JP7366100B2 - Fiber stacking device and absorbent manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a manufacturing technology for absorbers having partially different basis weights.

As absorbent materials used in absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and incontinence pads, the basis weight of fiber materials such as wood pulp differs in some parts, and the high basis weight part has a relatively large basis weight and the high basis weight part has a relatively large basis weight, and the A unevenly distributed absorbent body having a low basis weight portion having a relatively low basis weight is known. As a typical example of a unevenly distributed absorbent article, an absorbent article has a portion (a so-called mid-high portion) in the center of the absorbent article in the direction corresponding to the wearer's front-rear direction (vertical direction) where the basis weight of the fiber material is larger than the peripheral portion. something is known. In such an unevenly distributed absorbent body, body fluid absorbent (hydrophilic) fiber material is unevenly distributed in the areas where high liquid absorption is required, and in other areas, the basis weight of the fiber material is suppressed and the thickness is reduced. Since it is thin, both liquid absorption and wearing comfort are good.

In addition, the absorbent manufacturing apparatus is equipped with a fixed drum and a rotating drum having a collecting recess on the outer periphery. A fiber stacking device configured to stack materials in the stacking recess is known (Patent Documents 1 to 3).
Patent Document 1 discloses a fiber stacking device in which a suction chamber disposed inside a rotating drum is divided into a plurality of suction chambers in a cross section along the flow direction, and a suction means is individually provided in the plurality of suction chambers. is listed. According to the fiber stacking device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to make the thickness of the absorbent body uniform in the width direction, to partially change the basis weight of the absorbent body, and to form a bulky part in the absorbent body. It is said that it will become. The fiber stacking device described in Patent Document 1 cannot control the basis weight of the absorbent body in the flow direction during production of the absorbent body.
US Pat. No. 5,001,302 describes a stacking device that includes a core pocket and an air distribution manifold operably associated with the core pocket. Since the fiber stacking device described in Patent Document 2 has a relatively complicated device configuration, there are concerns about an increase in manufacturing costs, a failure of the device, and the like.
Patent Document 3 discloses that on the inner surface side of a porous member in a rotary drum, an arrangement region and a non-arrangement region for an adjustment body that adjusts the air volume and flow of vacuum air are arranged in the rotational direction of the rotary drum, and a fixed A fiber stacking device in which a selective suction area in which suction is partially enabled and a full-scale suction area in which suction is fully enabled are arranged in this order in the rotation direction on the outer periphery of the drum. is listed. According to the fiber stacking device described in Patent Document 3, it is said that unevenly distributed absorbers can be stably manufactured with a relatively simple structure.

JP2002-272782A Special Publication No. 2010-509514 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-59287

The unevenly distributed absorbent body has a long shape in one direction (typically, the front-back direction of the wearer of the absorbent article), and the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material is large in the longitudinal direction, and there are high basis weight parts and low basis weight parts. There is a demand for absorbers that have a relatively large difference in basis weight between parts, but the reality is that conventional absorbent manufacturing techniques have not been able to adequately meet such demands. The longitudinal direction of such an absorbent body, which has a long shape in one direction, typically coincides with the flow direction at the time of its manufacture, and the amount of fiber material stacked in the flow direction can be controlled with a relatively simple equipment configuration. A technique that can appropriately control this has not yet been provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can provide an absorbent body in which the degree of uneven distribution of fiber materials is large in the direction corresponding to the flow direction during manufacturing.

The present invention (first invention) includes a fixed drum, a rotating drum that is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess in the outer periphery in which fiber materials are stacked, While rotating the drum and conveying the accumulating recess in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is transported to a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the drum. The present invention is a fiber stacking device that stacks fibers on the bottom surface of the stacking recess in a suction area and produces a stacked body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveying direction.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), the stacking recess portion extends in the drum circumferential direction a plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to a plurality of portions of the fiber stacking body having mutually different basis weights. The plurality of fiber stacking regions include a first fiber stacking region and a second fiber stacking region forming a portion having a higher basis weight than the first fiber stacking region.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), the suction area includes a first suction area in which suction is partially possible from the fixed drum side, and a first suction area in which suction is fully possible from the fixed drum side. The drum has a second suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), a first suction area corresponding portion corresponding to the first suction area and a first suction area corresponding portion corresponding to the second suction area are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum. 2 suction area corresponding parts are arranged.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), the first suction area corresponding portion is made of a non-breathable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is directed through the opening. It is possible to pass through the first suction area corresponding portion in the thickness direction only through the suction area.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), the second suction area corresponding part does not include a non-breathable member, and the air flow spreads over the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part. It is possible to pass in the direction.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), a non-ventilated first opening corresponding to the first fiber stacking area is provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum. A second opening closing member that is non-air permeable and corresponds to the second stacking area is disposed.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), during conveyance in the first suction area of the stacking recess, the first opening is inserted into the opening of the first suction area corresponding part. By overlapping the section closing member and the second opening closing member, the flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking region and the second fiber stacking region is reduced.
The configuration of the present invention (first invention) described above may also include the present invention (second invention) described below.

In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), in the state where the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part. The first suction region corresponding portion and the first opening closing member are separated by a predetermined distance G1.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), in the state where the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part. The first suction area corresponding portion and the second opening closing member are separated by a predetermined distance G2.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (first invention), a magnitude relationship of the separation distance G1<the separation distance G2 holds true.

In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (second invention), the first opening closing member is arranged in a transport orthogonal direction perpendicular to the transport direction, compared to the opening of the first suction area corresponding part. is long, and when the first opening closing member overlaps the opening in the first suction area, the first opening closing member extends the opening over the entire length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance. are doing.
In one embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention (second invention), the second opening closing member has a shorter length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance than the opening of the first suction area corresponding part. , when the second opening closing member overlaps the opening in the first suction area, a portion of the opening in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance is not covered by the second opening closing member. exist.

The present invention (third invention) is a method for manufacturing an absorbent body, which uses a fiber stacking device to manufacture an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in one direction.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the fiber stacking device includes a fixed drum and is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, and the fiber material is stacked. A rotating drum having a collecting recess on the outer periphery, and an air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side while rotating the rotating drum and conveying the collecting recess in a conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum. The fiber material conveyed on the drum is stacked on the bottom surface of the stacking recess in a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the accumulating concave portion is configured to form a plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to a plurality of portions of the absorbent body having different basis weights in a drum circumferential direction. has.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the suction area includes a first suction area in which suction is partially possible from the fixed drum side, and a first suction area in which suction is allowed to be applied to the entire surface of the fixed drum. It has a second suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), a first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a part corresponding to the second suction area are provided on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum. A second suction area corresponding portion is arranged.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the first suction area corresponding portion is made of a non-breathable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is directed toward the absorbent body. It is possible to pass through the first suction area corresponding portion in the thickness direction only through the opening.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the second suction area corresponding part does not include a non-breathable member, and the air flow is directed over the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part. can be passed through in the thickness direction.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), at least a portion of the plurality of fiber stacking regions of the stacking recess is provided in a portion of the rotating drum that faces the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum. Corresponding to this, a plurality of air-impermeable opening closing members are arranged in a row in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), during transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the opening of the first suction area corresponding part is opened. By overlapping the closing members, the flow rate of the air flow in the fiber stacking region corresponding to the opening closing member in the accumulation recess is reduced.
The configuration of the present invention (third invention) described above may also include the present invention (fourth invention) described below.

In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum each include the first suction area corresponding portion in the first suction area. In the state where it overlaps with the opening, it is spaced apart from the first suction area corresponding portion by a predetermined distance.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the distance between the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum circumferential direction is different from each other, and The plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the separation distance gradually changes toward the opening closing member.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), the rotating drum is rotated around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, and the fiber material is scattered on the outer periphery of the rotating drum. The method further includes a fiber stacking step of supplying the fibers to the stacking recess and stacking the fibers in the stacking recess in the suction area.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (third invention), in the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members are , the longer the separation distance, the greater the flow rate of the airflow.

In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (fourth invention), the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum have lengths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the opening closing members. The plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the lengths of the opening closing members in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction gradually change from one side in the drum circumferential direction to the other side in the circumferential direction of the drum.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (fourth invention), the rotating drum is rotated around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, and the fiber material is scattered on the outer periphery of the rotating drum. The method further includes a fiber stacking step of supplying the fibers to the stacking recess and stacking the fibers in the stacking recess in the suction area.
In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention (fourth invention), in the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members are The shorter the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance, the greater the flow rate of the air flow.
Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are described below.

According to the present invention, an absorbent body is provided in which the fiber material is unevenly distributed to a large extent in a direction corresponding to the flow direction during manufacture.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of an absorber provided by the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially transparent perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of the fiber stacking device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2 when viewed from the direction of the drum axis. FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the stacking section of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a part of the stacking recess of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the suction area of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum axis direction of the first fiber stacking area), and FIG. Figure 7(b) shows the suction state in the second suction area. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along the line III-III in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum axis direction of the third fiber stacking area), and FIG. Figure 8(b) shows the suction state in the second suction area. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line IV--IV in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum circumferential direction of the accumulation recess). FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum axis direction of the first fiber stacking region) in an embodiment of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. , is a diagram showing the suction state in the first suction area. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum axis direction of the second fiber stacking area) in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the suction state in a region. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section (a cross section along the drum circumferential direction of the stacking recess) taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5 in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. It is a figure showing a suction state. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum axis direction of the second fiber stacking region) in another embodiment of the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a suction state in a first suction area. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5 (a cross section along the drum circumferential direction of the stacking recess) in the fiber stacking device shown in FIG. It is a figure showing a suction state. FIG. 15 shows a cross section taken along the line II or II-II in FIG. 5 (the drum shaft of the first stacking area or the second stacking area FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-section along the direction of the liquid crystal display, and is a diagram showing a suction state in a first suction region.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the description of the following drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar symbols. The drawings are basically schematic, and the ratio of each dimension may differ from the actual one.

The absorbent body provided by the present invention (fiber stacking device, manufacturing method) is capable of absorbing aqueous liquids including body fluids. Although the use of the absorbent body is not particularly limited, it is particularly suitable as an absorbent body for absorbent articles. The term "absorbent articles" here includes a wide range of articles used to absorb bodily fluids (urine, soft stool, menstrual blood, sweat, etc.) discharged from the human body, such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and sanitary napkins. Includes shorts, incontinence pads, etc.
Absorbent articles typically include an absorbent body, a liquid-permeable top sheet disposed on a side closer to the wearer's skin than the absorbent body, and a side farther from the wearer's skin than the absorbent body. and a liquid-impermeable or impermeable back sheet disposed on the inside.

