WO2017179512A1

WO2017179512A1 - Disposable article manufacturing device and disposable article manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2017179512A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/014561
Authority: WO
Inventors: 山田菊夫
Original assignee: 山田菊夫
Priority date: 2016-04-13
Filing date: 2017-04-07
Publication date: 2017-10-19

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a disposable article manufacturing device (100) and disposable article manufacturing method for manufacturing a disposable article which is flexible and has reduced thickness. This disposable article manufacturing device (100) adopts a configuration which comprises: a conveyance means which conveys an absorbent member which includes a superabsorbent resin and/or a pulverized pulp; and a first flexibilizing means (38) which comprises a pair of rollers of differing hardness, and which passes the absorbent member which the conveyance means conveys between the pair of rollers so as to apply pressure to said absorbent member.

Description

Disposable article manufacturing apparatus and disposable article manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for a disposable article such as an absorbent that absorbs body fluid and a method for manufacturing the disposable article.

Conventionally, various proposals have been made for providing a thin absorber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, an absorbent core layer is formed from thermoplastic fibers composed of two resin components having different thermal shrinkage rates and superabsorbent polymer particles, and a part of the thermoplastic fibers is thermally fused, It is disclosed that the core wrap sheet is compressed and thinned.

JP 2013-252331 A

However, the absorbent body disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above becomes hard when it is thinned by compression, and comfort when the absorbent body is mounted is impaired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for a disposable article that is flexible and has a reduced thickness.

The apparatus for manufacturing a disposable article according to the first aspect of the present invention has a transport means for transporting an absorbent member including at least one of a superabsorbent resin and pulverized pulp, and a pair of rolls having different rigidity from each other, And a first softening unit configured to pass and press the absorbing member conveyed by the conveying unit between the pair of rolls.

Moreover, the manufacturing method of the disposable article which concerns on the 2nd aspect of this invention WHEREIN: The step which arrange | positions the said absorption member in the conveyance means which conveys the absorption member containing at least any one of super absorbent polymer and pulverized pulp, And passing the absorbing member disposed on the conveying means between a pair of rolls having different rigidity and pressing the absorbing member.

According to the present invention, it is possible to produce a flexible and thin disposable article.

It is a schematic diagram of the absorber concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the absorbent body shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line CC. It is a schematic diagram which shows the non-skin surface side of the absorber shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the absorber manufacturing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing method of the absorber which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the surface sheet of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the collar part of the surface sheet shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the surface sheet shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the disposable pants which attached the absorber were worn.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(One embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an absorbent body 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of the absorbent body 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the non-skin surface side of the absorber 1. FIG. Hereinafter, the absorber 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The absorbent body 1 includes a top sheet 2 made of a laminated sheet 46 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), a liquid-impermeable back sheet 3 made of a plastic film, and the top sheet 2 and the back sheet 3. It has the absorption part 4 and the gather part 5 which were provided. The back sheet 3 is a moisture permeable film that does not transmit liquid but allows vapor to pass.

The absorption unit 4 as an object is attached to a disposable pants 70 (see FIG. 11), a disposable diaper, or the like, and absorbs body fluids such as urine, sweat, blood, and lymph fluid of the wearer. Has a superabsorbent polymer (hereinafter referred to as “SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer)”) which is a particulate superabsorbent resin. The absorber 4 of the present embodiment achieves both flexibility and thinning. The absorption part 4 covers the absorption member containing SAP and pulverized pulp with a lower wrap sheet 31 and an upper wrap sheet 35 (see FIG. 4).

In addition, since the absorber 1 absorbs body fluids such as urine, it is desirable to add a deodorant to the absorber 4. As the deodorant, activated carbon; zeolite; silica; ceramic; Oya stone; charcoal polymer; carbon nanotube; carbon nanohorn; organic acid such as citric acid and succinic acid; In addition to deodorants, functional substances such as insect repellents, fragrances, waterproofing agents, antifouling agents, antibacterial agents, and softening agents may be added. Each functional substance can use a well-known thing, and if an example is given, the polyol (for example, glycerol) which is a polyhydric alcohol as a softening agent can be used. In addition, since the liquid which melt | dissolved the metal may be used for a functional substance, it is preferable to apply | coat to the part (for example, sheets other than the skin surface side) which does not touch skin directly. Since the topsheet 2 is joined to the absorption part 4 of this embodiment, even if a functional substance is added, there is no influence on a human body.

The gather part 5 is composed of a nonwoven fabric 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) that is a fibrous sheet, and a water-repellent material is used to ensure liquid blocking properties. In order to make the gather part 5 water-repellent, a water-repellent agent such as fluorine, silicone or paraffin is applied to the gather part 5.

The gather part 5 is joined to the back sheet 3 (for example, hot melt adhesive, heat sealing, ultrasonic joining, etc.).

