KR20110124794A - Conveyor and method of manufacturing absorbent article - Google Patents

Abstract

The conveying apparatus 100 which concerns on this invention conveys the flexible continuous web 7. The conveying apparatus 100 is a web 7 from the center region C in the crossing direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD of the web 7, or from the center region C of the web 7 at least in a crossing direction. The pressing mechanism 110 which presses a web in at least one of the side edge area | regions S located in the position displaced toward the both edges of (). When the pressing mechanism 110 is seen along the surface of the web in the cross direction, it is provided in the position which was offset from the conveyance surface R of the web 7.

Description

Conveyor and METHOD OF MANUFACTURING ABSORBENT ARTICLE}

The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus and an absorbent article manufacturing method configured to convey an elastic continuous web.

Generally, the manufacturing method of absorbent articles, such as a pants-type diaper, a sanitary napkin, and a panty liner, is performed in an assembly line. For example, the continuous web in which the front sheet and back sheet which comprise an absorbent article are continuous is conveyed by the conveying apparatus in the tension state in a web conveyance direction (for example, refer patent document 1). And structural members, such as a gather (elastic member) and a waterproof film, are arrange | positioned on the web conveyed by the tension state in a web conveyance direction.

By the way, in the web, the web in which elastic structural members, such as a gather and a waterproof film, are arrange | positioned may be stretched by the crossing direction (web width direction) orthogonal to a web conveyance direction. In particular, in a system (known as a transverse conveyor system) in which the web is conveyed in the web conveying direction with the pair of waistline portions ultimately corresponding to the waist of the wearer extending in the web conveying direction, the web during conveying is It is often asymmetrical with respect to the centerline dividing the width of, so that it can shrink toward the center of the web in the width direction.

In order to solve this problem, the conveying apparatus which suppresses shrinkage of a web toward the center of a width direction is disclosed by Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2002-145485. The conveying apparatus includes an endless belt configured to pivot between a plurality of pairs of rollers, a drive mechanism configured to pivot the belt, and an adsorption mechanism configured to adsorb the web onto the belt through a plurality of suction holes formed in the belt.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-145485 (Page 2-4, Figs. 1 and 2)

The inventors of the present application found that when the web is contracted toward the center in the width direction, the web is adsorbed onto the belt in the contracted state. As a result, one or more wrinkles may occur in the web. In order to avoid manufacturing defects, it is necessary to flatten such wrinkles.

Under such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying apparatus and an absorbent article manufacturing method capable of reliably unfolding wrinkles generated in the stretchable web even when wrinkles occur in the stretchable web.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, this invention is provided with the following aspects.

In one aspect, the conveying apparatus which conveys a flexible continuous web in a conveyance direction is provided. The said web has a center area | region in the crossing direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction, and the side edge area | region on both sides of this center area | region. The said conveying apparatus presses the said web in at least one of the conveyance mechanism which conveys the said web from a conveyance surface, and the center area | region or side edge area | region of the said web, and biases with respect to the said conveyance surface, and expands it in a cross direction. It is provided.

In another aspect, a method for producing an absorbent article is provided. This method includes the conveyance process of conveying the continuous web processed into the said absorbent article by a some process process on a conveyance surface. The continuous web has a center region in the cross direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and side edge regions on both sides of the center region. The method further includes a pressing step of pressing the web in at least one of the central region or the side edge region of the web to bias the web against the carrying surface.

In order to solve the said problem, this invention includes the following aspects. An aspect of the present invention provides a conveying apparatus for conveying a stretchable elongated web, which conveys a central region in an intersecting direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the web, and both edges of the web in an intersecting direction from the central region. And a pressing mechanism configured to press the web in at least a side edge region located at a position biased toward the pressing mechanism, the pressing mechanism being provided at a position biased from the conveying surface of the web when viewed along the surface of the web in the cross direction.

According to the aspect of this invention, even when a wrinkles generate | occur | produce in a flexible web, the conveying apparatus and the absorbent article manufacturing method which can reliably unfold the wrinkles which generate | occur | produced in the web can be provided.

