1 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the absorbent article 10 is an open-type disposable diaper.

  In this embodiment, an open-type diaper is not a diaper that has been molded into a pants shape in advance, but is in a state of being unfolded in a state before use, and fastening predetermined portions of the product with fastening tape or the like. Refers to a diaper worn by the user.

  The absorbent article 10 has a front waistline region 20, a crotch region 25, and a back waistline region 30. The front waistline region 20 is a part in contact with the wearer's front waistline part (abdominal part). Moreover, the back waist area 30 is a part which contact | connects a wearer's back waist part (back part). The crotch region 25 is located between the front waistline region 20 and the back waistline region 30.

  In the present embodiment, a direction from the front waistline region 20 to the back waistline region 30 is referred to as a longitudinal direction L, and a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L is referred to as a width direction W.

  The absorbent article 10 has an absorbent body 40. A liquid-permeable top sheet 50 is provided on the surface side (skin facing surface side) of the absorber 40. In addition, a liquid-impermeable back sheet 60 a is provided on the back side (non-skin facing side) of the absorber 40. An exterior sheet 60 is provided on the back side of the back sheet 60a.

  Side flaps 70 are provided on the outer edges (outer ends in the width direction) of the absorber 40. The side flap 70 is located on the skin facing surface side with respect to the absorber 40 and extends outward in the width direction W with respect to the absorber 40.

  The fastening tape 90 is a pair and extends along the width direction W in the rear waistline region 30 and is fastened to the non-skin facing surface of the front waistline region 20, so that the absorbent article 10 is worn by the wearer. Hold on to the body. The fastening tape 90 is attached to a region of the side flap 70 corresponding to the rear waistline region 30. The fastening tape 90 is provided with a base sheet 91 connected to the side flap 70, and an engagement hook (not shown) as a plurality of engagement members, and a hook sheet 92 fixed to the base sheet 91; Is provided. The hook sheet 92 is an area where an engagement member is provided.

  Further, between the pair of fastening tapes 90 in the width direction, there is provided a waist elastic part 85 that can be expanded and contracted in the width direction. The waist elastic part 85 contracts between the fastening tapes 90 in the width direction.

  In this embodiment, the waist elastic part 85 is comprised by sheets, such as an elastomer and a nonwoven fabric. It is preferable that the sheet | seat which comprises the waist periphery expansion-contraction part 85 is a homogeneous material. The homogeneous material means that the basis weight and density are constant over the entire sheet surface. According to such a homogeneous material sheet, when stretched at different magnifications for each region and stretched at different magnifications, different stretch ratios intended for the respective regions are easily developed.

  The waist elastic part 85 includes a part that substantially expands and contracts in the width direction, and a part where the sheet is arranged in a state where the elastic force is not exhibited. The waist stretchable portion 85 is stretched to a predetermined magnification with respect to the length in the non-stretched state (natural state), and then adhered to the exterior sheet 60 by a hot melt adhesive or heat treatment.

  The waist elastic part 85 extends from the center in the width direction of the absorbent article toward both outer sides in the width direction, and is constituted by a continuous sheet extending in the width direction.

  The waist elastic part includes at least a first region 851 and a second region 852. In the waist circumference stretchable portion 85 of the present embodiment, the second region 852 is disposed across the center in the width direction of the absorbent article, and the second region extends from the outer edge of the waist circumference stretchable portion 85 toward the inside in the width direction. 852 is arranged. In addition, the first region 851 is disposed between the second regions 852 in the width direction.

  The expansion rate in the width direction of the first region 851 is different from the expansion rate in the width direction of the second region 852. Specifically, the expansion rate in the width direction of the second region 852 is higher than the expansion rate in the width direction of the first region 851.

  The waist elastic part 85 is located closer to the non-skin facing surface than the absorber 40. In the present embodiment, the waist elastic part 85 is disposed between the exterior sheet 60 and the back sheet 60a. Moreover, in the area | region where the absorber 40 is not arrange | positioned, the waist expansion-contraction part 85 may be arrange | positioned between the side flap 70 and the back seat | sheet 60a or the exterior sheet | seat 60. FIG.

