CN112584805A

CN112584805A - Method for manufacturing absorbent article, absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, absorbent article, and absorbent body

Info

Publication number: CN112584805A
Application number: CN201880096231.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小林慧子; 重松雅人; 永田真悟
Original assignee: Daicel Corp
Current assignee: Daicel Corp
Priority date: 2018-11-19
Filing date: 2018-11-19
Publication date: 2021-03-30
Also published as: WO2020105077A1

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein a tow to be fed is opened with gas in at least one opening chamber of a gas opening device, particulate matter is added to the tow on the upstream side in the feeding direction from an outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the feeding direction of the tow, and an adhesive agent for bonding a plurality of fibers included in the tow is added to the lower surface of the tow on the downstream side in the feeding direction from the gas opening device.

Description

Method for manufacturing absorbent article, absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, absorbent article, and absorbent body

Technical Field

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

Background

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pads for preventing urine leakage include, for example, an absorbent body that absorbs moisture. The absorbent is produced by opening crimped cellulose acetate tow, for example, as disclosed in patent document 1. The plurality of fibers of the opened tow are bonded, for example, with a binder.

In the absorber, a particulate material made of, for example, a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) is disposed. In the absorbent article having the absorbent body having such a structure, for example, moisture diffuses into the absorbent body through the fine holes of the top sheet disposed to overlap the absorbent body, and is absorbed by the particulate matter.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the case of manufacturing an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which particulate matter is arranged, the particulate matter may fall off from the absorbent body, which may reduce the quality of the absorbent article. In addition, there is a possibility that the feel of the absorbent article may be reduced by bonding a plurality of fibers of the tow with an adhesive.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent a granular material from falling off from an absorber and to prevent a reduction in the feel of an absorbent article when manufacturing the absorbent article including the absorber in which the granular material is disposed.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above-described problems, an absorbent article manufacturing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an absorbent article in which a tow to be fed is opened by gas in at least one opening chamber of a gas opening device, a particulate matter is added to the tow on the upstream side in the feeding direction from an outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the feeding direction of the tow, and an adhesive that bonds a plurality of fibers included in the tow is applied to the lower surface of the tow on the downstream side in the feeding direction from the gas opening device.

According to the above method, the transported tow is opened in the opening chamber of the gas opening device with gas. Further, the particulate matter is added to the tow at the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the outlet of the opening chamber at the most downstream side in the conveyance direction. As a result, the plurality of fibers of the tow are spread while being three-dimensionally entangled with each other, and the particulate matter is dispersed in the fiber gaps. This makes it possible to obtain an absorbent article having an absorbent body in which a particulate matter is disposed.

Further, an adhesive agent for bonding a plurality of fibers of the tow is attached to the lower surface of the tow on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the gas opening device. This makes it possible to join a plurality of fibers on the lower side of the tow opened by the gas opening device. Thereby, the particulate matter becomes easily held in the fiber gaps of the tow at the lower side of the tow. Therefore, the particulate matter can be prevented from falling off from the lower surface of the absorber.

In addition, by locally attaching the adhesive to the lower surface of the tow with respect to the tow, it is possible to provide the absorbent body with a non-bonded region in which a plurality of fibers are not bonded. This can maintain the soft feel of the tow. Therefore, the reduction in the feel of the absorbent article can be prevented.

The adhesive may be further added to the upper surface of the tow on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the gas opening device. This can prevent the granular material from falling off the upper surface of the absorber.

The adhesive may be further applied to a side surface of the filament bundle perpendicular to the conveying direction on the downstream side in the conveying direction from the gas opening device. This can prevent the particulate matter from falling off from the side surface of the absorber perpendicular to the transport direction.

The tow may be opened by the gas opening device, which includes a cylindrical opening portion having the opening chamber formed therein, and an introduction portion that introduces the tow and the gas into the opening portion. This prevents the particulate matter from falling off the absorber, and enables the tow to be fluffy and opened with good efficiency by the gas introduced from the introduction section into the opening chamber of the tubular opening section.

The particulate matter may be filled in the tow at the upstream side in the transport direction from the gas inlet in the inlet. This prevents the granular material from falling off the absorber, and facilitates uniform distribution and arrangement of the granular material throughout the tow opened in the opening chamber.

The particulate matter may be added to the tow at a position inside the fiber-opening section spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface of the fiber-opening section. This prevents the granular material from falling off the absorber, and facilitates the sealing of the granular material inside the tow opened in the opening chamber.

The gas spreading device may be disposed so that the tow can pass along a downward slope. This prevents the granular material from falling off the absorber, and the arrangement space of the gas opening device can be made more efficient by arranging the gas opening device obliquely.

The particulate matter may be added to the tow inside the fiber opening section. This prevents the granular material from falling off the absorber, and facilitates the arrangement of the granular material inside the tow.

The tow may be opened by bringing the tow into contact with circumferential surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening rollers on the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the gas opening device. Thus, the tow split by the pairs of splitting rollers can be further split while being three-dimensionally entangled with each other by the gas splitting device. Therefore, the fiber bundle can be satisfactorily opened, and the particulate matter can be prevented from falling off from the absorbent body.

A porous sheet having liquid permeability may be supplied to the upper surface of the tow to which the adhesive is added on the lower surface. This can prevent the particulate matter from falling off the absorbent body, and can satisfactorily prevent the absorbent article from being rewetted.

An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a gas opening device for opening the conveyed filament bundle with gas in at least one opening chamber; a particulate matter adding device that adds particulate matter to the tow on an upstream side in the conveyance direction from an outlet of the opening chamber on a most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the tow; and an adhesive application device that applies an adhesive to a lower surface of the tow on a downstream side in the conveyance direction from the gas opening device, the adhesive bonding a plurality of fibers included in the tow, wherein the gas opening device includes a cylindrical opening portion in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction portion that introduces the tow and the gas into the opening portion, and the tow is arranged so as to be able to pass along a downward slope.

According to the above configuration, an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which a particulate matter is arranged can be obtained. Further, on the lower side of the tow, the particulate matter becomes easily held in the fiber space of the tow. Therefore, the particulate matter can be prevented from falling off from the absorber. In addition, the soft feel of the tow can be maintained. This can prevent the reduction in the feel of the absorbent article.

