JP6926857B2 - Encapsulation equipment and absorption equipment manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an encapsulation device suitable for use in a device for manufacturing an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a urine pad provided with an absorber.

The absorbent article is provided with an absorber in which a matte core is wrapped in a wrap sheet. As a method for producing this absorber, a method is known in which the core is covered with the wrap sheet by carrying out the following steps 1 and 2 while transporting the strip-shaped continuous body to be divided into the wrap sheet. ..
Step 1: Place the core in the center of the continuum in the width direction Step 2: Fold the outer edge region of the continuum in the width direction with respect to the core For example, in step 2, the core is placed on the continuum. It has been proposed to guide the side opposite to the side on which the plate is placed with a plate-shaped member (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-97172

One of the purposes of this case is to improve the encapsulation property of the continuum.

In the encapsulation device disclosed here, the encapsulating member is mounted in the first width region, and the encapsulating member is not mounted in the second width region outside the first width region in the width direction. It is provided with a transport mechanism for transporting the continuum while stretching the continuous body, and an encapsulation mechanism for folding the second width region with respect to the first width region and encapsulating the inclusion member with the continuum. The encapsulation mechanism, in the second width region to be erected folding of the continuum, the tension in the width direction of the side which is the first width region side to the outside in the width direction is opposite to the first width region having a first member for applying, a second member for applying tension to the inner side in the width direction from than said first member is disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction the width direction outer side.

The device for manufacturing an absorbent article disclosed here includes the above-mentioned encapsulation device, uses a mat intermediate as the inclusion member, and is divided into a wrap sheet that encloses the mat intermediate as the continuum. Use intermediates.

According to this case, the encapsulation property of the continuum can be enhanced.

It is a perspective view which shows by breaking a part of the paper diaper (absorbent article). It is a schematic side view which shows the manufacturing apparatus of a disposable diaper. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. It is a top view which shows typically the encapsulation device of a manufacturing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the encapsulation device.

In the present embodiment, an apparatus for encapsulating the inclusion member with a strip-shaped continuum will be described. Here, the encapsulation device used in the device for manufacturing an absorbent article is illustrated.
Absorbent articles are hygienic products that are worn by the wearer and absorb and retain liquids such as urine and menstrual blood excreted by the wearer. Examples of this absorbent article include tape-type and pants-type paper diapers (so-called “disposable diapers”), urine pads, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like. In the following embodiments, disposable diapers are exemplified as absorbent articles.

The directions used for explanation in this embodiment are defined as follows.
In a disposable diaper, the longitudinal direction is the direction connecting the front body arranged facing the wearer's abdomen and the back body arranged facing the back. Between these front and back bodies is an inseam that is placed in the wearer's inseam (placed facing the crotch). In addition, when the disposable diaper is worn on the wearer (hereinafter abbreviated as "wearing state"), the side facing the wearer's skin (inside in the wearing state) is the skin side, and the opposite side of the skin side (wearing). The outside) is the non-skin side. Further, the direction connecting the skin surface side and the non-skin surface side is the thickness direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction is the width direction.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus, upstream and downstream are determined based on the transport direction of the materials constituting the absorber. Further, the width direction is defined as a direction orthogonal to both the transport direction and the thickness direction of the material. The top and bottom are determined based on the vertical direction, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction is the horizontal direction. Here, the encapsulating device in which the transport direction is horizontal and the direction orthogonal to the transport direction and the width direction (reference direction) is the vertical direction will be mainly described.
In addition, unless otherwise specified, the notation "numerical value X to numerical value Y" means "more than or equal to numerical value X and less than or equal to numerical value Y".

[I. One Embodiment]
[1. composition]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the disposable diaper to be manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus will be described, and then the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus will be described.
[1-1. Paper diapers]
As shown in FIG. 1, a paper diaper 1 has a built-in absorber 10, and various sheets 2, 3, 4, and 5 are superposed on the absorber 10.

