JP7029997B2 - Absorber manufacturing method and absorber manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for producing an absorber and an apparatus for producing an absorber, which are suitably used for absorbent articles.

As an absorber used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, it may be composed mainly of hydrophilic fibers (water-absorbent fibers) such as wood pulp and synthetic fibers, and further contains water-absorbent polymer particles. many. An absorber in an absorbent article is desired to have various properties such as compression recovery and flexibility in addition to the absorption performance of the absorber.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an absorber containing heat-sealed fibers, a non-woven fabric piece in which the fibers are previously bonded to each other to give a three-dimensional structure, and hydrophilic fibers. Since this non-woven fabric piece having a three-dimensional structure is manufactured by crushing the non-woven fabric into small pieces using a crushing means such as a cutter mill method, the non-woven fabric piece has an irregular shape, and a portion that can be regarded as a flat surface is substantially formed. I don't have it.

Further, so-called slit processing for continuously cutting one long sheet with a constant width is used not only in this technical field but also in various fields. For example, Patent Document 2 uses a slitter device that cuts a corresponding number of slits in a cut object with a predetermined number of slitter blades provided on the shaft shaft, and many sheets to be cut are transferred along the transport direction. It is disclosed to cut into columns and separate.

JP-A-2002-301105 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-42944

However, with the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to form a non-woven fabric piece having a desired size, and variations occur with respect to the intended size. As a result, the structure of the absorber including the formed non-woven fabric piece becomes non-uniform, and there is a possibility that a feeling of foreign matter may occur during wearing. Further, due to the non-uniformity of the structure of the absorber, the desired absorption performance and compression recovery in the absorber may not be stably obtained.

Further, as a method capable of continuously producing a plurality of sheet pieces having an intended size, a method of cutting an object to be cut in two cutting directions intersecting each other (cross cut) can be mentioned. When cross-cutting is performed using the manufacturing apparatus described in Patent Document 2, cutting defects of the sheet may occur due to wear of the slitter blade and deviation of the basis weight of the nonwoven fabric constituting the long sheet. Due to this poor cutting, a sheet piece of an unintended size is formed, so that the structure of the absorber including the formed sheet piece becomes non-uniform, and there is a possibility that a feeling of foreign matter may occur during wearing. Further, due to the non-uniformity of the structure of the absorber, the desired absorption performance and compression recovery in the absorber may not be stably obtained.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an absorber capable of eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art, and a manufacturing apparatus suitably used for the manufacturing method.

The present invention comprises a sheet piece manufacturing process for manufacturing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and is a method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article that manufactures an absorber containing the short sheet pieces. There,
The sheet piece manufacturing process is
The raw material sheet is supplied to the slit forming portion while being transported in one direction, and slits are formed in the raw material sheet to form a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction. Process and
The raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion of the split member having a plurality of contact portions at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and between the corresponding contact portions. A division step of dividing the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between the slits in the raw material sheet, and
The present invention provides a method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article, which comprises a cutting step of cutting the long cut piece in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof to form the short sheet piece.

Further, the present invention comprises a sheet piece forming portion for producing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and an apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article for producing an absorber containing the short sheet pieces. And
The sheet piece forming portion is
A slit-forming portion that forms a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction on a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers.
A plurality of contact portions are provided at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion, and the slit in the raw material sheet is provided between the contact portions. A dividing member that divides the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between them, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article, which comprises a widthwise cutting portion for cutting the long cut piece in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof to form the short sheet piece.

According to the present invention, it is possible to continuously and efficiently produce an absorber containing a sheet piece of a desired size and having a desired absorption performance.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing an absorber of an absorbent article. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of a sheet piece forming portion in an absorber manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the slit forming portion and the dividing member in the sheet piece forming portion. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the slit forming portion and the uneven member in the sheet piece forming portion shown in FIG. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are enlarged views of a main part showing the positional relationship between the slit roll and the anvil roll in the slit forming portion. FIG. 6A is a schematic top view showing a divided state of the raw material sheet in the concave-convex member, and FIG. 6B is a schematic cross-sectional view on the I-I plane of FIG. 6A. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are schematic bottom views showing an embodiment of a cutter roll when forming a short sheet. 8 (a) to 8 (i) are schematic top views showing the form of the non-penetrating portion when a slit having a non-penetrating portion not penetrating in the thickness direction of the sheet is formed in the raw material sheet. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the sheet piece forming portion in the absorber manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the slit forming portion and the uneven member in the sheet piece forming portion shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing still another embodiment of the sheet piece forming portion in the absorber manufacturing apparatus. 12 (a) and 12 (b) are schematic side views showing a divided state of the raw material sheet of the uneven member in the sheet piece forming portion shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the absorber manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7 schematically show an embodiment (first embodiment) of the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1 preferably used in the method for manufacturing the absorber of the present invention. The absorber produced by the production apparatus and production method of the present invention includes a short sheet piece containing synthetic fibers and an aggregate containing hydrophilic fibers as raw materials. The detailed composition of these raw materials and absorbers will be described later.

In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the transport direction MD of the raw material sheet 2 and the rotation direction of each roll and the contact portion of the raw material sheet 2 refer to the same direction (longitudinal direction), and are referred to as "width direction". "Or" axial direction "refers to a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the transport direction MD of the raw material sheet 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article has a sheet piece forming portion 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the sheet piece forming portion 10 includes a slit forming portion 20, a dividing member 30, a feed mechanism portion 40, and a widthwise cutting portion 50 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the manufacturing process. Are prepared in this order.

The slit forming portion 20 cuts a strip-shaped raw material sheet 2 containing synthetic fibers conveyed in one direction (conveyed direction MD in this figure) from the original roll (not shown), and a plurality of slits are formed in the sheet 2. A slit roll 21 forming the above and an anvil roll 22 arranged to face the slit roll 21 are provided. The rotation axes of the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 are arranged in parallel so that their peripheral surfaces face each other and a predetermined amount of clearance is generated.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slit forming portion 20 includes a slit roll 21 having a plurality of slit blades 21a on the peripheral surface, and an anvil roll 22 having a flat peripheral surface. The plurality of slit blades 21a arranged on the slit roll 21 extend along the circumferential direction of the slit roll 21 and are arranged side by side at intervals in the axial direction Y of the slit roll 21. In the slit roll 21, the distance between the slit blades 21a adjacent to each other in the axial direction Y generally corresponds to the distance Ws between the adjacent slits 3 formed on the raw material sheet 2. Strictly speaking, when the raw material sheet 2 is transported, for example, a constant tension is applied by a tension adjusting mechanism or the like described later, so that the raw material sheet 2 is contracted in the width direction Y (stretched in the transport direction MD). Can be disconnected at. Therefore, in a state where tension is no longer applied, the distance Ws between the adjacent slits 3 formed on the raw material sheet 2 may be wider than the distance between the slit blades 21a.

The positions of the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2 are arranged so that the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21 comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the anvil roll 22, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A. It may be arranged and the raw material sheet 2 may be cut in the thickness direction to continuously form slits 3 penetrating in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2.

Instead of this, as shown in FIG. 5B, the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21 is arranged so as not to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the anvil roll 22 and penetrates in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2. A slit 3 having a non-penetrating portion 3p may be formed. In this way, regardless of the arrangement position of the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22, a plurality of raw material sheets 2 extend along the transport direction MD and are arranged in parallel in a direction intersecting the transport direction MD. The slit 3 can be formed. In this figure, the slit 3 is formed in parallel in the direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction MD.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in order to change the arrangement position of the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22, for example, a control device for controlling the vertical position of the slit roll 21 (FIG. 5). (Not shown) can be provided to appropriately change the arrangement position of the roll 21. Specifically, the contact pressure between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 can be controlled by attaching a control device such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder to the slit roll 21 and controlling the air pressure or the hydraulic pressure of the cylinder. .. That is, FIG. 5A shows an embodiment in which the arrangement position of the slit roll 21 is controlled so as to increase the contact pressure between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22, and FIG. 5B shows the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22. This is an embodiment in which the arrangement position of the slit roll 21 is controlled so as to reduce the contact pressure with the slit roll 21.

From the viewpoint of stabilizing the tension during transportation of the raw material sheet and effectively preventing unintended malformation of the slit, a tension adjusting mechanism for adjusting the tension of the raw material sheet 2 is upstream of the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22. Is preferably provided. As the tension adjusting mechanism, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, two fixed rolls 20a and 20a intermittently arranged in the transport direction MD and two fixed rolls 20a and 20a are arranged between the two rolls 20a and arranged in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2. Can be used with the adjustable dancer roll 20b.

