JP2016043193A - Method for producing absorber for absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing an absorber for an absorbent article, having flexibility allowing fitting to the body type of a wearer when wearing while being hardly twisted when wearing.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a method for producing an absorber 1 for an absorbent article from an absorber semifinished product 1w having a first surface FF and a second surface FS opposite to the first surface, and including a laminated-fiber body 3. The method includes an embossment step of forming an embossment part 7 on the absorber semifinished product by pressing projections to the first surface of the absorber semifinished product followed by compressing, and a cut step of putting a notch 9 on the first surface of the absorber semifinished product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article.

  In manufacturing the absorbent body for absorbent articles, the absorbent body penetrated by the embossed portion (absorbent body embossing) applied to the absorbent body from the upper surface side for the purpose of preventing leakage of body fluid from the absorbent article. It is disclosed that body fluid such as menstrual blood is diffused along an embossed portion (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4732495

  When the embossed part is formed by embossing in the absorbent body as in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, the absorbent body is configured in the embossed part when a force such as body pressure is applied to the absorbent body during wearing. As a result, it is possible to provide an absorbent body that is less likely to move and that is difficult to move.

  On the other hand, the embossed part formed in this way becomes hard due to the fibers being squeezed, and as a result, the absorbent body becomes difficult to deform along the wearer's body shape when using the absorbent article, and as a result, There exists a possibility that the fitting property of the absorbent article with respect to a wearer may be impaired.

  Therefore, the objective of this invention is providing the method of manufacturing the absorber for absorbent articles which has the softness | flexibility which fits a wearer's body shape at the time of wear, while being hard to twist at the time of wear.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention,
A method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article from an absorbent semi-finished product having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and including a fiber stack,
An embossing step of forming an embossed portion in the absorbent semi-finished product by pressing and pressing a protrusion on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product;
A cutting step for cutting into the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product;
including,
A method is provided.

  Further, the absorbent semi-finished product has a cover sheet on the first surface side, and in the cutting step, the cut is made on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so as to penetrate the cover sheet. It is preferable to put in. This makes it easier to transport the absorbent semi-finished product, which is a continuous body of the absorbent body, during manufacture, and the absorbent body is more difficult to tear when applied with tension compared to the stacked fiber body, and more It will have a cover sheet with high tensile strength, and the tensile strength of an absorber can be secured. Moreover, by making a cut so as to penetrate the cover sheet, the cover sheet can be easily stretched, and thus the absorber can be easily deformed. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  Further, in the cutting step, it is preferable that the cut is made on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so that the cut enters at least a peripheral edge of the cover sheet. By cutting the periphery of the cover sheet, the portion near the periphery of the cover sheet is easily deformed. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  On the contrary, in the cutting step, when the cut is made in the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so that the cut enters a portion other than the periphery of the cover sheet, for another reason. preferable. As a result, since the notch does not enter the periphery of the cover sheet, the portions near the periphery of the cover sheet are integrated, and the cover sheet is prevented from being partially turned and bent during the manufacture of the absorbent body. It is possible to prevent the appearance of the display from being damaged.

  Further, in the cutting step, it is preferable that the cut is made on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so as not to reach the second surface of the absorbent semi-finished product. As a result, even in the cut portion, the stacked fiber contained in the absorber is connected at least partially in the thickness direction of the absorber, so that the absorbed body fluid can be moved, and the absorption performance of the absorber is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that in the embossing step, the embossed portion is formed by discontinuously squeezing the absorbent semi-finished product in the conveying direction of the absorbent semi-finished product. The embossed part is hard and difficult to deform because the fibers are compressed, but by forming it discontinuously in the transport direction, the absorbent body has a direction corresponding to the transport direction (for example, the absorbent body is so-called “vertical” In the case of being conveyed by “sink”, there is a non-embossed portion where the embossed portion is not formed in the longitudinal direction of the absorber. Since the non-embossed portion is easily deformed as compared with the embossed portion, the absorber can be easily deformed in the portion. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  Further, in the cutting step, it is preferable that a plurality of the incisions are made in the absorbent semi-finished product, and each of the incisions extends in a predetermined direction that intersects the conveying direction of the absorbent semi-finished product. Thereby, the bending rigidity of an absorber around the direction axis line in which an incision extends can be reduced. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that a plurality of the embossed portions are formed in the embossing step, and the notch is inserted in at least one place between the embossed portions in the cutting step. As described above, the embossed portion becomes hard because the fiber is compressed, but the portion between the embossed portions where the fiber is not compressed is more easily deformed than the embossed portion as described above, and the embossed portion. The absorber is more easily deformed at the portion between them. By making a cut in such a more deformable part, the part can be easily stretched, so that the entire absorbent body can be further easily deformed. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  The cutting step is preferably performed after the embossing step. The embossing process squeezes the fibers that make up the absorbent to make it difficult to move, making the absorbent semi-finished product difficult to twist, and then performing the cutting process to reduce the movement of the absorbent semi-finished product when making a cut. Since it suppresses, it can cut into a desired location.

  According to the method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article according to the present invention, by making a cut on the first surface of the absorbent body, the absorbent body is easily stretched, that is, easily deformed, and thus worn by the wearer. It is possible to provide an absorbent body having flexibility to fit the body shape.

Schematic explaining the method to manufacture the absorber for absorbent articles based on 1st embodiment of this invention. The top view of the absorber manufactured by the method of manufacturing the absorber for absorbent articles based on 1st embodiment of this invention. The bottom view of the absorber of FIG. Sectional drawing along the IV-IV line of FIG. Sectional drawing along the VV line | wire of FIG. The front view of an embossing roll. The front view of a cutter roll. Schematic explaining the method to manufacture the absorber for absorbent articles based on 2nd embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the part which does not contain an embossed part of the absorber manufactured by the method of manufacturing the absorber for absorbent articles based on 2nd embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of embossed part vicinity of the absorber manufactured by the method of manufacturing the absorber for absorbent articles which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the measuring method of tensile strength.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the above-mentioned drawings. It should be noted that these drawings may not be drawn to the same size, scale, or shape as actual components in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention and simplify the description of the drawings. I want to be.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the method for manufacturing an absorbent body for absorbent articles according to the first embodiment, the absorbent body manufacturing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used, and as a result, the absorbent body 1 shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 is obtained. be able to.

  Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent body 1 as a result of the manufacturing method according to the first embodiment has a substantially oval shape having a longitudinal direction LD and a transverse direction SD perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LD. And has a first surface FF that can be visually recognized in plan view and a second surface FS on the opposite side of the first surface FF. The absorbent body 1 includes a fiber stack 3 positioned on the second surface FS side and a cover sheet 5 positioned on the first surface FF side. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the dimension of the cover sheet 5 is smaller than the dimension of the fiber stack 3 in the short direction SD of the absorbent body 1. In addition, the absorber 1 manufactured by the method which concerns on 1st embodiment is used for manufacture of the sanitary napkin.

  From this, the absorber manufacturing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated in detail. In the absorbent body manufacturing system 10 shown in FIG. 1, a so-called “longitudinal flow” manufacturing method is employed, that is, the longitudinal direction LD of the absorbent body 1 is formed by individually cutting the absorbent semi-finished product 1 w that becomes the absorbent body 1. It coincides with the conveyance direction MD.

