JP7396120B2 - Processing equipment and processing method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a processing device and a processing method for leaving a part of sheets to be bonded together and cutting off the other part.

BACKGROUND ART As one of the methods for manufacturing absorbent articles such as diapers and sanitary napkins, a processing technique is known in which the product is cut into a predetermined shape according to the shape.
For example, a cutting technique has been proposed in which a semi-finished product of an absorbent article is processed and the outer shape is adjusted by cutting off the other part while leaving a part of the processing object (see Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a cutting technique has also been proposed in which the object to be processed is cut by pressing two convex portions on one side and the other side of the cutting point with two convex portions configured in the same way (Patent Document 2). reference).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-237796 WO2017/168496 pamphlet

Incidentally, absorbent articles are known in which sheets are bonded together at their outer edges. When manufacturing such an absorbent article, if the part that is not cut off and becomes the product and the other part that is cut off are pressed in the same way as in the processing technology described above, the sheets will not fit together sufficiently in the former part. This may result in poor bonding between the sheets.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in improving the processability of the sheet.

The processing apparatus and processing method disclosed herein were devised in view of the above-mentioned problems, and one of the purposes is to improve the processability of sheets. Note that this purpose is not limited to this purpose, but also includes functions and effects derived from each configuration shown in "Details for Carrying Out the Invention" that will be described later, which cannot be obtained with conventional techniques. It can be positioned for other purposes.

The processing apparatus disclosed herein leaves a part of the sheets to be bonded together and cuts off the other part. This processing apparatus includes a cutter that cuts the other part from the part, and a support part that presses the sheet when the cutter cuts the other part from the part. The support portion includes an auxiliary support portion that presses the other portion, and a main support portion that presses a portion of the portion to which the sheet is bonded together more strongly than the auxiliary support portion.

The processing method disclosed herein leaves a part of the sheets to be bonded together and cuts off the other part. This processing method includes a cutting step of separating the other portion from the one portion, and a support step of holding down the sheet when the other portion is separated from the one portion in the cutting step. The support process includes an auxiliary support process of pressing the other part, and a main support process of pressing the part of the part to which the sheet is bonded together more strongly than the auxiliary support process.

According to the disclosed processing apparatus and processing method, the processability of the sheet can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view schematically showing a semi-finished product of an absorbent body built into a urine pad. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the entire processing device as viewed in the CD direction. It is a schematic diagram which shows the TD direction cross section of MD direction which shows the main part of a processing apparatus and a processing object. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram as viewed in the TD direction showing the main parts of a modified example of the processing device.

A processing device and a processing method as an embodiment will be described.
The objects processed by these devices and methods are articles comprising sheets to be laminated together. Here, a semi-finished product of an absorbent body incorporated in an absorbent article will be explained as an example of a processing target. Specifically, a urine pad will be cited as an example of an absorbent article, and a semi-finished product of an absorbent body built into this urine pad will be illustrated as an example of a processing target.

In the processing apparatus and processing method of this embodiment, a semi-finished product of an absorbent body is transported, and in this semi-finished product, a part of the sheet to be laminated is left and the other part is cut off. By adjusting the outer shape of the semi-finished product in this way, the finished absorbent body is shaped into a predetermined shape according to the product shape.

In the embodiment below, directions used for explanation are defined as follows.
In the description of semi-finished absorbent products, three directions are used: the longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the thickness direction. The longitudinal direction and the width direction are directions along the plane in which the semi-finished product of the absorbent body extends, and are directions orthogonal to each other. The thickness direction is a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the width direction.

Regarding the thickness direction, when a finished urine pad containing a semi-finished absorbent product is worn on the wearer, the side corresponding to the side facing the wearer's skin should be the skin side (one side in the thickness direction). The side opposite to the skin side is the non-skin side (the other side in the thickness direction).
Further, in the semi-finished product of the absorbent body, the side from the part left uncut to the other part to be cut off is defined as the outside, and the side opposite to this outside is defined as the inside.