The dividing member 30 located on the downstream side of the slit forming portion 20 is a portion that divides the raw material sheet 2 in which a plurality of slits 3 are formed into long cut pieces 2A. The term "division" as used herein means that the raw material sheet 2 on which the slit 3 is formed is separated between the slits 3 regardless of the presence or absence of the non-penetrating portion 3p in the slit 3, for example, penetrating in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2. The present invention includes a mode in which the raw material sheet 2 in which the slits are formed is separated between the slits 3, and a mode in which the raw material sheet 2 in which the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p is formed is peeled off and separated between the slits 3.

The split member 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a member having a plurality of contact portions 30a at intervals in a direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction MD. The distance between the abutting portion 30a and the slit 3 in the width direction Y is substantially the same, and the raw material sheet 2 can be divided along the forming direction of the slit 3. Specifically, the dividing member 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a partition member having a partition wall portion made of a plurality of plate-shaped bodies, and the partition wall portion is a contact portion 30a in the dividing member 30. The "partition member 30" and the "partition wall portion 30a" in the present embodiment correspond to the "dividing member 30" and the "contact portion 30a", respectively (hereinafter, the dividing member 30 is also referred to as a partition member 30 and is referred to as a partition member 30. The contact portion 30a is also referred to as a partition wall portion 30a). As shown in the figure, the partition wall portion 30a is a plate-shaped body having a main surface extending along the transport direction MD of the raw material sheet 2, so that the main surfaces of the adjacent plate-shaped bodies are parallel to each other. They are arranged facing each other. Further, a plurality of partition wall portions 30a are arranged at intervals in the direction Y orthogonal to the transport direction. The partition wall portion 30a may be supported by a support member (not shown) for fixing them.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the raw material sheet 2 in which the plurality of slits 3 are formed is conveyed to the dividing member 30, the sheet 2 and the contact portion 30a (partition wall portion 30a) come into contact with each other, and the contact portion 30a is contacted. A region 3R between the slits is introduced between the 30a (partition wall portion 30a). As a result, the raw material sheet 2 is divided along the slit forming direction, and the elongated cut piece 2A is formed. As such a dividing member 30, instead of the partition member 30 having a partition wall portion as the abutting portion 30a, for example, a rod-shaped member in which a plurality of rod-shaped portions are arranged at intervals in the Y direction is used as the abutting portion. May be.

As another embodiment of the dividing member 30, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 (a) and 6 (b), the convex portion 30a provided as the contact portion 30a and the concave portion 30b are combined with the transport direction MD. It can be a concavo-convex member having alternating directions Y at right angles. That is, the "concavo-convex member 30'", "convex portion 30a", and "concave portion 30b" in the present embodiment correspond to "divided member 30", "contact portion 30a", and "between the contact portions", respectively. ing. (In the following description, the plate-shaped dividing member 30 having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions alternately in the Y direction is also referred to as an uneven member 30', and the contact portion 30a is also referred to as a convex portion 30a). The uneven member 30'is a plate-shaped member having a plurality of convex portions 30a and concave portions 30b alternately in the Y direction, and the convex portions 30a and the concave portions 30b extend along the transport direction MD. The distance between the convex portion 30a and the slit 3 in the width direction Y is substantially the same, and the raw material sheet 2 can be divided along the forming direction of the slit 3. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6A, when the raw material sheet 2 in which the plurality of slits 3 are formed is conveyed, the sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a come into contact with each other, and the slits are formed in the concave portions 30b accordingly. Region 3R is introduced. As a result, the raw material sheet 2 is divided along the slit forming direction, and the elongated cut piece 2A is formed. From the viewpoint of facilitating the introduction of the region 3R between the slits between the abutting portions 30a, a sheet widening device (not shown) such as an expander may be provided between the slit forming portion 20 and the dividing member 30.

From the viewpoint of successfully dividing the raw material sheet, the height H1 of the convex portion 30a (see FIG. 6B) in the concave-convex member 30'is preferably 0.5 mm or more, and further preferably 1 mm or more. It is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less. Specifically, the height H1 of the convex portion 30a is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. As shown in FIG. 3, when the dividing member 30 is a partition member, the height of the contact portion 30a can be appropriately adjusted so that the slit 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2 can be divided. preferable.

From the same viewpoint, the width W1 (see FIG. 6B) of the convex portion 30a in the concave-convex member 30'in the width direction Y is preferably 0.05 mm or more, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more. It is preferably 5 mm or less, and more preferably 3 mm or less. Specifically, the width W1 of the convex portion 30a in the width direction Y is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. When the dividing member 30 is a partition member, the thickness of the partition wall portion in the width direction Y can be set to the above-mentioned width W1.

The width W2 (see FIG. 6B) of the concave portion 30b in the concave-convex member 30'in the width direction Y is an adjacent slit 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2 so that the region 3R between the slits can be easily introduced into the concave portion 30b. It is preferable to set the interval Ws (see FIG. 6A). The distance Ws between the adjacent slits 3 will be described later. When the dividing member 30 is a partition member, the distance between the main surfaces of adjacent plate-shaped bodies can be set to the above-mentioned width W2.

From the viewpoint of applying tension to the long cut piece 2A to improve the division efficiency of the long cut piece 2A and suppressing cutting defects in the widthwise cutting portion 50 described later, the sheet piece forming portion 10 has a length. It is preferable to include a feed mechanism unit 40 that controls the transport speed of the shaku-shaped cut piece 2A. As shown in FIG. 2, the feed mechanism portion 40 is arranged on the downstream side of the dividing member 30, and is also arranged between the dividing member 30 and the widthwise cutting portion 50. As shown in the figure, the feed mechanism unit 40 is configured to include a pair of rotating rolls 41 arranged to face each other with the long cutting piece 2A interposed therebetween, and has a long shape introduced between the rolls 41 and 41. The cut piece 2A is sandwiched between the rolls 41 and 41 and sent out to the downstream side of the transport direction MD. One of the rotary rolls 41 in the feed mechanism unit 40 is a drive roll that is connected to a drive source and can rotate around the axis of rotation by itself, and the other is a rotation that cannot rotate around the axis by itself. It may be a roll, or both may be drive rolls. By arranging the feed mechanism portion 40 in this way, the transport speed of the long cut piece 2A can be appropriately adjusted.

The widthwise cutting portion 50 cuts the conveyed long cut piece 2A in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the cut piece 2A to form a short sheet piece 2S. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 (a) and 7 (b), the widthwise cutting portion 50 includes a cutter roll 51 in which a plurality of cutter blades 51a are arranged on the peripheral surface and a second anvil having a flat peripheral surface. The rolls 52 are arranged so as to face each other. On the downstream side of the cut portion 50 in the width direction, a transport portion 53 for transporting the formed short sheet piece 2S to a downstream process may be arranged. It should be noted that the longitudinal direction and the transport direction MD in this figure coincide with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 (a) and 7 (b), the plurality of cutter blades 51a arranged on the cutter roll 51 extend in the axial direction of the roll 51 and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the cutter roll 51. They are placed side by side. The extending direction of the cutter blade 51a may be any direction as long as it intersects the transport direction MD of the long cutting piece 2A, and the angle between the axial direction of the cutter roll 51 and the cutter blade 51a is 0 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less. Is preferable. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, each cutter blade 51a may extend in parallel in line with the axial direction of the roll 51, and for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, each cutter blade 51a may extend in parallel. Each cutter blade 51a may be extended so that the extending direction of the cutter blade 51a and the axial direction of the roll 51 intersect. Reference numeral 51b in FIGS. 7A and 7B is a rotation axis of the cutter roll 51.

As shown in FIG. 1, from the viewpoint of increasing the transport efficiency and the integration efficiency of the short sheet piece 2S and improving the manufacturing efficiency of the absorber, the short length formed by the widthwise cutting portion 50 as the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1. It is further preferable to further include a transport unit 53 for transporting the sheet piece 2S by an air flow, and an stacking section 61 for accumulating the transported short sheet pieces 2S to obtain an aggregate which is a constituent member of the absorber 100.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a rotary drum 60A in which an accumulation recess 61 as an integration portion 61 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 60f, and a duct 60B having a flow path 62 inside which conveys the raw material of the absorber 100 on the outer peripheral surface 60f. (Hereinafter, the accumulating portion 61 is also referred to as an accumulating recess 61). A sheet piece forming portion 10 is connected to the duct 60B via a flow path 62 as a supply mechanism for the short sheet piece 2S which is the raw material of the absorber 100. The transport section 53 in the sheet piece forming section 10 and the flow path 62 are connected by the top surface of the duct 60B, and the short sheet piece 2S can be transported by the air flow generated in the duct 60B.

