WO2014208650A1

WO2014208650A1 - Production apparatus and production method for fused sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2014208650A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/066939
Authority: WO
Inventors: 拓郎梁島; 伸二浜本; 康至今井; 邦利山田; 淳岩崎
Original assignee: 花王株式会社
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2014-06-26
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: BR112015032673A2; JP6228814B2; CN105358109B; CN105358109A; JP2015027779A

Abstract

This production apparatus (20) is equipped with an irradiating head (312), a support member (21) for supporting one surface of a sheet laminate (10), and a holding member (26) for pressing the sheet laminate (21) towards the support member (21) from the other side thereof. The support member (21) has a slit-shaped opening (27) which is elongated in the widthwise direction of the sheet laminate (10). At locations adjacent to the opening (27) are situated air blowing ports for blowing out air, and air suction ports (112a) for sucking air from the opening (27). The sheet laminate (10), while supported on the support member (21), is divided by being irradiated along the opening (27) by laser light (30) from the support member (21) side, and the divided edges are fused in an overlapping state, continuously producing multiple fused sheets having sealed edge portions.

Description

Sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a sheet fusion product manufacturing apparatus and method.

Conventionally, in the manufacturing process of absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins, a heat roll apparatus has been widely used for joining stacked sheets. As another bonding method, a method of welding using a laser beam is also known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is deformed into a shape along the peripheral surface of a rotary roll having a laser light transmitting portion on the peripheral surface, and the sheet is conveyed. A method of irradiating the laminated body with laser light from the inside of the rotary roll to fuse the sheets in the laminated sheet is described.

JP 2010-188629 A

In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a sheet laminate to be fused is conveyed while being sandwiched between a rotating roll and a belt, and fusion is performed by irradiation with laser light while being conveyed. At the time of fusing, a gas containing resin fume may be generated from the sheet laminate to be fused. Resin fume is a fine solid particle generated by solidification of vapor of a solid substance or a chemical reaction of a gaseous substance, and there is a possibility that it will ignite if it stays in air at a high concentration. Therefore, local exhaust of the gas containing resin fume is required. However, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the sheet laminate is conveyed while being sandwiched between a rotating roll and a non-breathable belt, it may not be easy to exhaust the generated gas.

The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap.
The manufacturing apparatus includes: an irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light; and a support member that supports one surface of a belt-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are overlapped at least in part. It has.
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side.
An air outlet for blowing air toward the opening or an air suction opening for sucking air from the opening is provided at a position adjacent to the opening.
The strip-shaped sheet laminate supported by the support member is divided by irradiating the laser beam condensed from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening, and overlapping the edge of the division. A plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the sealing edge are continuously manufactured.

Moreover, this invention provides the manufacturing method of the sheet | seat melt | fusion body which has the seal edge part melt | fused in the state which the edge part of the several sheet | seat overlapped.
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material.
In the manufacturing method, one surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the strip-shaped sheet laminate is The band-shaped sheet laminate is divided by irradiating laser light having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheets constituting the sheet laminate and generating heat from the support member side through the opening. At the same time, there is a step of forming the seal edge by fusing the cut edges of a plurality of sheets generated by the division.
In the step, at the time of dividing and fusing the strip-shaped sheet laminate, air is blown toward the opening, or air is sucked from the opening to blow off the gas generated at the time of dividing and fusing. Remove or suction to remove.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a pants-type disposable diaper manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams corresponding to FIG. 2 of the side seal part (seal edge part) on one side and the vicinity thereof in a state where the waist opening of the diaper shown in FIG. 2 is expanded. . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the production apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a further main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminate) is introduced into the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the main part inside the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing the main part in FIG. 8A. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the main part inside the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of a cylindrical roll in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 11: is a perspective view which shows typically the manufacturing process of a diaper continuous body (band-shaped sheet laminated body). 12 (a) to 12 (c) respectively form a side seal portion (seal edge) at the same time as the diaper continuous body (band-like sheet laminate) is divided using the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode to do. FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 12 (c) of another example of a method for manufacturing a pants-type disposable diaper using the laser-type bonding apparatus shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the main part of the support member of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. Fig.15 (a) is a perspective view which shows the modification of the principal part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 4, and is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in FIG.15 (b). 16 (a) and 16 (b) are diagrams (a view corresponding to FIG. 12 (b)) showing a modification of the main part of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a perspective view (corresponding to FIG. 8B) showing another main part inside the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing another main part on the outer surface side of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The sheet fusion body manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, that is, a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets overlap each other is, for example, FIG. Or it is the underpants type disposable diaper 1 which comprises the exterior | packing body 3 which has a pair of

side seal parts

4 and 4 as shown in FIG. First, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diaper 1 includes an absorbent main body 2 and an exterior body 3 that is disposed on the non-skin contact surface side of the absorbent main body 2 and fixes the absorbent main body 2. And the both side edges of the exterior body 3 on the ventral side 1A and the both side edges of the exterior body on the back side 1B are joined together to form a pair of

side seal parts

4, 4, a waist opening 8 and a pair of A pants-type disposable diaper in which

leg openings

9, 9 are formed. The side seal portion 4 is a portion corresponding to the “seal edge portion fused in a state where the edge portions of a plurality of sheets overlap”.

The side seal part 4 is mentioned as one of the main characteristic parts of the diaper 1 manufactured with the manufacturing apparatus of this embodiment and the manufacturing method of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the outer edge 4 a of the side seal portion 4 generated by the division in the cross-sectional view in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the side seal portion 4 (width direction of the diaper 1) is the exterior body 3 ( Of the four

sheets

31 and 32 constituting the exterior body 3 on the inner side of the exterior body 3 including the outer edge 4a and further on the inside thereof. A fused portion 40 is formed, and the fused portion 40 has a width that is wider at the center portion in the thickness direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the exterior body 3 than at both end portions (upper end portion and lower end portion). That is, when the fusion bonded portion 40 is viewed in a cross-section in the width direction of the diaper 1 (a direction perpendicular to the dividing direction by the laser beam), the width of the fusion bonded portion 40 gradually increases toward the central portion in the thickness direction. It is formed in a so-called crescent or half-moon shape. Note that the fused portion 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a crescent shape.

In general, the side seal part is a cause that reduces the feeling of wearing of the diaper due to the presence of the fused part formed by melting and solidifying the sheet forming material, which is harder and softer than other parts of the diaper. It is a possible part. However, like the side seal part 4 of the diaper 1, if the fusion part 40 is formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1, the fusion part in the conventional side seal part Thus, compared with the case where it is formed in a rectangular shape in the same cross-sectional view, the ratio of the fused portion 40 existing in the corner portion 3S of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 constituting the side seal portion 4 is reduced. This makes it difficult for the corner portion 3S to have inherent flexibility and feel. Therefore, as for the diaper 1, the feeling of wear of a diaper improves compared with a conventional product. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 (the corner 3S and the other surface on one surface side of the exterior body 3 shown in FIG. 3), which is a part that greatly affects the fusion strength of the side seal portion 4. Since a sufficient amount of the fusion part 40 exists in the middle part of the part sandwiched between the side 3S, the side seal part 4 has a practically sufficient fusion strength, and the diaper 1 Inconveniences such as tearing of the side seal 4 during wearing are unlikely to occur.

Moreover, the side seal part 4 (fusion | fusion part 40) has the characteristic that it is hard to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or natural state (contraction state) of the diaper 1. FIG. 3 shows the side seal portion 4 (fused portion 40) in a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn. In the state where the waist opening portion 8 is expanded, the side seal portion 4 is normally in a state where the fused portion 40 is exposed as shown in FIG. 3A, but the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 is the exterior. It is difficult to visually recognize from the outside due to the convex arc shape toward the inside of the body 3 and the fact that the fused portion 40 is smaller than the conventional side seal portion (fused portion). In particular, the outer edge 4a of the side seal portion 4 has a convex arc shape toward the inner side of the exterior body 3, so that depending on the forming material of the

sheets

31, 32, as shown in FIG. In a state where the waist opening 8 is expanded when the diaper 1 is worn, the corner 3S of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the abdominal side 1A side and the corner of the side edge of the exterior body 3 on the back side 1B side The portion 3S may approach and the separation distance between the

corner portions

3S and 3S may be reduced. Therefore, the fusion part 40 located between the two

corners

3S and 3S is difficult to touch by the hand and is externally located by the two

corners

3S and 3S located closer to the outer side of the diaper 1 than the fusion part 40. Therefore, not only the feeling of wearing the diaper 1 but also the appearance is improved.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the seal edge portion 41 of the side seal portion 4 has an outer edge 4a of the fused portion 40 in a cross section orthogonal to the direction in which the side seal portion 4 extends when worn. It has a shape recessed toward the inside of the wearing article. Further, the fused portion 40 in the side seal portion 4 has a narrow width W4 appearing on the outer surface of the diaper in the same cross section, and the width W4 is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less, and even more preferably 2 mm or less. It is.