The gather part 5 prevents the movement of body fluid in the Y direction in FIG. 1 (that is, side leakage), and is formed by joining an elastic member 7 to the nonwoven fabric 6. In the present embodiment, two gathered portions 5 provided with elastic members 7 are prepared. In addition, you may provide the leg gathers (not shown) for leg surroundings on the outer side of the gather part 5. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the gather portion 5 is provided with two elastic members 7 covered with a nonwoven fabric 6. A linear elastic body having elasticity is used as the elastic member 7, and the linear elastic body is cylindrical. As this linear elastic body, urethane, silicone, butadiene, synthetic rubber based on styrene / butadiene, natural rubber, or the like can be used. Further, any one of these synthetic rubbers or natural rubbers may be appropriately combined. In this embodiment, polyurethane is used as the elastic member 7. The number of elastic members 7 is not particularly limited. The linear elastic body is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a triangular prism shape, a quadrangular prism shape, another polygonal column shape, or an elliptical column shape. The linear elastic body may be a bundle of a plurality of linear members or a twisted one.

As apparent from FIG. 1, the surface sheet 2 has a surface area larger than that of the absorbing portion 4 in plan view, and does not go through the absorbing portion 4 around the absorbing portion 4 (in a portion where the absorbing portion 4 is not present). The top sheet 2 and the gathered portion 5 are joined to each other (see the alternate long and short dash line 8). As joining of the surface sheet 2 and the gather part 5, adhesion | attachment with a hot-melt-adhesive etc., heat sealing, ultrasonic joining, etc. can be used.

In addition, between the surface sheet 2 and the gather part 5, there is a non-joined part 9 that is not joined. Since this non-joining part 9 is not influenced by joining, it can be expanded and contracted in the X direction by the elastic force of the elastic member 45 of the topsheet 2 described later.

Next, the manufacturing process of the absorber 1 described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing the absorbent body 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(Step S1: Production of the absorber 4)
The lower wrap sheet 31 wound around the wrap sheet roll 30 is fed out and transported by the transport roll 32a. The lower wrap sheet 31 can be made of paper, non-woven fabric, or the like, and preferably has water repellency so that the absorbent member containing at least one of pulverized pulp and SAP can absorb body fluid. In this case, a fluorine-based, silicone-based or paraffin-based water repellent may be applied to the lower wrap sheet 31.

In addition, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 100, since the several conveyance roll 32 is used, in order to distinguish these, it adds and demonstrates a code | symbol (alphabet), However, All may use the same conveyance roll, and a magnitude | size or rotation You may use the conveyance roll from which speed differs.

The lower wrap sheet 31 fed from the wrap sheet roll 30 is supplied with an absorbent member including at least one of pulverized pulp and SAP from the absorbent member supply device 33. That is, in this embodiment, the function as a conveyance means which conveys an absorption member is implement | achieved including the conveyance roll 32a which pays out the lower side lap sheet | seat 31. FIG.

The absorbing member supply device 33 has a rotating drum, and a plurality of recesses are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum. An absorbent member including at least one of pulverized pulp and SAP is supplied to the concave portion located in the upper part. The absorbing member moves downward as the rotating drum rotates while being sucked toward the center of the rotating drum. In the recessed part located in the lower part, the suction of the absorbing member is stopped, and the absorbing member is supplied to the surface of the lower wrap sheet 31 from the recessed part.

The upper wrap sheet 35 wound around the wrap sheet roll 34 is fed out and transported by the transport roll 32b. As the upper wrap sheet 35, paper, non-woven fabric, or the like can be used, and it is preferable that the upper wrap sheet 35 has hydrophilicity so that body fluid can be easily guided to the absorbing portion. In this case, a hydrophilic treatment such as adding a hydrophilic agent to the upper wrap sheet 35 may be performed.

The upper lap sheet 35 fed out from the wrap sheet roll 34 is coated with an adhesive by an adhesive application device 36a. In the present embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is used as an adhesive, but other adhesives may be used.

The adhesive application device 36a has a plurality of nozzles and applies the hot melt adhesive in the form of a mist to the upper wrap sheet 35. In FIG. 4, one adhesive application device 36a is shown, but the number can be set as appropriate (the same applies to the other adhesive application devices 36).

In addition, since a plurality of adhesive application devices 36 are used in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, a description is given by adding a reference numeral (alphabet) to distinguish them, but the same adhesive application device 36 may be used for all. Alternatively, an adhesive application device 36 with different application amount, application temperature, viscosity, and the like may be used. Further, whether the adhesive applicator 36 is disposed on the upper side or the lateral side with respect to the application target can be appropriately set / changed.

An absorbent member is disposed between the lower wrap sheet 31 and the upper wrap sheet 35, and the absorbent member is covered with these wrap sheets. The upper wrap sheet 35 may be omitted, and the lower wrap sheet 31 may be used to wrap the absorbent member.

