JP6425961B2 - Slit forming device and manufacturing device for sheet fusion body - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slit forming device and a manufacturing device of a sheet fusion body.

  BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in the process of manufacturing absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a heat roll apparatus is generally used for joining sheets that have been superposed. Further, as another bonding method, a method of welding using a laser beam is also known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a band-like sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is deformed while being conveyed along the circumferential surface of a rotating roll having a laser light transmitting portion on the circumferential surface and conveyed. There is described a method of irradiating the sheet laminate with a laser beam from the inside of the rotating roll to fuse the sheets in the sheet laminate to obtain a seal edge, and the circumference of the rotating roll. An embodiment in which a part of the direction is the laser light transmitting part is also described.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2010-188629

  In the device described in Patent Document 1, the irradiation accuracy of the laser light can greatly affect the quality of the final product such as an absorbent article obtained using the device. In particular, in an embodiment in which a part of the circumferential direction of the rotating roll is the laser light transmitting portion, which is one embodiment of the device described in Patent Document 1, the laser light transmitting portion has high accuracy In the case where the quality as designed is obtained by performing the irradiation in the case where the irradiation position of the laser light is largely deviated from the appropriate position of the laser light transmitting portion in the circumferential direction of the rotating roll due to some cause. The quality of the product may be degraded, for example, the width of the seal edge of the product manufactured thereafter may be uneven as intended or the seal strength of the seal edge may be insufficient.

  Therefore, the present inventors arrange a pair of slit members so that a slit is formed between both slit members in the outer peripheral part of the rotation roll, and arrange the arrangement position of those slit members in the circumferential direction of the rotation roll. A technique has been studied in which the position of the slit and the width of the slit can be easily changed by shifting and fixing, but every time the slit member is removed for cleaning or the slit member is replaced, the arrangement position of the slit member It was found that the adjustment of the interval is necessary and the maintenance takes time.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a slit forming device and a manufacturing apparatus of a sheet fusion product that can solve the problems of the above-described conventional techniques.

  The present invention is a slit forming device in which a positioning device provided with an adjusting member and a fixing member is disposed so as to be opposite to each other so that a slit is formed between the fixing members, wherein the positioning device A position adjusting mechanism for adjusting the arrangement position of the member is provided, and the width of the slit can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement position of the adjustment member, and the fixing member can be detachably fixed to the adjustment member. The positioning device comprises positioning and position reproducing means for determining the relative position between the fixing member and the adjusting member, and repeatedly reproducing the relative position when the fixing member and the adjusting member are detached and attached. , And a slit forming device.

  The present invention is a manufacturing apparatus of a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap, a plurality of sheets including a laser beam irradiation head and a resin material at least in part. And a support member for supporting one side of the strip-like sheet laminate on which the sheets are stacked, wherein the support member has a width orthogonal to the conveying direction of the strip-like sheet laminate through which laser light can pass. The belt-like sheet laminate having a slit elongated in the direction and supplied and supported on the outer surface of the support member is irradiated with laser light from the support member side along the slit to divide it. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge portion are continuously fused by fusing in a state in which the divided edge portions overlap, and the slit is the above-mentioned slit Slit forming device Is, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusing member.

  According to the slit forming apparatus and the sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, adjustment of the slit position and the slit width is easy, and the maintenance labor involved in cleaning and replacement of the slit member forming the slit is significantly increased. It can be mitigated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a shorts-type disposable diaper manufactured by an embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion-bonded body according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. Fig.3 (a) and FIG.3 (b) are the side seal parts (seal edge part) of one side in the state which expanded the waist opening of the diaper shown in FIG. 2 respectively, and FIG. . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a laser type bonding apparatus which is an embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion-bonded body according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing a state in which a diaper continuous body (strip-like sheet laminate) is introduced into the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical roll (supporting member) of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 and constituent members in the vicinity thereof. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a part of the cylindrical roll (supporting member) shown in FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a portion (second support portion) of the cylindrical roll (support member) shown in FIG. 4 in a further enlarged manner. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an essential part (a second support part including the first embodiment of the slit forming device of the present invention) of the apparatus for producing a sheet fusion-bonded body shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the second support shown in FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second support portion shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 (a) is a cross-sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 (b) is a B-- FIG. It is a sectional view which meets B line. FIG. 12 is an overhead view of the outer surface of a second support including the second embodiment of the slit forming device of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a second support including the slit forming device shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 13 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of FIG. It is sectional drawing in alignment with-D line. FIG. 14 is a front view of the position adjustment mechanism in the slit forming device shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the axial direction of the male screw member. FIG. 15: is a perspective view which shows typically the manufacturing process of a diaper continuous body (strip-like sheet | seat laminated body). 16 (a) to 16 (c) respectively form the side seal portion (seal edge portion) at the same time as the diaper continuous body (strip-like sheet laminate) is divided using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is an explanatory view explaining a situation of doing.

  The present invention will be described based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The sheet fusion body manufactured by the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body of the present invention, that is, the sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap, is shown in, for example, FIG. It is the underpants type disposable diaper 1 which comprises the exterior body 3 which has a pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 as shown in 1-3. First, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

  The diaper 1 is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an absorbent main body 2 and an outer package 3 disposed on the non-skin contact side of the absorbent main body 2 and fixing the absorbent main body 2. , And both side edges of the package 3 in the ventral side 1A and both edges of the package in the back side 1B are joined to form a pair of side seal parts 4, 4, a waist opening 8 and a pair of It is a pants type disposable diaper in which the leg openings 9, 9 are formed. The side seal portion 4 is a portion corresponding to the above-mentioned "seal edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets overlap".

  The side seal part 4 is mentioned as one of the main feature parts of the diapar 1 manufactured by one Embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of this invention. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in a cross-sectional view in a direction (width direction of the diaper 1) orthogonal to the extending direction of the side seal portion 4, a diaper continuous body 10 described later (a plurality of sheets The outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 produced by the division by the laser light irradiation of the strip-like sheet laminate in which the sheets are stacked has a convex arc shape toward the inside of the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) Further, the fusion-bonded portion 40 of the four sheets 31 and 32 constituting the outer package 3 is formed on the inner side of the outer package 3 including the outer edge 4a and the fusion-bonded portion 40 is formed by The central portion in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the exterior body 3 is wider than the both ends (upper end and lower end). That is, in the cross-sectional view of the width direction of the diaper 1 (direction orthogonal to the dividing direction by the laser light), the width of the fusion portion 40 gradually widens toward the central portion in the thickness direction. , So-called crescent or crescent shape. The fused portion 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a crescent shape.

  Generally, with the side seal part, it is harder and has a poor touch compared to the other parts of the diaper due to the presence of the fusion part where the sheet forming material melts and solidifies, causing a reduction in the wearing feeling of the diaper. It is a part that can be However, as in the side seal portion 4 of the diaper 1, if the fusion bonded portion 40 is formed in a crescent shape or a crescent shape in a cross sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1, the fused portion in the conventional side seal portion As compared with the case where the side seal portion 4 is formed in a rectangular shape in the same cross sectional view, the ratio of the fused portion 40 existing in the corner portion 3S (see FIG. 3) of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 configuring the side seal portion 4 As a result, the flexibility and the touch feeling that the corner 3S originally has are less likely to be impaired. Therefore, the diaper 1 has an improved feeling of wearing the diaper as compared with the conventional product. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 (the corner portion 3S on the one surface side of the exterior body 3 shown in FIG. 3 and the other surface) In the central portion of the portion sandwiched by 3S on the side, there is a sufficient amount of fusion-bonded portion 40, so the side seal portion 4 has sufficient fusion strength for practical use. Problems such as breakage of the side seal 4 during wearing are unlikely to occur.