Further, the gas spreading device is disposed so that the tow can pass along a downward slope. This makes it possible to dispose the gas opening device obliquely. Therefore, the arrangement space of the gas opening device can be made efficient.

The opening device has a cross-sectional shape of the flow path having a height dimension smaller than a width dimension when viewed from the tow conveying direction. This makes it possible to spread the tow to widen the tow, and to dispose the particulate matter inside the tow. Therefore, the degree of freedom in designing the absorber can be increased.

An absorbent article according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a sheet-like absorbent body including a tow formed of a plurality of opened fibers and a particulate matter disposed inside the tow; and a liquid-permeable porous sheet disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body on one surface side of the absorbent body, the absorbent body having: and a non-bonded region in which the plurality of fibers of the tow are not bonded, wherein the bonded region extends along the other surface of the absorbent body on the other surface side, and the non-bonded region is disposed on the inner side in the thickness direction of the absorbent body than the bonded region.

According to the above configuration, the bonded region of the absorbent body extends along the other surface of the absorbent body on the other surface side. Therefore, the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber can be prevented from falling off from the other surface side of the absorber. This makes it possible to obtain an absorbent article in which the falling-off of the particulate matter is prevented.

The non-bonded region of the absorbent body is disposed further inward in the thickness direction of the absorbent body than the bonded region. Therefore, the soft feel of the tow can be maintained. This can prevent the absorbent article provided with the absorbent body from having a reduced feel. The porous sheet is disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body on one surface side of the absorbent body. This allows moisture to be quickly absorbed into the absorbent body through the porous sheet.

The bonded region may extend along the one surface of the absorbent body on the one surface side. This can prevent the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber from falling off from one surface side of the absorber.

The bonded region may extend from the other surface side to the one surface side along the side surface of the absorbent body. This can prevent the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber from falling off from the side surface of the absorber.

An absorbent body according to another aspect of the present invention includes a tow formed of a plurality of fibers that have been opened, and a granular material disposed inside the tow, and is formed into a sheet shape, the absorbent body including: and a non-bonded region in which the plurality of fibers of the tow are not bonded, wherein the bonded region extends along the 1 st surface on the 1 st surface side, and the non-bonded region is disposed on the thickness direction inner side of the bonded region.

According to the above configuration, the bonded region of the absorber extends along the 1 st surface on the 1 st surface side of the absorber. Therefore, the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber can be prevented from falling off from the 1 st surface side of the absorber. This makes it possible to obtain an absorbent body in which the falling off of the granular material is prevented.

The unbonded area of the absorbent body is disposed further inward in the thickness direction of the absorbent body than the bonded area. Therefore, the soft feel of the tow can be maintained. This makes it possible to prevent the absorbent article from having a reduced feel when the absorbent article is manufactured.

The bonding region may also extend along the 2 nd surface on the 2 nd surface side. This can prevent the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber from falling off from the 2 nd surface side of the absorber.

The bonding region may further extend along the side surface from the 1 st surface side to the 2 nd surface side. This can prevent the granular material disposed inside the tow of the absorber from falling off from the side surface of the absorber.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, in the case of manufacturing an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which granular materials are arranged, the granular materials can be prevented from falling off from the absorbent body.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall view of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas splitting apparatus and the particulate matter adding apparatus shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the width direction of the tow band.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the fiber opening part of FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent body according to embodiment 1 as seen from the transport direction.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 1 as viewed in the conveyance direction.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an absorbent body according to modification 1 of embodiment 1, as seen from the transport direction.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to modification 1 of embodiment 1, as seen from the conveyance direction.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of an absorbent body according to modification 2 of embodiment 1, as seen from the transport direction.

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to modification 2 of embodiment 1, as seen from the conveyance direction.

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas splitting apparatus and the particulate matter adding apparatus according to embodiment 2 as viewed in the width direction of the tow band.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent body according to embodiment 2 as seen from the transport direction.

Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article according to embodiment 2 as viewed in the conveyance direction.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the upstream side refers to the upstream side in the conveying direction P of the tow band 60. The downstream side is a downstream side in the conveyance direction P of the tow band 60.

(embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a manufacturing apparatus 1) according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas opening device 9 and the particulate matter adding device 10 of fig. 1 as viewed from the width direction of the tow band. In fig. 2, the storage section 23 of the particulate matter adding apparatus 10 is not shown. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the fiber opening part 20 of fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 1, a packaging container C is disposed near the manufacturing apparatus 1. In the packaging container C, the tow band 60 containing a plurality of fibers is compressed and packaged in a bundle-like state. The bale container C of fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure.

The fibers of the tow band 60 are long fibers of cellulose acetate tow, for example, but are not limited thereto. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the tow band 60 is conveyed in the conveying direction P while being held horizontally in the width direction.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a 1 st manufacturing unit 2 and a 2 nd manufacturing unit 3. The first production section 2 produces an absorbent body 61 using a tow band 60. The 1 st manufacturing unit 2 includes a 1 st widening device 4, a guide 5, a 2 nd widening device 6, a 1 st opening roller pair 7, a 2 nd opening roller pair 8, a gas opening device 9, a particulate matter adding device 10, an adhesive agent applying device 11, and a conveying roller pair 12.

The 1 st widening device 4 widens the tow band 60 lifted from the inside of the packing container C in the width direction. The guide 5 guides the tow band 60 passing through the 1 st widening device 4 to the 2 nd widening device 6. The 2 nd widening device 6 widens the tow band 60 passing through the guide 5 further in the width direction.

The pair of opening

rollers

7 and 8 further opens the tow band 60 passed through the second widening device 6 on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9. The 2 nd opening roller pair 8 is disposed downstream of the 1 st opening roller pair 7. The 1 st opening roller pair 7 has a pair of

rollers

14 and 15. The 2 nd opening roller pair 8 has a pair of

rollers

16 and 17.

The tow band 60 passing through the second widening device 6 is inserted between the pair of

rollers

14 and 15 and between the pair of

rollers

16 and 17. As a result, the tow band 60 is opened while being provided with tension in the conveyance direction P. The tow band 60 passing through the second opening roller pair 8 is guided by a plurality of guide rollers 13 and introduced into the gas opening device 9.

