JP2019063375A - Manufacturing method of absorbent article and manufacturing apparatus of absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a manufacturing method of an absorbent article suppressing crush of surface sheet thickness in the manufacturing method of the absorbent article including an absorber with a plurality of sheet pieces.SOLUTION: The manufacturing method of an absorbent article 200 according to the present invention includes: a core formation step of piling up a plurality of sheet pieces 10bh including synthetic fibers 10b to form an absorbent core 100a; a heating step of heat-treating a belt-like liquid-permeable surface sheet 201a to form a heat-treated surface sheet 201k whose thickness is increased more than that before the heat treatment; and a continuous body formation step of superposing the absorbent core 100a conveyed and the belt-like heat-treated surface sheet 201k conveyed to form an absorbent-article continuous body 200r.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an absorbent article and an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article.

  As an absorber used for absorbent articles, such as a disposable diaper, a sanitary napkin, and an incontinence pad, an absorber including, for example, pulp fibers and synthetic fibers is known. As a method for producing an absorbent containing pulp fibers and synthetic fibers, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

  Patent Document 1 describes an absorbent article in which a non-woven fabric having a three-dimensional structure in which fibers are bonded in advance is formed, and then the non-woven fabric is crushed to form non-woven fabric pieces, and the non-woven fabric pieces are mixed with hydrophilic fibers. A method of making the absorber is described. In addition, Patent Document 1 describes that a cutter mill method is adopted as a means for crushing a non-woven fabric, and non-woven fabric pieces having an average size of 3 to 25 mm are formed.

  As another technique, in Patent Document 2, a wing-like flap of the absorbent article is folded in the process of conveying while holding the absorbent article with a pair of conveyor belts provided with lifting and lowering jacks, and then the individual sheet A method of manufacturing a individually absorbent article is described, in which the front end portion and the rear end portion of the absorbent article are sequentially folded together with the individualized sheet by the folding plate after being superposed.

JP 2002-301105 A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-121299

  In the case of manufacturing an absorbent article using an absorber including a non-woven fabric piece having a certain size, as in the method of manufacturing an absorber described in Patent Document 1, for example, it is transported while being held by a pair of conveyor belts. It has been found that the absorbent body including the non-woven fabric piece is easy to recover in thickness even if it is folded into an individualized state by a folding plate. As described above, when the thickness of the absorbent is recovered, the absorbent article is conveyed while being nipped by the conveyor belt, or is folded while being in an individualized state, and a surface sheet is formed on the skin facing surface by the absorbent whose thickness is recovered. It has been found that the surface sheet does not have a desired thickness and causes an adverse effect on the absorption performance of the absorbent article. Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not describe or suggest at all about preventing the thickness of the top sheet from being crushed.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article including an absorbent body having a plurality of sheet pieces, in which the thickness of the surface sheet is prevented from being crushed. To aim.

  In the present invention, a core forming step of accumulating a plurality of sheet pieces containing synthetic fibers to form an absorbent core, and a liquid permeable belt-like surface sheet are subjected to heat treatment, and the thickness thereof is greater than before the heat treatment. A continuum in which a heating step of forming an increasing heat-treated surface sheet, the absorbent core to be conveyed, and the strip-like heat-treated surface sheet to be conveyed are superposed to form a continuum of absorbent articles And a step of forming the absorbent article.

  In the present invention, heat treatment is applied to the core forming portion forming a absorbent core by stacking a plurality of sheet pieces containing synthetic fibers, and a liquid-permeable band-like surface sheet, and the thickness thereof is greater than that before the heat treatment. Continuous forming the continuum of the absorbent article by superposing the heating part which forms the heat treated surface sheet which is also increasing, the absorbent core which is conveyed, and the beltlike heat treated surface sheet which is conveyed It is a manufacturing apparatus of an absorbent article provided with a body formation part.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, crushing of the thickness of a surface sheet can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of an absorbent article produced by the method of producing an absorbent article of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the absorbent article shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the side. FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a supply unit provided in the manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on its preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
The production method of the present invention is a production method for an absorbent article. The absorbent article produced in the present invention is mainly used to absorb and hold body fluids excreted from the body such as urine and menstrual blood. Absorbent articles include, but are not limited to, for example, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, incontinence pads, panty liners, etc., and widely include articles used for absorbing fluid discharged from the human body. Do. The absorbent article typically comprises a liquid-permeable top sheet, a liquid-impermeable or water-repellent back sheet, and a liquid-retaining absorbent interposed between the two sheets. When the absorbent article is worn, the absorbent article has a longitudinally long shape corresponding to the front-rear direction of the wearer.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an absorbent article 200 of an embodiment manufactured by the method of manufacturing an absorbent article of the present embodiment. The absorbent article 200 has a heat-treated surface sheet 201k disposed on the skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body 100 and the absorbent body 100, and a back surface sheet 201b disposed on the non-skin-facing surface side of the absorbent body 100. There is. In addition, a skin opposing surface is a surface distribute | arranged to a wearer's skin side at the time of wear among the both surfaces of each member which comprises the absorbent article 200, and a non-skin opposing surface means the absorbent article 200. It is a surface turned to the side opposite to a wearer's skin side at the time of wear among front and back both sides of each member to constitute.

  Absorbent body 100 includes synthetic fiber 10b, and in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, absorbent core 100a includes hydrophilic fiber 10a and absorbent particle 10c as well as synthetic fiber 10b. . Here, "including the synthetic fiber 10b" means having the sheet piece 10bh containing the synthetic fiber 10b. The absorbent body 100 may be a single layer or a plurality of layers as long as it includes the synthetic fiber 10b, but in the present embodiment, the hydrophilic fiber 10a, the synthetic fiber 10b and the absorbent particle 10c are dispersed and distributed The absorbent core 100a has a single-layered structure. The absorbent body 100 is formed by covering the absorbent core 100a with a core wrap sheet 100b. Like the absorbent article 200, the absorbent body 100 has a long shape in the front-rear direction of the wearer.