In the description of the processing device, three directions are used: MD direction (Machine Direction), CD direction (Cross Direction), and TD direction (Transverse Direction).
The MD direction is the direction in which the semi-finished absorbent product is transported. The CD direction is a direction orthogonal to the MD direction. These MD direction and CD direction are also directions along the plane in which the semi-finished product of the absorbent body to be transported extends. The TD direction is a direction perpendicular to both the MD direction and the CD direction.

[I. One embodiment]
In one embodiment described below, the configuration will be explained in item [1], and the operation and effect of the configuration in item [1] will be described in the subsequent item [2].
[1. composition]
In this item [1], the semi-finished absorbent product to be processed will be explained in sub-item [1-1], and then the processing equipment will be explained in sub-item [1-2]. Then, the processing method will be explained in subsection [1-3].

[1-1. Absorbent semi-finished products]
As shown in FIG. 1, a semi-finished absorbent product (hereinafter simply referred to as "absorbent") 10 to be incorporated into a urine pad has a core 20 wrapped (wrapped) with a wrap sheet 30.
The core 20 is a mat-like member. The core 20 is made of a material in which pulverized or defibrated pulp (so-called "fluff pulp") is mixed with a super absorbent resin (also referred to as "SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer)"). This core 20 has the function of absorbing and retaining urine excreted by the wearer wearing the urine pad.

The wrap sheet 30 is a sheet-like covering member that covers the core 20 from both the skin side and the non-skin side. The wrap sheet 30 is made of a thin film material such as nonwoven fabric or tissue.
FIG. 1 illustrates a wrap sheet 30 consisting of two sheets: an upper sheet 3U that covers the skin side of the core 20 and a lower sheet 3L that covers the non-skin side of the core 20. However, the core 20 may be wrapped in one wrap sheet 30.

The wrap sheet 30 described above is roughly divided into a main portion 40 and a flap portion 50 depending on the position relative to the core 20 in plan view.
The main portion 40 is a portion that overlaps the core 20 in plan view.
The flap portion 50 is a portion that extends from the core 20 without overlapping in plan view.

This flap portion 50 is subdivided into two types of parts in each of plan view and cross-sectional view.
The two types of parts that are subdivided in plan view are the trim part 51 (other part) that is cut off, and the product part 52 (part) that is left as a product without being cut off. In other words, with respect to the cut point C of the flap part 50, the trim part 51 (shown with intersecting diagonal lines) is located on the outside, and the product part 52 is located on the inside. Note that a curved cutting location C (so-called "R cut") is illustrated in FIG.
The two types of parts that are subdivided in cross-sectional view are an upper flap part 5U on the skin side and a lower flap part 5D on the non-skin side.

The flap portion 50 described above is subdivided into the following four parts.
- Upper trim part 51U: a part outside and on the skin side with respect to the cutting part C - Lower trim part 51D: a part outside with respect to the cutting part C and on the non-skin side - Upper product part 52U: inside with respect to the cutting part C And the part on the skin side - Lower product part 52D: the part inside and on the non-skin side with respect to the cutting point C

Furthermore, an adhesive is applied to a predetermined region R of the flap portion 50 to bond the upper flap portion 5U and the lower flap portion 5D together. Here, the adhesive is applied to a region R that straddles the cut point C in plan view.
Specifically, hot melt (adhesive) is applied to the upper region R _U of the upper trim part 51U and upper product part 52U, and hot melt (adhesive) is also applied to the lower region R _D of the lower trim part 51D and lower product part 52D. is coated.
The absorbent body 10 described above is processed by the apparatus described below.

[1-2. Processing equipment]
As shown in FIG. 2, the processing device 1 is provided with two types of rolls 3 and 4 for processing the absorbent body 10 conveyed by the conveyor mechanism 2.
The thickness direction of the absorbent body 10 being transported is along the TD direction. When the absorbent core 10 with its longitudinal direction aligned in the MD direction is conveyed, its width direction is aligned in the CD direction. When the absorbent body 10 is transported with its longitudinal direction along the CD direction, the width direction is along the MD direction.