The gas splitting device 9 splits the tow band 60 by the gas G. The gas opening device 9 is long and has a conveyance path 9a formed therein for conveying the tow band 60. The gas spreading device 9 of the present embodiment is disposed obliquely so that the upstream side is located above the downstream side. The conveyance path 9a extends from the upstream side to the downstream side along a downward slope. This makes the arrangement space of the gas opening device 9 more efficient than when the gas opening device 9 is arranged horizontally, for example. In the case where the arrangement space of the gas opening device 9 is sufficient, the gas opening device 9 may be arranged horizontally, for example.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the gas opening device 9 includes a connection portion 18, an introduction portion 19, an opening portion 20, and a retention portion 21. The conveyance path 9a includes: the internal space 18a of the connecting portion 18, the internal space 19a and the tow band introduction path 19b of the introduction portion 19, the internal space 20a of the fiber opening portion 20, and the retention chamber 21a of the retention portion 21.

The connection portion 18 is attached to the upstream side of the introduction portion 19 and connected to the supply pipe 24 of the particulate matter adding apparatus 10. The internal space 18a is connected to the internal space 19 a. The connecting portion 18 introduces the tow band 60 passing through the second opening roller pair 8 into the introduction portion 19 through the internal space 18 a. Further, the granular material 50 is supplied from the supply pipe 24 of the granular material addition device 10 to the internal space 18 a.

The introduction section 19 introduces the tow band 60 and the particulate matter 50 into the fiber opening section 20. The introduction portion 19 is cylindrical, and has an internal space 19a extending in the conveyance direction P. The introduction portion 19 is injected with the gas G introduced from the outside in the internal space 19 a. Thereby, the introduction portion 19 mixes the tow band 60 and the particulate matter 50.

Specifically, the introduction section 19 has a tubular mixing section 41 and a nozzle section 42. The mixing section 41 has a gas inlet 41a, a tow band inlet 41b, and a tow band outlet 41 c. The gas inlet 41a is disposed on the side of the mixing section 41 on the upstream side. The tow band introduction port 41b is disposed at an upstream end of the mixing section 41. The tow band outlet 41c is disposed at the downstream end of the mixing section 41.

The gas inlet 41a introduces pressurized gas G (air as an example) into the internal space 19 a. In the present embodiment, the position of the particulate matter 50 added to the tow band 60 is located upstream of the gas inlet 41 a. The tow band introduction port 41b introduces the tow band 60 into the internal space 19 a. The downstream end of the mixing section 41 is connected to the fiber opening section 20.

The nozzle 42 is disposed upstream of the internal space 19 a. A tapered portion 42a that becomes narrower from the upstream side to the downstream side is formed at the downstream tip of the nozzle portion 42. The inner peripheral surface of the mixing portion 41 opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 42a is spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 42a, and is reduced in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side. Thereby, the injection flow path 19c is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 42a and the inner peripheral surface of the mixing portion 41. The injection flow path 19c is injected by the gas G introduced into the internal space 19a from the gas inlet 41 a.

The nozzle portion 42 has a tow band introduction passage 19b formed therein. The outlet of the tow band introduction passage 19b is disposed downstream of the gas introduction port 41 a. The tow band 60 passing through the tow band introduction passage 19b is mixed with the particulate matter 50 by the gas G passing through the injection passage 19c, and flows through the internal space 19 a.

The gas G may be a gas other than air. Further, the outlet of the tow band introduction passage 19b and the gas inlet 41a may be disposed at positions overlapping when viewed from the side. Further, the outlet of the tow band introduction passage 19b may be disposed upstream of the gas introduction port 41 a.

The opening section 20 opens the tow band 60 to form the tow band, and is disposed with the particulate matter 50 dispersed inside the tow band 60. As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the fiber opening section 20 is cylindrical, and an internal space 20a extending in the conveying direction P is formed inside. The internal space 20a has, as viewed in the conveying direction P: at least one opening chamber (here, the 1 st opening chamber 20f and the 2 nd opening chamber 20g) having a cross-sectional shape of the flow path whose height dimension (the thickness dimension of the tow band 60) is smaller than the width dimension. The opening section 20 opens the fed tow band 60 with the gas G, and mixes the tow band 60 and the particulate matter 50.

The opening section 20 has a 1 st member 43 and a 2 nd member 44 combined with each other in the thickness direction of the tow band 60.

Groove portions

43a, 44a extending in the conveying direction P are formed in the center of the mutually facing surfaces of the 1 st member 43 and the 2 nd member 44. The inner circumferential surface 20c of the fiber-opening section 20 is formed by combining the

groove sections

43a and 44 a. The inner peripheral surface 20c forms an inner space 20 a. The internal space 20a communicates with the internal space 19a of the introduction portion 19.

The fiber opening section 20 has an upstream section 20d and a downstream section 20 e. A flow path 20b and a 1 st opening chamber 20f are formed in the upstream portion 20 d. The flow path 20b is located on the upstream side of the upstream portion 20 d.

The 1 st opening chamber 20f has an upstream area 20f1 and a downstream area 20f 2. The width W1 of the upstream region 20f1 increases from the upstream side to the downstream side. The width W2 of the downstream region 20f2 increases from the upstream side to the downstream side at a steeper proportion than the width W1 of the upstream region 20f 1. Thereby, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the 1 st opening chamber 20f is increased from the upstream side to the downstream side.

In this way, the fiber opening section 20 has a region in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the internal space 20a increases in the conveyance direction P. When passing through the 1 st opening chamber 20f, the tow band 60 expands in accordance with the shape of the 1 st opening chamber 20f, and opens a plurality of fibers while three-dimensionally winding each other.

A 2 nd opening chamber 20g is formed inside the downstream portion 20 e. The 2 nd opening chamber 20g is connected to the 1 st opening chamber 20 f. The width W3 of the 2 nd opening chamber 20g is widened further than the width W2 at the outlet of the downstream area 20f 2. Thereby, the flow path sectional area of the 2 nd opening chamber 20g is further enlarged than the flow path sectional area at the outlet of the downstream region 20f 2.

The width W3 of the 2 nd opening chamber 20g is constant in the conveying direction P. When the tow band 60 passes through the 2 nd opening chamber 20g, the fibers are further opened and expanded. The cross-sectional shape of the flow paths in the 1 st opening chamber 20f and the 2 nd opening chamber 20g may be circular, for example.

