WO2016103739A1

WO2016103739A1 - Folding device and folding method

Info

Publication number: WO2016103739A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/052189
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智弘藤原
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2014-12-26
Filing date: 2015-01-27
Publication date: 2016-06-30
Also published as: JP5923160B1; JP2016123591A

Abstract

Provided are: a folding device that maintains the shape of an absorbent body comprising a high basis weight area and a low basis weight area while making it possible to fold an absorbent article; and a folding method. The folding device folds an absorbent article that contains an absorbent body (40) comprising: a first area (42) that comprises an absorbent material having a first basis weight; and a second area (44) that comprises an absorbent material having a second basis weight which is smaller than the first basis weight, said second area (44) extending along at least a first direction (W). The folding device comprises a long guide (130). The long guide (130) is configured so as to press a folding line (F1) that passes over at least the second area (44) of the absorbent body (40) and fold the absorbent article when the long guide (130) is oriented along the first direction (W) of the second area (44).

Description

Folding device and folding method

The present invention relates to a folding device and a folding method for folding an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper.

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins are known. Patent document 1 is disclosing the absorbent article and its manufacturing method. Such an absorbent article has a top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorber. The manufacturing method of such an absorbent article includes a step of forming a continuous body by arranging a plurality of absorbent bodies on a long web, and a continuous continuous body in which a plurality of absorbent bodies are arranged. A step of folding back in half at a folding position along the body conveyance direction, and a step of cutting the folded continuous body into absorbent articles. In the step of folding the continuous body in half, the absorbent body is folded back together with the continuous body (absorbent article).

Patent Document 2 discloses an absorbent body used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and sanitary napkins. This absorber has a low weight area continuously formed in the vertical direction, and a high weight area formed along the low weight area on both sides of the low weight area.

JP 2010-227545 A JP 2008-023311 A

The inventors of the present application have discovered the following problems. The ease of bending and strength of the absorber are different between the low weight area and the high weight area. Therefore, when the absorbent body including the low weight area and the high weight area is folded, the shape of the absorbent body may be collapsed depending on the position and angle of the crease with respect to the absorbent body. Therefore, when trying to manufacture the absorbent body including the low weight area and the high weight area by the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1, the shape of the absorbent body may collapse.

This invention is made | formed in view of the above-mentioned subject, and provides the folding apparatus and folding method which can fold an absorbent article, maintaining the shape of the absorber containing a high fabric area and a low fabric area. For the purpose.

The folding device according to the present disclosure includes a first area composed of an absorbent material having a first basis weight, and an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight, and at least along the first direction. And an apparatus for folding an absorbent article including an absorbent body. This folding device has a long guide. The long guide is a state where the long guide is oriented so as to be along the first direction of the second region, and the absorbent article is pressed while pushing a fold line passing over at least the second region of the absorbent body. It is configured to fold.

The folding method according to the present disclosure includes a first area composed of an absorbent material having a first basis weight, and an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight, and at least along the first direction. And a second region that extends, and a method for folding an absorbent article that includes an absorbent body. In this folding method, while the long guide is oriented along the first direction of the second region, the folding line passing over at least the second region of the absorber is pushed by the long guide. A step of folding the absorbent article.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a developed plan view of the absorbent article shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an absorbent body provided in the absorbent article. Drawing 4 is a figure for explaining a manufacturing method of an absorptive article concerning one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the folding device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folding device shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the folding device viewed from the direction A in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the absorbent body of the absorbent article and a long guide. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the positional relationship between the absorbent body of the absorbent article and the long guide. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an absorber according to a modification.

Hereinafter, a folding apparatus and a folding method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

(1) Configuration of Absorbent Article First, the configuration of the absorbent article 10 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an absorbent article 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a developed plan view showing a state in which the absorbent article 10 according to one embodiment is developed.