FIG. 1 shows an absorbent body 10, which is an embodiment of the absorbent body provided by the present invention. The absorbent body 10 is for an absorbent article, and has a longitudinal direction X corresponding to the front-back direction of a wearer of the absorbent article and a lateral direction Y orthogonal thereto.
The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the flow direction MD (Machine Direction) at the time of manufacturing the absorber 10, which will be described later, and the lateral direction Y corresponds to the conveyance orthogonal direction CD (Cross Machine Direction), which is a direction orthogonal to the flow direction MD. do. Note that the flow direction MD corresponds to the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 3 (conveyance direction of the accumulating recess 40) along the drum circumferential direction X1, which will be described later, and the conveyance orthogonal direction CD corresponds to the drum axis direction Y1, which will be described later. (See Figure 2).

The absorbent body 10 is mainly made of fiber material. The content of the fiber material in the absorbent body 10 is at least 50% by mass or more, and may be 100% by mass, that is, it may be formed only from the fiber material. The type of fiber material is not particularly limited, and hydrophobic fibers made of synthetic resin such as thermoplastic resin can also be used, but typically hydrophilic fibers are used. Hydrophilic fibers include, for example, wood pulps such as softwood pulp and hardwood pulp, natural fibers such as non-wood pulps such as cotton pulp and hemp pulp; modified pulps such as cationized pulp and mercerized pulp (cellulose fibers); ); hydrophilic synthetic fibers and the like, and one type of these can be used alone or two or more types can be used in combination.
In addition to the fiber material, the absorbent body 10 may further contain a water-absorbing polymer. As the water-absorbing polymer, a particulate material is generally used, but a fibrous material may also be used. The shape of the particulate water-absorbing polymer is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, spherical, lump-like, bale-like, or irregularly shaped. The water-absorbing polymer is typically mainly composed of a polymer or copolymer of acrylic acid or an alkali metal salt of acrylic acid.

As shown in FIG. 1, the absorbent body 10 has, in one direction, a high basis weight part 11 in which the basis weight of the fiber material is relatively large and a low basis weight part 12 in which the basis weight of the fiber material is relatively small. In the present embodiment, the absorbent body 10 has a long shape (substantially rectangular shape) in the longitudinal direction A low basis weight section 12 is disposed in the section, and the low basis weight section 12, the high basis weight section 11, and the low basis weight section 12 are arranged in this order in the vertical direction X.

The high basis weight portion 11 is a region including a portion in which the basis weight of the fiber material is greater than the low basis weight portion 12 in one direction (vertical direction X) where the high basis weight portion 11 and the low basis weight portion 12 are connected. , when a region other than the region is included, both the region and another region located at the same position as the region in the longitudinal direction X are included. For example, in the present embodiment, the mid-high portion 11A, which is the portion of the absorbent body 10 in which the basis weight of the fiber material is the largest, is formed at the center of the high basis weight portion 11 in the lateral direction Y (width direction); On both sides of 11A in the lateral direction Y, there is a standard basis weight part 11B in which the basis weight of the fiber material is smaller than that of the middle and high part 11A. The entire region consisting of other portions located at the same position in the longitudinal direction X is the high basis weight portion 11.
The middle portion 11A is thicker than the peripheral portion, protrudes toward one surface of the absorber 10, and has a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction X when viewed from above. The absorbent body 10 may be used with the protruding surface (upper surface in FIG. 1) of the mid-high portion 11A facing the skin side of the wearer of the absorbent article in which the absorbent core 10 is used, or the protruding surface of the mid-high portion 11A may be It may be used with the surface opposite to the surface facing the wearer's skin.
The standard basis weight portion 11B may have a lower basis weight of the fiber material than the low basis weight portion 12.
The low basis weight portion 12 may have a uniform basis weight over its entire area, or may have partially different basis weights. An example of the latter case is a configuration in which the basis weight of the fiber material is larger or smaller on the inner side of the low basis weight section 12 in the longitudinal direction X (high basis weight section 11 side) compared to the outer side. . In addition, as another example of the latter case, the center portion 12A (shaded portion in FIG. 1) in the lateral direction Y of the low basis weight portion 12 is different from the both end portions 12B in the lateral direction Y of the low basis weight portion 12, Examples include forms in which the basis weight of the fiber material is larger or smaller than that of 12B.

In this embodiment, the high basis weight portion 11 and the low basis weight portion 12 are each divided into a plurality of regions by a plurality of groove-shaped recesses 13X and 13Y that are linear in plan view and intersect with each other. The groove-like recess 13X extends in the vertical direction X, and the groove-like recess 13Y extends in the horizontal direction Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the groove-like recesses 13X and 13Y are formed on the protruding surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) of the mid-high portion 11A of the absorber 10, but are not formed on the surface opposite to the protruding surface. You can leave it there.
The groove-like recesses 13X and 13Y can improve the liquid absorption ability of the absorbent body 10 by functioning as a flow path for liquid such as excrement, and can also improve the absorbency and flexibility of the absorbent body 10. The ability of the article to follow the wearer's body can be improved. The groove-like recesses 13X and 13Y may not be provided.

The high basis weight portion 11 mainly contributes to improving the liquid absorbency of the absorbent body 10, and the low basis weight portion 12 mainly contributes to improving the feeling of wearing the absorbent article including the absorbent body 10. In the absorbent body 10, when the absorbent body 10 is used as an absorbent body for an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper or a sanitary napkin, the groin area (excretory area such as penis or vaginal opening) of the wearer of the absorbent article The center portion in the longitudinal direction X, which is the portion disposed in the center portion, is defined as a high basis weight portion 11, and the other portion is defined as a low basis weight portion 12. The central part of the absorbent body 10 in the longitudinal direction Since the parts of the body 10 other than the central part are used less often for liquid absorption than the central part, the basis weight of the fiber material is reduced as much as possible and the thickness is made thinner to improve the feeling of wearing. ing.

Hereinafter, the fiber stacking device and the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example the method for manufacturing the absorbent body 10 described above. 2 and 3 show the overall configuration of a fiber stacking device 1, which is an embodiment of the absorbent fiber stacking device of the present invention.
The fiber stacking device 1 includes a fixed drum 2 and a rotating drum 3 that is rotatably provided around the outer circumference 2S of the fixed drum 2 and has a stacking recess 40 in the outer circumference 3S in which fiber materials are stacked. While rotating the rotating drum 3 and transporting the stacking recess 40 in the transport direction along the drum circumferential direction The absorbent body 10 has a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveyance direction, in which the fiber materials carried on the drum are stacked on the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40 in a predetermined suction area S in the drum circumferential direction X1. (Fiber stack).
As described above, the absorbent body 10 has at least the high basis weight section 11 and the low basis weight section 12 in the longitudinal direction X corresponding to the conveying direction of the accumulation recess 40, and both the basis weight sections 11 and 12 , each may have a plurality of portions having different basis weights in the vertical direction X, or may have three or more portions having different basis weights in the vertical direction X. For example, the low basis weight portion 12 may have a larger basis weight on the inner side in the longitudinal direction X (higher basis weight portion 11 side) than on the outer side.

In this embodiment, the fiber stacking device 1 includes a stacking section 4 including a fixed drum 2 and a rotating drum 3, and a raw material supply mechanism 5 that supplies various raw materials including fiber materials to the stacking section 4 (rotating drum 3). , and a conveyance mechanism 6 that conveys the absorbent bodies 10 discharged from the accumulation recess 40 of the rotating drum 3.

The raw material supply mechanism 5 includes a duct 51 having a raw material supply path 50 therein, and a raw material introducing section 52 that introduces the raw material into the duct 51. The duct 51 is open at both ends in the raw material supply direction, and the opening at one end covers a part of the outer periphery (rotary drum 3) of the accumulation section 4, and the opening at the other end is connected to the raw material introducing section 52. A crusher 53 is provided. The raw material introduction section 52 is configured to pulverize the sheet-like wood pulp SP with a pulverizer 53 into pulp fibers, which are fibrous materials, and feed the pulp fibers into the duct 51 . Further, the duct 51 is provided with a water-absorbing polymer introduction section 54 that introduces water-absorbing polymer particles into the supply path 50 .

The conveyance mechanism 6 includes a vacuum conveyor (not shown) that is disposed below the accumulation section 4 and conveys the absorbent bodies 10 discharged from the accumulation section 4 while sucking them onto a conveyance surface. A blow generating mechanism (not shown) is disposed inside the fixed drum 2 in the stacking section 4, and the blow generating mechanism blows air from the inside of the stacking section 4 to the outer circumference 3S side of the rotating drum 3. By spraying, the absorbent body 10 is discharged from the accumulation recess 40 of the outer peripheral portion 3S and is transferred onto the conveying surface of the vacuum conveyor.
In this embodiment, a sheet material 14 also called a core wrap sheet or the like that covers the outer surface of the absorbent body 10 is placed in advance on the conveyance surface of the vacuum conveyor, and the absorbent body 10 discharged from the stacking section 4 is The image is transferred onto the sheet material 14 and conveyed together with the sheet material 14. The sheet material 14 is bent so as to cover the entire absorbent core 10 while being conveyed by the vacuum conveyor.

The stacking section 4, which is a main part of the fiber stacking device 1, will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the stacking section 4 is mainly composed of a fixed drum 2 made of a rigid metal body and a rotating drum 3 arranged overlappingly on the outer peripheral part 2S of the fixed drum 2, and has a cylindrical shape. It has a condition. The stacking section 4 has a drum circumferential direction X1 corresponding to the circumferential direction of both drums 2 and 3, and a drum axial direction Y1 corresponding to the direction in which the rotating shaft of the rotating drum 3 extends.