The retention section 21 is disposed downstream of the fiber opening section 20, and temporarily retains the tow band 60 that has passed through the internal space 19 a. The retention section 21 includes a plurality of elongated members 22. The upstream end of the elongated member 22 is connected to the downstream end of the fiber opening section 20. The retention section 21 has a retention chamber 21a formed by a plurality of elongated members 22 and extending in the conveyance direction P.

As shown in fig. 3, specifically, in the fiber opening section 20, an annular end face 20h extending perpendicularly to the conveyance direction P is formed at a boundary portion between the upstream section 20d and the downstream section 20 e. The end surface 20h extends in the circumferential direction of the 2 nd opening chamber 20g, and is provided with a plurality of holes into which the elongated members 22 are inserted.

The plurality of elongated members 22 extend in the conveying direction P at intervals in the circumferential direction of the conveying path 9 a. Thus, the flow passage cross-sectional shape of the retention chamber 21a is similar to the flow passage cross-sectional shape of the internal space 20a at the connecting position of the elongated member 22 and the end face 20 h. Therefore, the shape of the tow band 60 formed while being opened in the 1 st opening chamber 20f and the 2 nd opening chamber 20g is also held in the retention chamber 21 a.

The downstream ends of the plurality of elongated members 22 approach each other as they advance from the upstream side to the downstream side. The tow band 60 that has passed through the outlet of the internal space 20a is once retained in the retention chamber 21a and then passes through the retention section 21. Thus, the retention section 21 suppresses the expansion of the tow band 60, and adjusts the volume and fiber density of the tow band 60.

The particulate matter adding device 10 adds the particulate matter 50 to the tow band 60 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction P from the outlet of the opening chamber (the 2 nd opening chamber 20g in the present embodiment) on the most downstream side in the conveyance direction P. The particulate matter 50 has water absorption property and includes a super absorbent resin as an example.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, specifically, the particulate matter adding apparatus 10 includes a storage section 23 and a supply pipe 24. The storage section 23 stores the granular material 50. One end of the supply pipe 24 is connected to the reservoir 23, and the other end is connected to the conveyance path 9 a. The supply pipe 24 extends from the one end to the other end along a downward slope. The particulate matter adding device 10 causes the particulate matter 50 stored in the storage section 23 to flow to the supply pipe 24. Thereby, the particulate matter adding device 10 adds the particulate matter to the tow band 60 in the internal space 19 a.

For example, the particulate matter adding device 10 adds the particulate matter 50 to the tow band 60 from the lower surface 60b side of the tow band 60. The particulate matter adding device 10 may add the particulate matter 50 to the tow band 60 from the upper surface 60a side of the tow band 60.

The particulate matter adding device 10 may be arranged to add the particulate matter 50 to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9 (for example, on the downstream side of the 2 nd opening roller pair 8 and on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9).

The adhesive attachment device 11 attaches an adhesive B for bonding a plurality of fibers included in the tow band 60 to the lower surface 60B of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9. The adhesive applying device 11 of the present embodiment applies the adhesive B to the entire circumference of the tow band 60 when viewed from the conveying direction P. Here, when the absorbent article 64 (see fig. 4) manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 is used, the lower surface 60b of the tow band 60 is a surface on the opposite side of the surface (upper surface 60a) of the tow band 60 that is first in contact with moisture.

The adhesive agent attaching device 11 has a housing 26, a spraying portion 27, a guide portion 28, and a discharge portion 29. The spraying section 27 has at least one nozzle. The spraying section 27 is disposed so that the liquid adhesive B can be sprayed from the lower side in the housing 26 to the lower surface of the tow band 60 by a nozzle.

In the present embodiment, the spraying section 27 has a plurality of nozzles. The spraying section 27 is disposed so that the liquid adhesive B can be sprayed by a nozzle toward the entire circumference of the tow band 60 passing through the housing 26 as viewed in the conveying direction P. The adhesive B is supplied to the spraying section 27 through a pipe 30 extending from the housing 26 to the outside.

The guide portion 28 extends in the vertical direction inside the housing 26. The guide portion 28 supports the upper surface 60a and the lower surface 60b of the tow band 60, and stabilizes the posture of the tow band 60. The discharge portion 29 is disposed below the housing 26, and discharges the residual adhesive B discharged from the spray portion 27 to the outside of the housing 26.

In the adhesive agent application device 11, the adhesive agent B can be applied to the region from the surface of the tow band 60 to a predetermined depth by changing the density of the tow band 60, the feed speed, the amount of the adhesive agent B sprayed per unit time from the spraying section 27, and the like when the adhesive agent B is applied to the tow band 60.

The depth dimension of the attached region of the adhesive B from the surface of the tow band 60 can be appropriately set. The depth dimension is, for example, preferably a value in a range of 0 to 1/5 inclusive, more preferably a value in a range of 0 to 1/10 inclusive, and still more preferably a value in a range of 0 to 1/20 inclusive, of the thickness dimension of the tow band 60 in the transport region from the outlet of the adhesive application device 11 to the nip point of the transport roller pair 12.

The method of attaching the adhesive B to the tow band 60 by the adhesive attaching device 11 is not limited. For example, a method of attaching the adhesive B to the tow band 60 using any one of a rotating brush, a rotating roller, or a rotating disk may be used.

As the binder B, for example, various plasticizers that can dissolve the fibers of the tow band 60 can be used. Examples of the plasticizer include ester plasticizers such as triacetin, triethylene glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dipropionate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, and triethyl citrate. The plasticizer may be appropriately selected according to the kind of the tow band 60.

When the tow band 60 contains cellulose acetate tow, triacetin or a cellulose derivative is preferably used as the plasticizer. Such plasticizers are volatile. Therefore, the plasticizer can be prevented from remaining in the manufactured absorbent article 64. This can improve the safety of the absorbent article 64.

The amount of attachment of the adhesive B to the tow band 60 can be set as appropriate. The amount of the adhesive is, for example, preferably in the range of 1 wt% to 50 wt% of the total weight of the tow band 60 with the adhesive B immediately after the adhesive B is attached, and more preferably in the range of 1 wt% to 10 wt%.

