JP3737399B2 - Method for manufacturing a member for forming a three-dimensional gather - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional gathering member used for absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and incontinence pads.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-68503 describes a disposable diaper in which a T-shaped three-dimensional gather having a projecting portion projecting from a base wall portion on both sides is provided outside the side edge of the absorbent body. This disposable diaper is intended to prevent leakage of excrement by bringing the upper surface of a T-shaped solid gather into contact with the thigh of the wearer.
[0003]
For such a three-dimensional gather, a non-woven fabric that is soft to the touch is used, but since the width of the overhanging portion is narrow and the height of the base wall portion needs to be secured, it must be manufactured continuously and stably. It was difficult.
[0004]
Therefore, this invention provides the manufacturing method and apparatus of the three-dimensional gather formation member which can manufacture the three-dimensional gather formation member which has high fitting property and can prevent liquid leakage reliably continuously and stably. With the goal.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a method for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member having a base wall part and first and second projecting parts projecting laterally from the base wall part on both sides,
While conveying the belt-like sheet along the conveyance path, an elastic member is fixed in an extended state along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of the base surface portion of the sheet, the width of the conveyance path is narrowed from both sides, and the base surface portion One of both side surface portions extending along the longitudinal direction on both sides is squeezed so as to partially cover the base surface portion to form the first overhang portion, while the one side surface portion of the base surface portion is covered with the one side surface portion. A three-dimensional structure that forms the second overhanging portion and the base wall portion by bending the other side surface portion inward along the longitudinal direction so as to overlap an upper surface of the narrowed side surface portion so as to cover the uncovered portion. The object is achieved by providing a method for producing a gather forming member.
[0006]
Further, the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus for a three-dimensional gather forming member having a base wall part and first and second projecting parts projecting laterally from the base wall part,
Conveying means for conveying a belt-like sheet having a stretched elastic member disposed on the base surface along the conveying path, and the conveying path disposed on both sides of the conveying path so as to narrow the width of the conveying path from both sides. A first guide and a second guide each having a projecting portion projecting inward so as to partially cover the base surface portion above the path;
The projecting portion of the first guide squeezes one of both side surface portions extending along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the base surface portion so as to partially cover the base surface portion, and thereby the first overhanging portion is formed. Can be formed,
The protruding portion of the second guide is disposed so as to cover the protruding portion of the first guide, and covers and squeezes a portion of the base surface portion that is not covered with one of the side surface portions. A member for forming a three-dimensional gather that can be formed by bending the other side surface portion inward along the longitudinal direction so as to overlap the upper surface of the side surface portion to form the second overhanging portion and the base wall portion. The above-mentioned object is achieved by providing the manufacturing apparatus.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
1 to 3 show an embodiment in which a three-dimensional gather forming member manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter also simply referred to as an apparatus) of the present invention is applied to a three-dimensional gather forming member manufacturing apparatus of a sanitary napkin. In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus.
[0009]
The apparatus 1 of this embodiment is a manufacturing apparatus of the member which forms the three-dimensional gather 3 used for the sanitary napkin 2 as shown in FIG. The member for forming a three-dimensional gather formed by the manufacturing apparatus 1 has a substantially T-shaped cross section having first and second projecting portions 31 and 32 projecting laterally from the base wall portion 30 and the base wall portion 30. Thus, a plurality of thread-like elastic members 4 are arranged on each of the first and second projecting portions 31 and 32. The height H of the three-dimensional gather 3 is 5 to 50 mm, and the distance W between the tip of the first overhanging portion 31 and the tip of the overhanging portion 32 is 6 to 40 mm.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 includes a conveying unit 11 that conveys a belt-shaped sheet 5 in which six elastic members 4 in an expanded state are arranged on the inner surface of a base surface portion 50 along a conveying path R, and a conveying path. Protrusions 120 and 130 provided on both sides of the transport path R so as to narrow the width of R from both sides of the W and projecting inward so as to partially cover the base surface portion 50 above the transport path R, respectively. 1 and second guides 12 and 13.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 11 includes a breathable endless transport belt 110 that transports the sheet 5, and a roller group including a driving roller 111 that rotationally drives the transport belt 110 along the transport path R. And a vacuum box (suction means) 112 for adsorbing the base surface portion 50 to the conveyor belt 110 under a negative pressure.