The fixed drum 2 has a cylindrical shape, and openings at both axial ends of the cylindrical fixed drum 2 are hermetically sealed by a side wall 21 and a sealing material (not shown) such as felt. The inside of the fixed drum 2 is circumferentially divided into a plurality (three in this embodiment) by the partition wall 22, and a plurality of spaces A to C corresponding to each division are formed.
A pressure reduction mechanism (not shown) is connected to the fixed drum 2 to reduce the pressure inside the drum. The pressure reduction mechanism includes an exhaust pipe (not shown) connected to the side wall 21 and an exhaust fan (not shown) connected to the exhaust pipe. By operating the pressure reducing mechanism, any one of the plurality of spaces A to C within the fixed drum 2 is maintained at negative pressure. The fixed drum 2 is configured such that the negative pressure (suction force) in a plurality of spaces A to C partitioned by partition walls 22 can be adjusted independently.
The rotating drum 3 receives power from a prime mover such as a motor and rotates in the direction R1 along the drum circumferential direction X1 around a horizontal rotation axis, whereas the fixed drum 2 does not rotate.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating drum 3 includes a cylindrical drum body 3A made of metal, and an outer layer consisting of a plurality of members 33 to 38 arranged overlappingly on the outer circumference 3AS of the drum body 3A. 3B. The drum main body 3A is a member of the rotating drum 3 that is closest to the fixed drum 2, and is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2.
The drum body 3A is an annular member that is continuous over the entire length in the drum circumferential direction X1, whereas the plurality of members 33 to 38 constituting the outer layer portion 3B are each divided into a plurality of parts in the drum circumferential direction X1. . These plurality of members 33 to 38 are removably joined to each other and to the outer circumferential portion 3AS of the drum body 3A using fasteners such as bolts and joining means such as adhesive.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of members constituting the outer layer portion 3B are, in order of proximity to the drum body 3A, a first suction adjustment plate 33, a first recess bottom forming plate 34, and a second suction adjustment plate 35. , a second recess bottom forming plate 36, a recess partitioning plate 37, and a ring plate 38. Among these plurality of members, four plates, the first suction adjustment plate 33, the second suction adjustment plate 35, the second recess bottom forming plate 36, and the recess division plate 37, have a length (width) in the drum axis direction Y1. are the same, and the width of the outer layer portion 3B is the same as the width of each of these four plates 33, 35-37.
The ring plate 38 is arranged on the outermost side of the rotating drum 3. The ring plates 38 are narrower than the four plates 33, 35 to 37, and are arranged in pairs on both sides of the drum axis direction Y1 with the accumulation recess 40 in between, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. .
The recess division plate 37 is for forming the groove-like recesses 13X and 13Y in the absorbent body 10, and a plurality of partition members 370 (Fig. 4) are arranged in the same pattern as the groove-like recesses 13X and 13Y.
The first recess bottom forming plate 34 and the second recess bottom forming plate 36 each form the bottom of the stacking recess 40 in which the fiber material is stacked, and are breathable and have a large number of suction holes through which vacuum air can pass. It is a member.
The first recess bottom surface forming plate 34 is used to form the middle and high part 11A which is a part of the high basis weight part 11 of the absorber 10, and is used to form a third fiber stacking area 41C of the accumulation recess 40, which will be described later. Compatible. The first recess bottom forming plate 34 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and is narrower than the second recess bottom forming plate 36 .
The second recess bottom forming plate 36 is used to form the portions of the absorbent core 10 other than the middle and high portions 11A, and is used to form a first fiber stacking area 41A and a second fiber stacking area 41B of the accumulation recess 40, which will be described later. and a portion other than the portion corresponding to the mid-high portion 11A in the third stacking region 41C. An opening 360 having the same shape as the plate 34 in plan view is formed in a portion of the second recess bottom forming plate 36 that overlaps with the first recess bottom forming plate 34 in plan view. There is.
The first suction adjustment plate 33 is made of a non-ventilated member having a plurality of openings 330, 331, 332 through which vacuum air can pass. , 332 cannot be suctioned. The opening 332 is disposed at the center of the first suction adjustment plate 33 in the drum axis direction Y1 in a portion corresponding to the third fiber stacking area 41C, and corresponds to the first recess bottom forming plate 34. Openings 330 are arranged on both sides of the drum in the axial direction Y1. The second suction adjustment plate 35 is made of a non-ventilated member having a plurality of openings 350, 351 through which vacuum air can pass, and suction is possible only at the openings 350, 351, and at other parts than the openings 350, 351. Suction is not possible.

Note that, in the present invention, the configuration of the outer layer portion 3B of the rotating drum 3 is not limited to the illustrated form, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the outer layer portion 3B does not need to include the first suction adjustment plate 33 and the second suction adjustment plate 35. Both suction adjustment plates 33 and 35 function as suction adjustment bodies for adjusting the flow rate of vacuum air (hereinafter also referred to as "suction air volume") in the accumulation recess 40. By appropriately adjusting the settings of the suction adjustment body, a plurality of openings (for example, the openings 330, 331, 332 of the first suction adjustment plate 33, and the second suction adjustment plate 33, The opening area of all or some of the openings 350, 351) of the adjustment plate 35 can be adjusted individually, and thereby the flow rate (suction air volume) of vacuum air passing through the plurality of openings can be adjusted individually. can do.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stacking recess 40 that the rotary drum 3 has in the outer circumferential portion 3S is used to store a plurality of portions having different basis weights (for example, a high basis weight portion) of the absorbent body 10 (fiber stack) that is the manufacturing target. 11. It has a plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 in the drum circumferential direction X1 corresponding to the low basis weight portion 12), and the plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 include a first fiber stacking region 41A and a first fiber stacking region 41A. It includes a second fiber stacking region 41B forming a portion of the fiber stack having a higher basis weight than 41A.

In the present invention, the number of fiber stacking regions 41 that the stacking recess 40 has is determined by the number of portions having mutually different basis weights that the fiber stack, which is the manufacturing target, has in a direction corresponding to the flow direction MD during manufacturing. , not particularly limited. For example, the absorbent body 10 described above has at least a high basis weight portion 11 and a low basis weight portion as portions having different basis weights in the longitudinal direction X corresponding to the flow direction MD (rotation direction R1 of the rotating drum 3) during manufacturing. 12, and each of the high basis weight part 11 and the low basis weight part 12 may have a plurality of parts having mutually different basis weights in the longitudinal direction X. The number of fiber stacking regions 41 that the stacking recess 40 for manufacturing has is at least two, and may be three, four, or five or more.

In the present embodiment, the stacking recess 40 serves as a fiber stacking area 41, in addition to the first fiber stacking area 41A and the second fiber stacking area 41B, as shown in FIG. in the drum circumferential direction X1.
The first fiber stacking region 41A and the second fiber stacking region 41B are portions that form the low basis weight portion 12 of the absorbent core 10, respectively, and have an opening closing member 30 (described later) (openings in plan view). This is a stacking area where suction is restricted by the opening closing member 30).
On the other hand, the third fiber stacking region 41C is a portion forming the high basis weight portion 11 of the absorbent body 10, and does not have the opening closing member 30 described later (in a plan view, it does not have the opening closing member 30). This is a stacking area where suction is not restricted by the opening closing member 30.
Hereinafter, areas such as the first fiber stacking area 41A and the second fiber stacking area 41B having the opening closing member 30 in the stacking recess 40 (where suction is restricted by the opening closing member 30) will be referred to as "suction restriction". Also called "area." Furthermore, a region in the stacking recess 40 that does not have the opening closing member 30 (suction is not restricted by the opening closing member 30), such as the third fiber stacking region 41C, is also referred to as a "suction non-restricted region."
In the present invention, there may be cases in which there are three or more suction restriction areas in the accumulation recess 40 for manufacturing one fiber stack. Typically, the suction non-restricted area is one in the accumulation recess 40 for manufacturing one absorbent body 10 (fiber stack).

In the present embodiment, the stacking recess 40 is continuously arranged over the entire length of the rotating drum 3 in the drum circumferential direction Regions 41B (suction restriction region) and third stacking regions 41C (suction non-restriction region) are alternately arranged over the entire length of the drum circumferential direction X1. One third fiber stacking area 41C and a half area in the drum circumferential direction X1 of each combination of two fiber stacking areas 41A and 41B arranged in front and rear in the drum circumferential direction X1 with this third stacking area 41C in between. Therefore, the absorbent body 10 discharged from the accumulation recess 40 to the vacuum conveyor of the transport mechanism 6 is a continuous absorbent body in which a plurality of absorbent bodies 10 are continuous in the longitudinal direction X.

The rotating drum 3 extends around the outer peripheral part 2S of the fixed drum 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R1, in the order of an area corresponding to space A, an area corresponding to space B, and an area corresponding to space C. Moving. The “area corresponding to space A” overlaps with the extended portion when space A of the fixed drum 2 is virtually extended outward in the radial direction of the fixed drum 2 (direction perpendicular to the drum axis direction). Refers to an area. Regarding "region corresponding to space B" and "region corresponding to space C," "space A" was replaced with "space B" or "space C" in the above explanation of "region corresponding to space A." things are applied.

In this embodiment, the area corresponding to the spaces A and B is the suction area S where the fiber stacking material is stacked in the stacking recess 40, and the opening at one end side of the duct 51 of the raw material supply mechanism 5 is the suction area S. It covers S. Of the suction areas S, the area corresponding to the space A is a first suction area S1 where suction is partially possible from the fixed drum 2 side, and the area corresponding to the space B is the first suction area S1 where suction is partially possible from the fixed drum 2 side. This is the second suction area S2 in which suction from the inside is possible over the entire area. The suction area S has a first suction area S1 and a second suction area S2 in the drum circumferential direction X1.

When the rotary drum 3 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 while the pressure reducing mechanism is operated to maintain negative pressure in the spaces A and B of the fixed drum 2, the accumulation recess 40 of the rotary drum 3 is moved into the spaces A and B. While passing through the corresponding region, that is, the suction region S, the negative pressure in the spaces A and B acts on the breathable member (the recess bottom surface forming plates 34 and 36) forming the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40. Air is sucked through a large number of suction holes included in the breathable member. Due to the suction through the suction hole, vacuum air directed toward the suction area S is generated in the supply path 50 in the duct 51 covering the suction area S, and raw materials such as fiber materials carried by this vacuum air are supplied to the suction area S. Ru.

As shown in FIG. 4, the outer circumference 2S of the fixed drum 2 includes a first suction area corresponding part 23 corresponding to the first suction area S1 and a second suction area corresponding part 24 corresponding to the second suction area S2. are arranged. In this embodiment, they are arranged in this order in the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 3 (the conveyance direction of the accumulation recess 40). The first suction area corresponding part 23 is a part where suction from the inside of the fixed drum 2 is partially possible, and the second suction area corresponding part 24 is a part where suction from the inside of the fixed drum 2 is made possible entirely. This is a part that was made possible.

The first suction area corresponding part 23 is made of a non-breathable member partially provided with an opening, and vacuum air can pass through the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the thickness direction only through the opening. There is.
In this embodiment, a suction control body 25 corresponding to the above-mentioned "non-ventilated member partially provided with an opening" is provided in a portion of the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 corresponding to the first suction area corresponding portion 23. are arranged. The suction control body 25 has one or more control body openings 26 passing through the suction control body 25 in the thickness direction. In the illustrated form, the control body openings 26 have a band shape (linear shape) extending in the drum circumferential direction X1 in a plan view, and a plurality of control body openings 26 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the drum axial direction Y1. The suction control body 25 is non-ventilated, and therefore, suction is not possible in any part of the suction control body 25 other than the control body opening 26. As the non-ventilated member constituting the suction control body 25, metal, resin, etc. can be used.
On the other hand, the second suction area corresponding part 24 does not include a non-ventilated member, and the entire area corresponding to the accumulation recess is open. Therefore, the vacuum air can pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding portion 24 in the thickness direction.

In addition, in this specification, "plan view" or "plan view" of a curved part, such as the outer peripheral part of the accumulation part 4 (fixed drum 2, rotating drum 3), refers to the curved part (for example, the suction control body 25, accumulation recess 40, etc.) when viewed from outside in the normal direction of the curved portion (direction perpendicular to the drum axis direction).