The conveying roller pair 12 conveys the tow band 60 passing through the adhesive attaching device 11 to the downstream side. The tow band 60 is inserted between the pair of conveying

rollers

31 and 32 included in the pair of conveying rollers 12. The tow band 60 is pressed in the thickness direction by a pair of conveying

rollers

31, 32. Thereby, the absorber 61 can be produced. The absorbent body 61 is conveyed to the 2 nd manufacturing unit 3.

The No. 2 production unit 3 is arranged by superposing a back sheet 62 having air permeability and a top sheet (porous sheet) 63 having liquid permeability on an absorbent body 61. The 2 nd manufacturing section 3 includes a 1 st supply device 35, a conveying device 36, a 2 nd supply device 37, a 3 rd supply device 38, a pair of forming rollers 39, and a bonding device 40.

The 1 st feeding device 35 feeds out the tape-like back sheet 62 from the 1 st sheet roll R1 and feeds the tape-like back sheet onto the predetermined feed line L. The conveying device 36 conveys the back sheet 62 along the conveying line L. The absorber 61 is fed onto the back sheet 62. The 2 nd feeding device 37 feeds out the top sheet 63 in a belt shape from the 2 nd sheet roll R2, and feeds the top sheet 63 onto the feed line L so as to sandwich the absorber 61 between the back sheet 62 and the top sheet 63.

The 3 rd feeding device 38 feeds the adhesive to the top sheet 63 between the 2 nd sheet roll R2 and the forming roller pair 39. The forming roller pair 39 conveys the superposed back sheet 62, absorbent body 61, and top sheet 63 to the downstream side while forming them. The bonding apparatus 40 presses the back sheet 62 and the top sheet 63 in the thickness direction, and bonds the back sheet 62 and the top sheet 63 with an adhesive in a state of sandwiching the absorbent body 61. The back sheet 62, the absorber 61, and the top sheet 63 bonded by the bonding device 40 are cut into predetermined dimensions. Thereby, the absorbent article 64 can be manufactured. The back sheet 62 of the absorbent article 64 may be omitted depending on the application.

In the method of manufacturing the absorbent article 64 according to the present embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is used to open the transported tow band 60 with the gas G in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening device 9, the particulate matter 50 is added to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side, and the adhesive B is added to the lower surface 60B of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9.

As a result, the fibers of the tow band 60 are spread while being three-dimensionally entangled with each other, and the particulate matter 50 is dispersed in the fiber gaps. This makes it possible to obtain an absorbent article 64 including the absorber 61 in which the particulate matter 50 is disposed.

Further, the adhesive B is attached to the lower surface 60B of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas fiber-opening device 9. This allows a plurality of fibers below the tow band 60 to be combined after the fibers are opened by the gas opening device 9. Thereby, the particulate matter 50 is easily held in the fiber gap of the tow band 60 on the lower side of the tow band 60. Therefore, the particulate matter 50 can be prevented from falling off from the lower surface of the absorber 61.

Further, the adhesive B is locally attached to the lower surface 60B of the tow band 60 with respect to the tow band 60, whereby the absorber 61 can have a non-bonded region 60d in which a plurality of fibers are not bonded, which will be described later. This can maintain the soft touch of the tow band 60. Therefore, a reduction in the feel of the absorbent article 64 can be prevented.

Further, the adhesive B is attached to the upper surface 60a of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9. This can prevent the granular material 50 from falling off the upper surface of the absorber 61.

Further, the adhesive B is attached to the side surface of the tow band 60 perpendicular to the conveying direction P on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9. This can prevent the particulate matter 50 from falling off from the side surface of the absorber 61.

Further, the tow band 60 is opened by the gas opener 9 having the opening section 20 and the introduction section 19. This prevents the granular material 50 from falling off the absorber 61, and also allows the tow band 60 to be fluffy and opened with good efficiency by the gas G.

Further, the particulate matter 50 is added to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the gas inlet 41a of the inlet portion 19. This can prevent the granular material 50 from falling off the absorbent body 61, and can easily disperse and arrange the granular material 50 uniformly throughout the tow band 60 that has been opened in the opening chamber.

The opening chamber has a cross-sectional shape of the flow path having a height dimension smaller than a width dimension when viewed from the conveyance direction P. This can prevent the granular material 50 from falling off the absorber 61, and can open the tow band 60 to widen it, thereby facilitating the packing of the granular material 50 inside the tow band 60.

Further, the tow band 60 is brought into contact with the circumferential surfaces of the pairs of opening

rollers

7 and 8 on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9, and the tow band 60 is opened. Thus, the air opening device 9 can further open the fibers while winding the tow band 60 opened by the plurality of pairs of opening roller pairs 7 and 8 in a three-dimensional manner. Therefore, the tow band 60 can be satisfactorily opened, and the particulate matter 50 can be prevented from falling off from the absorbent body 61.

Further, the top sheet 63 having liquid permeability is supplied to the upper surface 60a of the tow band 60 to which the adhesive B is added to the lower surface 60B. This can prevent the particulate matter 50 from falling off from the absorbent body 61, and can favorably prevent the absorbent article 64 from being rewetted.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent body 61 according to embodiment 1 as seen from the transport direction P. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 64 according to embodiment 1 as viewed in the conveyance direction P. As shown in fig. 4, the absorbent body 61 is formed into a sheet shape including a tow band 60 formed of a plurality of fibers that have been opened and a particulate matter 50 disposed inside the tow band 60. In the absorber 61, the granular material 50 is uniformly dispersed and disposed in the entire interior thereof.

The absorber 61 has a bonded region 60c in which a plurality of fibers of the tow band 60 are bonded, and an unbonded region 60d in which a plurality of fibers of the tow band 60 are not bonded. In the present embodiment, the adhesive B is attached to the entire circumference of the tow band 60 as viewed from the conveying direction P by the adhesive attaching device 11. Thus, the bonded region 60c is disposed over the entire circumference of the absorber 61 and the unbonded region 60d is disposed inside the absorber 61 when viewed from the conveyance direction P.

Here, the total number of flats (TD) of the tow band 60 in the absorber 61 can be set as appropriate. For example, the total number of flats of the tow band 60 may be set to a value in the range of 15000 to 50000. The grammage of the absorber 61 can be set as appropriate. For example, the grammage of the absorber 61 may be set to 20g/m²Above 200g/m²A value of (d). The thickness of the absorbent body 61 (the thickness after compression by the pair of forming rollers 39) can be set as appropriate. For example, the thickness of the absorber 61 may be set to a value in the range of 5mm to 30 mm.