The “elongation rate” in this specification means the degree of elongation, and is performed by the following measurement method.
When the absorbent article 10 is enclosed in a package or the like, the absorbent article 10 is taken out from the package. Subsequently, the arrangement | positioning area | region of the sheet | seat which comprises the waist extension / contraction part 85 is cut out, and the sample of a measuring object is prepared. The sample is allowed to stand for 24 hours in an atmosphere of 20 ° C. ± 2 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60% ± 5% RH, and this state becomes the natural state of the sheet. In the natural state, along the width direction between the end (front end) on the absorbent core side of the sheet and the end (rear end) on the waist opening side of the sheet, that is, in the middle position in the longitudinal direction. To mark intermittently. With respect to the center of the sheet in the width direction, the point is marked (marked) from the reference to the edge in the sample width direction of the sheet at intervals of 5 mm from side to side in the width direction. Measure the distance between adjacent points. This distance is the length of the natural state. (Because it is marked at intervals of 5 mm, it is 5 mm). Next, the distance between the marks is measured when the sheet is stretched from a natural state to a state where wrinkles due to the elastic member cannot be visually confirmed on the sheet. Elongation rate of each part (times) = (distance between marks in the stretched state) / (distance between marks in the natural state) The stretch rate is calculated.

(2) Configuration of Absorbent Article Manufacturing Apparatus Next, an example of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, about the mechanism which is not demonstrated in this Embodiment, the existing manufacturing apparatus can be used. Moreover, the manufacturing apparatus demonstrated below is an example and can also be manufactured with another manufacturing apparatus. The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100 includes at least a stretching mechanism 101, a cutting mechanism 103, an extension mechanism 107, and a sheet joining mechanism. Moreover, the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus may further include a re-pitch mechanism 105.

  In the following description, for convenience of description, a mode in which a first area 851 and second areas 852 arranged on both sides of the first area 851 are provided on the seat constituting the waist elastic part 85 will be described. To do. Further, a transport mechanism (not shown) is provided between the mechanisms, and the constituent members of the absorbent article are transported from a mechanism located on the upstream side in the transport direction MD to a mechanism located on the downstream side in the transport direction MD.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100. The absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100 stretches the sheet continuous body W85 at a predetermined magnification while conveying the sheet continuous body W85 in which the waist elastic section 85 (sheet) is continuous in the conveyance direction MD, and stretched around the waist. This is an apparatus for extending the portion 85 (sheet) in the extending direction.

  The stretching mechanism 101 stretches the waist elastic part 85. The stretching mechanism 101 has three gear rolls that constitute a two-stage gear mechanism. Teeth that mesh with each other are formed on the surface of each gear roll. The sheet passing between the gear rolls is deformed into a three-point bend by the teeth of one gear roll and the teeth of the other gear roll, and is stretched in the axial direction of the gear roll.

  The stretching mechanism 101 includes a first gear roll 1011, a second gear roll 1012, and a third gear roll 1013. The stretching mechanism 101 stretches the first region 851 at the first stretching ratio and the second region 852 higher than the first stretching ratio in the process of transporting the continuous sheet W85 along the outer peripheral surface of each gear roll. Stretch at a draw ratio. The extending direction of the sheet is an orthogonal direction CD orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD of the absorbent article 10 in the manufacturing process, and is a direction along the width direction W of the absorbent article 10. In the present embodiment, the first region 851 is stretched by 1.5 times, and the second region 852 is stretched by 2.0 times. In FIG. 4, the figure for demonstrating the change of the state of the waist expansion-contraction part 85 is shown.

  The stretching mechanism 101 stretches the continuous sheet W85 at a predetermined magnification over the entire area including the first region 851 and the second region 852 by the first gear roll 1011 and the second gear roll 1012. This predetermined magnification is a magnification corresponding to the draw ratio (the lowest draw ratio) of the first region 851. Next, the stretching mechanism 101 stretches only the second region 852 at a predetermined magnification by the second gear roll 1012 and the third gear roll 1013. The predetermined magnification is set so that the second region 852 has a predetermined magnification (2.0 times in the present embodiment) after stretching. At this time, the second gear roll 1012 and the third gear roll 1013 are configured not to extend the first region 851. In the continuous sheet W85 that has passed through the stretching mechanism 101, the first region 851 is stretched by 1.5 times, and the second region 852 is stretched by 2.0.