The absorbent article 10 has a front waistline region 20 corresponding to the wearer's front waistline, a back waistline region 30 corresponding to the wearer's back waistline, and a crotch region 25 corresponding to the wearer's inseam. The absorbent article 10 has a front-rear direction L extending between the front waistline region 20 and the rear waistline region 30, and a width direction W orthogonal to the front-rear direction L. On both outer sides of the crotch region 25 in the width direction W, leg opening portions 35 into which the wearer's legs are inserted are formed.

The absorbent article 10 includes an absorbent main body 5, an exterior top sheet 2, and an exterior back sheet 3. The exterior topsheet 2 is disposed closer to the wearer's skin than the exterior backsheet 3. The exterior topsheet 2 and the exterior backsheet 3 may be divided in the crotch region 25 in the front-rear direction L. The exterior topsheet 2 and the exterior backsheet 3 can be formed of an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric, a waterproof film, or the like.

The absorbent main body 5 includes a top sheet 9, an absorber back sheet (not shown), and an absorber 40 provided between the top sheet 9 and the absorber back sheet. The top sheet 9 is in contact with the wearer's skin. The top sheet 9 is formed from a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric or an open plastic film. A nonwoven fabric etc. are used for an absorber back surface sheet. The absorbent main body 5 may extend in the front-rear direction L between the front waistline region 20 and the rear waistline region 30. The absorbent main body 5 is provided closer to the wearer's skin than the exterior topsheet 2. The absorber 40 absorbs excretion excreted from the wearer.

The unfolded absorbent article 10 is folded along the fold line F1 and integrated by the joint 50. Specifically, the front waistline edge portions 4 located on both outer sides in the width direction W of the front waistline region 20, respectively, and the rear waistline edge portions 6 located on both outer sides in the width direction W of the rear waistline region 30, respectively. Be joined. Thereby, the absorbent article 10 is formed in a pants shape as shown in FIG.

The front waistline area 20 and the back waistline area 30 may be provided with a waist gather 6A having elasticity. For example, the waist gather 6A may have elasticity in the width direction W intersecting the front-rear direction L by a thread-like elastic member. Instead, the waist gather 6A may have elasticity by being formed of a sheet having elasticity.

The absorbent article 10 may have leg gathers 6B formed along the leg-hole openings 35. The leg gather 6B includes a front leg elastic member 6B1 arranged in the front waist area 20, and a rear leg elastic member 6B2 arranged across the rear waist area 30 and the crotch area 25. Also good. The front leg elastic member 6B1 is separated from the rear leg elastic member 6B2. Instead, the front leg elastic member 6B1 may be connected to the rear leg elastic member 6B2.

(2) Schematic Configuration of Absorber FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the absorber 40. The absorber 40 can be appropriately configured using a known member or material such as pulverized pulp or a superabsorbent polymer. These materials may be wrapped by a covering sheet (not shown). At least a part on the skin surface side of the covering sheet can be composed of various fiber nonwoven fabrics or tissues having liquid permeability.

The absorber 40 has a first region 42 made of an absorbent material having a first basis weight and a second region 44 made of an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight. The second region 44 includes a region extending along at least the width direction W (first direction) of the absorbent body on the fold line F1 of the absorbent article. Specifically, the second region 44 linearly extends a part of the absorbent body 40 on the fold line F1 of the absorbent article. Alternatively, the second region 44 may extend linearly from one end to the other end of the absorbent body 40 on the fold line F1 of the absorbent article.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second region 44 extends along both the front-rear direction L of the absorber and the width direction W of the absorber, and divides the first region 42 into a plurality of blocks. Hereinafter, the first area 42 may be referred to as a “high weight area” and the second area 44 may be referred to as a “low weight area”. Note that the outer edge portion of the absorber 40 may also be a high basis weight area having a basis weight higher than the basis weight of the second region 44. The low basis weight area 44 may be formed of a recess having a thickness smaller than that of the high basis weight area 42. Note that the low basis weight region 44 includes a region where the basis weight is zero, that is, a region where no absorbent material exists.

