JP6386350B2 - Absorber manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus for absorbent articles.

  Absorbents used in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, etc. are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum, for example, by using an air stream to form absorbent materials containing pulp fibers and absorbent polymers. It is manufactured by sucking and depositing in the recessed portions, and then covering the stacked fibers deposited in the recessed portions with a water-permeable sheet material.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of improving the liquid permeability of the absorber, the absorber is formed of, for example, an upper layer absorber and a lower layer absorber, and the upper layer absorber and the lower layer absorber have different fiber densities and the like. What has been attracting attention.

  When manufacturing an absorbent body having a multilayer structure, in the above-described manufacturing method using a rotating drum, for example, an upper layer absorber is manufactured using a rotating drum, and a lower layer absorber is manufactured using another rotating drum. Then, a method of superposing and manufacturing the upper layer absorber and the lower layer absorber manufactured thereafter can be considered. However, since two or more rotating drums are required, the scale of equipment increases and the cost of the manufacturing apparatus also increases.

  In Patent Document 1, two or more rotating drums are not required, and a defibrating device and a fiber supply path, which are fiber supply means for conveying a fiber material or the like to one rotating drum to the rotating drum, are disclosed. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber provided with two or more sets is described. According to the absorber manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the scale of the facility can be made smaller and the cost of the manufacturing apparatus can be reduced as compared with a manufacturing apparatus that requires two or more rotating drums.

Japanese Patent No. 4522349

  However, although the absorber manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has one rotating drum, it has two or more sets of defibrating apparatuses and fiber supply paths, which also has a large scale of equipment and the cost of the manufacturing apparatus. Will also improve.

  Therefore, this invention is providing the manufacturing apparatus of the absorber which can eliminate the fault which the prior art mentioned above has.

  The present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article for absorbent articles in which the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction, and the supply unit supplies two or more kinds of the fiber materials so that the mixing ratio is different in the width direction; A duct for conveying the fiber material supplied from the supply unit in a scattered state, a rotating drum having an accumulation recess for collecting the fiber material conveyed from the duct on an outer peripheral surface, and the rotating drum And a folding means for folding in the width direction the stacked fiber formed by transferring the fiber material accumulated in the accumulation recess, and the duct has a partition plate that partitions the inside in the width direction. By the partition plate of the duct, the fiber material having a different mixing ratio in the width direction supplied from the supply unit is directed toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum in a state in which the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction. Carry and each The stacking body is stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction of the concave portion for stacking, and is stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction. An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body is provided in which a body is folded in the width direction by the folding means so that the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction of the absorbent body.

  According to the present invention, the scale of the facility can be reduced, and the cost of the manufacturing apparatus can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a preferred embodiment of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the supply unit side included in the manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the top. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of members that form the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum included in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outer peripheral surface including the concave portion for accumulation of the rotating drum provided in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the fiber material and the absorbent particles are accumulated in the accumulation recesses of the rotating drum shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the fiber stack is transferred onto the core wrap sheet, as viewed in the width direction. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body formed by folding the fiber stack together with the core wrap sheet along the width direction. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the width direction, of a state in which a fiber stack manufactured using a manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment is transferred onto a core wrap sheet (corresponding to FIG. 7). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body formed by folding the fiber stack shown in FIG. 9 together with the core wrap sheet in the width direction as viewed in the width direction (corresponding to FIG. 8). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the width direction of a state in which a fiber stack manufactured using a manufacturing apparatus of still another embodiment is transferred onto a core wrap sheet (corresponding to FIG. 7). . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body formed by folding the fiber stack shown in FIG. 11 together with the core wrap sheet in the width direction as viewed in the width direction (corresponding to FIG. 8). FIG. 13 is a plan view of an outer peripheral surface including a concave portion for accumulation of a rotating drum included in a manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment (corresponding to FIG. 5). FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which fiber materials are accumulated in the accumulation recesses of the rotating drum shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body 100 for absorbent articles in which the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction (Z direction). The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a pulverizer 2 serving as a supply unit that supplies two or more types of fiber materials in the width direction (X direction) so as to have different blending ratios, and the fiber material supplied from the pulverizer 2 in a scattered state. The transfer drum 3, the rotating drum 4 having an accumulation recess 41 for collecting the fiber material conveyed from the duct 3 on the outer peripheral surface 4 f, and the fiber material accumulated in the accumulation recess 41 of the rotation drum 4 are transferred. Folding means 5 for folding the formed fiber stack 100a in the width direction (X direction) is provided. The pulverizer 2 of the manufacturing apparatus 1 pulverizes two or more kinds of fiber materials to supply fiber materials having different blending ratios in the width direction (X direction). Further, in the present embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a transfer roll that is disposed obliquely below the rotating drum 4 in addition to the pulverizer 2, the duct 3, the rotating drum 4, and the folding means 5 and is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow R2. 6, a vacuum conveyor 7 disposed below the transfer roll 6, and a vacuum box 8 disposed between the duct 3 and the transfer roll 6 in the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotary drum 4, Furthermore, a press means 9 for pressing the manufactured strip-shaped absorber 100 in the thickness direction (Z direction) is provided. Further, the mesh belt 61 is disposed so as to pass between the vacuum box 8 and the rotating drum 4 and between the transfer roll 6 and the rotating drum 4.

  As the two or more kinds of fiber materials, various kinds of materials conventionally used for absorbent bodies of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and disposable diapers can be used without particular limitation. Suitable examples of the fiber material include short fibers of cellulosic fibers such as pulp fibers, rayon fibers, and cotton fibers, and short fibers obtained by hydrophilizing synthetic fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Two or more of these fibers are used in combination. In this embodiment, the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b are used as two types of fiber materials. In the present embodiment, the raw material of the manufactured absorbent body 100 includes absorbent particles 10c in addition to the two types of fiber materials 10a and 10b. Examples of the absorbent particles 10c include starch-based, cellulose-based, synthetic polymer, and superabsorbent polymer-based particles. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer include starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymer, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymer, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and acrylic acid (salt) polymer. Can be used. In the manufactured absorber 100, a deodorant, an antibacterial agent, etc. can be further used as needed.

