JP6653632B2 - Absorbent article manufacturing apparatus and method for manufacturing absorbent article - Google Patents

Description

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

  BACKGROUND ART Absorbent articles such as a disposable diaper and a pad for preventing urine leakage include, for example, an absorbent body that absorbs moisture such as body fluids, a liquid-permeable top sheet, and a back sheet containing pulp or the like. The absorber is produced by, for example, opening a plurality of crimped long fibers of cellulose acetate tow. Inside the absorber, for example, granules made of a super absorbent polymer (SAP) are dispersed and arranged. In an absorbent article having such a structure, for example, moisture diffuses into the interior of the absorber through fine holes formed in the top sheet, and is absorbed by the particulate matter.

  In an absorbent article, the absorbent body is compressed by a load applied when the user sits down, and the liquid returns from the inside of the absorbent body to the upper surface of the absorbent article, thereby reducing the feeling of wearing the absorbent article. May be caused. For this reason, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an absorbent article in which a plurality of fibers of a tow spread by a spreading roll pair are combined with a plasticizer to make it relatively difficult to move.

JP-A-2006-014887

  However, in the absorbent article disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is difficult to sufficiently prevent liquid return, and further improvement is required. In addition, since the absorbent article is manufactured in a plurality of steps, it is required that the absorbent article can be manufactured with high manufacturing efficiency.

  Therefore, the present invention improves the production efficiency of an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which water-absorbing granules are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of a tow, and prevents liquid from returning to the absorbent article. The purpose is.

  In order to solve the above problems, an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to one embodiment of the present invention is a gas opening apparatus that opens a plurality of fibers of a tow to be conveyed by gas in at least one opening chamber. An addition device that adds a water-absorbing particulate matter to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device; An attachment device that attaches a binder that couples the plurality of fibers to an upper surface of the tow is provided downstream of the gas opening device in the transport direction.

  According to the above configuration, the plurality of fibers of the tow to be conveyed are opened by the gas in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening apparatus, and the fiber is opened from the outlet of the opening chamber on the most downstream side in the conveying direction. By adding the water-absorbing granular material to the tow on the upstream side in the transport direction, the plurality of fibers of the tow are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally, and the granular material is dispersed in the fiber gap. Thereby, an absorbent article in which the particulate matter is uniformly dispersed and arranged in the fiber gap is obtained. Therefore, moisture can be diffused into the fiber gap, and the particulate matter can efficiently absorb water.

  Further, on the downstream side in the transport direction from the gas opening device, a binder for binding a plurality of fibers of the tow is attached to the upper surface of the tow, so that a fiber gap of the tow opened by the gas opening device is provided. Can be locally bonded to the upper side of the absorbent article while maintaining a wide range of fibers. Thereby, even when a load is applied to the absorbent article, it is difficult to reduce the fiber gap of the tow on the upper side of the absorbent article, and the moisture is efficiently circulated from the upper surface of the absorbent article toward the inside, and to the granular material. Water can be absorbed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the retention of moisture in the fiber gap on the upper side of the absorbent article, increase the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article, and prevent the liquid from returning to the absorbent article.

  Also, on the downstream side in the transport direction from the gas opening device, a binder is attached to the upper surface of the tow, and an absorbent article in which liquid return is prevented can be manufactured. It is not necessary to prepare the apparatus described above or perform a separate step. Thereby, the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article can be improved.

  The gas opening device may include a tubular main body in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction unit that introduces the tow and the gas into the main body. Thus, the plurality of fibers of the tow can be efficiently and bulky opened in the opening chamber by the gas introduced from the introduction section into the opening chamber inside the cylindrical main body.

  The adding device may add the granular material to the tow inside the main body. Thereby, inside the main body of the gas opening device, the plurality of fibers of the tow can be opened by the gas while adding the granular material to the tow, and the granular material can be easily uniformly dispersed and arranged in the fiber gap. it can.

  An upstream side of the gas opening device in the transport direction may further include a plurality of opening roll pairs for opening the fibers by bringing the plurality of fibers into contact with a peripheral surface. As a result, a plurality of fibers of the tow spread by a plurality of pairs of spreading rolls can be spread while being three-dimensionally entangled by the gas spreader, so that the fiber gap can be spread on the upper surface of the tow where the fiber gap is widened. A binder can be attached, and the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article can be further easily increased.

  The apparatus may further include a supply device that supplies a sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the tow on a downstream side of the attaching device in the transport direction.

  Thereby, since the upper surface of the tow is overlapped with the sheet having the liquid permeability and the hydrophobicity, the liquid return of the absorbent article can be favorably prevented. In addition, since a plurality of fibers of the tow are bonded by the binder and the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article is enhanced, the sheet supplied by the supply device has a high liquid permeability and a high hydrophobicity. A sheet having no sheet can be used, and by expanding the range of selection of the material of the sheet, the production efficiency of the absorbent article can be improved.

  In the method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of fibers of the tow to be conveyed are opened by gas in at least one opening chamber of a gas opening apparatus, and the gas opening is performed. On the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the device, an adding device is used to add a water-absorbing particulate matter to the tow, and from the gas fiber opening device. Also, on the downstream side in the transport direction, a binder for binding the plurality of fibers is attached to the upper surface of the tow by an attaching device.

  The plurality of fibers are opened by the gas opening device having a tubular main body in which the opening chamber is formed and an introduction portion for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body. It may be fine.

  The granular material may be added to the tow by the adding device inside the main body.

  On the upstream side of the gas opening device in the transport direction, the plurality of fibers may be brought into contact with the peripheral surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening roll pairs to open the plurality of fibers. .

  A sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity may be supplied to the upper surface of the tow by a supply device at a downstream side of the attachment device in the transport direction.

  According to each aspect of the present invention described above, it is possible to improve the production efficiency of an absorbent article including an absorbent body in which water-absorbing granules are arranged inside a plurality of fibers of a tow, and to improve the liquid quality of the absorbent article. Return can be prevented.

1 is an overall view of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the gas opening device and the adding device of FIG. 1 as viewed from a width direction of a tow band. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the main body of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article manufactured by the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1 when viewed from the transport direction. It is an enlarged view which shows typically the fiber and granular material of the absorbent article manufactured by the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a partial view of an absorptive article manufacturing device concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article manufactured by the absorbent article manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 6 when viewed from the transport direction.

  Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The upstream side and the downstream side referred to below indicate the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction P of the tow band 60 in order.

(1st Embodiment)
[Absorbent article manufacturing equipment]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a manufacturing apparatus 1) according to the first embodiment. A packing container 50 is arranged near the manufacturing apparatus 1. In the packing container 50, the tow band 60 is folded in a bale shape and compressed to be packed. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure.

  The fibers 70 (see FIG. 5) included in the tow band 60 are long fibers of cellulose acetate tow in the present embodiment, but may be other fibers. As an example, in the manufacturing apparatus 1, the toe band 60 is transported in the transport direction P while keeping the width direction horizontal.

  The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first manufacturing unit 2 and a second manufacturing unit 3. The first production unit 2 includes a first widening device 4, a guide 5, a second widening device 6, a first spread roll pair 7, a second spread roll pair 8, a gas spread device 9, an addition device 10, and an attachment device. 11 and a transport roll pair 12.

  The first widening device 4 widens the tow band 60 pulled up from the inside of the packaging container 50 in the width direction. The guide 5 guides the toe band 60 that has passed through the first widening device 4 toward the second widening device 6. The second widening device 6 further widens the toe band 60 passing through the guide 5 in the width direction. As an example, the first widening device 4 and the second widening device 6 have the same configuration. The first widening device 4 and the second widening device 6 are also referred to as banding jet devices.

  The first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 open the fiber by bringing a plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9. The second spread roll pair 8 is disposed downstream of the first spread roll pair 7. The first spreading roll pair 7 has a pair of rolls 13 and 14 arranged so that their peripheral surfaces face each other. The second spreading roll pair 8 has a pair of rolls 15 and 16 arranged so that their peripheral surfaces face each other. The second opening roll pair 8 rotates at a peripheral speed higher than the peripheral speed of the first opening roll pair 7.

  The tow band 60 that has passed through the second widening device 6 is inserted between the pair of rolls 13 and 14 and between the pair of rolls 15 and 16. The tow band 60 is applied with tension in the transport direction P by the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 while being in contact with the peripheral surfaces of the rolls 13 to 16, and is opened bulky.

  On the peripheral surface of one of the pair of rolls 13 and 14 and one of the pair of rolls 15 and 16, a groove for opening the tow band 60 in the width direction is spirally formed around the roll axis. May be.

  The gas opening device 9 sends the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 to be conveyed to the first gas in at least one opening chamber (the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c in the present embodiment). Open with G1. Specifically, the gas opening device 9 includes an introduction portion 17, a main body portion 18, and a stay portion 19. The introduction section 17 is arranged on the upstream side of the main body section 18. The introduction unit 17 introduces the toe band 60 and the first gas G1 into the main body 18. The introduction unit 17 mixes the tow band 60 that has passed through the second opening roll pair 8 with the first gas G1.

  The main body 18 has a cylindrical shape, and an opening chamber is formed inside the main body 18. In the present embodiment, a transport path 43 extending in the transport direction P is formed inside the main body 18. The transport path 43 includes a flow path 43a, a first opening chamber 43b, and a second opening chamber 43c arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  The main body 18 transports the tow band 60 and the first gas G1 that have passed through the introduction unit 17 and the water-absorbing particulate matter 65 and the second gas G2 that has passed through the second pipe 22 of the addition device 10 to the transport path 43. While mixing, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 are opened, and the water-absorbing granules 65 are dispersed and arranged inside the tow band 60. The granules 65 are made of a superabsorbent resin.

  The stagnation section 19 is arranged downstream of the main body section 18. The staying portion 19 suppresses excessive expansion of the tow band 60 by temporarily staying the tow band 60 that has passed through the main body portion 18, and adjusts the bulk or density of the tow band 60. The staying portion 19 has a plurality of long members 39. The long members 39 extend in the transport direction P and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the transport path 43. The upstream end of the elongated member 39 is connected to the downstream end of the main body 18. The downstream ends of the plurality of long members 39 approach each other from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  The addition device 10 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the outlet of the opening chamber (the second opening chamber 43c in the present embodiment) on the most downstream side of the gas opening apparatus 9. Specifically, the adding device 10 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body 18 of the gas opening device 9. The addition device 10 has a hopper 20, a first pipe section 21, and a second pipe section 22. The hopper 20, the first pipe section 21, and the second pipe section 22 are arranged in order from top to bottom. Granules 65 are stored in the hopper 20.

  The first pipe part 21 and the second pipe part 22 extend vertically below the hopper 20. The upper end of the first pipe 21 is connected to the lower end of the hopper 20, and the lower end of the first pipe 21 is connected to the upper end of the second pipe 22. The lower end of the second pipe portion 22 is connected to the main body 18 of the gas opening device 9. The first pipe section 21 mixes the particulate matter 65 dropped from the hopper 20 with the second gas G2 introduced into the first pipe section 21. The addition device 10 causes the particulate matter 65 stored in the hopper 20 to flow through the first pipe portion 21 and the second pipe portion 22 together with the second gas G2, and supplies the particulate material 65 to the inside of the main body portion 18.

  The addition device 10 may be arranged so as to add the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 at the introduction portion 17 of the gas opening device 9. Alternatively, the adding device 10 applies the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9 (for example, on the downstream side of the second opening roll pair 8 and on the upstream side of the gas opening device 9). It may be arranged to add.

  The attachment device 11 attaches a binder 66 that binds the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 to the upper surface of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9. The upper surface of the tow band 60 mentioned here is the surface of the tow band 60 that comes into contact with moisture first when the absorbent article 61 (see FIG. 4) manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 is used. 62 is an upper surface.

  The attachment device 11 includes a housing 23, a spray unit 24, a guide unit 25, and a discharge unit 26. The spray unit 24 has a nozzle portion extending in the width direction of the toe band 60, and is provided above the inside of the housing 23. The spray unit 24 sprays a liquid binder 66 from a nozzle portion toward the tow band 60 from above the tow band 60 conveyed inside the housing 23. The binder 66 is supplied to the spray unit 24 through the tube 27 extending from the housing 23 to the outside.