  The absorbent body manufacturing system 10 includes a suction drum 11 that deposits cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c on the peripheral surface 11s to form a stacked fiber body 3, a duct 13 that guides fibers to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11, and a product. Absorption which performs the absorber semi-product formation process which has the cover sheet delivery part 15 which unwinds the cover sheet 5 laminated | stacked with the fine body 3, and laminates the laminated fiber 3 on the cover sheet 5 and forms the absorbent semi-finished product 1w. A semi-finished product forming apparatus 16 is provided. The absorber manufacturing system 10 further includes an embossing device 17 that performs an embossing process for forming the embossed portion 7 on the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, and a cutting device 19 that performs a cutting process for making a cut 9 in the absorbent semi-finished product 1w. And the cutting device 21 which performs the cutting process which cut | disconnects the absorber semi-finished product 1w and forms each absorber 1 is provided.

  The suction drum 11 has a peripheral surface 11 s through which the opened cellulose water-absorbing fiber 3 c is supplied from above via a duct 13. A groove 11g having a width corresponding to the dimension in the short direction SD of the fiber stack 3 and extending in the circumferential direction of the circumferential surface 11s is formed on the circumferential surface 11s of the suction drum 11. The bottom surface of the groove 11g has a diameter that does not suck the cellulosic water absorbent fibers 3c so that the outside of the suction drum 11 communicates with the inside of the suction drum 11 in the suction section SZ covered by the duct 13. A number of small holes (not shown) are provided. An exhaust device (not shown) for discharging the air inside the suction drum 11 such as a blower or a vacuum pump is connected to the inside of the suction drum 11, and the inside of the suction drum 11 is set to a negative pressure. As a result, the cellulose-based water absorbent fibers 3 c supplied from above the duct 13 can be adsorbed and deposited in the grooves 11 g of the suction drum 11 by the suction action of the suction drum 11.

  The duct 13 is a hollow that extends in the vertical direction, and is supplied with cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c that have been opened from above. The duct 13 is provided with a superabsorbent material supply part 13p that opens inside the duct 13, and the cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c is provided from the superabsorbent material supply part 13p to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11. Together with the desired amount of superabsorbent material SA.

  In the first embodiment, the cover sheet feeding unit 15 can feed the cover sheet 5 in parallel with the fiber stack 3 being formed on the suction drum 11, and the cover sheet 5 extends in the transport direction MD. Be transported.

  And the absorber semi-finished product forming apparatus 16 can laminate | stack the piled-up body 3 from the surrounding surface 11s of the suction drum 11 on the cover sheet 5 by the structure shown in FIG. As a result, the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is formed, and the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is conveyed toward the subsequent process.

  With such a configuration, the lower surface of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w corresponds to the first surface FF on which the cover sheet 5 of the absorbent body 1 is located, and the upper surface of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is the first surface FF of the absorbent body 1. Corresponds to the second surface FS on the opposite side. Therefore, also about the semifinished product 1w of the absorber, the surface on which the cover sheet 5 is located (the lower surface in FIG. 1) is the first surface FF, and the surface opposite to the first surface FF (the upper surface in FIG. 1). ) Is defined as the second surface FS.

  The embossing device 17 includes an anvil roll 17a on the upper side and an embossing roll 17e on the lower side. The embossing roll 17e is a generally cylindrical roll having a protrusion 17ep protruding outward in the radial direction from its peripheral surface. The protrusions 17ep are provided in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 6, and the absorber 1 is provided with an embossed portion 7 at a position corresponding to the protrusions 17ep as shown in FIGS. The anvil roll 17a is a generally cylindrical roll having a smooth peripheral surface. The embossing device 17 inserts the absorbent semi-finished product 1w between the anvil roll 17a and the embossing roll 17e, presses the protrusion 17ep against the lower surface of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, that is, the cover sheet 5, and squeezes it. The embossed part 7 can be formed on the absorbent semi-finished product 1w.

  Each of the protrusions 17ep has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole. As a result, in the first embodiment, each of the embossed portions 7 in the absorbent body 1 has a dot shape. However, the shape of the protrusion 17ep of the embossing roll 17e is not particularly limited, and the shape of each protrusion 17ep can be determined, for example, so as to form a dotted or linear embossed portion on the absorber 1. . Examples of the dot-like embossed portion include a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a star shape, and a heart shape in addition to the dot shape. Further, the arrangement of the protrusions 17ep is not particularly limited, and can be arranged in a zigzag shape, particularly a square zigzag shape, a 60 ° zigzag shape, or the like as in the first embodiment.

  The cutting device 19 includes an anvil roll 19a on the upper side and a cutter roll 19c on the lower side. The cutter roll 19c is a generally cylindrical roll having blades 19cb that protrude radially outward from the peripheral surface and extend in the substantially width direction of the cutter roll 19c in an arrangement as shown in FIG. . The anvil roll 19a is a generally cylindrical roll having a smooth peripheral surface. In the cutting step, the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is inserted between the anvil roll 19a and the cutter roll 19c, the blade 19cb is pressed against the first surface FF of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, and the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is In the first embodiment, it is possible to cut into the absorbent semi-finished product 1w by pushing the cover sheet 5 through.

  In the first embodiment, the protrusion height of the blade 19cb from the peripheral surface of the cutter roll 19c and the distance between the axes of the anvil roll 19a and the cutter roll 19c are as small as possible, and the cover sheet 5 It is adjusted so that it penetrates securely. The protrusion height and the distance between the shafts described above vary depending on the thickness of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, the material of the cover sheet 5, and the like, but the cutting edge of each blade 19cb and the peripheral surface of the anvil roll 19a when cutting is made. Is preferably 5 to 200 μm, more preferably 10 to 150 μm, and even more preferably 30 to 100 μm.

  In the first embodiment, the blade 19cb has a linear shape extending substantially in the width direction of the cutter roll 19c, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shape of the blade 19cb can be defined on the peripheral surface of the cutter roll 19c so that the cut 9 can be formed in a wavy line shape, a cross shape, or any other shape with respect to the absorbent body semi-finished product 1w. it can. Moreover, in order to cut the incision 9 having a complicated shape into the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, a plurality of cutting devices 19 may be provided to make the incision into the absorbent semi-finished product 1w a plurality of times.

  The cutting device 21 includes a cutter roll having a blade having a shape on the outer peripheral surface that can cut the absorbent semi-finished product 1w into the shape of the absorbent body 1 as shown in FIGS. An anvil roll having a peripheral surface.

  Next, the case where the manufacturing method which concerns on 1st embodiment is implemented using the absorber manufacturing system 10 which has the said structure is demonstrated. The manufacturing method according to the first embodiment includes a fiber opening process, a stacked fiber forming process, a cover sheet feeding process, an absorbent semi-finished product forming process, an embossing process, a cutting process, and a cutting process.

  First, although not particularly illustrated, for example, a sheet formed from cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers 3c is opened by a fiber-opening machine such as a card machine, and the opened cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers 3c are connected to the duct 13. A fiber-opening process is performed for supplying to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11 via. At this time, the supply amount of the opened cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c is adjusted so that the stacked fiber body 3 has a desired basis weight. At this time, in the first embodiment, a predetermined amount of the superabsorbent material SA is supplied from the superabsorbent material supply unit 13p together with the cellulosic water absorbent fibers 3c.