In addition, in the absorber manufacturing apparatus 100, although it is supposed that the one absorption member supply apparatus 33 is provided, it is made to provide the two absorption member supply apparatuses 33, and you may laminate | stack two absorption members. In this case, the size of each layer may be the same size, and the size of the layer located on the skin surface side (layer on the skin surface side) when the absorbent body 1 is attached is larger than the size of the layer on the non-skin surface side. It may be small.

In the latter case, when the absorption part 4 is for men, the center of the skin-side layer is shifted from the center of the non-skin-side layer so that it matches the position of the urethral orifice when the absorber 1 is worn. do it. On the other hand, when the absorption part 4 is for women, the center of the skin-side layer is overlapped with the center of the non-skin-side layer or shifted from the center so as to match the position of the urethral orifice when the absorber 1 is mounted. What should I do?

The absorbent member covered with the lower wrap sheet 31 and the upper wrap sheet 35 is pressed and integrated by an embossing device 37a having a pair of rolls, and is thinned. The embossing device 37a has a roll on which an embossing pattern is formed.

As the embossing pattern, a plurality of annular convex portions orthogonal to the rotation axis of the embossing roll are provided on the peripheral surface of the embossing roll along the rotation axis, and a plurality of linear shapes parallel to the rotation axis of the embossing roll Various patterns such as a pattern in which the convex portion is provided on the circumferential surface of the embossing roll along the circumferential direction of the embossing roll, and a wave pattern can be appropriately employed.

Further, an embossed pattern may be formed on either of the pair of rolls, or an embossed pattern may be formed only on one roll, and the other roll may be a flat roll. Further, any of the pair of rolls may be a flat roll. Further, a heating device for heating the pair of rolls of the embossing device 37a to 35 ° C. to 80 ° C. may be provided. In the present embodiment, the pair of rolls of the embossing device 37a are, for example, metal rolls made of iron or stainless steel in order to reduce the thickness of the absorption unit 4.

By the pressing of the embossing device 37a, the thickness of the absorbing portion 4 is reduced to about 1/2 to 1/3 of that before pressing.

In the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, since a plurality of embossing devices 37 are used, a description will be given by adding symbols (alphabet) to distinguish them, but all may be the same embossing device 37, and the embossing pattern and size may be the same. The embossing device 37 made of different materials may be used.

Although the absorber 4 is reduced in thickness by the pressing of the embossing device 37a, the softness of the pulverized pulp, the lower wrap sheet 31, the upper wrap sheet 35, etc. is lost. Therefore, a process of softening the thinned absorption part 4 is performed.

The first softening device 38 has a pair of rolls having different rigidity and a heating device for heating one of the pair of rolls. The 1st softening apparatus 38 presses the absorption part 4 by passing the absorption part 4 between a pair of rolls from which rigidity differs mutually. In addition, the 1st softening apparatus 38 presses not only the absorption part 4 but an absorption member at least. In the present embodiment, one roll (for example, a roll positioned above) is a roll (hereinafter referred to as “low-rigidity roll”) having a lower rigidity than the other roll (for example, a roll positioned below). In other words, the other roll is a roll having higher rigidity than the one roll (hereinafter referred to as “high rigidity roll”).

The low-rigidity roll is a roll made of various polymer materials such as rubber, natural resin, synthetic resin, thermoplastic resin (plastic), and thermosetting resin. The low-rigidity roll may be a roll made of metal, or a roll made of a polymer material and provided with a skin such as a horse, sheep, or cow.

The high-rigidity roll is a roll made of a metal having high rigidity such as iron (including iron-based) and stainless steel.

In addition, when a high-rigidity metal material such as iron or stainless steel is used as the high-rigidity roll, a metal material such as aluminum or copper having a lower rigidity than iron or stainless steel may be used as the low-rigidity roll. Moreover, you may provide an embossing pattern in a highly rigid roll and can use various patterns suitably as an embossing pattern.

The heating device in the first softening device 38 heats the high-rigidity roll so that the surface temperature becomes, for example, about 70 ° C. to 200 ° C.

The applicant of the present application conducted an experiment to measure the flexibility of the absorbing portion 4, but did not give heat to the absorbing portion 4 partially, but gave heat to the absorbing portion 4 almost uniformly, thereby absorbing the absorbing portion 4. Found overall flexibility.

Furthermore, the applicant of the present application has found that the flexibility of the absorbing portion 4 is hindered when the pair of rolls have the same rigidity. For this reason, in this embodiment, by using a pair of members having low rigidity on one side and high rigidity on the other side, elastic deformation of the member having low rigidity (the high rigidity roll and the low rigidity roll are indirectly connected via the absorbing portion 4). The pressure acting on the absorbing portion 4 is released by the elastic deformation of the low-rigid roll in the case of mechanical contact. As a result, heat is applied almost uniformly to the absorbing portion 4 and the pressure acting on the absorbing portion 4 is suppressed to make the absorbing portion 4 flexible. Thereby, the softness | flexibility obtained by having squeezed the absorption part 4 by hand can be given.