The rolls 3 and 4 are rolls that rotate at a speed that corresponds to the transport speed of the conveyor mechanism 2.
Among the rolls 3 and 4, one is the cutter roll 3 (rotating roll) to which a processing tool 56 (see FIG. 3) for processing the absorbent body 10 is attached, and the other is a pedestal for processing by the processing tool 56 of the cutter roll 3. This is the anvil roll 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cutter roll 3 is equipped with a processing tool 56 that protrudes in a radial direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the absorber 10. The processing tool 56 includes a cutter 5 that cuts the flap portion 50 and a support portion 6 that presses the flap portion 50. That is, a common cutter roll 3 is provided with a cutter 5 and a support portion 6.

The cutter 5 is a cutting tool that cuts off the trim portion 51 while leaving the product portion 52 of the flap portion 50. That is, the cutter 5 cuts the cutting portion C between the trim portion 51 and the product portion 52.
The support part 6 is a press tool that presses the flap part 50 when the trim part 51 is cut off by the cutter 5.

For example, the cutter 5 is formed into a tapered blade shape, and the support portion 6 is formed into a plate shape with a top surface that presses the flap portion 50.
The cutter 5 is provided to extend in a shape corresponding to the cutting location C. A support portion 6 is also provided extending along the cutter 5. However, the support portion 6 is not limited to an extended form, and may be provided partially.

In the support section 6, an auxiliary support section 7 is disposed on one side of the cutter 5, and a main support section 8 is disposed on the other side.
Hereinafter, the two types of support parts 7 and 8 will be explained in the order of the part to be pressed, the function to be held, the pressing force, and a specific example of the configuration.

--Place to press--
The auxiliary support section 7 presses the trim section 51 (ie, outside of the cutting point C). Specifically, the auxiliary support section 7 presses the upper trim section 51U and the lower trim section 51D from the skin side. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the regions R _U and _RD to which the adhesive is applied in the trim parts 51U and 51D are held down by the auxiliary support part 7. However, the area to which the adhesive is not applied may be held down by the auxiliary support section 7.

The main support portion 8 presses the product portion 52 (that is, on the inside with respect to the cutting point C). Specifically, the main support section 8 presses the upper product section 52U and the lower product section 52D from the skin side. This main support part 8 presses down the areas R _U and _RD to which the adhesive is applied in the product parts 52U and 52D.

-- Functions --
Both the auxiliary support section 7 and the main support section 8 have the following cutting stabilization function.
- Cutting stabilization function: A function that stabilizes the cutting of the flap part 50 by the cutter 5. Furthermore, the main support part 8 also has the following bonding function.
- Pasting function: Function to paste product parts 52U and 52D together

The cutting stability function is obtained by holding the flap portion 50 cut by the cutter 5 with the support portions 7 and 8. Specifically, the cutting stabilization function is obtained by the cooperation between the auxiliary support section 7 holding down the trim sections 51U and 51D and the main support section 8 holding down the product sections 52U and 52D.
The bonding function is obtained by pressing the product parts 52U and 52D of the flap part 50 with the main support part 8. In other words, the product parts 52U, 52D are not only pressed to obtain a cutting stabilizing function, but also to obtain a bonding function.

-- The power to hold --
In order to obtain both the cutting stabilization function and the bonding function described above, it is necessary to press the product parts 52U and 52D more strongly than the trim parts 51U and 51D.
Therefore, the main support part 8 that presses the product parts 52U and 52D has a stronger pressing force (hereinafter also referred to as "pressing force") on the flap part 50 than the auxiliary support part 7 that presses the trim parts 51U and 51D. It is configured.

As a configuration in which the pressing force is made different between the auxiliary support part 7 and the main support part 8 as described above, an example of a structure in which the dimensions (structures) are made different will be described.
In this configuration example, the auxiliary support part 7 and the main support part 8 have the same compressive elastic modulus, but the dimension in which the main support part 8 protrudes from the cutter roll 3 is set larger than that of the auxiliary support part 7. There is.