  Moreover, the side seal part 4 (fusion part 40) has the characteristic of being hard to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or natural state (contraction state) of the diapar 1. FIG. The side seal part 4 (fusion part 40) in the state to which the waist opening part 8 was expanded at the time of wear of the diapar 1 is shown by FIG. In the state where the waist opening 8 is expanded, the side seal portion 4 is normally in a state in which the fused portion 40 is exposed as shown in FIG. 3A, but the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 is covered. It is difficult to visually recognize from the outside due to, for example, an arc shape convex toward the inside of the body 3 and the fusion part 40 being smaller than the conventional side seal part (fusion part). In particular, since the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 is in the form of a convex arc toward the inside of the exterior body 3, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), depending on the material of the sheets 31, 32. In the state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn, the corner 3S of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the ventral side 1A side and the corner of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the back side 1B The part 3S may approach and the separation distance between the two corner parts 3S, 3S may be reduced. Therefore, the fusion bonded portion 40 located between the two corner portions 3S, 3S is difficult to touch with the outside due to the both corner portions 3S, 3S located closer to the outer side of the diaper 1 than the fusion bonded portion 40 As a result, not only the wearing feeling of the diaper 1 but also the appearance is improved.

  Subsequently, a laser type bonding apparatus 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the apparatus for producing a sheet fusion-bonded body according to the present invention will be described mainly with reference to the drawings after FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a laser type bonding apparatus 20 (an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap) is a lens for condensing the laser beam 30. An irradiation head 312 having a support 311, and a support member 21 for conveying while supporting one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material is overlapped at least in part; Belt type pressure comprising an endless pressure belt 24 (pressing member) as a pressure means and a plurality (three) of rolls 25a, 25b, 25c rotating in a state where the pressure belt 24 is stretched. And an apparatus 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser bonding apparatus 20 irradiates a laser beam to the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) manufactured separately beforehand in advance, and the pair of side seal parts 4, 4 ( It is an apparatus which manufactures continuously the underpants type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) which comprises the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) which has a seal | sticker edge part.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the laser type bonding apparatus 20 of this embodiment includes a hollow cylindrical roll 23 provided with an annular support member 21 that rotates around a rotation axis (direction of arrow A: transport direction), and a hollow cylinder. An irradiation head 312 is disposed in the hollow portion of the roll 23, and irradiates the laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 forming the circumferential surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23. The laser bonding apparatus 20 is an apparatus in which a band-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) is wound around and conveyed around the outer peripheral surface of an annular support member 21.

  The laser bonding apparatus 20 includes a tension adjustment mechanism (not shown) capable of increasing and decreasing the tension of the pressure belt 24 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the support member 21 (the peripheral surface of the cylindrical roll 23). The pressure applied to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminate) can be appropriately adjusted by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an irradiation head 312 for irradiating a laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 forming the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 is provided in the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical roll 23. The irradiation head 312 is a galvano scanner (a device with a mirror attached to the motor axis) for freely scanning the laser light 30, and advances and retracts the laser light 30 in a direction (width direction CD) parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23. The mechanism, a mechanism for moving the position (irradiation point) of the laser beam 30 on the support member 21 to hit the diaper continuous body 10 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23, and the spot diameter of the laser beam 30 on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 It has a mechanism to The laser irradiation mechanism has such a configuration, whereby the irradiation point of the laser beam 30 is in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 and in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction (width direction CD: parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23 Direction) can be moved arbitrarily.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support member 21 forms a circumferential surface portion (a contact portion with a workpiece) of the cylindrical roll 23, and a pair of annular frames forming the left and right side edge portions of the cylindrical roll 23. It is clamped between the bodies 22 and 22 and fixed. The support member 21 is formed of a single annular member having the same length as the circumferential length of the annular frame 22 and is made of a heat-resistant material such as metal such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper or ceramics. Become.

  The support member 21 has a slit 27 which is long in the width direction (the same direction as the width direction CD of the device 20) of the diaper continuous body 10 through which the focused laser beam 30 can pass from the support member 21 side. . The support member 21 allows the laser beam to pass through at the slit 27 and prevents the laser beam from passing at portions other than the slit 27. The slit 27 has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in FIG. 5A, and the longitudinal direction of the slit 27 corresponds to the cross machine direction (CD) of the device 20, and the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21. The plurality is formed at predetermined intervals. 5 (a) and 5 (b), from the viewpoint of facilitating the explanation, the support member 21, the pressure belt 24, and the diaper continuous body 10 sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 are provided. 5 (a) and 5 (b), it is described as if horizontally moving from the left to the right, but in actuality, as shown in FIG. It is rotationally moved in a curved state corresponding to a cylindrical shape.

  Here, the width direction CD is a direction orthogonal to the machine direction (conveying direction of the diaper continuous body 10 and the diaper 1) MD (Machine Direction) along the manufacturing process of the diaper in the device 20, and the diaper continuous body 10 (stripe And the same as the rotational direction of the cylindrical roll 23. Also, “plan view” refers to the case where the object (slit 27 etc.) is viewed from the outside in the normal direction of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical roll 23 (the direction orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the cylindrical roll 23). .

  In the laser bonding apparatus 20, the portion overlapping with the slit 27 (the portion 10C to be divided shown in FIG. 5) of the diaper continuous body 10 only contacts the support member 21 only when the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) abuts. It is not pinched by the pressure belt 24. Therefore, strictly speaking, no pressing force is generated in the parting planned portion 10C due to being held by both members 21 and 24. However, even if the portion to be divided 10C overlapping the slit 27 is not sandwiched by both members 21 and 24 itself, the portion overlapping the vicinity (opening edge) of the slit 27 in the diaper continuous body 10 is both Since it is held between the members 21 and 24, it does not move before and after the irradiation of the laser beam, and therefore the cutting edge produced by the division of the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam does not move. That is, the part 10C to be divided (the part overlapping the slit 27 in the sheet laminate) of the diaper continuous body 10 is a part restrained by the pressing force by the sandwiching between the two members 21 and 24, and the pressing force effectively affects Part of the

  As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 21 has a recess 28 on its outer surface (the contact surface with the workpiece). A plurality of recessed portions 28 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21, and slits 27 are formed in a region (convex portion) located between two adjacent recessed portions 28 and 28. There is. The slit 27 is formed at the circumferential center of the cylindrical support member 21 in the convex portion.

  Thus, when the thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 is not uniform due to the recess 28 being formed on the outer surface of the support member 21, the relatively thick portion of the diaper continuous body 10 (for example, the absorbent main body It is possible to introduce the diaper continuum 10 onto the outer surface of the support member 21 so that the two arrangement regions) fit within the recess 28. And if the diaper continuous body 10 is introduce | transduced on the supporting member 21 in that way, as shown in FIG.5 (b), the contact surface (other surface 10b) in the pressure belt 24 in the diaper continuous body 10 is substantially. Since it becomes flat, when the pressing belt 24 is pressed against the diaper continuous body 10, a portion of the diaper continuous body 10 located on the convex portion where the slits 27 are formed (the division schedule shown by the symbol 10C in FIG. 5) The entire portion and its vicinity) are uniformly pressurized in the thickness direction at a predetermined pressure by winding on the support member 21 of the diaper continuous body 10 with a predetermined tension and the pressure belt 24. Thus, when the laser light is applied to the portion pressurized in the thickness direction before the division by the irradiation of the laser light to cut the portion, cutting of a plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion is performed. More reliably it is possible to fuse each other parts, further improvement in fusion strength of the side seal portion 4 (sealing edge) is achieved.