The reason why the high-rigidity roll is heated is that the high-rigidity roll is made of a metal material and the metal material can be heated to a high temperature. Moreover, you may heat not only a high-rigidity roll but a low-rigidity roll. At this time, the low-rigidity roll is preferably heated to 40 ° C. to 70 ° C., which is a surface temperature lower than that of the high-rigidity roll.

Although the first softening device 38 has been described as having a pair of rolls, a plurality of pairs of rolls may be provided. Thereby, the absorption part 4 can be made more flexible.

Similar to the first softening device 38, the second softening device 39 includes a pair of rolls (high-rigidity roll and low-rigidity roll) having different rigidity and a heating device that heats at least the high-rigidity roll of the pair of rolls. And have. The difference between the second softening device 39 and the first softening device 38 is that the arrangement positions of the high-rigidity roll and the low-rigidity roll are switched. Specifically, in the first softening device 38, a low-rigidity roll is disposed above and a high-rigidity roll is disposed below, whereas in the second softening device 39, a high-rigidity roll is disposed below. A low stiffness roll is placed. The 2nd softening apparatus 39 presses the absorption part 4 by passing the absorption part 4 between a pair of rolls from which rigidity differs mutually. In addition, the 2nd softening apparatus 39 presses not only the absorption part 4 but an absorption member at least.

Thus, the upper surface (upper wrap sheet 35 side) of the absorbing portion 4 and the placement position of the low-rigidity roll and the high-rigidity roll are interchanged between the first softening device 38 and the second softening device 39. Both the lower surface (lower wrap sheet 31 side) is heated by the high-rigidity roll, and gives flexibility to the absorption part 4 by the elastic deformation of the low-rigidity roll in contact with the low-rigidity roll. be able to. Note that the second softening device 39 may be omitted when the manufacturing cost of the absorbent unit 4 is reduced or the required degree of flexibility of the absorbent unit 4 is not high.

In addition, it is good also as an incontinence pad which abbreviate | omits SAP of the absorption part 4, makes the lower side wrap sheet 31 and the upper side wrap sheet 35 water-disintegratable, and can let the absorption part 4 flow to a toilet.

The back sheet 3 wound around the film roll 40 is unwound from the film roll 40 and conveyed.

The hot melt adhesive is applied to the back sheet 3 fed from the film roll 40 by the adhesive application device 36b. The back sheet 3 to which the hot melt adhesive is applied is laminated with the absorbing portion 4 and pressed by the pressing device 41 a to be joined to the absorbing portion 4.

Since a plurality of pressing devices 41 are used in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, a description will be given by adding symbols (alphabet letters) for distinguishing these, but all may be the same pressing device 41, and the pressing devices 41 having different pressing forces. But you can.

(Step S2: Production of surface sheet 2)
The top sheet 2 includes a first fiber sheet 42, a second fiber sheet 43, and an elastic member 45 provided between the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43, and a laminated sheet 46 (FIG. 9, 10).

In the present embodiment, the laminated sheet 46 has a two-layer structure including the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43, but may have a three-layer structure in which a third fiber sheet is added to the two-layer structure. .

The second fiber sheet 43 wound around the fiber sheet roll 47 is fed out and conveyed. The second fiber sheet 43 is embossed by the embossing device 37b and softened.

In addition, the 2nd fiber sheet 43 can use the material which uses a pulp as a main raw material in this embodiment. Wood pulp, synthetic pulp, waste paper pulp, etc. can be used as the raw material pulp. Moreover, it is not restricted to natural fibers such as pulp, and regenerated fibers such as rayon can also be used. The basis weight of the second fiber sheet 43 is preferably 10 to 50 g / m ² as an example.

The elastic member 45 wound around the elastic roll 49 is fed out from the elastic roll 49. In order to simplify the drawing, only one elastic roll 49 is shown, but a plurality of elastic rolls 49 are arranged according to the number of elastic members 45 to be used.

The adhesive 57 (see FIG. 10) is applied to the peripheral surface of the elastic member 45 fed from the elastic roll 49 by the adhesive application device 36d. As the adhesive application device 36d, a comb-type adhesive application device that applies hot melt adhesive to the peripheral surfaces of the plurality of elastic members 45 from a plurality of nozzles arranged in a comb shape may be used.

As the elastic member 45, a linear elastic body 45a having elasticity is used. The elastic member 45 is basically the same as the elastic member 7 used in the gather portion 5. However, the elastic member 45 may have a stronger elastic force than the elastic member 7.