  The absorbent core 100a includes a plurality of sheet pieces 10bh (hereinafter, also simply referred to as sheet pieces 10bh) including the synthetic fibers 10b, and each sheet piece 10bh has a substantially rectangular shape. The average length of each sheet piece 10bh is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and particularly preferably 2 mm or more and 10 mm or less. Here, the average length indicates the average value of the lengths of the sides in the longitudinal direction when each sheet piece 10bh has a rectangular shape. When each sheet piece 10bh has a square shape, the average value of the length of any one side of the four sides is shown. When the average length of the sheet piece 10bh is 0.3 mm or more, it is easy to form a sparse structure in the absorber 100, and when it is 30 mm or less, it is difficult for the wearer to feel discomfort due to the absorber 100 The absorption performance is unlikely to be uneven depending on the position in the body 100. The average width of each sheet piece 10bh is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. Here, the average width indicates the average value of the lengths of the sides in the short direction when each sheet piece 10bh has a rectangular shape. When each sheet piece 10bh has a square shape, the average value of the length of any one side of the four sides is shown. When the average width of the sheet piece 10bh is 0.1 mm or more, it is easy to form a sparse structure in the absorber 100, and when it is 10 mm or less, it is difficult for the wearer to feel discomfort due to the absorber 100. It is hard to produce nonuniformity in absorption performance by the position in 100.

  As a fiber material which forms the absorber 100, the various things conventionally used for the absorber for absorbent articles can be used without a restriction | limiting especially. Examples of the hydrophilic fibers 10a include pulp fibers, rayon fibers, cotton fibers and the like. Examples of the synthetic fiber 10 b include short fibers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. The sheet piece 10bh is not particularly limited as long as it has a sheet shape, but a non-woven fabric is preferable. In addition to the hydrophilic fibers 10a and the synthetic fibers 10b, the absorbent particle 10c is also included in the constituent members constituting the absorber 100. Examples of the absorbent particles 10c include starch-based, cellulose-based, synthetic polymer-based, and superabsorbent polymer-based ones. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer include starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymer, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymer, crosslinked product of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and acrylic acid (salt) polymer. It can be used. As a component which constitutes absorber 100, a deodorizer, an antibacterial agent, etc. can also be used if needed. Examples of the core wrap sheet 100 b include tissue paper and liquid-permeable nonwoven fabric.

  The heat-treated surface sheet 201k is a liquid-permeable surface sheet 201 subjected to a heat treatment. It is preferable to use, as the surface sheet 201, a sheet including synthetic fibers and in which heat-fused portions for fusing constituent fibers are dispersed in a three-dimensional manner, from the viewpoint of easy increase in thickness by heat treatment described later. . Specifically, examples of the top sheet 201 include an air through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a resin bonded nonwoven fabric, and a needle punched nonwoven fabric.

  Next, the method of manufacturing the absorbent article of the present invention will be described by taking the method of manufacturing the absorbent article 200 described above as an example and referring to FIGS. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the overall configuration of the manufacturing apparatus 1 of one embodiment used to carry out the manufacturing method of the present embodiment. Before describing the method of manufacturing the absorbent article 200, the manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described first.

  The manufacturing apparatus 1 for manufacturing the absorbent article is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an article for forming a continuous body 200 r of an absorbent article including the absorber forming apparatus 100 A for forming the absorber 100 and the absorber 100. And a continuous body forming unit 100B.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the absorbent body forming apparatus 100A has a core forming portion 9 in which a plurality of sheet pieces 10bh including synthetic fibers 10b are accumulated to form an absorbent core 100a. The core forming unit 9 transports the material of the absorbent core 100a by placing the material of the absorbent core 100a on the air stream from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport direction, by defibrillating the hydrophilic sheet 10as that includes the hydrophilic fiber 10a. The duct 3 as a transport portion, the feeding portion 5 for supplying the sheet piece 10bh to the inside of the duct 3 from the middle of the duct 3, and the downstream side of the duct 3 are disposed adjacent to each other, and the raw materials of the absorbent core 100a are accumulated. A rotary drum 4 having an accumulating portion, a presser belt 7 disposed along an outer peripheral surface 4f opposite to the duct 3 in the rotary drum 4, and a vacuum conveyor 8 disposed below the rotary drum 4; Have. An accumulation recess 41, which is an example of an accumulation portion, is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating drum 4.

In the following description, the direction in which the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs including the synthetic fiber 10b and the absorbent 100 are conveyed is the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the width direction of the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs and the absorbent 100 which are conveyed. Is the X direction, and the thickness direction of the conveyed synthetic fiber sheet 10bs and the absorber 100 is the Z direction.
Further, the first direction described later is a direction extending in the transport direction Y, and means a direction in which the angle formed with the transport direction Y is less than 45 degrees. In the present embodiment, the first direction coincides with the direction parallel to the transport direction Y.
Moreover, the 2nd direction mentioned later is a direction which intersects with the 1st direction. In the present embodiment, the second direction is a direction orthogonal to the first direction, and coincides with a direction parallel to the width direction X of the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs to be conveyed and the absorber 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the defibrating unit 2 includes a fibrillating machine 21 for fibrillating the strip-like hydrophilic sheet 10 as including the hydrophilic fiber 10 a and a casing 22 covering the upper side of the fibrillating machine 21. There is. The defibrating unit 2 is a portion that supplies the disintegrated hydrophilic fiber 10 a that is a raw material of the absorber 100 to the inside of the duct 3. The defibrating unit 2 also has a pair of feed rollers (not shown) for supplying the hydrophilic sheet 10as to the defibrating machine 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the duct 3 extends from the defibrating unit 2 to the rotary drum 4, and the opening on the downstream side of the duct 3 is a space A of the rotary drum 4 maintained at a negative pressure. It covers the outer circumferential surface 4f located on The duct 3 has a top plate 31 forming a top surface, a bottom plate 32 forming a bottom surface, and both side walls 33 and 34 forming both side surfaces. Inside of the duct 3 surrounded by the top plate 31, the bottom plate 32 and both side walls 33 and 34 by the operation of the intake fan (not shown) of the rotary drum 4, the absorber 100 is directed toward the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotary drum 4. Air flow is made to flow the raw materials of That is, the inside of the duct 3 is a flow passage 30.

  On the top plate 31 of the duct 3, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an absorbent particle scattering pipe 36 for supplying the absorbent particles 10 c into the duct 3 is disposed. In the absorbent particle dispersion tube 36, the absorbent particles 10 c are discharged from the dispersion port provided at the tip of the absorbent particle dispersion tube 36 via a device such as a screw feeder (not shown), and supplied to the inside of the duct 3. It is supposed to be The amount of the absorbent particles 10c supplied to the absorbent particle scattering tube 36 can be adjusted by an apparatus such as each screw feeder.