  6-8, the cylindrical roll 23 (support member 21) which is the principal part of the laser type joining apparatus 20 is shown. The cylindrical roll 23 (apparatus 20) is supported by a pair of side plates 101 erected on the base 100. The cylindrical roll 23 has a fixed shaft 102. The cylindrical shaft 23 is supported between the side plates 101 by the fixed shaft 102 being bridged between the pair of side plates 101 facing each other. A bearing 106 is disposed between the cylindrical roll 23 and the fixed shaft 102, and the cylindrical roll 23 is made rotatable relative to the fixed shaft 102 by the bearing 106. The cylindrical roll 23 has a pulley 103 located between one frame 22 and one side plate 101. A drive belt 104 is stretched over the pulley 103. The drive belt 104 is connected to a drive source 105 mounted on the base 100. By driving the drive source 105, the rotational motion is transmitted to the pulley 103 via the drive belt 104, and the cylindrical roll 23 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the support member 21 is a first support 111 having the recess 28 described above, and a second support that constitutes the protrusion positioned between two adjacent recesses 28 and 28. And a unit 112. The first support portions 111 and the second support portions 112 are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23. 6 and 7 show a state in which a portion of the first support portion 111 is removed in order to help the understanding of the internal structure of the cylindrical roll 23. In fact, the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 is configured by the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112, and the inside of the cylindrical roll 23 can not be viewed through the circumferential surface.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the second support portion 112 constituting the support member 21 has a recess 120 on the inner surface, that is, the surface facing the irradiation head 312. The bottom of the recess 120 is open and the opening forms a slit.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first support portion 111 is provided with a large number of suction holes 111 a that are open on the outer surface, that is, the surface facing the diaper continuous body 10. The suction hole 111 a is in communication with the communication hole 111 b formed to extend in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first support portion 111. The communication hole 111 b extends in the same direction as the axial direction (the width direction CD shown in FIG. 5) of the cylindrical roll 23. The communication hole 111 b is open at the side surface of the first support portion 111. Further, the second support portion 112 has a communication hole 112 b which is bored so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the second support portion 112. The communication hole 112 b extends in the same direction as the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. The communication hole 112 b communicates with a plurality of suction holes (not shown) formed on the wall surface of the recess 120 of the second support portion 112 and is open at the side surface of the second support portion 112.

  The communication hole 111b of the first support portion 111 and the communication hole 112b of the second support portion 112 communicate with the suction ring 130 shown in FIG. In detail, the suction ring 130 is disposed on the side surface of the cylindrical roll 23 and is in a fixed state independently of the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23. An opening (not shown) is provided on the surface of the suction ring 130 facing the cylindrical roll 23. The openings are provided at positions communicating with the communication holes 111b and 112b. Furthermore, the opening also communicates with a suction source (not shown). Therefore, when the cylindrical roll 23 (support member 21) is rotating, only the communication holes 111b and 112b in communication with the opening of the suction ring 130 form a suction path, thereby being on the extension of the suction path Suction is performed only from suction holes (not shown) formed in the wall surfaces of the suction holes 111 a and the recess 120. Since the suction ring 130 is provided over the irradiation range of the laser beam 30, suction is always performed in the irradiation range of the laser beam 30.

  When suction is made from the suction hole 111a of the first support portion 111, the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) in contact with the outer surface of the first support portion 111 is covered on the outer surface so as to cover the suction hole 111a. Therefore, the diaper continuum 10 is fixed on the outer surface of the support member 21 at least in the irradiation range of the laser beam 30, so that the processing accuracy of the diaper continuum 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is improved. It can be further enhanced. In addition, the suction hole (not shown) formed in the wall surface of the recessed part 120 of the inner surface side of the 2nd support part 112 attracts | sucks the gas which generate | occur | produces at the time of division and fusion of the diaper continuous body 10 by irradiation of the laser beam 30. To remove it.

9 to 12 show a second support portion 112 which constitutes the support member 21 which is a main part of the laser bonding apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the second support portion 112 in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 (the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion bonded body) according to the present embodiment has an outer surface forming an opposing surface to the diaper continuous body 10, It is comprised from the adjustment member 123 and the fixing member 124 of a pair of positioning apparatus 122a, 122b which comprise the slit formation apparatus 122. As shown in FIG. The second support portion 112 includes a slit forming device 122 including a pair of positioning devices 122a and 122b, and a base 132 that contacts and supports the slit forming device 122.
The slit forming device 122 is a first embodiment of the slit forming device of the present invention, and forms the slit 27 described above in the laser bonding device 20.

The slit forming device 122 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, includes two positioning devices 122a and 122b each having an adjusting member 123 and a fixing member 124, and a slit 27 between the fixing members 124. It is arranged opposite to be formed.
Further, the two positioning devices 122a and 122b are respectively formed on the adjusting member 123, and bolt insertion holes 51 (fixing tool insertion holes) having a long shape in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the slits 27 and bolt insertion holes 51 A position adjusting mechanism 50 including a bolt 53 (fixing tool) inserted into the (fixing tool insertion hole) is provided, and one or both of the two positioning devices 122a and 122b are adjusted by the position adjusting mechanism. The width W of the slits formed between the fixing members 124 can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement position of. In the present embodiment, the direction intersecting the extending direction of the slit 27 is a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 27, and the conveyance direction MD of the strip sheet laminate such as a diaper continuous body and the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23 It is the same direction as the direction A.
The base 132 has an isopodoid shaped portion in which the length (width) of the transport direction MD gradually decreases toward the tip (outside of the apparatus 20) in a cross sectional view (see FIG. 8) along the transport direction MD. doing. The tip of the equal-legged base portion of the base 132 is a smooth surface having a rectangular shape elongated in the width direction CD in a plan view, and a pair of positioning devices 122a and 122b are provided on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132. Is fixed.

  The pair of positioning devices 122 a and 122 b in the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment have the same configuration except that they are formed to be symmetrical with respect to the slit 27. Therefore, while one positioning device 122a on the upstream side in the transport direction MD will be described below, the description applies to the other positioning device 122b as well.

The positioning device 122a includes an adjusting member 123 and a fixing member 124 as shown in FIG.
The adjusting member 123 is a plate-like member having a rectangular shape in a plan view, which is long in one direction, and is preferably made of metal. The adjustment member 123 has its longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction MD of the diaper continuous body 10, more specifically, with the width direction CD of the diaper continuous body 10, on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132. It is fixed.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A, the adjusting member 123 has an insertion hole 51 having a shape that is long in a direction (conveyance direction MD) orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 27 formed by the slit forming device 122, A plurality of spaces are provided in the longitudinal direction of the adjustment member 123, the bolts 53 (fixing tools) are inserted into the insertion holes 51 of them, and the male screw parts 53b of the bolts 53 are formed on the base 132 By screwing into the bolt hole 54 (fixing member fixing portion), the base 132 is fixed on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132. The bolt insertion hole 51 is a through hole that is oblong in plan view and does not have an internal thread on the inner peripheral surface, and allows the screw portion 53b of the bolt to be inserted within the length range of the bolt insertion hole 51 in the long axis direction. The position can be adjusted arbitrarily. Therefore, when fixing on the base 132, the position of the adjusting member 123 can be appropriately moved and fixed in a direction (conveyance direction MD) orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 27. A female screw portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bolt hole 54 of the base 132, and a depth for accommodating the head portion 53a so as not to project above the bolt insertion hole 51 in the adjustment member 123. A counterbore 52 is formed.