Depending on the kind of the tow used for the tow band 60, the following may occur: the tow band 60 has a high recovery force, and the thickness of the absorbent body 61 is almost constant before and after the compression molding with the molding roll pair 39.

As shown in fig. 5, the absorbent article 64 includes an absorber 61, a back sheet 62, and a top sheet 63. The absorbent body 61 is compressed by the conveying roller pair 12 to reduce its thickness dimension as compared with the tow belt 60 shown in fig. 4.

The top sheet 63 is disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body 61 on one surface (upper surface) side of the absorbent body 61. The back sheet 62 is disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body 61 on the other surface (lower surface) side of the absorbent body 61.

In the absorbent article 64, the bonded region 60c of the absorbent body 61 extends along the second surface (here, the second surface) on the 1 st surface side of the absorbent body 61. This can prevent the granular material 50 disposed inside the tow band 60 of the absorbent body 61 from falling off from the other surface side of the absorbent body 61. This makes it possible to obtain the absorbent article 64 in which the particulate matter 50 is prevented from falling off.

In the absorbent article 64, the bonded region 60c of the absorbent body 61 extends along the 2 nd surface (the one surface in this case) of the absorbent body 61. This can prevent the granular material 50 disposed inside the tow band 60 of the absorbent body 61 from falling off from one surface side of the absorbent body 61.

In the absorbent article 64, the bonded region 60c extends from the other surface side to the one surface side along the side surface of the absorbent body 61. For example, the coupling region 60c extends along the side surface of the absorbent body 61 in a partial region (region on both sides in the width direction) of the absorbent body 61. This can prevent the granular material 50 disposed inside the tow band 60 of the absorbent body 61 from falling off from the side surface of the absorbent body 61.

In the absorbent article 64, the non-bonded region 60d of the absorbent body 61 is disposed further inward in the thickness direction of the absorbent body 61 than the bonded region 60 c. This can maintain the soft touch of the tow band 60. This can prevent the absorbent article 64 provided with the absorber 61 from having a reduced feel. The top sheet 63 is disposed so as to overlap the absorber 61 on one surface side of the absorber 61. This allows moisture to be quickly absorbed in the absorber 61 through the top sheet 63.

In the absorbent article 64, the back sheet 62 is disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body 61 on the other surface side of the absorbent body 61. This can prevent the moisture absorbed by the absorber 61 from leaking out of the absorber 61 by the back sheet 62. Further, by providing the back sheet 62 with air permeability, it is possible to prevent steam from occurring during wearing.

A modification of embodiment 1 will be described below. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of an absorbent body 161 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1, as seen from the transport direction P. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 164 according to modification 1 of embodiment 1, as seen from the conveyance direction P.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the absorbent body 161 is provided with the bonded regions 60c only on one surface side and the other surface side. The absorber 161 is obtained by setting the spraying direction of the spraying section 27 so that the adhesive B is applied only to one surface side and the other surface side of the tow band 60 in the adhesive applying device 11.

Even in the first modification example 1, the granular material 50 disposed inside the absorber 161 can be prevented from falling off from the one surface side and the other surface side of the absorber 161 by the bonded region 60 c. This can prevent the absorbent article 164 from being degraded due to the particulate matter 50 falling off from the absorber 161.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent body 261 according to modification 2 of embodiment 1, as seen from the transport direction P. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of an absorbent article 264 according to modification 2 of embodiment 1 as seen from the conveyance direction.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the absorbent body 261 has the bonded region 60c disposed only on the other surface side. The absorber 261 is obtained by setting the spraying direction of the spraying section 27 in the adhesive application device 11 so that the adhesive B is applied only to the other surface side of the tow band 60.

The amount of the adhesive B to be attached to the tow band 60 in modification 2 can be set as appropriate. The amount of the adhesive is, for example, preferably in the range of 1 wt% to 25 wt% of the weight of the tow band 60 with the adhesive B immediately after the adhesive B is attached, and more preferably in the range of 1 wt% to 5 wt%.

Even in the 2 nd modification, the granular material 50 disposed inside the absorber 261 can be prevented from falling off from the other surface side of the absorber 261. In addition, when the top sheet 63 is superposed on the absorbent body 261, the top sheet 63 can prevent the granular material 50 disposed inside the absorbent body 261 from falling off from one side of the absorbent body 261. This can prevent the absorbent article 264 from being degraded to some extent due to the particulate matter 50 falling off from the absorbent body 261. Hereinafter, embodiment 2 will be described mainly focusing on the differences from embodiment 1.

(embodiment 2)

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas splitting apparatus 109 and the particulate matter adding apparatus 110 according to embodiment 2 as viewed in the width direction of the tow band. As shown in fig. 10, the gas opening device 109 according to embodiment 2 does not have a connection part corresponding to the connection part 18 of the gas opening device 9. The supply pipe 124 of the particulate matter adding device 110 is connected to the fiber opening unit 120 of the gas fiber opening device 109. The downstream end 124a of the supply pipe 124 is exposed to the internal space 120 a.

The downstream end 124a is disposed so as to open to the downstream side in the conveying direction P at a position inside the fiber-opening section 120 spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface 120c of the fiber-opening section 120. In the present embodiment, the downstream end portion 124a extends in the internal space 120a in parallel with the conveying direction P. Thus, in embodiment 2, the particulate matter 50 stored in the reservoir 123 is added to the tow band 60 at a position in the fiber-opening section 120 spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 120c of the fiber-opening section 120. In embodiment 2, the particulate matter 50 is added to the inside of the tow band 60 during opening on the downstream side in the transport direction P than in embodiment 1.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the absorber 361 according to embodiment 2 as viewed from the transport direction P. Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent article 364 according to embodiment 2 as viewed in the conveyance direction P. In the absorber 361 obtained by the gas splitting apparatus 109, the particulate matter 50 is added to the inside of the tow band 60 during the splitting, and the particulate matter 50 is enclosed inside the tow band 60. In the present embodiment, the bonded region 60c is disposed over the entire circumference of the absorber 361 as viewed in the transport direction P, and the granular materials 50 are dispersed and disposed in the non-bonded region 60d surrounded by the bonded region 60c, as an example.