The rotating drum 60A generates an air flow (vacuum air) in the flow path 62 by suction while rotating the drum 60A along its circumferential direction R1. Raw materials such as short sheet pieces 2S and hydrophilic fibers are conveyed by this air flow and are configured to be able to be accumulated in the accumulation recess 61. The aggregate of raw materials accumulated in the accumulation recess 61 serves as a constituent member of the absorber.

Below the rotary drum 60A, a vacuum conveyor 80 that receives an aggregate of raw materials released from the accumulation recess 61 and conveys it to the next process is arranged. Further, on the side opposite to the duct 60B with the rotating drum 60A interposed therebetween, a pressing belt 64 for pressing the integrated body in the accumulating recess 61 is arranged along the outer peripheral surface 60f of the rotating drum 60A. The holding belt 64 is an endless, breathable or non-breathable belt, which is bridged over a guide roll 65 and is adapted to rotate with the rotation of the rotating drum 60A.

The rotary drum 60A includes a cylindrical drum body 60a made of a rigid metal body and an outer peripheral member 60b which is arranged so as to overlap the outer peripheral portion of the drum body 60a and forms an outer peripheral surface 60f of the rotary drum. There is. The outer peripheral member 60b receives power from a prime mover such as a motor and rotates along the drum circumferential direction R1 with a horizontal rotation axis as the center of rotation. It is fixed and does not rotate. Both ends of the drum body 60a in the width direction Y are airtightly closed by a side wall and a sealing material such as felt (not shown).

The outer peripheral member 60b has a breathable porous plate 61b that forms the bottom of the accumulation recess 61 as an accumulation surface of the accumulation portion 61, and a poor ventilation that forms a portion other than the accumulation surface on the outer peripheral surface 60f of the rotary drum 60A. It is configured to include a sex or non-breathable pattern forming plate 60s. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the pattern forming plates 60s form an annular shape that continuously extends over the entire length in the circumferential direction of the drum, and are provided in pairs at both ends of the rotating drum 60A in the rotation axis direction via the porous plates 61b. ..

The porous plate 61b transmits the air flow generated by the suction from the inside of the rotary drum 60A to the outside of the rotary drum 60A, and allows the raw materials such as the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fiber conveyed by the air flow to permeate. It is a breathable plate that holds without holding and allows only air to pass through. The porous plate 61b is formed with a large number of suction holes penetrating the porous plate 61b in the thickness direction (not shown), and functions as air flow transmission holes. As the porous plate 61b, for example, a mesh plate made of metal or resin, or a plate made of metal or resin having a large number of pores formed by etching or punching can be used. Further, as the pattern forming plate 60s, for example, a plate made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum or a resin can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inside of the drum body 60a has a plurality of spaces A, B, and C in the circumferential direction of the drum. Further, a decompression mechanism (not shown) for depressurizing the inside of the drum body 60a is connected to the drum body 60a. The plurality of spaces A, B, and C in the drum body 60a are independent of each other, and the negative pressure (suction force) of these plurality of spaces can be independently adjusted by the decompression mechanism.

In the rotary drum 60A shown in FIG. 1, the space A in which the outer peripheral portion of the drum is covered with the duct 60B is a range in which raw materials can be accumulated by an air flow. When the outer peripheral member 60b is rotated around the axis of rotation while the space A is maintained at a negative pressure, the accumulation recess 61 formed in the outer peripheral member 60b passes over the space A while the accumulation recess 61 is formed. A negative pressure in the space A acts on the accumulation surface (porous plate 61b), and air is sucked through a large number of suction holes formed on the surface. By suction through the suction holes, raw materials such as the short sheet piece 2S conveyed through the supply path in the duct 60B are guided to the accumulation recess 61 and accumulated on the bottom thereof. On the other hand, normally, the space B of the rotating drum 60A is set to a negative pressure or pressure zero (atmospheric pressure) weaker than the space A, and the space C is the transfer position of the aggregate in the accumulation recess 61 and the front and back thereof. Since it is a region containing, the pressure is set to zero or positive pressure.

In addition to the sheet piece forming portion 10 described above, the fiber supply device 70 is also connected to the duct 60B via the flow path 62 as a supply mechanism for the raw material of the absorber 100. The duct 60B extends continuously from the fiber supply device 70 over the rotary drum 60A. When the absorbent polymer 100 contains the water-absorbent polymer particles, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a polymer spraying tube 63 that supplies the water-absorbent polymer particles to the flow path 62 may be arranged on the top plate of the duct 60B. ..

The fiber supply device 70 is a device for defibrating a strip-shaped fiber sheet containing hydrophilic fibers, which is the raw material of the absorber 100, to a desired size. The fiber supply device 70 is arranged on the side of the duct 60B opposite to the rotary drum 60A side. The fiber supply device 70 has the same structure as the supply mechanism of the fiber material in the fiber stacking device such as pulp fiber, and includes a defibrator 72 for defibrating the strip-shaped fiber sheet 71 containing hydrophilic fibers.

The vacuum conveyor 80 is arranged at a position facing the endless breathable belt 83 spanned by the drive roll 81 and the driven roll 82 and the portion of the rotary drum 60A where the space C exists with the breathable belt 83 interposed therebetween. It is configured to include a vacuum box 84 and the like. A band-shaped core wrap sheet 2W is introduced on the breathable belt 83, and the absorber 100, which is an aggregate released from the accumulation recess 61, can be placed on the core wrap sheet 2W.

The above description has been given with respect to the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, and the method of manufacturing the absorber using the manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described below. The method for manufacturing an absorber includes a sheet piece manufacturing process for manufacturing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers by using the sheet piece forming portion 10. In the sheet piece manufacturing process, a slit forming step of forming a plurality of slits 3 in the strip-shaped raw material sheet 2 and a raw material sheet 2 in which the plurality of slits 3 are formed are brought into contact with the dividing member 30 (partition member or uneven member). The sheet 2 is roughly divided into three steps: a dividing step of dividing the sheet 2 into long cut pieces 2A and a cutting step of cutting the long cut piece 2A in the width direction to form a short sheet piece 2S. Hereinafter, each step will be described.

<Slit forming process>
First, the strip-shaped raw material sheet 2 is supplied to the slit forming portion 20 while being conveyed in one direction to form a plurality of slits in the sheet 2. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a slit roll 21 and an anvil roll 22 are used as the slit forming portion 20, and the raw material sheet 2 is supplied between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22. The raw material sheet 2 supplied between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 is conveyed in the transport direction MD, and a plurality of slits 3 are formed by the plurality of slit blades 21a arranged on the slit roll 21. These slits 3 extend along the transport direction of the raw material sheet 2 (longitudinal direction of the raw material sheet 2) and are parallel to each other in a direction intersecting the transport direction MD. The "one direction" refers to a direction in which the angle formed with the transport direction MD is less than 45 degrees, and the slit 3 in FIG. 2 coincides with the extending direction of the slit 3 and the transport direction MD.

From the viewpoint of suppressing the wear of the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21 and extending the life of the sheet piece forming portion 10, the raw material sheet 2 is supplied between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 to provide the raw material sheet. It is preferable to form one or more slits 3 having a non-penetrating portion 3p extending along the transport direction MD (longitudinal direction) of 2 and not penetrating in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2. In this way, by forming the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p as the slit 3, the raw material sheet 2 can be maintained in a non-separated state, so that the raw material sheet 2 is suppressed from fluttering and is stable in the downstream process. It also has the advantage of being able to be transported in a targeted manner.

When the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p is formed in the raw material sheet 2, the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p is one of all the slits formed in the raw material sheet 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A. Only the book may have a slit 3 having a non-penetrating portion 3p. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, among all the slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2, a plurality of slits 3 have non-penetrating portions 3p, and the remaining plurality of slits 3 have. It may be a slit 3 having no non-penetrating portion 3p (penetrating in the sheet thickness direction). Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8C, each slit 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2 may have a non-penetrating portion 3p.