Specifically, a second protrusion dimension L ₂ described below is set larger than a first protrusion dimension L ₁ described below that is effective for holding down the flap portion 50 (L ₁ <L ₂ ).
・First protrusion dimension L ₁ : Dimension between base end 7B and tip 7T in auxiliary support part 7 ・Second protrusion dimension L ₂ : Dimension between base end 8B and tip 8T in main support part 8

Here, the first protrusion dimension L ₁ is set smaller (L ₁ <L _C ) and the second protrusion dimension L ₂ is set larger than the standard protrusion dimension L _C of the cutter 5 shown below. (L ₂ >L _C ).
- Standard protrusion dimension L _C : Dimension between the base end 5B and tip 5T of the cutter 5

The magnitude of the protrusion dimensions L ₁ and L ₂ with respect to the standard protrusion dimension L _C corresponds to the length of the pressing process with respect to the cutting process period of the cutter 5 .
Specifically, the pressing process by the auxiliary support part 7 having the first protrusion dimension L ₁ smaller than the reference protrusion dimension L _C starts later than the cutting process by the cutter 5 and ends earlier.
Further, the holding process by the main support part 8 having the second protrusion dimension L ₂ larger than the reference protrusion dimension L _C starts earlier than the cutting process by the cutter 5 and ends later than the cutting process by the cutter 5 .

In addition, the auxiliary support portion 7 and the main support portion 8 may have different compressive elastic moduli. Specifically, the compressive elastic modulus of the main support part 8 may be set higher than that of the auxiliary support part 7. In this case, the protruding dimensions of the auxiliary support part 7 and the main support part 8 may be the same. By using the main support part 8 which is harder and harder to deform than the auxiliary support part 7 as described above, it is possible to press the product part 52 more strongly than the trim part 51. Here, the compressive elastic modulus is determined according to the standards set by Japanese Industrial Standards (for example, JIS K 6254 for vulcanized rubber, and JIS K 6254 for fiber reinforced plastic composite materials) depending on the materials used for the auxiliary support part 7 and the main support part 8. If available, it is measured in accordance with JIS K 7018).

In addition, as long as the pressing force by the main support part 8 is set to be stronger than the pressing force by the auxiliary support part 7, each of the above-mentioned protrusion dimensions and compressive elastic modulus, or the combination of the protruding dimensions and compressive elastic modulus can be set arbitrarily. It can be set to Therefore, a setting may be adopted in which the protrusion dimension of the auxiliary support part 7 is slightly larger than that of the main support part 8, and the compressive elastic modulus of the main support part 8 is sufficiently higher than that of the auxiliary support part 7.

[1-3. Processing method]
Next, a processing method using the processing apparatus 1 described above will be described.
In this processing method, the cutter 5 performs a cutting process, and the support section 6 performs a support process. Furthermore, in the support process, the auxiliary support part 7 carries out the auxiliary support process, and the main support part 8 carries out the main support process.

The cutting process is a process of cutting off the trim part 51 leaving the product part 52 of the flap part 50.
In this cutting step, the portion between the trim portion 51 and the product portion 52 is cut including the predetermined region R to which the adhesive is applied.

The support process is a process in which the flap part 50 is held down when the trim part 51 is cut off from the product part 52 by the cutter 5.
The auxiliary support process is a process of holding down the trim portion 51.
The main support process is a process in which the region R of the product part 52 to which the adhesive is applied is pressed more strongly than the auxiliary support process.

Furthermore, according to the cutter 5 and the support parts 7 and 8 in which the size relationship of the protruding dimensions L ₁ , L ₂ , and L _C satisfies the inequality "L ₁ < L _C < L ₂ ", each The process is carried out. That is, the main support process not only has a stronger force for pressing the flap part 50 than the auxiliary support process, but also is carried out for a longer period of time than the auxiliary support process, and is carried out for a longer period of time than the cutting process.

[2. Action and effect]
Since the processing apparatus and processing method of this embodiment are configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
Since the product parts 52U, 52D are pressed more strongly than the trim parts 51U, 51D by the support parts 7, 8 that press the flap part 50, the flap part 50 can be stably cut, and the product parts 52U, 52D can be cut easily. It is also possible to bond them together reliably. Therefore, the workability of the flap portion 50 can be improved.

If the second protrusion dimension L2 of the main support part ₈ is larger than the first protrusion dimension _L1 of the auxiliary support part 7, the product part 52 can be held down for a longer period of time than the trim part 51. Therefore, the product parts 52U and 52D can be reliably bonded together, which contributes to improving the workability of the flap part 50.
Further, if the second protrusion dimension L ₂ of the main support portion 8 is larger than the reference protrusion dimension L _C of the cutter 5 , the product portion 52 is held down before the flap portion 50 is cut by the cutter 5 . Therefore, the cutting stability of the flap portion 50 can be improved.

If the main support part 8 has a higher compressive elastic modulus than the auxiliary support part 7, the product parts 52U and 52D pressed by the main support part 8 will be reliably crimped together. Therefore, the product parts 52U and 52D can be reliably bonded together. Also from this point of view, the workability of the flap portion 50 can be improved.
In addition, since the cutter 5 and the support parts 7 and 8 are provided on the common cutter roll 3, the absorbent body 10 can be processed continuously. Therefore, the workability of the absorber 10 can be improved.

In addition, since the adhesive is applied to the region R that straddles the cutting point C in plan view, the region R of the flap portion 50 to which the adhesive is applied is cut by the cutter 5.
By such cutting, the product parts 52U and 52D can be bonded together at the edge of the absorbent body 10 whose outer shape has been adjusted. Therefore, the processability of the product parts 52U and 52D can be improved. Further, the separated trim portions 51U and 51D can also be pasted together. Therefore, the discharge performance of the trim parts 51U and 51D can be improved. These improvements in processability and dischargeability also contribute to improving the workability of the absorbent body 10.
The functions and effects of the processing apparatus described above can also be obtained depending on the processing method.

[II. others]
The embodiment described above is merely an example, and there is no intention to exclude the application of various modifications and techniques not explicitly described in this embodiment. Each structure of this embodiment can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit thereof. Moreover, they can be selected as needed, and can be combined as appropriate.

For example, the auxiliary support section may have a function of improving the evacuation performance of the trim section. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary support portion 7' may be provided with a spout 7P' for blowing out the airflow. According to such a configuration, the airflow is blown from the jet port 7P' onto the trim part (not shown) cut off by the cutter 5, so that the trim part can be separated from the auxiliary support part 7' by the airflow. Therefore, it contributes to improving the discharge performance of the trim portion.

Further, the cutter and the support section are not limited to being attached to the cutter roll, but may be attached to various base materials such as a plate material or a column having an arcuate bottom surface.
In addition, the object to be pressed by the auxiliary support part or the main support part is not limited to the flap part of the wrap sheet, and may be at least a sheet to be bonded together. For example, sheets that are pasted together, such as side sheets and back sheets of an absorbent article, are examples of objects that are held down by the support section.
Note that the method for bonding the flap portions together is not limited to bonding using an adhesive, and may be a known bonding method such as welding or pressure bonding.

1 Processing equipment 2 Conveyor mechanism 3 Cutter roll (rotating roll)
4 Anvil roll 5 Cutter 5T Tip 5B Base 56 Cutting tool 6 Support part 7, 7' Auxiliary support part 7T Tip 7B Base 7P' Spout 8 Main support part 8T Tip 8B Base 10 Absorber (semi-finished product, processing target) )
20 Core 30 Wrap sheet 3U Upper sheet 3L Lower sheet 40 Main part 50 Flap part 51 Trim part (other parts)
52 Product Department (partial)
5U Upper flap section 5D Lower flap section 51U Upper trim section 51D Lower trim section 52U Upper product section 52D Lower product section C Cutting location L ₁ First protrusion dimension L ₂ Second protrusion dimension L _C Standard protrusion dimension R Area R _U Upper area R _D Lower region

Claims (5)

A processing device that leaves a part of the sheets to be pasted together and cuts off the other part except the part,
a cutter that cuts off the other part from the part;
a support part that presses the sheet when the other part is cut off from the part with the cutter;
The support part has an auxiliary support part that presses the other part, and a main support part that presses a part of the part to which the sheet is bonded together more strongly than the auxiliary support part,
The auxiliary support part has a spout that blows out airflow to the other part.
A processing device characterized by: The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main support portion has a higher compressive elastic modulus than the auxiliary support portion. 3. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main support part has a larger protrusion dimension effective for pressing the sheet than the auxiliary support part. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the main support portion protrudes more than the cutter . 5. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cutter and the support section are provided on a common rotating roll .

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