  Next, the cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c supplied to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11 is adsorbed to the peripheral surface 11s by the suction action of the suction drum 11, and the inside of the groove 11g formed on the peripheral surface 11s. A pile forming process for depositing on is performed. At this time, the deposited cellulose-based water absorbent fibers 3c are entangled with each other by a suction force, and the cellulose-based water absorbent fibers 3c have a certain bonding force.

  Cellulose water-absorbing fibers include pulp, for example, wood pulp obtained from coniferous or hardwood, non-wood pulp such as bagasse, kenaf, bamboo, hemp, cotton (for example, cotton linter); regenerated cellulose such as rayon fiber Examples of fibers include semi-synthetic fibers such as acetate fibers. As said pulp, the kraft pulp obtained industrially cheaply and high safety is preferable.

  In the first embodiment, the superabsorbent material SA is preferably about 5 to about 80% by mass, more preferably about 10 to about 60% by mass, and still more preferably the total mass of the stacked fiber body 3. It is contained in the fiber stack 3 in the range of about 20 to about 40% by mass. Examples of the superabsorbent material include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based superabsorbent materials.

  Furthermore, in parallel with the fiber stack forming process, a cover sheet feeding process is performed in which the cover sheet 5 is fed from the cover sheet feeding unit 15 in the transport direction MD.

  In the first embodiment, the cover sheet 5 is a liquid-permeable sheet such as a nonwoven fabric made of synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) and polyester fibers (for example, polyethylene terephthalate). It is done. However, in the first embodiment, the cover sheet 5 is not particularly limited as long as it can permeate body fluid such as menstrual blood. In addition to the above-described nonwoven fabric, the cover sheet 5 is not limited to any arbitrary material such as a plastic film or a woven fabric. A sheet material can be used.

When the cover sheet 5 is made of a fiber structure such as a nonwoven fabric or a woven fabric, the basis weight of such a fiber structure is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 10 g / m ² from the viewpoint of liquid permeability, flexibility, strength, and the like. To about 70 g / m ² , more preferably about 20 g / m ² to about 40 g / m ² . Further, the thickness of the cover sheet 5 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 mm to about 5.0 mm, more preferably about 0.2 mm to about 2.0 mm from the same viewpoint as described above. .

  Next, the absorbent semi-finished product forming step of forming the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is performed by laminating the fiber stack 3 on the cover sheet 5 being conveyed in the conveying direction MD. Note that the suction drum 11 is configured not to suck the stacked fiber 3 at a position where the stacked fiber 3 is stacked on the cover sheet 5, and the stacked fiber 3 is placed on the cover sheet 5 by its own weight. Will be stacked. Thereby, in 1st embodiment, all the components used for the absorber 1 are gathered, and it moves to the process of processing the absorber semi-finished product 1w after this.

  Next, the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is inserted into the embossing device 17, specifically, between the anvil roll 17a and the embossing roll 17e, and the protrusion of the embossing roll 17e on the first surface FF of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w. The embossing process which forms the embossing part 7 in the absorber semi-finished product 1w is performed by pressing and pressing 17ep. As shown in FIG. 4, the embossed portion 7 has a concave shape on the first surface FF and the second surface FS of the absorbent body 1, and the fibers 3 c are condensed. It becomes harder than the portion, and the fibers 3c are difficult to move.

  The embossing roll 17e and the anvil roll 17a are heated so that the embossed part 7 can be easily formed on the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, and the heating temperature is usually about 80 to about 160 ° C, preferably about 120 to about 160 ° C. is there. The pressure applied to the embossed part 7 of the semi-absorbent semi-finished product 1w by the embossing device 17 is usually about 10 to about 3000 N / mm, preferably about 50 to about 500 N / mm, and the pressurization time is usually about 0.0001 to about 5 seconds, preferably about 0.005 to about 2 seconds.

  Moreover, the area ratio of the embossed part 7 with respect to the area of the absorber 1 is preferably about 1 to about 20%, more preferably about 2 to about 15%, and still more preferably about 3 to about 10%. When the area ratio is less than about 1%, the action of the embossed portion 7 described later tends not to appear, and when the area ratio exceeds about 10%, the wearer tends to feel firmness to the absorbent body. . The “area of the absorber” and “area of the embossed portion” mean the area when the absorber is viewed in plan.

Furthermore, the area of each embossing 7 are preferably 0.1～20.0Mm ^2, more preferably 1.0～15.0Mm ^2, and more preferably has an area of 2.0~10.0mm ^2. When the area is less than 0.1 mm ² , the protrusion 17ep of the embossing roll 17e has an acute angle and the absorber 1 may be broken. When the area exceeds 20.0 mm ² , the absorber 1 tends to be too hard. There is.

  Next, the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is inserted into the cutting device 19, specifically, between the anvil roll 19a and the cutter roll 19c, and the blade of the cutter roll 19c is formed on the first surface FF of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w. 19cb is pressed, and the cutting process which puts the notch 9 so that the absorber semi-finished product 1w may push down the cover sheet 5 in 1st embodiment is performed. Due to the arrangement and shape of the blade 19cb of the cutter roll 19c described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent body 1 is provided with staggered cuts 9, and each cut 9 is substantially in the transverse direction SD of the absorbent body 1. It has a linear shape extending in the direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 9 is formed at a depth that just penetrates the cover sheet 5. And in the cutting process in 1st embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is put in parts other than the embossed part 7, and by extension, between the embossed parts 7, and is also put in the periphery 5p of the cover sheet 5. FIG. . However, a part of the notch 9 may be inserted into the embossed portion 7.

  And finally, the cutting process which cut | disconnects the absorber semi-finished product 1w so that it may become the shape of the absorber 1 shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3 using the cutting device 21 is performed. Thereby, manufacture of the absorber 1 is completed.

  From this, the effect of the absorber 1 manufactured by the method of manufacturing the absorber 1 for absorbent articles which concerns on 1st embodiment, and the said method is demonstrated.

  (1) In the absorbent semi-finished product 1w, the embossing process is performed and the embossed part 7 is formed, so that the fibers pressed in the embossed part 7 are difficult to move. It ’s difficult. In addition, in the first embodiment, the absorbent body 1 is usually inserted so that the cut 9 penetrates the cover sheet 5 from the first surface FF side on which the cover sheet 5 is provided. The cover sheet 5 that is less likely to be deformed than the stacked fiber body 3 is easily stretched and thus easily deformed, and the absorbent body 1 has flexibility to fit the wearer's body shape when worn.

  (2) When transporting, only the fiber stack 3 with the cellulose water-absorbing fibers 3c being stacked may endure the transport tension and may be torn during transport, but the first embodiment Then, since the laminated body 3 is laminated | stacked on the cover sheet 5 with higher tensile strength than the laminated body 3, and both are conveyed by a post process, conveyance of the absorber semi-finished product 1w is easy.