<Absorber>
The absorber 10 is a water absorbing member. The absorber 10 is covered with an absorber core (hereinafter abbreviated as “core”) 12 by a core wrap sheet (hereinafter abbreviated as “wrap sheet”) 11.
For the wrap sheet 11, a sheet-like member such as a wipe paper or a hydrophilic non-woven fabric is used.

A mat-like member in which a highly water-absorbent resin (mixture) is mixed with crushed or defibrated pulp fibers (fiber material) is used for the core 12.
In addition to or in place of pulp fibers, other fiber materials such as rayon fibers and cotton fibers may be used. Further, in addition to or in place of the highly water-absorbent resin, other mixed agents such as deodorants and fragrances may be used.

<Sheet>
The center sheet 2 and the side sheet 3 are laminated on the skin surface side of the absorber 10 described above, and the back sheet 4 and the cover sheet 5 are laminated on the non-skin surface side.
The center sheet 2 has water permeability because it allows water to permeate and be absorbed by the absorber 10. Further, the center sheet 2 is arranged on the skin surface side of the disposable diaper 1 (for this reason, it is also referred to as a "top sheet"). The center sheet 2 has a larger width direction than the absorber 10 and covers the absorber 10 from the skin surface side.

The side sheet 3 has impermeable property in order to prevent liquid leakage in the width direction on the skin surface side of the absorber 10. The side sheet 3 is arranged on the skin surface side of the disposable diaper 1 (for this reason, it is also referred to as a "top sheet" like the center sheet 2).
Further, the back sheet 4 has non-permeability in order to prevent liquid leakage from the absorber 10 to the non-skin surface side.

The cover sheet 5 covers the above-mentioned absorber 10 and sheets 2, 3 and 4 from the non-skin surface side. The cover sheet 5 is provided to reinforce the back sheet 4 and improve the tactile sensation (for example, touch), and is arranged on the non-skin surface side of the disposable diaper 1. The cover sheet 5 is not limited to a single-layer structure, and may have a multi-layer structure having an inner cover sheet and an outer cover sheet.

<gather>
In addition, the disposable diaper 1 is provided with various gathers such as three-dimensional gathers 6, leg gathers 7, and waist gathers 8 in order to improve the followability to the wearer in the worn state. In these gathers 6, 7, and 8, the side sheet 3, the cover sheet 5, and the like are wrinkled by elastic members such as rubber threads and elastic films.

[1-2. manufacturing device]
Next, the manufacturing apparatus 20 for the disposable diaper 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the manufacturing apparatus 20, the manufacturing apparatus 20 includes a process of manufacturing by encapsulating a semi-finished product of the absorber 10 (hereinafter referred to as an “intermediate”), laminating sheets 2, 3, 4, and 5 and forming gathers 6, 7, and 8. Various processes such as are carried out. Here, among the manufacturing apparatus 20, the encapsulating unit 21 (encapsulating apparatus) that manufactures the intermediate of the absorber 10 will be described in detail.

The encapsulation unit 21 uses a sheet intermediate 11'(continuum) corresponding to the wrap sheet 11 and a mat intermediate 12'(inclusion member) corresponding to the core 12 as encapsulation materials. In the encapsulation unit 21, the mat intermediate 12'is placed on the sheet intermediate 11', and the mat intermediate 12'is encapsulated by the sheet intermediate 11'to manufacture the intermediate. NS. Although not shown, the manufactured intermediate is divided into a predetermined size and incorporated in the disposable diaper 1 as an absorber 10 in which the core 12 is wrapped with the wrap sheet 11.

The mat intermediate 12'is thicker (larger in thickness) than the sheet intermediate 11', and all of these intermediates 11'and 12' have a band shape extending in the transport direction.
However, as the mat intermediate 12', a mat intermediate that is intermittently arranged along the transport direction may be used, or a mat intermediate that is intermittently arranged along the width direction may be used. In other words, mat intermediates separated from each other in the transport direction and the width direction may be placed on the sheet intermediate 11'.