  The pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b are juxtaposed in the width direction (X direction) and conveyed to the pulverizer 2, or the synthetic fiber 10b is disposed on one end of the pulp fiber 10a in the width direction (X direction). In the production apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the pulverizer is in a laminated state in which the synthetic fiber 10b is arranged on one end portion in the width direction (X direction) of the pulp fiber 10a. 2 is conveyed. Preferably, the pulp fiber 10a may be conveyed to the pulverizer 2 in a roll-shaped winding form having a uniform width, or in a sheet-like flat form in which the length and width are cut to a predetermined size. Although it may be conveyed to the crusher 2, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is conveyed to the crusher 2 with a roll-shaped winding form. Further, the synthetic fiber 10b may be conveyed to the pulverizer 2 in a short fiber state via a hopper, or may be conveyed to the pulverizer 2 in the form of a nonwoven fabric. In this embodiment, FIG. As shown, it is conveyed to the pulverizer 2 in the form of a roll of a nonwoven fabric having a uniform width. More preferably, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll-shaped wound synthetic fiber 10b has a width narrower than the width of the roll-shaped wound pulp fiber 10a. The width is about 1/3 to 1/2. Then, in the laminated state in which the synthetic fibers 10b are arranged on one end portion in the width direction (X direction) of the pulp fibers 10a, in other words, on one side portion along the conveying direction (Y direction) of the pulp fibers 10a. Being transported.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pulverizer 2 includes a card machine 21 for opening the fiber material and a casing 22 that covers the upper side of the card machine 21. The pulverizer 2 supplies the fibrillated fiber materials 10a and 10b, which are raw materials of the absorber 100, to the flow path 30 in the duct 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the duct 3 extends from the pulverizer 2 to the rotating drum 4, and the opening on the downstream side of the duct 3 is in the space A of the rotating drum 4 that is maintained at a negative pressure. The outer peripheral surface 4f located is covered. The duct 3 includes a top plate 31 that forms a top surface, a bottom plate 32 that forms a bottom surface, and both side walls 33 and 34 that form both side surfaces. Due to the operation of the intake fan (not shown) of the rotating drum 4, the absorber is directed toward the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotating drum 4 in the space surrounded by the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32 and both side walls 33, 34 of the duct 3. An air flow for flowing 100 raw materials is generated.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the top plate 31 of the duct 3 includes an upstream top plate portion 311 located on the upstream side and a downstream top plate portion 312 located on the downstream side. Similarly, the bottom plate 32 of the duct 3 includes an upstream bottom plate portion 321 located on the upstream side and a downstream bottom plate portion 322 located on the downstream side. The upstream top plate portion 311 and the upstream bottom plate portion 321 are gradually narrowed from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The downstream top plate portion 312 and the downstream bottom plate portion 322 have a constant width from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The widths of the downstream top plate portion 312 and the downstream bottom plate portion 322 are the same as the widths of the upstream side top plate portion 311 and the portion located on the most downstream side of the upstream bottom plate portion 321.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, both side walls 33, 34 of the duct 3 have both side edges of the top plate 31 composed of the upstream top plate portion 311 and the downstream top plate portion 312 configured as described above. It arrange | positions along the both-sides edge of the baseplate 32 which consists of the upstream baseplate part 321 and the downstream baseplate part 322. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the duct 3 includes a partition plate 35 that partitions the inside in the width direction (X direction). The partition plate 35 is erected from the bottom plate 32 toward the top plate 31, and is disposed between the top plate 31 and the bottom plate 32. The partition plate 35 extends from the pulverizer 2 side to the rotating drum 4 side. And the edge part by the side of the rotating drum 4 of the partition plate 35 is distribute | arranged on the centerline which passes along the center of the width direction (X direction) of the recessed part 41 for accumulation | storage provided with the rotating drum 4 mentioned later. Since one such partition plate 35 is provided, in the present embodiment, the flow path 30 formed inside the duct 3 is divided into two sections of the first flow path 30a in the width direction (X direction) and It is divided into second flow paths 30b. Further, the partition plate 35 has an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position in the width direction (X direction) inside the duct 3. The partition plate 35 can adjust the position in the width direction (X direction) inside the duct 3 by the adjusting mechanism, and can adjust the sizes of the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b. It has become. The adjusting mechanism not only adjusts the position in the width direction (X direction) of the partition plate 35 inside the duct 3, but also adjusts the inclination of the partition plate 35 with respect to the center line in the width direction (X direction). It may be like this. If the adjustment mechanism can adjust the inclination of the partition plate 35 inside the duct 3 in this way, the cross-sectional area and the first flow on the upstream side (the crusher 2 side) of the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b. The cross-sectional areas on the downstream side (rotating drum 4 side) of the passage 30a and the second passage 30b can be individually adjusted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the top plate 31 of the duct 3 is provided with a polymer spray pipe 36 as an absorbent particle supply unit that supplies the absorbent particles 10 c into the duct 3. More preferably, the polymer spray pipes 36 are provided in the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b, respectively, and an upstream top plate portion 311 and a downstream top plate portion 312 constituting the top plate 31 are provided. It is arranged at the boundary part. The absorbent particles 10c are supplied to each polymer spray tube 36 via a device (not shown) such as a screw feeder. Then, the supply amount of the absorbent particles 10c to the polymer spray tube 36 can be adjusted by an apparatus (not shown) such as each screw feeder. Therefore, by adjusting the supply amount of the absorbent particles 10c of each screw feeder or the like (not shown) to each polymer spray pipe 36, the amount of the absorbent particles 10c sprayed in the first flow path 30a, In addition, the amount of the absorbent particles 10c dispersed in the second flow path 30b can be freely adjusted, and as a result, the blending ratio of the absorbent particles 10c in the fiber materials 10a and 10b described later can be freely adjusted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary drum 4 has a cylindrical shape, and receives a power from a motor (not shown) such as a motor, and the member forming the outer peripheral surface 4f has an arrow R around the horizontal axis. Rotate in the direction. The drum body 42 located inside the member forming the outer peripheral surface 4f is fixed and does not rotate. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary drum 4 has an accumulation recess 41 on the outer peripheral surface 4 f where the raw material of the absorber is stacked. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the accumulation recess 41 is continuously arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotary drum 4. In the figure, the 2Y direction is the circumferential direction of the rotating drum 4, and the X direction is the width direction of the rotating drum 4 (a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating drum 4). As described above, the accumulation concave portion 41 of the manufacturing apparatus 1 is continuously arranged over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotating drum 4, but the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotating drum 4. ) May be arranged at a predetermined interval.