  (3) In the first embodiment, since the cuts 9 are made in the peripheral edge 5p of the cover sheet 5, the portions 5s subdivided by the cuts 9 in the vicinity of the peripheral edge 5p can be moved individually. A portion near the peripheral edge 5p of the sheet 5 is easily deformed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, in the short direction SD of the absorbent body 1, the size of the cover sheet 5 is smaller than the dimension of the fiber stack 3 and covers the end of the absorbent body 1 in the short direction SD. Since 5 does not reach, the end portion of the absorbent body 1 in the short direction SD is easily deformed as compared with other portions. As a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn. Moreover, contrary to the dimensional relationship of the fiber stack 3 and the cover sheet 5 in the present embodiment, in the short direction SD of the absorbent body 1, the cover sheet 5 is larger than the fiber stack 3, Since the fiber stack 3 does not support the portion near the peripheral edge 5p of the cover sheet 5 during the cutting step, it becomes difficult to make the cut 9 in the portion near the peripheral edge 5p of the cover sheet 5. However, in the present embodiment, due to the above dimensional relationship between the fiber stack 3 and the cover sheet 5, the fiber stack 3 supports a portion in the vicinity of the peripheral edge 5 p of the cover sheet 5 during the cutting process. The notch 9 can be surely made in the peripheral edge 5p.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the cut 9 penetrates the cover sheet 5, but is inserted so as not to enter the fiber stack 3 as much as possible, that is, does not reach the second surface FS of the absorbent body 1. Are put in like. If the fiber stack 3 contained in the absorbent body 1 is completely cut in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 1, the absorbed body fluid such as menstrual blood can be moved between the separated parts. However, in the first embodiment, since the stacked fiber body 3 is connected without being cut even in the cut portion 9, the absorption performance of the absorbent body 1 is reduced. The decrease can be suppressed.

  (5) In the first embodiment, the embossed portions 7 each have a dot shape and are thus formed discontinuously in the longitudinal direction LD of the absorbent body 1. That is, the absorber 1 is not formed with an embossed portion that extends over the entire longitudinal direction LD of the absorber 1. Thereby, when the absorbent article is worn, there is a portion without the embossed portion 7 that is hard as described above in any place in the longitudinal direction LD of the absorbent body 1, and it is more easily deformed in the place. The absorbent body 1 is easily deformed as a whole, and as a result, the absorbent article can be fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  (6) In the first embodiment, the notch 9 is formed between the embossed portions 7. Thereby, the easily deformable location other than the embossed portion 7 of the absorbent body 1 can be further easily deformed as described above. As a result, the absorbent article can be further fitted to the wearer's body shape when the absorbent article is worn.

  (7) In the first embodiment, the cutting step is performed after the embossing step. Thus, by pressing the fibers constituting the absorbent semi-finished product 1w by the embossing process and making it difficult to move, making the absorbent semi-finished product 1w difficult to twist, and then performing the cutting process, Since the movement of the absorbent semi-finished product 1w is suppressed, the notch 9 can be made at a desired location.

  In the first embodiment, the stacked fiber body 3 is laminated with the cover sheet 5, but in another embodiment, the stacked fiber body 3 can endure the conveyance tension by the entanglement of fibers constituting the stacked fiber body 3. By having the sufficient tensile strength and transporting the fiber stack 3 without using the cover sheet 5, the subsequent embossing process, cutting process, and the like are performed. As a result, in the other embodiment, the absorbent body 1 does not include the cover sheet 5 and is configured only by the fiber stack 3. At this time, the cuts 9 are put in the middle of the stack 3 in the thickness direction. Also in this case, in the embossing process, the protrusion 17ep of the embossing roll 17e is pressed against the first surface FF side, which is generally harder than the second surface FS side. This is preferable because the absorbent body 1 is easily deformed along the wearer's body shape.

  In the first embodiment, the cuts 9 are also made in the peripheral edge 5p of the cover sheet 5, but in another embodiment, the cuts 9 are made in places other than the peripheral edge 5p. That is, in the absorbent body 1 according to the other embodiment, the end of the cover sheet 5 is not cut. If it does in this way, the part of peripheral edge 5p vicinity of cover sheet 5 will be integrated, and it will suppress that cover sheet 5 turns up partly and bends during manufacture of absorber 1, and damages the appearance of an absorptive article. Can be prevented. In the absorbent article, the absorbent body 1 and thus the cover sheet 5 are covered with another sheet such as a top sheet. In this case as well, the cover sheet 5 is formed when the other sheet is transparent. Note that the user may be able to see that he is turning over.

  In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the notch 9 is so deep as to cut only the cover sheet 5, that is, so as not to reach the second surface FS of the absorber 1. . In another embodiment, the cuts 9 are cut so as to cut halfway in the thickness direction of the fiber stack 3. In yet another embodiment, the notch 9 is cut through the absorber 1. Thus, by making the notch 9 deeply, the absorber 1 can be more easily deformed, and as a result, the fit of the absorber 1 can be further improved.

  In the first embodiment, the embossed portions 7 are arranged in a staggered manner, and as a result, are formed discontinuously in the longitudinal direction LD of the absorbent body 1, but in another embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body 1. The LD is formed continuously from one end to the other end. Thereby, the absorber 1 can be made more difficult to twist.

  In the first embodiment, the absorber 1 is provided with a plurality of dot-shaped embossed portions 7, but in another embodiment, the absorber 1 has only one linear embossed portion 7, for example. Is provided.

  In the first embodiment, the cutting process is performed after the embossing process, but in another embodiment, the cutting process is performed before the embossing process.

  In 1st embodiment, although the embossing part 7 was formed of the embossing apparatus 17 which consists of the anvil roll 17a and the embossing roll 17e, this invention is not restrict | limited to this. For example, the embossing part 7 may be formed using an embossing press machine by intermittently conveying the absorbent semi-finished product 1w.

  In the first embodiment, the cut 9 is made by the cutting device 19 including the anvil roll 19a and the cutter roll 19c, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notch 9 may be cut by a rotary blade or a laser cutter.

  In the first embodiment, the cutting process is performed after the embossing process, but in another embodiment, the embossing process is performed after the cutting process.

(Second embodiment)
From this, the manufacturing method of the absorber for absorbent articles which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on drawing. Regarding the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In addition, the configuration of the first embodiment other than the differences from the second embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment, and those skilled in the art can arbitrarily combine these components within the obvious range. Note that you can. In the first embodiment, only the cellulosic water absorbent fibers 3c are used as the material of the stacked fiber body 3, but in the second embodiment, the cellulosic water absorbent fibers 3c are heated to the material of the fiber pile 3 in the second embodiment. Manufacturing according to the first embodiment is performed by using a mixture of the plastic resin fibers 3t and performing a fiber opening process for opening the cellulose-based water absorbent fibers 3c and the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t so as to be mixed at a desired ratio. It differs from the first embodiment in that it is included instead of the opening step of the method.

From now, the mixing apparatus 101 which performs the said mixing opening process shown by FIG. 8 is demonstrated. The mixing apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment includes a web forming apparatus 103 that forms the web 102 from the fibers 3c and 3t constituting the fiber stack 3. Further, the web 102 continuously supplied from the web forming apparatus 103 is opened to form fibers 3c and 3t supplied to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11 via the duct 13. 105.
Further, between the web forming device 103 and the fiber opening device 105, compression is performed to compress at least a part of the web 102 formed by the web forming device 103 in the thickness direction over the entire length of the web 102. A device 110 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the web forming apparatus 103 laminates a plurality of fiber groups containing at least one of the fibers 3c and 3t constituting the stacked fiber body 3 at a predetermined ratio, respectively, so as to have a certain thickness. The web 102 is formed without heat-sealing. Specifically, the web forming apparatus 103 includes a plurality of suction drums 131 and 132 rotatable around an axis, and at least one fiber of the plurality of fiber groups on the outer peripheral surface of each of the suction drums 131 and 132. Fiber group supply devices 133 and 134 for supplying the groups, respectively. Further, the web forming device 103 includes a web peeling device 120 that peels and feeds the formed web 102 from the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 132.