  The fixing member 124 is also a plate-like member having a rectangular shape in plan view, which is long in one direction, and is preferably made of metal. In the fixing member 124, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11A, a plurality of second bolt insertion holes 55 circular in plan view are formed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the fixing member 124. Adjustment is carried out by inserting the bolts 56 having the same configuration as the bolts 53 into the second bolt insertion holes 55 and screwing the screw portions of the bolts 56 into the second bolt holes 54 formed in the adjustment member 123. It can be fixed to the member 123. The second bolt insertion hole 55 is a through hole having no internal thread on the inner circumferential surface, but the position where the screw portion of the bolt 56 is inserted is the center position of the second bolt insertion hole 55. A female screw portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second bolt hole 57 of the adjusting member 123, and the head of the bolt 56 also protrudes over the second bolt insertion hole 55 in the fixing member 124. A deep counterbore is formed to receive the same.

  Further, in the adjustment member 123, the positioning pin 58 is formed at the portion where the fixing member 124 overlaps, and the positioning recess 59 where the positioning pin 58 is inserted is formed at the corresponding portion of the fixing member 124. . A plurality of positioning pins 58 and positioning recesses 59 are formed at intervals in a direction (conveying direction MD) orthogonal to the extending direction of the slits 27. The positioning pin 58 has a frusto-conical shape, and the positioning recess 59 has an inner surface shape substantially corresponding to the frusto-conical outer surface shape of the positioning pin 58, and the fixing member 124 is superimposed on the adjusting member 123. At the time of alignment, only by inserting the positioning pin 58 into the positioning recess 59, the fixing member 124 is accurately disposed at a predetermined specific position on the adjusting member 123.

  In the slit forming device 122 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a positioning device 122a and a positioning device 122b having a similar configuration to the positioning device 122a face each other such that the slits 27 are formed between the fixing members 124. It is arranged.

About the 1st method which is a preferable example of the method of forming the slit 27 in the outer peripheral surface (peripheral surface part of the cylindrical roll 23) in the supporting member 21 in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 using the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment explain.
In the first method, the fixing member 124 is superimposed on the adjusting member 123 so that the positioning pin 58 is inserted into the positioning recess 59, and in this state, the fixing member 124 is fixed on the adjusting member 123 by the bolt 56. Then, with respect to each of the pair of positioning devices 122a and 122b, the adjustment member 123 integrated with the fixing member 124 is disposed on the base 132, and the bolt 53 is inserted into the respective bolt insertion holes 51 and 51. The bolt 53 is screwed into the bolt hole 54 to such an extent that the adjusting member 123 is not completely fixed. Then, in that state, one or both of the adjustment members 123 are moved back and forth (in the circumferential direction of the rotating roll) in the transport direction MD, and the position of the slit 27 formed between the fixed members 124 and the value of the width W of the slit But adjust to the desired position and width. For adjustment of the width W of the slit, for example, a spacer with a known thickness called a shim is used.

Then, after adjusting the position of the slit 27 and the width W of the slit, the bolt 53 is further rotated to fix the adjusting member 123 so that the fixing position with respect to the base 132 does not change.
Thus, after the slits 27 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support member 21 of the laser type bonding apparatus 20, the thermal paper is disposed on the slits 27 and the laser beam 30 is irradiated, and the laser beam 30 is irradiated. In relation to the position, it is confirmed whether the position of the slit 27 or the width W of the slit is appropriate. If it is not appropriate, loosen the bolt 53 fixing one or both of the adjustment members 123, shift the position of the adjustment members 123, and adjust the position of the slit 27 and the slit width W to be in an appropriate state. Repeat adjustment and confirmation until the proper condition is reached.
According to the first method, for example, in this manner, the slit 27 having an appropriate position and width W can be formed.

In this manner, after forming the slits 27 having appropriate positions and widths W, the main operation is performed by irradiating a band-like sheet laminate such as a diaper continuous body with laser light.
Then, when dust or dirt accumulates on the edge of the slit 27 etc. during this operation, the bolt 56 fixing one or both of the pair of fixing members 124 located on both sides of the slit 27 is used. After loosening, removing, and cleaning the removed fixing member 124, the fixing member 124 is fixed again with the bolt 56.
When the slit 27 is formed in the laser bonding apparatus 20 by the slit forming device 122 according to the first embodiment, the positioning pin 58 is positioned in the recess 59 as described above even when the fixed member 124 removed is refixed. The fixing member 124 can be repositioned at a predetermined specific position on the adjusting member 123 with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to easily reproduce the appropriate position of the slit 27 and the appropriate slit width W before the fixing member 124 is removed. Therefore, after the fixing member 124 is removed and cleaned, the operation can be easily started, and the time required for maintenance can be significantly reduced. The same applies to the case where the fixing member 124 is removed and replaced with a new one. As described above, in the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment and the sheet fused body manufacturing device using the same, after removing and cleaning the fixing member 124 or replacing the fixing member 124 with a new one, The operation can be easily started, and the labor and time required for the maintenance of the apparatus can be significantly reduced.

In the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment, the positioning pin 58 which is a positioning convex portion and the positioning recess 59 into which the positioning pin 58 is inserted are the "positioning and position reproducing means" in the present invention. The positioning means determines the relative position between the adjusting member 123 and the adjusting member 123, and is also the position reproducing means that repeatedly reproduces the relative position when the fixing member 124 and the adjusting member 123 are attached and detached.
The positioning convex portion preferably has a cross-sectional shape along at least the direction intersecting the extending direction of the slit (conveyance direction MD), the shape of the cross section tapering toward the tip, and the extending direction of the slit (width direction CD) It is preferable that the shape of the cross section taken along the line be tapered toward the tip. Further, the second bolt 56 inserted into the second bolt insertion hole 55 of the fixing member 124 and the bolt hole 57 of the adjusting member 123 into which the second bolt 56 is screwed in the present embodiment It is a fixing means that is detachably fixed to 123, and does not correspond to the "positioning and position reproducing means" in the present invention. "Desorption" means to fix again after removing. The diameter of the bolt hole is larger than the diameter (nominal diameter) of the bolt, and therefore, the screw hole and bolt screw are scraped while the bolt is removed or tightened, thereby causing the rattling to increase. In order to

  In the positioning and position reproducing means, when the fixing member is repeatedly attached to and removed from the adjusting member 100 times, the maximum amount of displacement occurring between the initial fixing position and the fixing position thereafter is the slit extending direction The displacement in the crossing direction (conveyance direction MD) is preferably within 100 μm, more preferably within 50 μm, and in regard to the deviation in both the extension direction of the slit and the direction intersecting the extension direction (conveyance direction MD), Preferably it is within 100 μm, more preferably within 50 μm.

  In the slit forming device 122 according to the first embodiment, the diaper continuous body 10 side (the belt-like exterior body 3 side, the pressure belt is provided in the vicinity of the slit 27 in the fixing member 124 (region within 35 mm from the edge of the slit 27). A projecting portion 124 a is formed on the side 24. By forming the projecting portion 124 a, the pressing force on the vicinity of the portion to be divided in the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) can be effectively increased.