  The continuous sheet W85 stretched by the stretching mechanism 101 is transported to the cutting mechanism 103 disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction MD of the stretching mechanism. The cutting mechanism 103 cuts the sheet continuous body W85 along the extending direction of the sheet. As a result, the sheet continuous body W85 is divided in the conveyance direction MD, and a waist elastic part 85 having a length corresponding to one product is formed. The waist stretchable portion 85 is released from the stretched state by the stretching mechanism 101 and changes to a state before stretching. Therefore, the expansion rate of the first region 851 of the waist elastic unit 85 is 1.0, and the expansion rate of the second region of the waist elastic unit 85 is 1.0. The cutting mechanism 103 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction MD of the stretching mechanism 101, but may be disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction MD of the stretching mechanism 101.

  The waist elastic part 85 cut by the cutting mechanism 103 is transported to the re-pitch mechanism 105 disposed downstream of the cutting mechanism 103 in the transport direction MD. The re-pitch mechanism 105 adjusts the interval in the conveyance direction MD of the waist elastic unit 85. The re-pitch mechanism 105 includes a rotation mechanism (not shown) and a holding member (see FIG. 5) that is disposed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the rotation mechanism and has a contact surface that contacts the waist elastic unit 85. (Not shown) and a plurality of rotation driving means (not shown) for respectively moving the holding members. The re-pitch mechanism 105 moves the holding member while changing the speed of the holding member. The rotation driving means of the re-pitch mechanism 105 moves the holding member so that the interval between the holding members at the position where the waist extension / contraction part 85 is delivered is larger than the position where the waist extension / contraction part 85 is received. By adjusting the distance between the holding members, the waist elastic part 85 can be intermittently arranged with a desired interval.

  The waist stretchable portion 85 is transported to the extension mechanism 107 disposed downstream of the re-pitch mechanism 105 in the transport direction MD after the interval in the transport direction is adjusted by the re-pitch mechanism 105. The elongating mechanism 107 elongates the waist stretchable portion 85 that has been previously stretched in the stretching direction. 5 and 6 are views showing the extension mechanism 107. FIG. The extension mechanism 107 includes a pair of conveying members 1071 that respectively hold both outer ends RE in the extending direction of the waist elastic unit 85, and a pair of moving members 1072 that move the conveying member 1071.

  The conveying member 1071 conveys the waist elastic part 85 from the first position P1 that receives the waist elastic part 85 to the second position P2 that delivers the waist elastic part 85. In the first position P1, the conveying member 1071 receives the waist elastic part 85 from the re-pitch mechanism 105. In the second position P2, the conveying member 1071 arranges the waist elastic part 85 on the exterior sheet continuous body W60 in which the exterior sheet 60 is continuous. The conveying member 1071 includes a holding member 1073 that holds both outer side ends RE of the waist elastic part. The holding member 1073 can be exemplified by a pin member that penetrates the waist elastic part 85, a suction member that sucks the waist elastic part 85, and a belt member that holds the waist elastic part.

  The moving member 1072 moves the conveying member 1071 along a movement locus that passes through the first position P1 and the second position P2. The movement locus of the conveying member 1071 is a circular locus that passes through the first position P1 and the second position P2. The pair of moving members 1072 are a pair of rotating bodies that rotate about a rotation axis. The distance in the extending direction between the pair of rotating bodies at the second position P2 is longer than the distance in the extending direction of the pair of rotating bodies at the first position P1.

  More specifically, the rotating shaft of the rotating body extends in the orthogonal direction CD and is inclined downward from the outside of the orthogonal direction CD toward the inside of the orthogonal direction CD. Since the rotation axis of the rotating body is inclined, the distance in the orthogonal direction CD between the rotating bodies changes. Specifically, the distance in the orthogonal direction CD between the rotating bodies on the lower side shown in FIG. 5 is longer than the distance in the orthogonal direction CD between the rotating bodies on the upper side. Therefore, the distance in the extending direction between the pair of rotating bodies at the second position P2 is longer than the distance in the extending direction of the pair of rotating bodies at the first position P1. Accordingly, the waist elastic part 85 is stretched in the stretching direction (orthogonal direction).

  The extension mechanism 107 gradually extends the waist elastic part 85 in the process of transporting the waist elastic part 85 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. More specifically, the extension mechanism 107 extends the upstream side in the movement direction of the waist elastic part 85 and extends following the downstream side in the movement direction of the waist elastic part 85.