1 is a partially cutaway perspective view illustrating an absorbent article in accordance with one or more embodiments.
2 is a diagram for explaining a relevant part of the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one or more embodiments.
3 is a perspective view illustrating a relevant portion of a conveying device according to one or more embodiments.
It is a side view which shows the pressing mechanism of the conveyance apparatus of FIG.
5 is a front view illustrating the pressing mechanism.
6 is a plan view showing a pressing plate of the pressing mechanism.
7 is a perspective view showing a pressing mechanism according to Modification Example 1. FIG.
(A), (b) is a front view which shows the press mechanism which concerns on the modification 2. As shown in FIG.
9 is a front view showing the pressing mechanism according to the third modification.
10 is a front view showing the pressing mechanism according to the fourth modification.

Hereinafter, a conveying apparatus and a absorbent article manufacturing method according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the following description and drawings, the same or similar code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or similar part. However, the drawings are schematic and do not represent actual dimensions unless otherwise noted. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. In addition, the actual dimensional relationship and the ratio of the component parts are not necessarily reflected by drawing.

First, the configuration of the absorbent article 1 according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. 1, which is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the absorbent article 1. In a particularly illustrated embodiment, the absorbent article 1 is a pants-type disposable diaper for adult use.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent article 1 mainly includes a surface sheet 2, a back sheet 3, an absorber 4, and a waterproof sheet 5.

The surface sheet 2 is brought into contact with the skin of a person wearing the absorbent article 1 (hereinafter referred to as a "wearer"). The surface sheet 2 is manufactured from liquid permeable sheets, such as a nonwoven fabric and an opening plastic film. The back sheet 3 is provided outside (on the side away from the wearer) of the front sheet 2. The back sheet 3 is made of a nonwoven fabric or the like.

The absorber 4 is provided between the front sheet 2 and the back sheet 3 to absorb the excrement of the wearer. The absorber 4 is made of a mixture of pulp and superabsorbent polymer particles and the like. The waterproof sheet 5 is provided between the back sheet 3 and the absorber 4 to block the excretion of the wearer from penetrating the outside of the absorbent article 1. The waterproof sheet 5 is made of a liquid impermeable sheet.

The absorbent article 1 is provided with the surface sheet 2, the absorber 4, the waterproof sheet 5, and the back sheet 3 in order from the skin side of a wearer.

The absorbent article 1 thus constructed includes a front waistline portion 10 corresponding to the wearer's front waist, a rear waistline portion 20 corresponding to the wearer's rear waist, and a crotch portion corresponding to the wearer's crotch. (30) is included in combination. On the other hand, the leg surrounding opening 40 which a leg of a wearer enters is formed in the both sides of the crotch part 30. As shown in FIG.

The front waistline portion 10 and the back waistline portion 20 are integrated by the junction 50 to form a waistline opening corresponding to the wearer's torso circumference. At the entire peripheral edges of the front waistline portion 10 and the rear waistline portion 20, a waist gather 6A made of elastic rubber or the like having elasticity is provided.

For example, in order to make the front waistline portion 10 and the rear waistline portion 20 elastic in an intersecting direction orthogonal to the front-back direction from the front waistline portion 10 toward the rear waistline portion 20. The waist gathers 6A may be provided in the waistline portion 10 and the back waistline portion 20, and these portions themselves may be made of elastic sheets.

The crotch portion 30 is provided between the front waistline portion 10 and the rear waistline portion 20. On both sides of the crotch portion 30, leg gathers 6B made of elastic rubber having elasticity are provided.

For example, in order to give the crotch portion 30 elasticity in the leg circumferential direction, the leg gathers 6B may be provided on the crotch portion 30, and the crotch portion 30 itself may be made of an elastic sheet.

Next, an absorbent article manufacturing method such as the absorbent article 1 described above according to one or more embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the absorbent article manufacturing method includes at least a waist line forming step (S1), an absorber transferring step (S2), a leg surrounding opening forming step (S3), a folding step (S4), and a bonding step. It includes a step (S5) and a cutting step (S6).