  The slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. The slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment can be provided on the second support portion 112 of the laser bonding device 20 in place of the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment. The slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment is the same as the slit forming device 122 of the first embodiment unless otherwise described, and the description given above for the first embodiment is appropriately applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the two positioning devices 122a and 122b in the slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment each include an adjusting member 123 and a fixing member 124, and each include a position adjusting mechanism 50. . The position adjustment mechanism 50 has the same configuration as the position adjustment mechanism in the first embodiment, is formed in the adjustment member 123, and is a bolt insertion hole 51 having a long shape in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the slit 27 It has the bolt 53 (fixing tool) inserted through the insertion hole) and the bolt inserting hole 51 (fixing tool insertion hole). Further, each of the two positioning devices 122 a and 122 b in the slit forming device 122 A is provided with a position adjusting mechanism 60 for finely adjusting the arrangement position of the adjusting member 123 by means of the male screw member 61. Then, by adjusting the arrangement position of one or both of the two positioning devices 122a and 122b using the position adjustment mechanisms 50 and 60, the width W of the slit formed between the fixing members 124 is adjusted. It is made possible.

  The adjustment member 123 in the slit forming device 122A is temporarily fixed on the base 132 by the male screw member 61, and the bolt 53 (fixing tool) inserted in the insertion hole 51 provided in the adjustment member 123 is formed on the base 132 It is fixed on the base 132 by screwing into the bolt hole 54 (fixing member fixing portion). The male screw member 61 has a male screw portion on the outer periphery along the entire length, and is inserted into the U-shaped insertion portion 65a of the temporary fastening plate 65 (see FIG. 14) rising from the base 132, The temporary fixing plate 65 is held between the pair of nut members 63 and 64 screwed to the male screw portion, whereby the temporary fixing plate 65 is temporarily fixed. As shown in FIG. 13A, the adjusting member 123 has an insertion hole 51 having a shape that is long in a direction (conveyance direction MD) orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit 27 formed by the slit forming device 122A. The bolt holes 54 are formed by inserting a plurality of spaces in the longitudinal direction of the bolt 53 and inserting the bolts 53 (fixing tools) into the insertion holes 51 thereof and forming the male screw parts 53 b of the bolts 53 in the base 132. By screwing into the (fixing device fixing portion), it is fixed on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132. Then, the adjusting member 123 fixed on the base 132S by inserting the bolt 53 into each bolt insertion hole 51 and screwing it into the bolt hole 54 is released from the fixed state by loosening the bolts 53, Furthermore, as in the position adjustment mechanism 60 shown at the lower left of FIG. 12, by temporarily increasing the distance between the pair of nut members 63 and 64, the temporarily fixed state of the male screw member 61 is released. A change is possible. In that state, after changing the arrangement position of the adjustment member 123, the fixing plate 65 is sandwiched between the nut members 63 and 64, and the adjustment member 123 is temporarily fixed at that position and inserted into the insertion hole 51 provided in the adjustment member 123. The inserted bolt 53 (fixing tool) is screwed into a bolt hole 54 (fixing tool fixing portion) formed in the base 132 to be fixed on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132. The male screw member 61 is inserted into the bolt hole formed in the adjusting member 123 at one end in the axial direction, and is screwed with the nut member 62 so as to abut on the inlet of the bolt hole. It is fixed to the adjustment member 123.

  The fixing member 124 is detachably fixed to the adjusting member 123 by the bolt 56 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the adjusting member 123 in a state integrated with the fixing member 124 is a male screw member 61 and nut members 63, 64. Temporarily hold the temporary fastening plate 65 rising from the base 132 and insert the insertion hole 51 provided in the adjustment member 123 into the bolt hole 54 (fixing member fixing portion) formed in the base 132 completely. The male screw portion 53b of the bolt 53 (fixing tool) screwed to an extent not fixed is fixed on the tip end surface 132S of the base 132 by screwing so that the fixing position does not change. At the time of temporary fixing and fixing, one or both of the adjusting members 123 are moved back and forth (in the circumferential direction of the rotating roll) in the transport direction MD, and the position of the slit 27 formed between the fixing members 124 First, a bolt insertion hole 51 (fixing tool insertion hole) having a long shape in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the slit 27 so that the value of the width W becomes a desired position or width, and a bolt insertion hole 51 (fixed Using the position adjustment mechanism provided with the bolt 53 (fixing tool) inserted into the tool insertion hole), the approximate arrangement position is adjusted, and the bolt 53 is inserted into each of the bolt insertion holes 51 and 51. The bolt 53 is screwed into the bolt hole 54 to such an extent that the adjusting member 123 is not completely fixed. Next, using the position adjustment mechanism 60 for adjusting the arrangement position of the adjustment member 123 by the male screw member 61, loosen the nut in the direction opposite to the movement direction and tighten the nut in the movement direction. After fine adjustment and fine adjustment, the loosened nut is tightened and temporarily fixed to the temporary fastening plate 65 rising from the base 132. Then, the bolt 53 is further rotated to fix the adjusting member 123 so that the fixing position with respect to the base 132 does not change. And after forming the slit 27 whose position and width W are appropriate, a laser beam is irradiated to strip | belt-shaped sheet laminated bodies, such as a diaper continuous body, and this operation is performed.

  Even when the slit 27 is formed in the laser bonding apparatus 20 by the slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment, when re-fixing the removed fixing member 124, as shown in FIG. Repositioning the fixing member 124 at a predetermined specific position on the adjusting member 123 with high accuracy only by inserting the positioning pin 58 formed on the adjusting member 123 into the positioning recess 59 formed on the fixing member 124 Can. Therefore, even in the case where the fixing member 124 once removed is reattached, or when the removed fixing member 124 is replaced with a new one, the appropriate position of the slit 27 and the appropriate slit width W before removing the fixing member 124 are easy Can be reproduced. As described above, also in the slit forming apparatus 122A of the second embodiment and the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion-bonded body using the same, after removing and cleaning the fixing member 124 or replacing the fixing member 124 with a new one, The operation can be easily started, and the labor and time required for the maintenance of the apparatus can be significantly reduced.

  In the slit forming device of the third embodiment, in the slit forming device 122A of the second embodiment, the adjustment members 123 of the two positioning devices 122a and 122b are extended by the slide guides provided on the base 132, respectively. While being slidably supported in a direction (conveyance direction MD) intersecting the existing direction, the adjustment members 123 are movable by a known drive mechanism driven by a motor. As such a drive mechanism, for example, a feed screw that receives power from a motor such as a stepping motor directly or indirectly and rotates around an axis, and is screwed with the feed screw, and moves in the axial direction as the feed screw rotates. And a nut member that moves to the Such a drive mechanism may be provided for each of the two adjustment members 123 of the two positioning devices 122a and 122b, or, as in the drive mechanism shown in FIG. 4 of JP 2010-2543 A, A book feed screw may move two members simultaneously.

  To further describe the laser type bonding apparatus 20 (the apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion bonded body), the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) of the diaper 1 finally obtained by the apparatus 20 is provided with practically sufficient fusion bonding strength. From the viewpoint and from the viewpoint of reducing the processing energy required to produce the sheet fusion, the width W of the slit 27 irradiated with the laser beam 30 (see FIG. 5, length in the conveyance direction MD of the strip sheet laminate Ratio (φ / W) of the diameter φ of the spot of the laser beam 30 (portion irradiated with the laser beam 30) in the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) to , More preferably 0.1 or more, particularly preferably 0.4 or more, and preferably 8 or less, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 2 or less, more specifically preferably It is 0.05-8, More preferably, it is 0.1-7, Most preferably, it is 0.4-2. For example, the width W of the slit 27 is 0.1 to 4.0 mm.