  The supply part 5 cut | disconnects beltlike synthetic fiber sheet 10bs containing the synthetic fiber 10b by predetermined length in 1st direction (Y direction) and 2nd direction (X direction), as shown in FIGS. It has cutter blades 51 and 52 which form the sheet piece 10bh. The supply unit 5 includes a first cutter roller 53 having a plurality of cutter blades 51 for cutting in a first direction, and a second cutter roller 54 having a plurality of cutter blades 52 for cutting in a second direction. doing. The supply unit 5 includes one receiving roller 55 disposed to face the first cutter roller 53 and the second cutter roller 54.

  On the surface of the first cutter roller 53, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the entire circumference of the first cutter roller 53 is continuous along the circumferential direction of the first cutter roller 53. A plurality of extending cutter blades 51, 51, 51,... Are arranged in the axial direction (X direction) of the first cutter roller 53. The first cutter roller 53 is adapted to rotate in the direction of arrow R3 in response to power from a motor such as a motor. The distance between the cutter blades 51, 51, 51, ... adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the first cutter roller 53 is the width of the sheet piece 10bh formed by cutting (the length in the short direction, the length in the X direction) Generally correspond to the More precisely, the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut in a state of being shrunk in the width direction X depending on the tension at the time of sheet conveyance, so that the tension is released in the finished sheet piece 10bh. The width of the sheet piece 10bh may be wider than the interval between the blades 51, 51, 51,.

  On the surface of the second cutter roller 54, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of members extending continuously along the axial direction of the second cutter roller 54 and over the entire width of the second cutter roller 54 The cutter blades 52, 52, 52,... Are spaced in the circumferential direction of the second cutter roller 54. The second cutter roller 54 receives power from a motor such as a motor and rotates in the direction of arrow R4.

  The receiving roller 55 is a flat roller whose surface is flat as shown in FIGS. The receiving roller 55 receives power from a motor such as a motor and rotates in the direction of the arrow R5.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the supply unit 5 receives the receiving roller 55 and the first cutter roller 53 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction (the direction of the arrow R5) on the opposing surface of the receiving roller 55. And a free roller 56 for introducing a band-shaped synthetic fiber sheet 10bs, a first cutter roller 53 for cutting the band-shaped synthetic fiber sheet 10bs in a first direction, a plurality of cut in a first direction and extending in the first direction A nip roller 57 for introducing between the receiving roller 55 and the second cutter roller 54, and a second cutter roller 54 for cutting the strip continuous sheet piece 10bh1 in the second direction, Have in order. Further, the supply unit 5 has a feed roller (not shown) for conveying the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10 bs, and the feed roller is a belt-like composite between the receiving roller 55 and the first cutter roller 53. Introduce the fiber sheet 10bs. The feed roller is configured to be rotated by a drive device such as a servomotor, for example. From the viewpoint of preventing the slip of the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs, the feed roller is not slippery by forming a groove extending in the axial direction in the surface over the entire circumference or applying a coating treatment for improving the frictional force over the entire circumference You may It may be difficult to slip by nipping between the nip roller and the feed roller.

  The supply part 5 has the suction nozzle 58 which attracts | sucks the sheet piece 10bh formed of the 2nd cutter roller 54, as shown in FIGS. The suction nozzle 58 has its suction port 581 located below the second cutter roller 54, that is, the rotation direction of the second cutter roller 54 relative to the closest point of contact between the second cutter roller 54 and the receiving roller 55 (arrow R4 Direction) is located downstream. Further, the suction nozzle 58 has its suction port 581 extending over the entire width of the second cutter roller 54. From the viewpoint of improving the suction performance of the sheet piece 10bh, the suction roller 581 of the receiving roller 55 and the second cutter roller 54 is arranged such that the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 faces between the receiving roller 55 and the second cutter roller 54. It is preferable to arrange below. Then, from the viewpoint of further improving suction performance of the sheet piece 10bh, the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 views the receiving roller 55 and the second cutter roller 54 from the side as shown in FIG. It is preferable to cover the outer surface of the second cutter roller 54 so that the arc length of the suction port 581 facing the second cutter roller 54 is longer than the arc length of the suction port 581 facing the.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction nozzle 58 is connected to the top plate 31 side of the duct 3 via the supply pipe 59. The sheet piece 10 bh sucked from the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 is supplied to the inside of the duct 3 from the middle of the duct 3 through the supply pipe 59. The connection position between the supply pipe 59 and the duct 3 is located between the defibrating unit 2 side and the rotary drum 4 side in the duct 3, and is located downstream of the absorbent particle scattering pipe 36 in the duct 3. ing. However, the connection position between the supply pipe 59 and the duct 3 is not limited to this. For example, the connection position between the supply pipe 59 and the duct 3 may not be the top plate 31 side of the duct 3 but the bottom plate 32 side.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotary drum 4 has a cylindrical shape, and has a member 40 forming the outer peripheral surface 4f, and a fixed drum main body 42 positioned inside the member 40. . The member 40 forming the outer peripheral surface 4f receives power from a motor or the like and rotates about the horizontal axis in the direction of the arrow R1. The member 40 forming the outer peripheral surface 4 f has an accumulation recess 41 as an accumulation portion for accumulating the raw materials of the absorber to obtain an accumulation body. The accumulation recess 41 is continuously disposed all around the circumferential direction (2Y direction) of the rotary drum 4. The bottom surface of the accumulation recess 41 is made of a porous member that functions as a suction hole for sucking the raw material of the absorber 100. The drum body 42 internally has a plurality of mutually independent spaces, and the pressure of each space is adjusted by the drive of an intake fan (not shown) connected to the rotary drum 4. The manufacturing apparatus 1 has three spaces A to C, and the suction force of the region corresponding to the space A can be made stronger or weaker than the suction force of the region corresponding to the spaces B to C. The space A is maintained at a negative pressure.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the presser belt 7 is disposed along the outer peripheral surface 4 f adjacent to the downstream side of the position of the duct 3 and located in the space B of the rotating drum 4. The space B is set to a negative pressure or pressure zero (atmospheric pressure) weaker than the space A of the rotary drum 4. The presser belt 7 is an endless air-permeable or non-air-permeable belt, and is stretched over the rollers 71 and 72 so as to rotate along with the rotation of the rotary drum 4. The pressing belt 7 can hold the absorbent core 100 a in the accumulation recess 41 in the accumulation recess 41 until the absorbent core 100 a is transferred onto the vacuum conveyor 8.