In waistline formation process S1, a gather (waist gather 6A and / or leg gather 6B) is arrange | positioned between web 7A and web 7B, and the front waistline part 10 and the back are arranged. The web 7 is formed into the waistline portion 20.

Here, the web 7 (web 7A, 7B) in conveyance has elasticity in the width direction CD (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. In addition, the web 7 is asymmetrical with respect to the center line CL which bisects the width | variety of the width direction CD of the web 7, and extends in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7.

In the absorber transfer step S2, after the waist line forming step S1, the crotch portion (on the web 7) is more specifically, between the front waist line portion 10 and the rear waist line portion 20. The crotch part member 30A forming 30 is transferred. Here, the crotch part member 30A includes a back sheet 3 and an absorber 4.

In the leg surrounding opening forming step S3, after the absorber transfer step S2, the leg surrounding opening 40 (so-called leg holes) is formed by cutting the web 7 (webs 7A and 7B). Here, the leg surrounding opening 40 is not necessarily formed by cutting only the web 7 (webs 7A and 7B), and the crotch part member 30A is formed together with the webs 7A and 7B. The leg surrounding opening 40 can also be formed by cutting together the back sheet 3 which comprises.

Here, the absorber transferring step S2 and the leg surrounding opening forming step S3 may be performed in the reverse order.

In the folding step S4, after the leg surrounding opening forming step S3, the side edges 10A of the front waistline part 10 are directed toward the side edges 20A of the rear waistline part 20. The web 7 is folded into two parts along the folding line extending in the conveying direction MD of 7).

In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, note that the folding line is the center line CL. However, the folding line does not necessarily have to coincide with the center line CL and may be biased toward the first side edge 10A or the second side edge 20A from the center line CL.

In the bonding step S5, after the folding step S4, the folded portions of the webs 7 are ultrasonically treated or heat treated together and joined to the bonding region 50A. The bonding area | region 50A is extended in the conveyance direction MD across the virtual line SL which shows the cutting plan line extended in the width direction CD.

In cutting process S6, after the bonding process S5, the web 7 joined by the bonding area | region 50A is cut | disconnected along the virtual line SL. Thus, the absorbent article 1 is manufactured.

Here, the absorbent article manufacturing method includes a conveying process between the processes (S1 to S6). In each conveyance process, the web 7 processed into the absorbent article 1 is conveyed by the conveyance apparatus 100 mentioned later. That is, the conveyance process is performed before the process processes S1 to S6 which process the web 7.

Hereinafter, the structure of the conveying apparatus 100 used at a conveyance process is demonstrated, referring FIG. 3 which is a perspective view of the relevant part of the conveying apparatus 100 which concerns on one or more embodiment.

Since the conveying apparatus 100 used by the conveyance process before each process S1-S6 has the same structure, the conveyance apparatus 100 which conveys the web 7 before a waist line formation process S1 is an example. It demonstrates as follows.

As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying apparatus 100 conveys the web 7 in the tensioned state in the conveying direction MD of the web 7. The conveying apparatus 100 is equipped with the press mechanism 110 and the conveyor mechanism 120 at least. The structure of the press mechanism 110 is mentioned later.

The conveyor mechanism 120 is provided on the opposite side of the pressing mechanism 110 with the web 7 interposed therebetween. The conveyor mechanism 120 is provided downstream from the press mechanism 110 in the conveyance direction MD. The conveyor mechanism 120 includes a belt 121, a drive unit 122, a suction unit 123, and an edge pressing unit 124.

The belt 121 is an endless belt configured to rotate around a plurality of rollers (for example, a roller not shown and a roller not shown) with the web 7 placed thereon. The belt 121 is provided with a plurality of adsorption holes 121A for adsorbing the web 7.

The drive unit 122 rotates the belt 121. The drive unit 122 is provided with two or more rollers (not shown) and the drive roller 122A. The drive unit 122 includes a motor or the like configured to rotate the drive roller 122A through the shaft. The adsorption unit 123 sucks outside air through 121 A of adsorption holes mentioned later. That is, the adsorption unit 123 adsorbs the web 7 being conveyed on the belt 121.