Corresponding to the first suction area corresponding portion 23 of the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 described above, the outer circumferential portion 3AS of the drum body 3A, which is the portion of the rotating drum 3 facing the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, includes: As shown in FIG. 4, a non-ventilated opening closing member 30 for closing the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding portion 23 is arranged. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening closing member 30 is configured to close the control body opening 26 while the accumulation recess 40 is being conveyed through the first suction area S1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the opening closing member 30 is a first opening closing member 30A that corresponds to the first fiber stacking area 41A of the accumulation recess 40 (overlapping with the first fiber stacking area 41A in plan view). and a second opening closing member 30B corresponding to the second fiber stacking area 41B of the stacking recess 40 (overlapping with the second fiber stacking area 41B in plan view). Both opening closing members 30A, 30B are arranged in line in the drum circumferential direction X1, corresponding to both fiber stacking areas 41A, 41B.
In addition, in the present invention, as described above, the number of fiber stacking regions 41 that the stacking recess 40 has for manufacturing one fiber stacking body (absorbent body) is not particularly limited, provided that there is a plurality of fiber stacking regions 41. In some cases, there may be three or more opening closing members 30, and in that case, three or more opening closing members 30 may be arranged in line in the drum circumferential direction X1.
Unless otherwise specified, the description of the opening closing member 30 in this specification refers to the plurality of opening closing members included in the fiber stacking device of the present invention, including the first opening closing member 30A and the second opening closing member 30B. Applied to an opening closing member.

In this embodiment, as described above, the stacking recess 40 includes the high basis weight portion 11 of the absorbent body 10 in addition to the first fiber stacking region 41A and the second fiber stacking region 41B (suction restriction region). As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, it corresponds to the third fiber stacking area 41C in the outer circumference 3AS of the drum body 3A. The opening closing member 30 is not arranged in the portion 32 where the opening is closed. As the non-breathable material forming the opening closing member 30, metal, resin, etc. can be used.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a suction inhibiting part 31 on which the opening closing member 30 is disposed on the outer circumference 3AS of the drum body 3A, and a suction inhibiting part 31 on which the opening closing member 30 is disposed, and the outer circumference 3AS without the opening closing member 30. Suction non-inhibiting portions 32 consisting of through holes penetrating the portions 3AS in the thickness direction are arranged alternately in the drum circumferential direction X1.
In each of the plurality of suction inhibiting parts 31, the number of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 is equal to the number of the control body openings 26 in the first suction area corresponding part 23 of the outer peripheral part 2S of the fixed drum 2 in the drum axial direction. The number of locations is set to be the same as the number of locations in Y1. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of control body openings 26 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 is three, so the number of opening closing members 30 in the suction inhibiting part 31 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 is also three. In each of the plurality of suction inhibiting parts 31, the plurality of (three) opening closing members 30 have a band shape (linear shape) extending in the drum circumferential direction X1 in plan view, and are arranged intermittently in the drum axial direction Y1. ing. Further, the opening closing member 30 is disposed at the same position as the control body opening 26 in the drum axis direction Y1, and is placed in the first suction area with the first suction area corresponding part 23 and the suction inhibiting part 31 overlapping each other. The control body opening 26 of the corresponding portion 23 is closed by an opening closing member 30 of the suction inhibiting portion 31. Note that "closing" here includes 1) opening closing member 30 so that vacuum air cannot pass through control body opening 26, that is, suction at control body opening 26 is completely prohibited; 2) a form in which the opening closing member 30 overlaps the control body opening 26 to an extent that suction at the control body opening 26 is somewhat possible. Both of the above embodiments 1) and 2) are the same in that the suction at the control body opening 26 is inhibited by the opening closing member 30.
On the other hand, the suction non-inhibiting portion 32 does not include a non-ventilating member such as the opening closing member 30, and the entire region corresponding to the accumulation recess is open. Therefore, the vacuum air can pass through the entire area of the suction non-inhibiting portion 32 in the thickness direction.

In the stacking device 1 in which the fixed drum 2 and the rotary drum 3 are configured as described above, during conveyance in the first suction area S1 of the stacking recess 40, the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 corresponds to the first suction area S1. The opening closing member 30 (first opening closing member 30A, second opening closing member 30B) overlaps the control body opening 26 (opening necessary for suction from the fixed drum 2 side) of the section 23. , the flow rate of vacuum air (suction air volume) in the first fiber stacking area 41A and the second fiber stacking area 41B (suction restriction area) of the stacking recess 40 is reduced.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling vacuum air in the suction area S (first suction area S1, second suction area S2) will be described.
In the fiber stacking device 1, as described above and shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the area corresponding to the space A is the first suction area S1 (the area of the outer periphery 2S of the fixed drum 2 in the outer periphery 3S of the rotating drum 3). The area corresponding to the space B overlaps with the first suction area corresponding part 23 in plan view), and the area corresponding to the space B corresponds to the second suction area S2 (corresponding to the second suction area of the outer peripheral part 2S of the fixed drum 2 in the outer peripheral part 3S of the rotating drum 3) 24 in plan view), and both suction areas S1 and S2 are arranged in this direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 3, that is, the conveyance direction (flow direction MD) of the accumulation recess 40. They are arranged in order.
In addition, in the fiber stacking device of the present invention, the positions of both suction areas S1 and S2 are not particularly limited, and contrary to the illustrated embodiment, the second suction area S2 is moved from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction MD. , the first suction area S1.
Further, on the outer peripheral portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, which is a generation source (suction source) of vacuum air, a first suction control body 25 that corresponds to the first suction area S1 and partially has a control body opening 26 is provided. A suction area corresponding part 23 and a second suction area corresponding part 24 which corresponds to the second suction area S2 and whose entire area corresponding to the accumulation recess 40 is open are arranged.
Further, in the outer peripheral part 3AS of the drum main body 3A, which is the part of the rotating drum 3 facing the outer peripheral part 2S of the fixed drum 2, a first fiber stacking area 41A and a second stacking area, which are part of the stacking recess 40, are provided. A suction inhibiting part 31 that corresponds to the fiber area 41B (suction restriction area) and includes a non-breathable opening closing member 30 (first opening closing member 30A, second opening closing member 30B), and an accumulation recess 40 A suction non-inhibiting portion 32 corresponding to the third stacking region 41C, which is another part of the fiber stacking region 41C, in which no opening closing member 30 is disposed and consisting of a through hole penetrating the outer peripheral portion 3AS in the thickness direction. are arranged.
In the fiber stacking device 1 having such a configuration, when the rotary drum 3 rotates in the rotation direction R1, the stacking recess 40 divides the suction area S into the first suction area S1 and the second suction area S2, as shown in FIG. Move in this order.

FIG. 7 shows the suction state in both suction areas S1 and S2 of the first fiber stacking area 41A (suction restriction area), and FIG. The suction states in regions S1 and S2 are shown, respectively. The arrows in FIGS. 7 and 8 indicate vacuum air. 7(a) and 8(a) show the suction state in the first suction region S1, and FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 8(b) show the suction state in the second suction region S2.
As will be described later, the first fiber stacking area 41A and the second fiber stacking area 41B are the areas between the control body opening 26 of the fixed drum 2 and the opening closing member 30 (30A, 30B) of the rotating drum 3. Although the separation distance may differ and the vacuum air flow rate (suction air volume) may vary depending on the effect, the suction air volume control method itself is carried out using the control body opening 26 and the opening closing member 30 in the first suction region S1. are substantially the same. Therefore, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the following explanation regarding the method of controlling the suction air volume for the first stacking area 41A (first opening closing member 30A) based on FIG. It can also be applied to the second opening closing member 30B).

When the stacking recess 40 is passing through the first suction area S1, in the first stacking area 41A (suction restriction area), the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 of the fixed drum 2 Although the control body opening 26 is closed by overlapping the third opening closing member 30 (first opening closing member 30A) (see FIG. 7(a)), the third stacking area 41C (suction non-limiting region), the control body opening 26 is not closed (see FIG. 8(a)). Therefore, while the stacking recess 40 is passing through the first suction area S1, suction from the fixed drum 2 side (passage of vacuum air through the control body opening 26) is not possible or is significantly restricted in the first stacking area 41A. Therefore, the suction air volume is zero or significantly reduced, and the suction of the fiber material is inhibited, and in the third stacking area 41C, suction from the fixed drum 2 side is not substantially restricted, so the suction air volume is substantially reduced. Instead, the fiber material is stacked preferentially compared to the first stacking area 41A.
On the other hand, when the accumulation recess 40 is passing through the second suction area S2, the second suction area corresponding part 24 of the fixed drum 2 corresponding to the second suction area S2 prevents the non-ventilated member such as the suction control body 25 from passing through the second suction area S2. Since the entire area of the second suction area corresponding portion 24 corresponding to the stacking recess 40 is open, the stacking recess 40 has a plurality of fiber stacking areas 41 (main fibers) divided in the drum circumferential direction X1. In the embodiment, in each of the first fiber stacking area 41A, the second fiber stacking area 41B, and the third fiber stacking area 41C, suction from the fixed drum 2 side is not substantially restricted, and the suction air volume is substantially reduced. Therefore, the fiber stacking material can be stacked in the entire stacking recess 40 (see FIG. 7(b) and FIG. 8(b)).

In this way, the fiber stacking device 1 utilizes the periodic overlap of the control body opening 26 of the fixed drum 2 and the opening closing member 30 (30A, 30B) of the rotating drum 3 as the rotating drum 3 rotates. In the first suction region S1, which is a part of the suction region S, selectively inhibits only the flow of vacuum air related to the first fiber stacking region 41A and the second fiber stacking region 41B (suction restriction region). This makes it possible to intensively stack the fiber material in the third stacking area 41C (suction non-restricted area). As a result, in the first suction area S1, the fiber material is stacked preferentially in the third stacking area 41C. For example, in the first suction region S1, the fiber material is substantially stacked only in the third fiber stacking region 41C, and the fiber material is not stacked at all in the first fiber stacking region 41A and the second fiber stacking region 41B. The fibers may not be piled, or even if they are piled, the amount of piled fibers may be extremely small compared to the third piled area 41C. As described above, in the second suction area S2, such selective suction inhibition is not performed and fiber stacking is performed in the entire stacking recess 40. 1 A stack of fiber materials that is strongly influenced by the stacking method in the suction area S1, that is, an absorbent body 10 in which the degree of uneven distribution of fiber materials is large in the conveyance direction of the stacking recess 40 along the drum circumferential direction X1. will be formed.

The first suction area corresponding part The ratio of the area of the control body opening 26 to the area of the control body opening 26 is preferably 5% or more, more preferably 15% or more, and preferably 80% or less, more preferably 60% or less.