  The guide portion 25 extends in the vertical direction inside the housing 23, supports the upper surface and the lower surface of the toe band 60, and stabilizes the posture of the toe band 60. The discharge unit 26 is disposed below the inside of the housing 23, and discharges a part of the binder 66 sprayed from the spray unit 24 to the outside of the housing 23.

  The adhering device 11 adjusts the settings such as the bulk, density, conveyance speed, and spray amount of the binder 66 of the tow band 60 when the binder 66 is adhered to the tow band 60, so that the predetermined amount is relatively shallow from the upper surface of the tow band 60. The binder 66 can be attached to a portion of the region up to the depth (corresponding to the upper portion 62a of the absorber 62 shown in FIG. 4). The thickness of the upper portion 62a of the absorber 62 can be set as appropriate. For example, a value in a range of 1/5 or less of the thickness of the absorber 62 in the absorbent article 61 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 is set. Desirably, a value in the range of 1/10 or less is more desirable, and a value in the range of 1/20 or less is more desirable.

  The spraying method by which the spraying unit 24 sprays the binder 66 is not limited. For example, the binder 66 may be diffused in a fan shape and sprayed from the spray unit 24 toward the tow band 60 in a vertical cross section of the attachment device 11 viewed from a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the tow band 60. Further, for example, the binder 66 may be sprayed from the spray unit 24 to a plurality of positions of the tow band 60.

  The method by which the attachment device 11 attaches the binder 66 to the toe band 60 is not limited. For example, the attachment device 11 may attach the binder 66 to the tow band 60 by using any of a rotating brush, a rotating roll, and a rotating disk.

  As the binder 66, for example, various plasticizers that can dissolve the fibers 70 of the tow band 60 can be used. As the plasticizer, for example, ester plasticizers such as triacetin, triethylene, glycol diacetate, triethylene glycol dipropionate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethoxyethyl phthalate, and triethyl citrate can be used. The plasticizer can be appropriately selected according to the type of the tow band 60.

  When the tow band 60 includes cellulose acetate tow, it is desirable to use triacetin or cellulose acetate as a plasticizer. By using such a plasticizer, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 can be bonded, and the plasticizer can be prevented from remaining in the absorbent article 61 due to volatilization of the plasticizer. Thereby, the safety of the absorbent article 61 can be improved.

  As the binder 66, an adhesive that bonds and bonds a plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 may be used. As the adhesive, various adhesives can be arbitrarily used. When the tow band 60 passes through the attachment device 11, an absorber (fiber sheet) 62 is obtained.

  The transport roll pair 12 transports the absorber 62 to the downstream side. The transport roll pair 12 has a pair of transport rolls (also referred to as take-up rolls) 28 and 29 that are supported in parallel with each other. The absorber 62 is inserted between the pair of transport rolls 28 and 29. The absorber 62 is taken up by the pair of transport rolls 28 and 29 and transported to the second manufacturing unit 3 on the downstream side.

  The second manufacturing unit 3 includes a supply device 47, a transport device 48, and a sticking device 49. The supply device 47 is disposed downstream of the attachment device 11, and supplies the back sheet 63 having water absorbency to the absorber 62 from below the tow band 60 (the absorber 62 in this case). Specifically, the supply device 47 feeds out the back sheet 63 from the pivotally supported sheet roll 67 and supplies the back sheet 63 onto the transport line L. The back sheet 63 is a pulp sheet in the present embodiment, but is not limited to this. Inside the back sheet 63, the granular materials 65 are dispersedly arranged.

  The transport device 48 transports the back sheet 63 to the transport line L. Absorber 62 is supplied on back sheet 63. The sticking device 49 sticks the back sheet 63 and the absorber 62 in a state where the absorber 62 is overlaid on the back sheet 63. The absorber 62 and the back sheet 63 that have passed through the attaching device 49 are cut into predetermined dimensions. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 is manufactured.

  The granular material 65 may not be disposed inside the back sheet 63. The absorbent article 61 is used for a diaper in the present embodiment, but may be used for other purposes, such as a pad for preventing urine leakage. When the absorbent article 61 is used as a pad for preventing urine leakage, the back sheet 63 may be omitted.

[Gas opening device and addition device]
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the gas opening device 9 and the adding device 10 of FIG. 1 as viewed from the width direction of the tow band 60. The introduction section 17 has a first mixing section 35 and a first nozzle section 36. The first mixing section 35 is a tubular section extending in the transport direction P. A gas inlet 35a is provided on the upstream side of the first mixing section 35. At the upstream end of the first mixing section 35, a tow band introduction port 35b is provided. The downstream end of the first mixing section 35 is connected to the main body 18.

  The gas introduction port 35a introduces the pressurized first gas G1 (air as an example) into the internal space 40 of the first mixing unit 35. The tow band introduction port 35b introduces the tow band 60 into the internal space 40.

  The first nozzle section 36 is provided inside the first mixing section 35 and upstream of the first mixing section 35. A tapered portion 36a is formed at a downstream end of the first nozzle portion 36. The tapered portion 36a has a tapered shape from the upstream side to the downstream side. The inner peripheral surface of the first mixing portion 35 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 36a is reduced in diameter from the upstream side to the downstream side while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 36a. Thereby, between the outer peripheral surface of the taper portion 36a and the inner peripheral surface of the first mixing portion 35, an annular cross section for jetting the first gas G1 introduced from the gas introduction port 35a into the internal space 40 in a jet shape. A jet channel 41 is provided.

  Inside the first nozzle portion 36, a tow band introduction path 42 extending from the toe band introduction port 35b in the longitudinal direction of the first mixing portion 35 is provided. The outlet of the tow band introduction path 42 is provided downstream of the gas introduction port 35a. The tow band 60 that has passed through the tow band introduction path 42 is mixed with the jet-like first gas G1 that has passed through the jet flow path 41, and flows through the internal space 40.

  The first gas G1 may be a gas other than air. Further, the outlet of the tow band introduction path 42 and the gas introduction port 35a may be provided at positions overlapping each other when viewed from the vertical direction. Further, the outlet of the tow band introduction path 42 may be provided upstream of the gas introduction port 35a.

  The main body 18 has a first member 31 and a second member 32. The first member 31 and the second member 32 have plate portions 31a and 32a. The plate surfaces of the plate portions 31a and 32a extend in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The second member 32 is arranged above the first member 31. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are combined with each other using a fastening member (not shown) such as a screw. The second tube portion 22 penetrates through the plate portion 32a of the second member 32 in the plate thickness direction.