In addition, when the side seal part 4 (fusion part 40) becomes difficult to visually recognize from the outside in the wearing state or the natural state (contracted state) of the diaper 1, for example, after the diaper 1 is used, it is protected from the infant who is the wearer. When a person (for example, a mother) removes the diaper, it is difficult to find the side seal portion 4, and there is a possibility that it takes time to remove the diaper 1. As a means for eliminating such inconvenience due to the decrease in the visibility of the side seal portion 4, for example, the color of the constituent member of the diaper 1 that crosses the side seal portion 4 is set to the ventral side of the side seal portion 4. The method of making it differ by (front side) and back side (rear side) is mentioned. More specifically, for example, the color of the waist elastic member 5 or the exterior body 3 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) between the abdominal side 1A (front view) and the back side 1B (back view) of the diaper 1. The method of making different is mentioned. By such a method, the side seal portion 4 is positioned at the color switching portion, so the visibility of the side seal portion 4 is increased and the occurrence of the inconvenience is effectively prevented.

Next, the laser bonding apparatus 20 which is a preferred embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention and the manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding device 20 (a device for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped) is a lens that collects laser light 30. A support member 21 that conveys while supporting one surface of an irradiation head 312 having 311 and a belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are at least partially stacked; Belt-type pressurization provided with an endless pressurization belt 24 (pressing member) and a plurality of (three)

rolls

25a, 25b, 25c that rotate in a state where the pressurization belt 24 is bridged as pressurization means. Device 26. As shown in FIG. 4, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 irradiates a continuous diaper 10 (a belt-shaped sheet laminate) separately produced in advance with a laser beam to form a pair of side seal parts 4, 4 ( It is an apparatus for continuously producing a pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) having an exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a seal edge).

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

The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 includes a tension adjustment mechanism (not shown) that can increase or decrease the tension of the pressure belt 24 wound around the outer peripheral surface of the support member 21 (the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23). The pressure applied to the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) can be appropriately adjusted by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24.

As shown in FIG. 4, an irradiation head 312 that irradiates the laser beam 30 toward the support member 21 that forms the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23 is provided in the hollow portion of the hollow cylindrical roll 23. The irradiation head 312 is a galvano scanner (an apparatus having a motor shaft with a mirror) that freely scans the laser beam 30, and the laser beam 30 is indicated in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical roll 23 (indicated by reference sign X in FIG. 4). A mechanism for moving the laser beam 30 in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23, and a laser beam 30 on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical roll 23. A mechanism for making the spot diameter constant is provided. The laser irradiation mechanism has such a configuration, so that the irradiation point of the laser light 30 is set in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 and in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction (direction indicated by reference sign X in FIG. 4. It can be arbitrarily moved in both directions of the direction parallel to the rotation axis.

The support member 21 has a slit-like opening 27 that is long in the width direction of the diaper continuous body 10 (direction indicated by a symbol X in FIG. 4) through which the condensed laser beam 30 can pass from the support member 21 side. is doing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the support member 21 forms a peripheral surface portion (contact portion with the workpiece) of the cylindrical roll 23, and forms left and right side edges of the cylindrical roll 23. The pair of annular frames 22 are fixedly held between the pair of

annular frames

22 and 22. The support member 21 is composed of a single annular member having the same length as the circumferential length of the annular frame 22, and is made of a metal having heat resistance such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or ceramics. Become.

FIGS. 5 to 10 show main parts of the laser-type bonding apparatus 20. The laser type bonding apparatus 20 is supported by a pair of side plates 101 erected on the base 100. The laser type bonding apparatus 20 has a fixed shaft 102. The laser-type joining apparatus 20 is supported between the side plates 101 by the fixed shaft 102 being spanned between the pair of opposing side plates 101. A bearing 106 is disposed between the cylindrical roll 23 and the fixed shaft 102 constituting the laser type bonding apparatus 20, and the cylindrical roll 23 is rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft 102 by the bearing 106.

The cylindrical roll 23 has a pulley 103 positioned between one frame body 22 and one side plate 101. A driving belt 104 is stretched around the pulley 103. The drive belt 104 is connected to a drive source 105 placed on the base 100. By driving the drive source 105, the rotational motion is transmitted to the pulley 103 via the drive belt 104, and the cylindrical roll 23 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, pipe bodies 140 a and 140 b are arranged inside the cylindrical roll 23. The tubular bodies 140a and 140b are arranged so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23 and one end thereof is positioned inside the cylindrical roll 23. At one end, an air suction member (see FIG. 9 described later) is attached. The other ends of the tubes 140a and 140b are located outside the cylindrical roll 23, and the other ends are connected to an air suction device (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A and 7B, the support member 21 has the slit-shaped opening 27 which is a light passing portion through which laser light can pass. 7A and 7B, the support member 21, the pressure belt 24, and the diaper continuum 10 sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 are shown for ease of explanation. 7 (a) and 7 (b), it is described as if it is moving horizontally from the left side to the right side. Actually, these members are cylindrical as shown in FIGS. The roll 23 rotates and moves in a curved state corresponding to the cylindrical shape.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the opening 27 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and its longitudinal direction is the width direction of the support member 21 (the direction indicated by the symbol X in FIG. 7A). In a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical support member 21, and a plurality of the support members 21 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21. The support member 21 allows the laser light to pass through the opening 27, but does not allow the laser light to pass (transmit) at portions other than the opening 27. The method of forming the opening 27 in the support member 21 includes 1) a method of drilling the opening 27 in a predetermined portion of the support member 21 by etching, punching, laser processing, or the like. A method of using a plurality of curved rectangular members in place of one annular member, and arranging the plurality of members between the pair of

frame bodies

22 and 22 with a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction of the frame body 22 Is mentioned. In the method 2) described above, the interval between two adjacent members forms a slit-shaped opening 27. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the method 2) is adopted.

In the laser-type bonding apparatus 20, the light passing portion through which the laser light can pass is composed of an opening 27 that penetrates the support member 21 in the thickness direction (slit shape), and therefore the opening 27 in the diaper continuous body 10. The portion that overlaps (the portion 10C to be divided) is merely in contact with the pressure belt 24 and is not sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). Strictly speaking, therefore, the pressing force generated by being sandwiched between the

members

21 and 24 is not generated in the parting portion 10C. However, the parting portion 10C that overlaps with the opening 27 itself is not sandwiched between the

members

21 and 24, but the vicinity thereof, that is, the portion that overlaps with the vicinity of the opening 27 (opening edge) in the diaper continuous body 10. Is sandwiched between the

members

21 and 24, and therefore does not move before and after the laser light irradiation, and therefore, the cutting edge portion generated by the division of the diaper continuous body 10 by the laser light irradiation does not move. That is, the parting planned portion 10C of the diaper continuous body 10 (portion overlapping the opening 27 in the sheet laminate) is a portion restrained by the pressing force between the

members

21 and 24, and the pressing force is practically the same. It is an affected part.

The support member 21 has a recess 28 on its outer surface (contact surface with the workpiece). A plurality of recesses 28 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21, and a slit-shaped opening 27 is formed in a region (convex part) located between two

adjacent recesses

28, 28. Is formed. The opening 27 is formed in the center in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21 in the convex portion.

Thus, when the thickness of the diaper continuous body 10 is not uniform because the concave portion 28 is formed on the outer surface of the support member 21, a relatively thick portion (for example, an absorbent main body) in the diaper continuous body 10. It is possible to introduce the diaper continuous body 10 onto the outer surface of the support member 21 so that the second arrangement region 2 is within the recess 28. Then, when the diaper continuous body 10 is introduced onto the support member 21 as such, the contact surface (the other surface 10b) of the diaper continuous body 10 with the pressure belt 24 is substantially as shown in FIG. When the pressure belt 24 is pressed against the diaper continuum 10, the portion of the diaper continuum 10 that is located on the convex portion in which the opening 27 is formed (divided by reference numeral 10 C in FIG. 7). The predetermined portion and the vicinity thereof) are uniformly pressed in the thickness direction at a predetermined pressure by wrapping the diaper continuous body 10 around the support member 21 with a predetermined tension and the pressure belt 24. Thus, when the portion that has been pressed in the thickness direction from before being divided by the irradiation of the laser light is divided by irradiating the portion with the laser light, a plurality of sheets constituting the divided portion Cutting edge What is it becomes possible to more reliably fuse the, further improvement in fusion strength of the side seal portion 4 (sealing edge) is achieved.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the support member 21 includes a first support portion 111 having the above-described recess portion 28 and a second support portion constituting a protrusion portion positioned between the two

adjacent recess portions

28 and 28. 112. The first support portions 111 and the second support portions 112 are alternately arranged along the rotation direction of the cylindrical roll 23. 5 and 6 show a state in which a part of the first support portions 111 has been removed in order to help understanding of the internal structure of the cylindrical roll 23. Actually, the entire circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 is configured by the first support portion 111 and the second support portion 112, and the inside of the cylindrical roll 23 cannot be visually recognized through the circumferential surface.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first support portion 111 is provided with a number of suction holes 111 a that are open on the outer surface thereof, that is, on the surface facing the diaper continuous body 10. The suction hole 111 a communicates with a communication hole 111 b formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the first support portion 111. The communication hole 111 b extends in the same direction as the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. The communication hole 111 b is open on the side surface of the first support portion 111.