In this embodiment, at least a part of the third fiber stacking area 41C (suction non-restricted area) has a recess depth that is lower than that of the first fiber stacking area 41A and the second fiber stacking area 41B (suction limited area). is deep. Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. The recess depth is deeper than both of the fiber stacking regions 41A, 41B and the third fiber stacking region 41C other than the central portion (both ends of the third fiber stacking region 41C in the drum axis direction Y1). That is, the first concave bottom surface forming plate 34, which forms the bottom surface of the center of the third stacking area 41C in the drum axis direction Y1, forms the bottom of the center of the third stacking area 41C in the drum axis direction Y1. It is located closer to the fixed drum 2 than the second recess bottom surface forming plate 36 that forms the bottom surface of the other portions. The "recess depth" refers to the distance between the outer surface of the member located on both sides of the accumulation recess 40 in the drum axis direction Y1 and the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40, and in this embodiment, the member is This is a ring plate 38. As shown in FIG. 1, at least a part of the third fiber stacking region 41C (suction non-restricted region) has a deeper recess depth than both of the two fiber stacking regions 41A and 41B (suction limited region). This is useful in increasing the degree of uneven distribution of fiber materials in an unevenly distributed absorbent body such as the absorbent body 10. However, the first recess bottom forming plate 34 may have the same depth as the second recess bottom forming plate 36.

By the way, when the aforementioned opening closing member 30 (30A, 30B) closes the control body opening 26 (opening necessary for suction from the fixed drum 2 side), the opening closing member 30 and the first suction If the area corresponding part 23 (suction control body 25) is designed to be in contact, there is a concern that these parts will wear out each time they come into contact, causing problems such as failure in a relatively short period of time. be done.
In view of this, in the fiber stacking device 1, as shown in FIG. 7(a), in the first suction area S1, the rotating drum In the state where the first opening closing members 30A of No. 3 overlap, the first suction area corresponding part 23 (specifically, the suction control body 25 forming the first suction area corresponding part 23) and the first opening closing member 30A overlap. and are spaced apart from each other. In the form shown in FIG. 7(a), there is a gap G0 between the first suction area corresponding part 23 (suction control body 25) and the first opening closing member 30A (the part circled in FIG. 7(a) ) exists, and both are separated.
Similarly, even when the second opening closing member 30B of the rotary drum 3 overlaps the control body opening 26, the first suction area corresponding portion 23 (suction control body 25) and the second opening closing member 30B are separated from each other. are doing.
The fiber stacking device 1 is configured as described above, and the above-mentioned concerns are eliminated, and the fiber stacking device 1 is capable of handling an absorbent body (fiber stacking body) in which the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material is large in the direction corresponding to the flow direction MD during manufacturing. Can be stably manufactured.

In the fiber stacking device of the present invention, in order to solve the problem of obtaining an absorbent body in which the degree of uneven distribution of fiber materials is large in the direction corresponding to the flow direction MD during manufacturing, the suction area S is set for stacking as described above. The concave portion 40 is divided into a first suction region S1 and a second suction region S2 in the conveying direction, and in one of them, the first suction region S1, the control body opening 26 and the opening closing member 30 are used to The flow rate of vacuum air in the first stacking area 41A and the second stacking area 41B (suction restriction area) is reduced (configuration A).
In order to solve the above problem, the fiber stacking device of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to the configuration A, it further includes configuration B1 or B2 described below.

Configuration B1: The separation distance between the first suction area corresponding portion 23 and the opening closing member 30 in the state where the opening closing member 30 overlaps the control body opening 26 in the first suction area S1 is The opening closing members 30 (specifically, for example, the first opening closing member 30A and the second opening closing member 30B) are different from each other.
More specifically, in the configuration B1, the separation distance is different between the plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum circumferential direction X1, and the separation distance increases from one side to the other side in the drum circumferential direction X1. The plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged so as to change gradually.

Configuration B2: A plurality of opening closing members 30 (specifically, for example, a first opening closing member 30A, a second opening closing member 30B) arranged in the drum circumferential direction The length (width, length in the drum axis direction Y1) in the direction CD is different.
More specifically, in the configuration B2, the widths of the opening closing members 30 are different from each other among the plurality of opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction The plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged so that the width of the opening closing members 30 gradually changes.

To explain the configuration B1, as shown in FIG. 10, in the first suction area S1, the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 corresponds to the first stacking area 41A of the stacking recess 40. In the state where the first opening closing members 30A overlap, the first suction region corresponding portion 23 (suction control body 25) and the first opening closing member 30A are separated by a predetermined distance G1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 11, in the first suction area S1, a second opening closing member corresponding to the second stacking area 41B of the stacking recess 40 is attached to the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23. 30B overlap, the first suction area corresponding portion 23 (suction control body 25) and the second opening closing member 30B are separated by a predetermined distance G2.
Then, the magnitude relationship of "separation distance G1<separation distance G2" is established. That is, the second opening closing member 30B corresponding to the second fiber stacking area 41B is more sensitive to the control body opening 26 than the first opening closing member 30A corresponding to the first fiber stacking area 41A. The separation distance from the first suction area corresponding portion 23 in the overlapping state is long.
FIG. 12 shows a fiber stacking apparatus having the configuration B1 in which a portion of the stacking recess 40 corresponding to one product unit (one absorbent body 10) is located in the first suction area S1. , a cross section along the drum circumferential direction X1 is shown. FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the first stacking area 41A along the drum axis direction Y1 in FIG. 12, and FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the second stacking area 41B in FIG. 12 along the drum axis direction Y1. As described above, the third stacking area 41C is a suction non-limiting area that does not have the opening closing member 30.

In the fiber stacking device having the configuration B1, the first suction area corresponding portion 23 and the opening closing member 30 are separated from each other when the opening closing member 30 overlaps the control body opening 26 in the first suction area S1. As the distance is longer, the degree of closing of the control body opening 26 by the opening closing member 30 becomes weaker, making it easier for vacuum air to pass through the control body opening 26, increasing the amount of suction air and improving the suction power of the fiber material. do. Therefore, according to the fiber stacking device having the configuration B1, since the magnitude relationship of separation distance G1<separation distance G2 is established, the basis weight of the fiber material to be sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked is Since the size relationship of the first stacking area 41A<the second stacking area 41B holds true, together with the effect of the configuration A described above, the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD during manufacturing can be reduced. It is possible to make it larger.
From the viewpoint of more reliably achieving the above-mentioned effects, the difference between the separation distance G1 and the separation distance G2 is preferably 0.1 mm or more, when the separation distance G1 is subtracted from the separation distance G2. It is 9 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or more and 1.9 mm or less.

If the separation distances G1 and G2 are too short, there is a concern that there will be wear due to contact between the opening closing member 30 (30A, 30B) and the first suction area corresponding part 23 (suction control body 25), and the vacuum Since it is virtually impossible for air to pass through the control body opening 26, it becomes difficult to control the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD by adjusting the separation distances G1 and G2. Furthermore, if the separation distances G1 and G2 are too long, the intentional reduction of the suction air volume in the suction restriction areas (fiber stacking areas 41A and 41B) in the first suction area S1 (the effect of configuration A) is insufficient. Therefore, there is a concern that it becomes difficult to control the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD.
Considering the above, the separation distances G1 and G2 are each preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm, and more preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.

In the present invention, as described above, the number of fiber stacking regions 41 that the stacking recess 40 has is not particularly limited as long as it is plural, and the fiber stacking body that is the manufacturing object is Depending on the number of parts having different basis weights in the corresponding direction (vertical direction X in the absorber 10), the number may be three or more, in which case three or more opening closing members 30 are lined up in the drum circumferential direction X1. can be arranged. That is, in the present invention, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction MD (rotation direction R1 of the rotary drum 3, conveyance direction of the accumulation recess 40) during manufacturing, the first opening closing member, the second opening A form of a closing member, a third opening closing member, . . . an nth opening closing member (hereinafter also referred to as "specific form A") is included.
In the fiber stacking device having the configuration B1 in the specific form A, the n (n is a natural number of 3 or more) opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum circumferential direction In the state where it overlaps the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23, it is separated from the first suction area corresponding part 23 by a predetermined distance G. The n opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction A plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged. For example, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction MD along the drum circumferential direction X1, a first opening closing member, a second opening closing member, a third opening closing member... nth opening closing member If they are lined up, the separation distance G1 of the first opening closing member<the separation distance G2 of the second opening closing member<the third opening closing member G3<...<the separation distance of the nth opening closing member A size relationship of Gn is established.
In the fiber stacking device in which such a size relationship is established, a plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 (suction restriction regions) corresponding to the n opening closing members 30 (a natural number greater than or equal to n) are arranged in the first suction region S1. Now, since the suction air volume increases as the separation distance G is longer, the basis weight of the fiber material to be sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked is determined as follows. The size relationship of "fiber stacking area 41 <fiber stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 with a relatively long separation distance G" is established, and together with the effect of the configuration A described above, during manufacturing. It becomes possible to increase the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD. The separation distance Gn here can be set in the same range as the separation distances G1 and G2 described above.

From the viewpoint of ensuring the effect of the configuration B1, with reference to FIG. 10, the first suction area corresponding portion 23 has a The width W26 of the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding portion 23 that overlaps with the opening closing member 30A is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or more. % or less.
Further, with reference to FIG. 11, the control body of the first suction area corresponding part 23 overlaps with the second opening closing member 30B in the first suction area corresponding part 23 with respect to the width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B. The width W26 of the opening 26 is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, and preferably 90% or less, more preferably 80% or less.
In other words, the width of the opening closing member 30 (the length in the transport orthogonal direction CD) is slightly larger than the width W26 of the control body opening 26 that overlaps the opening closing member 30 in the first suction area corresponding portion 23. The longer the better. In the above-mentioned specific form A, where three or more plurality of opening closing members 30 are lined up in the drum circumferential direction The ratio of the width W26 of the control body opening 26 to the width W26 is also preferably within the above range.
In addition, in the fiber stacking device having the configuration B1, the width W1 of the first opening closing member 30A and the width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B may be the same or different, but typically , both widths W1 and W2 are the same.

To explain the configuration B2, as shown in FIG. 10, the width W1 of the first opening closing member 30A is longer than the width W26 of the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23, and When the first opening closing member 30A overlaps the control body opening 26 in the region S1, the first opening closing member 30A extends the control body opening 26 over the entire length in the transport orthogonal direction CD (drum axis direction Y1). There is.
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the width W2 of the second opening closing member 30B1 is shorter than the width W26 of the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23, and When the second opening closing member 30B1 overlaps the portion 26, a portion of the control body opening 26 in the conveyance orthogonal direction CD (drum axis direction Y1), typically, a portion of the control body opening 26 in the conveyance orthogonal direction CD. There are portions at both ends of the CD that are not covered by the second opening closing member 30B1. In addition. The second opening closing member 30B1 is the same as the second opening closing member 30B described above except for the width W2.
FIG. 14 shows a fiber stacking apparatus having the configuration B2 in which a portion of the stacking recess 40 corresponding to one product unit (one absorbent body 10) is located in the first suction area S1. , a cross section along the drum circumferential direction X1 is shown. FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the first stacking area 41A along the drum axis direction Y1 in FIG. 14, and FIG. 13 shows a cross section of the second stacking area 41B in FIG. 14 along the drum axis direction Y1. As described above, the third stacking area 41C is a suction non-limiting area that does not have the opening closing member 30.
In addition, in the fiber stacking device having the configuration B2, typically, the width W26 of the control body opening 26 is constant in the fiber stacking device regardless of the width of the opening closing member 30 that overlaps with it. be.