[0012]
The transport conveyor 112 is wound so that the base surface portion 50 of the sheet 5 is transported at a predetermined angle θ before and after entering the overhang portion forming area by the first and second guides 12 and 13. The angle θ is preferably 100 to 150 degrees and more preferably 135 to 145 degrees from the conveyor suction surface with reference to the conveyor surface. If the angle is less than 100 degrees, the sheet 5 may sag and may not be molded. If the angle exceeds 150 degrees, the sheet 5 may be too stretched to be molded.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protruding portion 120 of the first guide 12 is formed in a trapezoidal shape in plan view that gradually protrudes inward as the upstream end portion goes downstream, and the base surface portion 50. The first projecting portion 31 can be formed by narrowing down one side surface portion 51 of the base surface portion 50 so as to partially cover the surface.
[0014]
The upstream end 121 of the first guide 12 rises obliquely. The rising angle θ12 is preferably 5 to 15 degrees, more preferably 10 to 12 degrees with respect to the conveyor surface. If the angle is less than 5 degrees, the sheet 5 may not be bent. If the angle exceeds 15 degrees, the sheet 5 may be wrinkled and hinder molding.
The aperture angle (angle with respect to the sheet conveyance direction) θ120 of the upstream end of the protrusion 120 of the first guide 12 is 8 to 15 degrees with respect to the end surface of the first guide 12 in the conveyance direction R. Preferably, it is 10 to 12 degrees. If the angle is less than 8 degrees, the sheet 5 may not be bent and the molding may be defective. If the angle exceeds 15 degrees, the angle may be too large and the sheet 5 may be wrinkled.
The protrusion width W12 of the protrusion 120 is preferably 8 to 15 mm, and more preferably 10 to 12 mm, based on the end face of the first guide 12. If it is less than 8 mm, the folding width of the first guide may not be able to be obtained, and if it exceeds 15 mm, interference with the second guide may occur and molding may be difficult.
A distance D12 (see FIG. 4B) between the lower surface of the protruding portion 120 and the upper surface of the conveyor belt 110 is 1.0 to 2.5 mm at a point where the first guide 12 and the second guide 13 intersect. It is preferable that it is 1.5 to 2.0 mm. If the thickness is less than 1.0 mm, the resistance of the sheet 5 may increase, resulting in poor molding, and if it exceeds 2.5 mm, molding failure such as wrinkles may occur in the sheet 5.
[0015]
The second guide 13 is formed in a V shape in plan view so that the protrusion 130 obliquely crosses the transport path R. The protruding portion 130 of the second guide 13 is disposed so as to cover the protruding portion 120 of the first guide 12, covers a portion of the base surface portion 50 that is not covered with the one side surface portion 51, and restricts it. The second projecting portion 32 and the base wall portion 30 are formed by bending the other side surface portion 52 of the base surface portion 50 inward along the longitudinal direction so as to overlap the upper surface of the one side surface portion 51 embedded. It is made to be able to do.
[0016]
The upstream end 131 of the second guide 13 rises obliquely. The rising angle θ13 is preferably 5 to 15 degrees and more preferably 8 to 10 degrees from the viewpoint of workability of the material.
The restriction angle θ130 at the upstream end of the protrusion 130 of the second guide 13 is preferably 5 to 15 degrees, more preferably 8 to 10 degrees, in terms of workability of the three-dimensional gather. .
A distance D13 (see FIG. 4C) between the lower surface of the protruding portion 130 and the upper surface of the conveying belt (conveying means) 110 prevents interference with the protruding portion 120 of the first guide 12 and also the side surface portion of the sheet 5. In terms of preventing folding displacement when bending 52 and improving folding stability, the thickness is preferably 3 to 6 mm, more preferably 4.5 to 5.5 mm.
[0017]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the stop end point E12 is preferably located before the intersection C13 with the protruding portion of the second guide 13. In particular, from the viewpoint of workability of solid gathers, the distance between the drawing end point E12 and the intersection point C13 is preferably 5 to 10 mm, and more preferably 15 to 20 mm.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 1 is configured so that the coating means 14 for intermittently applying an adhesive to the elastic member 4 and the side surfaces 51 and 52 of the stacked sheet 5 can be partially joined. The part 52 is provided with a coating means 15 for intermittently applying an adhesive.