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum body 42 of the rotating drum 4 has a plurality of mutually independent spaces, and the manufacturing apparatus 1 has, for example, three spaces A to C. Yes. The spaces A to C are partitioned by a plate provided from the rotating shaft side of the rotating drum 4 toward the outer peripheral surface 4f side. An intake fan (not shown) as an intake mechanism is connected to the rotary drum 4, and the pressure in a plurality of spaces partitioned in the rotary drum 4 can be adjusted by driving the intake fan. Preferably, in the manufacturing apparatus 1, the suction force of the region corresponding to the space A that is the upstream region located in the region where the outer peripheral surface 4f is covered with the duct 3 is applied to the spaces B to C that are the downstream regions. The suction force in the corresponding region can be made stronger or weaker, and in the manufacturing apparatus 1, the space A is maintained at a negative pressure. In addition, the method of partitioning the space of the drum main body 42 is not limited to the above-described form. For example, the space A maintained at the negative pressure of the drum body 42 may be further divided into a plurality of spaces so that the pressure can be adjusted for each of the finely partitioned spaces. Further, for example, the space B of the drum main body 42 is further divided into a plurality of spaces, and the pressure can be adjusted for each of the finely divided spaces. The pressure of the space closest to the space A is set to the pressure of the space A. In this way, the negative pressure region can be made a little after the accumulation concave portion 41 passes through the duct 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the member 40 forming the outer peripheral surface 4f is arranged so as to cover the entire outer periphery of the drum main body 42, and receives power from a prime mover such as a motor to rotate around the horizontal axis of the drum main body 42. Is rotated in the direction of arrow R. As shown in FIG. 4, the member 40 that forms the outer peripheral surface 4 f includes a rigid metal frame body 43 and a mesh plate 44 (porous) that is fixed to the frame body 43 in an overlapping manner. Member) and an absorber pattern forming plate 45 arranged to overlap the outer surface 44a side of the mesh plate 44.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the frame body 43 has a concave bottom surface corresponding portion 431 that overlaps with the bottom surface of the concave portion for accumulation 41 in the center portion in the drum width direction (X direction) in the plan view of the concave portion for accumulation 41. Yes. Here, the “plan view” means that the object (accumulation concave portion 41 or the like) is viewed from the outside in the normal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 4 (direction perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the rotating drum 4). Means the case. The concave bottom surface corresponding part 431 is a non-position located between a plurality of through holes 432 penetrating the concave bottom surface corresponding part 431 in the thickness direction and two through holes 432 and 432 adjacent in the circumferential direction 2Y direction of the rotating drum 3. And a breathable rib 433. By having the through hole 432, the entire bottom surface corresponding portion 431 of the recess has air permeability. The plurality of through holes 432 are intermittently arranged in the circumferential direction 2 </ b> Y of the frame body 43. The non-breathable rib 433 is located between two through holes 432 and 432 adjacent in the circumferential direction 2Y, and is formed to extend in the drum width direction (X direction). The rib 433 mainly improves the strength of the frame body 43 itself. Each through-hole 432 is provided with a polymer in which a mesh plate 44 and an absorber pattern forming plate 45, which will be described later, are overlapped. It becomes a part fixed by well-known fixing means, such as an agent.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mesh plate 44 is a member that constitutes the bottom surface of the accumulation concave portion 41 and is composed of a porous member. The mesh plate 44 made of a porous member is flat and has a large number of fine ventilation holes, and the accumulation recess 41 in the outer peripheral surface 4f is maintained at a negative pressure in the rotary drum 4. While passing through the space, the vent hole functions as a suction hole for sucking the raw material of the absorber 100. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the mesh plates 44, 44 are arranged for each of the two through-holes 432, 432 adjacent in the circumferential direction 2 Y so that the accumulation recess 41 is continuously arranged over the entire circumference of the rotating drum 4. The mesh plate 44 is arranged so as to be continuous over the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4. As the mesh plate 44, a metal or resin mesh, a porous metal plate or a resin plate in which a large number of pores are formed by etching or punching on a metal or resin plate, or the like can be used. Examples of the porous metal plate or resin plate forming the mesh plate 44 include a metal or resin plate (stainless steel plate or the like) having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the absorber pattern forming plate 45 is a member whose outer surface 45a is located on the outermost side of the rotary drum 4 and forms a part of the outer peripheral surface 4f. It is also a member to be formed. Here, “the outer peripheral surface of the concave portion for accumulation 41” means a surface of a portion surrounded by the outline of the concave portion for accumulation 41 when the concave portion for accumulation 41 is viewed in plan. The absorber pattern forming plate 45 is formed of a pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452 are formed in a symmetrical shape with respect to the center line passing through the center in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation recess 41, and are matched with each other. A space 453 having a shape corresponding to the three-dimensional shape in the accumulation recess 41 is formed at the center in the drum width direction (X direction). The absorber pattern forming plate 45 is a non-breathable member that does not allow air to pass except for the space portion 453. The pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452 of the manufacturing apparatus 1 are formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotary drum 4 in plan view. A pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452 is arranged for each of two through holes 432 and 432 adjacent in the circumferential direction 2Y so that the pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452 are continuous over the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4. To place. By arranging in this way, the accumulation recess 41 is continuously arranged over the entire circumference of the rotating drum 4. As the absorber pattern forming plate 45, for example, a plate obtained by machining a metal or resin plate such as stainless steel or aluminum, a plate formed using a mold, or the like can be used.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a member 40 that forms the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotating drum 4 is a polymer in which the mesh plate 44 and the absorber pattern forming plate 45 configured as described above are overlapped. Is arranged in each through-hole 432 of the frame body 43 and is fixed to the rib 433 by a known fixing means such as a bolt or an adhesive. The bottom surface of each of the accumulation recesses 41 formed in this way is configured with a mesh plate 44. The accumulation recess 41 of the manufacturing apparatus 1 is continuously arranged over the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the fine ventilation holes of the porous member constituting the mesh plate 44 pass through the bottom surface of each accumulation recess 41 through the space A in which the accumulation recess 41 is maintained at a negative pressure. It functions as a suction hole.