The first fiber sheet 42 wound around the sheet roll 50 is fed out and conveyed by the conveyance roll 32e. The first fiber sheet 42 is a nonwoven fabric, and a two-layer or three-layer spunbond nonwoven fabric can be used. When hydrophilicity is required, for example, a hydrophilic treatment such as adding a hydrophilizing agent to the first fiber sheet 42 may be performed. The basis weight of the first fiber sheet 42 is preferably 10 to 50 g / m ² as an example, and more preferably 10 to 20 g / m ² from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, but is not limited thereto.

The topsheet 2 is not limited to being manufactured in-line with the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, but the topsheet 2 is manufactured in advance, and the topsheet 2 manufactured in advance is attached to a roll member (not shown) to manufacture the absorbent body. You may make it throw into the apparatus 100. FIG.

The pressing device 41c joins them by laminating and pressing the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 through the elastic member 45 having a hot melt adhesive applied to the peripheral surface, The laminated sheet 46 is manufactured.

Here, the residual strain of the elastic member 45 will be described. For example, it is assumed that the dimension required in the most contracted state as the top sheet 2 is 360 mm in the x direction and 100 mm in the y direction. Further, the ratio of the most contracted length (shrinkage rate) to the most extended length of the elastic member 45 is 1/3. At this time, the dimension in the x direction of the top sheet 2 in the most expanded state needs to be 1080 mm obtained by multiplying the dimension in the x direction of the top sheet 2 in the most contracted state by the reciprocal of the contraction rate of the elastic member 45.

However, when the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 are actually joined through the elastic member 45 and then cut, the shrinkage rate may be about 540 mm and ½. This is considered to be due to the effect of residual strain generated during the manufacturing process of the topsheet 2. The residual strain naturally decreases with time, but if the topsheet 2 with the residual strain remaining is used for the absorbent body 1, the absorbent body 1 is deformed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the above-described problem is solved by subjecting the top sheet 2 to heat treatment. The heat treatment of the top sheet 2 will be described below.

(Step S3: Heat treatment of surface sheet 2)
The laminated sheet 46 laminated by the pressing device 41 c is heated by the heating device 51. The heating device 51 is, for example, a non-contact heating device that supplies air of 30 ° C. to 80 ° C.

The laminated sheet 46 that has passed through the heating device 51 is conveyed by the conveying roll 32 f and heated by the heating roll 52. The heating roll 52 is a contact-type heating device having a pair of rolls, and the surface temperature of the roll is heated to about 30 ° C. to 80 ° C., for example. Note that the number and arrangement of the heating rolls 52 may be changed as appropriate.

The topsheet 2 (laminated sheet 46) according to the shrinkage rate due to the restoring force of the elastic member 45 can be manufactured by heating with the heating device 51 and the heating roll 52. Note that one of the heating device 51 and the heating roll 52 may be omitted if the residual strain can be sufficiently removed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the heat processing of the absorption part 4 by the 1st softening apparatus 38 and the 2nd softening apparatus 39 and the heat processing of the surface sheet 2 were set as separate processes. This is because the heat treatment for the absorbing portion 4 is a treatment for giving the absorbing portion 4 flexibility, and the heat treatment for the topsheet 2 is a treatment for improving the residual strain of the elastic member 45. Thus, in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, these may be provided so that the heat treatment of the first softening device 38, the second softening device 39, the heating device 51, and the heating roll 52 is optimized. Any one of the first softening device 38, the second softening device 39, the heating device 51, and the heating roll 52 may be omitted as long as the heating conditions are the same among the heat treatments or the heating conditions can be allowed. The arrangement may be changed. For example, by omitting at least one of the first softening device 38 and the second softening device 39 and providing the heating roll 52 between the transport roll 32i and the pressing device 41f, the absorption section 4 can be provided. This heat treatment and the heat treatment of the topsheet 2 may be shared.

(Step S4: Manufacture of gather part 5)
The water-repellent nonwoven fabric 6 wound around the sheet roll 53 is fed out and conveyed by the conveyance roll 32g. Two water-repellent nonwoven fabrics 6 are wound around the sheet roll 53 at intervals. This is because the two gather parts 5 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are manufactured. By winding two water-repellent nonwoven fabrics 6 on one sheet roll 53, the conveyance timing of the two water-repellent nonwoven fabrics 6 is not shifted, and the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100 can be made compact. It is assumed that the water-repellent nonwoven fabric 6 has been subjected to a water-repellent treatment in advance.

The hot melt adhesive is applied to the elastic member 7 wound around the elastic roll 54 by the adhesive application device 36e. The water-repellent nonwoven fabric 6 and the elastic member 7 coated with the hot melt adhesive are pressed and joined by the pressing device 41d. Thereby, the two gather parts 5 can be manufactured.