The coating means 14 includes comb-like nozzles (not shown) having adhesive outlets at predetermined intervals corresponding to the elastic members 4, and each of the elastic members 4 is coated with an adhesive. It can be done.
[0019]
Next, the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional gather formation member of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings based on embodiment using the said apparatus 1. FIG.
[0020]
First, as shown in FIG. 3B, while the belt-like sheet 5 is conveyed along the conveyance path R in a state where the sheet 5 is adsorbed to the conveyance belt 110 with the negative pressure adsorbed on the conveyance belt 110, The six elastic members 4 are fixed to the inner surface of the base surface portion 50 in the stretched state at substantially equal intervals along the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 4A).
[0021]
The conveyance speed of the sheet 5 by the conveyance belt 110 is preferably the same as that of the belt 11 in view of the workability of the three-dimensional gather and the stability of each dimension, and is preferably 50 to 200 m / min, and 100 to 150 m / min. More preferably, it is min.
[0022]
When the sheet 5 is transported by the transport belt, the angle of the substrate portion 50 of the sheet 5 before and after entering the overhang portion forming area by the first and second guides 12 and 13 (conveying before and after entering the same area) It is preferable to transport the path R ′ so that the angle θ with respect to the transport path R is a predetermined angle. It is preferable to convey the sheet 5 so that the angle θ is 100 to 150 degrees, preferably 135 to 145 degrees, from the viewpoint of stable processing.
[0023]
The negative pressure suction force by the vacuum box 112 is preferably 980 to 9800 Pa, more preferably 4900 to 7840 Pa, from the viewpoint that the material and the elastic member can be reliably held.
[0024]
As the sheet | seat 5 which comprises the said three-dimensional gather 3, since the three-dimensional gather 3 contact | abuts directly on skin, the thing with favorable touch is preferable. Moreover, it is preferable that it is hydrophobic from a viewpoint of preventing that the liquid of low surface tension permeate | transmits. As a sheet satisfying these requirements, it is preferable to use an air-through nonwoven fabric, a spunbond nonwoven fabric, or a spunbond / melt blown composite nonwoven fabric made of hydrophobic fibers or hydrophobized.
[0025]
When the three-dimensional gather 3 is composed of a non-woven fabric, the non-woven fabric preferably has a bulk softness measured in the length direction of the three-dimensional gather of 0.03 to 0.3N, particularly 0.05 to 0.2N. The bulk softness measured in the width direction (height direction) of the three-dimensional gather is preferably 0.05 to 0.5N, particularly preferably 0.07 to 0.3N. Furthermore, it is preferable that the bulk softness value in the width direction is equal to or greater than the bulk softness value in the length direction. By setting the bulk softness values in the length direction and the width direction of the nonwoven fabric to be in the above range, and the magnitude relationship between the two bulk softness values as described above, the elastic member 4 disposed in the both overhang portions 31 and 32 is used. However, it becomes easy to shrink in the length direction. Moreover, the surface sealing effect by the both overhang parts 31 and 32 of the three-dimensional gather 3, and the standing property of the three-dimensional gather 3 are stably maintained irrespective of a wearer's operation | movement. In order to make the bulk softness value in the width direction higher than the bulk softness value in the length direction, for example, a method of applying wave-like embossing or the like in the width direction of the nonwoven fabric is preferable.
[0026]
The bulk softness is measured by the following method. That is, using Tensilon (manufactured by Toyo Baldwin, model: RTM-25), a non-woven fabric sample is cut into 120 mm × 10 mm to form a cylinder with a height of 10 mm, and its upper and lower ends are fastened with staples. make. The maximum load when the cylindrical sample is compressed in the height direction at a compression speed of 10 mm / min is measured, and the value is defined as a bulk softness value. The bulk softness value in the length direction refers to the value when the length direction of the nonwoven fabric is the compression direction, and the bulk softness value in the width direction is the value when the width direction of the nonwoven fabric is the compression direction. Say.
[0027]
The constituent material of the elastic member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is normally used for sanitary napkins, but polyolefins and polyurethane foams and natural rubber are particularly preferably used.
The elastic member 4 can be in the form of a band, a film, or the like in addition to a thread. The arrangement, elongation rate, and / or number of the elastic members 4 can be appropriately changed according to the form of the elastic member 4 and the use of the sanitary napkin.