The transfer roll 6, the vacuum conveyor 7, the vacuum box 8, the folding means 5, and the pressing means 9 that the manufacturing apparatus 1 has in addition to the pulverizer 2, the duct 3, and the rotating drum 4 will be described below.
The transfer roll 6 has a cylindrical outer peripheral portion having air permeability, and the outer peripheral portion rotates around a horizontal axis upon receiving power from a prime mover such as a motor. A space D in which the inside of the transfer roll 6 can be depressurized is formed in a non-rotating portion on the inner side (rotating shaft side) of the transfer roll 6. A known exhaust device (not shown) such as an intake fan is connected to the space D, and the interior of the space D can be maintained at a negative pressure by operating the exhaust device.

  On the outer peripheral surface of the transfer roll 6, a plurality (several numbers) of suction holes communicating between the inside and the outside are formed. While these suction holes pass over the space D maintained at a negative pressure, air is sucked into the interior from the outside, and the accumulated matter in the accumulation recesses 41 is moved on the rotary drum 4 by the suction force. Smoothly moves onto the transfer roll 6.

  The vacuum conveyor 7 is an endless breathable belt 73 laid across a drive roll 71 and driven rolls 72, 72... And a conveyor disposed at a position facing the transfer roll 6 across the breathable belt 73. Vacuum box 74.

  The vacuum box 8 on the mesh belt 61 side has a box-like shape having upper and lower surfaces, left and right side surfaces, and a back surface, and has an opening that opens toward the rotating drum 4. The vacuum box 8 is connected to a known exhaust device (not shown) such as an intake fan via an exhaust pipe (not shown), and the inside of the vacuum box 8 can be maintained at a negative pressure by the operation of the exhaust device. It is.

  The mesh belt 61 is a belt-shaped breathable belt having a mesh connected endlessly, and is continuously guided along a plurality of free rolls 62 and transfer rolls 6 to move along a predetermined path. The mesh belt 61 is driven by the rotation of the transfer roll 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the mesh belt 61 is introduced onto the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotating drum 4 in the vicinity of the downstream end of the duct 3, and then between the vacuum box 8 and the rotating drum 4 and the transfer. It is arranged so as to pass between the roll 6 and the rotating drum 4 sequentially. While the mesh belt 61 passes in front of the opening of the vacuum box 8, the mesh belt 61 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 4, and is in the vicinity of the closest portion between the transfer roll 6 and the rotating drum 4. 4 moves away from the outer peripheral surface 4f of 4 and onto the transfer roll 6. The mesh belt 61 has small pores as compared to the suction holes of the transfer roll 6, and suction from the pores of the mesh belt 61 that overlaps with the suction holes with suction from the suction holes of the transfer roll 6. Done.

  The folding means 5 has a folding guide plate (not shown) for folding the strip-shaped absorber 100 in the width direction (X direction). In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the folding guide plate (not shown) folds the strip-shaped absorber 100 into two. The folding guide plate (not shown) is arranged at a boundary portion between the vacuum conveyor 7 and the endless conveyance belt 54 spanned between the drive roll 52 and the driven roll 53. The conveyor belt 54 is disposed so as to convey the band-shaped absorber 100 obliquely upward with respect to the vacuum conveyor 7 that conveys the band-shaped absorber 100 in the horizontal direction.

  The press means 9 has a pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92. The pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92 has a cylindrical shape and receives power from a motor (not shown) such as a motor and rotates in the direction of the arrow. The pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, an elastic member, or a resin. In addition, although the press means 9 in the manufacturing apparatus 1 is a pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92, a pair of pressure belts may be used instead of the pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92.

  In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is provided with a cutting device (not shown) on the downstream side of the pressing means 9, and each absorber 100 is manufactured by the cutting device (not shown). As a cutting device (not shown), for example, those conventionally used for cutting absorbent continuous bodies in the manufacture of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, light incontinence pads, panty liners, diapers and the like are not particularly limited. Can be used. Examples of the cutting device (not shown) include a cutter roll provided with a cutting blade on a pair of peripheral surfaces and an anvil roll having a smooth peripheral surface for receiving the cutting blade.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 1 configured as described above has fiber materials 10 a and 10 b having different blending ratios in the width direction (X direction) supplied from the crusher 2 by the partition plate 35 of the duct 3. Are conveyed toward the outer peripheral surface 4f of the rotating drum 4 in a state where the blending ratios of the fiber materials 10a and 10b are different in the width direction (X direction), and the fiber material 10a in the width direction (X direction) of each accumulation recess 41. , 10b in different states. And the manufacturing apparatus 1 is set to the circumference of the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotating drum 4 with the fiber body 100a piled in the state where the mixture ratios of the fiber materials 10a and 10b are different in the width direction (X direction). The laminated fiber body 100a is continuously folded and folded in the width direction (X direction) by the folding means 5 so that the blending ratios of the fiber materials 10a and 10b are different in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the absorbent body 100. ing.