The edge pressing unit 124 presses the side edges 10A, 20A of the web 7 against the belt 121. The edge pressing unit 124 includes a first pressing portion 124A disposed along the side edge 10A of the web 7 and a second pressing portion disposed along the side edge 20A of the web 7. 124B). The first pressing portion 124A and the second pressing portion 124B are connected to each other by the pipe 125.

Hereinafter, the structure of the pressing mechanism 110 which concerns on one or more embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIGS. 3-5. 4 is a side view of the pressing mechanism 100 as viewed in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 3. FIG. 5: is a front view of the press mechanism 100 seen from the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the pressing plate 111 of the pressing mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing mechanism 110 is provided on the opposite side of the conveyor mechanism 120 with the web 7 therebetween. The press mechanism 110 is provided adjacent to the belt 121 which rotates the circumference | surroundings of the drive unit 122, and is provided upstream rather than the conveyor mechanism 120 in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7.

The pressing mechanism 110 is provided in the position which the web 7 displaced from the conveyance surface R by which the belt 121 is conveyed. More specifically, the pressing mechanism 110 is located below the conveying surface R defined by the belt 121.

The pressing mechanism 110 is a position displaced from the center region C to the side edge side with respect to the center region C in the width direction CD of the web 7 and the width direction CD of the web 7. At least one side edge region S positioned at is pressed downward. In other words, in the cross direction CD, the side edge regions S are located on both sides of the center region. In this particular illustrated embodiment, the pressing mechanism 110 presses down the side edge area S except for the side edge 10A and the side edge 20A of the web 7, so that the side edge (side edge) 10A or the side edges 20A.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pressing mechanism 110 is provided with a pressing plate 111. The pressing plate 111 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like. The pressing plate 111 is curved when viewed along the surface of the web 7 in the width direction. The pressing plate 111 is fixed to the support bar 113 extending in the width direction CD through the fixing frame 112.

The pressing plate 111 has a pressing surface 111A in contact with the web 7. The pressing surface 111A is linear when viewed along the surface of the web 7 in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7 (that is, when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the support bar 113).

As shown in FIG. 6, the width w of the width direction CD of the pressing plate 111 is wider on the downstream side than the upstream side in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. The width gradually widens from the upstream side to the downstream side. Specifically, the width w1 of the downstream side of the pressing plate 111 is larger than the width w2 of the upstream side. Since the width w1 on the downstream side of the pressing plate 111 is larger than the width of the web 7, as shown in FIG. 3, when the web 7 passes under the pressing plate 111, The pressure plate 111 is positioned above the side edges 10A, 20A of the web 7 to flatten the side edges 10A, 20A.

When the press mechanism 110 is seen along the surface of the web 7 in the width direction CD, it is provided in the position which was biased from the conveyance surface R of the web 7, and is center area | region C and the side edge. The area S is pressed. Unlike the case where the web 7 is not pressed, when the web during conveyance passes under the pressing mechanism 110, the web 7 is biased from the carrying surface R by the above-described pressing and the web is wide. In the direction toward the outside. For this reason, even if wrinkles generate | occur | produce in the web 7 in conveyance, such wrinkles are reliably spread. Note that the central region C of the web 7 is biased away from the carrying surface R than the side edge region S of the web 7.

In essence, all the corrugations of the web 7 are straightened by the pressing mechanism 110 before the web 7 reaches the conveyor mechanism 120, so that the edge pressing unit 124 has a side edge ( 10A, 20A) is pressed to prevent wrinkles. In this way, the web 7 can be reliably conveyed without any wrinkles.

The edge pressing unit 124 provided on the conveyor mechanism 120 includes a first pressing portion 124A, a second pressing portion 124B, and a pipe 125. The first pressing portion 124A and the second pressing portion 124B press the side edges 10A, 20A of the web 7 toward the belt 121. The side edges 10A, 20A of the web 7 are pressed toward the belt 121 by the edge pressing unit 124. In this way, even in the conveyor mechanism 120, the web 7 can be conveyed reliably without a wrinkle.