The encapsulation unit 21 is provided with a transport mechanism 30 for transporting the sheet intermediate 11'on which the mat intermediate 12'is placed. Further, an encapsulation mechanism 40 is provided in which the sheet intermediate 11'is folded up to enclose the mat intermediate 12'. Further, a suction mechanism 50 for sucking the sheet intermediate 11'carried by the transport mechanism 30 is provided.
Hereinafter, each configuration will be described in the order of the transport mechanism 30, the encapsulation mechanism 40, and the suction mechanism 50.

<Transport mechanism>
The transport mechanism 30 is a conveyor that transports the sheet intermediate 11'. The transport mechanism 30 transports the seat intermediate 11'while applying (tensioning) tension (so-called "draw") along the transport direction.
A mat intermediate 12'is placed above the sheet intermediate 11'that is conveyed in this way. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the mat intermediate 12'is placed _{in the central region RC} (first width region) in the width direction of the sheet intermediate 11'. Conversely, the mat intermediate 12'is not placed in the edge region R _S (second width region) outside the central region R _{C of the sheet intermediate 11'in the width direction.}

Here, the sheet intermediates 11'of parameters 1 to 3 shown below are used.
-Parameter 1: "Metsuke amount" 8 to 18 [gsm]
-Parameter 2: "Air permeability" 0.02 to 10 [kPa · s / m]
Parameter 3: "Dimension in the width direction in the _{edge region RS" 20 to 40 [mm]}

The "weight of basis weight" is a parameter corresponding to the thickness or the degree of lamination of the non-woven fabric, and is represented by the weight per unit area. Here, the number of grams per square meter is referred to as "Metsuke amount".
The "breathability" is a parameter corresponding to the breathability of the seat intermediate 11'. The "breathability" used here is the resistance when air flows in the thickness direction of the sheet intermediate 11', and the smaller the air permeability (ventilation resistance), the higher the air permeability. The "breathability" referred to here is the ventilation resistance (kPa · s / m) measured by AUTOMATIC AIR-PERMEABILITY TESTER KES-F8-AP1 (breathability tester) manufactured by Katou Tech.

Here, as shown in the above parameters 1 and 2, a sheet intermediate 11'is used, which is thin and highly breathable, in which wrinkles and twists are likely to occur. As the sheet intermediate 11', it is preferable to use a spunbonded non-woven fabric having enhanced flexibility by including a meltblown layer such as SMS (Spunbound Meltblown Spunbound) non-woven fabric or SMMS (Spunbound Meltblown Meltblown Spunbound) non-woven fabric. Alternatively, as the sheet intermediate 11', it is preferable to use a spunbonded nonwoven fabric having improved flexibility by suppressing the fineness and basis weight of the fibers forming the spunbonded nonwoven fabric. As described above, various spunbonded non-woven fabrics can be used for the sheet intermediate 11'. In addition, from the viewpoint of enhancing breathability, it is preferable to use a so-called air-through non-woven fabric.
The parameters 1 and 2 described above are at least _{parameters of the edge region R S} of the sheet intermediate 11', and the central region R _C is not limited to the parameters 1 and 2 described above.

The "dimension in the width direction in the edge region R _S " is the length along the width direction of only one side (one in the width direction) with respect to _{the central region R C.} This length is a dimension extending in the width direction with respect to the mat intermediate 12'of the sheet intermediate 11', and can be said to be the width dimension of the portion to be folded (so to speak, "folding allowance").

The transport mechanism 30, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream transport mechanism 31 (first transfer mechanism) is provided in the upstream region R _U, downstream transport mechanism downstream region R _D (encapsulation region) 32 (second conveying Mechanism) is provided. In the upstream transfer mechanism 31, the conveyor belt 31b wound around the conveyor roll 31r moves along the transfer direction. Similarly, in the downstream transfer mechanism 32, the conveyor belt 32b wound around the conveyor roll 32r moves along the transfer direction.