In the fiber stacking device having the configuration B2, in the first suction region S1, the first opening closing member 30A covers the entirety of the control body opening 26 on the rotating drum 3 side, whereas the second opening closing member 30B does not cover a part of the control body opening 26 on the rotating drum 3 side. In the second fiber stacking area 41B, the magnitude relationship of the first fiber stacking area 41A<the second fiber stacking area 41B holds true regarding the suction air volume. Therefore, according to the fiber stacking device having the configuration B2. Regarding the basis weight of the fiber materials that are sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked, the size relationship of the first stacking area 41A<the second stacking area 41B is established, so that the above-mentioned effects and effects of the configuration A are achieved. Combined with this, it becomes possible to increase the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD during manufacturing.

The technical idea of the configuration B2 can be applied to the specific form A as well as that of the configuration B1. That is, in the fiber stacking device having the configuration B2 in the specific form A, n (n is a natural number of 3 or more) opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction The plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged so that the widths W (lengths in the transport orthogonal direction CD) are different from each other, and the widths W gradually change from one side to the other side in the drum circumferential direction. For example, from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction MD along the drum circumferential direction X1, a first opening closing member, a second opening closing member, a third opening closing member... nth opening closing member When lined up with other members, the width W1 of the first opening closing member<width W2 of the second opening closing member<width W3 of the third opening closing member<...<width of the nth opening closing member A size relationship Wn is established.
In a fiber stacking device in which such a size relationship is established, a plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 (suction restriction regions) corresponding to n opening closing members 30 (a natural number greater than or equal to n) are connected to each other in the first suction region S1. Now, assuming that the width W26 (see FIG. 13, etc.) of the control body opening 26 that overlaps the opening closing member 30 in the first suction region S1 is constant in the fiber stacking device, the width W is short. Since the amount of suction air increases as the width increases, the basis weight of the fiber material to be sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked is determined as follows: "The stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 with a relatively long width W<width W". The size relationship of the fiber stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 which is relatively short is established, and together with the effect of the configuration A described above, uneven distribution of the fiber material in the flow direction MD during manufacturing is established. It becomes possible to increase the degree of

Regarding the wide opening closing member 30, such as the first opening closing member 30A, which has a longer width (length in the transport orthogonal direction CD) than the control body opening 26 that overlaps in the first suction region S1, The width of the wide opening closing member 30 is preferably 110% or more of the width of the control body opening 26, more preferably, on the premise that it is longer than the width of the control body opening 26. It is 125% or more, and preferably 1000% or less, more preferably 500% or less.
Also, like the second opening closing member 30B1, a narrow opening closing member 30 whose width (length in the transport orthogonal direction CD) is shorter than that of the control body opening 26 which overlaps in the first suction region S1. The width of the narrow opening closing member 30 is preferably 50% or more of the width of the control body opening 26, assuming that the narrow opening closing member 30 is shorter than the width of the control body opening 26. %, more preferably 60% or more and less than 100%.

In the fiber stacking device having the configuration B2, from the viewpoint of solving the problem of wear caused by the contact between the opening closing member 30 (30A, 30B) and the first suction area corresponding part 23 (suction control body 25), In the state where the first opening closing member 30A overlaps the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the first suction area S1, the first suction area corresponding part 23 and the first opening closing member 30A overlap. It is preferable that they are separated by a predetermined distance, and the distance is preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm, and more preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.
From a similar point of view, when the second opening closing member 30B overlaps the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the first suction area S1, the first suction area corresponding part 23 and the second opening It is preferable that the closing member 30B is spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the distance is preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm, and more preferably greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 2 mm.
In the specific form A described above, where three or more plural opening closing members 30 are lined up in the drum circumferential direction The distance from the corresponding portion 23 is also preferably within the above range.

In the fiber stacking device 1, as described above and as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating drum 3 has a drum main body 3A disposed opposite to the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, and a drum main body 3A located further from the fixed drum 2 than the drum main body 3A. As shown in FIG. 15, the opening closing member 30 (first opening closing member 30A, second opening closing member 30B) is connected to the outer layer 3B in the drum body 3A. It is arranged at a position spaced apart from the drum body 3A by a predetermined distance.
Since the outer layer portion 3B includes members that form the bottom of the stacking recess 40 (in the fiber stacking device 1, the first recess bottom forming plate 34 and the second recess bottom forming plate 36), the opening can be closed as described above. The fact that the member 30 is spaced apart from the outer layer portion 3B means that the opening closing member 30 is also spaced apart from the bottom surface of the accumulation recess 40.
In the form shown in FIG. 15, the opening closing member 30 is disposed at a distance L from the outer layer portion 3B toward the fixed drum 2, and has a first suction area corresponding portion 23 and a second suction area corresponding portion 24. It is arranged near the outer peripheral part 2S of the drum 2.
When the opening closing member 30 is positioned in this manner in the radial direction of the rotating drum 3, it becomes possible to rectify the flow of air sucked through the outer layer portion 3B in the drum axial direction Y1. Since the turbulence of the vacuum air and the air volume fluctuation in the drum axis direction Y1 can be leveled out, it is expected that the formability of the fiber stack (absorbent body) will be improved.
In the specific form A described above, where three or more plurality of opening closing members 30 are lined up in the drum circumferential direction X1, the position of each of the plurality of opening closing members 30 in the radial direction of the rotating drum 3 is also the same as described above. It can be set similarly.

Next, a method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to the present invention will be explained by taking as an example a method for manufacturing an absorbent body 10 (an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having different basis weights in one direction) using the above-mentioned fiber stacking device 1. . Unless specifically explained regarding such a manufacturing method, the explanation regarding the above-mentioned fiber stacking device 1 applies as appropriate.
The method for manufacturing an absorbent body using the fiber stacking device 1 includes a fiber stacking step. In the fiber stacking step, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating drum 3 is rotated around the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2, and the fiber material is scattered on the outer circumferential portion 3S of the rotating drum 3. In this step, the fibers are fed and stacked in the stacking recess 40 in a predetermined suction area S in the drum circumferential direction X1.

The fiber stacking device 1 has the specific form A described above, and has the configuration A (the suction area S is divided into a first suction area S1 and a second suction area S2 in the conveying direction of the stacking recess 40, and one of the suction areas S1 and S2 is divided into a first suction area S1 and a second suction area S2 In the first suction area S1, in addition to the configuration in which the flow rate of vacuum air in the plurality of fiber stacking areas 41 (suction restriction area) is reduced using the control body opening 26 and the opening closing member 30, When equipped with B1,
The plurality of opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction The plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum circumferential direction Since the plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged so that the separation distance G gradually changes,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region S1, the longer the separation distance G between the plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 (the suction restriction regions) corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members 30, the lower the flow rate of vacuum air. will increase.
In other words, regarding the basis weight of the fiber materials sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked, it is determined that "the stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 where the separation distance G is relatively short<the stacking area 41 where the separation distance G is relatively long". The size relationship of the fiber stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 is established.

For example, in the above-mentioned fiber stacking device 1, the suction restriction region includes the first fiber stacking region 41A and the second fiber stacking region 41B, and the separation distance G related to both the fiber stacking regions 41A and 41B is described above. As mentioned above, since the magnitude relationship of separation distance G1<separation distance G2 is established, the magnitude relationship of first fiber stacking area 41A<second fiber stacking area 41B is established regarding the flow rate of vacuum air, and therefore A similar size relationship holds true for basis weight (fiber stacking amount).
Further, in the above-described fiber stacking device 1, the third fiber stacking area 41C is included as the suction non-restricted area, but the third fiber stacking area 41C does not have the opening closing member 30, which limits the suction. Therefore, the flow rate of vacuum air is as follows: first stacking area 41A (suction limited area) < second stacking area 41B (suction limited area) < third stacking area 41C (suction non-limited area) ) holds true. Therefore, in the fiber stacking process using the fiber stacking device 1 described above, in the first suction region S1, the largest amount of fiber material is stacked in the third fiber stacking region 41C, and then in descending order of the amount of stacked fibers. The second fiber stacking area 41B and the first fiber stacking area 41A.

As described above, according to the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention using the fiber stacking device having the configuration A and the configuration B1, the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material is large in the direction corresponding to the flow direction during manufacturing. An absorber is obtained. Moreover, the opening closing member 30 provided in the fiber stacking device is in a state where it overlaps the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the first suction area S1, Since the opening closing member 30 and the first suction area corresponding part 23 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance G, the problem of abrasion due to contact between the opening closing member 30 and the first suction area corresponding part 23 is less likely to occur, and the absorber is a high-quality fiber stack. The body 10 can be stably manufactured.

By the way, in the configuration B1, by adjusting the distance G between the plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum circumferential direction X1 and the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the first suction area S1, However, by applying this to the drum axis direction Y1, it is possible to control the degree of uneven distribution of fiber materials in the transport direction CD. It is also possible to control.
Specifically, in the above-described fiber stacking device 1, a plurality (three) of control body openings 26 are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion 23 in line in the drum axis direction Y1, and A plurality (three) of opening closing members 30 are arranged in a line in the drum axis direction Y1 at a portion facing the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 (outer circumferential portion 3AS of the drum body 3A). During conveyance in the first suction area S1, the plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 overlap with the plurality of control body openings 26 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1, and the plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum axial direction The plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in Y1 each have a predetermined position relative to the first suction area corresponding part 23 in a state where they overlap the control body opening 26 of the first suction area corresponding part 23 in the first suction area S1. They are separated by a distance G of (see FIGS. 4, 6, 10, 11, etc.). The following configuration B1a is adopted for the fiber stacking device 1 having such a configuration.
Configuration B1a: The plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum axis direction Y1 have different separation distances G from each other, and the separation distance G gradually changes from one side to the other side in the drum axis direction Y1. A plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged.

A specific example of the configuration B1a is one in which a plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged such that the separation distance G gradually increases from the outer side to the inner side in the drum axis direction Y1. According to this specific example, regarding the flow rate of vacuum air, the size relationship holds true: the stacking area 41 located on the outside in the drum axis direction Y1<the stacking area 41 located on the inside in the drum axis direction Y1. , Therefore, the same magnitude relationship holds true for the basis weight (the amount of stacked fibers) of the fiber material.
As described above, according to the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention using the fiber stacking device having the configuration A, the configuration B1, and the configuration B1a, in the fiber stacking step, the drum Regarding the basis weight of the fiber material to be sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked in both the circumferential direction Since the size relationship of region 41<fiber stacking region 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 having a relatively long separation distance G is established, the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material can be controlled to a higher degree.