Next, the manufacturing method which manufactures the absorber 100 continuously using the manufacturing apparatus 1 mentioned above is demonstrated.
First, the suction fan (not shown) connected to each of the space A in the rotating drum 4, the space D in the transfer roll 6, the conveyor vacuum box 74, and the vacuum box 8 is operated to make negative pressure. . By making the inside of the space A have a negative pressure, an air flow (vacuum air) is generated in the duct 3 to convey the raw material of the absorber 100 to the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotary drum 4. Further, the rotating drum 4 and the transfer roll 6 are rotated, and the mesh belt 61 and the vacuum conveyor 7 are operated.

  Further, the position of the partition plate 35 in the width direction (X direction) inside the duct 3 is adjusted by the adjusting mechanism of the partition plate 35 of the duct 3, and the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b are adjusted. Adjust the size of.

  Next, the card machine 21 of the crusher 2 is operated, and the fiber material is conveyed to the card machine 21 in a laminated state in which the synthetic fiber 10b is arranged on one side portion along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the pulp fiber 10a. To do. When the fiber materials 10a and 10b are transported in such a laminated state that is shifted to one side, the mixing ratio of the pulp fibers 10a and the synthetic fibers 10b is different in the width direction (X direction) of the card machine 21. Fiber materials that have been defibrated and defibrated with different blending ratios of the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b in the width direction (X direction) are supplied from the card machine 21 to the duct 3. In the present embodiment, the fiber materials having different blending ratios in the width direction (X direction) are the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber at one end portion (one side portion along the transport direction (Y direction)) in the width direction (X direction). The fibers 10b are formed in a mixed state, and the other end portion in the width direction (X direction) (the other side portion along the transport direction (Y direction)) is formed only from the pulp fibers 10a.

  Preferably, defibrated fibers having different blending ratios of the pulp fibers 10a and the synthetic fibers 10b in the width direction (X direction) with respect to the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b adjusted by the partition plate 35. Material is supplied. In this embodiment, the fiber material formed only from the pulp fibers 10a is supplied to the first flow path 30a on the other end portion in the width direction (X direction) (the other side portion along the transport direction (Y direction)). Is done. And the fiber formed in the state by which the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b were mixed in the 2nd flow path 30b of the one end part (one side part along a conveyance direction (Y direction)) of the width direction (X direction). Material is supplied. In this way, the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b adjusted by the partition plate 35 allow the fiber materials 10a and 10b having different blending ratios in the width direction (X direction) supplied from the pulverizer 2 to The fiber materials 10a and 10b are conveyed toward the outer peripheral surface 4f of the rotating drum 4 in a direction (X direction) with different mixing ratios of the fiber materials 10a and 10b. In addition, the polymer spray pipes 36 and 36 arranged on the top plate 31 of the duct 3 are individually adjusted by devices (not shown) such as screw feeders in the first flow path 30a and the second flow path 30b. The supplied amount of absorbent particles 10c is supplied.

  Next, the end on the rotating drum 4 side is continuously extended over the entire circumference of the rotating drum 4 by the partition plate 35 extending to the center line passing through the center in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation concave portion 41 provided in the rotating drum 4. The fiber materials 10a and 10b are accumulated in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation recess 41 to be performed in a state where the blending ratio is different. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, only the pulp fiber 10a is provided on the half surface of the other end portion in the width direction (X direction) (the other side portion along the transport direction (Y direction)) of the accumulation concave portion 41. The fiber material formed from the above and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated. Moreover, the fiber formed by mixing the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b on the half surface of the one end part (one side part along the conveyance direction (Y direction)) of the width direction (X direction) in each concave part 41 for accumulation. The material and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated.

  As described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the fiber materials 10 a and 10 b are accumulated in the accumulation recess 41 in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation recess 41 in a state where the blending ratio is different, and the rotating drum 4 The accumulation is continuously produced over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction (2Y direction). Thereafter, when the accumulation in the accumulation recess 41 comes to a position opposite to the vacuum box 8, it is sucked by the mesh belt 61 by suction from the vacuum box 8, and in this state, rotates with the transfer roll 6. It is transported to the closest part to the drum 4 or the vicinity thereof. Then, the accumulated material sucked on the mesh belt 61 is released from the accumulation concave portion 41 by suction from the transfer roll 6 side, and is transferred onto the transfer roll 6 together with the mesh belt 61 to be conveyed (Y The fiber stack 100a extending continuously in the direction) is manufactured.