A transport path for the sheet intermediate 11'is set on these conveyor belts 31b and 32b. The sheet intermediate 11'is conveyed along with the movement of the conveyor belts 31b and 32b, and the mat intermediate 12' mounted on the sheet intermediate 11'is also conveyed.
Further, the conveyor belts 31b and 32b are configured so that the sheet intermediate 11'can be sucked downward (in the space surrounded by the conveyor belts 31b and 32b). For example, the conveyor belts 31b, 32b are made of a breathable material. Alternatively, conveyor belts 31b and 32b arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction (the direction connecting the front side of the paper surface and the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 2) are used.

<Encapsulation mechanism>
The encapsulation mechanism 40 is a mechanism that folds the edge region R _{S with respect to the central region R C} of the sheet intermediate 11'and wraps the mat intermediate 12'with the seat intermediate 11'.
Here, the encapsulation mechanism 40 in which the downstream transfer mechanism 32 and the transfer direction position are overlapped with each other is illustrated. Therefore, the edge region R _S is folded with _{respect to the central region R C of} the sheet intermediate 11'carried to the downstream region R _D.

In the following description, of the sheet intermediate 11', the downstream region R _D and the central region R _C are also referred to as the downstream central region R _DC, and the downstream region R _D and the edge region R _S are also referred to as the downstream edge region R _DS. .. Similarly, of the sheet intermediate 11 ', referred to upstream region R _U and the central region R _C both upstream central region R _UC, also referred to as upstream region R _U and edge area R _S and upstream edge region R _US.

By the way, if only the lower side of the sheet intermediate that can be folded (the side opposite to the side on which the mat intermediate is placed) is guided, wrinkles and twists will occur on the seat intermediate by fluttering upward. There is a risk of inviting.
Therefore, the encapsulation mechanism 40 of the present embodiment is provided with two types of rolls 41 and 45 that guide the folding of the sheet intermediate 11'from two directions.

This encapsulation mechanism 40 includes a cylindrical roll 41, 45 make folding the downstream edge region R _DS of the sheet intermediate 11 'are juxtaposed along the conveying direction.
While disposed upstream of the roll 41 and 45, the downstream edge region R _DS widthwise outer upstream roll 41 (second roll to apply a tension from the circumferential surface 42 against (the second side) of the Two members). The other is downstream roll 45 to apply a tension from the peripheral surface 46 in the width direction inner side of the downstream edge region R _DS (first side) (first roll, the first member).

In other words, from the upstream roll 41, tension is applied to the sheet intermediate 11'from the side opposite to the side on which the mat intermediate 12' is placed with respect to the sheet intermediate 11'. On the contrary, from the downstream roll 45, tension is applied to the sheet intermediate 11'from the side on which the mat intermediate 12' is placed with respect to the sheet intermediate 11'.
These rolls 41 and 45 can be said to be "guidance mechanisms" because they jointly guide the folding of the seat intermediate 11'. Further, since the rolls 41 and 45 cooperate with each other to apply tension to the folded sheet intermediate 11', it can be said to be a "tension application mechanism".

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact portion (second location) 43 on the peripheral surface 42 of the upstream roll 41 with respect to the sheet intermediate 11'and the seat intermediate 11'on the peripheral surface 46 of the downstream roll 45. The direction connecting the contact portion (first location) 47 intersects with the transport direction. Specifically, the direction connecting the two types of contact points 43 and 47 intersects the transport direction on the upstream side of the contact points 43 and 47.

That is, the rolls 41 and 45 are arranged so that the latter contact portion 47 is located on the downstream side and outside in the width direction of the former contact portion 43.
In other words, two of the downstream edge region R _DS of the sheet intermediate 11 'are erected folded by rolls 41 and 45, the convex of the S-shaped downstream in the width direction outside the upstream side is a convex inward in the widthwise direction Make a shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the rolls 41 and 45 are provided so as to be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Speaking in detail, the axis C _U of the upstream roll 41 is oriented to be inclined by 2 to 7 [°] toward the upstream side with respect to the vertical direction. Further, the axis C _D of the downstream roll 45 is oriented to be inclined by 2 to 10 [°] toward the upstream side with respect to the vertical direction.
Further, the distance between the rolls 41 and 45 in the transport direction is set to 35 to 50 [mm]. The "transportation direction spacing" here means the distance between the axes _{C U} and C _{D of the rolls 41 and 45.}