In addition, the fabric weight and density of an absorber can be measured with the following measuring methods, for example. In the absorbent article packaged by the packaging body, the packaging body is opened, the folded absorbent article is developed, and the thickness and area of the portion where the basis weight and density are measured are measured. Subsequently, the part which measures a fabric weight and a density is cut out from an absorbent article, and the weight of the cut-out part is measured. Subsequently, parts other than an absorber, such as a surface sheet and an absorber back sheet, are removed from the cut out part, and the weight of the absorber is measured. The basis weight is calculated based on the weight of the absorbent body and the area of the portion where the basis weight and density are measured. The density is calculated based on the basis weight and thickness.

(3) Manufacturing method of absorbent article FIG. 4: is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing method of the absorbent article which concerns on one Embodiment. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article may include a component installation step S1, an absorber placement step S2, a leg circumference formation step S3, a folding step S4, a joining step S5, and a cutting step S6. Good.

In the component installation step S1, elastic members 6A and heels 6B1 for forming a gather (waist gather 6A and / or leg gather 6B) between the web 7A forming the exterior backsheet 3 and the web 7B forming the exterior topsheet 2 , Place 6B2. As a result, the web 7 corresponding to each of the front waistline region 20 and the rear waistline region 30 is formed. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2 sandwiched between the webs 7a and 7B are not shown. The web 7 being transported (

webs

7A and 7B) may have elasticity with respect to the orthogonal direction CD perpendicular to the transport direction MD of the web 7.

In the absorber arrangement step S2, the absorber 40 is arranged on the web 7 so as to straddle the front waistline region 20 and the back waistline region 30 after the component placement step S1. The absorber 40 may be disposed on the web 7 in the state of the absorbent main body 5 including the top sheet 9 and the absorber back sheet. Alternatively, the absorbent body 40 may be disposed on the web 7 together with the absorbent back sheet. In this case, after the absorbent body 40 is disposed, the top sheet 9 that covers the absorbent body 40 is disposed on the web 7. A plurality of absorbers 40 are arranged at intervals in the conveyance direction of the web 7. Here, the absorber 40 is disposed so that the first direction in which the low basis weight region 44 extends is located on the fold line F1 of the absorbent article 10.

In the leg circumference forming step S3, the leg circumference opening 35 is formed by cutting a part of the web 7 after the absorbent body arranging step S2. The leg circumference forming step S3 may be performed before the absorbent body arranging step S2. When the leg circumference forming step S3 is finished, a continuous body 8 in which a plurality of absorbent articles 10 are continuously connected is formed.

In the folding step S4, after the leg circumference forming step S3, the continuous body 8, that is, the absorbent article 10 is folded along the folding line F1 along the conveyance direction MD of the continuous body 8 by a folding device described later. Note that the fold line F1 may be a center line passing through the center in the orthogonal direction CD with respect to the continuum 8 and along the transport direction MD. Instead, the fold line F1 may be shifted from the center line to the side edge 10A side or the side edge 20A side.

In the joining step S5, after the folding step S4, a portion corresponding to the joining portion 50 of the absorbent article 10 is joined by ultrasonic treatment or heat treatment. Note that the joint portions 50 are arranged on both sides of a virtual cutting line SL indicating a planned cutting position extending in the orthogonal direction CD of the continuum 8.

In the cutting step S6, the continuum 8 is cut along the virtual cutting line SL after the joining step S5. Thereby, the continuous body 8 is separated for each absorbent article 10. In this way, the absorbent article 10 is manufactured.

(4) Folding device and folding method First, the configuration of the folding device 100 used in the above-described folding step S4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the folding device 100 according to one embodiment. 6 is a perspective view of the folding device 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the folding device 100 viewed from the direction A in FIG.