(Step S5: Joining of the surface sheet 2 and the gathered portion 5)
The two gather parts 5 are conveyed by the conveyance roll 32h, and a hot melt adhesive is applied by the adhesive application device 36f.

The two gather parts 5 and the top sheet 2 are pressed by the pressing device 41e, and the two gather parts 5 are joined to the top sheet 2. The top sheet 2 to which the two gathers 5 are joined is transported by the transport roll 32i, and the adhesive is applied to the second fiber sheet 43 on the non-skin surface side of the top sheet 2 by the adhesive applicator 36g. . In addition, you may apply | coat an adhesive agent to the upper side lap sheet 35 of the absorption part 4 instead of the 2nd fiber sheet 43. FIG. In the present embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is used as the adhesive, but the present invention is not limited to this.

(Step S6: Joining of Top Sheet 2 and Absorbing Part 4)
The top sheet 2 to which the two gathers 5 are joined has its conveyance speed relaxed, whereby the elastic member 7 and the elastic member 45 are released from the extended state. The two gather parts 5 and the top sheet 2 from which the elastic member 7 and the elastic member 45 are released from the extended state and the absorbent part 4 to which the back sheet 3 is joined are stacked and pressed by the pressing device 41f. Thereby, the absorber 1 is manufactured.

(Step S7: Cutting)
The continuous absorbers 1 are cut by the cutting device 55 to become one absorber 1 at a time.

In addition, you may add the folding process of the absorber 1, a boxing process, etc. after a cutting process. Moreover, you may perform various modifications, such as adding the apparatus which provides a hydrophilic nonwoven fabric as a sublayer to the absorber 1 to the absorber manufacturing apparatus 100. FIG. Moreover, in manufacturing the absorbent part 4 in the absorbent body manufacturing apparatus 100, an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive is applied to the lower wrap sheet 31, and SAP having a high water absorption speed is supplied onto the lower wrap sheet 31. You may make it join to the lap sheet | seat 31. FIG. As a result, the body fluid (urine) discharged at the first time is absorbed by the SAP having a high water absorption speed bonded to the lower wrap sheet 31, and the body fluid (urine) discharged at the second time is absorbed by the SAP and the pulverized pulp having a low water absorption speed. Can be absorbed. If the SAP on the skin surface side swells due to the body fluid (urine) discharged for the first time, the body fluid (urine) discharged for the second time is less likely to enter the non-skin surface side of the absorption unit 4, and the absorption unit Although 4 cannot be used efficiently, this can be avoided.

Note that the flowchart of FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the order of each step may be appropriately changed or may be performed simultaneously depending on the step.

Next, the surface sheet 2 described above will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a view showing the topsheet 2 of one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a view showing the flange portion 60 of the topsheet 2 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a front view shown in FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a sheet 2. FIG.

In FIG. 6, the surface sheet 2 is configured to be long continuously in the x direction, which is the longitudinal direction (first direction). As is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic member 45 is provided along the x direction, and a plurality of elastic members 45 are provided at predetermined intervals in the y direction, which is the short direction (second direction). Since the elastic member 45 expands and contracts in the x direction, it applies an elastic force in the x direction to the top sheet 2. By such a large number of elastic members 45, an uneven surface, that is, a collar portion 60 is formed on the top sheet 2 as shown in FIG. 7.

9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the surface sheet 2 includes a laminated sheet 46 formed by laminating a first fiber sheet 42 that is a breathable sheet and a second fiber sheet 43 that has liquid diffusibility. Is done.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the present embodiment, the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 are joined by an adhesive 57 applied to the peripheral surface of the elastic member 45. For this reason, a non-adhesive part 58 where the adhesive 57 does not exist is formed between the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43, and a space 59 is formed by the non-adhesive part 58. In the present embodiment, since the space 59 is formed by the non-bonding portion 58, each function of moisture transpiration, heat dissipation, and moisture permeability in the topsheet 2 can be improved.

It should be noted that the adhesive 57 is partially (intermittently) applied to at least one of the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 in place of the adhesion via the elastic member 45 or in addition to the adhesion via the elastic member 45. May be applied to join the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 together. Even in this case, since the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 are partially (intermittently) joined, a space 59 is provided between the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43. Can be formed.

In the case where the adhesive is applied partially (intermittently), there are methods of applying in the form of mist, line, dot, stripe, spiral, block, pattern, etc., one of them A method may be used and a plurality of methods may be used in combination.

Also, as the adhesive 57, various adhesives such as a pressure sensitive adhesive and a curable adhesive can be used, and in the present embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is employed. Note that the bonding between the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 is not limited to bonding, and various bonding methods such as ultrasonic bonding and heat sealing may be applied.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, a protrusion 60 a and a recess 60 b are continuously formed between adjacent linear elastic bodies 45 a, so that the collar portion 60 is formed on the entire topsheet 2. Is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the linear elastic body 45 a is arranged in the same direction as the longitudinal direction (the x direction in FIGS. 6 and 7) in the extending direction of the line, and at a predetermined interval in the y direction. Are arranged in parallel to form a linear elastic body row.