  The stacked fiber body 100a transferred onto the transfer roll 6 is conveyed while receiving suction from the transfer roll 6 side, and introduced onto a vacuum conveyor 7 disposed below the transfer roll 6. It is delivered onto the core wrap sheet 100b made of a conductive nonwoven fabric or the like. Preferably, the piled body 100a is delivered on the other side part along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the core wrap sheet 100b being conveyed. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the stacked fiber body 100a disposed on the core wrap sheet 100b. The stacked fiber body 100a manufactured in this way is stacked in a state where the blending ratios of the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b are different in the width direction (X direction). In this embodiment, the fiber formed only from the pulp fiber 10a in the half of the other end portion (synonymous with the other side portion along the transport direction (Y direction)) in the width direction (X direction) of the stacked fiber body 100a. The material and the absorbent particles 10c are integrated. Moreover, the fiber material formed by mixing the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b in the half surface of the one end part (one side part along a conveyance direction (Y direction)) of the width direction (X direction) in the fiber stack 100a. And absorbent particles 10c are collected.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the stack 100a together with the core wrap sheet 100b is folded in the width direction (X direction) by the folding means 5, and the mixing ratio of the fiber materials 10a and 10b in the thickness direction (Z direction). To be different. In the present embodiment, the stacked fiber body 100a together with the core wrap sheet 100b is folded in half from one side along the conveying direction (Y direction) by a folding guide plate (not shown), and formed only from the pulp fiber 10a. A band-shaped absorbent body 100 is formed by superimposing an aggregate of fiber material and absorbent particles 10c formed by mixing pulp fibers 10a and synthetic fibers 10b on an aggregate of the formed fiber material and absorbent particles 10c. Manufacturing. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the band-shaped absorbent body 100 formed by being folded in this manner. As shown in FIG. 8, one side (lower side) in the thickness direction (Z direction) is an aggregate of the fiber material formed only from the pulp fiber 10a and the absorbent particles 10c, and the thickness direction (Z The other side (upper side) of the direction) is an aggregate of the fiber material formed by mixing the pulp fibers 10a and the synthetic fibers 10b and the absorbent particles 10c, and the fibers in the thickness direction (Z direction) The blending ratios of the materials 10a and 10b are different.

  Next, in this embodiment, the belt-shaped absorber 100 is conveyed between a pair of pressure rolls 91 and 92 and pressed in the thickness direction (Z direction). When the strip-shaped absorbent body 100 is pressed in this way, the lower accumulation body in the thickness direction (Z direction) having a fiber material formed only from the pulp fibers 10a is mixed with the synthetic fibers 10b in addition to the pulp fibers 10a. Compared to the upper assembly in the thickness direction (Z direction) having the formed fiber material, the fiber is likely to be compressed and the fiber density tends to be high, and the upper assembly is easily recovered from bulk due to the presence of the synthetic fiber 10b. The density tends to be low. Thus, the fiber density in the thickness direction (Z direction) lower side is increased, the fiber density in the thickness direction (Z direction) upper side is easily decreased, and the density gradient in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the manufactured absorbent body 100 is increased. Easy to attach. Therefore, it becomes easy to become the absorber 100 with improved absorption performance.

  Thereafter, the band-shaped absorber 100 is cut at a predetermined interval in the transport direction (Y direction) by a cutting device (not shown) to manufacture individual absorbers 100.

  As described above, according to the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment and the manufacturing method of the present embodiment using the same, the absorbent body 100 having different blending ratios of the fiber materials 10a and 10b in the thickness direction (Z direction) is 1 Since it can manufacture using the individual rotating drum 4 and one set of the crusher 2 and the duct 3, the scale of an installation can be made compact and the cost of a manufacturing apparatus can also be held down. Moreover, according to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the absorber 100 from which the mixture ratio of the fiber materials 10a and 10b differs in the thickness direction (Z direction) can be manufactured continuously and efficiently.

  Moreover, according to the manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment and the manufacturing method of this embodiment using the same, since the partition plate 35 of the duct 3 has the adjustment mechanism, the first flow path 30a and the second flow path. The size of the cross-sectional area of 30b can be adjusted, and the blending ratio of the fiber materials 10a and 10b in the width direction (X direction) can be adjusted. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the fiber materials 10a and 10b in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the manufactured absorbent body 100 can be adjusted.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate. In addition, about other embodiment and embodiment mentioned later, the different structure part from embodiment and embodiment mentioned above is mainly demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and description is abbreviate | omitted. For the components that are not particularly described, the description of the above-described embodiments and embodiments is appropriately applied.

  In this embodiment and this embodiment, the piled body 100a is delivered on the other side portion along the transport direction (Y direction) of the core wrap sheet 100b being transported, and the core wrap is formed by a folding guide plate (not shown). The stacked body 100a is folded in half from the one side along the conveying direction (Y direction) together with the sheet 100b, but the folding means 5 is folded back in two or more in addition to the one folded in two. There may be. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 9, the piled body 100a is delivered on the other side portion along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the conveyed core wrap sheet 100b, and the folding means 5 causes the folding body 5 to be as shown in FIG. In addition, the stacked body 100a together with the core wrap sheet 100b is folded in half from the other side along the transport direction (Y direction), and is further folded in the transport direction by the folding means 5 than the stacked body 100a in the core wrap sheet 100b. An extending portion on one side along (Y direction) may be folded back from the one side.

  Moreover, in this embodiment and this embodiment, a fiber material is conveyed with respect to the card machine 21 in the lamination | stacking state which has arrange | positioned the synthetic fiber 10b on the one side part along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the pulp fiber 10a. However, you may convey a fiber material in the lamination | stacking state which has distribute | arranged the synthetic fiber 10b on the other side part along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the pulp fiber 10a.

  Moreover, you may convey a fiber material in the lamination | stacking state which has arrange | positioned the synthetic fiber 10b to the center part of the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the pulp fiber 10a with respect to the card machine 21. FIG. In this case, two partition plates 35 for partitioning in the duct 3 are arranged, and the flow path 30 formed inside the duct 3 is divided into three sections in the width direction (X direction). Then, the fiber material formed by mixing the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated at the central portion in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation concave portion 41 of the rotating drum 4 for accumulation. The fiber material and the absorbent particles 10c formed only from the pulp fibers 10a are accumulated at both ends of the recess 41 in the width direction (X direction) (synonymous with both side portions along the transport direction (Y direction)). FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a stacked fiber body 100a in which the accumulated material accumulated in the accumulation concave portion 41 is delivered to the central portion in the width direction (X direction) of the core wrap sheet 100b being conveyed. It is shown. As shown in FIG. 12, the fiber stack 100a and the core wrap sheet 100b shown in FIG. 11 are folded together with the core wrap sheet 100b by the folding means 5, and the one side portion side along the transport direction (Y direction). It may be folded back from the other side portion along the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the core wrap sheet 100b by the folding means 5.