  As the laser beam 30, the laser beam of the oscillation wavelength which is absorbed by the sheet | seat which comprises the diaper continuous body 10 and which heats this sheet | seat is used. Here, "the sheet which constitutes the diaper continuous body 10" is not limited to the sheet (for example, the outer layer sheet 31 in the above embodiment) which constitutes one surface (the contact surface with the support member) of the sheet laminate, Any sheet may be used as long as it constitutes a sheet laminate. It is used with the material of a sheet whether it is an oscillation wavelength which the laser beam irradiated to diaper continuum 10 is absorbed by the sheet and makes it heat up about each sheet which constitutes the sheet laminate. It is determined in relation to the oscillation wavelength of the laser light. When the sheet constituting the sheet laminate is a synthetic resin non-woven fabric or film, it is preferable to use a CO2 laser, a YAG laser, an LD laser (semiconductor laser), a YVO4 laser, a fiber laser or the like as the laser beam. Moreover, when the sheet | seat which comprises the diaper continuous body 10 contains polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene etc. as a synthetic resin, as an oscillation wavelength which is absorbed by this sheet and can heat this sheet | seat favorably, it is 8.0, for example. It is preferable to use 15 μm, and it is particularly preferable to use 9.0 to 11.0 μm of the oscillation wavelength of a CO 2 laser in which a high-power laser device is present. The laser output or the like of the laser beam 30 can be appropriately selected in consideration of the material, thickness, and the like of the sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10.

  Subsequently, an embodiment of a method of producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap is described using the laser bonding apparatus 20 of the embodiment described above. Do. As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 20 causes the laser light 30 collected from the side of the support member 21 to be along the slit 27 in the band-shaped diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) in a pressurized state by the pressure belt 24. Sheet fused and fused in a state in which the edges of the split overlap, and a sheet fused body having a seal edge (a pants type having an exterior body 3 having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4) Several disposable diapers 1) can be manufactured continuously.

  According to the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, a sheet laminate (allowing the condensed laser light 30 to pass through one surface 10 a of a strip-like sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets are stacked) The band-like sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) conveyed while being in a pressurized state while being in contact with a support member 21 having a long slit 27 in the width direction (the same direction as the width direction CD) of the diaper continuum 10) In contrast, along the slits 27 from the support member 21 side, the irradiation head 312 emits laser light 30 of an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) and causes the sheet to generate heat. Therefore, at the same time as the strip sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) is divided, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division are fused to form a sheet. And a sealing edge forming step of forming the edge portion (side sealing portions 4, 4).

  In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, a sheet laminate of a plurality of single leaves (a precursor of a pants-type disposable diaper in which the side seal portion 4 is not formed) as “a band-like sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”. The diaper continuum 10 is separately manufactured by connecting the body in one direction, and the diaper continuum 10 is divided individually by the irradiation of the laser beam 30, and at the same time in the pressure generated by the division. The cut edges of a plurality of sheets are fused to form side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edges).

  In the “strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, at least a part of the plurality of sheets preferably includes a resin material, and the resin material is preferably formed as a main component, Specifically, for example, it is preferable that a heat-sealable synthetic resin such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or polypropylene is contained as a resin material, and it is made of a non-woven fabric, a film, or a laminate sheet of non-woven fabric and film. As the non-woven fabric, those generally used in the relevant technical field can be used without particular limitation, and specifically, air-through non-woven fabric, heat roll non-woven fabric, spunlace non-woven fabric, spunbond non-woven fabric, meltblown non-woven fabric and the like can be mentioned. . In the sheet laminate, it is preferable that all of the plurality of sheets constituting the sheet laminate contain a resin material. Hereinafter, first, the manufacturing method of the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet | seat laminated body) is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15, a band-like outer layer sheet 31 continuously supplied from a raw fabric roll (not shown) and a band-like inner layer sheet continuously supplied from a raw fabric roll (not shown) In a stretched state in which the waist elastic member 5 forming the waist gather, the waist elastic member 6 forming the waist gather, and the leg elastic member 7 forming the leg gather between 32 are stretched to a predetermined elongation rate. A plurality of each will be distributed. At this time, in the present embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the waist elastic member 5 and the waist elastic member 6 continuously or intermittently by an adhesive coating machine (not shown), The leg elastic members 7 are arranged while forming a predetermined leg circumference pattern via a known rocking guide (not shown) which reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the sheet flow direction. Further, before overlapping the strip-like outer layer sheet 31 and the strip-like inner layer sheet 32, an adhesive coating machine (not shown) is applied to a predetermined portion of either or both opposing surfaces of both sheets. Apply the hot melt adhesive. Incidentally, elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waist elastic member 6 are divided by irradiation of the laser beam in both sheets 31 and 32 (portions where the side seal 4 is to be formed) (described above) In FIG. 7, in order to avoid problems such as significant contraction of the elastic member after the division and removal of the elastic member or the like, when being arranged in an extended state so as to straddle the division planned portion shown by reference numeral 10C. It is preferable to apply an adhesive to the portion and the vicinity thereof.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, a belt-like outer layer sheet 31 and a belt-like outer layer sheet 31 sandwiching the waist elastic member 5, the waist elastic member 6 and the leg elastic member 7 in a stretched state between the pair of nip rolls 11. By feeding the inner layer sheet 32 and pressurizing it, a band-like outer package 3 in which a plurality of elastic members 5, 6, 7 are arranged in a stretched state is formed between the band-like sheets 31, 32. Thereafter, in the present embodiment, a plurality of waist elastic members 6 and a plurality of leg portions are made to correspond to the position where the absorbent main body 2 described later is disposed using elastic member pre-cut means (not shown). The elastic member 7 is pressed and divided into plural pieces so that the contraction function is not expressed. As said elastic member precut means, the elastic member division part etc. which are used for the manufacturing method of the compound expansion-contraction member of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-253605 etc. are mentioned, for example.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is previously applied to the absorbent main body 2 manufactured in another step, and the absorbent main body 2 is rotated 90 degrees to form a band-shaped outer package It supplies intermittently on the inner-layer sheet 32 which comprises 3, and it fixes. The adhesive for fixing the absorbent main body may be coated in advance on the planned arrangement position of the absorbent main body 2 in the inner layer sheet 32 instead of the absorbent main body 2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the leg holes LO 'are formed inside the annular portion annularly surrounded by the leg elastic members 7 in the band-like exterior body 3 in which the absorbent main body 2 is disposed. This leg hole formation process can be implemented using the method similar to the method in the manufacturing method of articles | goods of this kind conventionally, such as a rotary cutter and a laser cutter. In the present embodiment, the leg holes are formed after the absorbent main body 2 is disposed in the band-like package 3, but the leg holes may be formed before the absorbent main body 2 is disposed.

  Next, the strip-like exterior body 3 is folded in the width direction (direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the exterior body 3). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, both side portions 3 a, 3 a along the transport direction of the belt-like exterior body 3 are folded back so as to cover the longitudinal direction both ends of the absorbent main body 2. After fixing the longitudinal direction both ends, the exterior body 3 is folded in two in the width direction together with the absorbent main body 2. Thus, the desired diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) is obtained.

  In the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a pair of sides of the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) manufactured separately in this way is obtained using the laser bonding apparatus 20. The underpants type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) which has the seal | sticker part 4 and 4 (seal edge part) is manufactured continuously.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the diaper continuous body 10 (strip-like sheet laminate) is stretched in the direction of arrow A in a state where a predetermined tension is applied by a guide roll or the like (not shown). It is introduced onto the outer surface of the support member 21 that forms the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roller 23 that is rotationally driven, and is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the annular support member 21. After being separated, the support member 21 is separated from the support member 21 by means of a not-shown lead-out roll and a nip roll. As described above, the continuous diaper 10 is wound on the support member 21 forming the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 with a predetermined tension and conveyed in pressure contact with the pressure belt 24, whereby the continuous diaper 10 is formed. The portion between the support member 21 and the pressure member 24 of the pressing member 26 and the vicinity thereof are in a state of being pressurized (compressed) in the thickness direction before being divided by the irradiation of the laser light, so the diaper continuous body When 10 includes a non-woven fabric, the diaper continuous body 10 can be compressed more efficiently, and as a result, the diaper continuous body 10 during such compression is irradiated with laser light to divide it. Sometimes, it becomes possible to more reliably fuse the cut edges of a plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion, and melting of the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) Further improvement in strength is achieved.