  In the stagnant portion 19, a stagnant chamber 46 surrounded by a plurality of long members 39 is formed. A cross section (flow path cross section) of the stay chamber 46 perpendicular to the transport direction P is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side. In the retaining chamber 46, the pressing force that the tow band 60 receives from each of the long members 39 increases as the tow band 60 is transported from the upstream to the downstream in the retaining chamber 46. As a result, the tow band 60 is compressed in the transport direction P by the plurality of long members 39 while staying in the stay chamber 46, and the density increases. The first gas G <b> 1 and the second gas G <b> 2 discharged from the main body 18 pass through gaps between the plurality of elongated members 39 to the outside.

  The long member 39 is configured by a rod-shaped member as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may be a plate member, for example. When the long member 39 is formed of a plate member, the plate surface of the plate member is brought into surface contact with the toe band 60.

  The first pipe section 21 has a second mixing section 37 and a second nozzle section 38. The second mixing section 37 and the second nozzle section 38 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the first pipe section 21. The second mixing section 37 is a tubular section extending in the vertical direction. A gas inlet 37 a is provided on the upper side of the second mixing section 37. At the upper end of the second mixing section, a granular material introduction port 37b is provided.

  The gas inlet 37 a introduces the pressurized second gas G <b> 2 (for example, air) into the internal space 53 of the second mixing unit 37. The granular material introduction port 37 b introduces the granular material 65 from the hopper 20 into the internal space 53.

  The second nozzle section 38 is provided inside the second mixing section 37. The lower end of the second nozzle portion 38 is provided with a tapered portion 38a. The tapered portion 38a has a tapered shape from above to below. The inner peripheral surface of the second mixing portion 37 facing the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 38a is reduced in diameter from above to below while being separated from the outer peripheral surface of the tapered portion 38a. Thereby, between the outer peripheral surface of the taper portion 38a and the inner peripheral surface of the second mixing portion 37, the second gas G2 introduced from the gas introduction port 37a is jetted into the internal space 53 of the first pipe portion 21. Is provided with a jet flow path 44 having an annular cross section for jetting out.

  Inside the second nozzle portion 38, a granular material introduction passage 45 extending from the granular material introduction port 37b in the longitudinal direction of the second mixing portion 37 is provided. The outlet of the particulate matter introduction passage 45 is provided below the gas introduction port 37a. The outlet 22a at the lower end of the second tube portion 22 is open inside the first opening chamber 43b. The particulate matter 65 that has passed through the particulate matter introduction passage 45 is mixed with the jet-like second gas G2 that has passed through the jet flow path 44, and the internal space 53 of the first pipe part 21 and the internal space of the second pipe part 22 are mixed. , And is ejected from the outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 into the first opening chamber 43b. The outlet 22a of the second tube portion 22 is arranged, for example, on the upstream side of the outlet of the second opening chamber 43c and on the downstream side of the center of the main body 18 in the transport direction P. The outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 is arranged at a position separated from the inner peripheral surface 18c of the main body 18.

  The second gas G2 is not limited to a pressurized gas, and may be a gas set to an atmospheric pressure or a negative pressure. Further, the second gas G2 may be a gas other than air. Further, the outlet of the particulate matter introduction passage 45 and the gas introduction port 37a may be provided at a position where they overlap in a side view. Further, the outlet of the particulate matter introduction passage 45 may be provided above the gas introduction port 37a.

  The lower end of the second pipe portion 22 extends in the transport direction P inside the transport path 43. As an example, the lower end of the second pipe portion 22 and the transport path 43 extend in parallel with the transport direction P. The outlet 22a of the second pipe portion 22 opens toward the downstream side.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the main body 18 of FIG. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which a vertical direction is a thickness direction, a transport direction P is a longitudinal direction, and a direction orthogonal to the transport direction P in a horizontal plane is a width direction. ing.

  Grooves 31b, 32b extending in the transport direction P are formed at the center of the plate portions 31a, 32a facing each other. The portions of the first member 31 on both sides of the groove 31b are in surface contact with the portions of the second member 32 on both sides of the groove 32b. As a result, the grooves 31b and 32b are combined, the inner surfaces of the first member 31 and the second member 32 are continuous, and the inner peripheral surface 18c of the main body 18 is formed. The transport path 43 including the flow path 43a, the first opening chamber 43b, and the second opening chamber 43c is formed by the inner peripheral surface 18c.

  The second pipe portion 22 is arranged at the center of the second member 32 in the width direction. As an example, the second pipe portion 22 is joined to the second member 32 by welding while penetrating the second member 32. The cross section of the flow passage of the second pipe portion 22 is, for example, a circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, an elliptical shape or a rectangular shape. Further, the second pipe portion 22 may be arranged at a position other than the center of the second member 32 in the width direction.

  The downstream end of the introduction section 17 is connected to the inlet 18 a of the main body 18, and the flow path 43 a is connected to the internal space 40 of the first mixing section 35. The main body 18 has an upstream portion 18d and a downstream portion 18e. Inside the upstream side part 18d, a flow path 43a and a first fiber opening chamber 43b are formed. The channel 43a is located on the upstream side of the upstream portion 18d, and the first opening chamber 43b is located on the downstream side of the upstream portion 18d. The first fiber opening chamber 43b has an upstream fiber opening chamber 43b1 and a downstream fiber opening chamber 43b2. The width W1 of the upstream opening chamber 43b1 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side. The width W2 of the downstream opening chamber 43b2 gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side at a steeper rate than the width W1 of the upstream opening chamber 43b1. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the first fiber opening chamber 43b gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side. As described above, the main body 18 has a region where the flow path cross-sectional area of the transport path 43 increases in the direction from the inlet 18a to the outlet 18b.

  When the tow band 60 is transported through the first opening chamber 43b, the tow band 60 expands in accordance with the shape of the first opening chamber 43b, and the plurality of fibers 70 are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally. . Further, the particulate matter 65 ejected from the outlet 22 a of the second pipe portion 22 is efficiently dispersed and disposed in the fiber gap 72 of the tow band 60.