Similarly, when focusing on one of the plurality of slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2, the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 (d) to 8 (f). , The non-penetrating portion 3p may be formed intermittently, or as shown in FIGS. 8 (g) to 8 (i), the non-penetrating portion 3p may be continuously formed. Further, a mode in which the above-mentioned forms are combined may be used, for example, among all the slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2, a slit 3 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the sheet 2 and a slit that intermittently has a non-penetrating portion 3p. 3 and the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p continuously may be formed in a mixed manner. As shown in FIG. 5B, for example, the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p controls the contact pressure between the slit roll 21 and the anvil roll 22 to be low, and anvils the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21. It can be formed by allowing the roll 22 to be arranged so as not to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the roll 22.

The slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2 are preferably 3 or more and 1000 or less, and more preferably 50 or more and 500 or less, along the width direction Y of the raw material sheet 2. .. The counting method of the slits 3 is defined as the number when a virtual straight line is drawn in the width direction Y of the raw material sheet 2 and the number of slits 3 intersecting the straight line is maximized.

The distance Ws between adjacent slits 3 formed on the raw material sheet 2 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 (a)) is preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more. , 30 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less. Specifically, the distance Ws between the adjacent slits 3 is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The distance Ws between the adjacent slits 3 can be appropriately changed by adjusting the tension of the raw material sheet 2 and the axial distance between the adjacent slit blades 21a in the anvil roll 21.

<Division process>
Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the raw material sheet 2 on which the slit 3 is formed is brought into contact with the contact portion 30a of the split member 30, and the region 3R between the slits in the raw material sheet 2 is introduced between the contact portions 30a. By doing so, the raw material sheet 2 is divided into long cut pieces 2A. In FIGS. 4 and 6A, the raw material sheet 2 on which the slit 3 is formed is brought into contact with the convex portion 30a of the concave-convex member 30', and the region 3R between the slits in the raw material sheet 2 is introduced into the concave portion 30b. , The raw material sheet 2 is divided into long cut pieces 2A. In the following description, a form in which the concavo-convex member 30'is used as the dividing member 30 will be described as an example.

When the raw material sheet 2 in which the slit 3 is formed is conveyed to the uneven member 30', the raw material sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a in the uneven member 30' come into contact with each other. At this time, the position of the slit 3 in the raw material sheet 2 and the position of the convex portion 30a are substantially the same, and a certain tension is applied to the raw material sheet 2, so that the sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a are combined with each other. An external force is applied to the formed portion of the slit 3 by the contact of the slit 3. Further, since the distance between the slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2 in the width direction and the distance between the convex portions 30a are substantially the same, the region 3R between the slits is introduced into the concave portions 30b. When the raw material sheet 2 is conveyed in this state, an external force acts so as to widen the slit 3 starting from the contact portion between the sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a. By this external force, the sheet 2 is divided along the forming direction of the slit 3, and the region 3R between the slits becomes the elongated cut piece 2A. Since the long cut piece 2A is obtained by dividing the raw material sheet 2, the long cut piece 2A and the raw material sheet 2 are substantially the same.

The width of the elongated cut piece 2A in the width direction Y can be appropriately changed according to the form of the absorbent article, the required performance, and the like. From the viewpoint of ease of handling of the raw material sheet 2 on which the long cut piece 2A is formed, the width of the long cut piece 2A in the width direction Y is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 30 mm or less. It is more preferably 3 mm or more and 15 mm or less. The width of the elongated cut piece 2A in the width direction Y can be appropriately adjusted by adjusting the spacing Ws of the slits 3 in the raw material sheet 2. Further, from the viewpoint of stable transportation of the long cut piece 2A, the width W2 in the concave portion 30b of the concave-convex member 30'is adjusted to be long according to the width of the long cut piece 2A to be manufactured. It is preferable that the shaku-shaped cut piece 2A is configured to fit in the recess 30b.

In the slit forming step and the dividing step described above, it is preferable that tension is applied to the raw material sheet 2 from the viewpoint of successfully forming the slit in the raw material sheet 2 and dividing the sheet 2. In order to apply tension to the raw material sheet 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a tension adjusting mechanism provided with a fixed roll 20a and a dancer roll 20b and a feed mechanism unit 40 are provided to apply tension to the raw material sheet 2. Can be made to.

When the slit 3 penetrating in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2 is formed, it does not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2 due to the unevenness of the transport of the raw material sheet and the non-uniformity of the basis weight of the sheet. A slit having a non-penetrating portion may be unintentionally formed. Even in such a case, the raw material sheet 2 can be easily divided along the slit forming direction by using the dividing member 30 (concavo-convex member 30'). As a result, the productivity of the long cut piece 2A can be improved.

Further, even when the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p that does not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2 is intentionally formed by the slit forming portion 20 shown in FIG. 5 (b), the split member 30 (concavo-convex member) is formed. By using 30'), the raw material sheet 2 can be easily divided along the slit forming direction. In particular, by forming the slit 3 having the non-penetrating portion 3p in the raw material sheet 2, the slit 3 (the slit 3 penetrating in the sheet thickness direction) having no non-penetrating portion 3p in the sheet 2 is continuously formed. Since the slit end face of the raw material sheet 2 can be divided without being crushed in the thickness direction as compared with the case where the raw material sheet 2 is formed, it is possible to manufacture a short sheet piece 2S having excellent flexibility and compression recovery. Further, there is also an advantage that the raw material sheet 2 having the slit 3 formed therein can be stably conveyed by suppressing fluttering and twisting during transportation.

In this step, when the width W2 of the recess 30b in the concave-convex member 30'is equal to or greater than the distance Ws of the adjacent slits 3 formed in the raw material sheet 2, each of the elongated cut pieces 2A is cut into each recess 30b. It can be transported while it is housed inside. That is, one long cut piece 2A is housed in one recess 30b and conveyed. As a result, the raw material sheet 2 can be stably divided into the long cut pieces 2A, and the long cut pieces 2A can be stably conveyed to the downstream process.

<Cut process>
Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 (a) and 7 (b), the long piece 2A formed in the dividing step is cut in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof, and the short sheet piece 2S is obtained. Form. Specifically, the cutting piece 2A is supplied between the cutter roll 51 in the widthwise cutting portion 50 and the second anvil roll 52. The elongated cutting piece 2A supplied between the cutter roll 51 and the second anvil roll 52 is cut by a plurality of cutter blades 51a arranged on the cutter roll 51 while being conveyed in the transport direction MD. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cutter blade 51a in the cutter roll 51 extends in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, that is, in the drawing, in the direction intersecting the transport direction MD, so that the cutter While the roll 51 rotates, the elongated cutting piece 2A is cut in the width direction Y thereof. As a result, the short sheet piece 2S is formed from the long cut piece 2A. Since the short sheet piece 2S is formed by dividing and cutting the raw material sheet 2, the short sheet piece 2S, the raw material sheet 2 and the long cut piece 2A are substantially the same.

From the viewpoint of effectively cutting the long cut piece 2A, the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 is set faster than the transport speed of the long cut piece 2A, and tension is applied to the long cut piece 2A. It is preferable to form the short sheet piece 2S in the applied state. Specifically, the ratio of the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 to the transport speed of the raw material sheet 2 is preferably 1.1 or more and 4.0 or less, and more preferably 1.2 or more and 3.5 or less.

From the same viewpoint, the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 is 30 m / min or more and 1000 m / min, provided that the ratio of the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 to the transport speed of the long cut piece 2A is within the above range. It is preferably 50 m / min or more, and more preferably 500 m / min or less. Further, the transport speed of the long cut piece 2A is set in relation to the set value of the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 and the ratio of the peripheral speed of the cutter roll 51 to the transport speed of the long cut piece 2A described above. can do. The transport speed of the elongated cut piece 2A can be appropriately adjusted by, for example, the feed mechanism unit 40 described above.

From the viewpoint of improving the absorption characteristics, flexibility and compression recovery of the absorber 100 including the short sheet piece 2S, the average length of the short sheet piece 2S is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 30 mm or less. It is more preferably 1 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and further preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The "average length of the short sheet piece" here means that when the short sheet piece 2S has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the four long sides (relative to the other sides) extending in the longitudinal direction (long axis direction) thereof. It means the average value of the lengths of the long sides), and when the short sheet piece 2S has a cube shape, it means the average value of the lengths of all the sides that define the cube. The average length of the short sheet pieces 2S can be appropriately changed by adjusting the distance between the adjacent cutter blades 51a in the cutter roll 51 in the circumferential direction.