In this embodiment, it has a pair of upper and lower first suction drums 131 and second suction drums 132 that rotate at the same peripheral speed in opposite directions, and the first fibers are provided to the first suction drum 131. The group supply device 133 is provided with a second fiber group supply device 134 for the second suction drum 132.
In addition, the first fiber group supply device 133 supplies the first fiber group to the first suction drum 131, and the second fiber group supply device 134 supplies the second fiber group to the second suction drum 132. In this embodiment, the first fiber group is cellulose-based water-absorbing fiber 3c, and the second fiber group is thermoplastic resin fiber 3t.

  The first and second suction drums 131 and 132 suck and rotate the first and second fiber groups supplied from the first and second fiber group supply devices 133 and 134, respectively. By causing the second fiber group to be sucked to the respective outer peripheral surfaces, the first and second fiber bundles in the form of strips in which the first and second fiber groups are stacked to a predetermined thickness. Are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.

  These first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are formed in a mesh shape with a plurality of suction holes (not shown) formed on the outer peripheral surface, and suction is performed from the inner side of the suction drums 131 and 132. By applying a force, the fiber group can be adsorbed on the outer peripheral surface to be piled up to a certain thickness. As a result, the first suction drum forms a first fiber stack 135, and the second suction drum forms a second fiber stack 136. In addition, since the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 respectively suck the first and second fiber groups while rotating, these first and second fiber groups are rotated. Are continuously stacked along the respective outer peripheral surfaces. As a result, the first and second stacked bodies 135 and 136 are continuously extended in the length direction.

Further, the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 can set suction ranges for sucking the first and second fiber groups on the outer peripheral surface, respectively. That is, while the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are rotating, a suction force is sequentially applied only to the suction holes that have entered the suction range with the rotation, while the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are moved out of the suction range. For the suction holes, the application of suction force is stopped so that the fiber group cannot be sucked.
About each suction range in these 1st and 2nd suction drums 131 and 132, the range in which the 1st and 2nd fiber group supply devices 133 and 134 supply the 1st and 2nd fiber groups, and the 1st The positions of openings 137a and 138a of fiber group supply paths 137 and 138 to be described later in the first and second fiber group supply devices 133 and 134, and the gap to be described later formed between the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 It is set according to the position of 119.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the first suction drum 131 is positioned before the position where the gap 119 is formed from a position facing the upper end side of the opening 137 a of the fiber group supply path 137 ( It has a range until a position of the inlet side) of the gap 119 and the suction range a _1.
As for the second suction drum, as shown in FIG. 8, a position (gap 119) past the position where the gap 119 is formed from the position facing the lower end side of the opening 138 a of the fiber group supply path 138. It has a range of up to the outlet side) and the suction range a _2.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 8, the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are such that the outer peripheral surfaces of the first suction drum 131 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the second suction drum 132 are opposed to each other. Are arranged so that the gap 119 (gap) is formed between the outer peripheral surfaces at the closest position.
In the gap 119, the first and second stacked fibers 135, 136 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second suction drums 131, 132 are overlapped and integrated with each other, thereby The web 102 can be formed.
In addition, a gap 119 between the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 is smaller than a predetermined thickness of the web 102, and the first and second fiber stacks 135 and 136 are mutually connected. At the time of superimposing, the first and second fiber stacks 135 and 136 can be integrated in the thickness direction to form the web 102.

Specifically, the gap 119 is preferably about 5 to about 75% of the thickness of the web 102 to be formed. More preferably, it is about 10 to about 60%, more preferably about 15 to about 50%.
When the size of the gap 119 is less than about 5% of the thickness of the web 102 to be formed, the first and second stacks are integrated when the first and second stacks are integrated. An excessive pressure is applied to the body, and on the contrary, the integration is not successful and the formation efficiency of the web 102 is deteriorated. In addition, since a large load acts on the first and second suction drums 131 and 132, there is a possibility that a problem of strength such as breakage may occur.
On the other hand, when the size of the gap 119 exceeds about 75% of the thickness of the web 102 to be formed, the space between the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 becomes too large and the first product is increased. The superposition of the fine body 135 and the second stacked fiber body 136 cannot be performed stably, and there is a high possibility that the integration will not be successful. In particular, when the web 102 is formed at a high speed, it is more difficult to stably integrate the first stacked fiber body 135 and the second stacked fiber body 136.
For example, when the thickness of the web 102 to be formed is about 20 mm, the gap 119 can be about 3 to about 10 mm.

  Further, the second suction drum 132 located on the lower side of the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 is used for the next process while the web 102 formed in the gap 119 is continuously placed on the outer peripheral surface. It can be transported towards. Therefore, the web 102 is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 for a while after the formation.

Here, the conveyance of the web 102 by the second suction drum 132 can be executed by setting the suction ranges of the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 as described above.
That is, the suction range of the first suction drum 131 is up to a position just before the position where the gap 119 is formed, while the suction range of the second suction drum 132 is a position past the gap 119. The web 102 is in the suction range of the second suction drum 132 at the time of formation. Accordingly, the web 102 begins to be conveyed while being sucked to the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132, and after the suction range of the second suction drum 132 is removed, the second suction drum is caused by its own weight. It moves on the outer peripheral surface of 132 and moves with the rotation of the outer peripheral surface, and is conveyed toward the next process.

On the other hand, the first and second fiber group supply devices 133 and 134 send the first and second fiber groups to be supplied to the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 to the first and second fiber groups. The fiber group supply paths 137 and 138 are respectively provided to be conveyed and supplied to the suction drums 131 and 132, respectively. The openings 137a and 138a facing the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are formed on the downstream sides of the fiber group supply paths 137 and 138, respectively.
In the case of this embodiment, the first fiber group supply device 133 that supplies the first fiber group composed of the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c to the first suction drum 131 pulverizes, for example, a pulp sheet or the like at a constant rate. The cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c formed by opening the fibers are air-conveyed through the fiber group supply passage 137 and supplied to the first suction drum 131.
In addition, the second fiber group supply device 134 that supplies the second fiber group composed of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t to the second suction drum reserves, for example, a bale-like fiber group including various thermoplastic resin fibers 3t. A configuration in which the fiber is opened after being opened, and then is air-fed through the fiber group supply path 138 and supplied to the second suction drum 132 from a quantitative supply device that supplies the opened thermoplastic resin fibers 3t in a fixed amount. It has become.

Further, the web peeling device 120 peels the web 102 placed on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum, particularly in the case of this embodiment, from the outer peripheral surface and conveys it to the next process. To do.
As shown in FIG. 8, the web peeling device 120 is configured to peel off the web 102 from the second suction drum 132 by changing the traveling direction of the web 102 on the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132. It has a roll 121 for use. When the peeling roll 121 rotates in the same direction as the second suction drum 132, the web 102 placed on the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 is scraped, and the traveling direction of the web 102 is changed. Then, the rotation direction of the second suction drum 132 is changed to the rotation direction of the peeling roll 121. As a result, the web 102 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface.
Then, after the web 102 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 by the peeling roll 121, the web 102 is conveyed along the outer peripheral surface of the peeling roll 121.