  When the seal edge forming step of forming the seal edge (side seal portions 4 and 4) in the diaper manufacturing method of this embodiment is described in detail, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. The pressure belt 24 is pressed against the other surface 10 b (surface opposite to the one surface 10 a which is the contact surface with the support member 21) of the continuous diaper 10 to make it in a pressurized state. And while conveying the diaper continuous body 10 in a pressurized state, the diaper continuous body is irradiated with the laser beam 30 from the irradiation head 312 along the slits 27 from the support member 21 side with respect to the diaper continuous body 10 (10) The cut edges of the plurality of sheets in the pressurized state generated by the division are fused to form the side seal portions 4, 4 (seal edges) at the same time as dividing the 10 individually. The underpants type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) which comprises the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) which has a pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edge part) is manufactured continuously. As described above, the irradiation with the laser beam 30 is performed by the irradiation to the continuous diaper 10 in a pressurized state (compressed state) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24. It is preferable from the viewpoint of reliably fusing the cut edges of a plurality of sheets and improving the fusion strength of the side seal portion 4.

  16 (a) and 16 (b) show how the side seal portion 4 (seal edge portion) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body 10 (strip sheet laminate) is divided using the laser bonding apparatus 20. FIG. In FIG. 16A, the portion 10C to be divided by the laser beam 30 of the diaper continuous body 10 and the vicinity thereof are schematically shown. The division planned portion 10C of the diaper continuous body 10 in the present embodiment is a longitudinal direction (conveying direction in a region where the absorbent main body 2 of the diaper continuous body 10 is not disposed, as shown in FIG. MD) in the middle. Such a part to be divided 10C is an open end of the waist opening 8 (see FIG. 1) and its vicinity, an eight-layer structure portion in which eight sheets are stacked, and the other part is four sheets. It is a four-layer structure part that is overlapped. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), the four-layer structure portion includes two sheets (an outer layer sheet 31 and an inner layer sheet 32) constituting one outer package 3 in the abdominal side portion 1A and a back side portion 1B. It consists of two sheets 31 and 32 which also constitute one exterior body 3, and these four sheets are laminated. On the other hand, in the eight-layer structure portion, as described above, both side portions 3a and 3a of the belt-like exterior body 3 are folded back so as to cover the longitudinal direction both end portions of the absorbent main body 2 16), and because two sheaths 3 are present on each of the ventral side 1A and the dorsal side 1B, and a total of four sheaths 3 and 3 are laminated, as a result, 8). Sheet 31 and 32 of sheets are laminated and constituted. In each of the four-layer structure portion and the eight-layer structure portion, elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waist elastic member 6 may be interposed between the sheets 31 and 32 overlapping each other. In FIG. 16, illustration of the elastic member is omitted from the viewpoint of easy explanation. Hereinafter, the four-layer structure will be mainly described. However, unless otherwise specified, the eight-layer structure is configured in the same manner as the four-layer structure, and the side seal portion 4 is formed.

  Other than the outer layer sheet 31 constituting one surface 10a (contact surface with the support member 21) and the sheet constituting one surface 10a in the division planned portion 10C of the four-layer structure in the diaper continuous 10 The sheet (inner layer sheet 32) is a sheet in which one or both absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. In the present embodiment, all of the four sheets 31 and 32 constituting the parting planned portion 10C are sheets (non-woven fabric) that absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. Moreover, before irradiation of the laser beam 30, it may be joined with an adhesive agent etc., and it is not necessary to be joined at all between the sheets which overlap the division | segmentation plan part 10C and its vicinity in the vicinity of it.

  The diaper continuous body 10 rotates in the direction of arrow A so that one surface 10a abuts on the support member 21 and the part 10C to be divided is positioned on the slit 27, as shown in FIG. 16 (b). The pressure belt 24 is introduced onto the surface 21b and pressed against the other surface 10b, whereby the pressure belt 24 is pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction while being conveyed in the arrow A direction. Then, the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the slit 27 from the side of the support member 21 with respect to the parting planned portion 10C in such a conveying and pressurized state. As described above, the irradiation point of the laser beam 30 is arbitrarily movable in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 by a galvano scanner (not shown), and the movement of the slit 27 along the circumferential direction is Since it is set to move so as to follow, the division planned portion 10C located on the slit 27 is continuously irradiated with the laser beam 30 for a fixed time during the transportation.

  When the laser beam 30 is irradiated to the division planned portion 10C of the four-layer structure, the forming materials (fibers and the like) of the sheets 31 and 32 present in the division planned portion 10C are vaporized and dissipated by the heat generated by the direct radiation of the laser light 30 The forming material present in the vicinity of the portion to be divided 10C is indirectly heated by the laser beam 30 and melted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the division planned portion 10C of the four-layer structure is melted and cut so that one sheet laminate sheet (diaper precursor) is separated from the diaper continuous body 10, At the same time as the diaper continuous body 10 is divided, the cut edges of the four sheets 31, 32 in the sheet laminate of the single sheet produced by the division and the cut-away diaper continuous body 10 The cut edges of the four sheets 31 and 32 are respectively fused to form a fused portion 40. These cutting edges are respectively pressed (prepressed state) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 from before the formation (before the division of the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30). It was said that). The shape of the fusion bonding portion 40 is, for example, crescent-shaped as shown in FIG.

  The reason why the fusion-bonded portion 40 of the side seal portion 4 is thus formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 is as shown in FIGS. 16 (b) and 16 (c). During and immediately after the irradiation of the laser beam 30 to the parting planned portion 10C of the diaper continuous body 10, the diaper continuous body 10 (parting planned part 10C) made of non-woven fabric comprises the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 made of metal material. It is presumed that there is an intervening arrangement between That is, the metal material which is the main forming material of the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) sandwiching the diaper continuous body 10 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) from above and below is the main material of the sheets 31 and 32. Since the heat conductivity is higher than that of the non-woven fabric which is the forming material, the heat generated in the sheets 31 and 32 by the irradiation of the laser light 30 is cooled by the outside air and at the same time the support member 21 or A corner of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 constituting the side seal portion 4 formed by dividing the diaper continuous body 10 by irradiation of the laser beam 30 while being easily absorbed quickly by the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) Since the portion 3S is in contact with the support member 21 or the pressure belt 24 having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the corner 3S, the heat generated in the corner 3 is both members 21, 24. Is rapidly absorbed, as a result, the corner portion 3 is hardly become a hot extent that the fused portion 40 is formed, therefore, the proportion of fused portion 40 is very small site. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge of the exterior body 3 (the central portion of the portion sandwiched between the corner 3S on one surface side of the exterior body 3 and 3S on the other surface side) has both high thermal conductivity Since it is not in contact with the members 21 and 24, the heat generated in the central part by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 stays in the central part and melts the central part, and as a result, the fusion part 40 is large in the central part It becomes unevenly distributed.