  A second opening chamber 43c is formed inside the downstream side portion 18e. The second opening chamber 43c is continuous with the first opening chamber 43b. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is wider than the width W2 at the outlet of the downstream opening chamber 43b2. Thereby, the flow path cross-sectional area of the second fiber opening chamber 43c is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area at the outlet of the downstream fiber opening chamber 43b2. The width W3 of the second opening chamber 43c is constant in the transport direction P. When the tow band 60 is transported through the second opening chamber 43c, the plurality of fibers 70 are further opened and expanded.

  The cross section of the flow path between the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c has a substantially elliptical shape with the major axis in the width direction and the minor axis in the vertical direction. Thereby, the flow path cross section of the first fiber opening chamber 43b and the second fiber opening chamber 43c has a flat shape whose longitudinal direction is the width direction. The cross section of the flow path between the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c may be other than rectangular, and may be, for example, circular.

  An annular end face 18f orthogonal to the transport direction P is formed at a boundary between the upstream side portion 18d and the downstream side portion 18e. The end face 18f extends in the circumferential direction of the second opening chamber 43c. A plurality of holes 18g are provided in the end face 18f. The elongated member 39 is connected to the hole 18g. Thereby, the shape of the cross section of the flow passage of the retention chamber 46 is similar to the shape of the cross section of the flow passage of the transport path 43 at the connection position where the long member 39 is connected to the end face 18f. Accordingly, the shape of the tow band 60 that is formed while being opened by the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c is retained in the retaining chamber 46 as well.

  FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the absorbent article 61 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view schematically showing the fiber 70 and the granular material 65 of the absorbent article 61 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the vertical cross section of the absorbent article 61 as viewed from the transport direction P is generally a rectangular shape in which the dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the thickness direction. The vertical cross section of the absorber 62 as viewed in the transport direction P has a substantially elliptical shape whose dimension in the width direction is larger than the dimension in the vertical direction.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 1, after the opening by all the opening roll pairs (in the present embodiment, the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8) is performed, the gas opening device 9 opens the fiber. Since the binder 66 is attached to the upper surface of the tow band 60 by the attachment device 11 while maintaining the state of the tow band 60 bulged and bulky, the binder 66 is locally attached to the upper portion 62a of the tow band 60. .

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of connecting portions 71 formed by connecting a plurality of fibers 70 to each other by the binder 66 are formed on the upper portion 62a of the absorber 62. In the upper portion 62a, the plurality of fibers 70 are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally, so that the plurality of fibers 70 are connected to each other by the connection portion 71 while the network structure of the plurality of fibers 70 is formed. I have.

  The particulate matter 65 is added to the tow band 60 in the first opening chamber 43 b of the gas opening device 9, and is thereby diffused throughout the inside of the tow band 60 and uniformly dispersed throughout the inside of the absorber 62. Are located. In the upper part 62 a of the absorber 62, the granular material 65 is held in the fiber gap 72 of the plurality of fibers 70 joined by the joining part 71. Therefore, the particulate matter 65 arranged inside the upper portion 62a is unlikely to fall off from the absorber 62.

  Further, in the upper portion 62a, the fiber gap 72 is maintained by the coupling portion 71. Therefore, when moisture comes into contact with the absorbent article 61 from above, the fiber gap 72 is maintained and the fiber gap 72 is maintained below the upper portion 62a. The water easily passes through the fiber gap 72 quickly, and the water hardly stays in the fiber gap 72. Thereby, the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 is enhanced.

  Further, in the absorbent body 62, since the fiber gap 72 is maintained by the joint portion 71, the air permeability of the absorbent body 62 is enhanced, so that generation of stuffiness during use of the absorbent article 61 is suppressed. ing.

  Further, since the relative movement of the plurality of fibers 70 is regulated by the plurality of coupling portions 71, the fiber gap 72 is firmly maintained even when the load or the like when the user sits on the absorbent article 61. As a result, the shape of the absorbent article 61 is easily maintained well.

  In addition, the moisture that has passed through the upper portion 62 a from above the absorbent article 61 is quickly diffused into the lower portion of the absorber 62 and the inside of the back sheet 63. For this reason, moisture is easily absorbed by the plurality of granular materials 65 dispersedly arranged inside the absorber 62 and the back sheet 63. As a result, in the absorbent article 61, the moisture that has passed through the upper portion 62a of the absorber 62 does not easily return to the upper surface of the absorbent article 61, and the stickiness of the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 after absorbing water is effectively reduced.

  Moreover, the lower part 62b located below the upper part 62a of the absorber 62 has abundant fibers 70 which are not bonded to each other, so that a soft and soft touch is maintained. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 has a high cushioning property.

  As described above, according to the manufacturing apparatus 1, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 to be conveyed are connected to at least one opening chamber (the first opening chamber 43b in the present embodiment) of the gas opening apparatus 9. And in the second opening chamber 43c), the particulate matter is opened by the first gas G1 and upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening apparatus 9. By adding 65 to the tow band 60, the plurality of fibers 70 are opened while being entangled three-dimensionally, and the particulate matter 65 is dispersed in the fiber gap 72. Thereby, the absorbent article 61 in which the granular materials 65 are uniformly dispersed in the fiber gap 72 is obtained. Therefore, moisture can be diffused into the fiber gap 72 and the particulate matter 65 can efficiently absorb water.

  In addition, the binder 66 is attached to the upper surface of the tow band 60 on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9, so that the fiber gap 72 of the tow band 60 opened by the gas opening device 9 is kept wide while absorbing. The plurality of fibers 70 on the upper side of the sexual article 61 (the upper portion 62a of the absorber 62) can be locally bonded. Thereby, even if a load is applied to the absorbent article 61, the fiber gap 72 on the upper side of the absorbent article 61 is hardly reduced, and moisture is efficiently circulated from the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 to the inside, The particulate matter 65 can absorb water. Therefore, the retention of moisture in the fiber gap 72 on the upper side of the absorbent article 61 can be suppressed, the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 can be increased, and the liquid return of the absorbent article 61 can be prevented.

  Further, on the downstream side of the gas opening device 9, the binder 66 is attached to the upper surface of the tow band 60 to manufacture the absorbent article 61 in which liquid return is prevented, so that the liquid return of the absorbent article 61 is prevented. It is not necessary to prepare a separate apparatus or perform a separate process. Thus, in the absorbent article 61, for example, a sheet for suppressing liquid return on the absorber 62 may not be provided. Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article 61 can be improved.