  The vacuum conveyor 8 is disposed below the rotary drum 4 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and is located in a space C set to a weak positive pressure or zero pressure (atmospheric pressure) of the rotary drum 4. It is distribute | arranged to 4 f of outer peripheral surfaces. For example, by blowing air from the inside of the drum main body 42 to the outside of the outer peripheral surface 4 f, a weak positive pressure can be obtained. The vacuum conveyor 8 is opposed to an endless air-permeable belt 83 stretched over the drive roller 81 and the driven rollers 82 and 82 and an outer peripheral surface 4 f located in the space C of the rotary drum 4 with the air-permeable belt 83 interposed therebetween. And a vacuum box 84 arranged at a position. On the vacuum conveyor 8, a core wrap sheet 100b made of tissue paper, liquid permeable nonwoven fabric or the like is introduced.

  In the absorber forming apparatus 100A, the core wrap sheet 100b and the core wrap sheet 100b in the width direction so as to cover the absorbent core 100a transferred onto the core wrap sheet 100b on the downstream side of the vacuum conveyor 8 A folding guide plate (not shown) folded back in the direction. The folding guide plate is to fold back both sides along the transport direction Y of the core wrap sheet 100b onto the absorbent core 100a. The absorber forming apparatus 100A further includes a cutting device 6 on the downstream side of the folding guide plate, and the cutting device 6 manufactures the individual absorbers 100. As the cutting device 6, for example, in the production of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, light incontinence pads, panty liners, diapers, etc., those conventionally used for cutting absorbent continuous bodies are used without particular limitations. Can. Examples of the cutting device 6 include a cutter roller 62 having a cutting blade on the circumferential surface, and a smooth anvil roller 63 having a smooth circumferential surface for receiving the cutting blade.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the continuous object body forming unit 100 </ b> B heats the heating unit 210 forming the heat-treated surface sheet 201 k and the thickness direction Z upper side of the absorber 100 formed by the absorber forming apparatus 100 </ b> A. An introduction roll 203a for supplying the processed front sheet 201k and an introduction roll 203b for introducing the back sheet 201b to the lower side in the thickness direction Z of the absorbent body 100 are provided.

  The heating unit 210 internally includes a heating zone (not shown) that heats the surface sheet 201a, passes the strip-like surface sheet 201a to the heating zone, and forms the heat-treated surface sheet 201k. The heating unit 210 is a blowing means (not shown) for blowing hot air or heated steam to the surface sheet 201a in the heating zone, and a hot air suction box (not shown) for sucking the heated air or heated steam blown by the blowing means. And a hot air or heated steam is blown to the belt-like surface sheet 201a to form the heat-treated surface sheet 201k. In the heating unit 210, the spraying means is preferably disposed on the upper side in the thickness direction Z of the top sheet 201a to be conveyed, and is disposed on the lower side in the thickness direction Z of the top sheet 201a to which the hot air suction box is conveyed. Is preferred.

  Next, a method of manufacturing the absorbent article 200 using the manufacturing apparatus 1 described above, that is, an embodiment of a method of manufacturing the absorbent article of the present invention will be described.

  In the method of manufacturing the absorbent article 200 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an absorbent body forming step of forming the absorbent body 100, a heating step of forming the heat-treated surface sheet 201 k, and an absorbent article And an article continuum forming step of forming a continuum 200r of In addition, an absorber formation process has the core formation process which forms the absorptive core 100a. More preferably, the absorbent body forming step includes a fibrillation step of disintegrating the belt-like hydrophilic sheet 10as using the fibrillation machine 21 to obtain the hydrophilic fiber 10a, and a belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs including the synthetic fiber 10b. A cutting step of forming a plurality of sheet pieces 10bh by cutting in a predetermined length in the first direction and the second direction, and suctioning the sheet pieces 10bh obtained in the cutting step to supply the inside of the duct 3 A plurality of sheet pieces conveyed in the suction step, the plurality of sheet pieces 10bh and the conveyance step of conveying the plurality of sheet pieces 10bh and the hydrophilic fibers 10a to the accumulation recess 41 as the accumulation portion using the duct 3 as the conveyance portion 10bh and the hydrophilic fiber 10a are accumulated in the accumulation recess 41 to form the absorbent core 100a. In addition, the absorbent body forming step preferably includes a covering step of covering the absorbent core 100a formed by the core forming step with the core wrap sheet 100b. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article 200 of this embodiment is explained in full detail.

  First, an intake fan (not shown) connected to each of the space A in the rotating drum 4 and the inside of the vacuum box 84 for the vacuum conveyor 8 is operated to a negative pressure. By making the space A negative pressure, an air flow for conveying the raw material of the absorber 100 to the outer peripheral surface 4 f of the rotating drum 4 is generated in the duct 3. Further, the defibrator 21 and the rotary drum 4 are rotated, and the first cutter roller 53, the second cutter roller 54 and the receiving roller 55 are rotated, and the pressing belt 7 and the vacuum conveyor 8 are operated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a belt-like hydrophilic sheet 10 as is supplied to a fibrillation machine 21 using a pair of feed rollers (not shown) to disintegrate to obtain a hydrophilic fiber 10 a I do. The hydrophilic fiber 10 a, which is a disintegrated fiber material, is supplied from the disintegration device 21 to the duct 3. The pair of feed rollers is configured to control the supply speed of the hydrophilic sheet 10as to the fibrillating machine 21. In the disintegration step, the supply of the hydrophilic sheet 10 as to the disintegration device 21 is performed in a controlled manner.

  Apart from the disentanglement step, a cutting step is performed in which the strip-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut at a predetermined length in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction to form a plurality of sheet pieces 10bh . Specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a first cutter roller 53 provided with a cutter blade 51 for cutting the band-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs in the first direction; A cutting process of forming a sheet piece 10bh by cutting using a second cutter roller 54 provided with a cutter blade 52 cutting in two directions is performed. In the cutting step, the first cutter roller 53 for cutting the band-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs in the first direction, the second cutter roller 54 for cutting in the second direction, the first cutter roller 53 and the second A band-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is introduced between the first cutter roller 53 and the receiving roller 55 using the single receiving roller 55 disposed opposite to the cutter roller 54 of Forming a continuous strip-like sheet piece 10bh1, conveying the formed strip-like continuous sheet piece 10bh1 by the receiving roller 55 and cutting it in the second direction between the second cutter roller 54 and the receiving roller 55; The sheet piece 10bh is formed. Hereinafter, the cutting step will be specifically described.

  In the cutting process, the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is conveyed using the above-described feed roller (not shown). The feed roller is configured to control the transport speed of the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs. In the cutting process, the transport speed of the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is controlled and carried out.