In this way, in embodiment 2, the particulate matter 50 is added to the tow band 60 at a position in the fiber-opening section 120 spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 120c of the fiber-opening section 120. This can prevent the granular material 50 from falling off the absorber 361, and can easily seal the granular material 50 inside the tow band 60 that has been opened in the opening chamber. In the absorbent article 364, the particulate matter 50 is not exposed on the surface of the absorber 361. Therefore, the feeling after water absorption can be maintained relatively well. In fig. 11 and 12, the particulate matter 50 is not dispersed and disposed inside the bonding region 60 c. However, a plurality of the particulate matters 50 may be dispersed and arranged inside the bonding region 60 c.

In embodiment 2, the position of adding the particulate matter 50 (the opening position of the downstream end portion 124 a) may be a position upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the conveying direction P and downstream of the tow band introduction port 141 b. The position of adding the particulate matter 50 may be, for example, upstream of the center of the internal space 120a in the conveyance direction P. The position of adding the particulate matter 50 may be downstream of the tow band introduction passage 119b of the internal space 119 a.

Here, according to the study of the inventors, it is known that: in the inside of the gas opening apparatus 109, the particulate matter 50 is more easily and uniformly dispersed and arranged inside the tow band 60 passing through the gas opening apparatus 109 as the position to which the particulate matter 50 is added is moved to the upstream side.

As in modification 1, the absorbent body of embodiment 2 may be provided with the bonded regions 60c only on the one surface side and the other surface side. As in modification 2, the absorbent body of embodiment 2 may have the bonded regions 60 disposed only on the other surface side.

(evaluation test)

An absorbent body 61 was produced as example 1 using the production apparatus 1 of embodiment 1. Further, an absorber 361 was produced as example 2 using the production apparatus of embodiment 2. An absorber was produced as comparative example 1 using a device in which the attachment device 11 was omitted from the production device 1 of embodiment 1. An absorbent body was produced as comparative example 2 using an apparatus in which the attachment apparatus 11 was omitted from the production apparatus of embodiment 2.

An absorbent body was produced as comparative example 3 under the same conditions as in example 1, except that the production apparatus 1 according to embodiment 1 was used and the attachment apparatus 11 was disposed upstream of the tow band introduction port 41b of the introduction section 19.

An absorbent body was produced as comparative example 4 under the same conditions as in example 2, except that the production apparatus of embodiment 2 was used and the attachment apparatus 11 was disposed upstream of the tow band introduction port 141b (see fig. 10) of the introduction portion 119.

The tow band used in examples 1 to 2 and comparative examples 1 to 4 had a width of 10cm and a length of 6g per 30 cm. The amount of the particulate matter 50 added to the tow band was 2g for a tow band having a length of 30 cm. As the binder B, triacetin was used.

The absorbent bodies of examples 1 to 2 and comparative examples 1 to 4 were evaluated in the following manner. First, the touch feeling of each of the absorbers of examples 1 to 2 and comparative examples 1 to 4 was evaluated by touching the surface of the absorber with a hand.

Further, a glass tube having an inner diameter of 6cm was placed on the upper surface of the long absorber so that the opening faced the vertical direction. In this state, 50ml of physiological saline colored blue was injected into the glass cylinder at one time.

After 3 minutes passed from the time when the whole amount of the physiological saline was injected into the glass tube, the liquid diffusion length (longitudinal diffusion length and lateral diffusion length) of the physiological saline formed on the upper surface of the absorber was measured. The longitudinal diffusion length is defined as the longitudinal direction of the absorbent body, and the lateral diffusion length is defined as the width direction of the absorbent body. Thus, the water absorption was evaluated. Here, the larger the liquid spreading length is, the more likely it becomes to bring the physiological saline into contact with the particulate matter contained in the absorbent body. Therefore, it can be evaluated that the water absorption is excellent.

After 5 minutes from the time when the physiological saline was poured into the glass cylinder, a plurality of pieces of filter paper whose dry weight was measured in advance were stacked and placed on the absorber. Then, a weight of 3.5kg was placed on the uppermost filter paper. After 8 minutes from the time when the physiological saline was injected into the glass cylinder, the weight was removed and a plurality of filter papers were taken out. The surface of the absorbent body immediately after the filter paper was taken out was touched, and the rewet of the absorbent body was evaluated.

Further, test pieces of the absorbent body having a dimension in the conveyance direction of 30cm were collected at the same position of the conveyance path in the manufacturing apparatus (the same position of the conveyance path on the downstream side of the retention section 21 in comparative examples 1 to 2, and the same position of the conveyance path on the downstream side of the adhesive application apparatus 11 in examples 1 to 2 and comparative examples 3 to 4). The position of the upper and lower surfaces of the test piece was inverted only once. Before and after this operation, the amount of the particulate matter contained in the test piece was measured, and the ratio (% by weight) of the amount of the particulate matter falling off from the test piece by the above operation was calculated as the falling-off rate of the particulate matter. Thereby, the rate of dropping of the particulate matter from the absorber was rated. The evaluation results are shown in table 1. In table 1, the most excellent evaluation is described as a, the evaluation next to a is described as B, and the evaluation next to B is described as C.

[ Table 1]

1: a position downstream of the tow band introduction port and upstream of the fiber opening section outlet

As shown in table 1, it is understood that the particulate matter falling rate is relatively high in comparative examples 1 and 2. The reason for this is considered to be: in comparative examples 1 and 2, the binder B was not added to the tow band 60, and therefore, the particulate matter 50 was easily detached from the fiber gap.

In addition, it is found that the water absorption of comparative example 2 is not so excellent. The reason for this is considered to be: in comparative example 2, since the adhesive B was not added to the tow band 60, the fiber gaps on the surface of the tow band 60 were not uniform in size, and it was difficult for the moisture to uniformly reach the particulate matter 50 enclosed inside the tow band 60 through each fiber gap.

It is clear that comparative examples 3 and 4 are not excellent in touch feeling. The reason for this is considered to be: in comparative examples 3 and 4, since the amount of adhesive B added to the tow band 60 is relatively large and the adhesive B is added to the entire interior of the tow band 60, the fibers are bonded to each other in the entire tow band 60, resulting in a stiff touch.