The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the peeling roll 121 and the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 is preferably about 5 to about 75% of the thickness of the web 102. More preferably, it is about 10 to about 60% of the thickness of the web 102, more preferably about 15 to about 50% of the thickness of the web 102. If the thickness of the web 102 is less than about 5%, the opening property in the subsequent opening process is deteriorated, and if it exceeds about 75%, the integrated state of the web 102 is difficult to maintain.
For example, when the thickness of the web 102 is about 10 mm, the distance can be about 1 to about 5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 8, the opening device 105 is provided with a plurality of opening blades on the outer peripheral surface of a mixing cylinder 151 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that is rotatable about an axis, and the mixing cylinder 151. The rotating blade 152 for opening (only a part of the rotating blade 152 is shown in FIG. 8) provided over the circumferential direction of the mixing cylinder 151, and the rotating blade 152. And a fixed blade 153 that is fixedly installed with a certain space between the blade tip.
Then, by inserting the web 102 between the rotating rotary blade 152 and the fixed blade 153, the web 102 is opened so as to be sandwiched between the rotary blade 152 and the fixed blade 153, and the duct is opened. The fibers 3c and 3t to be supplied to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11 through 13 are formed.

The compression device 110 compresses a part in the width direction of the web 102 between the web forming device 103 and the fiber opening device 105 in the thickness direction over the entire length of the web 102, and the length direction of the web 102. This improves the tensile strength.
It is conceivable that the web 102 formed in the web forming apparatus 103 has a low tensile strength because the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are not melt-bonded because they are not heat-treated. Therefore, it is conceivable that the web 102 is torn off due to tension or the like acting on the web 102 during conveyance. Therefore, in order to reduce the damage to the web 102 as much as possible during the conveyance, it is important to secure the tensile strength particularly in the length direction.
For this reason, in this embodiment, the compression device 110 compresses the web 102 in the thickness direction over the entire length of the web 102 to ensure the tensile strength in the length direction.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the compression device 110 includes the peeling roll 121 and a compression roll 111 disposed on the upper side of the peeling roll 121.
When the web 102 is inserted between the outer peripheral surfaces of the peeling roll 121 and the compression roll 111 and the web 102 is compressed, the compressed portion is formed over the entire length of the web 102. The tensile strength in the length direction of the web 102 is ensured.

  The gap between the outer peripheral surface of the compression roll 111 and the outer peripheral surface of the peeling roll 121 can be any size as long as the web 102 can be reliably and stably compressed. Although it depends on the thickness of the web 102 to be conveyed, the type of fiber used, the fiber length, and the like, it can be about 0 to about 5 mm, more preferably about 0 to about 2 mm. The compression roll 111 and the peeling roll 121 are urged in a direction in which they are pressed against each other by various urging means such as an air cylinder.

Next, the case where the said mixing fiber opening process is performed using the mixing apparatus 101 which has the said structure is demonstrated. In the case of the embodiment of the mixed fiber opening process, the process is basically performed in the order of the web forming process, the web peeling process, the compression process, and the fiber opening process.
As a preparation stage, the first and second fiber groups to be supplied to the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 are formed in the first and second fiber group supply devices 133 and 134, respectively. .

And a web formation process is implemented as a 1st process of the said mixing opening process.
This web forming step is performed by using the web forming apparatus 103. Specifically, first, the first suction drum 131 that rotates (rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8) from the first fiber group supply apparatus 133 is used. The first fiber group (cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c in the case of this embodiment) is supplied toward the outer peripheral surface of the first fiber group and rotated (from the first suction drum 131 and the second fiber group supply device 134). The second fiber group (in this embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t) is supplied toward the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 that rotates in the opposite direction. At this time, the amount of the first and second fiber groups supplied from the first and second fiber group supply devices 133 and 134, respectively, is a predetermined ratio of the mixing ratio contained in the absorbent body to be formed. To be adjusted.
Then, the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 suck the supplied first and second fiber groups, respectively, and the first stacked body 135 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first suction drum 131. On the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132, the second stacked body 136 is formed.

Thereafter, as the first and second suction drums 131 and 132 rotate, the first and second fiber stacks 135 and 136 formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the suction drums 131 and 132 become the first and second suctions. It moves to a space in the gap 119 formed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the drums 131 and 132. At this time, in the gap 119, the web 102 is formed by superimposing the first stack 135 and the second stack 136 on each other.
Then, after the web 102 is formed, the web 102 is transported to the next process using the rotation of the second suction drum 132. That is, the web 102 is conveyed in the rotation direction of the second suction drum 132 while maintaining the state where the web 102 is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132.

After the web forming step is completed, as the second step of the mixing and opening step, the web 102 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 on which the web 102 is placed and conveyed to the next step. A web peeling process is performed.
This web peeling step is performed using the web peeling device 120. Specifically, the web 102 attached to the second suction drum 132 is scraped up by the peeling roll 121 rotating in the same direction as the rotation direction of the second suction drum 132, and the web 102 The web 102 is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 by changing the traveling direction of the web in a direction away from the second suction drum 132.
The web 102 peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the second suction drum 132 is then placed on the outer peripheral surface of the peeling roll 121 and conveyed to the next step as the roll 121 rotates.

After the web peeling step is finished, as a third step of the mixed fiber opening step, at least a part of the web 102 formed in the web forming step in the width direction is thickened over the length direction of the web 102. A compression process for compressing in the vertical direction is performed.
This compression step is performed using a compression device 110 between the rotating peeling roll 121 and the compressing roll 111 rotating (rotating in a direction opposite to the peeling roll 121). 2 It is carried out by passing the web 102 which is peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 132 and carried on the outer peripheral surface of the peeling roll 121. Thereby, the web 102 is compressed by the peeling roll 121 and the compression roll 111, the tensile strength in the length direction of the web 102 is improved, and the web 102 is subjected to the process during a series of steps in the manufacturing method of the absorbent body. The web 102 is prevented from being broken.

After completion of the compression step, as a fourth step of the mixed opening step, the opening step of opening the web 102 fed from the compression device 110 to form the fibers 3c and 3t is performed.
This fiber opening process is performed using the fiber opening device 105. Specifically, the rotating blade 152 is rotatable around the axis and the blade edge of the blade of the rotating blade 152 is installed at a certain interval. By inserting the web 102 between the fixed blade 153 and the blade edge of the fixed blade 153, the web 102 is opened to form fibers 3c and 3t.
Then, the fibers 3 c and 3 t formed by this fiber opening process are supplied to the peripheral surface 11 s of the suction drum 11 by dropping to the lower side of the rotary blade 152 through the duct 13.

  Since the manufacturing method of the absorber for absorbent articles based on 2nd embodiment after this is the same as the manufacturing method which concerns on 1st embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  From this, the absorber manufactured by the manufacturing method of the absorber for absorbent articles which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring FIG.9 and FIG.10. 9 and 10, for the sake of explanation, the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are thick and long, and the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c are shown thinner and shorter than the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t. It does not reflect the thickness and length of. Furthermore, in FIG.9 and FIG.10, only the fiber stack 3 is shown among the absorbers 1 for convenience, and description of the cover sheet 5 is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the stacked fiber body 3 according to the second embodiment, at least a part of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t has a first portion 3t′a extending on the first surface FF side of the absorbent body 1 and the absorbent body 1. Cellulose having a second portion 3t′b extending on the second surface FS side and a connecting portion 3t′c connecting the first portion 3t′a and the second portion 3t′b. It is mixed with the system water-absorbing fiber 3c.