  The sheet joining mechanism joins the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) in the stretched state to the constituent members of the absorbent article. The sheet joining mechanism of the present embodiment is configured by an extension mechanism 107. The extension mechanism 107 is arranged in a state where the waist elastic unit 85 is extended on the exterior sheet continuous body W60 at the second position. By applying an adhesive in advance to at least one of the waist elastic part 85 and the exterior sheet continuous body W60, the stretched waist elastic part 85 can be joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60.

(3) Manufacturing method of absorbent article Next, an example of the manufacturing method of the absorbent article using the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article comprised in this way is demonstrated. Note that an existing method can be used as a method not described in this embodiment. Moreover, the manufacturing method demonstrated below is an example and can also be manufactured with another manufacturing method. The manufacturing method of the absorbent article includes at least a stretching step S101, a cutting step S103, an extending step S107, and a sheet joining step S109. Moreover, the manufacturing method of an absorbent article may further include tape joining process S111 and tape folding process S113.

  In the stretching step S101, a sheet constituting the absorbent article is stretched. Specifically, the waist elastic part 85 is extended. At this time, the stretching step S101 stretches the first region 851 of the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) at the first stretch ratio, and the second region 852 of the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) than the first stretch ratio. Stretch at a high second stretch ratio.

  In the cutting step S103, the sheet is cut along the extending direction of the sheet. As a result, the sheets are separated in the conveying direction, and the individual waist elastic parts 85 are formed. Note that the cutting step S103 may be a subsequent step of the stretching step S101 or a pre-step of the stretching step S101. When the cutting step S103 is a subsequent step of the stretching step S101, in the stretching step S101, the continuous sheet continuum W85 continuous in the transport direction is stretched, and in the cutting step S103, the stretched sheet continuous body W85 is cut. A plurality of waist elastic parts 85 are formed. On the other hand, when the cutting step S103 is a pre-step of the stretching step S101, the continuous sheet W85 in an unstretched state is cut in the cutting step S103 to form a plurality of waist elastic parts 85. Next, in the stretching step S101, the waist elastic part 85 is stretched. In the present embodiment, the cutting step S103 is performed after the stretching step S101.

  In the stretching step S107, the stretched sheet is stretched in the stretching direction. In the extension step S107, the waist stretchable portion 85 is stretched at a magnification exceeding the first stretch ratio of the first region 851 of the waist stretchable portion 85. That is, in the stretching step S107, when the waist stretchable part is stretched in the stretching step S101, the stretch is stretched at a stretch ratio in the region with the lowest stretch rate and a stretch ratio higher than the stretch ratio. In this Embodiment, it expand | extends more than the draw ratio (1.5 times) of the 1st area | region which is a low expansion | extension rate. Therefore, the 1st field 851 of the waist extension part 85 extended in extension process S107 will be in the state extended 1.5 times. Further, when the second region 852 of the waist elastic unit 85 expanded in the expansion step S107 is expanded at a magnification of 1.5 times or more and less than 2.0 times, the second region 852 is in a state of being expanded at the magnification. When the image is expanded at a magnification of 2.0 times or more, the image is expanded at 2.0 times.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where the waist elastic part 85 is extended 2.0 times in the extension step S107. In the extension step S107, the entire waist elastic part 85 is extended. In a state before the first region 851 stops growing (the expansion rate is less than 1.5 times), both the first region 851 and the second region 852 expand at the same expansion rate. Then, after the first region 851 has stopped growing (the expansion rate is 1.5 times or more), the first region 851 does not expand any more and only the second region 852 expands. Therefore, the waist extension / contraction part 85 extended in the extension step S <b> 107 has an extension magnification of the second region 852 higher than that of the first region 851.

  Further, the extending step S107 extends the inner side in the extending direction from the outer end portions of the waist elastic part 85 while holding both outer ends of the waist elastic part 85 in the extending direction. In the extension step S107, the waist extension / contraction part 85 is extended while holding both outer ends RE of the waist extension / contraction part 85 by the holding member 1073 of the extension mechanism 107. The outer end RE held by the holding member 1073 is less likely to extend than the region located inside the extending direction with respect to the outer end RE. Therefore, both the outer end portions RE of the waist elastic part 85 are joined to the constituent members of the absorbent article, and do not exhibit a stretching force or develop a stretching force having a lower magnification than the stretching ratio.