It is understood that in examples 1 and 2, any of the particulate matter falling rate, the touch and the water absorption was superior to those in comparative examples 1 to 4. In examples 1 and 2, the tow band 60 of the absorber 61 includes a bonded region 60c and an unbonded region 60 d. Thus, it is believed that: the bonded region 60c prevents the falling of the particulate matter 50, and the touch feeling is kept good in the non-bonded region 60 d.

In addition, it is considered that: in examples 1 and 2, since the fiber gap is maintained by the bonding region 60c, good water absorption properties were exhibited in both the case where the particulate matter 50 was disposed in the entire tow band 60 (example 1) and the case where the particulate matter 50 was disposed inside the tow band 60 with a bias (example 2).

In the examples 1 to 2 and the comparative examples 3 and 4, no significant difference was observed in the particulate matter dropping rate immediately after the adhesive B was attached to the tow band 60 and after a predetermined time had elapsed since the adhesive B was attached to the tow band 60.

In examples 1 and 2, the bonding region 60c was disposed over the entire circumference of the tow band 60. However, it is believed that: even in the configurations shown in

modifications

1 and 2 of embodiment 1, results similar to those of

embodiments

1 and 2 can be obtained.

In addition, when the

absorbent article

64, 364 provided with the

absorbent body

61, 361 of example 1 or 2 was manufactured, the upper surface of the

absorbent body

61, 361 was covered with the top sheet 63. However, it is believed that: since the

absorbers

61 and 361 of examples 1 and 2 had excellent tactile sensation, the

absorbent articles

64 and 364 provided with the

absorbers

61 and 361 also had excellent tactile sensation.

In addition, when the

absorbent articles

64 and 364 including the

absorbers

61 and 361 of examples 1 and 2 were manufactured, it is considered that the excellent absorbency is exhibited also in the

absorbent articles

64 and 364 by the excellent absorbency of the

absorbers

61 and 361.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and modifications, additions, or deletions may be made to the configurations and methods without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, in the case of manufacturing an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which granular materials are arranged, there is an excellent effect that the granular materials can be prevented from falling off from the absorbent body and a reduction in the feel of the absorbent article can be prevented. Therefore, the present invention is useful when widely applied as a method for manufacturing an absorbent article, an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article, and an absorbent article, which can exhibit the effect.

Description of the reference numerals

B Binder

G gas

P conveying direction

1 absorbent article manufacturing apparatus

7 No. 1 splitting roller pair (splitting roller pair)

8 nd 2 fiber opening roller pair (fiber opening roller pair)

9. 109 gas fiber opening device

10. 110 granular material adding device

11 adhesive attaching device

19. 119 introduction part

20. 120 fiber opening part

20c and 120c opening parts

20f the 1 st opening chamber (opening chamber)

20g the 2 nd opening chamber (opening chamber)

41a gas inlet

50 granular material

60 tow band (tow)

60b lower surface of tow band (lower surface of tow)

60c binding region

60d non-binding region

61. 161, 261, 361 absorber

63 porous sheet

64. 164, 264, 364 absorbent article

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein,

the conveyed filament bundle is opened by gas in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening device,

adding a particulate matter into the tow at a position upstream of an outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the direction of conveyance of the tow,

an adhesive agent is attached to a lower surface of the tow on a downstream side in the conveyance direction from the gas opening device, and the adhesive agent bonds a plurality of fibers included in the tow.

2. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1,

the adhesive is further applied to the upper surface of the tow on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the gas opening device.

3. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the adhesive is further attached to a side surface of the tow perpendicular to the conveyance direction on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the gas opening device.

4. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the tow is opened by the gas opening device, and the gas opening device includes a cylindrical opening portion in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction portion that introduces the tow and the gas into the opening portion.

5. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 4,

the particulate matter is added to the tow at the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the gas inlet in the inlet.

6. The method of manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 4,

the pellets are added to the tow at a position within the fiber-opening section that is spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface of the fiber-opening section.

7. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the gas spreading device is arranged in such a manner that the tow can pass along a downward slope.

8. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the tow is opened by bringing the tow into contact with circumferential surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening rollers on the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the gas opening device.

9. The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

a porous sheet having liquid permeability is supplied to the upper surface of the tow to which the adhesive is added to the lower surface.

10. An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus includes:

a gas opening device for opening the conveyed filament bundle with gas in at least one opening chamber;

a particulate matter adding device that adds particulate matter into the tow on an upstream side in the conveyance direction from an outlet of the opening chamber on a most downstream side in the conveyance direction of the tow; and

an adhesive agent application device that applies an adhesive agent, which bonds a plurality of fibers included in the tow, to a lower surface of the tow on a downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to the gas opening device,

wherein,

the gas spreading device includes a cylindrical spreading section in which the spreading chamber is formed, and an introduction section that introduces the tow and the gas into the spreading section, and the tow is arranged so as to be able to pass along a downward slope.

11. An absorbent article comprising:

a sheet-like absorbent body including a tow formed of a plurality of opened fibers and a particulate matter disposed inside the tow; and

a liquid-permeable porous sheet disposed so as to overlap the absorbent body on one surface side of the absorbent body,

wherein,

the absorbent body has: a bonded region where a plurality of fibers of the tow are bonded, and a non-bonded region where a plurality of fibers of the tow are not bonded,

the bonded region extends along the other surface of the absorbent body on the other surface side, and the unbonded region is disposed further inward in the thickness direction of the absorbent body than the bonded region.

12. The absorbent article of claim 11,

the bonded region also extends along the one surface of the absorbent body on the one surface side.

13. The absorbent article according to claim 11 or 12, wherein,

the bonded region also extends from the other surface side toward the one surface side along a side surface of the absorbent body.

14. An absorbent body which is formed into a sheet shape and comprises a tow formed of a plurality of opened fibers and a particulate matter disposed inside the tow,

the bonded region extends along the 1 st surface on the 1 st surface side, and the non-bonded region is disposed on the thickness direction inner side of the bonded region.

15. The absorbent body according to claim 14, wherein,

the bonding region also extends along the 2 nd face at the 2 nd face side.

16. The absorbent body according to claim 14 or 15, wherein,

the bonding region also extends along a side surface from the 1 st face side toward the 2 nd face side.