_{When the downstream edge region R DS} of the sheet intermediate 11'is folded by the rolls 41 and 45 described above, the rolls 41 and 45 are urged upward (in the direction of rolling up) to the upstream edge region R _{US with this folding.} The area (hereinafter referred to as "upstream area") extends. Upstream region is a region upstream of the region to be erected folding by rolls 41 and 45 (hereinafter referred to as "encapsulation region") overlaps with the upstream edge region R _US.
Strictly speaking, a portion of the upstream region from the roll 41 and 45 of the downstream edge region R _DS is contained in a capsule region. However, in the following description, the upstream edge region R _US is regarded as the upstream region and the downstream edge region R _DS is regarded as the encapsulation region, and the region related to the rolling up of the edge region R _{S is simplified.} Divide.

In addition to the rolls 41 and 45 described above, the encapsulation mechanism 40 is provided with a holding roll 49 (holding portion) for holding the mat intermediate 12'placed on the sheet intermediate _{11'in the downstream central region R DC.} ing. In other words, so as to overlap the downstream central region R _DC in top view, the pressing roll 49 is arranged. Further, the pressing roll 49 presses the mat intermediate 12'with respect to the sheet intermediate 11' toward the side opposite to the side on which the mat intermediate 12'is placed (here, the lower side).

The pressing roll 49 is a pressing member that presses the mat intermediate 12'placed on the conveyed sheet intermediate 11'downward (in the direction toward the conveyor belt 32b of the downstream conveying mechanism 32). FIG. 5 illustrates a pressing roll 49 in which three (plurality) disc members having an _{axial center C P} along the width direction are arranged side by side at intervals from each other.
The pressing roll 49 is arranged on the upstream side of the rolls 41 and 45. Here, the term "disposed upstream side", the axis C _P of the pressing roll 49 is means located upstream of the rolls 41 and 45.

In addition, the rolls 41, 45, and 49 are rotatably provided according to the transport speed of the intermediates 11'and 12'. As the rotation method of the rolls 41, 45, 49, a free rotation method in which the rolls 41, 45, 49 are rotated by friction with the intermediates 11', 12'can be adopted. Alternatively, a drive rotation method in which the conveyor belts 31b and 32b are driven at a rotation speed corresponding to the transfer speed can also be adopted.

<Suction mechanism>
Next, the suction mechanism 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
The suction mechanism 50 is a suction mechanism that sucks the sheet intermediate 11'downward (the side opposite to the side on which the mat intermediate 12' is placed, that is, the side toward the conveyor belts 31b and 32b). The sheet intermediate 11'suctioned by the suction mechanism 50 is urged toward the conveyor belts 31b and 32b.

The suction mechanism 50 is provided in the space surrounded by the conveyor belts 31b and 32b in the transport mechanisms 31 and 32, respectively. Specifically, the upstream suction mechanism 31 is provided with the upstream suction mechanism 51 (first suction mechanism), and the downstream transport mechanism 32 is provided with the downstream suction mechanism 52 (second suction mechanism).
According to these suction mechanisms 51 and 52, when the conveyor belts 31b and 32b are made of a breathable material, the air permeating the conveyor belts 31b and 32b from above to below is sucked (intaken). .. Further, when the conveyor belts 31b and 32b are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction, the suction mechanisms 51 and 52 are sucked through the intervals.

By urging the sheet intermediate 11'on the upper surfaces (conveying surfaces) of the conveyor belts 31b and 32b by the suction mechanism 50 described above, stable transportation of the sheet intermediate 11'is achieved. Therefore, from the viewpoint of stably transporting the sheet intermediate 11', the larger the suction force of the suction mechanism 50 is, the more preferable it is.
However, when the suction force of the sheet intermediate 11'by the suction mechanism 50 is uniformly increased, the folding direction and the suction direction of the sheet intermediate 11'by the encapsulation mechanism 40 are opposite to each other. There is a risk of reducing the foldability of 11'.