As shown in FIG. 6, the second support portion 112 has a communication hole 112 b formed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the second support portion 112. The communication hole 112 b extends in the same direction as the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. The communication hole 112b communicates with a suction hole 112a shown in FIG. Further, the communication hole 112 b is opened on the side surface of the second support portion 112.

8 and 9 show the main part inside the cylindrical roll 23. As shown in the figure, the second support portion 112 constituting the support member 21 has a recess 120 on the inner surface, that is, the surface facing the irradiation head 312. The bottom of the recess 120 is open, and the slit-shaped opening 27 is exposed at the position of the opening. A plurality of suction holes 112 a are opened in the wall surface of the recess 120. The suction hole 112 a is formed at a position adjacent to the opening 27. The suction holes 112a are arranged along the direction in which the opening 27 extends. Further, the suction hole 112a communicates with the communication hole 112b described above. The suction hole 112 a is for sucking air from the slit-shaped opening 27.

By the way, as for the 2nd support part 112, the outer surface, ie, the surface facing the diaper continuous body 10, may be comprised by another member. By doing so, the gap between the slit-shaped openings 27 can be easily adjusted, and the diaper continuous body 10 can be divided and fused by irradiation with the laser beam 30 more successfully. 8 and 9 show the second support portion 112 having another member 122. The separate member 122 has a plate shape, for example.

The communication hole 111b of the first support part 111 and the communication hole 112b of the second support member described above communicate with the suction ring 130 shown in FIG. Specifically, the suction ring 130 is disposed on the side surface of the cylindrical roll 23 and is in a fixed state independently of the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23. An opening (not shown) is provided on the surface of the suction ring 130 facing the cylindrical roll 23. This opening is provided at a position communicating with the communication hole 111b of the first support member 111 and the communication hole 112b of the second support member. Further, this opening communicates with a suction source (not shown). Therefore, when the support member 21 is rotating, only the communication hole 111b and the communication hole 112b communicating with the opening of the suction ring 130 form a suction path, and thereby the suction hole 111a on the extension of the suction path. And suction is performed only from 112a. Since the suction ring 130 is provided over the irradiation range of the laser beam 30, suction is always performed in the irradiation range of the laser beam 30.

As shown in FIG. 9,

air suction members

141 a and 141 b are arranged inside the cylindrical roll 23. The

suction members

141 a and 141 b have a substantially U-shaped cross section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. The

suction members

141a and 141b are connected to one end of the pipes 140a and 140b (see FIG. 5) described above. The

suction members

141 a and 141 b have

openings

142 a and 142 b that face the inner periphery of the cylindrical roll 23. When air is sucked through the tubes 140a and 140b, air is sucked from the

openings

142a and 142b, and air is sucked toward the tubes 140a and 140b through the

suction members

141a and 141b.

As described above, in the laser-type bonding apparatus 20, a position apart from the first suction system apart from the first suction system and the first suction system, which are disposed in the vicinity of the portion irradiated with the laser beam, specifically, Has two suction systems called a second suction system located closer to the central area of the cylindrical roll 23 than the first suction system.

The laser-type bonding apparatus 20 configured as described above slits the laser light 30 collected from the support member 21 side into the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) in a pressurized state by the pressure belt 24. A sheet fusion body (exterior having a pair of side seal portions 4, 4) that is irradiated and cut along the opening 27 and is fused in a state where the edges of the division are overlapped. A plurality of pants-type disposable diapers 1) having the body 3 can be manufactured continuously. At the time of division and fusion, air is sucked from the slit-shaped opening 27 through the suction hole 112a which is the first suction system, and the gas generated at the time of division and fusion is sucked and removed. Simultaneously with this operation, the second suction system is also operated, suction is performed through the

openings

142a and 142b of the

suction members

141a and 141b, and the gas generated at the time of division and fusion is sucked and removed. Thereby, the gas containing the resin fume etc. which generate | occur | produces at the time of a division | segmentation and melt | fusion can be removed successfully. In addition, since the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment includes the annular support member 21, the sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion (an outer package having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4) is more efficiently provided. A pants-type disposable diaper 1) having a body 3 can be continuously produced. This is because the support member 21 is annular, and in the state where the belt-like diaper continuous body 10 is wound around the support member 21, the applied pressure is evenly applied to the diaper continuous body 10 and is continuous. This is because an applied pressure can be applied.

When air is sucked from the slit-shaped opening 27 through the suction hole 112a which is the first suction system, the suction may be performed only while the laser beam is irradiated toward the opening 27, or the laser Suction may be continuously performed during operation of the type bonding apparatus 20. On the other hand, for the second suction system having the

suction members

141a and 141b, the suction may be performed only while the laser beam is irradiated toward the opening 27 as in the case of the first suction system, or laser-type bonding. Suction may be performed continuously while the device 20 is operating.

The slit irradiated with the laser beam 30 from the viewpoint of imparting practically sufficient fusion strength to the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) and reducing the processing energy necessary for producing the sheet fusion product. Light in the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) with respect to the width W of the opening 27 (see FIG. 7B, the length of the opening 27 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23). The ratio (φ / W) of the diameter φ of 30 spots (portions irradiated with the laser beam 30) is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more, particularly preferably 0.4 or more, and , Preferably 8 or less, more preferably 7 or less, particularly preferably 2 or less, more specifically preferably 0.05 to 8, more preferably 0.1 to 7, particularly preferably 0.4 to 2. is there. For example, the width W of the slit-shaped opening 27 is 0.1 to 4.0 mm.

As the laser light 30, laser light having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10 and generates heat is used. Here, the “sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10” is not limited to a sheet (for example, the outer layer sheet 31 in the above embodiment) constituting one surface of the sheet laminate (a contact surface with the support member), Any sheet may be used as long as it constitutes the sheet laminate. Whether or not the laser light applied to the diaper continuous body 10 is an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet and generates heat for the individual sheets constituting the sheet laminated body is used depending on the material of the sheet. It is determined by the relationship with the oscillation wavelength of the laser beam. When the sheet constituting the sheet laminate is a synthetic resin nonwoven fabric or film, a CO ₂ laser, a YAG laser, an LD laser (semiconductor laser), a YVO ₄ laser, a fiber laser, or the like may be used as the laser light. preferable. Moreover, when the sheet | seat which comprises the diaper continuous body 10 contains polyethylene, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polypropylene etc. as a synthetic resin, as an oscillation wavelength which can be absorbed into this sheet | seat and can make this sheet | seat generate | occur | produce favorably, it is 8.0, for example. It is preferable to use ˜15 μm, and it is particularly preferable to use 9.0 to 11.0 μm of the oscillation wavelength of the CO ₂ laser in which a high-power laser device exists. The laser output and the like of the laser beam 30 can be appropriately selected in consideration of the material and thickness of the sheet constituting the diaper continuous body 10.

Subsequently, an embodiment of the method for producing a sheet fusion body of the present invention having a seal edge portion fused in a state where the edges of a plurality of sheets overlap each other is referred to as the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 of the above-described embodiment. It explains using.
The manufacturing method of the present embodiment is a sheet laminate in which the condensed laser beam 30 can pass through one surface 10a of a belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. The belt-like sheet laminate (diaper continuum 10) conveyed while being pressed against a support member 21 having a slit-like opening 27 that is long in the width direction (X direction) of the diaper continuum 10). On the other hand, the irradiation head emits laser light 30 having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side and heats the sheet. By irradiating from 312, the strip-shaped sheet laminate (diaper continuous body 10) is divided, and at the same time, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state generated by the division are fused. And a sealing edge forming step of forming sealing edge (side seal portions 4) Te. In this step, as described above, air is sucked from the first suction system including the slit-shaped opening 27 and the second suction system including the

suction members

141a and 141b when the sheet laminate is divided and fused. The gas generated at the time of dividing and fusing is sucked and removed. This will be specifically described below.