  In addition, the first gas G1 introduced from the introduction portion 17 into the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening chamber 43c inside the tubular main body 18 causes the first opening chamber 43b and the second opening fiber to open. In the chamber 43c, the plurality of fibers 70 can be efficiently and bulky opened.

  In addition, since the addition device 10 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body 18 of the gas opening device 9, the addition device 10 adds the granular material 65 to the tow band 60 inside the main body 18, The fibers 70 can be spread by the first gas G <b> 1, and the granular materials 65 can be easily dispersed and arranged uniformly in the fiber gap 72.

  Further, the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 opened by the first opening roll pair 7 and the second opening roll pair 8 can be opened while being further three-dimensionally entangled by the gas opening device 9. Therefore, the binder 66 can be attached to the upper surface of the tow band 60 where the fiber gap 72 is widened, and the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the absorbent article 61 can be further increased. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a partial view of the manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the second manufacturing unit 103 of the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a supply device 30, a coating device 34, and a guide roll pair 69.

  The supply device 30 supplies the top sheet 64 having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the toe band 60 (the absorber 62 in the present embodiment) on the downstream side of the attachment device 11. Specifically, in the second manufacturing unit 103, the top sheet 64 is fed out from the pivotally supported sheet roll 68 and supplied to the transport line L. In the present embodiment, the top sheet 64 is a polypropylene (PP) sheet in which a plurality of fine holes penetrating in the thickness direction are formed.

  The application device 34 applies an adhesive to the top sheet 64 conveyed from the sheet roll 68 to the conveyance line L. The guide roll pair 69 has a pair of guide rolls 51 and 52. The back sheet 63, the absorber 62, and the top sheet 64 are inserted between the guide rolls 51 and 52 in a state where the absorber 62 and the top sheet 64 are sequentially stacked on the back sheet 63. The back sheet 63, the absorber 62, and the top sheet 64 that have passed through the guide roll pair 69 are adhered by the adhering device 49 and cut into predetermined dimensions. Thereby, the absorbent article 161 is manufactured.

  FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the absorbent article 161 manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus 100 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper surface of the absorber 62 is overlapped with the top sheet 64, so that the liquid return of the absorbent article 161 can be more favorably prevented. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, since the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 are bonded by the binder 66 and the liquid permeability of the upper surface of the absorbent article 161 is increased, the top sheet supplied by the supply device 30 is provided. As the sheet 64, a sheet having neither a high liquid permeability nor a high hydrophobicity can be used. By expanding the selection range of the material of the top sheet 64, the manufacturing efficiency of the absorbent article 161 can be improved.

(Confirmation experiment)
[Experiment 1]
Using the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, an absorbent article including only the absorber 62 was manufactured as Example 1. Using an apparatus in which the gas opening device 9 was omitted from the manufacturing apparatus 1, an absorbent article including only the absorber was manufactured as Comparative Example 1.

  Using a device in which the attachment device 11 was omitted from the manufacturing device 1, an absorbent article including only the absorber was manufactured as Comparative Example 2. Using a device in which the gas opening device 9 and the attachment device 11 were omitted from the manufacturing device 1, an absorbent article including only the absorber was manufactured as Comparative Example 3. In Comparative Examples 1 and 3, the particulate matter was added to the upper surface of the tow band at a position upstream of the attachment device 11 and downstream of the second spread roll pair 8.

  As Comparative Example 4, a top having the same structure as the top sheet 64 of the second embodiment is placed on a pulp sheet in which the same granules as the granules 65 included in the absorber 62 of Example 1 are dispersed and arranged. An absorbent article formed by stacking sheets was manufactured.

  The position at which the particulate matter 65 is added to the tow band 60 is located downstream of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 9 (the position in the retention chamber 46 in this experiment). ) Was manufactured as Comparative Example 5 using an apparatus having the same configuration as that of the manufacturing apparatus 1 except that the absorbent article was set to (1). The weight of the tow and the weight of the granular material of the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 were set as shown in Table 1.

  Confirmation experiments were performed on the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 according to the following procedure. A glass cylinder having an inner diameter of 6 cm was placed on the upper surfaces of the absorbent articles of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5 with the opening directed vertically. In this state, 50 ml of physiological saline colored blue was poured into the glass cylinder at one time. The elapsed time from the injection of the physiological saline into the glass cylinder to the absorption of all the physiological saline into the absorbent article was measured as the liquid absorption time.

  Three minutes after the injection of the physiological saline into the glass tube, the liquid diffusion length (vertical diffusion length and horizontal diffusion length) of the physiological saline formed on the upper surface of the absorbent article was measured. The vertical diffusion length was set to the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article, and the horizontal diffusion length was set to the width direction of the absorbent article. Here, the larger the liquid diffusion length, the easier it is to bring the physiological substances into contact with the particulate matter contained in the absorbent article, so that it can be evaluated as having excellent water absorption.

  Five minutes after the physiological saline was poured into the glass cylinder, three pieces of filter paper whose dry weight was measured in advance were stacked and placed on the upper surface of the absorbent article, and the filter paper was placed on the uppermost filter paper. A 5 kg weight was placed. Eight minutes after the physiological saline was poured into the glass cylinder, the weight was removed, and three filter papers were taken out. The amount of physiological saline absorbed by the three filter papers was calculated as a liquid return amount. Further, the upper surface of the absorbent article immediately after taking out the three filter papers was touched with a hand to evaluate the stickiness of the upper surface of the absorbent article. Table 2 shows the results of the confirmation experiment.

  In Table 1, “roll” indicates “pair of spreading rolls” and “gas” indicates “gas opening device”. As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the absorbent article of Example 1 had the same weight as the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 1 to 5 and the weight of the granular material, and the weight of the tow was equal to or less than that of Comparative Example 1. It was found that the liquid absorption time was short and the liquid return amount was small as compared with the absorbent articles Nos. 5 to 5. Moreover, it turned out that the liquid diffusion length of the length and width of the absorbent article of Example 1 is equivalent to the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 1-3. In addition, it was found that the absorbent article of Example 1 had a low stickiness on the upper surface after absorbing the liquid and could maintain a good feel.