The average width of the short sheet piece 2S is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and further preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. When the short sheet piece 2S has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, the "mean width of the sheet piece" as used herein means a plurality of short sides (others) extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (major axis direction) of the short sheet piece 2S. It means the average value of the lengths (sides relatively shorter than the sides), and when the short sheet piece 2S has a cubic shape, the above-mentioned average length and average width are the same. The average width of the short sheet piece 2S can be appropriately changed by adjusting the axial distance between the adjacent slit blades 21a in the slit roll 21 and adjusting the distance Ws between the slits formed in the raw material sheet 2. can. That is, the width of the long cut piece 2A and the average width of the short sheet piece 2S are substantially the same.

From the viewpoint of improving the transport efficiency and integration efficiency of the short sheet piece 2S and improving the manufacturing efficiency of the absorber, in addition to the above-mentioned sheet piece manufacturing process, a transport step of transporting the short sheet piece 2S by air flow and a short length It is preferable to further include an integration step of accumulating the sheet pieces 2S in the accumulation portion to obtain an aggregate. Further, when the target absorber contains the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fiber, the defibration step of defibrating the strip-shaped fiber sheet 71 containing the hydrophilic fiber using the defibrator 72 to obtain the hydrophilic fiber. It is preferable to have. These steps will be described below.

<Defibration process>
First, in the fiber supply device 70, the strip-shaped fiber sheet 71 containing the hydrophilic fibers is defibrated by the defibrator 72 to obtain hydrophilic fibers. The hydrophilic fiber obtained by defibration is supplied to the flow path 62 in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1.

<Transport process>
The short sheet piece 2S formed through the cutting step is conveyed to the conveying section 53 by an air flow. As shown in FIG. 1, since the transport portion 53 in the sheet piece forming portion 10 and the flow path 62 in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 1 are connected by the top surface of the duct 60B, the air flow generated in the duct 60B. The short sheet piece 2S is conveyed to the integrated portion by (vacuum air). In this step, the short sheet piece 2S formed in the sheet piece manufacturing step and the hydrophilic fiber obtained in the defibration step are mixed with the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fiber while being conveyed to the integrated portion. It is preferable to do so. That is, it is preferable that the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fibers are mixed by the air flow generated in the duct 60B.

<Integration process>
Subsequently, the short sheet piece 2S (or the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fiber) conveyed by the conveying step is accumulated in the accumulating portion to obtain an integrated body which is a constituent member of the absorber. Since an air flow to be sucked to the drum 60A side is generated in the rotary drum 60A in FIG. 1, raw materials such as the short sheet piece 2S and the hydrophilic fiber supplied to the duct 60B are sucked to the rotary drum 60A side. It is transported while being carried. The conveyed raw materials such as the short sheet piece 2S are accumulated in the accumulation recess 61 which is the accumulation portion 61, and become the aggregate 100P which is a constituent member of the absorber. The integrated body 100P may be released from the integrated portion 61 (accumulation recess 61) and used as it is as the absorber 100, and if necessary, the upper and lower surfaces of the integrated body 100P are covered with the core wrap sheet 2W. It can also be the absorber 100.

Next, the second and third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. These embodiments will be described mainly on the points different from those of the first embodiment, and the description of the first embodiment will be appropriately applied to the points not particularly described. Further, in FIGS. 8 to 11, the same members as those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The method of manufacturing the absorbent body of the absorbent article according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is different from that of the first embodiment in the form of the split member. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sheet piece forming portion 10A preferably used in the present embodiment includes the slit forming portion 20, the dividing member 30A, the feed mechanism portion 40, and the sheet piece forming portion 10A from the upstream side to the downstream side of the manufacturing process. The widthwise cutting portion 50 is provided in this order.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the split member 30A in the second embodiment is a roll-shaped uneven member having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions, and is in the form of an uneven roll. (Hereinafter, the dividing member 30A is also referred to as a concave-convex roll 30A). As shown in the figure, the concave-convex roll 30A has a plurality of convex portions 30a and concave portions 30b extending along the circumferential direction alternately on the peripheral surface thereof in the axial direction Y, and the concave-convex roll 30A has the transport direction MD and the concave-convex roll 30A. It is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction Y. The dimensions of the convex portion 30a and the concave portion 30b in the concave-convex roll 30A can be the same as those of the concave-convex member 30'in the first embodiment.

From the viewpoint of suppressing excessive resistance generated at the contact portion between the convex portion 30a and the raw material sheet 2 in the uneven roll 30A and suppressing unintentional breakage of the raw material sheet 2, the uneven roll 30A is used in the transport direction MD of the raw material sheet 2. It is preferable that the roll 30A is rotatably configured, and it is more preferable that the roll 30A is rotated by a drive device (not shown) such as a motor connected to the roll 30A.

The above description has been given with respect to the sheet piece forming portion 10A in the second embodiment, and the method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article using the sheet piece forming portion 10A will be described below. The manufacturing method in the present embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, in which the slit forming step, the dividing step and the cutting step are performed in this order, and the transport step and the integration step are performed as necessary. In the following description, the division step using the concave-convex roll 30A will be mainly described, and the description of each step in the first embodiment will be appropriately applied to the other steps.

In the dividing step, when the raw material sheet 2 in which the plurality of slits 3 are formed through the slit forming step is conveyed in a state where a constant tension is applied to the uneven roll 30A, the convex portion 30a in the sheet 2 and the uneven roll 30A is conveyed. Along with this, the region 3R between the slits is introduced into the recess 30b in the concave-convex roll 30A. As a result, the raw material sheet 2 is divided along the slit forming direction starting from the contact portion between the raw material sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a, and the long cut piece 2A is formed.

When the concavo-convex roll 30A is configured to be rotatable, when the raw material sheet 2 is divided into long cut pieces 2A, excessive resistance (excessive resistance to the contact portion between the convex portion 30a and the raw material sheet 2 in the concavo-convex roll 30A ( The uneven roll 30A rotates along the transport direction MD so that the external force) is less likely to be applied. As a result, the raw material sheet 2 can be successfully divided along the slit 3 to form the elongated cut piece 2A while suppressing the unintentional breakage of the raw material sheet 2 due to the excessive resistance generated in the dividing step. can.

In particular, by adopting a configuration in which the raw material sheet 2 is divided into long cut pieces 2A while the uneven roll 30A is rotated by the drive device, it occurs at the contact portion between the convex portion 30a and the raw material sheet 2 in the uneven roll 30A. It is possible to more effectively suppress excessive resistance and divide into long cut pieces 2A. The ratio of the peripheral speed of the uneven roll 30A to the transport speed of the raw material sheet 2 is more preferably 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less, and further preferably 0.7 or more and 1.5 or less. The peripheral speed of the uneven roll 30A means a moving speed with respect to the outermost peripheral portion, that is, the tip portion of the convex portion 30a.

From the same viewpoint, the peripheral speed of the uneven roll 30A is 30 m / min or more and 1000 m / min or less, provided that the ratio of the peripheral speed of the uneven roll 30A to the transport speed of the raw material sheet 2 is within the above range. It is preferable, and it is more preferable that it is 50 m / min or more and 500 m / min or less. Further, the transport speed of the raw material sheet 2 can be set by the relationship between the set value of the peripheral speed of the uneven roll 30A and the ratio of the peripheral speed of the concave-convex roll 30A to the above-mentioned transport speed of the raw material sheet 2. The transport speed of the raw material sheet 2 can be appropriately adjusted by, for example, the tension adjusting mechanism or the feed mechanism unit 40 described above.

Further, in the present embodiment, the raw material sheet 2 on which the slit 3 is formed is brought into contact with the concave-convex roll 30A to separately form the long cut piece 2A, and the long cut piece 2A is formed into the concave portion 30b in the concave-convex roll 30A. It can also be housed and transported by holding it on its peripheral surface. By having such a configuration, it is possible to effectively divide the long cut piece 2A into the long cut piece 2A and to realize stable transportation of the long cut piece 2A.

The rotation angle of the raw material sheet 2 from the contact with the uneven roll 30A to the separation is preferably 5 degrees or more, more preferably 15 degrees or more, and 180 degrees or less. Is preferable, and it is more preferable that the temperature is 135 degrees or less. Specifically, the rotation angle of the raw material sheet 2 from the contact with the uneven roll 30A to the separation is preferably 5 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, and 15 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less. More preferred.