As described in this specification, the web 7 without wrinkles can be processed by carrying out a conveyance step before (especially immediately before) each of the processing steps S1 to S6 for processing the web 7. do. Therefore, while a manufacturing process of the absorbent article 1 is reduced reliably by a conveyance process, it can suppress that a manufacturing line stops.

As described in the present specification, the pressing surface 111A is straight in view of the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. By this pressing surface 111A, the web 7 is flattened just before each processing process (for example, any one of S1 to S6). That is, the process is performed to the web 7 of the state hold | maintained in planar shape by the pressing surface 111A. Therefore, the manufacturing defect of the absorbent article 1 can be reduced more reliably.

As described in the present specification, the conveying apparatus 100 includes a conveyor mechanism 120 in addition to the pressing mechanism 110. The conveyor mechanism 120 can reliably suppress the shrinkage of the web 7 after passing below the pressing mechanism 110 toward the center of the width direction CD. In particular, the edge pressing unit 124 presses the side edges 10A and the side edges 20A of the web 7 against the belt 121, so that the elastic web 7 is centered in the width direction CD. Shrinkage can be more reliably suppressed. As a result, generation | occurrence | production of the wrinkle in the web 7 can be prevented more reliably.

As described in this specification, the width w of the width direction CD of the pressing plate 111 is wider on the downstream side than on the upstream side. By this structure, when the web 7 in conveyance passes below the press mechanism 110, the web 7 which contacts the press plate 111 is the width direction CD outer side by the press plate 111. FIG. Unfolds. Therefore, wrinkles generated in the web 7 can also be reliably unfolded.

Change

The pressing mechanism 110 which concerns on above-mentioned embodiment may be changed as follows. Here, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part and a difference with the above-mentioned embodiment is mainly demonstrated,

Change  One

First, the configuration of the pressing mechanism 210A according to the first modification will be described with reference to FIG. 7, which is a perspective view showing the pressing mechanism 210A according to the first modification.

In the above-described embodiment, the pressing mechanism 110 is provided with the pressing plate 111. On the other hand, in the modification 1, as shown in FIG. 7, 210 A of pressing mechanisms are provided with the cylindrical main-body roller 114. As shown in FIG.

More specifically, the body roller 114 is attached to the shaft 115 extending in the width direction CD of the web 7. Here, the main body roller 114 may be made into the structure which rotates with the conveyance of the web 7, and may be made the structure which does not rotate together. In some cases, the main body roller 114 is a manual roller that follows the movement of the web 7. In another embodiment, the body roller 114 is an active driven roller that can rotate with the conveyance of the web, or reverse the conveyance of the web, to change the effect of unfolding. The body roller 114 has a pressing surface 114A in contact with the web 7.

Change  2

Next, the structure of the pressing mechanism 210B which concerns on the modification 2 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 8 which is a front view which shows the pressing mechanism 210B which concerns on the modification 2. As shown in FIG.

In the above embodiment, the pressing mechanism 110 is described as pressing down the entire surface including the center region C and the side edge region S of the web 7. On the contrary, in the modification 2, as shown to Fig.8 (a), the pressing mechanism 210B presses only the center area | region C of the web 7 downward. Here, center area | region C is an area | region containing the center part of the width direction CD of the web 7. The side edge area S is an area | region which the pressing mechanism 210B does not contact.

The pressing mechanism 210B does not necessarily have to press only the center region C of the web 7 downward, but as shown in FIG. 8B, only the side edge region S of the web 7 is downward. You may be pressured. In FIG. 8B, the edges (side edges 10A, 20A) of the web 7 are not shown to come in contact with the pressing mechanism 210B, but according to the embodiment, of the edges of the web 7 according to the embodiment. At least one may contact the pressing mechanism 210B.

The web 7 is flexible. Therefore, when a force is applied to any area of the web 7 in the width direction, tension may be applied to the web 7.