  Further, in this embodiment and this embodiment, the pair of pattern forming plates 451 and 452 forming the absorber pattern forming plate 45 are in relation to the center line passing through the center in the width direction (X direction) of the accumulation recess 41. However, it may not be symmetrical. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the circumferential length (2Y direction) of the rotating drum 4 in the space portion of the pattern forming plate 452 is the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotating drum 4 in the space portion of the pattern forming plate 451. The space portion of the pattern forming plate 452 may be arranged at the center portion in the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the space portion of the pattern forming plate 451. If the absorbent body pattern forming plate 45 of the concave portion for accumulation 41 having a shape as shown in FIG. 13 is used, the space portion on the pattern forming plate 451 side in the concave portion for accumulation 41 of the rotary drum 4 is formed only from the pulp fiber 10a. The fiber material and the absorbent particles 10c are continuously accumulated over the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4, and the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b are mixed in the space portion on the pattern forming plate 452 side in the accumulation recess 41. The formed fiber material and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated. Absorbent body 100 formed by folding folded fiber body 100a formed from such an integrated body into two folds from one side along the conveying direction (Y direction) is a fiber formed only from pulp fiber 10a. It has a structure in which an aggregate having a fiber material formed by mixing pulp fibers 10a and synthetic fibers 10b is arranged on a part of the aggregate continuously extending in the conveying direction (Y direction) having the material.

  Although the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes the pressing unit 9 on the downstream side of the folding unit 5, the manufacturing apparatus 1 may include the folding unit 5 on the downstream side of the pressing unit 9. In other words, before the folded fiber body 100a is folded in the width direction (X direction) by the folding means 5, a pressing means 9 for pressing the stacked fiber body 100a in the thickness direction (Z direction) may be provided. If a manufacturing apparatus including the folding means 5 on the downstream side of the pressing means 9 is used, the thickness of the upper and lower stacks can be controlled independently.

In this embodiment and this embodiment, the width of the upstream top plate portion 311 of the top plate 31 and the upstream bottom plate portion 321 of the bottom plate 32 in the duct 3 gradually decreases from the upstream side toward the downstream side. However, it may be narrowed in steps.
Further, the supply unit is the pulverizer 2 that pulverizes two or more kinds of fiber materials and supplies fiber materials having different blending ratios in the width direction (X direction), and accommodates the pulverized fiber materials in advance. It may be a hopper.

  Moreover, you may change the shape of the fiber stack 100a manufactured flexibly by changing the shape of the recessed part 41 for accumulation.

  The absorbent body produced in the present invention is preferably used as an absorbent body for absorbent articles. The absorbent article is mainly used to absorb and retain body fluids excreted from the body such as urine and menstrual blood. Absorbent articles include, for example, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, panty liners, etc., but are not limited to these, and widely include articles used to absorb liquid discharged from the human body. To do. When the absorbent body produced in the present invention is used as the absorbent body of an absorbent article, the fiber material formed by mixing the pulp fiber 10a and the synthetic fiber 10b and the absorbent particles 10c are integrated from the viewpoint of improving the absorption performance. It is preferable to arrange the body on the skin side.

  The following absorber manufacturing apparatus is disclosed regarding the embodiment mentioned above.

<1>
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article for absorbent articles in which the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction,
A supply unit for supplying two or more kinds of the fiber materials in such a manner that the mixing ratio differs in the width direction;
A duct for conveying the fiber material supplied from the supply unit in a scattered state;
A rotating drum having an accumulation recess for collecting the fiber material conveyed from the duct on an outer peripheral surface;
Folding means for folding in the width direction the fiber stack formed by transferring the fiber material accumulated in the accumulation recess of the rotating drum,
The duct has a partition plate that partitions the inside in the width direction,
The partition plate of the duct conveys the fiber material having a different mixing ratio in the width direction supplied from the supply unit toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum in a state in which the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction. And collecting the stacked fibers that are stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction of each of the accumulation recesses, and stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction, An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body in which the fiber stack is folded in the width direction by the folding means so that the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction of the absorbent body.

<2>
The said partition plate is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said <1> which has an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the position of the width direction inside the said duct.
<3>
The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to <1> or <2>, further including a pressing unit that presses the absorbent body manufactured by being folded by the folding unit in a thickness direction.
<4>
The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to <1> or <2>, further including a pressing unit that presses the stacked fiber body in the thickness direction before the folded body is folded in the width direction by the folding unit.
<5>
A flow path for conveying the fiber material formed inside the duct by the partition plate is divided into two sections of a first flow path and a second flow path in the width direction,
Each of the first flow path and the second flow path is provided with an absorbent particle supply section that supplies absorbent particles, and each of the absorbent particle supply sections can individually adjust the supply amount. The manufacturing apparatus for an absorbent body according to any one of <1> to <4>.
<6>
The said supply part is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber in any one of said <1>-<5> which has a grinder which grinds | pulverizes the said fiber material and supplies the said fiber material in the said duct.
<7>
The said 2 or more types of said fiber material is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber in any one of said <1>-<6> containing the pulp fiber and the synthetic fiber.
<8>
The pulp fiber and the synthetic fiber are juxtaposed in the width direction and conveyed to the supply unit, or the synthetic fiber is arranged on one end of the pulp fiber in the width direction and conveyed to the supply unit. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said <7>.
<9>
The said synthetic fiber is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in said <7> or <8> whose width | variety is narrower than the width | variety of the said pulp fiber.