The intervals at which the linear elastic bodies 45a are provided in the y direction may be substantially equal. For example, the linear elastic bodies 45a may be densely arranged by shortening the intervals in the peripheral portion of the topsheet 2. Good. Furthermore, the interval may be shortened from the center portion of the topsheet 2 toward the peripheral portion. Instead of this, or in combination with this, the elastic force of the linear elastic body 45a in the peripheral portion of the top sheet 2 is made different from the elastic force of the linear elastic body 45a in the central portion, and the peripheral line The elastic force of the elastic body 45a may be increased.

In the present embodiment, the peripheral portion refers to a region of about 5 to 30% from the positive side end in the y direction toward the central side of the topsheet 2 in FIG. 6, and from the negative side end toward the central side. Further, the region is about 5 to 30%, and the central portion is a region excluding the peripheral portion.

The linear elastic body 45 a is provided between the first fiber sheet 42 and the second fiber sheet 43 as described above. The number of the linear elastic bodies 45a per unit area can be arbitrarily set, but if the number of the linear elastic bodies 45a is increased to reduce the interval between the linear elastic bodies 45a, the adjacent linear elastic bodies 45a can be reduced. The convex part 60a and the concave part 60b in between can be formed in a uniform shape, and the shape can be maintained. Thereby, there is no shape loss of the collar part 60 and the softness | flexibility of the surface sheet 2, moisture transpiration | evaporation property, heat dissipation, and moisture permeability can be increased.

For this purpose, the pitch interval between the convex portions 60a formed between the adjacent linear elastic bodies 45a is preferably 2.00 mm to 7.00 mm. The pitch interval between the convex portions 60a is more preferably 3.00 mm to 6.25 mm.

By narrowing the pitch interval between the convex portions 60a, fine wrinkles can be made, so the appearance is beautiful, and the contact area with the skin per wrinkle is reduced, so that the touch is improved and the surface area is further improved. Increases the absorption of sweat and the like. On the other hand, by widening the pitch interval between the convex portions 60a, the elastic force of the linear elastic body 45a can be moderately suppressed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

6 and 7, the convex portions 60a and the concave portions 60b are shown to be continuously formed. However, the convex portions 60a and the concave portions 60b may be discontinuous depending on the number of the linear elastic bodies 45a and the arrangement method. , And shift in the x direction. However, when the convex portion 60a and / or the concave portion 60b are formed so as to be shifted in the x direction, for example, body fluid such as urine is less likely to travel in the y direction in FIG. 1 and can contribute to prevention of side leakage.

Since the top sheet 2 (also referred to as the laminated sheet 46) has a long dimension, cutting is performed to make the length dimension of the laminated sheet 46 in the longitudinal direction (the x direction in FIGS. 6 and 7) a predetermined length. Is called. In this cutting, the first fiber sheet 42, the second fiber sheet 43, and the elastic member 45 are cut. Due to the cutting of the elastic member 45, the elastic member 45 in the pulled state is released from the pulling force and contracted by the restoring force. Due to the shrinkage stress at this time, the topsheet 2 (laminated sheet 46) composed of the first fiber sheet 42, the second fiber sheet 43, and the like receives a force in a direction in which the length becomes shorter. 46), an uneven surface, that is, a flange 60 is formed. In this way, the top sheet 2 having the flange portion 60 is manufactured.

Here, the surface sheet 2 is in a contracted state due to the restoring force of the elastic member 45, that is, in a non-tensile state, and a direction (y direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the elastic member 45 in the non-tensile state. ) Are formed, and the ridges are patterned on the laminated sheet 46.

The elastic force is applied to the laminated sheet 46 by the elastic member 45 disposed inside the laminated sheet 46. Therefore, when the surface sheet 2 constituted by the laminated sheet 46 is pulled in the x direction in FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic member 45 extends and the surface sheet 2 also expands and spreads.

Further, when this state is released, the elastic member 45 contracts due to its restoring force, and thereby the top sheet 2 also returns to the original state. Thus, since the surface sheet 2 has elasticity, it has excellent fit to the body.

Further, the surface sheet 2 has a large surface area because the dimension as the surface sheet 2 is determined by the dimension contracted by the restoring force of the elastic member 45. For this reason, since the surface area for absorbing a bodily fluid is large, more bodily fluids can be drawn into the absorption part 4.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the disposable pants 70 to which the absorber 1 is attached are worn. Although not shown in FIG. 11, for example, an adhesive tape is provided on the non-skin side opposite to the skin side of the absorbent body 1 (for example, two places), and the absorbent body 1 is disposable. The pants 70 can be attached and detached.