In addition, in the conveying apparatus 100, the position of the web 7 with respect to the conveying apparatus 100 is determined based on the centerline of the width direction of the web 7. For this reason, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, the edge portion is in the width direction by applying a force to the edge portion (side edges 10A, 20A) on the outside in the width direction of the web 7. To prevent shrinkage. As a result, the conveyed web 7 is stabilized.

In addition, the press mechanism 210B may be comprised only by the main body roller 114 as mentioned above, and may be comprised only by the press plate 111. As shown in FIG. In some cases, the main roller 114 and the pressing plate 111 may be provided together in the same pressing mechanism 210B. For example, the pressing plate 111 is disposed at a position shown in FIG. At the same time, two main body rollers 114 may be disposed at the position shown in FIG. In this case, the pressing plate 111 may be disposed upstream or downstream of the body roller 114. Other arrangements are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Change  3

Next, the structure of the pressing mechanism 210C which concerns on the modification 3 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 9 which is a front view which shows the pressing mechanism 210C which concerns on the modification 3. As shown in FIG.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, 111 A of pressing surfaces are linear in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. On the other hand, in the modification 3, as shown in FIG. 9, 111 A of pressing surfaces are curved in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. As shown in FIG.

In the cross section seen from the conveyance direction MD of the web 7, the bending point 111B, 111C is formed in 114 A of pressing surfaces. Since the web 7 is conveyed while being supported at at least two points (bending points 111B and 111) of the web 7, the movement of the web 7 in a meandering manner is suppressed.

In addition, as described above, the pressing mechanism 210C may be composed of only the main roller 114 or may be composed of only the pressing plate 111.

Change  4

Next, the structure of the pressing mechanism 210D which concerns on the modification 4 is demonstrated, referring FIG. 10 which is a front view which shows the pressing mechanism 210D which concerns on the modification 4. As shown in FIG.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, 111 A of pressing surfaces are linear in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. On the other hand, in the modification 4, as shown in FIG. 10, 114 A of pressing surfaces are bent in the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. As shown in FIG.

More specifically, the pressing mechanism 210D includes a central pressing surface 211 and a pair of side edge pressing surfaces 212. The center pressing surface 211 presses the center region C. As shown in FIG. The pair of side edge pressing surfaces 212 are adjacent to the central pressing surface 211 in the width direction CD of the web 7, and are specifically disposed on both sides of the central pressing surface 211, so that the side edge regions are provided. Press (S) separately. The side edge pressing surface 212 is the web 7 from the edge part 212A on the side of the center pressing surface 211 in the side edge pressing surface 212, respectively, seen from the conveyance direction MD of the web 7. Extend inclined in a direction away from (i.e., upward).

In addition, as described above, the pressing mechanism 210D may be composed of only the main roller 114 or may be composed of only the pressing plate 111.

Other embodiment

As described above, although the details of the invention have been described by way of example through various embodiments, the description and drawings which form part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art can readily understand various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques.

For example, the following additional embodiments can be considered. Specifically, the absorbent article 1 is described as having a front waistline portion 10, a rear waistline portion 20, and a crotch portion 30, but the absorbent article 1 is in this configuration. It is not limited, but all may be formed integrally. In this case, of course, the manufacturing method of such an absorbent article differs.

In addition, although the conveying apparatus 100 used for manufacture of a pants type disposable diaper is demonstrated, the conveying apparatus 100 is not limited to such a use. For example, the conveying apparatus 100 may be used to manufacture other products such as open disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like. That is, the conveying apparatus 100 may be used for conveyance of the arbitrary web 7 which has elasticity in the width direction CD of the web 7 besides manufacture of the absorbent article 1. As long as the conveying apparatus 100 conveys the stretchable web 7, it may be used between processes other than the process described with reference to FIG.

In addition, although the conveying apparatus 100 used for conveying one web 7 was demonstrated, the conveying apparatus 100 is not limited to such a use. For example, when conveying the web in which the front waist line part 10 is continuous, and the web in which the back waist line part 20 is continuous, one conveying apparatus (for each web or both webs) 100 may be installed. In addition, a plurality of conveying apparatuses 100 may be installed in any two process steps.