  Therefore, in order to form the fusion portion 40 in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 to exert the above-described effects, as in the present embodiment, the support member 21 and the The pressure belt 24 is made of a metal material such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or ceramics, and at least a part of a plurality of sheets 31 and 32 constituting the diaper continuous body 10 (strip sheet laminate). (In particular, the outer layer sheet 31 which forms the outer surface of the outer package 3) partially includes a resin material, and specifically, for example, it is preferable to be made of non-woven fabric. In particular, the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) is preferably made of a breathable metal material, and is preferably made of, for example, a wire mesh or a punching metal made of metal. Moreover, it is preferable that the resin material is included in all the sheets of the plurality of sheets 31. As the non-woven fabric, one usually used in the relevant technical field can be used without particular limitation.

  As described above, according to the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment, in this way, the single-shot irradiation of the laser beam causes the banded sheet laminate to be divided and the two pressurized states generated by the division. In order to carry out the fusion between the cut edges of a certain sheet at the same time, it is approximately half of the method (a method out of the scope of the present invention) of fusing two fusion points by two laser irradiations. Fusion and separation can be carried out in the same process with the laser output of the sheet, and a sheet fusion body having a seal edge (side seal part 4) fused in a state where the sheet edges overlap (pants type disposable diaper 1) Can be manufactured efficiently. In addition, since fusion and division can be performed in the same process, there is no generation of non-sealed edges in which the cut edges of the sheet are not fused together, so there is also an effect of reducing materials.

  The cut edges of the sheets 31 and 32 generate heat and become molten during irradiation of the laser light 30 and immediately after the irradiation, but one sheet cut from the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser light 30 With the pressure applied by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 of each of the sheet stack of leaves (diaper precursor) and the diaper continuous body 10 being maintained, after the end of the irradiation, the outside air or support member 21. The heat transfer to the pressure belt 24 quickly cools and solidifies, and the forming material (fibers and the like) of the cutting edge portion becomes a fused portion 40 in which the integrated material is melted and integrated. Thus, by forming the fusion bonded portion 40, one of the pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 in one diaper 1 is formed. If necessary, the cut edges of the sheets 31 and 32 may be forcibly cooled using known cooling means such as a suction device and an exhaust device to promote the formation of the fusion bonded portion 40.

  When one portion to be divided 10C is divided in this way, the laser beam 30 moves so that the irradiation point thereof hits another slit 27 adjacent in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction MD (rotational direction A of the cylindrical roll 23) Through the other slit 27 and is irradiated to another part to be divided 10C located thereon. Thereby, another part to be divided 10C is divided and fused in the same manner as described above, and the other side seal part 4 (fused part 40) paired with the previously formed side seal part 4 is formed. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) including the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) having the pair of side seal parts 4 and 4 (sealing edges) is continuous. Manufactured.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention can be suitably changed in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, without being restrict | limited to the said embodiment. For example, the sheet laminate may be a stack of two, three or five or more sheets in addition to a stack of four sheets as shown in FIG. 16A.

Further, the fixing member 124 may not have the protrusion 124 a. Moreover, the fixing tool for fixing the adjustment member 123 may be other than a bolt (screw). Further, the temporary fastening plate 65 in the slit forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12 and the slide guide etc. in the third embodiment fix a plate (not shown) on the base 132 shown in FIG. It may be provided on top.
Further, as the positioning convex portion (positioning pin or the like) and the positioning concave portion as the positioning and position reproducing means, the positioning convex portion may be provided on the fixing member 124 and the positioning concave portion may be provided on the adjusting member 123. Also, the positioning projection (positioning pin or the like) may be conical or pyramidal instead of the truncated cone, and the tip of the cone or pyramid may be tapered or rounded or the tip may be spherical It may be rounded or the like.

  In addition, the positioning and position reproducing means fixes the positional relationship between the adjusting member and the fixing member only in the conveyance direction MD of the band-like sheet laminate or the like to be irradiated with the laser light, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD. It may be a combination of ridges and grooves extending to The ridges are preferably such that the cross-sectional shape in the transport direction MD is tapered toward the end (triangle, trapezoid, arc, taper, etc.).

In the slit forming apparatus of the present invention, the laser beam is irradiated between the slits, but the purpose thereof is an apparatus which does not divide the irradiation target of the laser light (strip-like sheet laminate etc.) or the irradiation target of the laser light. It can also be used to form a slit in an apparatus or the like which is divided but does not form a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap.
In the above embodiment, the laser bonding apparatus 20 including the cylindrical roll 23 is used. However, instead of the cylindrical roll 23, the laser bonding apparatus 20 including a flat member may be used.

  The description omission part in one embodiment mentioned above and the requirements which only one embodiment has are applicable to other embodiments, respectively, and the requirements in each embodiment are suitably mutually exchanged between the embodiments. Is replaceable.

1 Pants-type disposable diapers (absorbent articles, fused sheet)
1A Abdominal side 1B Dorsal side 2 Absorbent main body 3 Exterior body (sheet fusion body)
31 outer layer sheet 32 inner layer sheet 4 side seal (seal edge)
40 Fused portion 10 Diaper continuum (strip-like sheet laminate)
20 Laser-type bonding device (sheet fusion body manufacturing device)
Reference Signs List 21 support member 111 first support portion 112 second support portions 122a, 122b alignment device 122, 122A slit forming device 123 adjustment member 124 fixing member 51 bolt insertion hole (fixing member insertion hole)
53 bolt (fixing device)
54 second bolt hole 55 second bolt insertion hole 58 alignment pin 59 alignment recess 50, 60 position adjusting mechanism 132 base 23 cylindrical roll (supporting member)
24 Pressure belt (pressing member)
27 slit 30 laser beam

Claims (5)

A sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap .
Even without least a supporting member for supporting one surface of the sheet stack of strip-shaped part a plurality of sheets including a resin material overlaid on the peripheral surface portion, said rotating about an axis of rotation strip sheet The hollow cylindrical roll capable of conveying the laminate in the circumferential direction, and an irradiation head disposed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical roll and irradiating the support member with a laser beam .
The support member, a the laser beam can pass through, has a long slit in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the strip-shaped sheet laminate,
The band-like sheet laminate supplied and supported on the outer surface of the support member is irradiated with laser light from the support member side along the slits to divide it, and the edge of the division is overlapped in fusing, the sheet fusion adherend having the sealing edge an apparatus for producing a sheet fused to be produced in plurality continuously,
The slit is formed by a slit forming device,
The slit forming device has two positioning devices provided with an adjusting member and a fixing member so as to form a slit between the fixing members.
The positioning device includes a position adjustment mechanism that adjusts the arrangement position of the adjustment member, and the width of the slit can be adjusted by adjusting the arrangement position of the adjustment member,
The fixing member can be detachably fixed to the adjusting member,
The positioning device comprises positioning and position reproducing means for determining the relative position between the fixing member and the adjusting member, and repeatedly reproducing the relative position when the fixing member and the adjusting member are detached and attached. There is a sheet fusion body manufacturing device. The position adjusting mechanism is provided with a fixing tool insertion hole formed in the adjusting member and having a long shape in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the slit, and a fixing tool inserted into the fixing tool insertion hole. An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion-bonded body according to Item 1. The said position adjustment mechanism is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of Claim 1 or 2 which is a mechanism which adjusts the arrangement | positioning position of the said adjustment member by a male screw member. The said position adjustment mechanism is a manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of Claim 1 or 2 which is a mechanism which adjusts the arrangement | positioning position of the said adjustment member by the drive of a motor. The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion-bonded body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the positioning and position reproducing means is a positioning convex portion and a positioning concave portion in which the positioning convex portion is engaged.

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