The method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is different from the first and second embodiments in the form of the split member. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the sheet piece forming portion 10B preferably used in the present embodiment has a slit forming portion 20, a dividing member 30B, and a feed mechanism portion 40 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the manufacturing process. And the widthwise cutting portion 50 are provided in this order.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the dividing member 30B in the third embodiment is in the form of a pair of uneven rolls. The dividing member 30B includes a concavo-convex roll 301A and a second concavo-convex roll 301B arranged to face the roll 30A. Since the concave-convex roll 301A in the present embodiment has the same configuration as the split member 30A (concave-convex roll 30A) in the second embodiment, the description of the concave-convex roll 30A in the second embodiment is appropriately applied to the description of the concave-convex roll 301A. Will be done.

The second uneven roll 301B has a plurality of second convex portions 301a and second concave portions 301b extending along the circumferential direction on its peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction. As shown in the figure, the raw material sheet 2 having a plurality of slits 3 formed between the concave-convex roll 301A and the second concave-convex roll 301B can be supplied.

Further, as shown in the figure, the concave portion 30b in the concave-convex roll 301A and the second convex portion 301a in the second concave-convex roll 301B are arranged so as to mesh with each other. The second convex portion 301a can push the region 3R between the slits in the raw material sheet 2 into the concave portion 30b in the concave-convex roll 30A to divide the raw material sheet 2 into long cut pieces 2A. Similarly, the convex portion 30a of the concave-convex roll 301A and the second concave portion 301b of the second uneven roll 301B are arranged so as to mesh with each other.

By having such a configuration, the raw material sheet 2 can be successfully divided into long cut pieces 2A without arranging a widening device such as an expander upstream of the dividing member, and fluttering during transportation and the like can be achieved. Can be suppressed and the long cut piece 2A can be transported to a downstream process.

From the viewpoint of achieving both effective division of the raw material sheet and improvement of transport efficiency of the separately formed long cut pieces 2A, the height H2 of the second convex portion 301a in the second uneven roll 301B (FIG. 12 (FIG. 12). a)) is appropriately changed depending on the height H1 of the convex portion 30a in the concave-convex roll 301A, that is, the depth of the concave portion 30b, but is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more. It is preferably 15 mm or less, and more preferably 10 mm or less. Specifically, the height H2 of the second convex portion 301a is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

From the same viewpoint, the width W3 (see FIG. 12A) of the second convex portion 301a in the second concave-convex roll 301B in the axial direction is provided that the concave portion 30b and the second convex portion 301a can mesh with each other. , 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 30 mm or less, still more preferably 15 mm or less. Specifically, the width W3 of the second convex portion 301a in the axial direction Y is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

From the viewpoint of preventing the region 3R between the slits pushed into the recess 30b from coming out of the recess 30b, the ratio of the width W3 of the second convex portion 301a to the width W2 in the width direction Y of the recess 30b ( W3 / W2) is preferably 0.40 or more, more preferably 0.50 or more, preferably 0.98 or less, and even more preferably 0.90 or less. Specifically, the ratio (W3 / W2) of the width W3 of the second convex portion 301a in the axial direction Y to the width W2 in the width direction Y of the concave portion 30b is preferably 0.40 or more and 0.98 or less. It is more preferably 0.50 or more and 0.90 or less.

From the viewpoint of achieving both effective division of the raw material sheet and improvement of the transport efficiency of the separately formed long cut pieces 2A, the width W4 of the second concave portion 301b in the second uneven roll 301B in the axial direction Y (FIG. 12 (a)) is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, and more preferably 30 mm or less, provided that the convex portion 30a and the second concave portion 301b can mesh with each other. It is preferably present, and more preferably 15 mm or less. Specifically, the width W4 of the second recess 301b in the axial direction Y is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

The above description has been given with respect to the sheet piece forming portion 10B in the third embodiment, and the method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article using the sheet piece forming portion 10B will be described below. In the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the slit forming step, the dividing step, and the cutting step are performed in this order, and the transport step and the integration step are performed as necessary, as in the first and second embodiments. In the following description, the dividing step using the concave-convex roll 30A and the second concave-convex roll 301B will be mainly described, and the description of each step in the first embodiment is appropriately applied to the other steps.

In the dividing step, when the raw material sheet 2 in which a plurality of slits 3 are formed through the slit forming step is conveyed in a state where a constant tension is applied between the uneven roll 301A and the second uneven roll 301B, the said. While the sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a of the concave-convex roll 301A are in contact with each other, the second convex portion 301a pushes the region 3R between the slits in the raw material sheet 2 into the concave portion 30b of the concave-convex roll 301A. Since tension is applied to the raw material sheet 2, the region 3R between the slits in the raw material sheet 2 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second convex portion 301a. In this state, when the region 3R between the slits in contact with the second uneven roll 301B is pushed into the concave portion 30b, the contact portion between the raw material sheet 2 and the convex portion 30a upstream in the transport direction is used as a starting point in the slit 3. On the other hand, an external force is applied in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet 2. As a result, the raw material sheet 2 is divided along the forming direction of the slit 3, and the long cut piece 2A is formed.

In the dividing step of the present embodiment using the pair of uneven rolls, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the region 3R between all the slits is pushed into the concave portion 30b by the second convex portion 301a and divided. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12B, every other region 3R between the slits may be pushed into the recess 30b and divided. The region 3R between the slits that was not pushed into the recess 30b by the second convex portion 301a is pushed into the second concave portion 301b of the second concave-convex roll 301B while being conveyed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 30a. That is, the region 3R between the slits is pushed into the concave portion 30b by the second convex portion 301a, and the region 3R between the slits is pushed into the second concave portion 301b by the convex portion 30a, so that the raw material sheet is cut into a long piece. Divide into.

As shown in FIG. 12B, in the embodiment in which the region 3R between the slits is pushed into both the concave portion 30b of the concave-convex roll 301A and the second concave portion 301b of the second concave-convex roll 301B, the region 3R is pushed into the second concave portion 301b. From the viewpoint of preventing the region 3R between the slits from coming out, the ratio (W1 / W4) of the width W1 of the convex portion 30a in the axial direction Y to the width W4 in the axial direction Y of the second concave portion 301b is 0.40. The above is preferable, 0.50 or more is more preferable, 0.98 or less is preferable, and 0.90 or less is further preferable. Specifically, the ratio (W1 / W4) of the width W1 of the convex portion 30a in the axial direction Y to the width W4 in the axial direction Y of the second concave portion 301b is preferably 0.40 or more and 0.98 or less. It is more preferably 0.5 or more and 0.90 or less. In addition to this, it is preferable that the ratio (W3 / W2) of the width W3 of the second convex portion 301a in the axial direction Y to the width W2 in the width direction Y of the concave portion 30b is also in the above range.

According to each of the above embodiments, an absorber for an absorbent article can be produced. The absorber 100 shown in FIG. 13 includes an aggregate 100P containing a short sheet piece 2S and a hydrophilic fiber 4 as raw materials, and the aggregate 100P is coated with a core wrap sheet 2W. Further, as shown in the figure, the aggregate 100P may further contain particles of the water-absorbent polymer 5. In particular, since this absorber contains the short sheet piece 2S produced in each of the above-described embodiments, it has high absorption performance and compression recovery.

In the absorber 100 shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of short sheet pieces 2S are uniformly dispersed throughout the absorber 100, but the location of the short sheet pieces 2S depends on the absorption performance of the target absorber and the like. It is also possible to produce an absorber in which is unevenly distributed. As the form of the absorber in which the positions of the short sheet pieces 2S are unevenly distributed, for example, the short sheet pieces 2S are unevenly distributed above or below the absorber 100 and mixed with the hydrophilic fibers 4, or the short sheet. Examples thereof include a form having a laminated structure of a layer mainly composed of the piece 2S and a layer mainly composed of the hydrophilic fiber 4. In order to manufacture the absorber in which the short sheet pieces 2S are unevenly distributed, for example, the short sheet pieces 2S can be manufactured by changing the timing of transporting the short sheet pieces 2S to the duct 60B in the manufacturing apparatus 1.

The material of the constituent fibers of the short sheet piece 2S is preferably a non-water-absorbent synthetic resin (thermoplastic resin), and examples thereof include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. The constituent fibers of the short sheet piece 2S are typically short fibers composed of one or more of these synthetic resins. Since the short sheet piece 2S is the same as the material for the raw material sheet 2 and the long cut piece 2A, the raw material sheet 2 and the long cut piece 2A can also use the above-mentioned materials.