<10>
The said partition plate is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber in any one of said <1>-<9> which can adjust the inclination with respect to the centerline which passes the center of the width direction of the said recessed part for accumulation.
<11>
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the accumulation recess is continuously arranged over the entire circumference of the rotating drum.
<12>
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein a plurality of the concave portions for accumulation are arranged at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction of the rotating drum.
<13>
The absorber pattern forming plate which is a member forming the outer peripheral surface of the concave portion for accumulation is formed from a pair of first pattern forming plate and second pattern forming plate,
The circumferential length of the rotating drum in the space portion of the first pattern forming plate is shorter than the circumferential length of the rotating drum in the space portion of the second pattern forming plate. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of <1> to <12>, wherein the space portion of the first pattern forming plate is arranged at a central portion in the circumferential direction of the space portion of the plate.
<14>
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein a bottom surface of the concave portion for accumulation is formed of a porous member.
<15>
The said rotating drum is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber as described in any one of said <1>-<14> which has several mutually independent space inside.
<16>
An intake mechanism is connected to the rotating drum,
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body according to <15>, wherein the pressure in the plurality of spaces partitioned in the rotary drum can be adjusted by the intake mechanism.

<17>
The manufacturing method of the absorber using the manufacturing apparatus of the absorber in any one of said <1>-<16>.

<18>
Deliver the stacked body on the other side portion along the transport direction of the core wrap sheet being transported, and fold the stacked body together with the core wrap sheet from one side along the transport direction by folding means. The method for producing an absorbent body according to the above <17>, wherein the absorbent body is produced by folding back.
<19>
Deliver the stacked body on the other side portion along the transport direction of the core wrap sheet being conveyed, and fold the stacked body together with the core wrap sheet from the other side side along the transport direction by folding means. Further, the folding means manufactures an absorbent body by folding an extended portion of the core wrap sheet on the one side side along the transport direction from the fiber stack from the one side side with the folding means <17. The manufacturing method of the absorber as described in>.
<20>
Deliver the piled body on the center part in the width direction of the core wrap sheet being conveyed, and by folding means, fold the piled body together with the core wrap sheet from one side along the conveying direction, and further The method for producing an absorbent body according to <17>, wherein the absorbent body is folded by folding means from the other side along the conveying direction of the core wrap sheet.

<21>
An absorber manufactured using the absorber manufacturing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <16>,
Absorber with different blending ratio of fiber material in the thickness direction.
<22>
In the absorbent body, one side in the thickness direction is an aggregate of fiber materials and absorbent particles formed only from pulp fibers, and the other side in the thickness direction is formed by mixing pulp fibers and synthetic fibers. The absorbent body according to <21>, wherein the absorbent body is an aggregate of the fibrous material and the absorbent particles.
<23>
The fiber material and absorbent particles formed only from pulp fibers have a fiber density higher than that of the fiber material and absorbent particles formed by mixing pulp fibers and synthetic fibers. The absorber as described in>.

<24>
The absorbent article which has an absorber as described in any one of said <21>-<23>.
<25>
The absorbent article according to <24>, wherein an aggregate of fiber materials formed by mixing pulp fibers and synthetic fibers and absorbent particles is disposed on the skin side.

1 Manufacturing Equipment 2 Crusher (Supply Unit)
3 Duct 31 Top plate 311 Upstream top plate portion 312 Downstream top plate portion 32 Bottom plate 321 Upstream bottom plate portion 322 Downstream bottom plate portion 33, 34 Side wall 35 Partition plate 36 Polymer dispersion pipe (absorbing particle supply portion)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Rotating drum 4f Outer peripheral surface 41 Concave part 42 Drum main body 5 Folding means 6 Transfer roll 61 Mesh belt 7 Vacuum conveyor 8 Vacuum box 9 Press means 100 Absorber 100a Stacked fiber body 100b Core wrap sheet

Claims (9)

An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article for absorbent articles in which the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction,
A supply unit for supplying two or more kinds of the fiber materials in such a manner that the mixing ratio differs in the width direction;
A duct for conveying the fiber material supplied from the supply unit in a scattered state;
A rotating drum having an accumulation recess for collecting the fiber material conveyed from the duct on an outer peripheral surface;
Folding means for folding in the width direction the fiber stack formed by transferring the fiber material accumulated in the accumulation recess of the rotating drum,
The duct has a partition plate that partitions the inside in the width direction,
The partition plate of the duct conveys the fiber material having a different mixing ratio in the width direction supplied from the supply unit toward the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum in a state in which the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction. And collecting the stacked fibers that are stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction of each of the accumulation recesses, and stacked in a state where the mixing ratio of the fiber material is different in the width direction, An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body in which the fiber stack is folded in the width direction by the folding means so that the blending ratio of the fiber material is different in the thickness direction of the absorbent body.   The said partition plate is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of Claim 1 which has an adjustment mechanism which adjusts the position of the width direction inside the said duct.   The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of Claim 1 or 2 provided with the press means to press the said absorber manufactured by the said folding means in the thickness direction.   The absorbent body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressing unit that presses the stacked body in the thickness direction before the folded body is folded in the width direction by the folding unit. A flow path for conveying the fiber material formed inside the duct by the partition plate is divided into two sections of a first flow path and a second flow path in the width direction,
Each of the first flow path and the second flow path is provided with an absorbent particle supply section that supplies absorbent particles, and each of the absorbent particle supply sections can individually adjust the supply amount. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-4.   The said supply part is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-5 which has a grinder which grind | pulverizes the said fiber material and supplies the said fiber material in the said duct.   The said 2 or more types of fiber material is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-6 containing the pulp fiber and the synthetic fiber.   The pulp fiber and the synthetic fiber are juxtaposed in the width direction and conveyed to the supply unit, or the synthetic fiber is arranged on one end of the pulp fiber in the width direction and conveyed to the supply unit. The manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of Claim 7. The manufacturing method of the absorber using the manufacturing apparatus of the absorber of any one of Claims 1-8.

Images