The folding device 100 may include a pressing mechanism 110, a transport mechanism 120, a long guide 130, a guide mechanism 140, a position detection unit 150, and a position control unit 160. The continuous body 8 is transferred to the transport mechanism 120 of the folding device 100 via the transport rolls R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. During conveyance by the conveyance rolls R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5, the continuum 8 is conveyed in a state of being extended in the orthogonal direction CD. For example, the continuum 8 may be conveyed in a state in which both

side edges

10A and 20A in the orthogonal direction CD are gripped. When the continuum 8 is transferred from the fifth transport roll R5 to the transport mechanism 120, the continuum 8 may be released from the extension in the orthogonal direction CD.

The transport mechanism 120 may include a transport belt 122 that transports the continuous body 8 in which a plurality of absorbent articles 10 are continuously connected. Here, in the continuous body 8, a plurality of absorbers 40 are arranged at intervals in the transport direction, and the first direction in which the low weight area 44 of the absorber 40 extends is oriented along the transport direction MD. Has been. The conveyor belt 122 is wound around a plurality of rollers 121. A portion of the transport belt 122 where the continuous body 8 is placed moves in the transport direction of the continuous body 8. A suction hole 124 for sucking and holding the continuous body 8 to the transport belt 122 is formed on the surface of the transport belt 122. The transport mechanism 120 has a suction mechanism 123 that sucks through the suction holes 124. The continuous body 8 is conveyed while being sucked by the suction mechanism 123 through the suction hole 124.

The long guide 130 may extend long in the transport direction MD from the downstream side of the fifth transport roll R5 through the transverse direction CD side of the pressing mechanism 110. The long guide 130 extends along the conveyor belt 122 at least on the conveyor belt 122. The long guide 130 is stationary and rubs against the continuous body 8 being conveyed. The long guide 130 folds the continuous body 8 while pressing the fold line F1 of the continuous body 8. That is, the long guide 130 is positioned on the fold line F1 of the continuous body 8 when the continuous body 8 is folded.

The pressing mechanism 110 may be composed of a large-diameter roll. This large-diameter roll is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft. During the folding of the continuous body 8, the pressing mechanism 110 presses the first side (hereinafter, may be referred to as “reference region”) 11 of the continuous body 8 with respect to the folding line F1. The pressing mechanism 110 transports the continuous body 8 while pressing the reference region 11 of the continuous body 8 toward the transport belt 122. At this time, the continuous body 8 is transported in a state of being extended in the transport direction MD. On the other hand, the continuous body 8 is not extended in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction MD.

When the continuous body 8 is transferred from the fifth transport roll R5 to the transport mechanism 120, the continuous body 8 is released from the expansion in the orthogonal direction CD. Therefore, in the absorbent article 10 having a gather that self-shrinks in the front-rear direction L, the region that is not pressed by the pressing mechanism 110 contracts in the direction perpendicular to the fold line F1 (orthogonal direction CD). Such a gather may be, for example, the aforementioned leg gather 6B. As described above, it is preferable that the pressing mechanism 110 is configured to press the reference region 11 of the continuous body 8 so that a part of the continuous body 8 contracts in a direction orthogonal to the folding line F1.

The guide mechanism 140 guides the side edge 10A so that the side edge 20A and the side edge 10A of the continuum 8 coincide with each other. In other words, the guide mechanism 140 has the second side (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “folding region”) 12 opposite to the reference region 11 with respect to the fold line F1 of the continuous body 8 facing the reference region 11. I will guide you.

The guide mechanism 140 includes a pair of first guide rolls 141, a pair of second guide rolls 142, a third guide roll 143, a pair of fourth guide rolls 144, and a fifth guide roll 145. May be. Each of the guide rolls 141-145 is configured to be rotatable about a support shaft. The number of guide rolls 141-145 is not limited to the illustrated example, and can be arbitrarily changed.

A pair of guide rolls 141, 142, 144, and 145 sandwich the fold region 12 opposite to the reference region 11 with respect to the fold line F1, and turn the fold region 12 toward the reference region 11 during folding of the continuous body 8. knock down. As shown in FIG. 7, the pair of guide rolls 141, 142, 144, and 145 is configured to sandwich the edge portion of the absorber 40 arranged in the folding region 12 farthest from the fold line F1. preferable.