  For this reason, in the absorbent article of Example 1, the gas spreading device 9 diffuses the plurality of fibers 70 of the tow band 60 while entangled in a three-dimensional manner. Since the plurality of fibers 70 of the portion 62a are combined and the liquid permeability of the upper portion 62a is enhanced, the physiological saline quickly passes through the fiber gap 72 of the plurality of fibers 70 of the upper portion 62a, and It is conceivable that the saline was efficiently absorbed by the granules 65, and the physiological saline was less likely to stay in the fiber gap 72 of the upper portion 62a.

  In the absorbent article of Comparative Example 1, it was found that the liquid absorption time was later than that of Example 1 and the amount of liquid returned reached about twice that of Example 1. For this reason, in Comparative Example 1, since the plurality of fibers of the tow band were not opened using the gas opening device 9, the plurality of fibers were bonded by the binder 66 in a state where the fiber gap was not sufficient, and the absorbent fiber was not absorbed. It is conceivable that the liquid permeability on the upper surface of the article was insufficient and the amount of liquid returned increased.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 2 had a longer liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 1, the amount of liquid returned reached 2.4 times or more of that of Example 1, and the upper surface after the liquid absorption had stickiness. It turned out that there were many. For this reason, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 2, since the binder 66 was not attached to the tow band using the attachment device 11, a plurality of fibers of the absorbent article were pressed by the weight, and the fiber gap was reduced. It is considered that the liquid return amount has increased.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 3 had a longer liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 1, the amount of liquid returned reached 2.8 times or more of that of Example 1, and the upper surface after the liquid absorption had stickiness on the upper surface. It turned out that there were many. For this reason, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 3, since the plurality of fibers of the tow band were not opened using the gas opening device 9, the fiber gap was not sufficient as compared with Comparative Example 2, and the upper surface of the tow band was Because the liquid permeability was insufficient and the binder 66 was not attached to the tow band using the attachment device 11, a plurality of fibers of the absorbent article were pressed by the weight, and the fiber gap was smaller than in Comparative Example 2. It is thought that it did.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 4 has a low stickiness of the upper surface after absorbing the liquid, and has a larger lateral diffusion length than the absorbent article of Example 1, but the liquid absorption time is longer than that of the absorbent article of Example 1. It was found that the amount of liquid returned was late. It is considered that the reason for this is that pulp has a higher hydrophilicity than tow, and the pulp fiber has absorbed physiological saline, and the pulp fiber has a tendency to return due to the physiological saline absorbed.

  In the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5, the particulate matter was localized and arranged in the upper region of the absorber because the particulate matter was added to the upper surface of the tow band downstream of the outlet of the second opening chamber 43c. It was found to have a structure that The reason why such an absorbent article was obtained is that the inside of the first opening chamber 43b is located downstream from the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 9. Further, it is conceivable that the plurality of fibers are relatively hard to move relatively and the particulate matter 65 is hard to disperse as compared with each position inside the second opening chamber 43c.

  Further, it was found that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5 had a smaller lateral diffusion length, a slow liquid absorption time, and a liquid return amount that was at least three times that of Example 1 as compared with the absorbent article of Example 1. . Further, it was found that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5 had a lot of sticky upper surface after absorbing the liquid.

  The reason for this is that in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5, the physiological saline was intensively absorbed by the granules locally located in the upper region of the absorber, so that the physiological saline diffused into the fiber gap. It is difficult for the saline solution to pass through the upper region of the absorber, and the physiological saline solution becomes harder to pass through the upper region of the absorber due to the swollen granular material absorbing the saline solution in the upper region of the absorber. It is conceivable that they stayed in the area.

  From the result of Comparative Example 5, in order to obtain the same effect as in Example 1, upstream of the outlet of the opening chamber (second opening chamber 43c) on the most downstream side of the gas opening device 9, It is considered necessary to add the particulate matter 65 to the tow band 60 and to uniformly disperse and arrange the particulate matter 65 in the fiber gap of the tow band 60.

[Experiment 2]
Absorbent articles of Example 2, Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and Comparative Example 10 were manufactured by stacking a back sheet on the absorbent articles of Example 1, Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and Comparative Example 5. In the back sheet, the same granular material as the granular material 65 of Example 1 is dispersed in the pulp sheet having a larger thickness than the pulp sheet of Comparative Example 4 in an amount larger than the amount of the granular material of the pulp sheet of Comparative Example 4. It was manufactured by arranging. The absorbent article of Example 2 was the same as the absorbent article 61 of the first embodiment, and was manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus 1. As Comparative Example 9, a topsheet having the same structure as the topsheet 64 of the second embodiment is stacked on a backsheet similar to the backsheet of Example 2, Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and Comparative Example 10. An absorbent article was manufactured. The amount of particulate matter per unit volume of the absorbent and the backsheet of the absorbent article was made equal.

  The weight of the tow, the weight of the granular material, and the weight of the pulp of the back sheet contained in the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 were set as shown in Table 3. Confirmation experiments were performed on the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 in the same procedure as in Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 to 5. The amount of physiological saline absorbed by the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 10 was set to 240 ml. Table 4 shows the results of the confirmation experiment.

  As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the absorbent article of Example 2 was the same as the absorbent articles of Comparative Examples 6 to 10 in that the weight of the granular material was the same and the weight of the pulp was equal to or less than that of the comparative example. It was found that the liquid absorption time can be shortened and the liquid return amount can be suppressed to 以下 or less as compared with the absorbent articles of Nos. 6 to 10. The liquid diffusion length of the absorbent article of Example 2 was found to be equivalent to those of Comparative Examples 6 to 10. In addition, it was found that the absorbent article of Example 2 had a low stickiness on the upper surface after absorbing the liquid and could maintain a good feel.

  The reason for obtaining such a result may be the same as in the first embodiment. Further, it is assumed that a part of the physiological saline absorbed by the absorbent article of Example 2 was absorbed by the pulp fibers of the backsheet 63, but the upper part 62a of the absorbent body 62 was Since the physiological saline is effectively absorbed by the particulate matter 65 contained in the absorbent body 62 and the back sheet 63 while being separated from each other at a relatively large distance, the liquid return amount can be reduced, and It is considered that stickiness of the upper surface could be prevented.