Further, the fiber stacking device 1 has the above-described specific form A, in which the structure A (the suction area S is divided into a first suction area S1 and a second suction area S2 in the conveying direction of the stacking recess 40, and one of the suction areas In the first suction region S1, the control body opening 26 and the opening closing member 30 are used to reduce the flow rate of vacuum air in the plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 (suction restriction region). When the configuration B2 is provided,
The plurality of opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction Since the plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged so that the width W of the opening closing member 30 gradually changes,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region S1, among the plurality of fiber stacking regions 41 (the suction restriction region) corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members 30, the width W of the opening closing member 30 is shorter. Vacuum air flow rate increases.
In other words, regarding the basis weight of the fiber material sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked, it is determined that "fiber stacking area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 with a relatively long width W<opening with a relatively short width W". The size relationship of the fiber stacking area 41 corresponding to the closing member 30 is established.

For example, the above-described fiber stacking device 1 includes a first fiber stacking area 41A and a second fiber stacking area 41B as the suction restriction area, and a third fiber stacking area 41C as the suction non-restriction area, and The width W of the opening closing member 30 related to both stacking areas 41A and 41B is as described above, so the flow rate of vacuum air is as follows: first stacking area 41A<second stacking area 41B<third The size relationship holds true for the stacked fiber area 41C, and the same size relationship holds for the basis weight (the amount of stacked fibers) of the fiber material.
As described above, according to the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention using the fiber stacking device having the configuration A and the configuration B2, the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material is large in the direction corresponding to the flow direction during manufacturing. An absorber is obtained.

By the way, in the configuration B2, by adjusting the width W of the opening closing member 30 between the plurality of opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum circumferential direction X1, fibers in the flow direction MD during manufacturing along the drum circumferential direction Although the degree of uneven distribution of the material is controlled, by applying this to the drum axis direction Y1, it is also possible to control the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material in the transport direction CD.
Specifically, in the above-described fiber stacking device 1, a plurality (three) of control body openings 26 are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion 23 in line in the drum axis direction Y1, and A plurality (three) of opening closing members 30 are arranged in line in the drum axis direction Y1 at a portion facing the outer circumferential portion 2S of the fixed drum 2 (outer circumferential portion 3AS of the drum body 3A). During conveyance in the first suction area S1, the plurality of opening closing members 30 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 overlap with the plurality of control body openings 26 arranged in the drum axial direction Y1 (see FIG. 4, (See FIGS. 6, 10, 11, etc.). The following configuration B2a is adopted for the fiber stacking device 1 having such a configuration.
Configuration B2a: The width W (length in the transport orthogonal direction CD) of the opening closing members 30 is different among the plurality of opening closing members 30 lined up in the drum axis direction Y1, and the width W (length in the transport orthogonal direction CD) is different from one side to the other side in the drum axis direction Y1. The plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged such that the width W of the opening closing member 30 gradually changes toward the center.

As a specific example of the configuration B2a, a plurality of opening closing members 30 are arranged such that the width W of the opening closing members 30 gradually decreases from the outer side to the inner side in the drum axis direction Y1. Things can be mentioned. According to this specific example, regarding the flow rate of vacuum air, the size relationship holds true: the stacking area 41 located on the outside in the drum axis direction Y1<the stacking area 41 located on the inside in the drum axis direction Y1. , Therefore, the same magnitude relationship holds true for the basis weight (the amount of stacked fibers) of the fiber material.
As described above, according to the method for manufacturing an absorbent body of the present invention using the fiber stacking device having the configuration A, the configuration B2, and the configuration B2a, in the fiber stacking step, the drum Regarding the basis weight of the fiber material to be sucked into the stacking recess 40 and stacked in both the circumferential direction 41<the stacked area 41 corresponding to the opening closing member 30 whose width W is relatively short'' is established, so that the degree of uneven distribution of the fiber material can be controlled to a higher degree.

Although the present invention has been described above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Regarding the embodiments of the present invention described above, the following additional notes are further disclosed.

<1>
A fixed drum, and a rotary drum that is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which the fiber material is stacked; While conveying the fiber material in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the airflow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is placed in the accumulating recess in a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. A fiber stacking device for manufacturing a fiber stack body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveying direction by stacking fibers on a bottom surface, the fiber stacking device comprising:
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking regions in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the fiber stacking body having different basis weights, and the plurality of fiber stacking regions are arranged in a first fiber stacking region. and a second fiber stacking region forming a portion with a higher basis weight than the first fiber stacking region,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of a non-ventilated member partially provided with an opening (control body opening 26), and the air flow passes through the first suction area corresponding part only through the opening. It is made to be able to pass through in the thickness direction,
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking area is provided at a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumferential portion of the fixed drum, and a non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the second fiber stacking area is provided. a sexual second opening closing member;
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member overlap with the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the The flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking area and the second fiber stacking area is reduced,
In the state where the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the first opening closing member are in a predetermined position. They are separated by a separation distance G1,
In the state where the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the second opening closing member are in a predetermined position. A fiber stacking device that is separated by a separation distance G2, and in which a magnitude relationship of the separation distance G1<the separation distance G2 is established.
<2>
The fiber stacking device according to <1>, wherein the separation distance G1 and the separation distance G2 are each greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.
<3>
The opening of the first suction area corresponding portion overlaps with the first opening closing member in the first suction area with respect to the length of the first opening closing member in the conveyance orthogonal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The length of the transport orthogonal direction is 10% or more and 90% or less,
With respect to the length of the second opening closing member in the transportation orthogonal direction, the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion that overlaps the second opening closing member in the first suction area in the transportation orthogonal direction The fiber stacking device according to <1> or <2>, wherein the length is 10% or more and 90% or less.

<4>
A fixed drum, and a rotary drum that is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which the fiber material is stacked; While conveying the fiber material in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the airflow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is placed in the accumulating recess in a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. A fiber stacking device for manufacturing a fiber stack body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveying direction by stacking fibers on a bottom surface, the fiber stacking device comprising:
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking regions in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the fiber stacking body having different basis weights, and the plurality of fiber stacking regions are arranged in a first fiber stacking region. and a second fiber stacking region forming a portion with a higher basis weight than the first fiber stacking region,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of a non-ventilated member partially provided with an opening (control body opening 26), and the air flow passes through the first suction area corresponding part only through the opening. It is made to be able to pass through in the thickness direction,
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking area is provided at a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumferential portion of the fixed drum, and a non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the second fiber stacking area is provided. a sexual second opening closing member;
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member overlap with the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the The flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking area and the second fiber stacking area is reduced,
The first opening closing member has a longer length in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction than the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, and the first opening closing member is configured to close the opening in the first suction area. In the state where the first opening closing members overlap, the first opening closing member extends the entire length of the opening in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance,
The second opening closing member has a shorter length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance than the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion, and the second opening closing member closes the second opening in the first suction area. In the fiber stacking device, when the members are overlapped, there is a portion of the opening in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance that is not covered by the second opening closing member.
<5>
the first opening closing member (a wide opening closing member having a longer length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance than the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion that overlaps in the first suction area); The length in the transport orthogonal direction is preferably 110% or more, more preferably 125% or more, and preferably 1000% or more of the length of the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the transport orthogonal direction. % or less, more preferably 500% or less, the fiber stacking device according to <4> above.
<6>
the second opening closing member (a narrow opening closing member having a shorter length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance than the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion that overlaps in the first suction area); The length in the transport orthogonal direction is preferably 50% or more and less than 100%, more preferably 60% or more and 100% of the length of the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the transport orthogonal direction. The fiber stacking device according to <4> or <5> above.
<7>
In the state where the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the first opening closing member are separated from each other by 0 mm. spaced apart at a distance of 3mm or less,
When the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the second opening closing member are separated from each other by 0 mm. The fiber stacking device according to any one of <4> to <6>, wherein the fiber stacking device is separated by a distance of at most 3 mm or less.

<8>
In any one of the above <1> to <7>, wherein the ratio of the area of the opening of the first suction area corresponding part to the area of the first suction area corresponding part is 5% or more and 80% or less. The described stacking device.
<9>
The rotating drum includes a drum body disposed opposite to the outer circumference of the fixed drum, and an outer layer disposed farther from the fixed drum than the drum body,
The first opening closing member and the second opening closing member are each disposed in the drum body at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the outer layer portion toward the drum body side, <1> to <8>. >The fiber stacking device according to any one of the above.
<10>
The outer layer portion forms a bottom surface of the accumulating recess, and forms a groove-like recess in the recess bottom forming plate made of an air-permeable member having a large number of suction holes through which the air flow can pass, and in the fiber stack. The fiber stacking device according to <9> above, including a concave section dividing plate that is a member for.
<11>
The fiber stacking device according to <9> or <10>, wherein the outer layer portion includes a suction adjustment plate that is a member for adjusting the flow rate of the air flow in the stacking recess.
<12>
Any one of <1> to <11>, wherein the accumulation recess further has a suction non-limiting area in which suction is not restricted in addition to the first fiber stacking area and the second fiber stacking area. The fiber stacking device described in .
<13>
The suction non-limiting area does not have the opening closing member (the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member) (does not overlap with the opening closing member in plan view), and the <12 ＞The fiber stacking device described in ＞.

<14>
A method for producing an absorbent body, which uses a fiber stacking device to produce an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having different basis weights in one direction, the method comprising:
The fiber stacking device includes a fixed drum and a rotating drum that is rotatable around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which fiber materials are stacked, and the rotating drum is rotated. While the stacking recess is conveyed in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is transferred to a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. The fibers are stacked on the bottom surface of the stacking recess,
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking areas in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the absorbent body having different basis weights,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A plurality of non-air permeable opening closing members are provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum in the circumferential direction of the drum, corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of fiber stacking regions of the stacking recess. They are arranged side by side,
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the opening closing member corresponds to the opening closing member in the accumulation recess. The flow rate of the air flow in the fiber stacking area is reduced,
Each of the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum has a predetermined position relative to the first suction area corresponding portion when overlapping the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion in the first suction area. The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum are spaced apart from each other by a distance of about the plurality of opening closing members are arranged to vary;
While rotating the rotating drum around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, the fiber material is supplied in a scattered state to the outer periphery of the rotating drum, and the fiber material is stacked in the accumulation recess in the suction area. Has a process,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, between the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members, the longer the separation distance, the larger the flow rate of the air flow, the absorbent body. manufacturing method.
<15>
A plurality of openings are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion in a row in the drum axial direction, and the opening closing member is provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumference of the fixed drum in the drum axial direction. A plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction overlap the plurality of openings arranged in the drum axial direction during conveyance in the first suction area of the accumulation recess. It is done like this,
Each of the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction has a predetermined position relative to the first suction area corresponding part when overlapping the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area. The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the direction of the drum axis are separated from each other by a distance of , and the separation distance is different from each other, and the separation distance gradually increases from one side to the other side in the direction of the drum axis. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to <14> above, wherein the plurality of opening closing members are arranged so as to vary.