The first guide roll 141 starts up the folding area 12 through the long guide 130. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, from the first guide roll 141 to the fifth guide roll 145, the inclination angle α (fold angle of the crotch region 25) of the folding region 12 with respect to the reference region 11 gradually decreases.

The position detecting means 150 is disposed downstream of the guide mechanism 140 in the transport direction of the continuous body 8. The position detection means 150 detects the positions of both side edges 10A and ridges 20A of the continuum 8. The position detection unit 150 may include a first sensor 151 and a second sensor 152. The first sensor 151 detects the position of one side edge 10A of the continuum 8. The second sensor 152 detects the position of the other side edge 20A of the continuum 8. The first sensor 151 and the second sensor 152 supply position data indicating the position at which the detected side edge 10A and side edge 20A are conveyed to position control means (not shown). This position control means aligns the continuum 8 in the orthogonal direction CD based on the position data received from the position detection means 150.

In the folding device 100 according to the present embodiment, the continuous body 8 transported toward the folding device 100 is transferred onto the transport belt 122 while being in contact with the long guide 130 near the center line of the continuous body 8. (See FIG. 6). Along with the conveyance of the continuous body 8, the long guide 130 is pressed onto the folding line F1 of the continuous body 8, and the continuous body 8 is folded starting from the folding line F1. Thus, the folding device 100 is preferably configured to fold the continuous body 8 being conveyed.

Next, the position of the long guide 130 with respect to the absorber 40 when the continuous body 8 is folded will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a positional relationship between the absorber 40 and the long guide 130 at a position where the continuous body 8 is folded.

The long guide 130 folds the continuous body 8 while pushing the fold line F1 passing over at least the low weight area 44 of the absorber 40 in a state oriented along the first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends. It is configured. The long guide 130 does not need to be pressed only against the low weight area 44, and may be pressed at least partially against the low weight area 44.

Preferably, the long guide 130 has a circular cross-sectional shape. More preferably, the diameter D of the long guide 130 is set so that the width of the low weight area 44 along the direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends (the width of the low weight area 44 on the folding line F1). ) Larger than L2 (see also FIG. 3). Even in this case, the long guide 130 pushes at least the low weight area 44 when the continuous body 8 is folded.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the positional relationship between the absorber 40 and the long guide 130. In the example shown in FIG. 9, along with the conveyance of the continuous body 8, the long guide 130 first hits the temporary contact position F <b> 0 on the absorber 40 of the continuous body 8. The temporary contact position F0 is a position away from the fold line F1 in the orthogonal direction, and is a line along the fold line F1. Thereafter, the position of the continuous body 8 with respect to the long guide 130 is shifted along with the conveyance of the continuous body 8, and the long guide 130 pushes the absorbent article 10 at the position of the folding line F1. As described above, the long guide 130 may be configured to hit the temporary contact position F0 separated in the orthogonal direction from the fold line F1 before pushing the absorbent article 10 at the position of the fold line F1.

Such displacement of the position of the absorbent body 40 with respect to the long guide 130 is caused by the elastic member provided in the absorbent article 10. Such an elastic member may be, for example, the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2 forming the leg gather 6B described above (see FIG. 2). In such an absorbent article 10 (continuous body 8), the absorbent article 10 expands and contracts asymmetrically with respect to the fold line F1 by the elastic action of the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2. In the absorbent article 10 shown in FIG. 2, the rear leg elastic member 6B2 disposed across the rear waist area 30 and the crotch area 25 is more than the front leg elastic member 6B1 disposed in the front waist area 20. It extends long in the front-rear direction L. As a result, the rear waistline region 30 and the crotch region 25 contract more along the front-rear direction L than the front waistline region 20.