The elastic member 4 is fixed to the inner surface of the sheet 5 in an expanded state. The fixing means for the elastic member 4 is not particularly limited as long as it is normally used for sanitary napkins, but hot melt adhesives and heat seals are preferably used.
[0028]
In this embodiment, before the elastic member 4 is fixed to the sheet 5, an adhesive 53 for partially joining the base wall portion 30 is intermittently applied to the predetermined position of the side surface portion 51 or 52 by the coating means 15. Apply. The adhesive used for joining the base wall portion 30 is not particularly limited as long as it is a normal one used for sanitary napkins, but a hot melt adhesive and heat seal are preferably used.
[0029]
Next, the width of the conveyance path is narrowed from both sides by the guides 12 and 13, and the side surface portion 51 of the both side surface portions 51 and 52 extending to both sides of the base surface portion 50 is partially covered with the base surface portion 50. The first projecting portion 31 of the three-dimensional gather 3 is formed by narrowing down with the projecting portion 120 of the guide 12 (see FIG. 4B).
[0030]
On the other hand, the other side surface portion 52 is covered with the protruding portion 130 of the guide 13 so as to cover the portion of the base surface portion 50 that is not covered with the side surface portion 51 and overlap the top surface of the narrowed side surface portion 51. The second overhanging portion 32 and the base wall portion 30 in the three-dimensional gather 3 are formed by bending inward along the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 4C).
[0031]
The member for forming a three-dimensional gather obtained in this way is substantially horizontal in the horizontal direction so that the upper surfaces of the first projecting portion 31 and the second projecting portion 32 are located on the same plane (the outer surface of the base surface portion). Overhang with the same length.
[0032]
The three-dimensional gather forming member is supplied to the sanitary napkin production line after pre-cutting the end of the base wall 30.
[0033]
As described above, according to the apparatus 1 and the method of manufacturing a three-dimensional gather forming member using the same, the three-dimensional gather forming member that has high fit and can reliably prevent liquid leakage can be continuously and stably. Can be manufactured.
[0034]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0035]
The present invention is particularly suitable for manufacturing a member used for forming a three-dimensional gather having a T-shaped cross section, as in the previous embodiment. For example, the height of the sanitary napkin 2 ′ shown in FIG. It is applicable also to manufacture of the member used for three-dimensional gather 3 'which has overhang parts 31' and 32 'from which these differ.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, before the elastic member 4 is fixed to the sheet 5 (or after), the sheet 5 is conveyed by the conveying belt 110 with the base surface portion 50 being stepped. The width of the transport path is narrowed from both sides, and the first overhanging portion 31 is narrowed by the first guide 12 so as to partially cover the base surface portion 50 as shown in FIG. The side surface portion 52 is elongated so as to cover the portion of the base surface portion 50 that is not covered with the side surface portion 51 and overlap the narrowed upper surface of the side surface portion 51 as shown in FIG. The second overhanging portion 32 ′ and the base wall portion 30 ′ are formed by bending inward along the direction.
[0036]
The present invention is preferably carried out while the base surface portion 50 of the sheet 5 is adsorbed to the conveyance belt 110 by the suction means 112 as in the above-described embodiment, but the suction by the suction means 112 is performed as necessary. Can be omitted.
[0037]
In the present invention, as in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the elastic member 4 is disposed on the base surface portion 50 at equal intervals, and the elastic member 4 is disposed on any of the two overhang portions to be formed. However, by adjusting the arrangement position of the elastic member 4 on the base surface portion 50, the elastic material 4 can be disposed only on one of the overhang portions 31 and 32 to be formed.
[0038]
In the present invention, as in the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the side surface portions 51 and 52 of the stacked sheets 5 are partly joined and the base wall part 30 is partly joined. The joining of the part 30 can be omitted as necessary.
[0039]
In the present invention, it is preferable to intermittently apply an adhesive to the elastic member 4 and fix it to the sheet 5 as in the above embodiment, but apply the adhesive to the elastic member 4 continuously. You can also.
[0040]
Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to the manufacture of three-dimensional gather forming members used for absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and incontinence pads in addition to sanitary napkins.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing method and apparatus of the three-dimensional gather formation member which can manufacture the three-dimensional gather formation member which has high fitting property and can prevent a liquid leak reliably can be provided continuously and stably. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a manufacturing apparatus for a member for forming a three-dimensional gather according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part in the same embodiment.