  Although the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6 had less stickiness on the upper surface after absorbing the liquid, the liquid absorption time was slower than that of the absorbent article of Example 2, and the amount of liquid returned was 2.2 times or more that of Example 2. Was found to reach. The reason for this is that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6 did not have a sufficient fiber gap because a plurality of fibers of the tow band were not opened by the gas opening device, and a large amount of saline permeated compared to Experiment 1. It is conceivable that the liquid permeability of the upper part of the absorbent for the removal was insufficient, and that the physiological saline was not effectively absorbed by the plurality of granules.

  The absorbent article of Comparative Example 7 had a longer liquid absorption time than the absorbent article of Example 2, had a liquid return amount approaching 2.4 times that of Example 2, and had a sticky upper surface after absorbing the liquid. It turned out that there were many. The reason is that, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 6, since the plurality of fibers in the upper portion of the absorber are not bonded, the fiber gap in the upper portion of the absorber is reduced by the load of the weight, and the fiber gap is reduced. It is conceivable that the amount of physiological saline staying in the vein increased.

  It can be seen that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 8 has a longer liquid absorption time and a liquid return amount approaching 2.7 times as compared with the absorbent article of Example 2, and that the upper surface after absorbing the liquid has more stickiness. Was. The reason for this is that, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 8, the fiber gap is not sufficient as in Comparative Example 3, and the liquid permeability of the upper part of the absorber for allowing a large amount of saline to permeate compared to Experiment 1. However, it is conceivable that the physiological saline was not sufficiently absorbed by the plurality of granules, because the absorbent product was further insufficient than the absorbent article of Comparative Example 7.

  Although the absorbent article of Comparative Example 9 had little stickiness on the upper surface after absorbing the liquid, the liquid absorption time was slower than that of the absorbent article of Example 2, and the amount of liquid returned reached 2.8 times or more. Was. As a reason for this, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 9, the pulp weight is larger than that of the absorbent articles of Example 2 and Comparative Examples 6 to 8, and a large amount of physiological saline absorbed by the pulp fiber reduces the thickness of the thin topsheet. It is considered that the liquid moved above the top sheet through the plurality of fine holes, and the liquid return increased.

  It was found that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 10 had a smaller lateral diffusion length, a longer liquid absorption time, and a larger liquid return amount than Comparative Example 9 as compared with the absorbent article of Example 2. Further, it was also found that the absorbent article of Comparative Example 10 had a lot of sticky upper surface after absorbing the liquid.

  The reason may be the same as that of the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5. Further, in the absorbent article of Comparative Example 10, the weight of the particulate matter was increased as compared with the absorbent article of Comparative Example 5 due to the use of the back sheet containing the particulate matter. Because the granular material placed and absorbed the physiological saline and swollen, it became difficult for the physiological saline to pass through the upper region of the absorber, and it became difficult for all the granular materials to absorb the physiological saline. It is conceivable that a larger amount of physiological saline was accumulated in the upper region of the absorber than in Experiment 1, and the liquid return increased.

  The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and its configuration and method can be changed, added, or deleted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. On the surface of the absorber manufactured in each embodiment, another sheet or another absorbent article may be stacked and arranged.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION As mentioned above, according to this invention, while improving the manufacturing efficiency of the absorber provided with the absorber in which the water-absorbing granular material is arrange | positioned inside the several fiber of tow, the liquid return of the said absorber is prevented. Has an excellent effect that can be. Therefore, it is beneficial to apply the present invention widely as an absorbent article manufacturing apparatus and an absorbent article manufacturing method that can exhibit the significance of this effect.

G1 First gas (gas)
P Transport direction 1,100 Absorbent article manufacturing device 7 First spread roll pair (spread roll)
8 Second opening roll pair (spreading roll)
9 Gas opening device (spreading device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Addition apparatus 11 Impregnation apparatus 17 Introduction part 18 Main body part 30 Supply apparatus 43b 1st opening room (opening room)
43c 2nd opening room (opening room)
60 toe band (toe)
61, 161 Absorbent article 64 Top sheet (sheet)
66 binder

Claims (10)

A gas opening device for opening a plurality of fibers of the tow to be conveyed by gas in at least one opening chamber;
An addition device that adds a water-absorbing particulate matter to the tow, on the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device,
An absorbent article manufacturing apparatus, comprising: an attachment device for attaching a binder for binding the plurality of fibers to an upper surface of the tow on a downstream side of the gas opening device in the transport direction.   2. The absorption device according to claim 1, wherein the gas opening device has a cylindrical main body in which the opening chamber is formed, and an introduction unit that introduces the tow and the gas into the main body. 3. Product manufacturing equipment.   The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the adding device adds the granular material to the tow inside the main body.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pairs of spread rolls that open the fiber by bringing the plurality of fibers into contact with a peripheral surface on an upstream side of the gas spreading device in the transport direction. 5. 2. The apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 1.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a supply device that supplies a sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity to the upper surface of the tow on a downstream side of the attachment device in the transport direction. An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent article as described in the above. The plurality of fibers of the tow being conveyed are opened by gas in at least one opening chamber of the gas opening apparatus,
On the upstream side in the transport direction from the outlet of the fiber opening chamber on the most downstream side in the transport direction of the tow of the gas opening device, by the addition device, add a water-absorbing granular material to the tow,
A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, wherein a binder for binding the plurality of fibers is attached to an upper surface of the tow by an attachment device on a downstream side of the gas opening device in the transport direction.   The plurality of fibers are opened by the gas opening device having a tubular main body in which the opening chamber is formed and an introduction portion for introducing the tow and the gas into the main body. The method for producing an absorbent article according to claim 6, wherein the fiber is woven.   The method for manufacturing an absorbent article according to claim 7, wherein the granular material is added to the tow by the adding device inside the main body.   On the upstream side of the gas opening device in the transport direction, the plurality of fibers are brought into contact with the peripheral surfaces of a plurality of pairs of opening roll pairs to open the plurality of fibers. The method for producing an absorbent article according to any one of claims 6 to 8.   The sheet having liquid permeability and hydrophobicity is supplied to the upper surface of the tow by a supply device on a downstream side of the attaching device in the transport direction, the supply device being configured to supply the sheet to the upper surface of the tow. Method for producing an absorbent article.

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