  In the sheet joining step S109, the stretchable portion 85 (sheet) around the waist in the stretched state is joined to the constituent member of the absorbent article. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the sheet joining step S109, the tape joining step S111, and the tape folding step S113. FIG. 7 shows a manufacturing process of the absorbent article in a plan view of the absorbent article.

  In the sheet joining step S109, the waist elastic part 85 is joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 as a constituent member of the absorbent article. The waist stretchable portion 85 and the exterior sheet continuous body W60 can be joined by an adhesive, heat welding, ultrasonic joining, or the like. The sheet joining step S109 joins the waist stretchable portion 85 to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 while maintaining the stretched state of the waist stretchable portion 85. The waist elastic part 85 joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 can be extended and contracted in the orthogonal direction CD. In the waist stretchable portion 85, the second region 852 contracts more than the first region 851 in the product state, and a second region 852 having a high stretch rate and a first region 851 having a low stretch rate are formed.

  Tape joining process S111 joins the fastening tape 90 to the structural member of an absorbent article. In this Embodiment, the fastening tape 90 is joined to the exterior sheet | seat continuous body W60 as a structural member of an absorbent article. In the tape joining step S111, the fastening tape 90 is joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 so that the fastening tape 90 extends outward in the extending direction of the exterior sheet continuous body W60.

  The order of the tape bonding step S111 and the sheet bonding step S109 is not limited. In the present embodiment, a sheet joining step S109 is performed after the tape joining step S111. In the sheet joining step S109, the waist elastic part 85 is joined so that the tape joining region where the fastening tape 90 is joined to the component and the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) overlap. The tape joining region is a region where the fastening tape 90 and the exterior sheet continuous body W60 are joined. The waist elastic part 85 should just overlap with at least one part of a tape joining area | region. Therefore, the absorbent article 10 is formed with a region where the fastening tape 90, the exterior sheet continuum W60, and the waist stretchable portion 85 are laminated.

  As a subsequent step of the sheet joining step S109, a step of arranging the absorber 40, a step of arranging the backsheet continuous body W60a in which the backsheet 60a is continuous, a step of arranging the topsheet continuous body W50 in which the topsheet 50 is continuous, and And a step of arranging the side flap continuum W70 in which the side flaps 70 are continuous.

  In the tape folding step S113, the fastening tape 90 joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 is folded back in the drawing direction (orthogonal direction CD). The folded region of the fastening tape 90 is disposed on the skin facing surface side of the side flap 70. The folded area of the fastening tape 90 is an area that is disposed inward of the fold line of the fastening tape 90 in a state in which the fastening tape 90 is folded, and is a tape on which the folded fastening tape is disposed. Configure the placement area.

  In the sheet joining step S109, the waist elastic part 85 is joined to the exterior sheet continuous body W60 so that the tape arrangement region and the outer edge of the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) overlap. Therefore, the absorbent article 10 is formed with a region where the fastening tape 90 is folded, the exterior sheet continuous body W60, and the waist elastic portion 85 are laminated.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article includes a step of arranging other constituent members such as a web constituting the top sheet, a step of cutting the constituent members along the recesses constituting the leg-surrounding region, A process of cutting the continuous body on which the fastening tape 90 is arranged into the size of one product along the width direction W is performed. Thereby, the absorbent article 10 can be manufactured.

(4) Action and effect
In the stretching step S101 of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the first region 851 is stretched at the first stretch ratio, and the second region 852 is stretched at the second stretch ratio. Therefore, regions having different stretching ratios can be provided in the waist elastic part 85 (sheet). Further, in the extension step S107 in which the stretched sheet is stretched in the stretching direction, the sheet is stretched at a ratio exceeding the first stretch ratio of the first region 851. For example, when the sheet is stretched, the entire sheet including the first region 851 and the second region 852 is stretched. At this time, in a state where the expansion ratio of the sheet is lower than the first expansion ratio, the expansion ratio of the first region 851 and the expansion ratio of the second region 852 are the same. Therefore, in a state where the sheet is bonded to the constituent member of the absorbent article, the first region 851 and the second region 852 may not be able to express different expansion / contraction ratios.

  However, in a state where the sheet is stretched at a magnification exceeding the first stretching ratio of the first region 851, the elongation of the first region 851 stops, and the second region 852 stretches at a magnification exceeding the first stretching magnification. Thus, by extending the entire sheet including the first region 851 and the second region 852 at a time, the expansion and contraction different in the first region 851 and the second region 852 in a state where the sheet is bonded to the constituent member of the absorbent article. Rate can be expressed.