In the manufacturing method of the present embodiment, as a “band-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked”, a plurality of sheet laminates (precursor of a pants-type disposable diaper in which the side seal portion 4 is not formed) The diaper continuous body 10 in which the body) is continuous in one direction is separately manufactured, and the diaper continuous body 10 is individually divided by irradiation of the laser beam 30, and at the same time, the pressurized state generated by the division is obtained. The side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) are formed by fusing the cut edge portions of a plurality of sheets.

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

First, as shown in FIG. 11, a strip-shaped outer layer sheet 31 continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown), and a strip-shaped inner layer sheet continuously supplied from an original fabric roll (not shown). In the stretched state, the waist elastic member 5 forming the waist gathers, the waist elastic member 6 forming the waist gathers, and the leg elastic member 7 forming the leg gathers are stretched to a predetermined stretch rate. Distribute multiple pieces each. At this time, in this embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is continuously or intermittently applied to the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 by an adhesive application machine (not shown), The leg elastic member 7 is disposed while forming a predetermined leg-circumferential pattern via a known swing guide (not shown) that reciprocates perpendicular to the sheet flow direction. Further, before the belt-like outer layer sheet 31 and the belt-like inner layer sheet 32 are overlapped with each other, an adhesive coating machine (not shown) is attached to a predetermined portion of one or both of the two sheets. ) To apply hot melt adhesive. Note that the elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 are divided by the laser light irradiation in the sheets 31 and 32 (parts where the side seal portion 4 is to be formed) (described above). In order to avoid inconveniences such as significant shrinkage of the elastic member and disconnection of the elastic member after the division, when arranged in an extended state so as to straddle the portion to be divided indicated by reference numeral 10C in FIG. It is preferable to apply an adhesive to the portion and the vicinity thereof.

And as shown in FIG. 11, between the pair of nip rolls 11, 11, a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 31 and a belt-shaped outer layer sheet 5 in which a waist elastic member 5, a waistline elastic member 6 and a leg elastic member 7 are sandwiched in an expanded state. By feeding and pressurizing the inner layer sheet 32, the band-shaped exterior body 3 in which a plurality of

elastic members

5, 6, 7 are arranged in an expanded state between the band-shaped

sheets

31, 32 is formed. Thereafter, in the present embodiment, a plurality of waistline elastic members 6 and a plurality of leg portions are formed using an elastic member precutting means (not shown) so as to correspond to positions where the absorbent main body 2 described later is disposed. The elastic member 7 is pressed and divided into a plurality of pieces so that the contraction function is not expressed. Examples of the elastic member precut means include an elastic member dividing portion used in the method for manufacturing a composite elastic member described in JP-A-2002-253605.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is applied in advance to the absorbent main body 2 manufactured in a separate process, and the absorbent main body 2 is rotated 90 degrees to form a belt-shaped outer package. 3 is intermittently supplied and fixed on the inner layer sheet 32 constituting the sheet 3. The adhesive for fixing the absorbent main body may be applied in advance to the position where the absorbent main body 2 is arranged in the inner layer sheet 32 instead of the absorbent main body 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11, a leg hole LO ′ is formed inside the annular portion surrounded by the leg elastic member 7 in the strip-shaped exterior body 3 in which the absorbent main body 2 is disposed. This leg hole forming step can be carried out by using a technique similar to that in a conventional method for manufacturing this type of article, such as a rotary cutter and a laser cutter. In the present embodiment, the leg holes are formed after the absorbent main body 2 is arranged on the belt-shaped outer package 3, but the leg holes may be formed before the absorbent main body 2 is arranged.

Next, the strip-shaped exterior body 3 is folded in the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the exterior body 3). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, both

side portions

3 a, 3 a along the conveying direction of the strip-shaped exterior body 3 are folded back so as to cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2. After fixing both ends in the longitudinal direction, the outer package 3 is folded in the width direction together with the absorbent main body 2. In this way, the target diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) is obtained.

In the diaper manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminated body) separately manufactured in this way is used as shown in FIG. The pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) having the seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edges) is continuously manufactured.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 described above, the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is applied in the direction of arrow A in a state where a predetermined tension is applied by a guide roll (not shown). Introduced on the outer surface of the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the rotationally driven cylindrical roll 23, wound around the outer peripheral surface of the annular support member 21, and conveyed in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the cylindrical roll 23. After that, the support member 21 is separated by an unillustrated lead roll, nip roll, or the like. As described above, the diaper continuous body 10 is wound around the support member 21 forming the peripheral surface portion of the cylindrical roll 23 with a predetermined tension and is conveyed so as to be in pressure contact with the pressure belt 24. The portion sandwiched between the supporting member 21 and the pressing belt 24 of the pressing member 26 and the vicinity thereof are pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction before being divided by the irradiation of the laser beam, so that the diaper continuous body The diaper continuum 10 can be more efficiently compressed when 10 includes a nonwoven fabric, and as a result, the diaper continuum 10 during compression is irradiated with laser light and divided. Sometimes, it becomes possible to fuse the cut edges of a plurality of sheets constituting the divided part more reliably, and the side seal part 4 (seal edge) can be fused. Further improvement in strength is achieved. In addition, the gas generated at the time of cutting and fusing is sucked through the first suction system (see FIG. 8) including the suction holes 112a and the second suction system (see FIG. 9) including the

openings

142a and 142b. There is no risk of ignition due to resin fume contained in the gas.

In the above embodiment, the gas generated by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is removed by suction through the first suction system including the suction hole 112a. Instead, the first suction system is used for suction. And used as an air ejection system for blowing air toward the opening 27, and the air blown from the air ejection system toward the opening 27 is used to blow away and remove the gas generated at the time of division and fusion. Also good. In this case, the suction hole 112a functions as an air outlet. The ejection of air from the suction hole 112a toward the opening 27 is particularly effective when the gap between the openings 27 is small. The reason for this is that if suction is performed through the opening 27 with a small gap, the resin generated by cooling the gas generated at the time of splitting and fusing may adhere to and accumulate on the opening 27 and block the opening 27. On the other hand, if air is ejected toward the opening 27, there is no such fear.

When air is ejected toward the opening 27, the air may be ejected only while the laser beam is irradiated toward the opening 27, or continuously while the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 is in operation. Then, it may be ejected. In the case of continuous ejection, the ejection is performed before the laser beam is irradiated. By doing so, the fume gas around the opening 27 can be efficiently removed, and adhesion of resin or the like to the opening 27 can be further prevented, which is preferable.

It is preferable that the opening 27 protrudes and opens toward the pressing member that is a pressing member.

Further, when air is ejected toward the opening 27, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the communication hole 111b provided in the first support part 111 and the communication hole 112b provided in the second support part 112 are provided. It is preferable to make the position different. Specifically, it is preferable that the distance from the center of the cylindrical roll 23 to the communication hole 111b is different from the distance from the center of the cylindrical roll 23 to the communication hole 112b. Then, the previously described suction ring 130 (see FIG. 5) is divided into two systems, and one of the divided systems (that is, the suction ring) faces the communication hole 111b and the other divided system ( That is, the blow ring is preferably opposed to the communication hole 112b. By doing so, air can be ejected in the blow ring of the system facing the communication hole 112b while air is sucked in the suction ring of the system facing the communication hole 111b. As described above, the cylindrical roll 23 has a zone for sucking air and a zone for ejecting air on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll 23 while making a round. Thereby, as for cylindrical roll 23, suction power and jet power change. In order to change the suction force and the jet power, for example, a plurality of grooves (not shown) provided in the surface facing the communication hole 111b and the communication hole 112b in the suction ring and blow ring described above are provided in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23. What is necessary is just to divide | segment (that is, to partition | divide this groove | channel in the middle of the circumferential direction) and to provide a difference in attraction | suction force and jet power in each divided | segmented division. Alternatively, by providing a difference in the width and depth of grooves (not shown) formed in the suction ring and blow ring, the suction force and the jet power can be continuously changed. After adopting such a configuration, it is preferable to perform a strong suction or a strong ejection during laser processing.

In the case where air is continuously blown out during the operation of the laser bonding apparatus 20, the blow ring of the system facing the communication hole 112 b in the suction ring 130 described above is connected in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23. (In FIG. 5, the suction ring 130 is disposed over the half of the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23, that is, over a range of 180 degrees). This angle range is the same as the range in which the laser beam 30 is irradiated as described above in the laser bonding apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. This angle range is the same as the range around which the pressure belt 24 is wound.

The rotation angle of the support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23) from when the diaper continuous body 10 is introduced onto the support member 21 to when the diaper continuous body 10 leaves the support member 21 can be, for example, 90 to 270 degrees, and more preferably 120 degrees. ~ 270 degrees. The range of the angle (pressure contact angle) at which the diaper continuous body 10 is pressed against the support member 21 by the pressure belt 24 of the pressing member 26 is the pressure contact over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical support member 21 (cylindrical roll 23). In the case of 360 degrees, it is preferably 90 to 270 degrees, and more preferably 120 to 270 degrees.