In such an absorbent article 10, when the continuous body 8 is transferred from the fifth transport roll R5 to the transport mechanism 120, the long guide 130 is first temporarily applied in the vicinity of the center in the orthogonal direction CD of the continuous body 8. It corresponds to the position F0 (see FIGS. 2 and 9). The temporary contact position F0 may or may not overlap with a portion of the low weight area 44 extending along the first direction.

When delivered to the transport mechanism 120, the continuum 8 is released from expansion and contraction in the orthogonal direction CD, and therefore starts to contract asymmetrically with respect to the center line. Here, the rear waistline region 30 and the crotch region 25 contract more greatly. As a result, the relative position of the continuous body 8 with respect to the orthogonal direction CD of the continuous body 8 with respect to the long guide 130 shifts, and the long guide 130 comes into contact with the folding line F1 shifted from the temporary contact position F0 toward the front waistline region 20 ( 2 and 9). Here, the fold line F1 overlaps the portion of the low weight area 44 extending along the first direction. The continuum 8 is folded with a fold line F1 passing at least on the low weight area 44 as a base point.

Referring to FIG. 9, the case where the temporary contact position F0 and the folding line F are deviated has been described. However, the position where the long guide 130 first hits the continuous body 8 may coincide with the position of the folding line F. For example, when the absorbent article 10 contracts symmetrically in the front-rear direction L with respect to the fold line F1, the position where the long guide 130 first hits the continuous body 8 coincides with the position of the fold line F. It is preferable.

(5) Modification of Absorber FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the absorber 40 provided in the absorbent article 10. The absorbent body 40 shown in FIG. 5 may have the same configuration as the absorbent body shown in FIG. 3 except for the arrangement of the high weight area 42 and the low weight area 44.

The absorber 40 has a first region 42 made of an absorbent material having a first basis weight and a second region 44 made of an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight. The second region 44 includes at least a region extending along the width direction W (first direction) of the absorber. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the low weight area 44 extends along both the longitudinal direction L of the absorbent body and the width direction W of the absorbent body, and divides the high weight area 42 into a plurality of blocks.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the high weight area 42 and the low weight area 44 are alternately arranged on the folding line F1. Thereby, the low basis weight region 44 extends at least part of the absorbent body 40 in a broken line shape on the fold line F of the absorbent article 10. Even in this case, it can be said that the fold line F of the absorbent article extends in the first direction (width direction W) in which the low weight area 44 extends.

It should be noted that the low-weight area 44 is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, and may include an arbitrary area extending along the fold line F of the absorbent article 10. Even in this case, the long guide 130 pushes the folding line F1 passing through at least the low weight area 44 of the absorber 40 in the state where the long guide 130 is oriented along the first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends. The continuum 8 is configured to be folded.

(6) Effects Since the second basis weight is smaller than the first basis weight, the second area (low weight area) 44 is more easily bent than the first area (high weight area) 42. In the above-described embodiment, the long guide 130 is oriented so as to be along the first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends, and the absorbent article 10 is pushed while pressing at least the fold line F1 passing over the low weight area 44. Fold. As a result, the absorber 40 is bent around the first direction in which the low weight area 44 that is relatively easy to bend extends. As a result, it is possible to fold the absorbent article while maintaining the shape of the absorber 40.

According to one embodiment, the elongated guide 130 has a circular cross-sectional shape and does not have sharp corners. Therefore, even if the long guide 130 pushes the absorbent article 10, damage to the absorbent article 10 can be prevented. In particular, the absorbent article 10 may have a soft nonwoven fabric on its surface. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the absorbent article 10 from being damaged due to the pressing of the long guide 130.

According to one embodiment, the diameter D of the long guide 130 is larger than the width L2 of the low weight area 44 along the direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends. In the present embodiment, when the long guide 130 presses the low weight area 44, the long guide 130 also pushes the high weight area 42 adjacent to the low weight area 44 in the direction orthogonal to the first direction. Hit. When the absorbent article 10 is folded, the long guide 130 is pressed against not only the low weight area 44 having relatively low strength but also the high weight area 42 having relatively high strength. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the collapse of the shape of the absorbent body 40 due to the folding of the absorbent body 40.