The disposable pants 70 have an exterior sheet 71 and a body mounting portion 72. The exterior sheet 71 is a laminated sheet in which a third fiber sheet is laminated on the laminated sheet 46. Specifically, the exterior sheet 71 is laminated | stacked in order of the 1st fiber sheet 42, the elastic member 45, the 2nd fiber sheet 43, and the 3rd fiber sheet from the side which touches a user's skin. In addition, the 1st fiber sheet 42 and the 3rd fiber sheet use the water-repellent nonwoven fabric, and water-repellent agents, such as a fluorine type, a silicone type, or a paraffin type, are apply | coated.

The body mounting portion 72 is formed by bending the exterior sheet 71 and is mounted around the user's waist. For this reason, the elastic member 45 (linear elastic body 45a) is densely arranged compared to the other parts, and the elastic force acting on the waist of the user is stronger than the other parts. When the pants 70 are attached, the disposable pants 70 are less likely to shift downward. In addition, you may make it form the trunk | drum mounting part 72, without bending the exterior sheet | seat 71. FIG.

The elastic member 45 is provided so as to expand and contract in the horizontal direction in FIG. 11, but may be arranged to expand and contract in the vertical direction in FIG. 11. The elastic member 45 expands and contracts along the longitudinal direction as described above.

Further, as is apparent from FIG. 11, the disposable pants 70 have a pattern. This pattern is printed on the second fiber sheet 43 and may be appropriately printed using a printing method such as gravure printing or flexographic printing. In this case, the surface of the printing layer of the second fiber sheet 43 may be subjected to a color fading prevention process, for example, by performing a varnishing process or adding a binder. Examples of the binder include known materials such as PVA, CMC, EVA, acrylic, and lacquer. Ink that has been subjected to color fading prevention treatment can also be used.

Since the absorber 1 is thinned as described above, even when the absorber 1 is attached to the disposable pants 70, it is difficult to understand that the absorber 1 is attached from the outside (others). . Moreover, since the exterior sheet | seat 71 fits according to a user's body shape with the elastic member 45, the disposable pants 70 with comfortable wearing can be implement | achieved.

Since the disposable pants 70 can withstand several washings, if the absorbent body 1 is replaced, it can be used for a certain period of time and is economical. The disposable pants 70 can be used regardless of age, sex, and body shape (for children, men, women, etc.), and can also be applied to animals such as pets.

As mentioned above, although this embodiment was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not restricted to this, Various changes and an appropriate combination are possible.

1: Absorber 2: Top sheet 4: Absorber 36: Adhesive application device 37: Embossing device 38: First softening device 39: Second softening device 42: First fiber sheet 43: Second fiber sheet 45: Elastic member 46: laminated sheet 51: heating device 60: buttocks 70: disposable pants

Claims

Conveying means for conveying an absorbent member containing at least one of a superabsorbent resin and pulverized pulp;
A first softening means that has a pair of rolls having different rigidity from each other and presses the absorbing member conveyed by the conveying means between the pair of rolls;
An apparatus for manufacturing disposable articles comprising:
The first softening means has a low-rigidity roll whose one roll is less rigid than the other roll, and the other roll has a high-rigidity roll whose rigidity is higher than that of the one roll,
The low-rigidity roll is made of a polymer material,
The high-rigidity roll is made of a metal material.
The apparatus for manufacturing a disposable article according to claim 1.
Of the low-rigidity roll and the high-rigidity roll, comprising heating means for heating at least the high-rigidity roll,
The apparatus for manufacturing a disposable article according to claim 2.
Having a pair of rolls having different rigidity from each other, and comprising a second softening means for passing and pressing the absorbing member conveyed by the conveying means between the pair of rolls;
The apparatus for manufacturing a disposable article according to claim 1.
The first softening means has a first low-rigidity roll, one of which is less rigid than the other, and a first high-rigidity roll, the other being more rigid than the other,
The second softening means has a second low-rigidity roll, one of which is less rigid than the other, and a second high-rigidity roll, the other being more rigid than the other,
The first low-rigidity roll so that the second high-rigidity roll of the second softening means presses the surface opposite to the surface of the absorbing member pressed by the first high-rigidity roll of the first softening means. The first high-rigidity roll, the second low-rigidity roll, and the second high-rigidity roll are disposed.
The manufacturing apparatus of the disposable article of Claim 4.
Heating means for heating at least the first high rigidity roll and the second high rigidity roll among the first low rigidity roll, the first high rigidity roll, the second low rigidity roll, and the second high rigidity roll. Have
The manufacturing apparatus of the disposable article of Claim 5.
Disposing the absorbing member on a conveying means for conveying an absorbing member containing at least one of a superabsorbent resin and pulverized pulp; and
Passing the absorbing member disposed in the conveying means between a pair of rolls having different rigidity and pressing the absorbing member;
A method for producing a disposable article comprising: