WO2018154682A1

WO2018154682A1 - Method and device for producing sheet-like member for absorbent article

Info

Publication number: WO2018154682A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/006891
Authority: WO
Inventors: 二宮　彰秀; 正治冨岡
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2017-02-23
Filing date: 2017-02-23
Publication date: 2018-08-30
Also published as: JPWO2018154682A1; JP6830910B2

Abstract

This method for producing a sheet-like member for an absorbent article comprises: a step in which a continuous body 35a of an elastic member is fed out by over-end unwinding; an arrangement step in which the continuous body 35a of the elastic member is arranged in an extended state between facing surfaces of continuous bodies of a sheet-like member facing each other along a conveyance direction; a joining section formation step in which joining sections j for joining the facing surfaces to each other are formed; and a cutting step in which the continuous bodies of the sheet-like member and the continuous body 35a of the elastic member are cut to generate a sheet-like member and an elastic member 35. The cross-sectional shape of the continuous body 35a of the elastic member has a longitudinal direction. In the arrangement step, the continuous body 35a is brought into contact with the facing surfaces while the orientation of the continuous body 35a is changed so that the lengths of traverse sections 35ay become longer than the lengths of raised sections 35ak. In the joining section formation step, the abovementioned orientation is maintained while forming the joining sections j on both sides of the continuous body 35a in a CD direction. The elastic member 35 expands in the CD direction and is sandwiched in the CD direction by the joining sections j, j and attached to the sheet-like member after the cutting step.

Description

Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for sheet-like member according to absorbent article

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member and an apparatus for manufacturing absorbent articles such as disposable diapers.

Conventionally, there is a disposable diaper as an example of an absorbent article that absorbs excrement such as urine. And in manufacture of this diaper, the sheet-like member to which the elastic member was attached with adhesives, such as a hot-melt-adhesive, and the elasticity was provided is used.

However, when an elastic member is attached with an adhesive, the elasticity of the elastic member, that is, the elasticity of the elastic member is hindered due to the hardening of the adhesive existing on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member, or the flexibility of the sheet-like member is hindered. There is a risk. Therefore, recently, it has been studied to attach an elastic member to a sheet-like member without using an adhesive, and as an example of the method, Patent Document 1 discloses the following method.

Special table 2001-504899

First, as shown in the schematic plan view of FIG. 1A, in a continuous body 31a ′ of sheet-like members continuous in the transport direction, a continuous body 35a ′ of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces facing each other. Is inserted in a state of being extended in the transport direction.

Next, a plurality of joint portions j ′ for joining a pair of opposing surfaces are formed at intervals in the transport direction. At this time, the joint portions j ′ are continuously formed in the CD direction intersecting the transport direction. It forms in the position of the both sides of body 35a ', respectively.

Then, by cutting the continuous member 31a ′ of the sheet-like member at the cutting target position PC ′ in the conveying direction in the continuous member 31a ′, a single sheet shape having the elastic member 35 ′ attached thereto as shown in FIG. 1B. Sheet-like member 31 'is generated. That is, on the basis of this cutting, the cut elastic member 35 'is contracted in the transport direction and tries to expand in the CD direction. Here, the expansion of the elastic member 35' in the CD direction is caused on both sides of the CD direction. Therefore, the elastic member 35 'is substantially clamped in the CD direction at the joints j' and j '. As a result, the elastic member 35 ′ is attached to the sheet-like member 31 ′.

However, the elastic member 35 'is attached to the sheet-like member 31' based substantially only on the clamping pressure between the joint portions j 'and j' as described above. Therefore, when the elastic member 35 ′ is extended again after the sheet-like member 31 ′ is re-extended or the like, the above-mentioned clamping force acting on the elastic member 35 ′ becomes small and the joint portions j ′ and j The “from elastic member 35” can slide in the expansion and contraction direction. Then, if the stretched state is relaxed again in that state, the elastic member is reattached by the clamping pressure of the joints j ′ and j ′ in the slipped position, and as a result, the sheet-like member 31 ′ There is a possibility that the stretchability may change from a substantially uniform proper state over the entire length in the stretch direction to an inappropriate state in which stretchability is partially biased. For example, the stretchability of the sheet-like member 31 ′ is uniform over the entire length of the sheet-like member 31 ′, such that a certain portion of the sheet-like member 31 ′ has a large stretchability in the stretchable direction but a certain portion has a small stretchability. There is a risk that it cannot be granted.

On the other hand, the shape of the elastic member continuous body 35a 'in the cross section orthogonal to the conveying direction may not be a perfect circle but may have a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 1C. Therefore, in this case, the elastic member continuum 35a ′ is not oriented in the direction perpendicular to the CD direction as shown in FIG. 1D, but in the CD direction as shown in FIG. 1E. If the attitude | position of (2) is changed, the clamping pressure of junction part j 'and j' can be strengthened, As a result, it is thought that said slip can be suppressed.

The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and an object thereof is to suppress the elastic member from sliding from the joint portion of the sheet-like member.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, A method of manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the transport direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
By pulling the continuum of the elastic member in the axial direction of the material coil from the non-rotating material coil formed by winding the continuum of the elastic member around the axis, the continuum of the elastic member is moved in the transport direction. A feeding process to be
An arrangement step of arranging a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming step of forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of facing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction; and
The sheet-like member and the elastic member are generated by cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut after the arranging step and the joining portion forming step. A cutting step,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section orthogonal to the transport direction is a shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Yes,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
In the arranging step, the elastic members are continuously arranged so that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, contact the continuous body of the elastic member to the one opposing surface,
In the joining part forming step, the continuous member of the elastic member is maintained in a state of being extended in the transporting direction, and the joining part is intersected with the transporting direction while maintaining the changed posture in the arranging step. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
After the cutting step, the elastic member expanded in the CD direction while contracting in the transport direction is clamped in the CD direction at the joints on both sides and attached to the sheet-like member. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning an absorptive article characterized by this.
Also,
After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, An apparatus for manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the conveyance direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
The elastic member continuum is pulled in the axial direction of the material coil from a non-rotating material coil in which the elastic member continuum is wound around an axis, thereby transporting the elastic member continuum. A feeding device that feeds in a direction,
An arrangement device that arranges a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in an extended state in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming apparatus for forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of opposing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction;
By cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut at a position downstream of the arrangement device and the joint forming device in the transport direction, the sheet shape A cutting device for generating a member and the elastic member,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction has a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
The arrangement device is configured such that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, placing the continuous body of the elastic member on the one opposing surface,
The joining part forming device maintains the continuum of the elastic members in a state of being extended in the transport direction, and maintains the post-change posture in the placement process, while intersecting the joint part with the transport direction. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
On the downstream side of the cutting process with respect to the cutting direction, the elastic member that contracts in the transport direction and expands in the CD direction is clamped in the CD direction between the joints on both sides and is in the sheet shape. It is the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by being attached to the member.
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the elastic member from slipping from the joint portion of the sheet-like member.

It is explanatory drawing of the method of attaching elastic member 35 'to sheet-like member 31', without using an adhesive agent. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of an example in which the shape in the cross section orthogonal to the conveyance direction of continuous body 35a 'of an elastic member has a longitudinal direction. It is explanatory drawing of the example with an unpreferable attitude | position of the continuous body 35a 'of an elastic member. It is explanatory drawing of the preferable example of the same attitude | position. It is a schematic perspective view of the 3 piece type diaper 1 as an example of an absorbent article. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the diaper 1 of the unfolding state from the wearer's skin side. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa and a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb in FIG. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the ventral side belt member 31 of the unfolded state from the non-skin side. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of the attaching function of the rubber thread 35 (45) played by the welded portion j. It is a schematic plan view which shows a mode that the diaper 1 is manufactured in a manufacturing line in a partial perspective view. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are a schematic enlarged view of the A part, a schematic enlarged view of the B part, and a schematic enlarged view of the C part in FIG. 7, respectively. It is explanatory drawing of the process performed by 1st process position PK1, Comprising: It is the schematic side view which looked at the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 grade | etc., Which makes the main apparatus of the process from the CD direction. FIG. 9B is a schematic enlarged view taken along the line BB in FIG. 9A. It is a schematic perspective view of the overend unwinding type feeding device 53UW. FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram when the shape of the thread rubber continuous body 35a in a cross section orthogonal to the conveying direction is a regular circle, and FIG. 11B is an example of a shape in which the cross section has a longitudinal direction. It is explanatory drawing of. FIG. 12A is an explanatory view of the definition of the upright portion 35ak in the continuous body 35a of the rubber thread, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory view of the definition of the lying portion 35ay in the continuous body 35a. It is a schematic plan view for demonstrating the twisted part 35an in the continuous body 35a of a rubber thread. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of an example in which the twisted portion 35an of the first thread rubber continuous body 35a1 and the twisted portion 35an of the second thread rubber continuous body 35a2 do not overlap in the transport direction. It is a schematic plan view of an example in which the length in the conveyance direction of the twisted portion 35an is larger than the formation pitch Pj in the conveyance direction of the welded portion j. It is explanatory drawing of the preferable positional relationship of the twisted part 35an and the side seal part SS.

At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.
After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, A method of manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the transport direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
By pulling the continuum of the elastic member in the axial direction of the material coil from the non-rotating material coil formed by winding the continuum of the elastic member around the axis, the continuum of the elastic member is moved in the transport direction. A feeding process to be
An arrangement step of arranging a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming step of forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of facing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction; and
The sheet-like member and the elastic member are generated by cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut after the arranging step and the joining portion forming step. A cutting step,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section orthogonal to the transport direction is a shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Yes,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
In the arranging step, the elastic members are continuously arranged so that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, contact the continuous body of the elastic member to the one opposing surface,
In the joining part forming step, the continuous member of the elastic member is maintained in a state of being extended in the transporting direction, and the joining part is intersected with the transporting direction while maintaining the changed posture in the arranging step. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
After the cutting step, the elastic member expanded in the CD direction while contracting in the transport direction is clamped in the CD direction at the joints on both sides and attached to the sheet-like member. It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning an absorptive article characterized by this.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, it is possible to suppress the elastic member from slipping from the joint portion of the sheet-like member. Details are as follows. First, the longitudinal direction of the shape of the lying portion in the cross section is generally in the CD direction. Further, in the arranging step, the posture of the continuum of elastic members is changed so that the length occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length occupied by the standing portion in the unit length in the transport direction. After the cutting step, the elastic member is sandwiched between the joints from the CD direction. At this time, the lying portion is secured long in the transport direction as described above. Therefore, there is a high probability that the joints lay down the elastic member between the lying portions, whereby the joints can strongly squeeze the elastic member. As a result, the elastic member can be prevented from slipping from the joint.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
The continuous body of the sheet-like member has a first continuous sheet continuous in the transport direction and a second continuous sheet continuous in the transport direction,
As the pair of opposed surfaces, one surface of the first continuous sheet and one surface of the second continuous sheet are opposed to each other,
In the arrangement step, the first continuous sheet is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roll rotating along the transport direction and transported, and the elastic member continuous body is within a range where the first continuous sheet is wound. Is in contact with the one surface of the first continuous sheet, the continuum of the elastic member is also wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roll and conveyed.
In the arrangement step, the first continuous sheet is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a roll that rotates along the conveyance direction and conveyed, and the continuous member of the elastic member is interposed between the roll and the first continuous sheet. It is preferable that the posture of the continuous member of the elastic member is changed by being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the elastic member and conveyed.

According to such a method for manufacturing a sheet-like member related to an absorbent article, the continuum of elastic members is wound around the roll so that the posture of the continuum is ensured so that the lying portion is elongated in the conveying direction. It can be changed.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
When a continuum of one elastic member among the continuum of the plurality of elastic members is a continuum of first elastic members, and a continuum of the other elastic member is a continuum of second elastic members. ,
Among the plurality of twisted portions of the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the first elastic member, and the first elasticity among the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the second elastic member. The posture of the continuum of the first elastic member and the posture of the continuum of the second elastic member so that the twisted portion closest to the twisted portion of the continuum of members does not overlap in the transport direction. It is desirable to be changed.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, after the cutting step, the first elastic member and the second elastic member slip from the corresponding joint portions at the same position in the transport direction. It is possible to suppress the problem of end. Details are as follows. First, the twisted portion is formed by twisting a plurality of upright portions and short horizontal portions, so that the longitudinal direction of the shape in the cross section changes according to the position in the transport direction. Therefore, the twisted portion is not such that the longitudinal direction is substantially directed to the CD direction in a long range in the transport direction. Therefore, the twisted portion is a portion in which the clamping pressure in the CD direction between the joints after the cutting process becomes unstable, that is, the joints in each of the first elastic member and the second elastic member. It is a part which is slippery in the conveying direction from On the other hand, according to the above manufacturing method, at least one twisted portion of the continuum of the first elastic member does not overlap in the transport direction with the twisted portion of the continuum of the second elastic member closest thereto. To. Therefore, the slippery position can be dispersed in the transport direction between the first elastic member and the second elastic member. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a large stretch bias at a predetermined position in the transport direction.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
When a continuum of one elastic member of the continuum of the plurality of elastic members is a continuum of the first elastic member, and a continuum of the other elastic member is a continuum of the second elastic member,
The at least one twisted portion of the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the first elastic member is related to the position in the transport direction on the long horizontal portion of the continuous body of the second elastic member. It is desirable that the posture of the continuous body of the first elastic member and the posture of the continuous body of the second elastic member are changed so as to be included.

According to the method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article, at least one twisted portion of the continuous body of the first elastic member is positioned in the conveying direction on the lying portion of the continuous body of the second elastic member. To be included. Therefore, in the first elastic member, it is possible to position a portion that is slippery from the joints in the transport direction, and in the second elastic member, a portion that is difficult to slip from the joints. And thereby, the position which is easy to slip can be disperse | distributed to a conveyance direction between a 1st elastic member and a 2nd elastic member.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
The joining portion is formed at a predetermined formation pitch in the transport direction in a predetermined range of the transport direction including at least the cutting target position,
The length of the twisted portion in the transport direction is preferably larger than the formation pitch of the joints.

According to the method of manufacturing a sheet-like member related to such an absorbent article, the length of the twisted portion is made larger than the formation pitch of the joint portion. Therefore, such a twisted portion is attached based on at least two joint portions in the transport direction. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for the problem that the clamping pressure between the joints is weakened in the twisted part by increasing the number of joints, and thereby the elastic member can be seated relatively stably even in the twisted part. It can be attached to the shaped member.

A method for producing a sheet-like member according to such an absorbent article,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
The absorbent article is a state in which the elastic member is attached and the sheet-like member and the second sheet-like member, which have been provided with lateral stretchability, are overlapped in the thickness direction intersecting the lateral direction. A side seal portion to be welded at each end in the lateral direction;
The transport direction is along the lateral direction,
An overlaying step of superimposing the continuous body of the second sheet-shaped member continuous in the transport direction on the continuous body of the sheet-shaped member in which the joint portion is formed;
The cutting target position set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction with the side seal portion that welds the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the second sheet-like member overlapped in the thickness direction. A side seal portion forming step formed on both sides of
When viewed from the thickness direction, the joint portion is provided with respect to the twisted portion of the continuous body of at least one elastic member among the continuous body of the plurality of elastic members, and the twisted shape It is desirable that the side seal portion is provided so as to straddle the portion in the CD direction.

According to the manufacturing method of the sheet-like member relating to such an absorbent article, not only the joint portion is provided to the twisted portion, but also the side seal portion is provided so as to straddle the twisted portion in the CD direction. It is done. Therefore, in addition to the pinching pressure, the twisting portion can be pinched in the CD direction by the side seal portion in addition to the pinching pressure. Thus, the elastic member can be attached to the sheet-like member relatively stably even in such a twisted portion.

Also,
After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, An apparatus for manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the conveyance direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
The elastic member continuum is pulled in the axial direction of the material coil from a non-rotating material coil in which the elastic member continuum is wound around an axis, thereby transporting the elastic member continuum. A feeding device that feeds in a direction,
An arrangement device that arranges a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in an extended state in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming apparatus for forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of opposing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction;
By cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut at a position downstream of the arrangement device and the joint forming device in the transport direction, the sheet shape A cutting device for generating a member and the elastic member,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction has a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
The arrangement device is configured such that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, placing the continuous body of the elastic member on the one opposing surface,
The joining part forming device maintains the continuum of the elastic members in a state of being extended in the transport direction, and maintains the post-change posture in the placement process, while intersecting the joint part with the transport direction. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
On the downstream side of the cutting process with respect to the cutting direction, the elastic member that contracts in the transport direction and expands in the CD direction is clamped in the CD direction between the joints on both sides and is in the sheet shape. It is the manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by being attached to the member.

According to the sheet-like member manufacturing apparatus relating to such an absorbent article, the same effects as those of the manufacturing method described above can be achieved.

=== This Embodiment ===
The manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concern on the absorbent article of this embodiment are used in the manufacturing line of the disposable diaper 1 as an example of an absorbent article, for example. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a three-piece type diaper 1 as an example of the diaper 1.

The diaper 1 has a “longitudinal direction”, a “lateral direction” orthogonal to the vertical direction, and a “front-rear direction” orthogonal to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in a pants-type state before wearing as shown in FIG. Have. And while wearing the diaper 1, the vertical direction often faces the vertical direction. Therefore, hereinafter, the vertical direction is also referred to as “vertical direction”.
In addition, about an up-down direction, the upper side respond | corresponds to a wearer's waistline side, and the lower side respond | corresponds to a wearer's inseam side. Moreover, about the front-back direction, the front side respond | corresponds to a wearer's belly side, and the back side respond | corresponds to a wearer's back side. Furthermore, about the horizontal direction, one side respond | corresponds to a wearer's left side, and the other side respond | corresponds to a wearer's right side.

In the pant-type state of FIG. 2, the diaper 1 is positioned in the longitudinal direction in cooperation with the ventral band member 31 along the lateral direction and the ventral band member 31 while being positioned on the rear side of the ventral band member 31. A back band member 41 along the lateral direction for forming a waistline opening BH on the upper side, and an absorbent main body 10 as a crotch part provided between the abdominal band member 31 and the back side band member 41. Yes. And the absorptive main body 10 protrudes and is located below the abdominal side band member 31 and the back side band member 41 in the vertical direction.
Further, the

lateral end portions

31e, 31e of the ventral side band member 31 and the

lateral end portions

41e, 41e of the corresponding back side band member 41 are joined by a side seal portion SS. As a result, the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41 jointly form the leg openings LH and LH on the lower side and the lateral sides, respectively, together with the absorbent main body 10.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the unfolded diaper 1 as seen from the skin side of the wearer. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVa-IVa in FIG. 3, and is a sectional view taken along the line IVb-IVb in FIG.

Here, the unfolded state means that the ventral belt member 31 and the back belt member 41 are separated by unbonding the aforementioned side seal portions SS that the diaper 1 in the pant-type state of FIG. 2 has on both sides in the lateral direction. And it is the state which developed the diaper 1 on the plane by opening the diaper 1 to the vertical direction.
Moreover, in this unfolded state, the diaper 1 is shown in a virtual state in which each member constituting the diaper 1 has no elasticity. For example, in this example, the diaper 1 is provided with a plurality of

elastic members

17, 18, 35, 45 for the purpose of imparting stretchability to the diaper 1. In this unfolded state, the elastic member 17, The diaper 1 is shown in a virtual state in which there is no stretchability (contraction force) of 18, 35, 45.

In the unfolded state, the diaper 1 has a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and a thickness direction (directions penetrating the paper surface in FIG. 3) as three directions orthogonal to each other. The longitudinal direction is along the above-described longitudinal direction. One side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the ventral side, and the other side corresponds to the back side. Further, the outer side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the upper side in the vertical direction, and the inner side in the longitudinal direction corresponds to the lower side in the vertical direction. Since the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal direction are similar to each other as described above, hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, even in this expanded state, the longitudinal direction may be used instead of the longitudinal direction. . On the other hand, the lateral direction is synonymous with the lateral direction in the above-described pants-type state. Moreover, about the thickness direction, one side respond | corresponds to the skin side which contact | connects a wearer's body, and the other side respond | corresponds to the non-skin side of the opposite side. The thickness direction is along the aforementioned front-rear direction.

In the deployed state of FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is disposed along the lateral direction, and the dorsal band member 41 is laterally spaced from the ventral band member 31 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. Arranged along the direction. And while the absorptive main body 10 is spanned along the longitudinal direction between these ventral | abdominal band members 31 and the back | dorsal band member 41, each edge part 10ea, 10eb of the longitudinal direction of the said absorptive main body 10 is respectively nearest. Are joined and fixed to each of the

band members

31 and 41, and the external shape thereof is substantially H-shaped in plan view. Further, from this state, the diaper 1 is folded in two with the predetermined position CL1 in the longitudinal direction (the central position CL1 of the diaper 1 in the longitudinal direction) in the absorbent main body 10 being opposed to each other in the folded state. When the

end portions

31e and 41e in the lateral direction of the

band members

31 and 41 are joined together by the above-described side seal portion SS, the

band members

31 and 41 are connected in an annular shape, thereby, as shown in FIG. The pants-type diaper 1 is formed with a waist opening BH and a pair of leg openings LH and LH.

The absorptive main body 10 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view in the developed state of FIG. And the longitudinal direction of the absorptive main body 10 is distribute | arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the diaper 1 may be followed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the absorptive main body 10 has the absorber 11, the liquid-permeable top sheet 13 which covers the same absorber 11 from the skin side, and makes the skin side surface of the absorptive main body 10, and the same absorption. A liquid-impermeable back sheet 15 that covers the body 11 from the non-skin side and forms the non-skin side surface of the absorbent main body 10.

The absorbent body 11 has a liquid absorbent absorbent core 11c and a core wrap sheet (not shown) that covers the outer peripheral surface of the core 11c. The absorptive core 11c is a molded body in which a liquid absorptive material such as pulp fiber or superabsorbent polymer is molded into a substantially hourglass shape in plan view as an example of a predetermined shape. The core wrap sheet may be a liquid permeable sheet such as tissue paper or non-woven fabric, but the core wrap sheet may be omitted. Further, the shape of the absorbent core 11c is not limited to the above-mentioned substantially hourglass shape in plan view, but may be other shapes.

The top sheet 13 is a liquid-permeable flexible sheet such as a nonwoven fabric. The back sheet 15 is a liquid-impermeable flexible sheet. And as an example of the back sheet 15, two layers having a liquid-impermeable leak-proof sheet such as a polyethylene film or a polypropylene film and a non-woven exterior sheet bonded to the non-skin side of the leak-proof sheet A laminate sheet 15 having a structure is exemplified.

As shown in FIG. 3, at least the back sheet 15 is a flat sheet that protrudes from the absorbent body 11 in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. And the leg gather LG which each expands-contracts in a longitudinal direction is formed in the part protruded in the horizontal direction. That is, the rubber thread 17 along the longitudinal direction as an elastic member is fixed to the protruding portion in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction, thereby forming a stretchable leg gather LG at the portion. .

Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 and FIG.4, the absorptive main body 10 has the solid gathers LSG and LSG as a leak-proof wall part in each edge part of a horizontal direction in order to prevent a side leak. That is, a configuration in which the rubber thread 18 along the longitudinal direction is attached as an elastic member 18 to the sheet-like portion serving as the three-dimensional gather LSG is provided at each lateral end of the absorbent main body 10. It has been.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view made of two

nonwoven fabrics

32 and 33. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the two

nonwoven fabrics

32, 33 are in a state of being overlapped with each other in the thickness direction, and a pair of facing surfaces facing each other are as shown in FIG. 5 described later. Are welded at a plurality of welds j, j... (Corresponding to joints) discretely arranged in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and the horizontal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the ventral band member 31 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides in the lateral direction from the absorbent main body 10, while the non-skin is formed on the ventral end 10 ea of the absorbent main body 10. It is overlapped and joined from the side.

Further, similarly to the ventral belt member 31, the back belt member 41 is a sheet-like member having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view using two

nonwoven fabrics

42 and 43 as materials. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the two

nonwoven fabrics

42 and 43 are in a state where they are overlapped with each other in the thickness direction, and a pair of opposing surfaces facing each other is the ventral band member 31 of FIG. 5. In the same manner as in, a plurality of welds j, j... (Corresponding to joints) discretely arranged in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) and the horizontal direction are joined. As shown in FIG. 3, the back band member 41 is arranged so as to protrude on both sides in the lateral direction from the absorbent main body 10, while the non-skin is formed on the back end 10 eb of the absorbent main body 10. It is overlapped and joined from the side.

In the following description, the contents common to both the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41 will be described only on the ventral band member 31 on behalf of both, and the dorsal band member 41 will be described as a corresponding member or the like. The symbol is only shown in parentheses.

Further, in this example, a spunbond nonwoven fabric is used for both of the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) related to the ventral belt member 31 (41). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another type of nonwoven fabric such as SMS (spunbond / meltblown / spunbond) nonwoven fabric may be used. In this example, a single fiber of polypropylene (PP), which is a representative example of a thermoplastic resin, is used as a constituent fiber of the nonwoven fabric. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single fiber of other thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE) may be used, or a composite fiber having a sheath core structure such as PE or PP may be used.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the deployed ventral band member 31 as seen from the non-skin side.
As shown in FIG. 5, the side seal portions SS described above are provided at the

end portions

31 e and 31 e (41 e and 41 e) in the lateral direction of the ventral band member 31 (41), respectively. In this example, the side seal portion SS has a plurality of welded portions SSk, SSk,... Having the same shape and arranged in a straight line along the vertical direction. And each welding part SSk welds the nonwoven fabric 33 of the ventral | abdominal band member 31 and the nonwoven fabric 43 of the back | dorsal band member 41, respectively, and is mutually opposed in the two

nonwoven fabrics

32 and 33 which concern on the ventral | abdominal band member 31. The pair of facing surfaces are welded together, and the pair of facing surfaces facing each other in the two

nonwoven fabrics

42 and 43 related to the back band member 41 are also welded.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) related to the ventral belt member 31 (41) have a lateral direction between a pair of opposing surfaces. A plurality of

thread rubbers

35, 35... (45, 45...) As elastic members are inserted side by side in the vertical direction, while the nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43) are based on the aforementioned welded portions j, j. Attached. And thereby, the stretchability of the horizontal direction is provided to the ventral side belt member 31 (41). That is, the above-mentioned welded portions j, j... Have not only the function of joining a pair of opposing surfaces of the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43) but also the two nonwoven fabrics 32, 33 (42, 43). ) Also has a function of attaching the rubber thread 35 (45).

6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the latter function performed by the welded portion j, that is, the attaching function of the thread rubber 35 (45), and are schematic enlarged views of the VI portion in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the welded portions j, j... Are provided for each of the rubber thread 35 (45) arranged along the lateral direction. Further, the welded portions j are formed so as to be paired on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding rubber thread 35, that is, a pair of welded portions j, j arranged on both sides in the longitudinal direction are welded portion pairs jP. I am doing. A plurality of pairs of the welded portion pairs jP are formed side by side in the lateral direction with a gap between the welded portion pairs jP adjacent in the lateral direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pair of welded portions j, j forming the welded portion pair jP are arranged with a distance Dj in the vertical direction. Here, the size of the distance Dj is: It is set to the same dimension as or slightly larger than the vertical dimension D35t (D45t) of the rubber thread 35 (45) in the state of being expanded in the lateral direction to the target value of the expansion ratio. Moreover, in the diaper 1 of the underpants type state of FIG. 2, the rubber thread 35 (45) is relaxed from the extended state of the above-described extension magnification. Therefore, in the same pants-type state, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rubber thread 35 (45) is going to expand in the vertical direction while contracting in the horizontal direction, but here, based on the magnitude relationship of the above dimensions. The longitudinal expansion of the rubber thread 35 (45) is restricted to the pair of welded portions j and j. Thus, the rubber thread 35 (45) is substantially clamped in the longitudinal direction between the welded portions j and j, and as a result, the rubber thread 35 (45) is in the ventral region. It is in the state attached to member 31 (41).

Incidentally, the above-mentioned expansion ratio is a value R (= L1 / L0) indicating how many times the total length L1 of the rubber thread 35 (45) is extended to the total length L0 in a no-load state, which is a natural length. . The target value of the above-described expansion magnification is selected from, for example, 1.5 to 4.0 times. Further, examples of the fineness of the rubber thread 35 (45) include 400 dtex to 1000 dtex.

Such a diaper 1 is manufactured on a manufacturing line. FIG. 7: is a schematic plan view which shows a mode that the diaper 1 is manufactured in the same line in a partial perspective view. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 8C are a schematic enlarged view of part A in FIG. 7, a schematic enlarged view of part B, and a schematic enlarged view of part C, respectively. Incidentally, more correctly, here, in FIG. 8C, the

continuous sheets

42a and 43a related to the dorsal band member 41 should be visible instead of the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a related to the ventral band member 31, but for convenience of explanation. Here, the description will be made assuming that the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a related to the ventral belt member 31 are visible. This also applies to FIGS. 15 and 16 described later.

In the same line, for example, two non-woven fabrics 32 and 33 (corresponding to sheet-like members) related to the ventral belt member 31 are

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (corresponding to a continuous body of sheet-like members) continuous in the conveying direction, respectively. Similarly, the two non-woven fabrics 42 and 43 (corresponding to the sheet-like member) related to the back band member 41 are also

continuous sheets

42a and 43a (in a continuous form of the sheet-like member) that are continuous in the carrying direction, respectively. Equivalent). Each time two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a, 42a, 43a pass through a plurality of processing positions PK1 to PK5 set in the transport direction, the processing corresponding to each processing position PK1, PK2,. Is performed on each of the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a, 42a, 43a.

Here, when the direction orthogonal to both the thickness direction and the conveying direction of the

continuous sheets

32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is defined as “CD direction”, in this example, two continuous sheets each. 32a, 33a, 42a, 43a, that is, the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a related to the ventral band member 31 and the two

continuous sheets

42a, 43a related to the back side band member 41 are conveyed side by side in the CD direction. Has been. However, it is not limited to this.

In this example, as the plurality of machining positions, the first machining position PK1 to the fifth machining position PK5 are set in this order from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. The processing at each processing position PK1, PK2,... Is for the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a related to the ventral band member 31, and for the two

continuous sheets

42a, 43a related to the back side band member 41. And are generally the same as each other.
Therefore, in the following, common contents will be described without distinguishing between the ventral band member 31 and the dorsal band member 41. For example, it will be described simply as “band member 31 (41)” or simply as “two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a (42a, 43a)”. In this case, terms indicating each member such as “

continuous sheets

32a, 33a (42a, 43a)”, “thread rubber 35 (45)”, “continuous body 35a (45a) of thread rubber”, etc. The code immediately after is the code of the member related to the ventral band member 31, and the code in parentheses that follows is the code of the member related to the dorsal band member 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, the conveyance of the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to each band member 31 (41) is performed in a so-called lateral flow form. That is, the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are conveyed in a posture in which the direction corresponding to the lateral direction of the diaper 1 faces the conveying direction. Therefore, in the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a), the boundary position PBL between the

diapers

1 and 1 adjacent in the lateral direction is virtually set at the product pitch P1 in the transport direction. Then, at the fifth processing position PK5 located at the end of the production line, by cutting the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) with the boundary position PBL as the cutting target position PC, Diaper 1 is generated.

In addition, conveyance of the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to each belt member 31 (41) is performed by an appropriate conveyance device (not shown) such as a belt conveyor or a conveyance roller. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are conveyed in the conveying direction by these conveying devices. As an example of the belt conveyor, a normal belt conveyor having an endless belt that circulates as a transport surface, a suction belt conveyor having an adsorption function on the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt, and the like can be given.

In this example, the stretchability of each of the

continuous sheets

32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is very small and negligible compared to the stretchability of the thread rubbers 35, 45. And each

continuous sheet

32a, 33a, 42a, 43a is conveyed in the state stretched | stretched in the conveyance direction from 1st process position PK1 to 5th process position PK5.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing process of the diaper 1 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 7, first, the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) relating to each band member 31 (41) pass through the first processing position PK1. Then, during the passage, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are overlapped in the thickness direction. In addition, when the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) are superposed, the elasticity that is continuous in the transport direction between the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast) facing each other. As a continuum of members, a plurality of

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a,... (45a, 45a,. Equivalent).

The thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a) is disposed on the pair of opposed surfaces 32ast, 33ast (42ast, 43ast) by a downstream nip roll mechanism 54D in FIG. 9A described later, that is, the downstream nip roll mechanism. 54D corresponds to the “placement device” in the claims.

At the same time as or after the overlapping, as shown in FIG. 8B, the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a (42a, 43a) have the aforementioned welded portions j, j. Thus, the pair of facing surfaces 32ast, 33ast (42ast, 43ast) of the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a (42a, 43a) are joined to each other at the welded portions j, j. Equivalent to the forming step).

Here, as described above, in this production line, the horizontal direction of the diaper 1 is along the conveyance direction, and the vertical direction of the diaper 1 is along the CD direction. Therefore, the welded portion j is formed to be paired on both sides in the CD direction of the thread rubber continuous body 35a (45a). That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, a pair of welded portions j, j arranged on both sides in the CD direction of the continuous body 35a (45a) form a welded portion pair jP. A plurality of pairs of the welded part pairs jP are formed side by side in the transport direction with a gap between the welded part pairs jP adjacent in the transport direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the pair of welded portions j, j forming the welded portion pair jP are arranged with an interval Dj in the CD direction. Here, the size of the interval Dj is: The size D35t (D45t) in the CD direction of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) in the state at the first processing position PK1 that is in the state of being expanded in the transport direction up to the target value of the expansion ratio or slightly larger than that. It is a dimension.
Therefore, when the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is cut at the fifth processing position PK5 described later and the stretched state of the thread rubber 35 (45) is relaxed, as shown in FIG. The pair of welded portions j and j are clamped from the CD direction to the thread rubber 35 (45) to be expanded in the CD direction while being contracted, whereby the thread rubber 35 (45) is banded 31 (41). ) Are attached to the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43).

The formation of the welded portion j can be performed using, for example, a heat seal device or an ultrasonic welding device 60 (corresponding to a bonding portion forming device). In this example, the ultrasonic welding device 60 is used. In addition, a heat seal apparatus (not shown) has a pair of roll heated, for example along the conveyance direction. One roll is a heat embossing roll having a convex portion corresponding to each welded portion j on the outer peripheral surface, and the other roll is an anvil roll that receives the convex portion on a smooth outer peripheral surface. Details of the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 will be described later.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, both of the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a related to the ventral belt member 31 and the two

continuous sheets

42a and 43a related to the back belt member 41 pass through the second processing position PK2. To do. Then, during the passage, it is generated in a separate process (not shown) between the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a related to the ventral band member 31 and the two

continuous sheets

42a and 43a related to the back side band member 41. The formed single-sheet absorbent main body 10 is stretched and fixed, thereby forming a substantially ladder-like diaper continuum 1hs in which

diapers

1h, 1h,. The

The absorptive main body 10 can be fixed using, for example, a rotating drum device (not shown). The rotary drum device has, for example, a rotary drum that rotates along the conveying direction, and the rotary drum has a plurality of holding portions that detachably hold the absorbent main body 10 on the outer peripheral surface.

Next, the continuous body 1hs of the substantially ladder-like diaper passes through the third processing position PK3. When passing, the main body 10 is folded in half at a predetermined position CL1 in the CD direction of the absorbent main body 10, whereby two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a and a back side band related to the ventral side band member 31 are obtained. Two

continuous sheets

42a and 43a related to the member 41 are stacked in the thickness direction.

Such folding can be performed using, for example, a bending guide device (not shown). The bending guide device includes, for example, a guide plate and a guide roller disposed at a predetermined position in the transport direction. These guide plates and guide rollers guide the continuous body 1hs so that the continuous body 1hs of the substantially ladder-like diaper passing through the arrangement position thereof is folded in two.

Next, the diaper continuous body 1hsb in the folded state passes through the fourth processing position PK4. And in the case of the passage, the two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a which concern on the abdominal band member 31 and the 2

continuous sheets

42a and 43a which concern on the back | dorsal band member 41 were piled up in the thickness direction. A pair of side seal portions SS, SS are formed by welding at respective positions on both sides of the cutting target position PC, and thereby the diaper continuous body 1hsb is fixed in a folded state. As a result, a continuous body 1s of a pant-type diaper is generated in which a plurality of pant-

type diapers

1, 1,.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8C, the side seal portion SS has a plurality of welded portions SSk, SSk... Aligned in the CD direction (vertical direction). And each welding part SSk welds the continuous sheet | seat 33a of the ventral | abdominal band member 31 and the continuous sheet | seat 43a of the back | dorsal band member 41, respectively, and a pair of opposition of the continuous sheet | seats 32a and 33a of the ventral | abdominal band member 31 respectively. The surfaces 32ast and 33ast are also welded together, and the pair of opposed surfaces 42ast and 43ast of the

continuous sheets

42a and 43a of the back band member 41 are also welded (FIG. 7).

Further, in the example of FIG. 8C, the planar shape of each welded portion SSk is a horizontally long rectangular shape that is longer in the horizontal direction in the CD direction than in the vertical direction as the transport direction. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a parallelogram shape, an oval shape, or other shapes may be used. Moreover, in this example, although the longitudinal direction of each welding part SSk is along the horizontal direction which is a conveyance direction, it is not restricted to this at all. That is, the longitudinal direction of each welded portion SSk may be along the longitudinal direction that is the CD direction, or may face the direction intersecting both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction.

The side seal portion SS can be formed using, for example, a heat seal device (not shown). The heat seal device has a pair of rolls that are heated while rotating in the transport direction, for example. One roll is a heat embossing roll having a convex portion corresponding to each welded portion SSk of the side seal portion SS on the outer peripheral surface, and the other roll is an anvil roll that receives the convex portion on a smooth outer peripheral surface. . In some cases, the side seal portion SS may be formed by a welding apparatus having substantially the same configuration as the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 of FIG. 9A described later.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the continuous body 1s of the pants-type diaper passes through the fifth processing position PK5. And in the case of the passage, the continuous body 1s is cut | disconnected by the said cutting object position PC located between a pair of side seal parts SS and SS (equivalent to a cutting process), and, thereby, the diaper 1 is manufactured. Is done.

At the time of this cutting, each of the two

continuous sheets

32a, 33a (42a, 43a) and the respective

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a (45a, 45a ...) related to the ventral belt member 31 and the back belt member 41. ) Is cut at the cutting target position PC. Then, the thread rubber 35 (45) is attached to the

band members

31 and 41 by the clamping pressure between the pair of welded portions j and j of the welded portion pair jP through the relaxation of the stretched state of the thread rubber 35 (45) caused thereby. However, this is as described in the explanation of the first machining position PK1.

Such cutting can be performed using, for example, a cutter device (not shown). A cutter apparatus has a pair of roll which rotates along a conveyance direction, for example. And one roll is a cutter roll which has a cutter blade in an outer peripheral surface, and the other roll is an anvil roll which receives the said cutter blade in an outer peripheral surface.

Although the respective machining processes performed at the first machining position PK1 to the fifth machining position PK5 have been described above, in the present embodiment, some contrivances are made for the machining processes performed at the first machining position PK1. Further, each processing performed at the second processing position PK2 to the fifth processing position PK5 is generally well known. Therefore, in the following, only the machining process performed at the first machining position PK1 will be described in detail, and each machining process at the second machining position PK2 to the fifth machining position PK5 will not be described in detail.
As described above, the processing at the first processing position PK1 is performed for the

members

32a, 33a, and 35a related to the ventral belt member 31 and for the

members

42a, 43a, and 45a related to the back belt member 41. It is almost the same. Therefore, in the following, only the processing for the

members

32a, 33a, and 35a related to the ventral band member 31 will be described on behalf of both, and the description of the back band member 41 will be omitted. In the following, one continuous sheet 32a and the other continuous sheet 33a among the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a of the ventral belt member 31 are also referred to as “first continuous sheet 32a” and “second continuous sheet 33a”, respectively. To tell.

FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram of the processing performed at the first processing position PK1. That is, it is a schematic side view of the ultrasonic welding device 60 that constitutes the main device of the processing as viewed from the CD direction. FIG. 9B is a schematic enlarged view taken along the line BB in FIG. 9A.

As shown in FIG. 9A, at the first processing position PK1, a transport mechanism 51 that transports the first continuous sheet 32a along the transport direction, and a transport mechanism 52 that transports the second continuous sheet 33a along the transport direction; A transport mechanism 53 that transports the thread rubber continuum 35a along the transport direction is disposed at each position upstream of the ultrasonic welding device 60 in the transport direction.

The conveyance mechanism 51 of the first continuous sheet 32a and the conveyance mechanism 52 of the second continuous sheet 33a both include

conveyance rollers

51R and 52R that rotate around the rotation axis along the CD direction and the

corresponding conveyance rollers

51R and 52R. And a servo motor (not shown) as a drive source for driving and rotating. Thus, the transport roller 51R is driven and rotated along the transport direction to send the first continuous sheet 32a to the ultrasonic welding device 60, and the transport roller 52R is also driven and rotated along the transport direction. The second continuous sheet 33 a is sent to the ultrasonic welding device 60.

On the other hand, the transport mechanism 53 of the thread rubber continuum 35a has a feeding device 53UW that feeds the thread rubber continuum 35a from the material coil 35aC, and the tension value (N) of the fed rubber thread continuum 35a. A tension controller 53TC that adjusts the tension value, and an extension device 54 that extends the thread rubber continuum 35a after adjusting the tension value to a target value of the extension ratio.

As described above, a plurality of

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a,... Are inserted between the first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a in the CD direction. In addition, each thread rubber continuum 35a has different target values of expansion magnification. Therefore, the transport mechanism 53 is provided for each of the

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a,. However, the extension device 54 of the transport mechanism 53 may be shared if the target value of the extension magnification is the same

thread rubber continuum

35a, 35a. Further, the configuration of the transport mechanism 53 is almost the same. Therefore, below, the structure 53UW, 53TC, 54 of one conveyance mechanism 53 is demonstrated as a representative.

As shown in the schematic perspective view of FIG. 10, the feeding device 53UW is an over-end unwinding type feeding device. The material coil 35aC is formed by winding a thread rubber continuum 35a around a cylindrical paper tube 35aCs as a shaft. The paper tube 35aCs is attached to the non-rotating support shaft 53s of the feeding device 53UW so as to be non-rotatable and coaxial with each other, and the thread rubber continuous body 35a is pulled in the axial direction of the material coil 35aC, thereby The thread rubber continuum 35a is fed out from the material coil 35aC through a transport route that passes through the through hole 53Rh of the ring-shaped guide member 53R arranged at a fixed position. As a result, the continuum 35a is conveyed to the tension controller 53TC.

When the thread rubber continuum 35a is fed out, the material coil 35aC does not rotate around the axis as described above. Therefore, if the tip end 35ae of the thread rubber continuum 35a of the succeeding material coil 35aC is connected in advance to the tail end 35ae of the thread rubber continuum 35a of the preceding material coil 35aC being fed, When the continuum 35a of the rubber thread of the material coil 35aC is interrupted, the feeding can be smoothly changed from the preceding material coil 35aC to the succeeding material coil 35aC without stopping the feeding.

Further, when the thread rubber continuum 35a is fed out from the feeding device 53UW, the feeding position PTO (position where the thread rubber continuum 35a is separated from the outer circumferential surface of the material coil 35aC) circulates on the outer circumferential surface of the material coil 35aC. Move in one direction along the direction. Therefore, the thread rubber continuum 35a is twisted by one rotation every time the feeding position PTO goes around the outer peripheral surface with the feeding. This is relevant later.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the tension controller 53TC includes a roller 53TCR around which a thread rubber continuous body 35a conveyed from the upstream in the conveying direction is wound, a tension sensor 53TCS arranged downstream of the roller 53TCR, a computer, and a sequencer And a control unit (not shown). The roller 53TCR is driven to rotate by a servo motor (not shown) as a drive source. Further, the tension sensor 53TCS measures the tension value (N) of the thread rubber continuous body 35a at the measurement target position in the transport direction. Then, the control unit controls the servo motor so that the measured tension value becomes the target value. For example, when the tension value is larger than the target value, the servo motor is controlled so that the rotation speed (rpm) of the roller 53TCR increases, while in the opposite case, the rotation speed of the roller 53TCR decreases. Control the motor. Thereby, the tension value is adjusted to be the target value.

The extension device 54 includes an upstream nip roll mechanism 54U disposed at a predetermined position in the transport direction, and a downstream nip roll mechanism 54D disposed downstream of the upstream nip roll mechanism 54U. Both of the

nip roll mechanisms

54U and 54D have a pair of upper and lower nip rolls 54Ru and 54Rd that are driven to rotate. The pair of nip rolls 54Ru and 54Rd are not shown as a drive source while slightly pinching the thread rubber continuous body 35a. It is driven by a servo motor. Further, the pair of nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd of the upstream nip roll mechanism 54U rotates at a peripheral speed value (mpm) smaller than the peripheral speed value (mpm) of the pair of nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd of the downstream nip roll mechanism 54D. As a result, the rubber thread continuous body 35a is extended. More specifically, the nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd of the former 54U rotate at a peripheral speed value that is a target value of the expansion ratio of the peripheral speed value of the nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd of the latter 54D, and thereby the same rubber thread While the continuous body 35a passes between the

nip roll mechanisms

54U and 54D, the continuous body 35a is extended to the target value.
Further, the peripheral speed values (mpm) of the nip rolls 54Ru and 54Rd of the downstream nip roll mechanism 54D are adjusted so as to be interlocked with the peripheral speed value (mpm) of the anvil roll 61a of the ultrasonic welding apparatus 60. The peripheral speed value is controlled to be substantially the same value. Therefore, the size of the expansion magnification on the anvil roll 61a is maintained at the size of the expansion magnification provided by the expansion device 54.

The ultrasonic welding apparatus 60 includes an anvil roll 61a (corresponding to a roll) that rotates along the conveying direction, and a horn 61h that is disposed at a predetermined position P61h in the rotational direction Dc61a of the anvil roll 61a.

The horn 61h is supported by an appropriate support member 61s so as to be substantially immovable at the predetermined position P61h. Further, the horn 61h has a flat vibration surface 61hs arranged to face the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. And the same surface 61hs vibrates in the direction which expands / contracts the space | interval between the said outer peripheral surfaces 61as. The frequency of vibration is, for example, a predetermined value of 20 kHz to 35 kHz, and the amplitude is, for example, a predetermined value of 1 micron to 30 microns. Therefore, the vibration surface 61hs vibrates ultrasonically, and thereby, the

sheets

32a and 33a passing between the same surface 61hs and the outer peripheral surface 61as are ultrasonically welded. That is, the above-mentioned welded portion j is formed on both

sheets

32a and 33a. Incidentally, the generation of the vibration is performed by inputting an electric signal having the above frequency into a piezo element of a converter (not shown) connected to the horn 61h.

The anvil roll 61a is supported by an appropriate support member (not shown) such as a bearing so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the CD direction. The roll 61a is driven to rotate by being applied with a driving force from a servo motor (not shown) as a driving source. Further, the roll 61a includes a first continuous sheet 32a fed from the above-described transport roller 51R, a second continuous sheet 33a fed from the above-mentioned transport roller 52R, and a downstream nip roll mechanism 54D of the above-described extension device 54. Three members of the thread rubber continuous body 35a to be fed are wound around the outer peripheral surface 61as of the roll 61a with almost no relative slip. Therefore, when the anvil roll 61a is driven to rotate, the three members of the first continuous sheet 32a, the second continuous sheet 33a, and the thread rubber continuum 35a have the same conveyance speed value as the peripheral speed value of the anvil roll 61a. It is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface 61as of the roll 61a. That is, the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a and the thread rubber continuous body 35a are transported along a transport path that is bent along the outer peripheral surface 61as.

Here, the circumferential speed value (mpm) of the conveyance roller 51R of the first continuous sheet 32a and the circumferential speed value (mpm) of the conveyance roller 52R of the second continuous sheet 33a are respectively the circumferential speed values of the anvil roll 61a. It is almost the same value as (mpm). Therefore, the first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a are wound around the anvil roll 61a in a state where the first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a are stretched so as not to be loosened. On the other hand, the peripheral speed value (mpm) of the pair of nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd of the downstream nip roll mechanism 54D of the rubber thread continuous body 35a is substantially the same as the peripheral speed value (mpm) of the anvil roll 61a. At the position of the pair of nip rolls 54Ru, 54Rd, the rubber thread continuous body 35a has already been extended to the target value of the expansion ratio. Therefore, the continuous body 35a is wound around the anvil roll 61a in a state of being extended to the target value, and is conveyed together with the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a by the rotation of the roll 61a.

Further, in this example, the first continuous sheet 32a is wound first, the thread rubber continuous body 35a is wound next, and the second continuous sheet 33a is finally wound around the anvil roll 61a. As a result, the three members are placed in a state in which a thread rubber continuum 35a is interposed between the first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a.

9A and 9B, on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a, a plurality of convex portions 61at, 61at,... Are formed so as to correspond to the joint portions j, j,. . When the first and second

continuous sheets

32a and 33a, into which the thread rubber continuum 35a is inserted, pass through the arrangement position P61h of the horn 61h based on the rotation of the anvil roll 61a, the vibration of the horn 61h. Ultrasonic vibration energy is input to the

sheets

32a and 33a from the surface 61hs. Therefore, the pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast of the

sheets

32a and 33a are partially heated and melted at the position corresponding to the convex portion 61at as shown in FIG. 9B. A pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast of both

sheets

32a and 33a are joined to each other in a joining pattern in which the welded portions j, j. The first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a joined at the welded portion j are in the state where the continuous rubber thread 35a is interposed between the first continuous sheet 32a and the second continuous sheet 33a. 2 is sent to the processing position PK2.

By the way, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, each thread rubber 35 is attached to the ventral belt member 31 based substantially only on the clamping pressure between the welded portions j and j. Therefore, when the thread rubber 35 is stretched again by re-stretching the ventral side belt member 31 or the like, the clamping force acting on the thread rubber 35 is reduced, and the thread rubber 35 is bonded to the welded portion j, It is possible to slide in a lateral direction from j to the expansion / contraction direction. Then, if the stretched state is relaxed again in that state, the thread rubber 35 is reattached by the sandwiching pressure between the welded portions j and j in the slipped position, and as a result, the ventral belt member 31 There is a possibility that the stretchability may change from a substantially uniform proper state over the entire length in the lateral direction to an inappropriate state in which stretchability is partially biased.

In this regard, suppose that the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the conveying direction of the thread rubber continuous body 35a is not a regular circle as shown in FIG. 11A but a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. ) And a short direction (a direction having a shorter length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a direction having the shortest length). By doing this, the above-mentioned slip can be suppressed. And about this point, the thread rubber continuous body 35a using the spandex SPD is used in this example. That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, the thread rubber continuum 35a is formed by bundling a plurality of spantex (elastic fibers) SPD, SPD... Based on the arrangement of SPD, SPD..., The shape of the continuum 35a in the cross section is a flat shape having a longitudinal direction such as an ellipse or a rectangle. Therefore, the present embodiment is also devised in a predetermined manner, thereby suppressing slipping from the welded portions j and j.

Incidentally, the reason why the shape of the thread rubber continuous body 35a using the spandex SPD in the above-mentioned cross section is a flat shape having a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 11B can be considered as follows. First, the continuous body 35a is obtained by bundling a plurality of spandex SPD, SPD, etc., produced by melt spinning as described above, by self-welding. Here, the continuous body 35a is in a state of a material coil 35aC. When being wound around the paper tube 35aCs, the paper tube 35aCs is wound with tension applied in the winding direction. Even in the state of the wound material coil 35aC, a tightening force directed inward in the radial direction of the material coil 35aC is applied to the continuum 35a due to the tension. Therefore, by this tightening force, the plurality of spandex SPD, SPD... Are fixed by rearrangement or the like so that the continuum 35a is crushed in the radial direction of the material coil 35aC. It is considered that the shape becomes a flat shape having a longitudinal direction such as an ellipse or a substantially rectangular shape.

Hereinafter, the device for suppressing the slip of the rubber thread 35 from the welded portions j and j will be described.
Generally, the longitudinal direction of the thread rubber continuum 35a in the cross section can be in various directions depending on the position in the transport direction. First, this direction is defined as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, a portion of the thread rubber continuous body 35 a that is in contact with the facing surface 32 ast of the continuous sheet 32 a has an angle θ formed by the longitudinal direction with respect to the surface 32 ast of 45 ° or more. As shown in FIG. 12B, a portion where the angle θ formed by the same longitudinal direction with respect to the facing surface 32ast is less than 45 ° is defined as a “side lying portion 35ay”.

Then, in this definition, the latter lying portion 35ay is larger in the CD direction than the former upright portion 35ak. Then, the continuous rubber body 35a is cut and the thread rubber 35 is stretched. The sandwiching portion 35ay has a stronger pinching pressure in the CD direction between the welded portions j and j, which should occur when the deformation is relaxed, than in the standing portion 35ak.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as the above device, the posture of the continuous body 35a is changed in accordance with the contact of the continuous body 35a of the rubber thread with the continuous sheet 32a, so that the unit length in the conveying direction is raised. The length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion 35ay is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the portion 35ak. That is, basically, the posture of the continuous body 35a is changed so that the length of the lying portion 35ay is as long as possible. While maintaining the post-change posture, the welded portions j and j are formed at positions on both sides of the thread rubber continuous body 35a in the CD direction.

Therefore, when the thread rubber 35 is clamped from the CD direction at the time after the cutting process at the fifth processing position PK5, that is, between the welded portions j and j, the lying portion 35ay is long in the transport direction as described above. It will be secured. Then, there is a high probability that the welded portions j and j will pinch the thread rubber 35 with the lying portion 35ay, and thus there is a high probability that the weld rubber j and j will be pinched strongly between the welded portions j and j. As a result, slippage of the rubber thread 35 from the welded portions j and j can be suppressed.

Here, preferably, when the unit length of the thread rubber continuum 35a is “1”, the length of the lying portion 35ay is preferably 0.7 or more, more preferably 0.8 or more, It is even more desirable to set it to 0.9 or more. And if it does in this way, said probability can be raised further.

Also, the change of the posture of the thread rubber continuous body 35a can be realized on the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a. That is, in this example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the continuous sheet 32a is wound around the outer peripheral surface 61as of the anvil roll 61a at a predetermined winding angle θ32a, but in the range where the continuous sheet 32a is wound at the winding angle θ32a. Further, a thread rubber continuous body 35a is wound around the facing surface 32ast of 32a at a predetermined winding angle θ35a and brought into contact with the same surface 32ast.

Then, even in the process of being conveyed in the rotational direction Dc61a in this wound state, the thread rubber continuum 35a is in an extended state, so that the thread rubber increases so that the above-described lying portion 35ay increases based on the tension. The posture of the continuum 35a is changed. Then, with the posture maintained, the continuous sheet 33a is joined so as to cover the continuous thread rubber 35a, and the continuous thread rubber 35a is inserted between the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a. become. Finally, in this state, it passes through the position P61h of the horn 61h, and a welded portion j is formed between the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a during the passage.

Incidentally, the wrapping angle θ35a is selected, for example, from a range of 20 ° to 270 °, preferably from a range of 45 ° to 210 °, and more preferably from a range of 60 ° to 180 °.

By the way, when the thread rubber continuum 35a is fed by the over-end unwinding method as in this example, the thread rubber continuum 35a is fed by feeding from the material coil 35aC as described above with reference to FIG. Is twisted. That is, each time the feed position PTO on the outer peripheral surface of the material coil 35aC makes one rotation in the circumferential direction, the thread rubber continuum 35a is twisted only once about the axis along the conveying direction. On the other hand, on the anvil roll 61a as described above, the posture of the thread rubber continuous body 35a is basically regulated so as to be a lying portion 35ay.

Therefore, the twist described above is accumulated at a position between the feeding device 53UW and the anvil roll 61a in FIG. 9A, but at some point the limit of the elastic torsional deformation of the continuum 35a comes, and more When accumulation becomes difficult, the accumulated twisting flows at a stretch over the anvil roll 61a toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, and thus, the accumulation of twist is almost completely eliminated. Then, the twist is accumulated at the above-mentioned position by the subsequent feeding, and the twist accumulated at some point further flows to the downstream side at once.

Here, in the thread rubber continuum 35a, the twisted portion 35an flowing at a stroke as described above is referred to as a "twisted portion 35an", and the twisted portion 35an is twisted. , And has a lying portion 35ay and an upright portion 35ak.
FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory view showing the twisted portion 35an in plan view. As shown in FIG. 13, the lying portion 35ay is further roughly divided into two types. That is, it is roughly divided into a long horizontal portion 35ayL whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length and a short horizontal portion 35ayS whose length in the same direction is less than a predetermined length. An example of the predetermined length is 5 mm. The twisted portion 35an has short lying portions 35atS and upright portions 35ak arranged alternately. Further, the long horizontal lying portions 35ayL and 35ayL are respectively located on both sides of the twisted portion 35an in the transport direction. That is, the twisted portions 35ayL and 35ayL adjacent to each other in the transport direction are twisted. The portion 35an is located. Furthermore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8B, a plurality of

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a... Having such a twisted portion 35an are arranged side by side in the CD direction.

One of the plurality of

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a... Is referred to as a “first thread rubber continuum 35a1” (corresponding to a continuum of first elastic members). When the other thread rubber continuum 35a is referred to as "second thread rubber continuum 35a2" (corresponding to the continuum of the second elastic member), preferably, as shown in FIG. Of at least one twisted portion 35an of the plurality of twisted portions 35an, 35an ... which the continuous body 35a1 of one thread rubber has and a plurality of twisted portions 35an, 35an ... of the continuous body 35a2 of the second thread rubber. Among them, the posture of the first thread rubber continuous body 35a1 and the position of the second thread rubber so that the twisted part 35an closest to the twisted part 35an of the first thread rubber continuous body 35a1 does not overlap in the transport direction. Continuum 3 It may be changed and a2 of attitude.

If it does in this way, after the cutting process of the 5th processing position PK5, the 1st thread rubber 35 and the 2nd thread rubber 35 will slip from corresponding welding parts j and j in the mutually same position of a conveyance direction, respectively. It is possible to suppress a problem that the bias in stretchability is significantly manifested. Details are as follows.

First, as described above with reference to FIG. 13, the twisted portion 35an is formed by twisting a plurality of upright portions 35ak and short horizontal portions 35ayS side by side. The direction changes according to the position in the transport direction. In other words, the twisted portion 35an is not the same type in which the longitudinal direction of the cross section is substantially in the CD direction over a long range in the transport direction.
For this reason, the twisted portion 35an is a portion in which the clamping pressure in the CD direction between the welded portions j and j that should occur after the cutting step is relatively weakened. Each of the rubber threads 35 is a portion that is relatively slippery in the conveying direction from the welded portions j and j.

On the other hand, with respect to this point, in the example of FIG. 14, at least one twisted portion 35an of the first rubber thread continuous body 35a1 is closer to the twisted portion 35an of the second rubber thread continuous body 35a2. So that they do not overlap in the transport direction. Therefore, it is possible to disperse the slippery positions in the transport direction between the first rubber thread 35 and the second rubber thread 35. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a large stretch bias at a predetermined position in the transport direction, that is, a predetermined position in the lateral direction of the diaper 1.

This can be paraphrased as follows. That is, “at least one twisted portion 35an of the plurality of twisted portions 35an, 35an... Included in the first thread rubber continuous body 35a1 is formed as a long lying portion 35ayL included in the second thread rubber continuous body 35a. It is also included regarding the position in the transport direction.

The realization of preventing the twisted portion 35an of the first thread rubber continuous body 35a1 and the twisted portion 35an of the second thread rubber continuous body 35a2 from overlapping in the conveying direction is as follows, for example. Can be done.
First, as described above with reference to FIG. 10, the thread rubber continuums 35a1 and 35a2 are twisted once every time the feeding position PTO goes around the outer peripheral surface of the material coil 35aC. It almost coincides with the circumference of the outer circumferential surface. Further, according to the twisting pitch, the above-described twist accumulation changes, and as a result, the generation timing of the twisted portion 35an also changes.

Therefore, when the outer diameter dimension of the material coil 35aC of the first thread rubber continuum 35a1 and the outer diameter dimension of the material coil 35aC of the second thread rubber continuum 35a2 are compared simultaneously, What is necessary is just to adjust the outer-diameter dimension of one material coil 35aC so that an outer-diameter dimension may not correspond. That is, by doing so, the pitch at which the thread rubber continuums 35a1 and 35a2 are twisted as it is fed out is made different between the first thread rubber continuum 35a1 and the second thread rubber continuum 35a2. be able to. And thereby, the timing which becomes the limit of accumulation of the above-mentioned twist is made different between the material coil 35aC of the first thread rubber continuum 35a1 and the material coil 35aC of the second thread rubber continuum 35a2. As a result, the twisted portion 35an of the first rubber thread continuous body 35a1 and the twisted portion 35an of the second rubber thread continuous body 35a2 can be prevented from overlapping in the transport direction.
Although not expressed in FIG. 8B, in this example, all the

thread rubber continuums

35 a, 35 a... Provided on the

continuous sheets

32 a, 33 a of the ventral belt member 31 are the above-described first thread rubber continuums. It corresponds to 35a1. However, it is not limited to this. For example, at least one of all the

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a... Relating to the ventral belt member 31, desirably one third or more, more desirably half or more, and even more desirably two third or more. If the thread rubber continuum 35a corresponds to the first thread rubber continuum 35a1, at least the corresponding thread rubber continuum 35a can achieve the above-described effects. Therefore, the thread rubber continuum 35a that does not correspond to the first thread rubber continuum 35a1 may exist in all the thread rubber continuums 35a of the ventral belt member 31.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the welded portion j is at least a cutting target position PC for all the

thread rubber continuums

35a, 35a ... provided on the

continuous sheets

32a, 33a of the ventral band member 31. Are formed at a predetermined formation pitch Pj in the transport direction within a predetermined range in the transport direction including In the example of FIG. 8B, the welded portion j is formed at the formation pitch Pj in the transport direction over the entire range in the transport direction. As shown, the length L35an in the transport direction of the twisted portion 35an is preferably larger than the formation pitch Pj of the welded portions j.

And if it becomes like this, as shown in the same figure 15, this twisted part 35an will be attached based on the welding parts j and j of the position of two places of a conveyance direction at least. Therefore, the problem that the welding pressure between the welded portions j and j is weakened in the twisted portion 35an can be compensated by increasing the number of welded portions j, so that the twisted portion 35an is relatively stable. Thus, the rubber thread 35 can be attached to the ventral belt member 31.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a preferred positional relationship between the twisted portion 35an and the side seal portion SS. Note that FIG. 16 shows an enlarged portion in the vicinity of the cutting target position PC in the diaper continuum 1s of FIG. Further, in FIG. 16, the thread rubber continuum 35 a that should originally be indicated by a dotted line is indicated by a solid line for the purpose of making the drawing easier to see. This also applies to FIG. 15 described above.
In the example of FIG. 16, when the diaper continuous body 1s is viewed from the side of the ventral band member 31 in the thickness direction at a position between the fourth processing position PK4 and the fifth processing position PK5, A pair of welded portions j, j as a welded portion pair jP with respect to the twisted portion 35an of at least one continuous body 35a of all the thread rubber

continuous bodies

35a, 35a... Provided on the

continuous sheets

32a, 33a. Is provided. In addition to this, a side seal portion SS is provided so as to straddle the twisted portion 35an in the CD direction. Specifically, the side seal portion SS has a plurality of welded portions SSk, SSk... Arranged in the CD direction, and at least one of the welded portions SSk straddles the twisted portion 35an in the CD direction. Is provided so as to overlap the portion 35an.

Therefore, for the twisted portion 35an that tends to weaken the clamping pressure between the welded portions j and j, the twisted portion 35a is also clamped in the CD direction by the welded portion SSk of the side seal portion SS in addition to the clamping pressure. be able to. As a result, the rubber thread 35 can be attached to the ventral belt member 31 relatively stably even in the twisted portion 35a. In addition, realization of such a thing can be made by making the distance of the conveyance direction between the welding part j and the welding part SSk of the side seal part SS smaller than the length of the conveyance direction of the twisted part 35an. . That is, the setting of the arrangement pattern of the protrusions on the outer peripheral surface of the roll of the heat sealing device or the ultrasonic sealing device arranged at the first processing position PK1 and the heat sealing device arranged at the fourth processing position PK4 or This can be done by setting the arrangement pattern of the convex portions on the outer peripheral surface of the roll of the ultrasonic sealing device.

=== Other Embodiments ===
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, said embodiment is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. Further, the present invention can be changed or improved without departing from the gist thereof, and needless to say, the present invention includes equivalents thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the welded portion j is illustrated as an example of a joint portion that joins a pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the joint portion may be formed of an adhesive, and in this case, the formation target position where the joint portion should be formed on at least one of the pair of facing surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast). In this case, an adhesive is selectively applied.

In the above-described embodiment, the thread rubber 35 as the elastic member is attached to the two

nonwoven fabrics

32 and 33 of the ventral belt member 31 as shown in FIG. 5 by the method of the present invention. Absent. For example, when attaching the elastic member 18 along the longitudinal direction to the sheet-like portion for the three-dimensional gather LSG for the purpose of forming the three-dimensional gather LSG of FIG. 3, the method of the present invention may be used. Alternatively, the method of the present invention may be used when the elastic member 17 such as rubber thread is attached to the part of the absorbent main body 10 that becomes the leg gather LG.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a configuration having two

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) is illustrated as an example of a continuous sheet-like member, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the continuous body of sheet-like members may be one continuous sheet. In this case, a pair of opposing surfaces are formed by folding the one continuous sheet at a predetermined position in the CD direction, and a thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is formed between the pair of opposing surfaces. Will be inserted.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, all the thread rubbers 35, 35... Provided on the ventral belt member 31 are continuously arranged over substantially the entire length in the lateral direction. Not limited to. For example, some thread rubbers 35 of all the thread rubbers 35, 35... May be discontinuous, for example, at the center position in the lateral direction. This is the same for the rubber threads 45 of the back band member 41.

In the above-described embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the three-piece type disposable diaper 1 is illustrated as an example of the absorbent article, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, you may use the method of this invention, when attaching elastic members, such as a rubber thread, to the sheet-like member used for a 2 piece type disposable diaper. Incidentally, a two-piece type disposable diaper has a two-layered exterior sheet having an abdominal part, a crotch part, and a dorsal part as a first component, and is fixed to the skin side of the exterior sheet. This is a type of diaper having a sexable main body 10 as a second part. Moreover, when attaching an elastic member such as rubber thread to a sheet-like member used for a so-called tape-type disposable diaper, the method of the present invention may be used. By the way, a tape-type disposable diaper has an abdominal side that covers the wearer's torso from the abdomen and a back side that covers the torso from the dorsal side. It is a type of diaper that uses a fastening tape to connect. Furthermore, the absorbent article is not limited to the disposable diaper 1 described above. That is, the method of the present invention can be applied to any absorbent article that uses a sheet-like member to which an elastic member as described above is attached. Therefore, the concept of this absorbent article includes a urine absorbing pad and a sanitary napkin.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the weld portion j having a substantially square shape in plan view is exemplified as the joint portion, but the shape of the weld portion j is not limited to this. For example, the shape may be a circle or a shape having a longitudinal direction such as a rectangle or an ellipse. In the case of the shape having the latter longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction may be along the transport direction (lateral direction), may be along the CD direction (vertical direction), or the transport direction. And it may be along the direction intersecting with both the CD direction.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the welded portions j, j... Are provided in a so-called lattice arrangement defined in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). That is, although each welding part j, j ... was each provided in the intersection of the virtual straight line along a horizontal direction, and the virtual straight line along a vertical direction, it is not restricted to this at all. For example, the welded portions j, j... May be provided in a so-called staggered arrangement by providing the welded portions j, j. Further, in FIG. 5, these welded portions j, j... Are arranged side by side along the vertical direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, you may arrange | position along with the diagonal direction which cross | intersects both the vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the welded portion j is not provided between the welded portion pairs jP and jP adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (CD direction). . For example, one or more welded portions j may be provided between the welded portion pairs jP and jP. In addition, this welding part j does not contribute to attachment to the nonwoven fabric 32, 33 (42, 43) of the thread rubber 35 (45), but contributes only to joining of the nonwoven fabric 32, 33 (42, 43). It is.

In the above-described embodiment, the horn 61h of the ultrasonic welding device 60 in FIG. 9A is non-rotating, but this is not a limitation. For example, a roller-shaped horn that rotates around a rotation axis along the CD direction may be used. In this case, the roller-shaped horn repeatedly expands and contracts at a predetermined frequency in the rotational radius direction, so that the outer peripheral surface of the horn functions as a vibration surface that vibrates ultrasonically.

In the above-described embodiment, the rubber thread 35 (45) that is to be expanded in the CD direction while being contracted in the transport direction based on the cutting in the cutting process at the fifth processing position PK5 is bonded to the welded portions j and j on both sides. Thus, the rubber thread 35 (45) is attached to the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43). However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, it is inserted in a pair of opposing surfaces 32ast and 33ast (42ast and 43ast) of the

continuous sheets

32a and 33a (42a and 43a) related to the two nonwoven fabrics 32 and 33 (42 and 43) at a stage prior to the cutting step. The continuum 35a (45a) is relaxed in the transport direction by relaxing the stretched state of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a), so that the continuum 35a (45a) is welded between the welded portions j, j on both sides. And may be attached by pressing in the CD direction. For example, in the pants-type diaper continuum 1s shown in FIG. 7, the stretched state of the thread rubber continuum 35a (45a) is relaxed, and the continuum 35a (45a) is contracted in the transport direction to thereby reduce the continuum 35a. (45a) may be attached by being pressed in the CD direction between the welded parts j on both sides. Then, the diaper 1 may be generated by cutting the pants-type diaper continuum 1s in a cutting step.

1 disposable diapers (absorbent articles),
1hs Continual diaper continuum,
1hsb diaper continuum,
1s pants-type diaper continuum,
10 Absorbent body, 10ea end, 10eb end,
11 Absorber, 11c Absorbent core,
13 Top sheet, 15 Back sheet,
17 Thread rubber (elastic member), 18 Thread rubber (elastic member),
31 ventral band member, 31e end,
32 non-woven fabric, 32a first continuous sheet,
32ast facing surface,
33 non-woven fabric, 33a second continuous sheet,
33ast facing surface,
35 thread rubber (elastic member), 35a thread rubber continuum (elastic member continuum),
35 aes tip, 35 aee tail,
35ak standing part, 35ay lying part,
35ayL long lie part, 35ayS short lie part,
35an twisted part,
35a1 first rubber thread continuum (first elastic member continuum),
35a2 second rubber thread continuum (second elastic member continuum),
35aC material coil, 35aCs paper tube,
41 dorsal belt member, 41e end,
42 non-woven fabric, 42a continuous sheet, 42ast facing surface,
43 non-woven fabric, 43a continuous sheet, 43ast facing surface,
45 thread rubber (elastic member), 45a thread rubber continuum (elastic member continuum),
j welded part (joint part), jP welded part pair,
51 transport mechanism, 51R transport roller,
52 transport mechanism, 52R transport roller,
53 transport mechanism, 53R ring-shaped guide member, 53Rh through-hole,
53TC tension controller,
53TCR roller, 53TCS tension sensor,
53UW feeding device, 53s support shaft,
54 elongating device, 54D downstream nip roll mechanism (arrangement device),
54U upstream nip roll mechanism,
54Ru nip roll, 54Rd nip roll,
60 ultrasonic welding device (joint forming device), 61a anvil roll,
61a Anvil roll (roll), 61as outer peripheral surface, 61at convex part,
61h Horn, 61hs vibrating surface, 61s support member,
BH waist opening, LH leg opening,
LG leg gather, LSG solid gather,
j welded part (joint part), jP welded part pair,
SS side seal part, SSk weld part,
SPD spandex,
CL1 center position (predetermined position),
PC cutting target position, PBL boundary position,
P61h placement position,
PK1 first machining position, PK2 second machining position, PK3 third machining position,
PK4 4th machining position, PK5 5th machining position,
PTO feed position,

Claims

After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, A method of manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the transport direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
By pulling the continuum of the elastic member in the axial direction of the material coil from the non-rotating material coil formed by winding the continuum of the elastic member around the axis, the continuum of the elastic member is moved in the transport direction. A feeding process to be
An arrangement step of arranging a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in a state of being extended in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming step of forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of facing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction; and
The sheet-like member and the elastic member are generated by cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut after the arranging step and the joining portion forming step. A cutting step,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section orthogonal to the transport direction is a shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. Yes,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
In the arranging step, the elastic members are continuously arranged so that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, contact the continuous body of the elastic member to the one opposing surface,
In the joining part forming step, the continuous member of the elastic member is maintained in a state of being extended in the transporting direction, and the joining part is intersected with the transporting direction while maintaining the changed posture in the arranging step. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
After the cutting step, the elastic member expanded in the CD direction while contracting in the transport direction is clamped in the CD direction at the joints on both sides and attached to the sheet-like member. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.
It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1,
The continuous body of the sheet-like member has a first continuous sheet continuous in the transport direction and a second continuous sheet continuous in the transport direction,
As the pair of opposed surfaces, one surface of the first continuous sheet and one surface of the second continuous sheet are opposed to each other,
In the arrangement step, the first continuous sheet is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roll rotating along the transport direction and transported, and the elastic member continuous body is within a range where the first continuous sheet is wound. Is in contact with the one surface of the first continuous sheet, the continuum of the elastic member is also wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roll and conveyed.
In the arrangement step, the first continuous sheet is wound around the outer peripheral surface of a roll that rotates along the conveyance direction and conveyed, and the continuous member of the elastic member is interposed between the roll and the first continuous sheet. The method of manufacturing a sheet-like member according to an absorbent article, wherein the posture of the continuous member of the elastic member is changed by being wound around and conveyed on the outer peripheral surface of the sheet.
It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
When a continuum of one elastic member among the continuum of the plurality of elastic members is a continuum of first elastic members, and a continuum of the other elastic member is a continuum of second elastic members. ,
Among the plurality of twisted portions of the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the first elastic member, and the first elasticity among the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the second elastic member. The posture of the continuum of the first elastic member and the posture of the continuum of the second elastic member so that the twisted portion closest to the twisted portion of the continuum of members does not overlap in the transport direction. And a manufacturing method of a sheet-like member concerning an absorptive article characterized by things.
A method for producing a sheet-like member according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
When a continuum of one elastic member of the continuum of the plurality of elastic members is a continuum of the first elastic member, and a continuum of the other elastic member is a continuum of the second elastic member,
The at least one twisted portion of the plurality of twisted portions included in the continuous body of the first elastic member is related to the position in the transport direction on the long horizontal portion of the continuous body of the second elastic member. The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member according to the absorbent article, wherein the posture of the continuous body of the first elastic member and the posture of the continuous body of the second elastic member are changed so as to be included.
It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
The joining portion is formed at a predetermined formation pitch in the transport direction in a predetermined range of the transport direction including at least the cutting target position,
The length of the said twisted part of the said conveyance direction is larger than the said formation pitch of the said junction part, The manufacturing method of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by the above-mentioned.
It is a manufacturing method of the sheet-like member concerning the absorptive article according to claim 1 or 2,
In the arrangement step, a plurality of the continuous members of the elastic members are arranged side by side with an interval in the CD direction,
The lying portion has a long lying portion whose length in the transport direction is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, and a short lying portion whose length in the transport direction is less than the predetermined length, and
The elastic portion is formed such that a twisted portion formed by twisting a continuous body of the elastic member a plurality of times around an axis along the conveying direction is formed between the long side-like portions adjacent to each other in the conveying direction. The posture of the continuum of members is changed, and the twisted portion is a plurality of the standing portion and the short lying portion arranged alternately in the transport direction,
The absorbent article is a state in which the elastic member is attached and the sheet-like member and the second sheet-like member, which have been provided with lateral stretchability, are overlapped in the thickness direction intersecting the lateral direction. A side seal portion to be welded at each end in the lateral direction;
The transport direction is along the lateral direction,
An overlaying step of superimposing the continuous body of the second sheet-shaped member continuous in the transport direction on the continuous body of the sheet-shaped member in which the joint portion is formed;
The cutting target position set at a predetermined pitch in the transport direction with the side seal portion that welds the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the second sheet-like member overlapped in the thickness direction. A side seal portion forming step formed on both sides of
When viewed from the thickness direction, the joint portion is provided with respect to the twisted portion of the continuous body of at least one elastic member among the continuous body of the plurality of elastic members, and the twisted shape The method for manufacturing a sheet-like member according to an absorbent article, wherein the side seal portion is provided so as to straddle a portion in the CD direction.
After inserting a continuous body of elastic members continuous in the transport direction between a pair of opposed surfaces of a continuous body of sheet-shaped members continuous in the transport direction, the continuous body of sheet-shaped members, An apparatus for manufacturing the sheet-like member to which the elastic member is attached by cutting at a cutting target position in the conveyance direction in the continuous body of the sheet-like member,
The elastic member continuum is pulled in the axial direction of the material coil from a non-rotating material coil in which the elastic member continuum is wound around an axis, thereby transporting the elastic member continuum. A feeding device that feeds in a direction,
An arrangement device that arranges a continuous body of the extended elastic member between the pair of opposing surfaces in an extended state in the transport direction;
A joining portion forming apparatus for forming a plurality of joining portions that join the pair of opposing surfaces with an interval in the transport direction;
By cutting the continuous body of the sheet-like member and the continuous body of the elastic member at the position to be cut at a position downstream of the arrangement device and the joint forming device in the transport direction, the sheet shape A cutting device for generating a member and the elastic member,
In the continuous body of the elastic member, the shape in a cross section perpendicular to the transport direction has a longitudinal direction and a short direction shorter in length than the longitudinal direction in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction,
In the continuous member of the elastic member, a portion having an angle of 45 ° or more with respect to one of the opposing surfaces of the pair of opposing surfaces is defined as an upright portion, and the longitudinal with respect to the one opposing surface. When the portion where the angle formed by the direction is less than 45 ° is a lying portion,
The arrangement device is configured such that the length in the transport direction occupied by the lying portion is longer than the length in the transport direction occupied by the upright portion in the unit length in the transport direction. While changing the posture of the body, placing the continuous body of the elastic member on the one opposing surface,
The joining part forming device maintains the continuum of the elastic members in a state of being extended in the transport direction, and maintains the post-change posture in the placement process, while intersecting the joint part with the transport direction. Formed in positions on both sides of the elastic member continuum in the CD direction,
On the downstream side of the cutting process with respect to the cutting direction, the elastic member that contracts in the transport direction and expands in the CD direction is clamped in the CD direction between the joints on both sides and is in the sheet shape. The manufacturing apparatus of the sheet-like member which concerns on the absorbent article characterized by being attached to the member.