Further, simply adjusting the magnitude of the suction force for each of a plurality of regions along the transport direction may lead to unstable transport of the sheet intermediate 11'in a region where a small suction force is set.
Therefore, in the suction mechanism 50 of the present embodiment, the magnitude of the suction force is adjusted for each region arranged along the width direction in the sheet intermediate 11'. Specifically, as shown in Table 1 below, the suction force by the suction mechanism 50 is set.

Hereinafter, with reference to Table 1 above, the magnitude of the suction force set for each region of the sheet intermediate 11'will be described.
Focusing on the width direction of the sheet intermediate 11', the central region in both the _{upstream region RU} and the downstream region _RD from the viewpoint of ensuring the foldability of the sheet intermediate 11'and the stability of transportation. The edge region R _S is smaller _{than R C.} That is, by setting a large suction force in the central region R _C , stable transportation of the sheet intermediate 11'is ensured, and by setting a suction force suppressed in the _{edge region R S, the seat intermediate is set.} The foldability of 11'is secured.

Focusing on the transport direction of the sheet intermediate 11', in order to ensure stable transport of the sheet intermediate 11'as described above, the suction force of the _{central region RC} is increased in both the upstream region _RU and the downstream region _RD. It is set large.
On the other hand, the edge area R _S, the suction force is set smaller than the downstream region R _D towards the upstream region R _U. For example, the suction force of the upstream edge region R _US is set to 0~1.0 [k P a], the suction force of the downstream edge region R _DS is set to 0~1.5 [k P a] ..

In this way, the setting in which the suction force of the upstream edge region R _US is smaller than that of the downstream edge region R _DS is the location where the sheet intermediate 11'is folded by the encapsulation mechanism 40 and begins to roll up (upstream end). It is based on the knowledge that strong suction of the edge region R _US ) may cause wrinkles and twists, making it difficult to stand up. Therefore, when it is important to ensure the foldability of the sheet intermediate 11', _{it is preferable not to suck in the upstream edge region R US} , and it is more preferable not to suck in the downstream edge region R _DS .

[2. Action and effect]
This embodiment is configured as described above.
Hereinafter, the action and effect of the suction mechanism 50 will be described, and then the action and effect of the rolls 41 and 45 will be described.

[2-1. Suction mechanism]
(1) The suction force of the suction mechanism 50 with respect to the sheet intermediate 11'is set to be smaller in the upstream edge region R _{US than in the upstream central region R UC.} Therefore, the suction force can be suppressed against the upstream edge region R _US start up turning with the folded stand of the sheet intermediate 11 'by encapsulation mechanism 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and twisting in the upstream edge region R _US, contributing to smooth the rise of the upstream edge region R _US. Therefore, the encapsulation property of the mat intermediate 12'by the sheet intermediate 11'can be enhanced.

(2) Further, the suction force of the downstream edge region R _{DS is set smaller than that of the downstream central region R DC.} In this way, the suction force against the folding of the sheet intermediate 11'by the encapsulation mechanism 40 is suppressed. From this point as well, the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be enhanced.

(3) Further, the suction force of the upstream edge region R _{US is set smaller than that of the downstream edge region R DS.} By adjusting the magnitude of such suction force, 'to suppress the suction force of the prone upstream edge region R _US wrinkles and twisting during vertical folding reliably, the sheet intermediate 11' sheet Intermediate 11 mat by The encapsulation of the intermediate 12'can be reliably improved.
(4) In particular, when the suction force against the upstream edge region R _US is set to zero, the upstream edge region R _US is not sucked. Therefore, the applied tension to the sheet intermediate 11 'is conveyed by the conveying mechanism 30, it is possible to encourage the rise of the upstream edge region R _US. From this point as well, the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be further enhanced. Moreover, it is possible to omit the provision of the above flow suction mechanism 5 1 onto upstream end edge region R _US, contributes to a reduction in apparatus cost.