The seal edge portion forming step for forming the seal edge portions (side seal portions 4 and 4) in the diaper manufacturing method of this embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. The pressure belt 24 is pressed against the other surface 10b of the diaper continuous body 10 (the surface on the opposite side to the one surface 10a that is a contact surface with the support member 21). Then, while conveying the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state, the irradiation head 312 irradiates the diaper continuum 10 from the irradiation head 312 along the slit-shaped opening 27 from the support member 21 side. The diaper continuous body 10 is divided into individual pieces, and at the same time, the cut edges of a plurality of sheets in a pressurized state caused by the division are fused together to form side seal parts 4 and 4 (seal edge parts). The pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fusion body) comprising the exterior body 3 (sheet fusion body) having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) is continuously manufactured. As described above, the irradiation of the laser beam 30 was performed on the diaper continuum 10 in a pressurized state (compressed state) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 by the irradiation. This is preferable from the viewpoint of reliably fusing the cutting edges of a plurality of sheets to improve the fusing strength of the side seal portion 4.

12 (a) and 12 (b) show how the side seal portion 4 (seal edge) is formed at the same time as the diaper continuous body 10 (band-like sheet laminate) is divided using the laser-type bonding apparatus 20. FIG. FIG. FIG. 12A schematically shows a portion 10 C to be divided by the laser beam 30 of the diaper continuum 10 and the vicinity thereof. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the diaper continuous body 10C in the present embodiment is divided in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction) in the region where the absorbent main body 2 of the diaper continuous body 10 is not disposed. It is the center of A). Such a portion 10C to be divided includes an end portion of the waist opening 8 (see FIG. 1) and its vicinity, an eight-layer structure portion in which eight sheets are stacked, and the other portions are four sheets. It is a four-layer structure part that is superimposed. As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the four-layer structure portion includes two sheets (an outer layer sheet 31 and an inner layer sheet 32) constituting one exterior body 3 in the ventral side portion 1A, and a back side portion 1B. It consists of the same two

sheets

31 and 32 that constitute one exterior body 3, and these four sheets are laminated. On the other hand, as described above, the eight-layer structure portion is folded so that both

side portions

3a and 3a of the strip-shaped outer package 3 cover both longitudinal ends of the absorbent main body 2 when the diaper continuous body 10 is manufactured ( 11)), two exterior bodies 3 exist on each of the abdominal portion 1A and the back side portion 1B, and a total of these four

exterior bodies

3 and 3 are laminated. As a result, 8 The

sheets

31 and 32 are laminated. In each of the four-layer structure portion and the eight-layer structure portion, elastic members such as the waist elastic member 5 and the waistline elastic member 6 may be interposed between the overlapping

sheets

31 and 32, In FIG. 12, the illustration of the elastic member is omitted from the viewpoint of easy explanation. Hereinafter, the 4-layer structure portion will be mainly described, but unless otherwise specified, the 8-layer structure portion is configured in the same manner as the 4-layer structure portion, and the side seal portion 4 is formed.

Other than the sheet constituting the outer layer sheet 31 and the one surface 10a constituting the one surface 10a (the contact surface with the support member 21) of the diaper continuum 10 in the planned division portion 10C of the four-layer structure in the diaper continuum 10 The sheet (inner layer sheet 32) is a sheet in which either one or both absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. In the present embodiment, all of the four

sheets

31 and 32 constituting the parting planned portion 10 C are sheets (nonwoven fabrics) that absorb the laser beam 30 and generate heat. Further, the two overlapping sheets in the vicinity of the parting portion 10 C and the vicinity thereof may be joined by an adhesive or the like before irradiation with the laser beam 30, or may not be joined at all.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the diaper continuous body 10 is arranged in the direction of arrow A so that one surface 10a abuts on the support member 21 and the parting portion 10C is positioned on the slit-shaped opening 27. While being introduced onto the rotating support member 21 and being pressed against the other surface 10b, the pressure belt 24 is pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction while being conveyed in the direction of arrow A. And the laser beam 30 is irradiated along the slit-shaped opening part 27 from the supporting member 21 side with respect to 10 C of division parts 10C in the conveyance and pressurization state. As described above, the irradiation point of the laser beam 30 is configured to be arbitrarily movable in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 by a galvano scanner (not shown), and the opening 27 moves along the circumferential direction. Therefore, the laser beam 30 is continuously irradiated for a certain period of time during the conveyance of the parting planned portion 10C located on the opening 27.

When the laser beam 30 is irradiated to the parting portion 10C having the four-layer structure, the forming materials (fibers, etc.) of the

sheets

31 and 32 existing in the parting portion 10C are vaporized by the heat generated by the direct irradiation of the laser light 30 and disappear. The forming material existing in the vicinity of the parting portion 10 C is indirectly heated by the laser beam 30 and melted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (c), the parting portion 10C having a four-layer structure is melted and a single sheet sheet laminate (diaper precursor) is cut from the diaper continuous body 10, At the same time that the diaper continuum 10 is divided, the cut edges of the four

sheets

31 and 32 in the sheet laminate of the single sheets produced by the division, and the diaper continuous 10 separated. The cut edges of the four

sheets

31 and 32 are fused to form the fused portion 40. Each of these cut edges is pressed (compressed) by being sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 from before the formation (before the diaper continuous body 10 is divided by irradiation with the laser beam 30). ). The shape of the fusion | melting part 40 becomes a crescent moon, for example, as shown in FIG.12 (c).

Thus, the reason why the fused portion 40 of the side seal portion 4 is formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 is as shown in FIGS. 12 (b) and 12 (c). The diaper continuum 10 (scheduled part 10C) made of a nonwoven fabric includes a support member 21 made of a metal material and a pressure belt 24 during and immediately after irradiation of the laser beam 30 onto the parted part 10C of the diaper continuous body 10. It is presumed that it is interposed between the two. That is, the metal material which is the main forming material of the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) that sandwich the diaper continuous body 10 (the outer layer sheet 31 and the inner layer sheet 32) from above and below is the main material of the

sheets

31 and 32. Since the thermal conductivity is higher than that of the nonwoven fabric as the forming material, the heat generated in the

sheets

31 and 32 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is cooled by the outside air, and at the same time, the support member 21 in contact with the

sheets

31 and 32 or The corner of the side edge portion of the exterior body 3 constituting the side seal portion 4 formed by dividing the diaper continuous body 10 by irradiation of the laser beam 30 where it is easily absorbed by the pressure belt 24 (pressing member). Since the portion 3S is in contact with the support member 21 or the pressure belt 24 having a higher thermal conductivity than the corner portion 3S, the heat generated in the corner portion 3 is generated by the

members

21, 4 is rapidly absorbed in, as a result, the corner portion 3 is hardly become a hot extent that the fused portion 40 is formed, therefore, the proportion of fused portion 40 is very small site. On the other hand, the central portion in the thickness direction of the side edge portion of the outer package 3 (the central portion of the portion sandwiched between the corner 3S on the one surface side of the outer package 3 and the 3S on the other surface side) has high thermal conductivity. Since the

members

21 and 24 are not in contact with each other, the heat generated in the central portion by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 stays in the central portion and melts the central portion. As a result, there are many fused portions 40 in the central portion. It becomes unevenly distributed.

Therefore, in order to form the fused part 40 in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 and to achieve the above-described effects, the support member 21 and the additional member 21 are added as in the present embodiment. The pressure belt 24 is made of a metal material such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or ceramics, and at least a part of the plurality of

sheets

31 and 32 constituting the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate). (In particular, the outer layer sheet 31 forming the outer surface of the outer package 3) includes a resin material in a part thereof, and specifically, for example, is preferably made of a nonwoven fabric. In particular, the pressure belt 24 (pressing member) is preferably made of a metal material having air permeability, and is preferably made of, for example, a metal mesh or a metal punching metal. Moreover, it is preferable that the resin material is contained in all the sheets of the plurality of sheets 31. As a nonwoven fabric, what is normally used in the said technical field can be especially used without a restriction | limiting.

By the way, in the laser type bonding apparatus 20 (manufacturing apparatus for a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped), a light passage portion through which laser light can pass is Since it consists of the opening part 27 (slit shape) which penetrates the supporting member 21 in the thickness direction, the part which overlaps with the opening part 27 (scheduled part 10C) in the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) and the supporting member 21 The pressurizing force generated by being sandwiched between the pressure belt 24 is not generated. Since the portion 10C is a portion where the applied pressure is practically affected, the fused portion 40 is formed. In order to form the fused portion 40 more stably, it is effective to further increase the pressure applied by the clamping between the

members

21 and 24.