  The extending step S107 may extend the inner side in the extending direction from the outer end portions RE while holding both outer end portions RE in the extending direction of the waist elastic portion 85 (sheet). By extending the inner side of the outer end portions RE while holding the outer end portions RE of the waist elastic portion 85 (seat), the entire region between the outer end portions RE can be easily extended. In addition, the boundary between the area to be held (both outer end portions) and the extending area can be clearly defined, and the entire area including the edge of the extending area can be easily extended.

  The manufacturing method of an absorbent article may have tape joining process S111 which joins the fastening tape 90 to a structural member so that a fastening tape may extend outside the extending direction of a structural member. Further, in the sheet joining step S109, the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) may be joined so that the tape joining region where the fastening tape 90 is joined to the component and the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) overlap. .

  When the sheet overlaps the tape bonding area, the strength of the bonding area of the fastening tape 90 can be increased. Further, the fastening tape 90 is pulled when the absorbent article 10 manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present disclosure is mounted. At this time, the stretching direction of the fastening tape 90 and the stretching direction of the sheet coincide with each other, so that when the wearer pulls the fastening tape 90, the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) extends. The wearer can easily pull the fastening tape 90, and the operability during wearing can be improved.

  The manufacturing method of an absorbent article may include a tape folding step S113 that folds the fastening tape 90 joined to the constituent members inward in the stretching direction. Further, in the sheet joining step S109, the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) is placed so that the tape placement area where the folded fastening tape 90 is placed and the outer end RE of the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) overlap. You may join.

  By extending the inner side of the outer end RE of the waist elastic part 85 (seat) by the extension step S107, the outer end of the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) is less likely to exhibit elasticity. For example, when the folded fastening tape overlaps with the stretchable region of the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet), the fastening tape 90 rises due to the shrinkage of the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet), and the fastening tape 90 is easily turned up. However, it is possible to prevent the fastening tape 90 from being lifted and to prevent the fastening tape from being turned up by overlapping the folded fastening tape 90 with a region where the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) does not stretch.

  In addition, even with the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment, the stretch ratios that are different in the first region 851 and the second region 852 in a state where the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) is joined to the constituent member of the absorbent article. Can be expressed.

The extension mechanism 107 of the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 100 holds both outer end portions RE in the extending direction of the waist elastic section 85 (sheet), and receives the waist elastic section 85 (sheet) from the first position P1. Passing the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) to the second position P2 that delivers the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) to the constituent members, the pair of transport members 1071, and the first position P1 and the second position P2. A pair of moving members 1072 that move the conveying member along the movement trajectory, and the pair of moving members may be a pair of rotating bodies that rotate about a rotation axis.

The conveying member 1071 moves along a circular locus as the rotating body rotates. The conveying member 1071 holds the waist elastic part 85 (sheet) at the first position P1, and moves from the first position P1 toward the second position P2 as the rotating body rotates. Since the distance in the extending direction between the pair of rotating bodies at the second position P2 is longer than the distance in the extending direction of the pair of rotating bodies at the first position P1, the distance between the pair of transport members 1071 is from the first position P1. It becomes longer toward the second position P2. The distance between the pair of conveying members 1071 gradually increases along a circular locus. Accordingly, the waist elastic part 85 (seat) is gradually extended in the process from the first position P1 to the second position P2. More specifically, the upstream side in the movement direction of the sheet extends, and the downstream side in the movement direction of the sheet follows and extends.

For example, when the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) in the moving direction upstream side and the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) in the moving direction downstream are all stretched at once, the width of the sheet extends in the direction (moving direction) perpendicular to the stretching direction. Enter. This width appears prominently in a region (second region) having a particularly high expansion / contraction rate. There is a possibility that the portion where the width is noticeably appeared may be cut during extension. However, the waist stretchable portion 85 (seat) is gradually extended in the process from the first position P1 to the second position P2, so that the waist stretchable portion 85 (seat) is prevented from entering the width while the waist stretchable portion 85 (seat) is reduced in width. The whole 85 (sheet) can be extended in a well-balanced manner, and the waist stretchable portion 85 (sheet) can be prevented from being cut during extension.