Further, as the hydrophilic fiber 4 used in the absorber 100, various fibers conventionally used as an absorber for an absorbent article can be used without particular limitation, and for example, pulp fiber, rayon fiber, and cotton fiber can be used. And so on.

As described above, the absorbent polymer 100 may further contain the water-absorbent polymer 5, and the water-absorbent polymer is not particularly limited to various types conventionally used for absorbents for absorbent articles. Can be used.

The absorber 100 is suitably used as a constituent member of the absorbent article. The absorbable article referred to here broadly includes articles used for absorbing body fluids (urine, loose stool, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, and is a so-called deployable disposable diaper or pants type having a fastening tape. Disposable diapers, menstrual napkins, menstrual shorts, incontinence pads, etc. are included. The absorber in the absorbent article typically comprises a liquid absorbent core and a liquid permeable core wrap sheet 2W covering the outer surface of the absorbent core, wherein the absorber 100 absorbs the liquid. It can be used as a sex core. Paper, non-woven fabric, or the like can be used as the core wrap sheet 2W. The absorber 100 does not have to include the core wrap sheet 2W, in which case the absorbent core is used as it is as the absorber 100 in the absorbent article.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the elongated cut pieces 2A are separately formed to have the same width, but instead, the elongated cut pieces 2A may be formed to have different widths. .. The elongated cut pieces 2A having different widths can be formed, for example, by appropriately changing the width of the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21.

Further, as the form of forming the slit 3, although it has been described as having a linear shape in each of the above-described embodiments, a non-linear slit 3 such as a wavy line may be formed on the raw material sheet 2 instead. .. In order to form the non-linear slit 3 in the raw material sheet 2, for example, the slit blade 21a in the slit roll 21 can be formed so as to have a desired slit shape, and the slit forming step can be performed.

Further, in each embodiment, the width W1 of each convex portion 30a and the width W2 of each concave portion 30b in the divided members 30, 30A and 30B have been described as having the same width, but the width of the target long cut piece 2A and the like have been described. Depending on the situation, the divided members 30, 30A, 30B having different widths W1 and W2 may be used for one divided member 30, 30A, 30B.

Further, in the third embodiment, the width W1 of each convex portion 30a and the width W2 of each concave portion 30b in the concave-convex roll 301A (concave-convex roll 30A), the width W3 of the second convex portion 301a in the second concave-convex roll 301B, and the width W3. The width W4 of the second recess 301b may be the same or different from each other.

With respect to the above-described embodiment, the present invention further discloses the following method and apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article.

<1>
A method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article, comprising a sheet piece manufacturing process for manufacturing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and manufacturing an absorber containing the short sheet pieces.
The sheet piece manufacturing process is
The raw material sheet is supplied to the slit forming portion while being transported in one direction, and slits are formed in the raw material sheet to form a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction. Process and
The raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion of the split member having a plurality of contact portions at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and between the corresponding contact portions. A division step of dividing the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between the slits in the raw material sheet, and
A method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article, comprising a cutting step of cutting the long cut piece in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof to form the short sheet piece.

<2>
The absorber for an absorbent article according to <1>, wherein in the slit forming step, one or more slits having non-penetrating portions that do not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet are formed as the slits. Production method.
<3>
The transport process of transporting the short sheet piece by air flow and
2. Production method.
<4>
It is equipped with a defibration step to obtain hydrophilic fibers by defibrating a strip-shaped fiber sheet containing hydrophilic fibers.
In the transfer step, the short sheet piece and the short sheet piece formed in the sheet piece manufacturing step and the hydrophilic fiber obtained in the defibration step are conveyed to the integrated portion. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <3>, wherein the absorbent fiber is mixed with the hydrophilic fiber.
<5>
The slit forming portion extends along the circumferential direction and has a plurality of slit blades arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the peripheral surface, and an anvil roll arranged opposite to the slit roll. And equipped with
4. The method according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein in the slit forming step, the raw material sheet is supplied between the slit roll and the anvil roll, and the slit is formed in the raw material sheet. A method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article.

<6>
The method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein in the sheet piece manufacturing step, the transport speed of the long cut piece is controlled by a feed mechanism unit. ..
<7>
The distance between the adjacent slits is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.3 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, further preferably 15 mm or less, and 0.1 mm or more. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the thickness is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 15 mm or less.
How to make an absorber for.
<8>
The split member is a concavo-convex member having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions alternately in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and the convex portions are provided with the contact portion.
By bringing the raw material sheet in which the slits are formed into contact with the abutting portion in the convex portion and introducing a region between the slits in the raw material sheet into the concave portion, the raw material sheet is cut into a long piece. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <1> to <7>.
<9>
The height of the convex portion of the uneven member is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, further preferably 15 mm or less, further preferably 10 mm or less, and 0. The method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article according to <8>, wherein the thickness is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.
<10>
The width of the convex portion in the uneven member in the width direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 5 mm or less, and further preferably 3 mm or less. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <8> or <9>, wherein the amount is preferably 0.05 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.
<11>
The absorbent article according to any one of <8> to <10>, wherein the concavo-convex member is a concavo-convex roll having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction. How to make an absorber for.
<12>
The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <11>, wherein in the dividing step, the uneven roll is rotated by a driving device to divide the raw material sheet into the long cut pieces.
<13>
The ratio of the peripheral speed of the uneven roll to the transport speed of the raw material sheet is more preferably 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less, further preferably 0.7 or more and 1.5 or less, the above <12. > The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article.

<14>
The rotation angle of the raw material sheet from the contact with the uneven roll to the separation is preferably 5 degrees or more, more preferably 15 degrees or more, and 180 degrees or less. Is preferably 135 degrees or less, more preferably 5 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, and further preferably 15 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less, any one of the above <11> to <13>. A method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to.
<15>
The second concave-convex roll having a plurality of second convex portions and second concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction is the concave portion in the concave-convex roll and the second convex portion in the second concave-convex roll. It is arranged so as to face the uneven roll so that the portions mesh with each other.
In the dividing step, the raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is supplied between the uneven roll and the second uneven roll, and the region between the slits is pushed into the concave portion by the second convex portion. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <11> to <14>, wherein the raw material sheet is divided into long cut pieces.
<16>
The width of the second convex portion in the second uneven roll in the axial direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, and preferably 15 mm or less. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <15>, wherein the amount is more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

<17>
The width of the second concave portion in the second concave-convex roll in the axial direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, and preferably 15 mm or less. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <15> or <16>, wherein the amount is more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less. ..
<18>
The raw material sheet is divided into elongated cut pieces by pushing the region between the slits into the concave portion of the concave-convex roll and the second concave portion of the second concave-convex roll. > The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of.
<19>
The ratio of the width of the convex portion in the axial direction to the width of the second concave portion in the axial direction is preferably 0.40 or more, more preferably 0.50 or more, and 0.98 or less. Is more preferable, 0.90 or less is more preferable, 0.40 or more and 0.98 or less is preferable, and 0.5 or more and 0.90 or less is further preferable. > The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of.

<20>
The absorption according to any one of <1> to <19>, wherein the raw material sheet is divided into the long cut pieces while being conveyed in a state where tension is applied to the raw material sheet in the dividing step. A method for producing an absorber for a sex article.
<21>
An apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article, comprising a sheet piece forming portion for producing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and producing an absorber containing the short sheet pieces.
The sheet piece forming portion is
A slit-forming portion that forms a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction on a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers.
A plurality of contact portions are provided at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion, and the slit in the raw material sheet is provided between the contact portions. A dividing member that divides the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between them, and
An apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article, comprising a widthwise cutting portion for cutting the long cut piece in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof to form the short sheet piece.

<22>
The absorber for an absorbent article according to <21>, wherein in the slit forming portion, one or more slits having non-penetrating portions that do not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet are formed as the slits. Manufacturing equipment.
<23>
A transport section for transporting the short sheet piece formed by the sheet piece forming section by an air flow, and a transport section.
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <21> or <22>, which comprises an accumulator portion for accumulating the conveyed short sheet pieces to obtain an aggregate which is a constituent member of the absorber.
<24>
The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <21> to <23>, comprising a fiber supply device for defibrating a strip-shaped fiber sheet containing hydrophilic fibers.
<25>
The slit forming portion extends along the circumferential direction and has a plurality of slit blades arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the peripheral surface, and an anvil roll arranged opposite to the slit roll. And equipped with
The absorption for an absorbent article according to any one of <21> to <24>, wherein the raw material sheet is supplied between the slit roll and the anvil roll to form the slit in the raw material sheet. Body manufacturing equipment.