Therefore, means for enabling more stable formation of the fused part 40 is shown in FIG. 14, which is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of FIG. In FIG. 14, in the outer surface 21a of the support member 21 on which the diaper continuous body 10 is arranged, the outer surface 21a is located near the slit-shaped opening 27 (region within 35 mm from the edge of the opening 27) rather than the peripheral portion. A projecting portion 45 projecting to the upper diaper continuous body 10 side (pressure belt 24 side) is formed. More specifically, the protrusion 45 is formed on each of a pair of opening edges extending in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of openings 27 (the width direction of the support member 21) on the outer surface 21 a of the support member 21. Each protrusion 45 is continuous over the entire length in the longitudinal direction along the opening 27 and has a rectangular shape in plan view. The protrusion height 45 h (protrusion height from the peripheral portion) of each protrusion 45 is constant without changing over the entire length of the protrusion 45. The top of the protrusion 45 may be flat or a curved surface having a predetermined curvature, and the curved surface may be parallel to the outer surface 21 a of the cylindrical support member 21.

In this way, the protrusion 45 is formed in the vicinity (opening edge) of the outer surface 21a of the support member 21 and a step is provided between the vicinity of the opening 27 and the peripheral portion thereof. Since the vicinity of the part to be divided in the diaper continuous body 10 is located at the top of the projecting part 45 at a higher position, the applied pressure at the corresponding part in the vicinity of the opening locally increases. Therefore, the fall of the local pressurizing force in the diaper continuous body 10 is effectively prevented, the fusing of the diaper continuous body 10 is performed more stably, and the finally obtained diaper 1 (sheet fusion) The fusing strength of the side seal part 4 (seal edge part) in the body is further improved.

From the viewpoint of more surely exhibiting such operational effects, the protrusion height 45h (see FIG. 14) of the protrusion 45 is preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, and preferably 10 mm or less. More preferably, it is 8 mm or less, more specifically, it is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 8 mm or less.
Further, the width 45w of the protrusion 45 (see FIG. 12, the length in the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the support member 21) is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably. Is 10 mm or less, more specifically, preferably 1 mm or more and 20 mm or less, more preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

15A and 15B show an embodiment in which the support member shown in FIG. 14 is further modified. The support member 21 of the present embodiment can suck the gas generated by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 more efficiently. The support member 21 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B has a narrow space portion 120a on the side facing the irradiation head (not shown), that is, the inner surface side of the cylindrical roll, of the two surfaces. Is formed. The narrow space 120 a is formed adjacent to the opening 27 and communicates with the opening 27. The narrow space 120a is formed along the direction in which the opening 27 extends, that is, the axial direction of the cylindrical roll. Furthermore, the narrow space 120 a has a shape that allows the laser light emitted from the irradiation head to reach the opening 27. The suction port 112a opens toward the narrow space portion 120a. The suction port 112a communicates with the communication hole 112b described above.

The narrow space 120 a has a maximum length D when viewed in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23, which is sufficiently smaller than a length L along the direction in which the opening 27 extends. . For example, it can be said that the space where the value of D / L is 0.05 or less is the narrow space portion 120a. The maximum length D refers to the length in a line segment having the longest length across the cross-sectional shape when the narrow space portion 120a is observed in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. Say. The maximum length D can be determined in relation to the spot diameter φ of the laser beam. For example, the maximum length D may be determined so that the value of D / φ is 1 or more and 15 or less.

The narrow space portion 120 a is defined by a second support portion 112 constituting a part of the support member 21 and a plate-like separate member 122. The shape when the narrow space portion 120a is observed in a cross section in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23 is substantially a rhombus in the present embodiment. Therefore, the length of the longer diagonal line of the approximately rhombus is the maximum length D described above. Note that the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a substantially rhombus as long as a narrow space portion can be formed.

The laser light emitted from the irradiation head reaches the opening 27 through the slit space 120b and the narrow space 120a. The slit-shaped space portion 120b is a narrow space defined by a pair of opposing second support members 112. The slit-shaped space 120 b has a narrow width along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23, and extends long along the direction in which the opening 27 extends. The slit-shaped space 120 b extends deeply along the radial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. Of the slit-shaped space portion 120b, one end side along the radial direction of the cylindrical roll 23 opens toward the inner surface side of the cylindrical roll 23, and the other end side along the radial direction communicates with the narrow space portion 120a. is doing. The width D ′ along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23 of the slit-shaped space 120 b can be determined based on the relationship with the laser beam spot diameter φ described above. For example, it is preferable to determine the maximum length D ′ so that the value of D ′ / φ is 1 or more and 5 or less.

The second suction port 112c is opened in the slit-shaped space 120b. The second suction port 112c communicates with the communication hole 112b. That is, both the suction port 112a and the second suction port 112c described above communicate with the communication hole 112b. Therefore, suction through the suction port 112a and the second suction port 112c is performed by operating a suction source (not shown) connected to the communication hole 112b.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, since the opening 27 and the suction port 112a communicate with each other through the narrow space, the gas generated by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 is difficult to diffuse and the suction efficiency can be increased. it can. Furthermore, by using the suction by the second suction port 112c together, the gas that could not be sucked by the narrow space portion 120a by the suction port 112a can be sucked by the second suction port 112c, so that the suction efficiency can be further enhanced, Gas diffusion to the inside of the cylindrical roll 23 can be prevented. Note that the suction port 112a and the second suction port 112c can be used as air outlets instead of the purpose of suction.

As described above, according to the manufacturing method of the diaper of the present embodiment, as described above, by the irradiation of the laser beam once, the strip-shaped sheet laminated body is divided and the two pressed states generated by the division are obtained. In order to carry out the fusion of cutting edges of a sheet at the same time, it is approximately half compared to a method of fusion of two fusion spots by two laser beam irradiations (method outside the scope of the present invention). Sheet fusion body (pants-type disposable diaper 1) having a sealing edge portion (side seal portion 4) fused in a state where the edge portions of the sheets overlap with each other with the laser output of Can be efficiently manufactured. In addition, since fusion and division can be performed in the same process, a non-sealing edge in which the cut edges of the sheet are not fused is not generated, so that there is an effect of reducing material.

The cut edges of the

sheets

31 and 32 are heated and melted during the irradiation of the laser beam 30 and immediately after the end of the irradiation, but are separated from the diaper continuous body 10 by the irradiation of the laser beam 30. The leaf sheet laminate (diaper precursor) and the diaper continuum 10 are maintained in a pressurized state by the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24, and after the irradiation is completed, the outside air and the support member 21 are added. The material is quickly cooled and solidified by heat transfer to the pressure belt 24 to form the fused portion 40 in which the forming material (fibers and the like) of the cut edge is melted and integrated. Thus, by forming the fused part 40, one of the pair of

side seal parts

4, 4 in one diaper 1 is formed. In addition, if necessary, the cutting edge portions of the

sheets

31 and 32 may be forcibly cooled by using known cooling means such as a suction device and an exhaust device to promote the formation of the fused portion 40.

When one portion 10C to be divided is divided in this way, the laser beam 30 is moved so that the irradiation point hits another opening 27 adjacent in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction A, and the other opening 27 10C is irradiated to another portion 10C that is to be divided. As a result, another part 10C to be divided is divided and fused in the same manner as described above, and the other side seal part 4 (fused part 40) that forms a pair with the previously formed side seal part 4 is formed. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, the pants-type disposable diaper 1 (sheet fused body) including the exterior body 3 (sheet fused body) having a pair of side seal portions 4 and 4 (seal edge portions) is continuous. Manufactured.

Note that the diaper is larger than the width W of the slit-like opening 27 irradiated with the laser beam 30 (see FIG. 12B. The length of the opening 27 along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical roll 23). When the diameter φ of the spot of the laser beam 30 (the portion irradiated with the laser beam 30) in the continuum 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is small (when φ / W is less than 1), it is shown in FIG. As described above, the pair of side seal portions 4, 4 (fused portions 40, 40) formed by the irradiation of the laser beam 30 overlaps with the opening portion 27 in the diaper continuous body 10 (slit-like opening in plan view). The portion 27 may be located at a portion sandwiched between a pair of opening edges along a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A. That is, even in the diaper continuous body 10, even in a portion not sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24 (pressing member), the vicinity of the opening 27 (opening edge), that is, as described above, both The fused part 40 can be formed if the pressure applied by the clamping between the

members

21 and 24 is practically affected.