3A and 3B are diagrams schematically showing a state in which a main part of the apparatus of the embodiment is viewed in plan, where FIG. 3A is a view of only the apparatus, and FIG.
4A and 4B are diagrams schematically showing a procedure of a method for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which an elastic member is disposed on a base surface portion of a sheet, and FIG. The figure which shows the state which narrowed down one side part and formed the 1st overhang | projection part, (c) is a figure which shows the state which bent the other side part and formed the 2nd overhang | projection part and the base wall part. is there.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a sanitary napkin provided with an embodiment of a three-dimensional gather created by the apparatus for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a sanitary napkin provided with another embodiment of a three-dimensional gather created by the apparatus for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member of the present invention.
7A and 7B are diagrams schematically showing a procedure of the method for manufacturing the member for forming a three-dimensional gather according to the embodiment; FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which an elastic member is disposed on the base surface portion of the sheet; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which one side surface portion is squeezed to form a first overhang portion, and (c) is a diagram showing a state in which the other side surface portion is bent to form a second overhang portion and a base wall portion. It is.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Manufacturing apparatus of three-dimensional gather formation member 2 Sanitary napkin (absorbent article)
3 Three-dimensional gather 4 Elastic member 5 Band-shaped sheet 11 Conveying means 12 First guide 13 Second guides 14 and 15 Coating means

Claims (9)

A method for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member having a base wall part and first and second projecting parts projecting laterally from the base wall part,
While conveying the belt-like sheet along the conveyance path, an elastic member is fixed in an extended state along the longitudinal direction on the inner surface of the base surface portion of the sheet, the width of the conveyance path is narrowed from both sides, and the base surface portion One of both side surface portions extending along the longitudinal direction on both sides is squeezed so as to partially cover the base surface portion to form the first overhang portion, while the one side surface portion of the base surface portion is covered with the one side surface portion. A three-dimensional structure that forms the second overhanging portion and the base wall portion by bending the other side surface portion inward along the longitudinal direction so as to overlap an upper surface of the narrowed side surface portion so as to cover the uncovered portion. A method for producing a member for gather formation. The manufacturing method of the member for three-dimensional gather formation of Claim 1 which conveys the said sheet | seat while attracting | sucking a negative pressure from the outer surface side of the said base surface part, and fixing this base surface part. The manufacturing method of the member for three-dimensional gathers formation of Claim 1 or 2 which joins the said side wall parts of the said sheet | seat overlapped partially, and joins the said base wall part partially. The manufacturing method of the member for solid gather formation in any one of Claims 1-3 which convey the said sheet | seat, forming a step part in the said base surface part. The manufacturing method of the member for three-dimensional gather formation in any one of Claims 1-4 which apply | coats and fixes an adhesive agent to the said elastic member intermittently. An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional gather forming member having a base wall part and first and second projecting parts projecting laterally from the base wall part,
Conveying means for conveying a belt-like sheet having a stretched elastic member disposed on the base surface along the conveying path, and the conveying path disposed on both sides of the conveying path so as to narrow the width of the conveying path from both sides. A first guide and a second guide each having a projecting portion projecting inward so as to partially cover the base surface portion above the path;
The projecting portion of the first guide squeezes one of both side surface portions extending along the longitudinal direction on both sides of the base surface portion so as to partially cover the base surface portion, and thereby the first overhanging portion is formed. Can be formed,
The protruding portion of the second guide is disposed so as to cover the protruding portion of the first guide, and covers and squeezes a portion of the base surface portion that is not covered with one of the side surface portions. A member for forming a three-dimensional gather that can be formed by bending the other side surface portion inward along the longitudinal direction so as to overlap the upper surface of the side surface portion to form the second overhanging portion and the base wall portion. Manufacturing equipment. The manufacturing apparatus of the member for three-dimensional gathers formation of Claim 6 provided with the air permeable conveyance belt which the said conveyance means conveys the said sheet | seat, and the suction means which makes the said base surface part adsorb | suck to the said conveyance belt by negative pressure. The member for forming a three-dimensional gather according to claim 5 or 7, further comprising an adhesive coating means for partially bonding the side surface portions of the stacked sheets and partially bonding the base wall portion. Manufacturing equipment. The apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional gathering member according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the conveying means conveys the base surface portion while forming a stepped portion.

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