  In the cutting process, as shown in FIG. 4, the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10 bs conveyed by the feed roller is received via the free roller 56 in the direction of the arrow R5, the receiving roller 55 which is a flat roller, and the arrow R3. Is introduced between the first cutter roller 53 rotating in the direction, and the plurality of cutter blades 51, 51, 51,... Cutting in the first direction. By cutting in this manner, a plurality of strip-shaped continuous sheet pieces 10bh1 extending in the first direction juxtaposed in the second direction are formed. The plurality of cutter blades 51, 51, 51,... Are arranged on the surface of the first cutter roller 53 at equal intervals in the second direction. Therefore, since the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut at equal intervals, a plurality of strip-like continuous sheet piece continuous bodies 10bh1 having the same width (length in the second direction) are formed. The average width of the continuous sheet piece 10bh1 formed in the cutting step is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less from the viewpoint of securing dimensions necessary for the sheet piece 10bh to exhibit a predetermined effect, etc. The diameter is more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and particularly preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the width of the continuous sheet piece 10bh1 cut by the first cutter roller 53 corresponds to the length of the short side of the finally formed sheet piece 10bh. However, the width of the continuous sheet piece 10bh1 cut by the first cutter roller 53 may be cut so as to correspond to the length of the longitudinal side of the finally formed sheet piece 10bh. In that case, the average width of the continuous sheet piece 10bh1 cut by the first cutter roller 53 is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 1 mm or more and 15 mm or less, and 2 mm or more It is particularly preferable that the diameter is 10 mm or less. The plurality of strip-shaped continuous sheet pieces 10bh1 formed are conveyed on the circumferential surface of the receiving roller 55 rotating in the direction of the arrow R5, conveyed between the receiving roller 55 and the nip roller 57, and through the nip roller 57. It is introduced between the receiving roller 55 and the second cutter roller 54.

  Next, in the cutting process, as shown in FIG. 4, a second roller arranged in the second direction between the receiving roller 55 rotating in the direction of arrow R5 and the second cutter roller 54 rotating in the direction of arrow R4. A plurality of strip-shaped continuous sheet pieces 10bh1 extending in one direction are introduced, and the plurality of strip-shaped continuous sheet pieces 10bh1 are intermittently transmitted in the first direction by the plurality of cutter blades 52, 52, 52,. Cutting in the second direction. By cutting in this manner, a plurality of rectangular sheet pieces 10bh whose length in the first direction is longer than the length in the second direction are formed. The plurality of cutter blades 52, 52, 52,... Are arranged on the surface at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the second cutter roller 54, respectively. Therefore, since the plurality of continuous sheet pieces 10bh1 are cut at equal intervals, a plurality of rectangular sheet pieces 10bh having the same length in the transport direction Y are formed. The average length of the sheet piece 10bh formed in the cutting step is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 30 mm or less, from the viewpoint of securing dimensions necessary for the sheet piece 10bh to exhibit a predetermined effect, and is 1 mm The diameter is more preferably 15 mm or less, and particularly preferably 2 mm to 10 mm. In the present embodiment, the length of the sheet piece 10bh cut by the second cutter roller 54 corresponds to the length of the side in the longitudinal direction of the sheet piece 10bh. However, the length of the sheet piece 10bh cut by the second cutter roller 54 may be cut so as to correspond to the length of the side of the sheet piece 10bh in the short direction. The length (width) of the sheet piece 10bh cut by the cutter roller 54 is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and more preferably 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm It is particularly preferred that

  In the cutting step, the band-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut in the first direction and cut in the second direction with a predetermined length cut to obtain the sheet piece 10bh, so the size of the sheet piece 10bh obtained It is easy to adjust to the intended size, and to manufacture a large number of sheet pieces 10bh of the same size with high accuracy. As described above, since the sheet piece 10bh of the intended size can be formed with high accuracy, it is possible to efficiently and continuously manufacture an absorbent body having a target absorption performance.

  Then, using a suction nozzle 58 having a suction port 581 disposed below the second cutter roller 54, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet piece 10bh obtained by cutting with the cutter rollers 53 and 54 is sucked to A suction process for supplying the inside of the duct 3 is performed. As described above, the suction nozzle is located below the second cutter roller 54, that is, on the downstream side of the second cutter roller 54 in the rotational direction (arrow R4 direction) of the closest point of contact between the second cutter roller 54 and the receiving roller 55. When the 58 suction ports 581 are disposed, the plurality of sheet pieces 10bh which are formed by being cut by the second cutter roller 54 and the receiving roller 55 can be efficiently sucked.

  Next, the sheet piece 10bh suctioned in the suction step is carried on the air flow, and carried to the stacking recess 41 on the outer peripheral surface 4f of the rotary drum 4. In the transport step, through the cutting step and the suction step, the plurality of sheet pieces 10bh are introduced from the top plate 31 side of the duct 3 to the inside of the duct 3 at a position midway in the transport direction Y of the duct 3 via the supply pipe 59. The sheet piece 10bh which has been supplied and supplied is put on the air flow, and is conveyed to the accumulation recess 41 of the rotary drum 4 in a scattered state.

  In the transport step, the hydrophilic fibers 10a previously obtained in the defibration step are supplied into the duct 3, and the plurality of sheet pieces 10bh sucked in the suction step are supplied into the duct 3 from the middle of the duct 3. It is done. Therefore, the sheet piece 10bh is conveyed by being carried in the air flow while the hydrophilic fiber 10a is carried in the air flow and is being conveyed to the accumulation recess 41 in the scattering state, so that the sheet piece 10bh and the hydrophilic The sheet piece 10bh and the hydrophilic fiber 10a are mixed while conveying the elastic fiber 10a in an air flow and in a scattering state.

  In the transport step, the absorbent particles 10c are supplied using the absorbent particle scattering tube 36, and the sheet pieces 10bh and the absorbent particles 10c containing the synthetic fibers 10b obtained in the cutting step are placed on the air stream. While being conveyed to the accumulation recess 41, the sheet piece 10bh and the absorbent particle 10c are mixed. In the transport step, since the position of the absorbent particle scattering tube 36 is located on the upstream side of the connection position between the supply tube 59 and the duct 3, the absorbent particles 10 c are carried on the air flow to form the concave portion 41 for accumulation. The sheet piece 10bh, the hydrophilic fiber 10a and the absorbent particle 10c are mixed while being transported in the scattering state.

  Next, a core forming step is performed in which the sheet pieces 10bh including the synthetic fibers 10b transported in the transporting step are accumulated in the stacking recess 41 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 4f of the rotating drum 4 to form the absorbent core 100a. In the present embodiment, not only the sheet piece 10bh but also the hydrophilic fibers 10a and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated in the accumulation recess 41 to form the absorbent core 100a.