  More specifically, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t ′ includes a first portion 3t′a extending on one end (on the left side toward the end) on the first surface FF side of the absorbent body 1; The second portion 3t′b, the first portion 3t′a and the second portion extending on the second surface FS side of the absorber 1 at the other end portion (the right end portion). A connecting portion 3t′c for connecting 3t′b. Further, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t ″ includes a first portion 3t ″ a extending on the first surface FF side of the absorbent body 1 at one end (the left end). The second portion 3t ″ b extending on the second surface FS side of the absorbent body 1 between the end portion (the left end portion) and the other end portion (the right end portion) , And a connecting portion 3t ″ c for connecting the first portion 3t ″ a and the second portion 3t ″ b.

  In the stacked fiber body 3 and the absorbent body 1 according to the second embodiment, at least a part of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t extends on the first surface FF side of the absorbent body 1 at the first portion 3t′a. 3t ″ a, the second part 3t′b, 3t ″ b extending on the second surface FS side of the absorber 1, the first part 3t′a, 3t ″ a and the second part 3t By having connecting portions 3t'c and 3 "c for connecting 'b, 3t" b, the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t hold other components of the absorbent body 1, for example, the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c. As a result, the strength of the absorbent body 1 is improved, and as a result, when force such as body pressure is applied, delamination within the absorbent body 1 is less likely to occur, and the absorbent body 1 (and the absorbent body 1) is absorbed. An absorbent article that does not contain the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t, for example, a cellulosic water-absorbing fiber only. Yore made Nikuku than non-absorbent.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the stacked fiber body 3, a part of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3 t, 3 t ′, 3 t ″ and 3 t ′ ″ are taken into the embossed portion 7, and the thermoplastic resin fibers 3 t, 3t ′, 3t ″ and 3t ′ ″ are connected via the embossed portion 7. Accordingly, the stacked fiber body 3 is equivalent to including the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t having a substantially longer average fiber length, and the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, 3t ′, 3t ″ and 3t ′ ″ are As a skeleton for holding other components of the body 3, for example, the cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers 3c, it has a higher function than before being connected, and the strength of the absorbent body is improved.

  In addition, since the embossed portion 7 partially fixes the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, 3t ′, 3t ″, and 3t ′ ″, the embossed portion 7 is included in the fiber stack 3 even when body pressure or the like is applied. The fibers 3t and 3c are difficult to move, and the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, 3t ′, 3t ″ and 3t ′ ″ are securely fixed, so that the strength of the absorbent body 1 is improved.

  At this time, in the embossed part 7, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is fused with other fibers. That is, in the embossing step, the temperature of the embossing roll 17e is preferably equal to or higher than the temperature at which at least a part of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is melted. For example, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is a sheath-core type composite fiber. In some cases, the temperature may be equal to or higher than a temperature at which a part of the sheath component starts to melt. When the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is fused with other fibers, particularly other heat-fusible fibers, the above-described effects are easily obtained.

  On the other hand, it is preferable that the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are not fused with the cellulose water-absorbing fibers 3c and / or other thermoplastic resin fibers 3t at locations other than the embossed portion 7. The thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are preferably intertwined with the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c and / or other thermoplastic resin fibers 3t. Thereby, it can suppress that the absorber 1 becomes hard too much.

  Examples of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t include those containing a single component, for example, a single fiber, or those containing a plurality of components, for example, composite fibers. The above components include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, polyolefin such as ionomer resin; polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly Examples include butylene terephthalate (PBT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polyester such as polylactic acid; polyamide such as nylon.

  Examples of the composite fibers include, for example, composite fibers such as core-sheath fibers, side-by-side fibers, and island / sea fibers; hollow fibers; irregular fibers such as flat, Y-type, and C-types; latent crimps or manifestations Three-dimensional crimped fibers of crimps; split fibers that are split by physical load such as water flow, heat, embossing, etc., and core-sheath fibers that are obtained industrially inexpensively and have high safety, PET / PE, PP / PE (core / sheath) and the like are preferable.

  The weight ratio of core / sheath component is preferably from about 10/90 to about 90/10, and more preferably from about 30/70 to about 70/30. When the ratio of the sheath component is small, the fusibility decreases, and when the ratio of the sheath component increases, the spinnability tends to decrease.

  In the absorbent body 1 obtained by the method for producing the absorbent body for absorbent articles according to the second embodiment, the tensile strength in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 1 is preferably about 100 Pa or more, more preferably. About 150 Pa or more, more preferably about 200 Pa or more, and even more preferably about 250 Pa or more. When the said tensile strength is less than about 100 Pa, there exists a tendency for the intensity | strength of an absorber to be low and for an absorber to become easy to twist. Moreover, although the upper limit of the tensile strength of the thickness direction of the absorber 1 is not specifically limited, About 3,000 Pa or less is preferable from a soft viewpoint.

In the present disclosure, the tensile strength is measured as follows using the apparatus shown in FIG.
(1) A pair of acrylic jigs 31 (diameter 68 mm, mass of each jig: 200 g, grip portion 31 a height: 50 mm) is prepared.
(2) A sample 32 having a diameter of 68 mm is prepared from the absorber.
(3) Two sheets of double-sided tape 33 (manufactured by 3M, adhesive transfer tape 950) cut out to a diameter of 68 mm are prepared.

(4) As shown in FIG. 11, the sample 32 is fixed to a pair of jigs 31 using two double-sided tapes 33.
(5) A pair of jigs 31 having the sample 32 is placed on the holding table 35, and a weight 34 (10.5 kg) is placed thereon, and left for 3 minutes.
(6) A pair of jigs 31 are set in a tensile tester (Shimadzu Corporation, AG-1kNI) with a gripping interval of 70 mm.

(7) The sample 32 is subjected to a tensile test at a speed of 100 mm / min until the sample 32 peels in the layer, and the maximum tensile force (N) at that time is recorded.
(8) The measurement is repeated 5 times in total, the average value of the maximum tensile force (N) is obtained, and the following formula:
Tensile strength (Pa) = Average value of maximum tensile force (N) /0.003632 (m ² )
According to the above, the tensile strength (Pa) is calculated.
The measurement is carried out at 20 ° C.

  The method for manufacturing the absorbent body for absorbent articles according to the second embodiment is the same as the method according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, not only the cellulosic water absorbent fibers 3c but also the cellulosic water absorbent fibers mixed at a given mixing ratio from above through the duct 13 with respect to the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11. 3c and thermoplastic resin fiber 3t are supplied. By supplying the fibers 3c and 3t in this manner, the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are deposited in the radial direction of the suction drum 11, in other words, in the direction from the peripheral surface 11s of the suction drum 11 toward the central direction of the suction drum 11. Tend to. However, in the present invention, the orientation of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and described above. The thermoplastic resin fibers 3t only need to be mixed so as to extend within the stacked fiber body 3 so as to have a certain length.

  In the second embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is preferably about 2 times or more, more preferably about 3 times or more, further preferably about 4 times or more, and still more preferably about the thickness of the absorbent body 1. It has an average fiber length of 5 times or more, and even more preferably about 7 times or more. When the magnification is less than about 2 times, it is difficult for the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t in the stacked body 3 to extend on both sides of the first surface FF and the second surface FS of the absorbent body 1. is there.

  In the second embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is an average fiber having a magnification of preferably about 30 times or less, more preferably about 20 times or less, and further preferably about 15 times or less the thickness of the absorbent body 1. Have a length. When the magnification is more than about 30 times, the opening of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t becomes insufficient, and the uniformity of the absorbent body 1 may be hindered.