The light passage part in each of the above embodiments is a slit-like opening part that penetrates the support member 21 in the thickness direction, for example, the opening part 27 shown in FIG. 12B, but the light passage part according to the present invention is used. The portion is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the vicinity (the portion where the support member does not exist) of the end portion (outer edge) 21s of the support member 21 can be used as the light passage portion. it can. In that case, the sheet laminate 10 includes a portion 10A sandwiched between the support member 21 and the pressure belt 24, and a portion 10B that is not in contact with the support member 21, and the portion 10A and the vicinity thereof are laser light. Since the portion 10B has been pressed (compressed) in the thickness direction before being divided by irradiation, the portion of the portion 10B excluding the vicinity of the portion 10A (the portion separated from the end portion 21s of the support member 21 by a predetermined distance or more) is not Pressurized (non-compressed) state. As shown in FIG. 16A, the laser beam 30 is applied to the diaper continuum 10 in a state where only one side is pressurized with reference to the portion irradiated with the laser beam, as shown in FIG. When the diaper continuous body 10 is divided into the part 10A side and the part 10B side, the cut edges of the sheet on the part 10A side are pressed from before the parting. The sheets are fused because they are in the state, but the cut edges of the sheet on the part 10B side are not fused because they are in a non-pressurized state from before the division. Here, “in the vicinity of the end (outer edge) 21 s of the support member 21” is a region where the diaper continuous body 10 (band-shaped sheet laminate) is in a pressurized state by the support member 21, more specifically. Is a region within 2 mm, more preferably within 1 mm from the end 21 s of the support member 21.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the light passage portion is in the vicinity of the end portion 21s of the support member 21, and the laser light 30 is emitted through the light passage portion to the diaper continuum 10 in a one-side pressurized state. In the case of dividing by irradiation, the fusion part 40 is surely formed in a crescent shape or a half moon shape in a cross-sectional view in the width direction of the diaper 1 and is practically sufficiently melted in the side seal part 4 (seal edge part). From the viewpoint of imparting adhesion strength and reducing the processing energy required for manufacturing the sheet fusion product, the spot of the laser beam 30 (the laser beam 30 is reflected from the end portion 21s of the support member 21 to the diaper continuous body 10). The ratio (φ / W ′) of the diameter φ of the spot to the distance W ′ to the center of the irradiated portion) is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, particularly preferably 0.8. 8 or more Preferably, it is 16 or less, more preferably 14 or less, particularly preferably 8 or less, more specifically preferably 0.1 to 16, more preferably 0.2 to 14, particularly preferably 0.8 to 8. It is.

Further, the pressure belt 24 (see FIG. 12B) as the pressing member in the embodiment corresponds to the opening 27 (light passage portion) on the support member 21 side, as shown in FIG. 16B. You may have the opening part 29 in the part. The opening 29 has the same shape and dimensions as the opening 27 in plan view. In the case where the opening 29 is provided, as shown in FIG. 10, it is located at a position outside the cylindrical roll 23 for the purpose of collecting the gas released to the outside of the cylindrical roll 23 in association with the ejection of air. Moreover, it is preferable to dispose a gas collection hood 143 as a dust collection member at the position of the opening 29. As described above, the opening 29 is provided in a portion of the pressing member facing the opening 27 (light passage portion) across the sheet laminate 10, and the hood 143 is provided in a position facing the opening 29. In this case, in addition to sucking the gas generated by the laser light irradiation through the suction hole 112a, the air ejected through the opening 29 can be sucked by the hood 143, so that the gas can be removed more efficiently. can do. In addition, effects such as prevention of contamination of the pressing member, suppression of overheating of the pressing member, promotion of cooling of the pressing member, and promotion of cooling of the fused portion 40 can be expected. As shown in FIG. 16B, when the belt-shaped sheet laminate 10 is irradiated with the laser beam 30 through the opening 27 and divided, the cutting edge of the sheet on one side across the opening 27. Both the cut edges of the sheet on the other side and the other side are fused since they are in a pressurized state before the cutting.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention is not restrict | limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably. For example, the sheet laminated body may be one in which two sheets, three sheets, five sheets or more are stacked in addition to those in which four sheets are stacked as shown in FIG. Further, the tension of the diaper continuous body 10 is controlled on the laser bonding apparatus 20 in order to wrap the diaper continuous body 10 (sheet laminated body) around the cylindrical roll 23 (support member 21) without generating wrinkles or sagging. A mechanism may be provided. Further, the laser-type bonding apparatus 20 may include a mechanism for removing resin or the like attached to the contact surface of the pressure belt 24 with the diaper continuous body 10. All the parts of only one embodiment described above can be used as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the laser type bonding apparatus 20 including the cylindrical roll 23 is used. However, the laser type bonding apparatus 20 including a flat plate member may be used instead of the cylindrical roll 23.

Further, in the cylindrical roll 23 used in the above embodiment, a plurality of suction holes 112a are opened on the wall surface of the recess 120 provided on the inner surface, and air is sucked through the suction holes 112a or However, instead of this, a suction slit 112c may be formed as shown in FIGS. The suction slit 112 c can be regarded as a plurality of suction holes 112 a connected in the axial direction of the cylindrical roll 23. By providing the suction slit 112c, an opening having a large opening area can be disposed at a position close to the slit-shaped opening 27, so that the gas generated by the laser light applied to the opening 27 is sucked or blown off. Can be performed more effectively.

In the present invention, the exterior body is divided and the fusion part is formed by melting the exterior body using a heat source, and the formation of the fusion part causes the protrusion of the diaper to be worn. The melting of the outer package using a heat source is not limited to the irradiation of the laser beam to the outer package, as described above, and infrared or halogen light may be used as a non-contact heat source. Other methods may be used, for example, thermocompression bonding of the exterior body using a known heat roll device or the like, or applying ultrasonic vibration to the exterior body using a known ultrasonic vibration device or the like. it can.
Moreover, the division of the outer package and the formation of the fusion part may be performed simultaneously or after the formation of the fusion part.

In addition to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following additional notes (sheet fusion product manufacturing method, sheet fusion product, absorbent article manufacturing method) are disclosed.
<1>
An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, and a support member that supports one surface of a belt-like sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are stacked at least in part,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
An air outlet for blowing air toward the opening, or an air suction opening for sucking air from the opening, is provided at a position adjacent to the opening.
The band-shaped sheet laminate supported by the support member was divided by irradiating the laser beam collected from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening and overlapping the edge of the division. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge portions are continuously manufactured.

<2>
Apart from the air outlet or the air suction port provided at a position adjacent to the opening, an air suction port is provided at a position separated from the air outlet or the air suction port <1>. An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to the above.
<3>
And further comprising a pressing member that supports the other surface of the sheet laminate, wherein a dust collecting member is disposed at a position facing the opening and on the pressing member side, and the supporting member side The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <1> or <2>, wherein air is blown out toward the pressing member side.
<4>
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to <3>, wherein the pressing member is preferably made of a metal material having air permeability, and is preferably made of, for example, a wire mesh or a metal punching metal.
<5>
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to <3> or <4>, wherein the pressing member has an opening in a portion corresponding to the opening on the support member side.
<6>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <3> to <5>, wherein air is blown out through the air blowing outlet before the laser beam is irradiated.
<7>
The support member includes a cylindrical roll rotatable around an axis, and the cylindrical roll has a zone for sucking air and a zone for ejecting air on a circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll. <1> Thru | or <6> any 1 item | term manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body.
<8>
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein the opening projects and opens toward the pressing member.

<9>
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8>, wherein the support member has a recess on an inner surface thereof.
<10>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <9>, wherein a bottom portion of the concave portion is opened, and a slit-like opening portion is exposed at a position of the opening.
<11>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <9> or <10>, wherein a plurality of the air suction holes or the air outlets are open on a wall surface of the recess.
<12>
The support member comprises a cylindrical roll rotatable about an axis;
A suction ring is disposed on a side surface of the cylindrical roll;
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the suction ring is in a fixed state independently of rotation of the cylindrical roll.
<13>
An opening is provided on the surface of the suction ring facing the cylindrical roll,
The opening is provided at a position communicating with a communication hole provided in the support member, and is also communicated with a suction source;
<12> The production of the sheet fusion body according to <12>, wherein only the communication hole communicating with the opening of the suction ring forms a suction path, and suction is performed only from the air suction hole on the extension of the suction path. apparatus.

<14>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <12> or <13>, wherein the suction ring is provided over an irradiation range of the laser light, and suction is performed in the irradiation range of the laser light.
<15>
The support member comprises a cylindrical roll rotatable about an axis;
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <14>, wherein an air suction member is disposed inside the cylindrical roll.
<16>
Of the surface of the support member, on the side facing the irradiation head, a narrow space portion that communicates with the opening and allows laser light emitted from the irradiation head to reach the opening is the opening. It is formed along the direction in which
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <15>, wherein the air outlet or the air suction port opens toward the narrow space portion.
<17>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of <1> to <16>, wherein the sheet is a nonwoven fabric, a film, or a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film.
<18>
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to <17>, wherein the nonwoven fabric is an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a meltblown nonwoven fabric.
<19>
A pant-type disposable diaper manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a pant-type disposable diaper comprising an exterior body having a pair of side seal parts,
<1> thru | or the manufacturing apparatus of the underpants type disposable diaper provided with the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body of any one of <18>.