(5) Even when the sheet intermediate 11'of parameters 1 and 2 in which wrinkles and twists are likely to occur although the air permeability is secured as the suction target by the suction mechanism 50, the upstream edge region R _US the suction force of the suction mechanism 50 for by setting the 0~1.0 [k P a], it is possible to secure the encapsulated by the sheet intermediate 11 '. Further, by setting the suction force of the suction mechanism 50 with respect to the downstream edge region R _DS to 0~1.5 [k P a], the encapsulated by the sheet intermediate 11 'can be further ensured.

(6) In addition, the absorbent body 10 in which the core 12 corresponding to the mat intermediate 12'is wrapped by the wrap sheet 11 corresponding to the sheet intermediate 11'suctioned by the suction mechanism 50 is used for the disposable diaper 1. Therefore, the absorber 10 in which the core 12 is wrapped with the wrap sheet 11 without wrinkles or twists can be manufactured.

[2-2. roll]
(1) encapsulation mechanism 40, to the downstream edge region R _DS of the sheet intermediate 11 ', not only the upstream rolls 41 to apply tension from the outside in the width direction, downstream of applying a tensile force in the width direction inside A roll 45 is provided. Therefore, even if the wrinkles and twisting occurs in erected folding upstream roll 41 downstream edge region R _DS, can be solved by extending such wrinkles or twisting in the downstream roll 45. Therefore, the encapsulation property of the mat intermediate 12'by the sheet intermediate 11'can be enhanced.

(2) Further, the direction connecting the contact portion 43 of the upstream roll 41 with respect to the sheet intermediate 11'and the contact portion 47 of the downstream roll 45 intersects the transport direction, and the latter hit is more than the former contact portion 43. The contact point 47 is located on the downstream side outside in the width direction. Therefore, the upstream side of the downstream edge region _RDS of the sheet intermediate 11'is urged to form an S-shape that is convex inward in the width direction and convex outward in the width direction, and is downstream by the rolls 41 and 45. tension in the edge region R _DS can be reliably applied. Therefore, the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be improved.

(3) Since the encapsulation mechanism 40 is provided with the holding roll 49 of the mat intermediate 12'on the upstream side of the rolls 41 and 45, the sheet intermediate 11'on which the mat intermediate 12'is placed is also provided. It is held down. Therefore, folding of the sheet intermediate 11'by the rolls 41 and 45 suppresses the deviation of the transport trajectory of the sheet intermediate 11'and the mat intermediate 12', and improves the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'. be able to.

(4) In particular, the upstream roll 41 having an orientation inclined 2 to 7 [°] upstream with respect to the vertical direction and the downstream roll 45 having an orientation inclined 2 to 10 [°] upstream with respect to the vertical direction. By using it, the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be surely improved. Further, by setting the transport direction spacing between the rolls 41 and 45 to 35 to 50 [mm], the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be reliably improved.

(5) Rolls 41, 45 even when the sheet intermediate 11'of parameters 1 and 2 in which wrinkles and twists are likely to occur although air permeability is adopted as the object to be wrapped by the encapsulation mechanism 40. By folding while applying tension from both the inside in the width direction and the outside in the width direction, the encapsulation property of the sheet intermediate 11'can be improved.

(6) In addition, the absorbent body 10 in which the core 12 corresponding to the mat intermediate 12'is wrapped by the wrap sheet 11 corresponding to the sheet intermediate 11'folded by the rolls 41 and 45 is used for the disposable diaper 1. .. Therefore, the absorber 10 in which the core 12 is wrapped with the wrap sheet 11 without wrinkles or twists can be manufactured.

[II. others]
The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and there is no intention of excluding the application of various modifications and techniques not specified in this embodiment. Each configuration of the present embodiment can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, it can be selected as needed and can be combined as appropriate.

For example, instead of or in addition to the roll that folds the sheet intermediate by the encapsulation mechanism, a member that is in sliding contact with the sheet intermediate may be used. As the sliding contact member, members having various shapes such as a round bar shape and a semi-cylindrical shape can be used as long as they are smoothly sliding contact with the sheet intermediate. Furthermore, a suction device (second member) that sucks from the outside (second side) in the width direction and a suction device that sucks from the inside (first side) in the width direction in place of or in addition to the roll that folds the sheet intermediate. (First member) and may be used.