  In the second embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t preferably have an average fiber length of about 6 to about 70 mm, more preferably about 10 to about 50 mm, and even more preferably about 15 to about 40 mm. When the average fiber length is less than about 6 mm, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t in the stacked body 3 tends to be difficult to extend on both the first surface FF and the second surface FS, and There is a tendency that the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t are less likely to be entangled with the other thermoplastic resin fibers 3t and / or the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c.

  When the average fiber length exceeds about 70 mm, the openability of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t is remarkably lowered, and the absorbent body 1 contains the unopened thermoplastic resin fiber 3t. There is a tendency for the uniformity of. In addition, the said average fiber length is especially preferable when the absorber 1 is mixed with a cellulosic water absorbing fiber, for example, a pulp fiber, by the airlaid system.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the average fiber length of the cellulosic water absorbing fiber 3c is not particularly limited. Moreover, when the cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c is a regenerated cellulose fiber, a semi-synthetic fiber or the like, it can have an average fiber length of about 3 to about 70 mm, about 5 to about 50 mm, about 10 to about 40 mm, and the like. Depending on the fiber length, the regenerated cellulose fiber, semi-synthetic fiber, and the like have the same function as the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t during drying, and can give the absorbent body a stiffness.

  In the second embodiment, the distance between the embossed portions 7 is preferably about 2.0 times or less of the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, more preferably about 1. of the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t. It is not more than 0 times, more preferably not more than about 0.7 times the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, and still more preferably not more than about 0.5 times the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t. Moreover, when the said space | interval is longer than about 2.0 times the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t fixed to the different embossed part 7 will not be entangled, and the intensity | strength of the absorber 1 will improve. Hard to do. Further, if the interval is about 0.5 times or less of the average fiber length of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t, one thermoplastic resin fiber 3t may be fixed to the plurality of embossed portions 7, and therefore, absorption The strength of the body 1 is easily improved.

  In the second embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t preferably have a fineness of about 0.5 to about 10 dtex, and more preferably about 1.5 to about 5 dtex. If the fineness is less than about 0.5 dtex, the openability of the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t may be reduced, and if the fineness exceeds about 10 dtex, the number of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t is reduced. There is a tendency that the number of points entangled with the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t and / or the cellulosic water-absorbing fibers 3c is reduced.

  In the absorbent body according to the second embodiment, the thermoplastic resin fiber 3t and the cellulosic water-absorbing fiber 3c are preferably about 5 to about 50 parts by mass and about 50 parts by mass, respectively, based on a total of 100 parts by mass thereof. 50 to about 95 parts by weight, and more preferably about 10 to about 40 parts by weight and about 60 to about 90 parts by weight. When the ratio of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t is less than about 5 parts by mass, the strength of the absorbent body becomes insufficient, the absorbent body 1 tends to be twisted, and the ratio of the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t is about 50 masses. When it exceeds the part, the liquid absorbency of the absorbent body 1 tends to be insufficient.

In addition, the absorbent body 1 according to the above-described embodiment is generally about 20 to about 1000 g / m ² , preferably about 50 to about 800 g / m ² , and more preferably about 100 to about 500 g / m ² . Has a basis weight. This is from the viewpoint of strength and absorbability of the absorbent body 1.

The absorbent body 1 according to the second embodiment is preferably about 0.06 to about 0.14 g / cm ³ , more preferably about 0.07 to about 0.12 g / cm ³ , and even more preferably about 0.00. Having a density of 08 to about 0.1 g / cm ³ . Particularly in the second embodiment, the absorbent body 1 has a ratio of the cellulose-based water absorbent fibers 3c and the thermoplastic resin fibers 3t and the above density, so that the absorbent body 1 tends to be excellent in liquid absorbency.
The density can be calculated from the basis weight and thickness of the absorber. The basis weight is measured in accordance with “6.2 Mass per unit area (ISO method)” of JIS L 1913: 2010.

  In the absorbent body 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the preferred thickness varies depending on the use of the absorbent body 1 and the like, but is generally about 0.1 to about 15 mm, preferably about 1 to about 10 mm, and more preferably. Has a thickness of about 2 to about 5 mm.

In the present disclosure, the thickness (mm) of the absorber is measured as follows.
FS-60DS [measurement surface 44 mm (diameter), measurement pressure 3 g / cm ² ] manufactured by Daiei Kagaku Seisakusho Co., Ltd. is prepared and absorbed under standard conditions (temperature 23 ± 2 ° C., relative humidity 50 ± 5%). Pressurize five different parts of the body, measure the thickness of each part 10 seconds after pressurization, and take the average of the five measured values as the thickness of the absorber.

In this disclosure, the “average fiber length” is defined as follows.
In the present disclosure, the average fiber lengths of thermoplastic resin fibers and cellulose-based water-absorbing fibers other than pulp, for example, regenerated cellulose fibers and semi-synthetic fibers, are defined in “A7” in Annex A of JIS L 1015: 2010. .1 Measurement of fiber length "according to" A7.1.1 Method of measuring length of individual fibers on glass plate with A method (standard method) scale ". The above method is a test method corresponding to ISO 6989 issued in 1981.
In the present disclosure, the average fiber length of the pulp means a weight-weighted average fiber length, and Kajaani Fiber Lab fiber properties (off-line) manufactured by Metso Automation Co., Ltd. [kajaani FiberLab fiber properties (off-line). )] Means the L (w) value measured.

  All features that can be understood by those skilled in the art from the description, drawings, and claims are described in the specification in which these features are combined only in relation to certain other features. As long as the features are not explicitly excluded, or unless the technical aspects are impossible or meaningless combinations, independently and in addition to one or more of the other disclosed herein. It can be combined with any combination of features.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Absorber 1w Absorber semi-finished product 3 Stacked fiber 5 Cover sheet 7 Embossed part 9 Cut FF First surface FS Second surface

Claims (9)

A method for producing an absorbent body for an absorbent article from an absorbent semi-finished product having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and including a fiber stack,
An embossing step of forming an embossed portion in the absorbent semi-finished product by pressing and pressing a protrusion on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product;
A cutting step for cutting into the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product;
including,
Method. The absorbent semi-finished product has a cover sheet on the first surface side,
In the cutting step, the cut is made on the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so as to penetrate the cover sheet.
The method of claim 1. In the cutting step, the cut is made in the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so that the cut enters at least the periphery of the cover sheet.
The method of claim 2. In the cutting step, the cut is made in the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so that the cut enters a portion other than the periphery of the cover sheet.
The method of claim 2. In the cutting step, the cut is made in the first surface of the absorbent semi-finished product so as not to reach the second surface of the absorbent semi-finished product,
The method of any one of Claims 1-4. In the embossing step, the embossed part is formed by squeezing the absorbent semi-finished product discontinuously in the conveying direction of the absorbent semi-finished product,
The method of any one of claims 1-5. In the cutting step, a plurality of the cuts are made in the absorbent semi-finished product,
Each of the incisions extends in a predetermined direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the absorbent semi-finished product,
The method of any one of claims 1-6. In the embossing step, a plurality of the embossed portions are formed,
In the cutting step, the cut is put in at least one place between the embossed parts,
The method according to claim 1. The cutting step is performed after the embossing step.
The method according to claim 1.

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