<20>
A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
One surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the support member side with respect to the strip-shaped sheet laminate The belt-shaped sheet laminate is divided at the same time by irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate and generating heat from the sheet through the opening. Forming the seal edge by fusing the cut edges of the plurality of sheets generated by
In the step, at the time of dividing and fusing the strip-shaped sheet laminate, air is blown toward the opening, or air is sucked from the opening to blow off the gas generated at the time of dividing and fusing. A method for producing a sheet fusion product, which is removed or removed by suction.
<21>
In addition to blowing air toward the opening or sucking air from the light passage portion, the sheet fusion body according to <20>, wherein air is sucked at a position apart from the opening. Production method.
<22>
The other surface of the sheet laminate is brought into contact with the pressing member, a dust collecting member is disposed at a position facing the opening and on the pressing member side, and <20> or <21> The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to <21>, wherein air is blown toward the pressing member.
<23>
The method for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to <22>, wherein the pressing member is preferably made of a metal material having air permeability, and is preferably made of, for example, a wire mesh or a metal punching metal.
<24>
<22> or <23> The method for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to <22>, wherein the pressing member has an opening in a portion corresponding to the opening on the support member side.
<25>
<20> thru | or the manufacturing method of the sheet fusion body of any one of <24> which blows air toward the said opening part before irradiating a laser beam.
<26>
The supporting member includes a cylindrical roll rotatable around an axis, and the cylindrical roll having a zone for sucking air and a zone for ejecting air is used on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll. <20> thru | or the manufacturing method of the sheet fusion body of any one of <25>.

<27>
The other surface of the sheet laminate is brought into contact with the pressing member,
<20> thru | or <26> the manufacturing method of the sheet fusion body of any one of <20> using what is opened and protruded toward the said pressing member side as said opening part.
<28>
The support member comprises a cylindrical roll rotatable about an axis;
A suction ring is disposed on a side surface of the cylindrical roll;
The sheet fusion body manufacturing method according to any one of <20> to <27>, wherein the suction ring is in a fixed state independently of rotation of the cylindrical roll.
<29>
An opening is provided on the surface of the suction ring facing the cylindrical roll,
The opening is provided at a position communicating with a communication hole provided in the support member, and is also communicated with a suction source;
<28> The production of a sheet fusion body according to <28>, wherein only the communication hole communicating with the opening of the suction ring forms a suction path, and suction is performed only from the air suction hole on the extension of the suction path. Method.
<30>
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to <28> or <29>, wherein the suction ring is provided over an irradiation range of the laser light, and suction is performed in the irradiation range of the laser light.
<31>
The method for producing a sheet fusion product according to any one of <20> to <30>, wherein the sheet is a nonwoven fabric, a film, or a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film.

<32>
<31> The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to <31>, wherein the nonwoven fabric is an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a meltblown nonwoven fabric.
<33>
A pants-type disposable diaper manufacturing method comprising an exterior body having a pair of side seal parts,
<20> thru | or <32> using the manufacturing method of the sheet fusion body given in any 1 paragraph, forming the sheet fusion object which has the seal edge part fused in the state where the edge part of a plurality of sheets overlapped The manufacturing method of a pants-type disposable diaper which has the process to do.

According to the present invention, a sheet fusion body is produced that effectively prevents inconvenience such as ignition due to resin fume, has excellent sealing edge flexibility and touch, and has practically sufficient fusion strength. can do.

Claims

An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets overlap with each other,
An irradiation head having a lens for condensing laser light, and a support member that supports one surface of a belt-like sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets including a resin material are stacked at least in part,
The support member has a slit-like opening that is long in the width direction of the sheet laminate, through which the condensed laser light can pass from the support member side,
An air outlet for blowing air toward the opening, or an air suction opening for sucking air from the opening, is provided at a position adjacent to the opening.
The band-shaped sheet laminate supported by the support member was divided by irradiating the laser beam collected from the support member side along the slit-shaped opening and overlapping the edge of the division. An apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body, in which a plurality of sheet fusion bodies having the seal edge portions are continuously manufactured.
The air suction port is provided at a position spaced apart from the air blowout port or the air suction port separately from the air blowout port or the air suction port provided at a position adjacent to the opening. An apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to the above.
And further comprising a pressing member that supports the other surface of the sheet laminate, wherein a dust collecting member is disposed at a position facing the opening and on the pressing member side, and the supporting member side The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein air blows out toward the pressing member side.
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member has air permeability.
The apparatus for manufacturing a sheet fusion body according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pressing member has an opening in a portion corresponding to the opening on the support member side.
6. The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein air is blown out through the air outlet before being irradiated with laser light.
The said supporting member is provided with the cylindrical roll which can rotate to the surroundings of an axis | shaft, and this cylindrical roll has the zone which attracts | sucks air and the zone which ejects air in the surrounding surface while this makes a round. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body as described in any one of thru | or 6.
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opening protrudes toward the pressing member and opens.
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the support member has a recess on an inner surface thereof.
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the bottom of the recess is open, and a slit-like opening is exposed at the position of the opening.
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a plurality of the air suction holes or the air outlets are opened on a wall surface of the recess.
The support member comprises a cylindrical roll rotatable about an axis;
A suction ring is disposed on a side surface of the cylindrical roll;
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the suction ring is in a fixed state independently of rotation of the cylindrical roll.
An opening is provided on the surface of the suction ring facing the cylindrical roll,
The opening is provided at a position communicating with a communication hole provided in the support member, and is also communicated with a suction source;
The sheet fusion body according to claim 12, wherein only the communication hole communicating with the opening of the suction ring forms a suction path, and suction is performed only from the air suction hole on an extension of the suction path. apparatus.
The sheet fusion body manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the suction ring is provided over an irradiation range of the laser beam, and suction is performed in the irradiation range of the laser beam.
The support member comprises a cylindrical roll rotatable about an axis;
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an air suction member is disposed inside the cylindrical roll.
Of the surface of the support member, on the side facing the irradiation head, a narrow space portion that communicates with the opening and allows laser light emitted from the irradiation head to reach the opening is the opening. It is formed along the direction in which
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the air outlet or the air suction port is opened toward the narrow space portion.
The apparatus for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the sheet is a nonwoven fabric, a film, or a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film.
The sheet fusion product manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the nonwoven fabric is an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a meltblown nonwoven fabric.
A pant-type disposable diaper manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a pant-type disposable diaper comprising an exterior body having a pair of side seal parts,
The manufacturing apparatus of the underpants type disposable diaper provided with the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet fusion body as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 18.
A method for producing a sheet fusion body having a seal edge fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped,
At least a part of the plurality of sheets includes a resin material,
One surface of a strip-shaped sheet laminate in which a plurality of sheets are stacked is brought into contact with a support member having an opening through which laser light can pass, and the support member side with respect to the strip-shaped sheet laminate The belt-shaped sheet laminate is divided at the same time by irradiating a laser beam having an oscillation wavelength that is absorbed by the sheet constituting the sheet laminate and generating heat from the sheet through the opening. Forming the seal edge by fusing the cut edges of the plurality of sheets generated by
In the step, at the time of dividing and fusing the strip-shaped sheet laminate, air is blown toward the opening, or air is sucked from the opening to blow off the gas generated at the time of dividing and fusing. A method for producing a sheet fusion product, which is removed or removed by suction.
The sheet fusion body according to claim 20, wherein air is sucked at a position apart from the opening in addition to blowing air toward the opening or sucking air from the light passage portion. Production method.
The other surface of the sheet laminate is brought into contact with the pressing member, a dust collecting member is disposed at a position facing the opening and on the pressing member side, and The manufacturing method of the sheet | seat melt | fusion body of Claim 20 or 21 which blows off air toward the pressing member side.
23. The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein air is blown toward the opening portion before irradiation with laser light.
The supporting member includes a cylindrical roll rotatable around an axis, and the cylindrical roll having a zone for sucking air and a zone for ejecting air is used on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roll. The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 20 to 23.
The other surface of the sheet laminate is brought into contact with the pressing member,
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the opening is a protrusion that opens toward the pressing member.
The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the sheet comprises a nonwoven fabric, a film, or a laminate sheet of a nonwoven fabric and a film.
27. The method for producing a sheet fusion body according to claim 26, wherein the nonwoven fabric is an air-through nonwoven fabric, a heat roll nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a meltblown nonwoven fabric.
A pants-type disposable diaper manufacturing method comprising an exterior body having a pair of side seal parts,
Using the method for producing a sheet fusion body according to any one of claims 20 to 27, a sheet fusion body having a seal edge portion fused in a state where edges of a plurality of sheets are overlapped is formed. The manufacturing method of a pants-type disposable diaper which has a process.