Further, the product manufactured by being wrapped by the encapsulation device is not limited to the absorbent body of the disposable diaper, as long as the inner member (encapsulation member) is enveloped by the outer member (continuum). good.
Further, the transport direction is not limited to the horizontal direction, and various orientations can be set according to the surrounding configuration, required specifications, and the like. For example, the transport direction in the upstream transport mechanism may be horizontal, and the transport direction in the downstream transport mechanism may be diagonally upward extending upward as it goes downstream.

In addition, a press roll for pressing the intermediate may be provided between the upstream transfer mechanism and the downstream transfer mechanism.
In addition, instead of the belt conveyor of the transport mechanism, various conveyors such as roller conveyors and slat conveyors having ensured air permeability can be used.

1 Paper diapers (absorbent articles)
10 Absorbent 11 Wrap sheet 11'Sheet intermediate (continuum)
12 core 12'mat intermediate (inclusion member)
20 Manufacturing equipment (for absorbent articles) 21 Encapsulation unit (encapsulation equipment)
30 Transport mechanism 31 Upstream transport mechanism (first transport mechanism)
32 Downstream transport mechanism (second transport mechanism)
31b, 32b Conveyor belt 40 Encapsulation mechanism 41 Upstream roll (second roll, second member)
42 Peripheral surface 43 Contact point (second point)
45 Downstream roll (first roll, first member)
46 Peripheral surface 47 Contact point (first point)
49 Holding roll (holding part)
50 Suction mechanism 51 Upstream suction mechanism (first suction mechanism)
52 Downstream suction mechanism (second suction mechanism)
C _D, C _P, C _U axis R _C the central region (the first width region)
_RS edge area (second width area)
_RU upstream area _RD downstream area (encapsulated area)
R _UC upstream central area R _US upstream edge area R _DC downstream center area R _DS downstream edge area

Claims (9)

An inclusion member is placed in the first width region, and a strip-shaped continuum in which the inclusion member is not placed is stretched and conveyed in the second width region outside the first width region in the width direction. Conveyance mechanism and
It is provided with an encapsulation mechanism in which the second width region is folded with respect to the first width region to enclose the inclusion member with the continuum.
The encapsulation mechanism, in the second width region to be erected folding of the continuum, the tension in the width direction of the side which is the first width region side to the outside in the width direction is opposite to the first width region a first member for applying an enveloper device and a second member for applying a tension from than said first member is disposed on the upstream side in the conveying direction the width direction outer side to the inner side in the width direction. The encapsulation mechanism, in the second width region, a second location where the second member abuts the first member with respect to the width direction of the side with the first location which abuts against the width direction outer side The encapsulation device according to claim 1, wherein the directions connecting the two intersect with each other with respect to the transport direction. Encapsulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the better of the first location than the second location located at the widthwise outer a conveyance direction downstream side. 3. The encapsulation device described in. Before Symbol first member, the peripheral surface thereof from the width direction in the side with respect to the second width region is in contact with the first roll,
Said second member has its peripheral surface from the width direction outer side with respect to the second width region is in contact with the second roll,
The axis of the first roll and the axis of the second roll are both along a reference direction orthogonal to the transport direction and the width direction according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The encapsulation device described. With respect to the reference direction, the inclination angle of the axis of the first roll is the 2 to 7 [°], claims the inclination angle of the axis of the second roll is 2 to 10 [°] The encapsulation device according to 5. The encapsulation device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the distance between the first roll and the second roll in the transport direction is 35 to 50 [mm]. At least the second width region of the continuum has a basis weight of 8 to 18 [gsm], an air permeability of 0.02 to 10 [kPa · s / m], and a width direction dimension of 20 to 20 to. The encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is 40 [mm]. The encapsulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided.
An apparatus for producing an absorbent article using a mat intermediate as the inclusion member and a sheet intermediate divided into a wrap sheet covering the mat intermediate as the continuum.

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