  In the absorbent core 100a, the content weight ratio of the sheet piece 10bh to the hydrophilic fiber 10a (sheet piece 10bh / hydrophilic fiber 10a) is not particularly limited, and the synthetic fiber 10b and the hydrophilic fiber 10a contained in the sheet piece 10bh It may be adjusted appropriately according to the type and the like. For example, when the synthetic fiber 10b contained in the sheet piece 10bh is an air through nonwoven fabric and the hydrophilic fiber 10a is a pulp fiber, the sheet piece 10bh of the intended size is easily dispersed in the absorbent core 100a. The content mass ratio of 10bh to the hydrophilic fiber 10a is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.2 or more, and preferably 0.99 or less, and 0.95 or less. Is more preferably 0.1 or more and 0.99 or less, and still more preferably 0.2 or more and 0.95 or less.

The content of the sheet piece 10bh in the absorbent core 100a is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the absorbent core 100a in a dry state. % Or less is preferable, 95% by mass or less is more preferable, 1% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less is preferable, and 5% by mass or more and 95% by mass or less is more preferable.
The content of the hydrophilic fiber 10a in the absorbent core 100a is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 5% by mass or more, based on the total mass of the absorbent core 100a in a dry state. The content is preferably not more than mass%, more preferably 95 mass% or less, preferably 1 mass% or more and 99 mass% or less, and still more preferably 5 mass% or more and 95 mass% or less.

The basis weight of the sheet piece 10bh in the absorbent core 100a is preferably 20 g / m ² or more, more preferably 50 g / m ² or more, and preferably 800 g / m ² or less, 750 g / m 2 It is more preferably ² or less, preferably 20 g / m ² or more and 800 g / m ² or less, and more preferably 50 g / m ² or more and 750 g / m ² or less.
The basis weight of the hydrophilic fiber 10a in the absorbent core 100a is preferably 20 g / m ² or more, more preferably 50 g / m ² or more, and preferably 800 g / m ² or less, 750 g / m ² m ² or less is further preferable, 20 g / m ² or more and 800 g / m ² or less is preferable, and 50 g / m ² or more and 750 g / m ² or less is more preferable.

  As described above, in the accumulation recess 41 of the rotary drum 4, the sheet piece 10 bh, the hydrophilic fibers 10 a and the absorbent particles 10 c are accumulated in the thickness direction Z in the thickness direction Z, and absorbed. An absorbent core 100a of the raw material of the body is formed. Then, the absorbent core 100 a formed in the accumulation recess 41 is continuously manufactured over the entire circumference of the rotary drum 4 in the circumferential direction 2 </ b> Y. After obtaining the absorbent core 100a in which the hydrophilic fibers 10a, the synthetic fibers 10b and the absorbent particles 10c are accumulated in the accumulation recess 41, the rotary drum 4 is further rotated as shown in FIG. While holding the absorbent core 100 a in the accumulation recess 41 with the pressing belt 7 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 4 f located in the space B, the sheet is conveyed onto the vacuum conveyor 8.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the absorbent core 100 a in the accumulation recess 41 comes to the opposing position of the vacuum box 84 located in the space C of the rotary drum 4, suction from the vacuum box 84 occurs. The mold is released from the accumulation recess 41 and delivered onto the central portion in the width direction X of the band-shaped core wrap sheet 100 b introduced onto the vacuum conveyor 8.

  Next, a covering step of covering the absorbent core 100a with the core wrap sheet 100b is performed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, one side of one of both side portions along the conveyance direction Y of the core wrap sheet 100b is made inward in the width direction X by the folding guide plate (not shown). Fold up. Then, the other side is folded back on the absorbent core 100a inward in the width direction X by the folding guide plate, and the side edge of one side and the side edge of the other side are overlapped to form an absorbent core. A band-like absorbent 100r is produced by covering the entire 100a with a core wrap sheet 100b.

  Thereafter, the band-like absorbers 100r are cut at predetermined intervals in the transport direction Y by the cutting device 6, and the individual absorbers 100 are manufactured. The absorbent body 100 manufactured in this manner has an absorbent core 100a covered with a core wrap sheet 100b, as shown in FIG. The absorbent core 100a is an accumulation layer formed by mixing the hydrophilic fiber 10a, the sheet piece 10bh containing the synthetic fiber 10b, and the absorbent particle 10c. If the absorbent article 200 provided with the absorbent body 100 manufactured in this manner is used, the sheet pieces 10bh of the intended size are dispersed in the absorbent core 100a of the absorbent body 100, and therefore foreign substances are used during use. A feeling is hardly generated, and when the absorber 100 absorbs the body fluid, the body fluid can be stably absorbed.

  Apart from the absorber formation step, the belt-like surface sheet 201 a is unwound from the raw fabric roll 202 a and carried into the heating unit 210. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the heating section 210, hot air heated to a predetermined temperature from the blowing means toward the entire area in the width direction X of the surface sheet 201a in the heating zone while passing the surface sheet 201a. Spray. When the blown hot air penetrates in the thickness direction Z of the top sheet 201 a to be conveyed, the top sheet 201 a is subjected to heat treatment. By applying heat treatment in this manner, the air between the fibers constituting the surface sheet 201a is warmed, or the fibers constituting the sheet are stretched or crimped to be deformed, whereby the surface sheet before heating is formed. A heating process is performed to form a heat-treated surface sheet 201k whose thickness is larger than that of 201a. In the present manufacturing method, heat treatment is performed on the surface sheet 201a by blowing hot air directly on the surface sheet 201a, but from the viewpoint of securing the heating time by high-speed conveyance of the surface sheet 201a, the heating zone is The surface sheet 201a may be subjected to heat treatment by passing the surface sheet 201a through the heating zone in advance. Further, in the present manufacturing method, the surface sheet 201a is subjected to heat treatment by blowing hot air, but heating steam may be blown to heat the surface sheet 201a.

  The ratio of the thickness of the heat-treated surface sheet 201k to the thickness of the surface sheet 201a before the heat treatment is preferably 110% or more, preferably 150% or more, from the viewpoint of crushing by a press in processing steps after the heat treatment. It is more preferable that the ratio is 400% or less, more preferably 300% or less, from the viewpoint of variation in absorption performance, and still more preferably 110% or more and 400% or less from the viewpoint of achieving the above-mentioned effects. Is more preferably 150% to 300%. The thicknesses of the surface sheet 201a and the heat-treated surface sheet 201k are measured by the following method.