According to one embodiment, the folding device 100 is a continuous body 8 in which a plurality of absorbent articles 10 are continuously connected, and a first direction in which the low-weight area 44 extends extends along the conveyance direction. A plurality of oriented absorbent bodies 40 have a transport mechanism 120 that transports the continuous body 8 arranged at intervals in the transport direction. The folding apparatus 100 is configured to fold the continuous body 8 being conveyed along a first direction in which the low weight area 44 extends. Thereby, a plurality of absorbent articles 10 can be folded together. Therefore, the folding device 100 suitable for mass production of the absorbent article 10 can be provided.

According to one embodiment, the folding device 100 further includes a pressing mechanism 110 that presses the reference region 11 of the absorbent article against the fold line F1 while the absorbent article 10 is being folded. The pressing mechanism 110 is a state in which the reference region 11 of the absorbent article 10 disposed between the long guide 130 and the pressing mechanism 110 is contracted in the direction perpendicular to the fold line F1. The reference area 11 is configured to be pressed.

If the absorbent article 10 is folded while being stretched between the long guide 130 and the pressing mechanism 110, the absorbent article 10 may be damaged by a tensile force. In particular, when the continuous body 8 is folded while transporting the continuous body 8 in which a plurality of absorbent articles 10 are connected, the long guide 130 rubs against the absorbent article 10 with a strong force. The fear increases. In the present embodiment, when the absorbent article 10 is folded, the absorbent article 10 is in a contracted state between the long guide 130 and the pressing mechanism 110 in the direction orthogonal to the fold line F1. Thereby, the possibility of damage to the absorbent article 10 can be suppressed. Further, even when the absorbent article 10 is in a contracted state between the long guide 130 and the pressing mechanism 110, by using the long guide 130, the absorbent article 10 passes through the low weight area 44 of the absorber 40. The absorbent article 10 can be neatly folded along the fold line F1.

According to one embodiment, the folding device 100 sandwiches the folded region 12 of the absorbent article 10 on the opposite side of the reference region 11 with respect to the fold line F1, and the folded region 12 is placed in the reference region during folding of the absorbent article 10. It further includes at least a pair of guide rolls 141, 142, 144, and 145 that are tilted toward the 11 side. The pair of guide rolls 141, 142, 144, and 145 are configured to sandwich the edge portion of the absorber 40 arranged in the folding region 12 farthest from the fold line F1. In this way, by folding the absorbent article 10 while holding the edge of the absorbent body 40, it is possible to prevent the shape of the absorbent body 40 from being deformed while the absorbent article 10 is being folded.

According to one embodiment, the folding device 100 folds the absorbent article 10 that includes the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2 that extend along the front-rear direction of the absorbent article 10 and are asymmetric with respect to the fold line F1. The long guide 130 is configured to hit the temporary contact position F0 that is separated from the fold line F1 in the orthogonal direction before pushing the absorbent article 10 at the position of the fold line F1 (see FIGS. 2 and 9). .

In the absorbent article 10 having the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2 that are asymmetric with respect to the fold line F1, the elastic rate of the absorbent article 10 becomes asymmetric with respect to the fold line F1 due to the elastic action of the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2. That is, when the absorbent article 10 is folded, the absorbent article 10 expands and contracts asymmetrically with respect to the fold line F1 due to an elastic action. Thereby, the actual fold line F1 of the absorbent article 10 may deviate from the position F0 where the long guide 130 is first pressed against the absorbent article 10. In the present embodiment, first, the long guide 130 is applied to the temporary contact position F0 shifted from the position of the fold line F1 passing over the low weight area 44. Thereby, even if the absorbent article 10 expands and contracts asymmetrically under the elastic action of the elastic members 6B1 and 6B2, the long guide 130 appropriately pushes the position on the folding line F1 passing over the low weight area 44. Will be able to. Therefore, even in the absorbent article having the elastic members 6B1 and ridges 6B2 that are asymmetric with respect to the fold line F1, the absorbent body 40 can be folded around the first direction in which the low weight area 44 that is relatively easily bent extends.

Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

For example, in the folding device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the long guide 130 is stationary and configured to rub against the continuous body 8 being conveyed. Alternatively, the elongate guide may be formed from an elongate belt having a conveyor-type round cross section. Then, by moving the long belt together with the absorbent article being conveyed, the absorbent article and the long belt can be prevented from rubbing each other.

Furthermore, in the folding apparatus 100 according to the above embodiment, the folded region 12 of the continuous body 8 is bent toward the reference region 11 in a state where the reference region 11 of the continuous body 8 is pressed by the pressing mechanism 110. Instead of this, the continuous body 8 may be folded into a V shape with respect to the folding line F1 without using the pressing mechanism 110.

Note that the entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-266253 filed on December 26, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a folding device and a folding method capable of folding an absorbent article while maintaining the shape of the absorbent body including the high weight area and the low weight area.

10: Absorbent article 2: Exterior top sheet 3: Exterior back sheet 5: Absorbent body 6A: Waist gather 6B: Leg gather 7: Web 7A: Web 7B: Web 8: Continuous body 20: Front waist area 25: Inseam area 30: Rear waistline area 35: Leg opening 40: Absorbent body 42: High weight area (first area)
44: Low weight area (second area)
100: Folding device 110: Pressing mechanism 120: Conveying mechanism 122: Conveying belt 130: Long guide 141-145: Guide roll D: Long guide diameter L2: Low weight area width F0: Temporary contact position F1: Folding line S1: Component component installation step S2: Absorber arrangement step S3: Leg circumference forming step S4: Folding step S5: Joining step S6: Cutting step SL: Cutting line

Claims

A first region made of an absorbent material having a first basis weight, and a second region made of an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight and extending along at least the first direction; A folding device for folding an absorbent article including an absorbent body having a long guide,
The long guide pushes a fold line passing over at least the second region of the absorber in a state where the long guide is oriented so as to be along the first direction of the second region. A folding device configured to fold the absorbent article.
The folding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the long guide has a circular cross-sectional shape.
The folding device according to claim 2, wherein a diameter of the long guide is larger than a width of the second region along a direction orthogonal to the first direction.
A continuous body in which the plurality of absorbent articles are continuously connected, and a plurality of the absorbent bodies in which the first direction is oriented along the transport direction are arranged at intervals in the transport direction. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport mechanism that transports the continuous body, wherein the folding device is configured to fold the continuous body being transported along the first direction. 5. Folding device.
A pressing mechanism for pressing the first side of the absorbent article against the fold line during folding of the absorbent article;
The pressing mechanism is configured such that the absorbent article is in a state where the first side of the absorbent article disposed between the long guide and the pressing mechanism is contracted in a direction perpendicular to the fold line. The folding device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the folding device is configured to press the first side of the first side.
The second side of the absorbent article opposite to the first side with respect to the fold line is sandwiched, and the second side is directed toward the first side during folding of the absorbent article. Further comprising at least a pair of guide rolls for defeating,
The folding device according to claim 5, wherein the pair of guide rolls are configured to sandwich an edge portion of the absorber disposed on the second side farthest from the fold line.
The folding apparatus is an apparatus for folding an absorbent article that includes an elastic member that extends along the front-rear direction of the absorbent article and is asymmetric with respect to the fold line;
The said elongate guide is comprised so that it may hit the temporary contact position away from the said fold line in the orthogonal direction, before pushing the said absorbent article in the position of the said fold line. The folding device according to item 1.
A first region made of an absorbent material having a first basis weight, and a second region made of an absorbent material having a second basis weight smaller than the first basis weight and extending along at least the first direction; A folding method of folding an absorbent article including an absorbent body having a long guide oriented along the first direction of the second region, at least the absorbent body A folding method including a step of folding the absorbent article while pushing a folding line passing over the second region with the long guide.