(5) Other Embodiments As described above, the contents of the present invention have been disclosed through the embodiments of the present invention. However, it is understood that the description and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Should not. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  The manufacturing method and the manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article stretch the first region 851 at the first stretch ratio, stretch the second region 852 at the second stretch ratio higher than the first stretch ratio, and extend the third region to the first stretch ratio. You may extend | stretch by a draw ratio higher than 2 draw ratios. When extending after extending | stretching a 1st area | region, a 2nd area | region, and a 3rd area | region, it is comprised so that it may extend | expand at a magnification higher than the lowest draw ratio (1st draw ratio).

  Moreover, the manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of an absorbent article may be applied to the manufacture of the waist stretchable portion 85 in which the extending direction of the exterior sheet continuous body W60 is along the transport direction MD of the exterior sheet continuous body W60.

  As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Absorbent article 85: waist circumference expansion-contraction part 851: 1st area | region 852: 2nd area | region 90: Fastening tape 91: Base material sheet 92: Hook sheet 100: Absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 101: Stretching mechanism 1011: First Gear roll 1012: Second gear roll 1013: Third gear roll 103: Cutting mechanism 105: Re-pitch mechanism 107: Extension mechanism 1071: Conveying member 1072: Moving member 1073: Holding member CD: Orthogonal direction L: Longitudinal direction MD: Conveying direction W: Width Direction P1: First position P2: Second position RE: Outer end S101: Stretching step S103: Cutting step S107: Extension step S109: Sheet joining step S111: Tape joining step S113: Tape folding step

Claims (6)

Stretching the first region of the sheet constituting the absorbent article at a first stretch ratio, and stretching the second region of the sheet at a second stretch ratio higher than the first stretch ratio;
A cutting step of cutting the sheet along the extending direction of the sheet;
An extending step of extending the stretched sheet in the stretching direction;
A sheet joining step of joining the stretched sheet to a constituent member of the absorbent article, and a manufacturing method of the absorbent article,
The said extending process expand | stretches the said sheet | seat by the magnification | multiplying_factor exceeding the 1st draw ratio of the said 1st area | region, The manufacturing method of the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.   The manufacturing method of the absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein in the stretching step, the inner sides in the stretching direction are stretched more than the outer end portions while holding both outer end portions in the stretching direction of the sheet. A tape joining step of joining the fastening tape to the constituent member such that the fastening tape extends to the outside of the constituent member in the extending direction;
The said sheet joining process manufactures the absorbent article of Claim 1 or Claim 2 which joins the said sheet | seat so that the tape joining area | region where the said fastening tape is joined to the said structural member, and the said sheet | seat may overlap. Method. A tape joining step for joining the fastening tape to the component member such that the fastening tape extends outside the component member in the extending direction;
A tape folding step of folding the fastening tape joined to the component member inward in the stretching direction, and
In the stretching step, while holding both outer end portions in the stretching direction of the sheet, the inner side in the stretching direction is stretched more than the both outer end portions,
The said sheet | seat joining process manufactures the absorbent article of Claim 1 which joins the said sheet | seat so that the tape arrangement | positioning area | region where the turned fastening tape may be arrange | positioned, and the said both outer side edge part of the said sheet | seat may overlap. Method. A stretching mechanism that stretches the first region of the sheet constituting the absorbent article at a first stretch ratio, and stretches the second region of the sheet at a second stretch ratio higher than the first stretch ratio;
A cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet along the stretching direction of the sheet;
An extension mechanism for extending the stretched sheet in the stretching direction;
A sheet joining mechanism for joining the stretched sheet to a constituent member of the absorbent article, and an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus comprising:
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein the extension mechanism extends the sheet at a magnification exceeding a first draw ratio of the first region. The extension mechanism is
A pair of conveying members that respectively hold both outer end portions of the sheet in the extending direction and convey the sheet from a first position that receives the sheet to a second position that delivers the sheet to the constituent member;
A pair of moving members that move the conveying member along a movement locus that passes through the first position and the second position;
The pair of moving members are a pair of rotating bodies that rotate about a rotation axis,
The movement trajectory of the conveying member is a circular trajectory passing through the first position and the second position,
The absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein a distance in the stretching direction between the pair of rotating bodies at the second position is longer than a distance in the stretching direction between the pair of rotating bodies at the first position. manufacturing device.

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