<Method of measuring thickness of surface sheet and heat-treated surface sheet>
The thickness of the surface sheet 201a before the heat treatment is measured using a thickness measuring device in a state where a sample of a predetermined area is cut out from the surface sheet 201a and a load of 0.05 kPa is applied. As a thickness measuring instrument, for example, a laser displacement meter manufactured by OMRON Corporation can be used. The thickness is measured at ten points, and their average value is calculated to be the thickness of the surface sheet 201a. In addition, the thickness of the surface sheet 201a can also be measured by enlarging the cross section of the cut sample with a digital microscope or the like. The thickness of the heat-treated surface sheet 201k is measured in the same manner as the method of measuring the thickness of the surface sheet 201a.

From the viewpoint of efficiently forming the heat-treated surface sheet 201k, the temperature of the hot air or the heated steam sprayed on the surface sheet 201a by the spraying unit of the heating unit 210 is the glass transition point of the synthetic fiber contained in the heat-treated surface sheet 201k. It is preferably T _g or more, and more preferably T _g + 100 ° C. or less. Incidentally, it as the temperature of the upper limit of the hot air or heating steam blown to the surface sheet 201a, it is less than the melting point T _m of a synthetic fiber contained in the heat treatment topsheet 201k is preferably, T m _-50 ° C. More preferable.

Incidentally, in the case of applying the preheated heat treatment by passing through the topsheet 201a in the heating zone by the blowing means, the heating temperature zone, the heat treatment topsheet 201k synthetic fibers the glass transition point T _g or more contained It is more preferable that the temperature is T _g + 120 ° C. or less. The upper limit temperature of the heating zone through which the surface sheet 201a passes is preferably less than the melting point T _{m of the} synthetic fiber contained in the heat-treated surface sheet 201k, and more preferably T _m -30 ° C. .

  Next, the heat-treated surface sheet 201k formed in the heating process is supplied to the upper side in the thickness direction Z of the absorber 100 formed in the absorber forming process by the introduction roll 203a, and is conveyed with the heat-treated surface sheet 201k Overlap with 100. Then, the back sheet 201b is supplied to the lower side in the thickness direction Z of the absorber 100 by the introduction roll 203b, and the back sheet 201b to be conveyed and the absorber 100 to be conveyed are superimposed. Thus, an article continuum forming step of forming the continuum 200r of the absorbent article in which the heat-treated front sheet 201k and the back sheet 201b are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces in the thickness direction Z of the absorber 100 is performed.

  After conveying the continuum 200r of the absorbent article thus formed by, for example, a known conveying means, the heat-treated surface sheet 201k and the back sheet 201b around the absorber 100 are joined together by a known joining means. Bond to Then, the continuous article 200r of the joined absorbent articles is divided into product shapes by known cutting means such as a rotary die cutter, and the individual absorbent articles 200 are continuously produced.

  Thereafter, the absorbent article 200 manufactured as described above is, for example, nipped and conveyed by a pair of conveyor belts, or is folded together with an individual sheet by a folding plate and packaged as an individual body, or A plurality of double-folded absorbent articles 200 are packaged in one package. Here, the absorbent article 200 has a heat-treated surface sheet 201k formed in the heating step as a surface sheet. The heat-treated surface sheet 201k is a thicker sheet than the surface sheet 201a before heating. Therefore, when the absorbent article 200 is nipped and conveyed by the conveyor belt, the sheet article is in the individually mounted state, or when the absorbent article 200 is folded in two, the sheet piece Even if the absorber 100 including 10 bh recovers its thickness, the heat-treated surface sheet 201 k of the absorbent article 200 is unlikely to be crushed in the thickness direction Z. As described above, since the heat-treated surface sheet 201 k is unlikely to be crushed in the thickness direction Z, the absorbent article 200 provided with the heat-treated surface sheet 201 k has a good touch, is easy to transfer body fluid to the absorber 100, and exhibits high absorption performance. can do.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.
For example, in the cutting step of the present embodiment, the sheet piece 10bh is manufactured by performing the cutting step, but the sheet piece 10bh manufactured in advance may be used, and the sheet piece 10bh manufactured by a method other than the cutter blade may be used. It is also good. In the cutting process of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a first cutter roller 53 provided with a cutter blade 51 for cutting in a first direction and a cutter blade 52 for cutting in a second direction are provided. The belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10 bs is formed in the first direction and the first direction by using the two cutter rollers 54 and the one receiving roller 55 disposed to face the first cutter roller 53 and the second cutter roller 54. The sheet piece 10bh including the synthetic fiber 10b is manufactured by cutting a predetermined length in two directions. On the other hand, the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs may be cut using different receiving rollers disposed opposite to the first cutter roller 53 and the second cutter roller 54 to manufacture the sheet piece 10bh.

  Further, in the cutting step of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a first cutter roller 53 provided with a plurality of cutter blades 51 arranged at equal intervals, and a plurality of cutters arranged at equal intervals, respectively. The synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut using the second cutter roller 54 provided with the blade 52 to produce sheet pieces 10bh of the same size, but a plurality of cutter blades so as to have two or more types of intervals 51 is used to cut the synthetic fiber sheet 10 bs by using the first cutter roller 53 provided with 51 or the second cutter roller 54 provided with a plurality of cutter blades 52 so as to have two or more kinds of intervals. May be manufactured. When manufactured in this manner, sheet pieces 10bh of two or more types of sizes can be formed, but unlike the manufacture using a cutter mill method, sheet pieces 10bh of the intended size can be formed with high accuracy. Thus, absorbents with targeted absorption performance can be produced efficiently and continuously.