In addition, although the press mechanism 110 is described as pressing down one web 7, it is not limited to this structure. The pressing mechanism 110 may press the web 7 upward, for example.

In addition, although the press mechanism 110 was demonstrated as being located under the belt 121 which contacts the web 7 from the axial direction of the drive unit 122, it is not limited to this structure. Instead, the pressing mechanism 110 may be disposed above the belt 121, for example pressing up the web 7.

In addition, although the pressing mechanism 110 was described as pressing the side edge area | region S except the side edge 10A and the side edge 20A, it is not limited to this structure. Of course, the compression mechanism 110 may also compress the side edge region S including the side edge 10A and the side edge 20A.

As mentioned above, this invention includes, of course, the various embodiment which is not described in this specification. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention of the claims, which are considered to be valid based on the above description.

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-048479 (filed March 2, 2009) are incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial availability

Therefore, the conveying apparatus and the absorbent article manufacturing method of the present invention are useful for the manufacturing technique of the absorbent article because the wrinkles generated in the stretchable web can be reliably unfolded even when wrinkles occur in the web.

1 absorbent article
2 surface sheets
3 backing sheet
4 absorber
5 waterproof sheets
6 more
6A waist gather
6B leg gathers
7, 7A, 7B web
10 Anterior Waistline Section
10A side edge
20 rear waistline
20A side edge
30 crotch parts
30A crotch part absence
40 legs surrounded opening
50 joints
50 A junction area
60 waist opening
100 conveying device
110 (210A to 210D) compression mechanism
111 pressure plate
111A compression surface
112 fixing frame
113 Support Bar
114 main body roller
114A compression surface
115 core
120 conveyor mechanism
121 belt
121A adsorption hole
122 drive units
122A drive roller
123 Suction Unit
124 edge compression unit
124A first compression
124B second compression
125 pipes

Claims (10)

As a conveying apparatus which conveys the elastic continuous web which has the center area | region in the cross direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction, and the side edge area | region of the both sides of this center area | region in the said conveyance direction,
A conveying mechanism for conveying the web from a conveying surface;
And a pressing mechanism for pressing the web in at least one of the center region and the side edge region of the web to bias the web and extend it in the cross direction. The said pressing mechanism has a pressing surface which contacts the said web,
The said pressing surface is a linear form when it is seen along the surface of the said web in the said conveyance direction. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressing mechanism has a pressing surface in contact with the web,
The said pressing surface is curvature when it is seen along the surface of the said web in the said conveyance direction. The conveying apparatus of Claim 3 which further has at least 2 support points which support a web, while the said press surface presses a center area | region and a side edge area | region. The said pressing mechanism is a center press surface which comes in contact with the said center area | region of the said web in a cross direction,
A side edge pressing surface facing at both sides of the central pressing surface and in contact with the side edge region,
The side edge pressing surface each extends inclined in the direction away from the web from the edge part of the said center pressing surface, when seen from the said conveyance direction. The conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing mechanism is provided upstream from the conveying mechanism in the conveying direction of the web. The press mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the press mechanism has a press surface in contact with the web,
The width | variety of the crossing direction of the said pressing surface is a conveyance apparatus larger on the downstream side than the upstream side of the conveyance direction of the said web. As a method of manufacturing an absorbent article,
A conveying step of conveying a continuous web processed into the absorbent article by a plurality of processing steps on a conveying surface, wherein the continuous web has a center region in an intersecting direction orthogonal to a conveying direction and side edges on both sides of the center region. A conveying step having an area;
Pressing the web in at least one of the central region or the side edge region of the web to bias the web against the conveying surface.
Absorbent article manufacturing method comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein the conveying process and the pressing process are performed prior to one of the processing processes. The method of claim 9, wherein the web is non-stretchable,
In the processing step, a sheet having elasticity in the cross direction of the web is laminated to the web.

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