<16>
A method for producing an absorbent body, which uses a fiber stacking device to produce an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having different basis weights in one direction, the method comprising:
The fiber stacking device includes a fixed drum and a rotating drum that is rotatable around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which fiber materials are stacked, and the rotating drum is rotated. While the stacking recess is conveyed in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is transferred to a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. The fibers are stacked on the bottom surface of the stacking recess,
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking areas in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the absorbent body having different basis weights,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A plurality of non-air permeable opening closing members are provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum in the circumferential direction of the drum, corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of fiber stacking regions of the stacking recess. They are arranged side by side,
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the opening closing member corresponds to the opening closing member in the accumulation recess. The flow rate of the air flow in the fiber stacking area is reduced,
The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum have different lengths in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the opening closing members extend from one side in the circumferential direction of the drum to the other side. the plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the length of the opening closing member in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance gradually changes;
While rotating the rotating drum around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, the fiber material is supplied in a scattered state to the outer periphery of the rotating drum, and the fiber material is stacked in the accumulation recess in the suction area. Has a process,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, among the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members, the shorter the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance, the more A method of manufacturing an absorbent body that increases the flow rate of airflow.
<17>
A plurality of openings are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion in a row in the drum axial direction, and the opening closing member is provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumference of the fixed drum in the drum axial direction. A plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction overlap the plurality of openings arranged in the drum axial direction during conveyance in the first suction area of the accumulation recess. It is done like this,
The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the direction of the drum axis have different lengths in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the opening closing members are arranged in the direction of the drum axis from one side to the other side. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to <16>, wherein the plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance gradually changes.

10 Absorbent body 11 High basis weight part 11A Medium and high part 11B Standard basis weight part 12, 12A, 12B Low basis weight part 13X, 13Y Groove-shaped recessed part 21 Side wall 22 Partition wall 23 First suction area corresponding part 24 Second suction area corresponding part 25 Suction control body 26 Control body opening 3 Rotating drum 3A Drum body 30 Opening closing member 30A First opening closing member 30B, 30B1 Second Opening closing member 31 Suction inhibiting section 32 Suction non-inhibiting section 3B Outer layer section 4 Accumulating section 40 Accumulating recess 41A First fiber stacking area 41B Second fiber stacking area 41C Third fiber stacking area 5 Raw material supply mechanism 51 Duct 6 Transport mechanism S Suction area S1 First suction area S2 Second suction area X1 Drum circumferential direction R1 Rotation direction of rotating drum (MD)
Y1 Drum axis direction (CD)

Claims (11)

A fixed drum, and a rotary drum that is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which the fiber material is stacked; While conveying the fiber material in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the airflow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is placed in the accumulating recess in a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. A fiber stacking device for manufacturing a fiber stack body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveying direction by stacking fibers on a bottom surface, the fiber stacking device comprising:
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking regions in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the fiber stacking body having different basis weights, and the plurality of fiber stacking regions are arranged in a first fiber stacking region. and a second fiber stacking region forming a portion with a higher basis weight than the first fiber stacking region,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking area is provided at a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumferential portion of the fixed drum, and a non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the second fiber stacking area is provided. a sexual second opening closing member;
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member overlap with the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the The flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking area and the second fiber stacking area is reduced,
In the state where the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the first opening closing member are in a predetermined position. They are separated by a separation distance G1,
In the state where the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the second opening closing member are in a predetermined position. A fiber stacking device that is separated by a separation distance G2, and in which a magnitude relationship of the separation distance G1<the separation distance G2 is established. The fiber stacking device according to claim 1, wherein the separation distance G1 and the separation distance G2 are each greater than 0 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm. The opening of the first suction area corresponding portion overlaps with the first opening closing member in the first suction area with respect to the length of the first opening closing member in the conveyance orthogonal direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance is 10% or more and 90% or less,
With respect to the length of the second opening closing member in the transportation orthogonal direction, the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion that overlaps the second opening closing member in the first suction area in the transportation orthogonal direction The fiber stacking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the length of is 10% or more and 90% or less. A fixed drum, and a rotary drum that is rotatably provided around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which the fiber material is stacked; While conveying the fiber material in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the airflow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is placed in the accumulating recess in a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. A fiber stacking device for manufacturing a fiber stack body having a plurality of portions having mutually different basis weights in the conveying direction by stacking fibers on a bottom surface, the fiber stacking device comprising:
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking regions in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the fiber stacking body having different basis weights, and the plurality of fiber stacking regions are arranged in a first fiber stacking region. and a second fiber stacking region forming a portion with a higher basis weight than the first fiber stacking region,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the first fiber stacking area is provided at a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumferential portion of the fixed drum, and a non-ventilated first opening closing member corresponding to the second fiber stacking area is provided. a sexual second opening closing member;
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member overlap with the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the The flow rate of the air flow in the first fiber stacking area and the second fiber stacking area is reduced,
The first opening closing member has a longer length in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction than the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, and the first opening closing member is configured to close the opening in the first suction area. In the state where the first opening closing members overlap, the first opening closing member extends the entire length of the opening in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance,
The second opening closing member has a shorter length in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance than the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, and the second opening closing member closes the second opening in the first suction area. In the fiber stacking device, when the members overlap, there is a portion of the opening in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance that is not covered by the second opening closing member. In the state where the first opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the first opening closing member are separated from each other by 0 mm. spaced apart at a distance of 3mm or less,
When the second opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area, the first suction area corresponding part and the second opening closing member are separated from each other by 0 mm. The fiber stacking device according to claim 4, wherein the fiber stacking device is separated by a distance of at most 3 mm or less. The product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ratio of the area of the opening of the first suction area corresponding part to the area of the first suction area corresponding part is 5% or more and 80% or less. textile equipment. The rotating drum includes a drum body disposed opposite to the outer circumference of the fixed drum, and an outer layer disposed farther from the fixed drum than the drum body,
Any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first opening closing member and the second opening closing member are each disposed in the drum body at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the outer layer portion toward the drum body. The fiber stacking device according to item 1. A method for producing an absorbent body, which uses a fiber stacking device to produce an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having different basis weights in one direction, the method comprising:
The fiber stacking device includes a fixed drum and a rotating drum that is rotatable around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which fiber materials are stacked, and the rotating drum is rotated. While the stacking recess is conveyed in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is transferred to a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. The fibers are stacked on the bottom surface of the stacking recess,
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking areas in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the absorbent body having different basis weights,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A plurality of non-air permeable opening closing members are provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum in the circumferential direction of the drum, corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of fiber stacking regions of the stacking recess. They are arranged side by side,
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the opening closing member corresponds to the opening closing member in the accumulation recess. The flow rate of the air flow in the fiber stacking area is reduced,
Each of the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum has a predetermined position relative to the first suction area corresponding portion when overlapping the opening of the first suction area corresponding portion in the first suction area. The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum are spaced apart from each other by a distance of about the plurality of opening closing members are arranged to vary;
While rotating the rotating drum around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, the fiber material is supplied in a scattered state to the outer periphery of the rotating drum, and the fiber material is stacked in the accumulation recess in the suction area. Has a process,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, in the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members, the flow rate of the air flow increases as the separation distance increases. manufacturing method. A plurality of openings are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion in a row in the drum axial direction, and the opening closing member is provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumference of the fixed drum in the drum axial direction. A plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction overlap the plurality of openings arranged in the drum axial direction during conveyance in the first suction area of the accumulation recess. It is done like this,
Each of the plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction has a predetermined position relative to the first suction area corresponding part when overlapping the opening of the first suction area corresponding part in the first suction area. The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the direction of the drum axis are separated from each other by a distance of , and the separation distance is different from each other, and the separation distance gradually increases from one side to the other side in the direction of the drum axis. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of opening closing members are arranged so as to vary. A method for producing an absorbent body, which uses a fiber stacking device to produce an absorbent body having a plurality of portions having different basis weights in one direction, the method comprising:
The fiber stacking device includes a fixed drum and a rotating drum that is rotatable around the outer periphery of the fixed drum and has a stacking recess on the outer periphery in which fiber materials are stacked, and the rotating drum is rotated. While the stacking recess is conveyed in the conveying direction along the circumferential direction of the drum, the fiber material conveyed by the air flow generated by suction from the fixed drum side is transferred to a predetermined suction area in the circumferential direction of the drum. The fibers are stacked on the bottom surface of the stacking recess,
The stacking recess has a plurality of fiber stacking areas in the drum circumferential direction corresponding to the plurality of portions of the absorbent body having different basis weights,
The suction area has a first suction area in which suction from the fixed drum side is partially possible, and a second suction area in which suction is fully possible in the drum circumferential direction. ,
A first suction area corresponding part corresponding to the first suction area and a second suction area corresponding part corresponding to the second suction area are arranged on the outer peripheral part of the fixed drum,
The first suction area corresponding part is made of an impermeable member partially provided with an opening, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the first suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction only through the opening. and
The second suction area corresponding part does not include an air-impermeable member, and the air flow is allowed to pass through the entire area of the second suction area corresponding part in the thickness direction,
A plurality of non-air permeable opening closing members are provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer peripheral portion of the fixed drum in the circumferential direction of the drum, corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of fiber stacking regions of the stacking recess. They are arranged side by side,
During transportation in the first suction area of the accumulation recess, the opening closing member overlaps the opening of the first suction area corresponding part, so that the opening closing member corresponds to the opening closing member in the accumulation recess. The flow rate of the air flow in the fiber stacking area is reduced,
The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum have different lengths in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, which is orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the opening closing members extend from one side in the circumferential direction of the drum to the other side. the plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance gradually changes;
While rotating the rotating drum around the outer periphery of the fixed drum, the fiber material is supplied in a scattered state to the outer periphery of the rotating drum, and the fiber material is stacked in the accumulation recess in the suction area. Has a process,
In the fiber stacking step, in the first suction region, among the plurality of fiber stacking regions corresponding to the plurality of opening closing members, the shorter the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance, the more A method of manufacturing an absorbent body that increases the flow rate of airflow. A plurality of openings are provided in the first suction area corresponding portion in a row in the drum axial direction, and the opening closing member is provided in a portion of the rotating drum facing the outer circumference of the fixed drum in the drum axial direction. A plurality of opening closing members arranged in the drum axial direction overlap the plurality of openings arranged in the drum axial direction during conveyance in the first suction area of the accumulation recess. It is done like this,
The plurality of opening closing members arranged in the direction of the drum axis have different lengths in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, which is orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and the opening closing members are arranged in the direction of the drum axis from one side to the other side. The method for manufacturing an absorbent body according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of opening closing members are arranged such that the length of the opening closing member in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance gradually changes.

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