<26>
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <21> to <25>, wherein the sheet piece forming portion includes a feed mechanism portion that controls a transport speed of the long cut piece. ..
<27>
The distance between the adjacent slits is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.3 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, further preferably 15 mm or less, and 0.1 mm or more. The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <21> to <26>, wherein the thickness is preferably 30 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 15 mm or less.
<28>
The split member is a concavo-convex member having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions alternately in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and the convex portions are provided with the contact portion. 27> The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of.
<29>
The height of the convex portion of the uneven member is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, further preferably 15 mm or less, further preferably 10 mm or less, and 0. The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <28>, wherein the thickness is preferably 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and more preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.
<30>
The width of the convex portion in the uneven member in the width direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 5 mm or less, and further preferably 3 mm or less. The absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of <28> and <29>, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 5 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. Manufacturing equipment.

<31>
The absorbent article according to any one of <28> to <30>, wherein the concavo-convex member is a concavo-convex roll having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction. Absorber manufacturing equipment for.
<32>
The device for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <31>, wherein the uneven roll is rotated by a driving device.
<33>
The ratio of the peripheral speed of the uneven roll to the transport speed of the raw material sheet is more preferably 0.5 or more and 2.0 or less, further preferably 0.7 or more and 1.5 or less, the above <32. > The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article.

<34>
The rotation angle of the raw material sheet from the contact with the uneven roll to the separation is preferably 5 degrees or more, more preferably 15 degrees or more, and 180 degrees or less. , More preferably 135 degrees or less, further preferably 5 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less, still more preferably 15 degrees or more and 135 degrees or less, any one of the above <31> to <33>. A device for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to the above.
<35>
The second concave-convex roll having a plurality of second convex portions and second concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction is the concave portion in the concave-convex roll and the second convex portion in the second concave-convex roll. It is arranged so as to face the uneven roll so that the portions mesh with each other.
The raw material sheet in which the slit is formed between the uneven roll and the second uneven roll is supplied, and the region between the slits is pushed into the concave portion by the second convex portion to lengthen the raw material sheet. The apparatus for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article according to any one of <31> to <34>, which is divided into scale-shaped cut pieces.
<36>
The width of the second convex portion in the second uneven roll in the axial direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, and preferably 15 mm or less. The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <35>, wherein the apparatus is more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

<37>
The width of the second concave portion in the second concave-convex roll in the axial direction is preferably 0.05 mm or more, more preferably 0.1 mm or more, preferably 30 mm or less, and preferably 15 mm or less. The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to <35> or <36>, wherein is more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and further preferably 0.1 mm or more and 15 mm or less. ..
<38>
The raw material sheet is divided into elongated cut pieces by pushing the region between the slits into the concave portion of the concave-convex roll and the second concave portion of the second concave-convex roll. > The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of.
<39>
The ratio of the width of the convex portion in the axial direction to the width of the second concave portion in the axial direction is preferably 0.40 or more, more preferably 0.50 or more, and 0.98 or less. , More preferably 0.90 or less, further preferably 0.40 or more and 0.98 or less, still more preferably 0.5 or more and 0.90 or less, said <35> to <38. > The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of.

1 Absorbent manufacturing equipment 2 Raw material sheet 2A Long cut piece 2S Short sheet piece 3 Slit 3p Non-penetrating part 3R Area between slits 4 Hydrophilic fiber 5 Water-absorbent polymer particles 10, 10A, 10B Sheet piece forming part 20 Slit Forming part 21 Slit roll 22 Anvil roll 30 Dividing member (partitioning member)
30'Divided member (concave and convex member)
30a Convex part 30b Concave part 30A Dividing member (roll-shaped uneven member, uneven roll)
30B split member (pair of uneven rolls)
301A Concavo-convex roll 301B 2nd concavo-convex roll 301a 2nd convex part 301b 2nd concave part 50 Width direction cutting part 53 Transport part 60A Rotating drum 60B Duct 61 Accumulation part (recess for integration)
100 Absorber 100P Accumulator MD Transport direction (longitudinal direction)
Y width direction (axial direction)

Claims (13)

A method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article, comprising a sheet piece manufacturing process for manufacturing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and manufacturing an absorber containing the short sheet pieces.
The sheet piece manufacturing process is
The raw material sheet is supplied to the slit forming portion while being transported in one direction, and slits are formed in the raw material sheet to form a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction. Process and
The raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion of the split member having a plurality of contact portions at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and between the corresponding contact portions. A division step of dividing the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between the slits in the raw material sheet, and
It is provided with a cutting step of cutting the long cut piece in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof to form the short sheet piece.
In the slit forming step, a method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article, in which one or more slits having non-penetrating portions that do not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet are formed as the slits . The transport process of transporting the short sheet piece by air flow and
The method for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 1 , further comprising an integration step of accumulating the conveyed short sheet pieces in an accumulator to obtain an aggregate which is a constituent member of the absorber. The slit forming portion extends along the circumferential direction and has a plurality of slit blades arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the peripheral surface, and an anvil roll arranged opposite to the slit roll. And equipped with
The absorption for an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein in the slit forming step, the raw material sheet is supplied between the slit roll and the anvil roll, and the slit is formed in the raw material sheet. How to make a body. The split member is a concavo-convex member having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions alternately in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and the convex portions are provided with the contact portion.
By bringing the raw material sheet in which the slits are formed into contact with the contact portion in the convex portion and introducing a region between the slits in the raw material sheet into the concave portion, the raw material sheet is cut into a long piece. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , which is divided into. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body for an absorbent article according to claim 4 , wherein the uneven member is an uneven roll having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 5 , wherein in the division step, the uneven roll is rotated by a driving device to divide the raw material sheet into the long cut pieces. The second concave-convex roll having a plurality of second convex portions and second concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction is the concave portion in the concave-convex roll and the second convex portion in the second concave-convex roll. It is arranged so as to face the uneven roll so that the portions mesh with each other.
In the dividing step, the raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is supplied between the uneven roll and the second uneven roll, and the region between the slits is pushed into the concave portion by the second convex portion. The method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the raw material sheet is divided into long slices. An apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article, comprising a sheet piece forming portion for producing a plurality of short sheet pieces from a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers, and producing an absorber containing the short sheet pieces.
The sheet piece forming portion is
A slit-forming portion that forms a plurality of slits extending along the transport direction and parallel to the direction intersecting the transport direction on a strip-shaped raw material sheet containing synthetic fibers.
A plurality of contact portions are provided at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the raw material sheet in which the slit is formed is brought into contact with the corresponding contact portion, and the slit in the raw material sheet is provided between the contact portions. A dividing member that divides the raw material sheet into long cut pieces by introducing a region between them, and
The elongated cut piece is cut in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof, and is provided with a widthwise cutting portion for forming the short sheet piece.
The slit forming portion is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article, which is configured to form one or more slits having non-penetrating portions that do not penetrate in the thickness direction of the raw material sheet as the slits . A transport section for transporting the short sheet piece formed by the sheet piece forming section by an air flow, and a transport section.
The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 8 , further comprising an accumulator portion for accumulating the conveyed short sheet pieces to obtain an aggregate which is a constituent member of the absorber. The slit forming portion extends along the circumferential direction and has a plurality of slit blades arranged at intervals in the axial direction on the peripheral surface, and an anvil roll arranged opposite to the slit roll. And equipped with
The apparatus for producing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the raw material sheet is supplied between the slit roll and the anvil roll to form the slit in the raw material sheet. The divided member is a concavo-convex member having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions alternately in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the raw material sheet, and the convex portions are provided with the contact portion, according to claims 8 to 10 . The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to any one of the following items. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorber for an absorbent article according to claim 11 , wherein the uneven member is an uneven roll having a plurality of convex portions and concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction. The second concave-convex roll having a plurality of second convex portions and second concave portions extending along the circumferential direction on the peripheral surface alternately in the axial direction is the concave portion in the concave-convex roll and the second convex portion in the second concave-convex roll. It is arranged so as to face the uneven roll so that the portions mesh with each other.
The raw material sheet in which the slit is formed between the uneven roll and the second uneven roll is supplied, and the region between the slits is pushed into the concave portion by the second convex portion to lengthen the raw material sheet. The apparatus for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article according to claim 12 , which is divided into a scale-shaped cut piece.

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