  Further, in the cutting process of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the synthetic fiber sheet 10 bs is cut by using the first cutter roller 53 provided with the cutter blade 51 that cuts in the first direction. The strip continuous sheet piece continuous body 10bh1 is cut using the second cutter roller 54 provided with the cutter blade 52 for forming the piece continuous body 10bh1 and then cutting in the second direction, and the rectangular sheet piece 10bh It is manufactured but may be reversed. That is, the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut using the second cutter roller 54 provided with the cutter blade 52 that cuts in the second direction to form a strip-shaped continuous sheet piece 10bh1 extending in the second direction, and then The strip-like continuous sheet piece 10bh1 may be cut using the first cutter roller 53 provided with the cutter blade 51 that cuts in the first direction to manufacture the rectangular sheet piece 10bh.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, the supply part 5 has the 1st cutter roller 53 and the 2nd cutter roller 54, but it replaces with two cutter rollers, and it is in a 1st direction. You may have one cutter roller provided with the cutter blade 51 to cut | disconnect, and the cutter blade 52 to cut | disconnect in a 2nd direction on the same peripheral surface. In the case where the supply unit 5 includes the one cutter roller, it is preferable that the supply unit 5 includes one receiving roller disposed to face the one cutter roller. In a manufacturing apparatus having the one cutter roller and the one receiving roller, the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 is preferably disposed below the one cutter roller. Specifically, it is preferable that the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 be disposed on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the one cutter roller than the closest point of the one cutter roller and the receiving roller. Then, it is preferable that the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 covers an arc length of 1⁄4 or more on the entire outer periphery when the one cutter roller is viewed from the side.

  In the case of using a manufacturing apparatus having the one cutter roller and the one receiving roller, in the cutting step, the same peripheral surface of the cutter blade 51 for cutting in the first direction and the cutter blade 52 for cutting in the second direction The synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut to form a sheet piece 10bh using one cutter roller provided on the upper side. Specifically, a belt-like synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is introduced between the cutter roller and the receiving roller using one cutter roller and one receiving roller disposed opposite to the cutter roller. Then, the sheet piece 10bh is formed by cutting in the first direction and the second direction. As described above, if one cutter roller having two types of cutter blades, that is, the cutter blade 51 cutting in the first direction and the cutter blade 52 cutting in the second direction, is used on the peripheral surface, the scale of equipment can be made compact. It is possible to reduce the cost of the manufacturing apparatus.

  When the sheet piece 10bh is formed using the manufacturing apparatus having the one cutter roller and the one receiving roller, in the suction process, the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 is located below the one cutter roller. A plurality of sheet pieces 10bh remaining on the circumferential surface of the single cutter roller can be efficiently suctioned by disposing the sheet piece 10bh as described above. When the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 is disposed downstream of the closest contact point between the one cutter roller and the receiving roller in the rotation direction of the one cutter roller, the circumference of the one cutter roller is A plurality of sheet pieces 10bh remaining on the surface can be sucked more efficiently. From the same point of view, it is preferable that the suction port 581 of the suction nozzle 58 covers an arc length of 1⁄4 or more on the entire outer circumference when the single cutter roller is viewed from the side.

  Further, in the cutting process of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut using the first cutter roller 53 and the second cutter roller 54 to manufacture a sheet piece 10bh. However, the synthetic fiber sheet 10bs is cut using a press equipped with the cutter blade 51 that cuts in the first direction without using a cutter roller and a press equipped with the cutter blade 52 that cuts in the second direction. The sheet piece 10bh may be manufactured.

  Further, in the present embodiment, although the absorbent particles 10c are supplied using the absorbent particle scattering tube 36, the absorbent particles 10c may not be supplied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 manufacturing apparatus 2 disintegration part 21 disintegration machine 3 duct 30 flow path 4 rotating drum 41 recessed part for accumulation (accumulation part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 Supply part 9 Core formation part 10a Hydrophilic fiber 10b Synthetic fiber 10bs Synthetic fiber sheet 10bh Sheet piece 10c Absorbent particle 100 Absorbent body 100a Absorbent core 100B Article continuum formation part 200 Absorbent article 200r Absorbent article continuum 201a Top sheet 201k Heat-treated top sheet 210 Heating part Y Transport direction X Width direction

Claims (11)

A core forming step of collecting a plurality of sheet pieces containing synthetic fibers to form an absorbent core;
A heating step of subjecting the liquid-permeable belt-like top sheet to a heat treatment to form a heat-treated surface sheet whose thickness is larger than that before the heat treatment;
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, comprising: a continuum forming step of forming a continuum of absorbent articles by superimposing the conveyed absorbent core and the belt-like heat-treated surface sheet conveyed.   In the said heating process, the manufacturing method of the absorbent article of Claim 1 which passes the said strip | belt-shaped surface sheet to the heating zone in a heating part, and forms the said heat-treated surface sheet.   The manufacturing method of the absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2 which blows hot air or heating steam on said beltlike surface sheet in said heating process, and forms said heat-treated surface sheet.   The manufacturing method of the absorbent article in any one of Claims 1-3 using the sheet | seat which the heat sealing | fusion part which melt | fuses component fibers disperse | distributed three-dimensionally as said strip | belt-shaped surface sheet. And c) cutting the strip-like synthetic fiber sheet containing the synthetic fibers in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction at a predetermined length to form a plurality of the sheet pieces,
The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the core forming step, the plurality of sheet pieces formed in the cutting step are accumulated to form the absorbent core. .   In the cutting step, the belt-like synthetic fiber sheet is cut using a first cutter roller provided with a cutter blade for cutting in the first direction to form a strip-like continuous sheet piece, and the second The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 5, wherein the strip-like continuous sheet piece is cut to form a plurality of the sheet pieces by using a second cutter roller provided with a cutter blade that cuts in a direction. A core forming portion that accumulates a plurality of sheet pieces containing synthetic fibers to form an absorbent core;
A heating unit which forms a heat-treated surface sheet which is subjected to a heat treatment to a liquid-permeable band-like surface sheet and whose thickness is larger than that before the heat treatment;
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article, comprising: a continuous body forming unit that forms a continuous body of the absorbent article by superimposing the conveyed absorbent core and the belt-like heat-treated surface sheet conveyed.   The said heating part is equipped with a heating zone, The manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article of Claim 7 which passes the said strip | belt-shaped surface sheet to the said heating zone, and forms the said heat-treated surface sheet.   9. The absorbent according to claim 7, wherein the heating unit includes a blowing unit that blows hot air or heating steam, and the hot air or heating steam is blown to the strip-like surface sheet to form the heat-treated surface sheet. Article manufacturing equipment.   The said surface sheet is a manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article in any one of Claims 7-9 which is a sheet which the heat sealing | fusion part which melt | fuses constituent fibers disperse | distributed three-dimensionally. The core forming unit includes a transport unit configured to transport the raw material of the absorbent core, an accumulation unit disposed downstream of the transport unit in the transport direction and accumulating the raw materials of the absorbent core, and the transport unit. And a supply unit for supplying the sheet pieces,
The supply unit has a cutter blade for cutting a strip-shaped synthetic fiber sheet containing synthetic fibers in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction with a predetermined length to form the sheet piece The manufacturing apparatus of the absorbent article in any one of Claims 7-10.